Term 2 - Week 3 (15 May 2024)

Perth Primary School Calendar

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to Term 2, my favourite time of the year when all our beautiful school trees are awash with Autumn colours. It has been wonderful to see our students back at school recharged ready for another busy term.

Playground
You may have noticed over the holidays that we have started our redevelopment of the outside area near the 2/3/4 area. This will be done in stages, with the first being to remove the existing vegetation. Our students have been involved in the planning and we cannot wait to see it starting to take shape. We envisage it will take us about 12 months as we complete various stages!

We are also hopeful that our new swings will arrive in the next few weeks. We have had to remove our old ones due to wear and tear issues that could not be fixed.

Table Tennis
We have been very lucky to have the support of the Port Sorell Table Tennis Club in running development sessions with our primary classes. Students have learnt the skills associated with table tennis and are moving to game play. Our school owns four table tennis tables, so it is great to see them being utilised. We are hoping to hold some school based tournaments to practice our newly learnt skills.

A big congratulations to our school champions, Georgia and Carson and to runners up, Angus and Mila.

Our Reading Priority
Learning to read sets you up for life. Reading is foundational to everything we do – learning, working and functioning in society.

Every young Tasmanian should have the reading skills they need when they leave our schools.

This year all Tasmanian Government schools are taking steps to introduce a new way of teaching reading. This follows the latest national and international research about how our brains learn to read.

What does the research say?

Children aren’t born with natural skills in reading, like they are for walking and talking. They must develop new pathways in their brain to master this skill. It is a complex process which must be taught explicitly.

Current research shows that reading can be broken down into a series of skills. One of these skills is phonics – the relationship between letters and sounds. In upper primary, secondary and college, students continue to build on their vocabulary and comprehension skills. All teachers within the Tasmanian Public System are undergoing training in how to teach reading based on the latest evidence.

A recent survey showed that 80% of our students either strongly agree or agree to enjoying reading. We endeavour for all students to become confident readers and show growth from year to year. We have a strong focus on delivering evidence-based reading instruction to all students. We regularly monitor the progress of our students and assess how they are going. We are committed to providing Tier 2 and Tier 3 intervention to learners who are identified as requiring support to develop specific skills and strengthen their reading. 

At Perth Primary School we are fortunate to have an experienced and very skilled team of educators providing intervention to small groups and individuals. Your child may have received a letter recently informing you they are working with Virginia Tempest, Kristy Waters or Mel Biffin.

5-6 Sport
This week is the start of 5-6 Sport. Our students are very lucky to be involved in the Northern Midlands sports exchange on a weekly basis playing against other schools in our region. The exchanges give our students the opportunity to try a new sport, meet students from other schools and participate in a team environment. Parents are welcome to attend to watch, but we do ask that you stay off the playing area and away from students as per our Safeguarding requirements.

State Athletics Carnival
Last Friday, eleven of our most talented athletes represented not only our school but also the Northern Midlands Association at the State Athletics Carnival held at St Leonards Athletics Centre. We are very proud of this group of students and know they represented our school with pride. Congratulations to Armani, Brayden, Rylah, Zaedyn, Brae-Lee, Addison B, Charlotte B, Koby A, Miles L, Coopar C and Riley S.

School Cross Country
On Thursday 23May we will be holding our Prep – Grade 6 Cross Country Carnival on our school grounds. Students are practising as part of their PE lessons and have also been working on their fitness as part of our Daily PE Step Challenge. More information about approximate race times will be provided closer to the date. A reminder that parents are welcome to attend however to adhere to our Safeguarding requirements, parents will need to stay in the spectator viewing area.

On Monday 27 May 2024 we are also holding the Kindergarten Cross Country.  This will start at 2.00pm on our school grounds.

Reader’s Cup
We have more Grade 5 and 6 students participating in Readers' Cup than ever before. It is an important event in our annual calendar and is another way we can enhance our learners’ reading skills. Students have committed to reading six books as well as taking notes on each. At weekly meetings students are discussing themes occurring in the books and answering quiz questions in preparation for the in-school competition. Groups will create a three minute presentation to convey their understanding of the themes in their chosen text. The themes in their chosen text. The winning team will compete against many other northern schools to hopefully take the prize of the Readers’ Cup. 

100 Nights of Reading
Over the last few weeks icy poles, popcorn and quality books have been given out to students who have read 25 and 75 nights. A group of forty Prep and Grade 1 students enjoyed an afternoon of gaga ball, basketball and soccer as a reward for 50 nights. We look forward to taking many more groups for games in the coming weeks.

Prep – Grade 6 students who reach 100 nights by the end of the year will be given the opportunity to spend the day at Riverbend Park as a reward for all their hard work! Our Kinder students won’t miss out either with a visit to the local train park. It is certainly not too late to start recording your reading! If you have lost your recording sheet or booklet please see your classroom teacher or Mrs Biffin for a replacement.

Walk to School Day and Step Challenge
Last week we held another successful Walk to School Day.  We are fortunate that so many of our students are able to get active each morning as they walk, ride or scoot to school!!

Throughout the month of May, our entire school will be participating in a Step Challenge. Each class is aiming to walk enough steps to circumnavigate Tasmania.

Parents as volunteers or on school grounds during school hours
As part of the Department for Education, Children and Young People’s commitment to safeguarding our children, we are asking parents who wish to volunteer at our school in any capacity or be on school site during school hours, to complete the Departments Safeguarding Training along with gaining a Working with Vulnerable Children Check.

This is the first year that DECYP has brought in these requirements as another step in ensuring children across our State are safe and well.

The safeguarding training involves watching a short video. Once completed you will receive a certificate which can be presented to the office. Details of how to access the training can be found on the School noticeboard near Prep-1A classroom or by scanning the QR code in the front office.

The Working with Vulnerable Children Check can be obtained through Service Tasmania website. This lasts for three years. We encourage all our parents and carers to complete this check. Again, the card details can be presented to the office so the school has a record.

We encourage our school families to connect with our school in many ways. Whether it is volunteering for parent help or on an excursion, helping out at our Mother’s Day stall or visiting classes and we appreciate your support in completing these small tasks to keep our families safe.

ZIM (Zones in Mathematics)
Last week we introduced our twice weekly ZIM groups to our Prep – Grade 2/3 classes, our primary classes have been involved in this program for a number of years. The purpose of the program is to provide specific areas of focus in number for students regardless of grade level. All our Teachers and Teacher Assistants are involved in supporting groups at this time. It is a 40 minute lesson with a focus on hands on practical activities to strengthen student’s foundational skills in numeracy. It is also a great opportunity for students to work with different teachers and adults and to make new connections with students.

Student Cabinet Fundraiser
Our Student Cabinet (Grade 6 elected members) have been working very hard to plan a fundraiser for this term. On Tuesday 28 May, Mrs Duncan will be donating her hair to the Cancer Council. The team from Little Birdy Hairdressing will be helping us out on the day. We will be selling raffle tickets for $1 to go in the draw to be able to cut one of the hair plaits off!!

Along with this we are also holding an Oodie/Hoodie/PJ day for a gold coin donation. Our Cabinet have also been in contact with local businesses as they have also planned a raffle to raise some money. Along with donating to the Cancer Council, the Parliament (all our student representatives), have decided to raise money for MND. The proceeds from our raffle and free dress day will be divided between these two charities.

The Cabinet are busy behind the scenes organising the event, keep an eye on Facebook and Seesaw for more information!

Parent Teacher Conversations
We will be holding our student/parent/teacher conversations in the second last week of this term (24 June – 27 June). This is the first major opportunity to discuss student learning and progress this year. As part of this process:

• Conversations will be held in Week 9. We encourage our Grade 3-6 students to attend these meetings along with parents. Information about booking these conversations will been sent via Schoolzine later in the term.
• Teachers are currently moderating work samples to prepare student reports using the 9 point scale aligned to the Australian Curriculum. These will be handed out at the conversations. We highly encourage all parents to make a time to meet with their child’s teacher.
• These conversations are also an opportunity for students and parents to discuss any concerns or ideas that they have which may support their child’s learning journey.

Prep students are not assessed against the 9 point mid year and as such won’t receive a written report. As such, parent teacher conversations will be most important for prep students.

School Information

Scholastic Book Club
Issue 3 for the Scholastic Book Club has been handed out to students.  If you would like to purchase items from this issue please do so via the Scholastic loop app by Sunday 19 May 2024.

2024 School Levies
Just a reminder that levies are now overdue. Please pay as soon as possible or call the office to organise a payment plan.

Up-to-date contact details
Reminder for parents to please keep their contact details up-to-date.  Contact the office either in person or via email if you need to make changes.  

Schoolzine
Did you know there is a form in the Schoolzine App to let the office know if your child will be absent or late? 

On the Home page, click on ‘Absentee’ and complete the form. It is very quick and easy and is the preferred method of notification by the office. 

Student Grade 6 Transition Information

Value Certificates

Term 1 - Week 10

Term 2 - Week 3

Launching into Learning

Term Dates 2024

Term 2
Schools & Colleges  29 April – 5 July

Term 2 Holiday
6 July – 21 July

Term 3
Schools & Colleges 22 July – 27 September

Term 3 Holiday
28 September – 13 October

Term 4
Schools 14 October – 19 December

Canteen News

Happy Birthday

Kaylee H, Sophie G, Kai K, Ollie H, Erin H, Brodie M, Jordy F, Max S, Evie R, Jacob V, Tal D, Joseph H, Piper J, Harper B, Isabelle F, Nyah R, Willow J, Oliver H, Kaleb L, Liam H, Presley C, Grace W, Edward R, Hendrix W, Ronan C, Brea B, Torah W, Jaxson W, Marli H, Kaylee W, Scarlett S, Ryan B, Rachel L, Arlo B, Oliver K, Oscar Mc, Archie B, Mila C, Flynn R, Lucy B, Dallas E, Laylah R, Tex F, Poppi T, Mrs Tempest, Ms Mac, Miss Brown, Mrs Richards.

Community News

Perth Primary School Support Staff