What a fantastic event our school coordinated last week to acknowledge the Bullying “No Way” campaign. We had a huge response to our banner which was visible from the highway, even 'Triple M' shared our Facebook post on their website. Students wore orange to celebrate the day and raise awareness across the school. Students also undertook educational activities in class supported by teachers. A big thanks must also go to Mrs Raspin and Mrs Westerhof who supported the design and construction of the banner in their own time.

I would like to acknowledge a couple of important staff members who will be starting leave this week. We wish Miss Gard all the best on her maternity leave as she prepares to welcome her first child in to the world, we will welcome Miss Gard back in 2020. We will also farewell Mrs Newton-Brown this week who goes off on Long Service Leave until August, we hope she has a fantastic break!

Our mornings in 2019 look slightly different with daily fitness shifting to the start of the day from Tuesday – Thursday, Meet and Greets Monday and Mindfulness Fridays. Emma our School Nurse is supporting class teachers with mindfulness resources to use. We have also altered the structures for assemblies this year. Instead of having 3 separate assemblies to cover all classes, we will now have an Infant and Upper Primary assembly on alternate weeks.  These assemblies have both commenced this year with great community numbers attending. At the end of each term in week 10 we will have a whole school assembly and endeavour to fit all students and parents into our gym.

Last week I had the pleasure of announcing our new Student Voice Team and presenting them with their badges. These students will become an important part of our school, guiding school decisions which specifically impact on students. I also attended the Inter-School Athletics Carnival on Monday and was very proud to watch our students performing to the best of their abilities and demonstrating our school values by cheering on their peers.

A final reminder that we will be holding our AGM for the School Association on Tuesday 2^nd April at 6.15pm. I would like to encourage any parents or community members to attend and get involved in the decision making and direction of our great school moving forward.

Dear Parent / Carer

The Levies for 2019 are:

Kinder - $145.00

Prep to Year 6 - $210.00

All families should now have received notification of these charges in the mail either by invoice or statement.  The levy you pay contributes to the cost of your child’s education program, and includes items your child uses during the school year such as learning materials, stationery, school excursions and performances.  Other charges may apply throughout the school year for optional activities such as school social events, music tuition and camps.

Payment of levies must be made by:

Cash or credit card at the school office

• Bpay, Bpoint
• Service Tasmania
• Centrepay
• Payment plan – flexible weekly, fortnightly or monthly payment options

Financial assistance is available to families on low incomes who meet the eligibility conditions of the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS).  These families will not be required to pay school levies.  Families who are not eligible for STAS, but who may experience financial difficulty should discuss payment options with the School Business Manager, Rhonda Turner.   We understand that financial matters are highly sensitive, so your questions will remain completely confidential.

On Monday 18 March 2019 the elections for the SVT Executive were held. We would like to congratulate the following students on being nominated by their peers to lead student voice at Austins Ferry: 

President – Lily Cliffe

Co- Vice Presidents – Ella Horton and Rahya Zain

Secretary – Joel Cooper

Treasurer – Sarah Midgley

Congratulations also to our Year 3 - 6 students elected to represent their class as part of the Austins Ferry Primary School Student Voice Team:

2/3 Gallen                    Hannah Stacey and Colin Dermody

2/3 Morris                      Charlotte Burton and Chad Lynch

2/3 McCarthy                Shonae Naylor and Harri Wickham

3/4 Slater                       Ella Nicholas and Tahnisha Vucica

3/4 Sackley                     Ebony Nugent and Briley Crossin

3/4 Button/Raspin       Kirk Narsamma and Eleni Vega

4/5 Quinn                       Toby Sutcliffe and Drew Jenkins

4/5 Ley                            Bella Balmer and Hallie Maughan

5/6 Towns                      Ciaran Leonard and Sarah Midgley

5/6 Cook/Perry             Joel Cooper and Lily Cliffe

5/6 Lewinski                  Riley Stocks and Ella Horton

5/6 Gatenby                  William Ackroyd and Rahya Zain

Students have unique perspectives on learning, teaching, and schooling and the SVT provides them with the opportunity to actively contribute their views, concerns and ideas.

The Years 3 – 6 Student Voice Team will meet on Thursday 28 March for their first official meeting, discussing topics including designs for a new school beanie and hoodie and how to use the funds raised from Bullying. No Way! free-dress day.

All Students in Kindergarten - Grade 2

Thursday, 4th April   

All Students in Grades 3 - 6

Thursday, 28th March 

Assemblies start at 2.00pm sharp in the GP Hall.

Austins Ferry Primary is one of 300 primary school across Australia that is part of the ELLA trial Prep to year 2.   ELLA is a play based Early Language Learning App developed by the Australian Government. Prep students will have the opportunity to learn Japanese over the next three year using the ELLA app.

Research has shown that exposing children to language learning at an early age has many benefits including increased literacy in first language, as well as improved cognitive and socials skills.  In addition, language learning improves memory, concentration and critical thinking.   Information for parents can be found at:

Consent form

Kind Regards,

Alison Lowe

Japanese teacher Austins Ferry Primary School