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Burnie Eisteddfod Results
This year a number of classes from Grade 1 to 6 entered the Original Poem section of the Burnie Eisteddfod. We were thrilled to find out that we won the shield for the most poems entered in addition to 8 of our students receiving a place and another 8 receiving honourable mentions. This is a fantastic achievement and celebrates the great work happening in classrooms. Congratulations to all our students, displaying our values of TO DREAM, TO BELIEVE and TO GROW. A special well done to Rihanna and Aylah for their first place efforts as well as reading their poems at the Winners’ Concert.
Below is a list of our students who placed:
1st Place
Rihanna Gr4 and Aylah Gr5
2nd Place
Harrison Gr1, Charlee-Rae Gr3, Tobi Gr5 and Tate Gr6
3rd Place
Finn Gr4 and Jack Gr6
Honourable Mentions
Rylie Gr1, Cypress Gr1, Noah Gr3, Tori Gr4, Toby Gr5, Ella Gr5, Amarli Gr5 and Nathaniel Gr6
Parent Teacher and Reporting
Thank you to all parents who participated in our Parent Teacher meetings last week. All teachers value this dedicated time as the written reports are just a snap shot of your child’s time at school. Parent Teacher meetings demonstrate how well our teachers know your child and enable them to discuss your child’s progress in more detail, share work samples and answer any questions you may have. Our feedback from parents too is that they appreciate the one to one time to elaborate on what is written in the reports.
I would also like to take the time to acknowledge the wonderful work of teaching staff at Somerset Primary. Some people may not realise the hours it takes for teachers to complete the report writing process, as it does not only involve writing comments but moderating work samples and collecting evidence to support the ratings given. All of this is done in teachers own time over a number of weekends and late at night, often once they have tucked their own children in bed. This is in addition to still finding the time to plan and provide the engaging learning environments and experiences each day. The Department of Education have acknowledged the additional workload pressure and this is why the reporting requirements have changed this year. The minimum requirement is now just two reports (mid-year and end of year) with a personal comment relevant to each child, ratings against Maths, English and Science and a HASS rating by the end of the year. The teaching staff and School Association endorsed the new reporting requirements but voted to continue to provide the extra progress report that went home in 1st Term with the slider around effort, behaviour etc. Mrs Matthews and Mrs Evans will put updates in the newsletter each term in regards to their Music and PE programs as these are not required to be reported on at the end of the year.
Somerset Primary School Association
You may be aware that the Somerset Primary School Association meets regularly throughout the year and comprises of elected parent and staff representatives.
The school association is involved in, but not limited to, endorsing school policies and codes of conduct, developing values and priorities and also fostering cooperation among teachers, students and parents.
As a general member of the school community you are welcome to attend these meetings as an observer. Please note though, due to the operation of the School Association constitution, only elected members are able to vote on motions.
If you are interested in attending, our next meeting is on 30 July 2019 commencing at 6pm. The duration of meetings is normally 1 – 1 ½ hours. An agenda item for discussion at this meeting will be the outsourcing of our school uniforms and the tender process.
If you have any further questions, please chat with a member of the School Association or call the school office.
Grade 2 has been learning about where our food comes from and how it gets from a farm to our fork. On Friday we went on an excursion to Guide Falls Farm to learn how farmers care for animals and the different animals and plants we grow to eat. We had a great day feeding and patting all the animals.
In term 2, Grade 2-3 have been learning about the elements of visual art and enjoying many different art experiences.
Here are some of our art works which combine aspects of actual and implied texture.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION TERM TWO 2019
During term two the children have focused on developing or refining their level of skill, which contributes to their ability to competently and confidently participate in physical activity.
Prep to Grade 2
These children continued from their work at the end of term one (beanbags) and practiced their manipulative skills with basketballs, soccer balls and then onto small balls (tennis). The skills of throwing, catching, rolling, fielding and dribbling, both with their hands and feet were practiced.
Grades 3 & 4
These children started the term off looking at the components of fitness and using various tasks to challenge each of these aspects. They continued for the remainder of the term using small balls exploring throwing, catching, rolling and fielding. These activities were then a perfect base to practice striking skills, firstly with their hands, small bat, tennis racket and finishing with a two handed strike using softball bats.
Grades 5 & 6
The upper primary children started the term also looking at the components of fitness and using various tasks to challenge each of these aspects. They enjoyed a unit on tennis with ball control, forehand and backhand our focus for the skill extension. Finishing off the term with skipping activities that focused initially on jumping and their timing ability, with the last two weeks challenging their perseverance, with jumping activities that involved multiple ropes.
Thirty of our grade four to six children also participated in the NWPSSA cross country, held at Ulverstone.
Teamwork and co-operation is a major focus in all areas with the children being exposed to a variety of group dynamics involving individual, partner, small group and team activities. Children are encouraged to demonstrate tolerance and respect for peers, rules and equipment.
The Premiers Reading Challenge
Congratulations to Shukuya
The Premier’s Reading Challenge encourages students to read 10 books in 10 weeks during term 2. Shukuya was nominated as an outstanding reading ambassador in the north-west region. She is often in the library before school, reading with and to younger students and likes to go into classes to read to the students as well. Shukuya seeks out opportunities to help with reading through being one of our Junior Literacy Leaders. She has been recognised for her dedication to reading by the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Shukuya received a certificate and book voucher last Thursday.
Canteen News - Burnie Community House Inc
New menus will hopefully go out on the last day of Term 2.
You will notice a few changes:
- From Term 3, sauce satchels will incur a fee and only be supplied upon request and purchase.
- We have had to increase the price of most items by 10% as we are unable to sustain price hikes incurred through our wholesalers.
Dear Parent/ Guardian,
Knowing our bodies
In Term 3 in line with the Australian Curriculum and the Department of Education, Tasmania, students will be learning about their own growth and bodies. This program will enable students to develop skills to manage their emotions, understand the physical and social changes and examine how relationships change over time.
As the School Nurse for Somerset Primary I will be delivering the program with support from the grade teachers.
The sessions will consist of age appropriate topics:
Kinder to Grade 2
- Knowing our bodies in relation to hygiene e.g. washing our hands, cleaning our teeth, brushing our hair
- Germs e.g. coughs and colds
- Healthy eating e.g. everyday foods and sometimes foods
- Feelings
- People to trust
- Resilience
Grade 3 and 4
- Body systems e.g. how they work and keeping them healthy
- Body parts e.g. their names and nick names
- Age appropriate pregnancy and birth
- Basics of puberty
- Personal safety
Grades 5 and 6
- Changes during puberty, including the physical, emotional, body image and social changes
- Conception, pregnancy and birth
- Health and hygiene, including the importance of exercise, washing, diet and water intake
- Positive relationships versus negative relationships including respect, cyber safety and having a safety network
- Girls only session regarding menstruation
If you have any questions about the program, please speak to your child’s teacher, notify the school office or contact me through the school on a Friday. I look forward to working with your child.
Yours sincerely,
Merrie Lewis
Primary School Nurse.
Somerset Primary School
If your child is away from school for any reason, you can advise the school via the schoolzine app, text 0419 583 998 or phone 6435 1114. If you have received a message from the school requesting an explanation for an absence this is a single reply only number, so for future absences please use one of the abovementioned avenues. Thank you