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Welcome back to Term 4. As usual, Term 4 is always a busy one, so please keep informed by reading newsletters, Facebook posts and notes that go home.
TO GROW – Term 4 value
Our value this term is TO GROW – improving by always learning and finding better ways to do things. It is a very relevant value to celebrate at the end of the year, when we look back at all the progress and growth students have made over the twelve-month period.
Throughout the year our teaching team monitor all students’ progress, not only through national testing such as NAPLAN and PAT assessments but regular internal assessments. This year all POD teams have established data walls to track every child’s growth across different areas of the curriculum, with a particular focus on Literacy and Numeracy. Teams of teachers continually have conversations around this data to inform areas of focus for individual or groups of children.
This week as I’m getting the opportunity to view the data sets coming in and I’m feeling very positive about how we are growing as a school. On Friday 29th October (Professional Learning Day for staff), the staff will be looking closely at our NAPLAN, Satisfaction Survey and Student Wellbeing Data. I will share some of our finding and future actions in upcoming newsletters.
Students Playing in the School Grounds Outside of Hours
We are experiencing a growing number of students playing at school after hours and on the weekends. It is great that students feel comfortable at school and are keen to come back and play with their friends. However, we are noticing an increase in vandalism and risk-taking behaviours during these times.
We are happy for families and students to come and have a play, a swing or ride their bikes/scooters in the school yard. However, it is very important that whilst on school grounds, everyone is respectful of our environment and property. During these times, teaching staff are not available for supervision, so parents or carers must check in and set clear boundaries to ensure student safety and appropriate behaviour.
Our school is a valued part of the community and we would really appreciate your support in this matter.
Tickets to Play
Last week I had a very positive conversation with of our Dads who gave me some feedback on an article we posted at the beginning of the year around Tickets to Play. He explained that it was a great initiative and how his daughter was using the vouchers for swimming lessons at the Burnie Pool. I really appreciated the conversation as it reinforced some of the community programs or grants that parents can access for their children.
Tickets to play provides two vouchers up to $100 towards club memberships for children aged 5-18 years. If you would like to find out more information, please follow the link below : https://www.communities.tas.gov.au/ticket-to-play , or phone 1800 252 476 or email tickettoplay@communities.tas.gov.au
Friday 29th October - Professional Learning Day (student free day)
Monday 1st November - Public holiday
What's been happening in Grade 5
Last term grade 5’s worked together in the learning areas of HASS and Science. We have taken an inquiry approach to our learning and have had some interesting conversations and learning journeys.
In science we conducted an inquiry into Earth’s Place in Space. We started our inquiry by sharing what we already knew about earth and its relationship with the sun and moon. We chose our own topics about earth and space that we wanted to find out more about and conducted research to produce a poster or a PowerPoint that we then shared back to the grade. One interesting thing we learnt was that an astronaut’s space suit costs up to $250 million US dollars!! Part of our inquiry required us to make something. Some people made the solar system, phases of the moon, space slime and galaxy inspired paintings. We hope you enjoy our learning journey wall and finished projects.
In HASS we have been learning about why people have moved to Australia in the past and today. There is often a push or pull factor; migrant groups can be pushed out of their country due to wars and the conditions it leaves the country in, so they have to leave for their own safety. Or people are pulled to Australia, most often because of opportunities; work, a better future, family, weather and even lifestyle. In pairs we chose a migrant group to research and find out about the impact they have had on Australia. Some people chose refugees from different countries, Chinese gold miners, Japanese pearl divers and British skilled migrants. We have worked with partners using the learning assets of being collaborators and thinkers. Please see some samples of our finished work.
We have started term 4 by doing some artwork with water colours and weaving. Enjoy our art.
Thank you from grade 5.
Pod 1 students have shown growth in all aspects of school life as well as physically growing much bigger and stronger. Here are some examples of the positive changes we’ve made through our 2021 learning so far.
Sophia’s first try at weekend recount writing:
And now look!
Indiana started the year working with numbers to 10.
Dear Parents/Guardians
In grade 5B, we have been learning about community organisations that help our health. We have learnt that there are many people in our community who need help at times and we’ve thought of ways to support people in Somerset. We have come to an agreement to build a “can library” to put near the gates at the back of the school (Simpson St end). We will put hygiene items, canned food that doesn’t go out of date, non-perishables and baby care items such as wipes. Please donate to our can library to help those in our community who are facing hardship. If you would like to donate, please visit Somerset Primary School office. 5B will restock the library with your donations as it is needed.
Thank you
From 5B
Student Assistance Scheme 2022
The Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) provides assistance for low income families towards the cost of levies. Families who are eligible are not required to pay levies to the school. Applications are now open for 2022. If you were approved for 2021, you do not need to reapply, you will receive a letter from the Department of Education regarding 2022. For more information or to apply please go to The Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) Updates - The Department of Education Tasmania alternatively you can get a copy of the application form from the office.
Water Orientation Program Prep - Grade 2
Below you will find a timetable for our upcoming Water Orientation Program. The program runs for one week only from 8th to 12th November.
As stated on the letter attached to the consent forms parents, carers and other visitors will not be able to attend the program due to COVID-19 requirements. The timetable is provided to assist you with making any appointments for your children during this time. For those students in Grade 2 please contact the school to find if your child is in group 1 or group 2.
Monday 8 November - Friday 12 November (5 days) |
|||
POTENTIAL Bus times |
Class |
Enter pool area |
Exit pool area |
Leave 9:15 Return 11:00 |
Prep A |
9.45am |
10.30am |
Leave 10:00 Return 11:45 |
Prep B |
10.30am |
11.15am |
Leave 10:45 Return 12:30 |
1A |
11.15am |
12.00pm |
Leave 11:30 Return 1:15 |
1B |
12.00pm |
12.45pm |
Leave 12:30 Return 2:15
|
Group 1 Grade 2 |
1.00pm |
1.45pm |
Leave 1:15 Return 3:00
|
Group 2 Grade 2 |
1.45pm
|
2.30pm
|
COVID-19 Vaccinations for students aged 12 and over
The Tasmanian Government is working hard to provide the COVID-19 vaccination to all Tasmanian’s aged 12 and above.
As you may be aware there have been a number of clinics run in colleges to vaccinate students in years 11 and 12. There will also be a small number of regional high schools that will host a vaccine clinic but this is not something that will be occurring at high schools in larger population centres at this point in time.
However, there are a number of different options available for parents to arrange for students aged 12 and above to be vaccinated, these include:
- At one of the community clinics across the state. Appointments can be made by visiting coronavirus.tas.gov.au/booking or calling the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
- At participating GPs - contact your local GP directly to make a booking.
- At selected pharmacies - find one near you at com.au
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, your family and the wider community from COVID-19. Don’t wait. Vaccinate.
Young people under the age of 16 are encouraged to attend their vaccination appointment with a parent or guardian.
There are a number of places where you are able to find more information in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine. You may like to look at this information with your child to support them in understanding more about the vaccination:
- Information from the Australian Government about COVID-19 vaccines
- Information from the Tasmanian Government about COVID-19 vaccines
- Information from the Western Australia Government through a video presented by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki which answers common questions and dispel myths about COVID-19 vaccines.