This will be our last newsletter for Term 2 which means we are very close to the midway point of 2021! The year is flying by however so much has been achieved already, student engagement and teacher support has been outstanding as has parent and community links. I would like to wish all of our community a restful school holidays and am looking forward to what the second half of 2021 will bring.

Berry Street Professional Learning for staff

Our school recently hosted a 4-day professional learning event. Around 60 teachers from across the state attended which included 8 of our own staff. The Berry Street Education Model is made up of 5 parts: Body, Stamina, Engagement, and Character, all anchored by relationships. The BSEM approach is through a trauma-informed positive education lens that links:

• Approaches addressed in trauma informed classrooms with
• Proven positive psychology interventions

Our staff who attended were glowing in their recommendations and believe the learning they undertook will support students across our school. Moving forward we hope to further strengthen our relationship with Berry Street and host future events.

Parent/Teacher reminder

All Prep – Year 6 students will receive a written progress report next week. There will also be an opportunity for all Kinder to Year 6 families to have a parent/teacher interview next Tuesday and Wednesday evening. We have an online booking system that families can log on to and select an interview time that suits their needs. All interviews will be conducted in students’ classrooms.

School Donations

We would like to acknowledge the support of various community members who have contributed funds or goods to support our students:

• Craig Farrell MLC Member for Derwent
• Elise Archer Liberal Member for Clark
• Belle Parker Real Estate

School Association

I would like to thank our parent, staff and community members who attended our meeting yesterday evening. There were some great conversations and agenda items raised through class DoJo and other communication channels. The recent fundraising efforts from Mother’s Day Stall, Krispy Kreme’s and Easter Raffle have placed the association in a great position to contribute funds to the school for resource purchasing.

Term 2 Cross-curricular priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures

This Term has seen our school focus on the above cross-curricular priority with teachers planning for exploration of Aboriginal culture and links with local Tasmanian communities. Several classes have linked Term 2 excursions with this priority and engaged with NITA Aboriginal Education Team (Nayri Niara).

This term in 5-6 Perry we have been studying the different states of matter and how they can change from one state to another.

We have conducted a number of experiments including creating our own micro eco system demonstrating the water cycle, mixing various liquids and solids and then seeing if we can separate them back into the original substances. We also investigated what happens when we put an Alka Seltzer tablet into water, which resulted in a gas being formed and inflating a balloon.

We also did an experiment with our buddy class showing how water can travel up paper towel into another cup.

Grade 5/6 Johnson have been a very busy lot of learners this year and driving much of our learning through an inquiry approach. Recently we have focussed on Science, learning about Solids, Liquids and Gases as well as Reversible and Irreversible Changes.

Over the next two weeks we will all have a turn at being scientists and conducting experiments for the rest of the class. We will then be assessed by our peers based on set criteria. It will be an interesting experience listening and responding to constructive feedback from our classmates.

Our big focus on reading is starting to pay off, with many personal goals of reaching independent reading level achieved. A focussed spelling program is supporting us to really improve our spelling and vocabulary. Using our school values to drive our learning and measure our success helps us to stay focussed and continue to aspire to be our best. We don’t mind a bit of classroom art too.

Last week we worked with charcoal to create some amazing work, some of which you can see. The artwork is based on a photo of deadwood piled up on Spring Beach at Orford.

In 5/6 Jackson we have been experimenting with descriptive language in our narrative texts. We have been learning how to use metaphors and similes in our writing. Below are some of the similes we created this term.

 

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.

STUDENT PICK-UP

If you need to collect students throughout the school day for appointments please arrive in time to allow us to locate your child.  We do not call to the classroom until you have arrived.   This limits interruptions to the class and avoids your child missing out on valuable learning time.  Thank you for you co-operation.

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.

OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOUR CARE & HOLIDAY PROGRAMS

Playtime Sports offer both after school care and school holiday care and operates out of our school gym.

After school care is open every week day from 2:45pm to 6:00pm.  School holiday programs operating hours are 7:30am to 6:00pm.

All enquiries to Karen Morgan at Playtime Sports on 0407 199 160.

Go to www.schoolinterviews.com.au and enter the code 6b9jv

When you click Finish your selected bookings will be emailed to you immediately. If you do not receive your email, please check your junk-mail, or enter the event code again and check your email address spelling. DO NOT DELETE the email you receive. Keep it somewhere safe. You may need to refer back to it at a later date. Bookings must be finalised by June 28 at 4:00pm

If you need to view, cancel, change or print your bookings:

• Click on the link in the confirmation email you received after you made your bookings.
• OR return to www.schoolinterviews.com.au and enter the code and the email address you used when making your bookings.
• If you do not have internet access, please contact the school on 62757222 and office staff will support you to make a booking.

When your child attends a Tasmanian Government school you will find that there are costs that you will need to pay. These include levies, school uniforms, excursions and other costs associated with your child’s educational program. 

The levy payment contributes to the cost of your child’s education program and includes learning materials, stationery, performances and excursions. 

Levy invoices were mailed to parents/carers in early February and there was an expectation that levy payments would be finalised by the end of Term 1 – Wednesday 31 March 2021.

A letter was posted last week to remind parents and carers that 2021 levy payments are now overdue.  Admin staff will follow-up with a phone call later this term if you have not made contact with us.

Thank you to those families who have paid, arranged Centrepay payments or who have set up a payment plan.

Payment of levies and charges must be made by:

• Cash or credit card at the school office during office opening hours
• Bpay, Bpoint
• Service Tasmania.
• Qkr!

Parents/carers are encouraged to discuss payment of levies and charges if there is difficulty in affording any element of the levy or charge.  A levy instalment plan including Centrepay will be made available to parents/carers who are unable to make a full payment.

Instalment plans offer flexible, sensitively negotiated payment options to assist parents/carers to budget for this cost. Payments can be made weekly, fortnightly, monthly or at other agreed times after payment of an affordable deposit.  Please see the School Business Manager, Rhonda Turner, for assistance with this process.

STAS – Student Assistance Scheme

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

For 2021 a new on-line form has been developed to assist with processing applications for new applicants and can be completed here:  https://stasonlinesubmission.education.tas.gov.au/

We understand this online option may not be possible for all families - hard copy paper forms are available from the school office.

Congratulations!!

The following students have a reached the 25 Club.

Malakai Breen-McGuire     Ryley Mackenzie     Alizee Upton

Charlotte Button  Tarniya Twining      Montanah Field

The following students have reached the 50 Club.

Ariah Mayne     Mason Cordwell     Charlotte Button

Emmitt Triffitt

The following students have reached the 75 Club.

Max Lang     Charlotte Button     Saveeni Kularathne     

The following students have reached the 100 Club

Charlotte Button

The following students have reached the 125 Club

Ashly Haste     Jesse Horton

Motivation can be hard to get outside and play or participate in Winter activities.

Try some of these below with the family or make a new list and think of fun ones you would all enjoy!

Just remember to rug up and stay warm ?

Nurse Tayla