It has been pleasing to see our students have the opportunity in Term 4 to travel outside of our school on excursions again. Many of our classes have planned trips coming up so please be aware of communication going home so you can prepare your students for the excursions.

I would also like to congratulate Mr Towns Year 5/6 class who were successful in a Spring Artist competition recently. Mr Winckel our Art Teacher supported the class to enter and produce the art piece which won third prize! In keeping with the art theme we will have a group of infant students travel to Glenorchy City Council soon for the unveiling of a new community art installation that our students were involved in planning last year.

Disco

Yesterday we held our school disco which was a roaring success! Students really enjoyed themselves dancing to the music curated by our DJ Kat (Teacher’s Assistant) A big thank you to Kat for her effort and our SVT students who organised the event. The theme of galaxy was well received by students with some very detailed costumes!

COVID restrictions – End of year events

I would like to outline some of the limitations we are facing with whole school events in Term 4, due to COVID restrictions we have had to change the way we structure events to support Government and DoE guidelines.

Carols Event – cancelled due to high risk environment where we can’t restrict entry and exit and recording of attendee’s details. The event will return in 2021!

Awards Assemblies – attendance for parents/carers will be by invitation only and linked to those students who will receive awards - 2 adults per child who are receiving an award.

Leaver’s Assembly – Each Year 6 student will be permitted to have 2 x adults attend the assembly. (This will be strictly monitored)

Year 3-5 Swim and Water Safety Program

A reminder to all Year 3-5 students and some selected Year 6 students that the 2 week swim program commences Monday 9 November. Students will need to ensure they pack their bathers and warm clothes as this year our program will take place at the Glenorchy Pool. We are excited that this program is still happening in 2020 as many schools have been cancelled due to COVID restrictions earlier in the year.

Staffing

Since the beginning of Term 4 we have had a few staffing changes to support teachers various circumstances. We welcome Vanessa Newton-Brown who is replacing Rachel Huizing who has gone on maternity leave. Beth Lincoln our former Music Teacher has returned to work with Annabelle Parker on Prep. Lauren Gard has also picked up an extra day on 1/2 Allen.

Bike Track Progress

Unfortunately due to some vandalism to machinery on our site the completion date for the bike track has been pushed back slightly. On a more positive note we have ordered a set of 16 new mountain bikes which will support our new bike program and track opening.

Kind regards

Tim Nicholas

Principal

Excursion:

Students participated in co-operative problem-solving activities. These challenges are designed to extend students’ problem-solving skills, while also incorporating teamwork. The students worked in small groups to complete the activities in a set amount of time.

The activities were thoroughly enjoyed by all!

Bunnings Spring Painting Competition:

5/6 Towns achieved a 3^rd placing in the Bunnings Get Ready For Spring Painting Competition! Well done to all the students involved and to Mr Winckel for inspiring us to achieve our best in Art class!

During Term 3, 5/6D has been learning all about “Claymation”. Our movie was called, “Lucy and the Rainbow Sheep”. In teams we had to create a small movie using coloured clay to make the characters. My group included Allirah, Courtney, Charlotte and I. We worked as a group to create the character of Lucy and the Rainbow sheep out of modelling clay. The storyline involved Lucy being involved in a country fair and wanting to exhibit her sheep. Her neighbour, “Toby” tried to sabotage Lucy’s entry by pouring a rainbow substance into the sheep’s water trough. The sheep turned rainbow overnight. Lucy discovered the sheep had turned multi-coloured. Luckily Lucy entered the rainbow sheep into the competition and they ended up winning! We made our own setting out of coloured cardboard. Backgrounds included a barn setting and at the show. The skills that we learnt about included filming using, “Stop Motion”, editing and voice overs. It took a long time but we were proud of our efforts!

By Zoe Alexander

The Growing Up Program – a relationships, sexuality and protective behaviours program, will be run by Family Planning Tasmania for Years 5 and 6, from Monday 9 to Thursday 12 November. A parent information session will be held from 8:30am to 9:00am on Monday 9 November in Green Pod Flexible Learning Space.

For information about talking to your child about relationships, sexuality and puberty visit http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/healthy_communities/talk_soon_talk_often

KISS & DROP

A friendly reminder that the school 'Kiss & Drop' zone is not for car parking - please do not leave your vehicle unattended in this zone.

UPDATING STUDENT DETAILS

It is vital for the school office to have updated details for all students.  In the event of a medical issue or emergency event this information is crucial in the care and response that we provide for your child/children.  Please ensure to update information with the office staff as required: emergency contact details, phone numbers, address details and any changes to your childs' medical needs eg. asthma, anaphylaxis.

ABSENCES / ATTENDANCE

If your child is absent please notify the school office before 9:30am:

• Leave a message on the answering machine 6275 7272
• Speak to the office staff face to face
• Call the office staff 6275 7222
• Email:  austins.ferry.primary@education.tas.gov.au
• Via the web form:  www.austins.ferry.primary@education.tas.gov.au
• Submit details through the Schoolzine SZapp

We care about your child's safety and will text you if your child is absent unexplained.

CAR PARK SPEED LIMITS

Speed limits throughout the school are restricted to 10km.  Please note that regardless of what time of day, if the gates are open there is someone here! Everyone's safety is important. 

END OF DAY MESSAGES

Please notify the school office as early as possible and prior to 2:25pm if you need to get a message to your child/ren for the end of the day. Class notice bags are collected at 2:30pm and passing on messages after 2:30pm becomes quite difficult.  We cannot guarantee messages will be received effectively after this time.

CANTEEN & QKR!

Please remember to place your canteen lunch orders through Qkr! prior to the 8:45am deadline.

2020 Christmas Raffle

The School Association are currently fundraising to support student learning programs including upgrading equipment in the Early Learning Centre and the purchase of Literacy and Numeracy resources for all students across our school.

The School Association thank the many families that have returned raffle books and to those that have sold multiple books for the 2020 Christmas Raffle. 

Please see updated prize list below.

Raffle books (10 tickets per book @ $1.00 each) will be sent home to all families soon.  Please return the books, either sold or unsold, to the school office no later than Tuesday 8 December 2020.  The raffle will be drawn on Wednesday 9 December at the Years 3-6 Awards Assembly.

A huge thank you to all the generous donors and sponsors! 

Krispy Kreme Fundraiser

Orders for the Krispy Kreme Fundraiser need to be placed no later than Wednesday 18 November 2020.

A 12 pack of original glazed doughnuts is $23.00 and a 12 pack of the classic assorted (6 x original glazed, 2 x choc iced, 2 x strawberry iced + 2 x choc iced with sprinkles) is $27.00.

Payment and orders can be place through the Qkr! app or forms and cash to the school office.     

Collection of orders from the school will be on Wednesday 2 December 2020 from 2:30pm                                  

The Department of Education recently announced that they would be expanding the Student Assistance Scheme for 2021.

Parents who have a current concession card as listed below can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS:

• Services Australia - Centrelink Health Care Card
• Services Australia - Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
• Services Australia - Pensioner Concession Card or
• Department of Veteran Affairs - Pensioner Concession Card

Please note that if you are already receiving student assistance you do not need to complete a form.

For 2021 a new on-line form has been developed to assist withh processing applications for new applicants.

The online form can be completed here: https://stasonlinesubmission.education.tas.gov.au/

The form will be available for public use from Tuesday 10 November.

Once a validated form is completed the Deparmtent of Education will confirm the outcome of your application in writing, this process takes approximately 14 days.

We understand this online option may not be possible for all families, so if you require a hard copy form please contact the school office or the Financial Assistance Unit on stas@education.tas.gov.au or 1800 827 077.

HOME READING CLUB

Join in some family fun and read at home for 1 hour with your child on Thursday 12 November.

Australians all around the country are encouraged to pick up a book and share it with someone special in your life!

Children who read and enjoy their reading will be successful in their learning.

Did you know - for adults, reading reduces stress more than listening to music, going for a walk or having a cuppa!