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Attendance
The cooler weather in Terms 2 and 3 is also associated with an increase in colds and illness and a drop in attendance. A small number of absences is fine if your child is too sick to come to school or they have an illness that can be passed on to others. However, in all other circumstances it is important to maintain regular attendance every day. If you are experiencing difficulty getting your child to school please chat with your child’s teacher or members of our Leadership Team as we can offer support.
Did you know, if your child is absent for a day of school each week during Primary School (Prep – Year 6), they will have missed nearly a year and a half of schooling by the end of their primary school years.
You can help your child get the most from their education by:
- making medical and other appointments outside school hours
- arranging family holidays in scheduled school holiday breaks
- knowing what’s happening at school to support your child’s interest and confidence.
If your child is absent from school it is important to tell us and provide the reason for the absence. This can be done via the Schoolzine app, texting 0419 583 998 with name and reason, phoning the school office, sending a note with a sibling or visiting the school.
Please be mindful that your child’s attendance is valued by us. Teachers or the leadership team will make contact if a child has unexplained absences. We may also ask for a medical certificate to explain extended or regular absences. In the next week we will be sending out letters to families with attendance less than 90%. The letter is just a reminder about the importance of attendance and offering support if needed.
Merit Certificates
Over the last week we have been reflecting on the purpose of our Merit Certificates based on some parent and staff feedback. Traditionally we have given these out in assemblies which means that only eight students or around 30% of students would receive one in a year and it is very possible that some students could leave Grade 6 without getting a certificate. Based on this we have come to the decision that we need to adapt our current model so that we are recognising more of or students for their efforts in enacting and modelling our school values. Commencing this term, we are going to be giving out merit certificates fortnightly in POD meetings that occur daily after recess. We appreciate that parents won’t be able to see their child receive their certificate, however, we feel that it is more beneficial for student engagement and motivation for us to make these changes. We will of course take pictures and acknowledge the students on our Facebook page and newsletter if appropriate.
Our school value this term is To Dream – a culture of high expectations and high achievement.
Parent Teacher
We will be holding our parent teacher discussions in Week 10 (21st-24th June). We will be using an online booking system for your convenience. Please see the link below or go onto our Schoolzine app. Please note, bookings open on 6th June and close on 16th June. If you do not have access to these platforms, please phone the school office on 64351114 and our friendly office staff will make bookings for you.
Parent teacher discussions are important as it gives teachers the opportunity to elaborate on your child’s progress and for you to ask questions. We encourage all parents/carers to make an appointment.
https://somersetps.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/4
TasTAFE Students
We are currently hosting 5 TasTAFE students who are doing their Teacher Assistant Work Placement. These ladies support a classroom each Wednesday or Thursday for Terms 2 and 3.
At Somerset Primary we are very supportive of being a part of future educators learning journeys and we hope you make them feel welcome.
Welcome to:
Sarah in 1A
Jan in 2/3
Stacey in 3/4A
Aimee in 3/4B
Jazmine in 3/4D
From our Grade 6 newsletter reporters
Miss Gale interview
How many years have you been teaching?
This is my first year of teaching.
What other schools have you taught at?
Burnie Primary and Montello.
What are your favourite things about Somerset Primary?
I love that Somerset Primary has an inquiry approach to learning, and that it has a strong sense of community.
What subject do you enjoy teaching most and why?
English, because I love literature.
What Primary school did you go to?
North Town Primary School in Somerset England.
What are your Hobbies other than teaching?
Gardening and making things.
By Phoenix
Miss Burgess interview
How many years have you been teaching?
2.5 years. Technically this is my first year as a qualified teacher, however last year I had my own class on a LAT. I have also done relief in 2019.
What other schools have you taught at?
West Ulverstone Primary School.
What are your favourite things about Somerset Primary?
How friendly, helpful and welcoming all staff and students are.
What subject do you enjoy teaching the most?
I asked my class what they thought. They suggested Maths because I teach them a lot of strategies and writing because I get exited when they are engaged. I would say writing because I like how creative the students can be.
What primary school did you go to?
Ulverstone Primary School, Mrs Pearce was my Kinder teacher.
What are your hobbies other than teaching?
Staying away at Granville Harbour, going 4-wheeler riding, going out for lunch or tea or hanging out with friends.
By Jessie H
Ms Lowe Interview
- How many years have you been teaching?
3 years but I Have been a teacher’s assistant for 10 years
- What other schools have you taught at?
Table Cape and St Brigids – Wynyard
- What are your favourite things about Somerset Primary School?
Everybody is really friendly and helpful, and it is a beautiful community of learners.
- What subject do you enjoy teaching the most and why?
Hass and Geography, I have lived and travelled all over the world. I used to live in London, Germany and Italy.
- What primary school did you go to?
I lived in South Australia then for high school I went to Marist.
- What are your hobbies other than teaching?
Sleeping!!!! I enjoy walking my dog Bentley on the beach and reading.
By River T
Teacher interview: Miss Elliot
How many years have you been teaching for?
I have been teaching for ten years now.
What other schools have you taught at?
Campbell Town, Glenorchy and Longford.
What is your favourite thing about Somerset Primary School?
The community such as the children and staff.
What subject do you enjoy teaching the most and why?
I enjoy teaching Science, but it was a really hard discission. I like teaching Science because I like running the experiments.
What primary school did you go to?
I went to Waratah Primary School and I was a little bit of a naughty girl
What are your hobbies other than teaching?
Cooking, music and dogs/all other animals.
By Campbell J
Prep were quite surprised to come into the classroom and see that they could not sit on their chairs due to the chairs going on strike. This led to some great letter writing to persuade the chairs to be used again. We had some creative ideas.
2 June |
NW Cross Country |
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11 June |
POD 2 excursion to Stanley (leaving 9.15am – return 3.45pm) |
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17 June |
Reports home |
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21 – 24 June |
Parent/Teacher meetings |
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28 June -2 July |
NAIDOC Week (SPS) |
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30 June |
Assembly – Team 2 |
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2 July |
End Term 2 |
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Please note:
To reduce the number of adults attending assemblies the school will be split into two assembly teams.
Team 1 – KA, PA,1A,2A,3/4A, 3/4C, 5A & 6A
Team 2 – KB, PB,1B,2/3,3/4B, 3/4D, 5B & 6B |
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