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It is so hard to believe that this will be the second last newsletter for the year, 2020 has been a very different year for us and has just flown by.
Reports and Meet 2021 Teacher
End of year reports will go home on Thursday 10th December. The report envelope will also include levy information and classes for 2021.
Prior to reports going home, students will spend the afternoon in their 2021 classes. This opportunity to meet their teacher and classmates helps to ease tensions and supports a positive transition. Please note, that some students can feel sad about being in a new room with new students, however, as parents we need to acknowledge their feeling but at the same time build resilience by highlighting the positives. We hope that all parents can support the placement of their child and know that all students will be taught by professional teachers who care deeply for each child’s education, safety and happiness. Teachers have spent many hours forming the 2021 classes ensuring each student has at least one nominated friend and that each class is well balanced to support learning for all students. Once these decisions have been made it makes it very difficult to alter and due to this, we will be unable to make changes.
Sandpit Fun
Last week we purchased some new equipment for our Primary Sandpit and it definitely increased the number of children accessing this area and their engagement. It was wonderful to see students of different grade levels interacting and co-operating with each other.
Somerset Primary Art Expo
We hope you have enjoyed the online virtual art exhibition that we have had on Facebook and our Schoolzine app. I’m sure you will agree that we have some very talented and creative artists.
Mrs Tidey had the very hard job of viewing all the artwork and then selecting the two artists whose work will be framed and displayed in our school for all to admire over future years.
The winning artists were:
Ryland with his soft pastel bushfire picture.
Giarna with a pencil and fine liner portrait.
Congratulations to these two students, you should be very proud of your amazing efforts.
NWPSSA Twilight Carnival
Well done to our 6 students Rohan, Shukuya, Jacobi, Lara, Ellie and Jack, who made it into the NW Primary School Sports Association Twilight Carnival. Even though not all students placed, everyone displayed our school values of to grow, to dream and to believe.
A huge congratulations to our two place getters:
Lara finished third in the Grade 5 Girls’ 1500m final.
Jack ran a blistering race to finish second in the Grade 6 Boys’ 100m Sprint final.
Class Performances
Due to venue density restrictions, we are unable to hold our usual performance assembly live. Instead each POD will be filming their production and posting it on our Facebook and School App page over the coming weeks. We hope you find them entertaining and a nice way to celebrate the end of the 2020 school year.
Please note, students without photo or media permissions will be involved but will not be in the film shot.
Merit Certificate Gathering
On Wednesday 16th December at 9.30 we will be holding an outside gathering to present merit certificates to our Prep to Grade 5 students. As this is an outside event, we can now invite parents of children who are receiving certificates. If you would like to attend, you will need to fill in a COVID screening sheet before assembling with us. We have attached a copy for you to print and prefill before arriving on the day.Prep – Grade Two
The early childhood children started the term working on their manipulative skills, starting with bean bags and then moving onto large balls. The skills of throwing and catching, dribbling, working co-operatively with a partner and in small groups and then challenging these skills within a game situation.
The children then participated in a week of water awareness lessons. In addition to progressing the children on with their swimming skills, it is also a perfect opportunity for those social skills of following instructions, keeping track of their belongings and the independence required to change before and after lessons. This was a very rewarding experience for the children, when one little fella did his first star float his comment of “I can float” was music to the ears and another, once he accomplished his first star float wanted to know “now teach me to move my legs and arms”.
As part of their water safety, we discussed that as children, they should always have adult supervision in and around water and if uncomfortable in water, floating and waving to gain attention was the safest option. The children then practiced in the water, receiving an object that floats and using that for support. They also experienced being towed to the side with the weighted ropes.
Grades Three & Four
The middle primary grades also worked on their large ball skills, bounce, chest, shoulder passes and dribbling being the main focus. Once working in partner, group or team activities and in a competitive situation, aiming to refine their delivery.
Grades Five & Six
The upper primary children explored the sport of Speedball. This is a combination of soccer and handball. Players can choose to play aerial balls or drop the ball to the ground and play soccer rules. In the game situation, if the ball is thrown and bounces on the ground they have the option to continue as soccer or using their feet, lift the ball back up to their hands or a team mates hands. A game that certainly challenged their strategies to achieve success.
It has been nice to have been able to spend the past full two terms engaging in making and exploring music with our Somerset Primary Students. As our Grade 6 students prepare to leave us to continue on their journey to high school, I would like to thank them all for their perseverance, enthusiasm and willingness to have a go during Music lessons over their years at Somerset Primary School.
Mrs Kathleen Matthews, Music Teacher
Grade 1 and 2 Music – What have we been learning?
This term in Music our Grade 1 and 2 students continued exploring rhythm reading and writing using the time names Ta, ti-ti and Zaa. This included putting rhythm patterns onto percussion instruments and playing along to the 2020 Music Count Us In song “You Won’t Bring Us Down”. Students continued developing their solo and group singing skills and confidence when performing with and for others. They demonstrated their ability to identify dynamics and tempo in music using puppets to show if the music they were listening to was forte/piano (loud/soft) and presto/largo (fast/slow). Students learnt a folk dance called Kangaroos and Emus which allowed them to practise safe movements, working with a partner and following instructions in a set dance. Aside from musical skills students have been practising their patience when waiting for a turn, respect for others and equipment, giving their best effort and attentive listening.
Our Learning Goals and Success Criteria this term were: I can sing my name solo, I can keep a steady beat, I can listen attentively and join in when asked, I can recognise and demonstrate the difference between forte/piano and presto/largo, I can read and play rhythm patterns using Ta, ti-ti and Zaa, I can follow and perform a simple movement sequence to music.
Grade 3 and 4 Music – What have we been learning?
This term in Music our Grade 3 and 4 students have developing their solo and group singing skills. Grade 3 students learnt the folk rhyme Down to the Baker Shop and sung in three-part canon, working hard to maintain their parts while listening to other groups singing the same rhyme but at a slightly different time to them. Grade 3 students practised their four-part canon singing to the rhyme Queen, Queen Caroline. They explored demonstrating song structure through movement and as part of this working cooperatively with others in a group. Students are finishing the term using ukuleles, learning to play A minor and F chords and practising a range of strumming patterns.
Learning Goals/Success Criteria this term: I can keep a steady beat, I can listen attentively and join in when asked, I can play instruments carefully and use them respectfully, I can sing in a three/four part canon, I can demonstrate song structure through movement, I can analyse music to identify musical elements, I can play Am and F chords on ukulele.
Music Count Us In 2020
Earlier this term you may have heard “..Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah…” being sung around the house by your child/ren…
Every year students at Somerset Primary School engage with the Music Count Us In song. A new song is released each year written by a group of students selected from across Australia. This song is then sung simultaneously around Australia by over 500,000 students. The 2020 program song You Won’t Bring Us Down gave our students a lot to think about and discuss when analysing the song lyrics.
Somerset Primary School participated during our Week 6 Assembly with students singing and Mrs McIlfatrick’s Signing Choir singing in Auslan. It is always lovely to hear and see our school community united together in simultaneous song.
Below are links to the various versions of the Music Count Us In song released by Music Australia this year:
- 2020 Lyrics Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2C-bGFMX5A
- 2020 Auslan Translation Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEULEQo4PVM
- 2020 Indigenous Langague Video, sung in Yamatji language (WA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpQ1arCSCH8
- Why Music Matters 2020 Animation Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2_CEShSggs&feature=emb_title
Grade 5 and 6 Music – What have we been learning?
This term in Music our Grade 5 and 6 students continued working on their ukulele skills, focusing on Am, F and C chords, strumming patterns and preparing their own songs in groups or solo for presentation. In weeks three and four students shared the ukulele songs they had been working on during terms 3 and 4 with Mrs Matthews. All students should be proud of their efforts and determination when building or expanding their ukulele playing skills. Grade 5s used movement to demonstrate structure of the 2020 Music Count Us In song with some fabulous movement ideas coming from groups. Grade 6 students are finishing the term working collaboratively to develop one of their end of year performance items during music lessons.
Learning Goals/Success Criteria this term: I can keep a steady beat, I can listen attentively and join in when asked, I can play Am, F and C chords on ukulele, I can change fluently between two/three chords, I can accompany my singing, I can use instruments respectfully, I can analyse music to identify musical elements.
NAIDOC Week 2020
To celebrate NAIDOC Week in Music (Sunday 8 November – Saturday 14 November 2020) students across all grades read the story Our Home, Our Heartbeat. This book is by Yorta Yorta man, rapper, hip-hop artist, lyricist, writer and actor Adam Briggs (aka Briggs). The book was written by Briggs as a “…celebration of past and present Indigenous legends …” (booktopia) and sparked discussion around the musicians, athletes, actors and advocates highlighted in the story.
Students in Grades 1/2 also explored the Indigenous language version of the 2020 Music Count Us In which is sung in language from the Yamatji Nation in Western Australia.
Students in Grades 3-6 listened to and compared three versions of Solid Rock performed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They identified instruments played, languages used and the genre/style of the music in each version. The first version was performed by musician Scott Darlow (a Yorta Yorta man); the second was a collaboration recorded in 2012 but released in 2019 featuring Shane Howard, Dan Sultan, Emma Donovan, Natalie Pa’apa’a, Archie Roach, Bart Willoughby, Amy Saunders, Myra Howard and the APY (Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) Lands Choir from South Australia; and the final version was recorded by Jessica Mauboy. Students made connections back to the Our Home, Our Heartbeat text as some of the performers we listened to were featured in the story.
Earlier this year during Term 2 students also explored the Yabbo Band version of I Am Australian sung in Wongatha language (WA) and the ABC We Are Australian advertisements sung in Yawuru language (WA).
Congratulations to the following students who have achieved home reading milestones this term. Well done and keep going with your reading!
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50 nights |
100 nights |
150 nights |
200 nights |
250 nights |
PA |
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Darcie Brooklyn Jaxon |
Brock Amelia
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Matilda |
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PB |
Heidi Syenah Alayna Ryot Jade |
Heidi Hallie Marliah Sophia Blaze Jade |
Charlie Hallie Jep Jade |
Hallie Jep Jade |
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1A |
Hayden Chloe Owen
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Finn |
Ruby Riley |
Quade Riley Amilia Thorin |
Thorin |
1/2 |
Amber Jacob
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Charlee Levi Tyler |
Aleycia Felix Harrison |
Tony
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Tony |
2A |
Jax Sakye Sophia A Macie J |
Macie J |
Macy P |
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2/3 |
Oliver Mc Grace |
Oliver Mc |
Ari |
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3A |
Mia Ryder Tikarna |
Mia Ryder Evan Gracie Tikarna |
Mia Evan Gracie Tikana
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3B |
Tyson Braxton Sophi Preston Oliver |
Preston Oliver |
Ellie Levi Oliver |
Isla C Layla Oliver |
Isla C |
4A |
Jaxon |
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Mia |
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4B |
Brody Xavier Trae |
Noah Toby |
Bailey Kaylen |
Freya Bailey
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4/5 |
Kaileah |
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Teresa Rachael |
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5A |
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Avah Beard |
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6A |
Shaylee |
Giarna |
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6B |
Chloe |
Chloe |
Chloe |
Chloe |
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Canteen - This Friday 4th December is the last day for canteen.
School Banking - Finished this week (no banking for the remainder of the year).
Colour Run - please your child's permission form if they are going to be participating in the Colour Run.
Validation Forms
Thank you to all of our families that have returned their childs validation form thus far. This is an important form for us as this is where we obtain all current medical, contact and student permission information from. It would be greatly appreciated if you could return your form as soon as possible if you haven't already done so.
Levies 2021
Levies invoices have been issued and families should begin to receive these in the mail soon. Families that have been approved for STAS will not receive an invoice. Occasionally there is a cross over where the STAS approval has come through just after the invoice was issued, if you have been approved for STAS and do receive an invoice, please disregard as a credit will be issued. If you think you may be entitled to Student Assistance, please see below to apply.
Levies can be paid in person, at Service Tas, BPay or via our new QKR App. Payment Plans are available if you are unable to pay the levies in full. Centrepay is also available for families who receive a payment from Centrelink (ie Parenting Payment). Your nominated amount is then taken out of your payment prior to you receiving it and paid directly to the school.
To discuss any of these options, please contact the office.
Student Assistance Scheme 2021
Parents who have a current concession card as listed below can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS:
- Service Australia – Centrelink Health care Card
- Service Australia – Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
- Service 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 with processing application for new applicants.
The online form can be completed here: https://stasonlinesubmission.education.tas.gov.au/
Once a validated form is completed the Department of Education will confirm the outcome of your application in writing, this process takes approximately 14 days.
We understand the online option may not be possible for all families, so if you require a hard copy form please contact your school or the Financial Assistance Unit on stas@education.tas.gov.au or 1800 827 077.
Medical Action Plans - Reminder
Just a reminder to parents/carers of students who require a Medical Action Plan (anaphylaxis and asthma for example) to ensure we have an updated copy at school. We require these to be updated each year. Please ask for one at your child’s next medical appointment and send a copy to school.
Uniforms
We have uniforms in stock for purchase throughout the year. Unfortunately due to a high number of late purchases, we are out of a couple of sizes of polo shirts. These will be arriving at the end of February hopefully. You can now order and pay for uniform items through our QKR App. Please see instructions below.
QKR – Online Payment System
We now have QKR available for online payments. Levies (whole or part payment) can be paid via the QKR app. You can also order and pay for uniform items. Please see below instructions to download the app. No fees apply.
Contacting the School
Our office is open from 8am until 3.50pm each day. You can contact us via the following methods:
Phone: 6435 1114
Mobile: 0419 583 998
Via the Schoolzine App – see below for how to download
Term 4 |
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8 & 9 December |
Christmas Roast |
10 December |
Reports Home |
10 December |
Transition Afternoon 2021 classes |
14 December |
Grade 6 Leavers Assembly – 1pm |
16 December |
Merit Certificate Gathering – 9.30 |
16 December |
Grade 6 Leavers dinner |
17 December |
BIG DAY IN (Students last day) |