Reports and Meet 2022 Teacher

End of year reports will go home on Thursday 9^th December.  The report envelope will also include classes for 2022.

Prior to reports going home, students will spend the afternoon in their 2022 classes.  This opportunity to meet their teacher and classmates helps to ease student uncertainty 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 feelings 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 2022 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.

2022 Australian Schools Plus Fair Education Grant

We are thrilled to let you know that we were successful in gaining a three year Fair Education grant of $250 000 with Burnie High School, Cooee Primary School and Burnie Primary School.  The grant is funded by the Tasmanian Community Fund. 

The primary improvement focus of the project will be to markedly improve Numeracy outcomes for all Grade 5-8 learners in the collective of schools, in addition to developing innovative ways to engage parents in their child’s numeracy learning.  Even though the project is directed towards Grades 5-8, Numeracy will be a priority for the whole school. 

This is very exciting collaborative project and we are very fortunate as the first Tasmanian schools to ever receive the grant. 

Gaga Pit Fun

Last week we opened our Gaga Pit.  It has been a very popular attraction with students either playing or observing and cheering on other players.  It has been fantastic to see Grade 6 students taking on a leadership role to model and explain the rules, in addition to co-ordinating equal access.

The Gaga Pit has been an initiative that has spanned over a few years. The 2019 SRC began the fundraising process and then it was continued on by the 2020 and current SRC.  This year we were very fortunate that the Parent Group was able to help the SRC in reaching the target to complete the project.

A huge thank you to Mr Haines for prioritising his time to build the pit. 

Somerset Primary Art Expo

We hope you have enjoyed the online virtual art exhibition that has featured on Facebook and our Schoolzine app.  I’m sure you will agree that we have some very talented and creative artists.

Artist, Mrs Annie Jones, 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:

Heidi with her colourful picture of Elmer the patchwork elephant.

Phoenix with spotlight on basketball using permanent marker and oil pastels. 

Congratulations to these two students, you should be very proud of your amazing efforts.

25 Years’ Service to DoE

Congratulation to Cindy Mathewson for being recognised for 25 years’ service to the DoE.  Cindy started at Somerset Primary in 1989 as a relief Teacher Assistant before gaining a permanent position.  We are very appreciatative of Cindy’s dedication to Somerset Primary over the last 32 years.  She is an outstanding Teacher Assistant and is committed to her role, spending many hours making resources and backing books at home.

Well done Cindy!