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As the end of another school year comes to close, I usually reflect on the year that was.
2020 has been a year like no other, I don’t think any of us would have predicted a worldwide epidemic which has resulted in widespread adjustments across every aspect of life. COVID-19 has meant that we have had to be highly flexible and innovative in following and implementing restrictions and ways of working. As a School it has been challenging times keeping up to date with the ever-changing restrictions and protocols to keep our community and ultimately our students safe. However, positive outcomes have been the strength and resilience of our staff, students and community in working together to overcome the obstacles and give our students the best learning experiences we could.
When I reflect on 2020 I do have feelings of regret, especially for our Kinder and Grade 6 students and families. Due to the ‘stop, drop and go’ protocol and restrictions on parents entering school buildings, it has been hard for our new Kinder families to build relationships and feel connected to our school community. Our Grade 6 students have missed out on a number of big events, with Grade 6 camp being one of the most noticeable. However, this term as restrictions have eased, our Grade 6 Team have worked hard to offer our students some positive and memorable leadership experiences as well as making adjustments so we could celebrate today and host the Grade 6 Leavers’ Dinner on Wednesday 16th December.
Despite the disruptions, this year we have progressed well with our school improvement priorities.
- Our teaching staff have been working with a collection of schools in the Burnie Cluster on an inquiry to improve student writing outcomes. This will continue in 2021 with a focus on the type and quality of our feedback to move each learner forward.
- Our focus on the Zones of Regulation and relaxation after lunch has had a notable decline in behaviour issues, especially after lunch play. A survey of students highlighted that:
- 95% of the students in Grades 1-6 can identify the zones and the correlating emotions.
- 79% of the students in Grades 1-6 agree the zones support them when talking about their emotions and how they and others feel.
- 88% of the students in Grades 1-6 have strategies they know to support them if they need to move from the yellow, red or blue zone to the green zone.
- Our focus on implementing a more inquiry based approach to teaching and learning has been very positive. It is great see students engaged in learning journeys based on the questions they have in relation to the concepts. As a staff we have developed a set of learning assets/dispositions that we will share and implement in 2021. We are looking forward to sharing more of our work on inquiry with our wider school community next year.
As we move into 2021 a big focus for us will be refining and improving the ways we engage and make parents/carers feel more connected to our school and their chid/children’s education. Like many of you, we have felt a disconnect this year with parents/carers not being able to attend school events and assemblies. Due to this we will try and be innovative in findings new ways of doing things and hosting events so we can maximise participation and involvement.
I would like to thank all community members who have helped to make our school such a special place. This includes parents and carers who have: helped within classrooms; listening to students read; sporting coaches; members of the fundraising committee and school association; canteen volunteers; breakfast club volunteers; and our Adopt A Cops (Richard and Jodi). I would like to make particular mention, once again, to the parents/carers/volunteers who helped to make the Christmas Roast possible. This year we had very few Parent Group members but due to some hardworking individuals it was great to see this special whole school tradition take place. Your time and support is very much appreciated and we look forward to your continued support in 2021.
Farewells
In addition to having our Grade 6 students and some of their families leaving our school, we also unfortunately have some staff who are leaving us:
- Mrs Sam Bakes, Mr Emmitt Smith, Miss Teegan Townsend and Mrs Nicki Clifford have been with us this year on varying contract basis. During their time at SPS they have developed positive relationships with our school community and worked as part of our larger team to provide engaging and supportive learning environments for all students.
- Mrs Sophia Jackson is leaving after 4 years teaching Grade 5/6 at SPS. I know a number of students will be disappointed at not having the opportunity to be in Mrs Jackson’s class next year due to her fun loving, kind and effervescent personality. We will definitely miss her Jamaican flare dance moves at the end of recess and lunch! Best wishes, Mrs Jackson, in your new ventures at Marist Regional College.
- Mrs Kate McIlfatrick has been an important part of the Somerset Primary community for many years. In the time that I have been at the school she has been employed to support students with a hearing disability and as our Grade 4-5 AUSLAN teacher. Mrs McIlfatrick is well known for her calm, kind and supportive nature. She is very much an advocate, making sure all children are included and their culture respected. I think our AUSLAN choir is a shining example of her work at SPS. We wish her well as she moves into an AST position with Accessibility Services.
- Mr Peter Strempel has made the decision to retire at the end of Term 4 after over 20 years of service to the Department of Education. Mr Strempel is a much valued member of our EFA team, keeping our school environment clean and safe. He is also responsible for setting up our assemblies and special events in addition to filming our end of year staff performances. We wish Mr Stremple a happy retirement and hope he has many fun- filled adventures in his new campervan.
- Mrs Amy Gibbons will be commencing Maternity Leave at the end of this week and will return in 2022. We wish her all the very best during this precious time.
Once again I would like to thank the students, staff and parents/carers for your support over this 2020 school year. I know I am very fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful school community and a dedicated staff team. I am looking forward to a brighter 2021 and all the experiences we will share together.
Merry Christmas to you and your families and hope you have a safe and happy holiday break.
See you on Wednesday 3rd December – 1st day of Term One 2021.
Congratulations to our P-Grade 5 Adopt a Cop Merit certificate recipients
Class |
Recipient |
Prep A |
Amelia |
Prep A |
Leo |
Prep B |
Poppy |
Prep B |
Kahlia |
1A |
Thorin |
1A |
Lili |
1/2 |
Harrison |
1/2 |
Jordan |
2A |
Bailey |
2A |
Macy |
2/3 |
Lilly |
2/3 |
Zac |
3A |
Jovi |
3A |
Abbie |
3B |
Koby |
3B |
Layla |
4A |
Jaxon |
4A |
Maddison |
4B |
Freya |
4B |
Miller |
4/5 |
Phoenix |
4/5 |
Marni-Roze |
5A |
Ava |
5A |
Campbell |
Congratulations to Dustin for the Teacher Assistant Improvement Award
Congratulations to our Grade 6 certificate recipients
Somerset Primary School Grade 6 Awards |
||
AWARD |
DONATED |
RECIPIENT |
Somerset School Value Award: To Respect
This award recognises a student who is a warm, kind and respectful member of the school community. Always respecting them self, others, our past and our school environment.
|
Emu Bay Lion Club
|
Chloe |
Somerset School Value Award: To Grow
This award recognises a student who brings a growth mindset to all aspects of school life. Improving by always learning and finding better ways to do things.
|
Building Somerset’s Future
|
Ilah |
Somerset School Value Award: To Dream
Recognises a student who aspires to a culture of high expectations and high achievement.
|
Emu Bay Lions Club
|
Ella |
Somerset School Value Award: To Believe
This award recognises a student who shows initiative, courage and has a positive attitude to all areas of school life. Always accepting challenges and embracing opportunities.
|
Liberal Team - Roger Jaensch, Joan Rylah & Jeremy Rockliff
|
Ethan |
Yolande Love Scheffer Award for Artistic Talent
This award honours a beloved mother who valued creativity and artistic expression.
|
Senator Anne Urquhart 1x Book Prizes
Nancy Munday 1 x book prize
|
Charlie
Ava |
Fran Chipman Memorial Care for Others Award
This award recognises a student who shows genuine care and compassion for other students and adults in our school.
|
Parent Group
|
Aylah |
Somerset Primary’s Shining STAR Award This award recognises a student who is a role model to our whole school community. They have consistently embodied our STAR Rules and contributed positively to our school environment. |
Wynyard/Waratah Council
|
Anina |
Merit Awards
These students have been recognised for their effort and improvement in all areas of school life. Working hard and embracing the STAR Rules to drive improvement in their learning. |
School Organised Certificates |
Elizabeth |
Adam |
||
Tobe |
||
Chilli |
||
|
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|
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Application and Improvement Award
Recognises a student who is known for their effort, perseverance and enthusiastic attitude to achieve, while facing all challenges positively.
|
Gavin Pearce (Liberal)
Anita Dow MP
|
Meg
Giarna
|
Achievement in Sport
Recognises a student with exceptional skill in a range of sports and consistently demonstrates sportsmanship and passion.
|
Somerset Basketball Club
Ricoh Ulverstone
|
Shaylee
Noah |
Literacy Achievement Award
Recognises a students who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in Literacy.
|
Wynyard Lions Club
|
Tobi |
Numeracy Achievement Award
Recognises a student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in Numeracy.
|
Wynyard Lions Club
|
Connor |
Science Achievement Award
Recognises a student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in Science.
|
Shane Broad (SCIENCE)
|
Vanessa |
Leadership Award
Recognises a student who is an outstanding school leader. A reliable responsible and caring student always giving 100%.
|
Ruth Forrest MLC
|
Shukuya |
Ministers Award: Academic Excellence
Recognises a student who exhibits excellence in academic achievement, school leadership and citizenship.
|
Liberal Team - Roger Jaensch, Joan Rylah & Jeremy Rockliff
|
Olivia |
Rotary Citizenship Award (HONOUR BOARD)
Recognises a student who is outstanding in all areas of school life.
|
Rotary Club Somerset
|
Rohan |
Ministers Award: Respectful Student
Recognises a student who upholds our school expectations to the highest degree. Consistently has a positive mindset and at all times is respectful to all members of our school community.
|
Jeremy Rockcliff
|
Amarli |
Christmas Roast
Once again on the 8th and 9th December our students and staff were very fortunate to be involved in the traditional Christmas Roast. This is a very special event and is very much appreciated by all.
A big thank you to the following businesses for their donation of produce:
- Somerset IGA RedJaf
- Somerset IGA Everyday
- IGA West Park Grove
- Young’s Veggie Shed
- Woolworth’s Wynyard
- Bruce’s Restaurant
- Burr Family
- Mick’s Fruit & Veg
- Julie Ellis – cash donation
An extra special appreciation for Caltex Somerset for their generous donation which covered the cost so students did not have to pay for their roast this year. Plus, it also allowed us to purchase a cutlery set which supports our school wide sustainability focus to reduce single use plastic waste.
Book and Uniform Collection Days – 2021
Our book and uniform collection days will be on:
Wednesday 27th January from 9.00am until 2.00pm
Thursday 28th January from 12.00 noon until 6.00pm
Parents/carers will be asked to observe designated waiting markers on the floor to ensure Physical Distancing requirements are met whilst waiting.
A reminder that we will not be taking payment for levies on these days. Levies will be invoiced in February.
Grade/Class |
Memo Book 165 x 100mm |
A4 exercise book |
Scrapbook 335 x 245mm |
Prep |
|
4 |
4 |
Grade 1 |
1 |
6 |
6 |
Grade 2 & 2/3 |
1 |
8 |
4 |
Grade 3/4 |
2 |
9 |
2 |
Grade 5 |
1 |
8 |
|
Grade 6 |
1 |
9 |
|
Congratulations to Rachael, Ivy, Hunter, Sommer and Isla for becoming our newest members of Emusicians.
Well done to Laylah, a shining Somerset STAR with her great efforts putting together Christmas boxes for families in our community. Families that received them from Somerset Primary were very appreciative.