Filter Content
- PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
- WHY ATTENDANCE MATTERS
- BACK TO SCHOOL PAPERWORK CHECKLIST
- MEDICATION AT SCHOOL
- SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKS PROGRAM
- MEET OUR NEW KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS
- FEATHERS FOR PHOEBE - Grade 1/2
- GRADE Prep/One
- GRADE 5/6B SEABROOK
- EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC WITH MISS BRAMICH
- FINGAL CAMPUS
- PHYSICAL EDUCATION WITH MISS BRAMICH
- CANTEEN UPDATE
- CHAPLAIN NEWS
- VISITORS IN CLASSROOMS
- CHECK IN TAS
- ASSIGNMENT - HOMEWORK SCHEDULE
- SCHOOL BANKING
- SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dear Families
Welcome back to the new school year. I sincerely hope that all members of our school community have had the opportunity to spend some quality time with family and friends over the summer break.
A special welcome to our new students and families fromKindergarten, Grade 7 and those who have joined us across other grades.
We also welcome or welcome back, the following new staff:
- Mr Andrew Martin - AST 7-12
- Mrs Leonie Youdale - Grade 1/2
- Mr Jason Gledhill - Grade 3/4 and primary PE
- Mrs Shanti Sundrum - Fingal Campus P-5
- Miss Adalia Draghici - 7B class teacher, HaSS, Media Studies
- Mr Sean Bradley 10/11/12
- Mr Will Innis - Maths/Science
- Mrs Keziah Green -Maths/Science
- Ms Narmina Hasanova - 5/6A and primary HaSS
- Mrs Katie Polmear - Social Worker
We have had a very settled start to the year and teacher and student feedback so far has been very positive. Teaching teams have worked hard to plan wellbeing and learning opportunities to support all students in their return to school, building a sense of connection and community. Thank you to our whole staff team, our teachers, administration team, teacher assistants and EFA staff for all their work, in preparing for the 2021 school year. We have a beautiful environment in which to work and learn and the team of facility attendants and our administration staff have ensured that our school is looking spick and span at this time of the year. Thank you also to our staff for the extra hours you have already put in ensuring timetables are ready, units planned and materials prepared
Thank you to families for supporting your child in their return to school. It can be a very anxious and stressful time with lots to remember. Our uniform looks impeccable with all students in full school uniform. A reminder that school hats are now part of our official uniform and these are available from our school office. Students have been informed that they are expected to be wearing these if they wear a hat to school and that other hats or beanies are not to be worn while at school. Thank you to families for your support of our high standard uniform expectations.
I always like to remind families at this time of the year a few things that will assist your child at school and assist us to ensure we are providing the best education and care whilst they are with us.
School Association
All parents of students at our school are automatically School Association members and are able to attend any committee meetings in an observer's role, including the AGM. There will be a number of vacancies this year on our School Association Committee with a wonderful opportunity for people to step into the role of helping to make key decisions about how our school operates. It is also a great way to meet other people and to build strong connections and knowledge with staff. I have attached an FAQ document about School Associations if you would like to know more about what school associations do and what you would need to do as a committee member. We meet together twice per term and our meetings are friendly, inclusive and we work towards making our school the best that it can be for our students.
https://tasedu.sharepoint.com/sites/intranet/_layouts/15/DocIdRedir.aspx?ID=TASED-1060461114-1500
Routine Reminders:
Attendance
It is imperative for good learning outcomes that students attend school every day. What may seem harmless can have a cumulative effect that significantly hampers learning. We acknowledge that students are not always well and able to attend school and thank families for communicating this to our administration team as soon as possible. Attendance at school is a legal requirement and we have to follow this up accordingly following process and protocols as outlined in the Education Act. This year our school will be carefully tracking attendance data to give every student the chance to succeed in their learning and social interactions. If your child has to be away from school, it is important to tell the school and provide the reason for your child’s absence as soon as possible. You can:
- send a text, note or email to the school
- telephone the school office
- visit the school.
Drop off and Pick up
The school driveway and car parks are very congested places both in the morning and after school, especially with spaces being limited. We have many school buses entering and leaving the grounds both of a morning and afternoon and they need to be able to safely navigate in and out of the school. Families are welcome to use the turning circle for morning drop off only. Families are asked to park in the driveway or pool carpark for afternoon pick ups. Your co-operation with this is much appreciated.
Healthy Habits
A reminder to all students and families that we encourage the wearing of hats in our playground at breaks and in HPE lessons to be sun smart.
We have water hydration stations in the school for students to either drink hygienically from and/or fill up their drink bottles. Keeping hydrated in hot weather is very important.
Sleep is vital for healthy brain development and activity and at this time of the year, when school resumes, it is important to get a good nights rest. Please support and encourage your child to turn off devices and retire at a reasonable hour as they start the new school year.
Validation Forms
Validation forms/ICT Agreements/Aquatic forms have been sent home and it is imperative that we have the most accurate information on our systems, especially contact details. If you have not edited and returned these forms can I ask that you do so as soon as possible. Students will need these forms signed and returned before they can participate in local excursions or use ICT devices and equipment.
Carolyn Watson
Principal
When your child misses school, they miss important opportunities to...
- Learn and participate
- Make friends
- Develop life skills
- Build a sense of belonging
NOTIFYING US OF YOUR CHILD'S ABSENCE:
In accordance with school policy, parents are required to explain all absences either with a note, phone call or personally to the teacher or office staff. Parents may also notify the school of absences via the SMS system on 0419 487 425 or by using the Schoolzine app.
HINT: Book mark a link our website's Schoolzine Absence Notification form: St Marys District School (schoolzineplus.com)
We will also provide absence feedback to parents via the SMS system.
To find out more about authorised and unauthorised abences, please visit our school website to access our Attendance Policy: St Marys District School (schoolzineplus.com)
More information is available on the Department of Education's Attendance Information Brochure.
BACK TO SCHOOL PAPERWORK CHECKLIST
Thank you to parents and students who have returned all of their back to school paperwork. Our staff will begin contacting families with outstanding paperwork soon. Please check at home to see if you still have any of the forms below to return:
2021 Student Information Validation Form |
2021 Special Data Collection Form for Parents (Education and Employment information) |
2021 ICT (Computer) Agreement Forms |
2021 Aquatics Form |
2021 Locker Agreement form (Secondary Students) |
Medical Action Plans / Medical Management Plan |
Medication form (A/B) |
Medication
In line with Department of Education guidelines for the administration of medication, all medications are kept in a secure location.
Department forms, available from the office, must be completed by a medical practitioner and a parent, before any medication can be administered to a student.
Medication is administered by authorised school personnel according to instructions received from the Medical Practitioner.
It is not possible to dispense over-the-counter medications such as Panadol without authorisation.
If your child requires prescribed medication to be administered whilst they are at school, you must arrange for:
- Form A / Form B written request to the school to administer the medication;
- the medical practitioner’s specific prescribed instructions for administration on the pharmacist’s label;
- the safe transfer of medication to the school;
- medication to be delivered to the school in original prescribed container only. An official register for the administration of medication to students will be maintained by the school.
Asthma/Anaphylaxis
If you child has an Asthma/Anaphylaxis Plan, please provide this to the office.
Over the holiday period, a team of trades people, along with our EFA team have been undertaking some minor works around the school:
Primary toilets:
New vinyl and toilet suites have been installed in all of our Primary toilet facilities. The new works have made made a big difference to these areas. Painting will take place later in the year.
TV Displays, Primary:
Our old interactive white boards had reached the end of their life and images displayed were very difficult to see. The whiteboards have been removed from all of our Early Childhood and Primary classrooms and replaced with screens. These will be an excellent resource for virtual learning, assemblies and class collaboration.
Year 10-12 Room:
Colourful new lockers have arrived and have been fastened to the wall for safety. A new display screen has been installed. Following on from the new painting, floor coverings and furnishings last year, this space is looking fantastic. An internal office has been refurbished and will provide a quiet space for our year 11/12 VLT students. This space is a little more special for our Senior Secondary students, with a college feel. The space also provides them with access to different furniture options, kitchenette, dishwasher, and a microwave.
Science Staff Study:
Part of the corridor has been built in to accommodate 4 desk areas for staff. Shelving for esources is to be planned and installed as is heating, additional power outlets and phone access. Our staff are now settled in to their new work space.
ICT and Laptop Trolleys:
Each year we upgrade a section of our computer fleet. This year 21 new Ipads and 20 2 in 1 Lenovo devices were purchased and deployed throughout the school. We have also added 4 additional carrier carts/device chargers to our existing fleet of 4. These are compact mobile trolleys that are easily re-locatable around the school as needed.
Goal posts – secondary sports fields: I am really excited about this! AFL Senior standard goal posts and new full sized fixed soccer goals have been delivered and will be installed on the secondary sports fields as soon as possible. The products are the same as those installed at the MCG, the real deal so to speak. Additionally, we will co-ordinate around athletics carnivals to have the concrete cricket pitch removed and grass sown.
Our grounds and cleaning (EFA) team have worked very hard over the holidays, keeping on top of lawn mowing, playground repairs, deep cleaning of carpets, hard floor surfaces, walls, windows and furniture. The beginning of the year also sees lots of furniture moving as staff relocate to new classrooms or staff studies. EFAs were joined by our arborist contractors who have conducted tree works, which are based on our annual tree safety report.
The administration team returned early this year, in order to prepare for our book and uniform days, which were held a week earlier. Following on from these days, they have been busy working on timetables, setting up class lists, collating and updating student information on our database, and assisting our new staff and students to settle in to the year.
I would like to thank our Administration team, EFA team, ITC staff, visiting vinly layers and our local builders, plumbers and electricians who all worked very hard to have our school and resources ready for the return of our students.
Lisa Bean
School Business Manager
MEET OUR NEW KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS
We extend a warm welcome to our new Kindergarten children and their families.
Their first days at school have been spent playing, exploring and getting to know each other. They have had a fabulous time.
FEATHERS FOR PHOEBE - Grade 1/2
Children in the Grades One and Two class have been responding to shared texts. They have identified favourite parts and shared their understandings of events at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of stories. After sharing the story Feathers For Phoebe by Rod Clement, children made artistic choices to create their own colourfully adorned birds.
The Prep/Ones have been enjoying settling into their new classroom and getting to know each other through play.
In preparation for Chinese Lunar New Year (Friday 12 February 2021) 5/6B have created artworks to celebrate the year of the Ox! Throughout the artistic process, we explored warm and cool colours and the influence of abstract lines, in addition to learning the history of the Chinese Zodiac.
On Wednesday 5/6B conducted a Science Experiment wherein we mimicked movement within the Milky Way! Using milk, food colouring, glitter and dishwashing detergent we simulated transformations of nebulas in our galaxy. In terms of the chemical reaction we witnessed, we discovered that liquids have something called surface tension and that water, milk and cream are made up of molecules that have positive and negative charges on their surface. Just like magnets these charges allow them to attract and repel other molecules. After placing dishwashing detergent into the milk, we watched as it started to repel and break down the fat molecules, pushing the colouring and glitter towards different areas of the plate.
EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC WITH MISS BRAMICH
This term our students have commenced listening to music and learning the songs from other cultures including Australian Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander music. Over the last 2 weeks, Music lessons have also included elements of numeracy, geography and literacy. Our students have looked at a map of Australia that shows where the many indigenous languages are spoken. They have then begun learn a counting song in the Pitjantjara indigenous language. As the lyrics were being sung, the students played clapping sticks – playing a beat using crochet notes and also improvising using rhythm. The lyrics and sounds allow our students many opportunity to develop their oral language. The use of the lips, teeth, tongue and breath assist the correct vowel and consonant sounds through song. Please enjoy these pictures of our students.
At Fingal our students welcomed our three class pet goldfish. The class pets were used as an engaging starting point for our biological science unit. In science students will be developing their understanding of life cycles, external features, habitats, and adaptions of living things. Students in grade 3/4/5 enjoyed a biological science/art/sustainability integrated lesson where they were required to construct a goldfish using recycled cd’s.
Grade 1/2 enjoyed making and decorating paper fish.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION WITH MISS BRAMICH
How wonderful to see so many smiling faces in PE – and what a fantastic array of the brightest water bottles for thirsty students in PE!! Our lessons so far have been full of fun, cooperation, and giggles. Our students have been having fun with listening games such as “Grab it!”. A partner balance activity called “Back to back ball carry” required lots of patience and cooperation with a buddy. Our Gr 3 – 6 students have commenced the “Movement” strand of the Australian HPE Curriculum with Athletic Development (Turbo Javelin, Shot Putt, High Jump, running etc.) and our K – 2 students have commenced the term with developing and refining their locomotor skills (walk, run, hop, skip, gallop etc) and their manipulative skills with a focus on overarm throwing. It was amazing to see our students adopt safe practices with the throwing activities with very little teacher instruction. Similarly, our students jumped straight back into the HPE tidy up and Covid cleaning routine process with great maturity. To benefit from explicit teaching, targeted learning intentions and experiencing successful outcomes, our students have also been learning a new call-and-reponse approach to listening and focussing. If the teacher says “pop”, the students respond with “corn”! If the teachers says “hocus pocus”, the students respond with “ready to focus”. If the teacher says “ready to listen?”, the students respond with “ready to learn!”. Please enjoy these pictures of our students learning about ways their bodies can move, how skills are learned and how physical movement creates a positive sense of well-being.
In order to reduce the amount of wasted food in the Canteen, some changes to ordering requirements have been made. These changes will commence on Monday 15th February 2021.
ALL lunches must be ordered, preferably by using the Qkr App, to limit cash handling in the canteen.
Cut off time for lunch orders is 9.00 each day.
Secondary students and staff wishing to purchase pies or toasties for recess, these will also need to be ordered by 9.00am.
Thank you for helping us minimise canteen waste.
CANTEEN - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Our school canteen, green & student common room has become the heart of the school, and provides lunches to our students and staff every day.
Volunteering in the canteen is a wonderful opportunity to meet other school families, be involved in your child's education and get to know the staff and students at our school.
Whether you have just a few hours to offer, or regular days, your help and your company will be warmly appreciated. It is always good to have an extra pair of hands for food preparation or serving. Volunteers assist with a range of tasks, including:
- collecting lunch orders from our primary classrooms
- preparing sandwiches, wraps, toasties and salads
For those who feel confident serving, you will find the students to be friendly, polite and appreciative of our canteen volunteers’ help.
9.00am am to 1.00 pm is the busiest time. If you can only offer an hour or so this would be the best time.
If you would like to volunteer to help in the canteen, please phone the school office on 0363723900. Parents, carers, grandparents, former students and other friends of the school are all welcome.
To volunteer you will be required to have a current volunteer RWVP which can be obtained here.
QKR - HEALTHY CHOICES IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
Our QKR (pronounced quicker) canteen app can assist you and your child in selecting healthy choices from the canteen menu. Additionally the app also allows you to:
- Make faster, more convenient payments from a secure mobile app anywhere and at any time
- Website payment alternative for parents and carers without a smartphone or tablet
- Copy lunch orders from one week to the next to save time
- Pay direct from a credit or debit card without pre-loading funds to a third party account
- Track transactions easily with online receipts
How to install the SMDS Qkr payment app
For further information on how to install Qkr! on your smartphone, view the following guides. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can use the desktop version of Qkr!
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
To download app to device:
- Enter into your smartphone or tablet app store
- Search for Qkr! Mastercard app and download onto device
- Welcome note will appear; either view or skip to next section
- Click on ‘get started’
- Select ‘Australia’ under country of residence
- Click on ‘next’
Qkr sign up area:
- Enter email address
- Create a password
- Confirm password
- Click on ‘done’
- Enter profile picture or skip to the next section
- Click on ‘done’
- Search for ‘St Marys District School’ by entering st marys in the search bar
This will take you into the St Marys Qkr! app.
Canteen: canteen menu orders (please click on the blank square below chosen day to commence order)
To add a child:
- Enter student’s name
- Select relevant year (eg 6)
- Select relevant Class (5/6B)
The first day students returned to school for the year, I was delighted to notice everyone was smiling. There were smiles to see old friends, smiles to enter new classrooms, and smiles during games and activities.
To see someone with a genuine smile, is uplifting. To be given a smile can really make your day. Smiling creates a sense of wellbeing, builds connection to others, and boosts your mood.
So how about setting a challenge to yourself to smile more often and to share your smile with others. You can make the world a happier place through your smiles, and in return, you will also feel happier.
“Every time you smile at someone it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing . . . Peace begins with a smile”. Mother Teresa.
Hannah Rubenach-Quinn
Chaplain
Download the Check In Tas app to quickly and securely check in with us to support COVID-19 contact tracing. Simply scan the QR code displayed at the Administration Office. Your personal details are saved securely with Department of Health Tasmania for the sole purpose of contact tracing. Keep the app handy for signing in at other registered Tasmanian businesses.
When visiting us, you will still need to sign into the school, present your RWVP and receive your visitor tag. At this time, completion of a Visitor Screening form is not required.
Please remember to stay at home and get tested if you are unwell. If you have returned from a Covid-19 High Risk Area, please follow Department of Health advice and isolate. Updates of High Risk Areas are available from: https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travellers-and-visitors/coming-to-tasmania
ASSIGNMENT - HOMEWORK SCHEDULE
Class: | Grade 7 Science |
Teacher: | Mrs Heather Marshall |
Assignments/Homework: | Tasmanian Endemic Species Assignment |
Class: | Grade 10 Science |
Teacher: | Mrs Sue Bennett |
Assignments/Homework: | Making DNA models – Reminder to bring in materials such as pipe cleaners, paddle pop sticks, paper clips, match sticks, tooth picks, rubber bands, pegs and straws. Remember when selecting your materials that there are 4 bases plus phosphate and sugar molecules to be represented. |
School Banking is a fun, interactive and engaging way to help teach your child the importance of saving. Children who deposit money into their Youthsaver account through School Banking earn Dollarmites tokens, which they can save up and redeem for exciting rewards.
This year there is a selection of rewards available from previous years to make sure you don’t miss out on the ones you wanted!
Tuesday is School Banking day.
For every deposit made at school, students will receive a Dollarmites token. Once students have individually completed 10 deposits/ reached 10 tokens they can redeem them for a School Banking reward item.
The rewards available during 2021 are:
o Terry Denton’s Activity Book |
o Scented Stackable Highlighters |
o Mini Soccer Ball (size 2) |
o Icicle Slapband Ruler |
o Treetop Stationery Set |
o Snowy Origami Set |
o Treetop Handball |
o Water Skimming Bounce Ball |
o Tomato Seed Kit |
o Polar Pencils & Pencil Toppers |
o Emoji Wallet |
o Scratch Art Cards |
o Snakes & Ladders Game |
|
Getting involved in School Banking is easy!
All you need to get involved in the School Banking program is a Commonwealth Bank Youthsaver account. You can open an account for your child in one of two ways:
- Online
Visit www.commbank.com.au/schoolbanking and click on the link to open a Youthsaver account.
- In branch
Visit a Commonwealth Bank branch with identification for yourself and your child, like a driver’s licence and birth certificate.
If your child has an existing Commonwealth Bank Youthsaver account they can start banking straight away. They just need to bring their deposit in every week on School Banking day using their Dollarmites deposit wallet.
These notices have been sent home to parents in the last fortnight. If you did not receive one and would like to receive a copy of the notice, please contact the school office on 63 723 900.
PRIMARY
Welcome Letter Grade 5-6B
Welcome Letter Grade 2-3A
Welcome Letter Grade Grade 5-6A
SECONDARY
WHOLE SCHOOL
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTICEBOARD