Welcome back to term three everyone! Once again, I have been amazed at the incredible focus that our students return from holidays with. Every single student was right back into their high-level learning on day one.

As I returned into the school space, I took some time to reflect on the three-way conversations that occurred in the final week of term two. I was absolutely blown away to see that 83% of our students and their families engaged so positively in these learning conversations. This certainly shows what a supportive community we are in and how we all understand the partnerships that are required to enhance the learning. I would like to personally thank the staff, students and families – what an achievement.

Continuing the achievement train along its tracks, all families should have now received the NAPLAN results for our grades 3 and 5 students. Theses were posted home in week one. Our students really outdid themselves this year! Swansea Primary School's results for nine of the ten tests across the two grades have been rated above similar school in Tasmania – what an achievement! This really shows the dedication and focus that all our school community consistently put in to teaching and learning and how much growth our students have demonstrated. I hope you have celebrated your child’s successes together as a family and are as proud of them as I am.

A new initiative starting next week in our space is our “Wednesday Wellbeing Walks”. At lunch time, students will have the opportunity to go on a walk down to the beach with staff, allowing some further focus on health and wellbeing. Students will have this explained to them today in our assembly and it will be made very clear that we are not there to “play” or be in the water, it is a wellbeing walk. Please ask your child what our other wellbeing initiatives this term are, there’s something every day.

Finally, today we are holding our jeans for genes day fundraiser and milkshake day. It is really great that we can help support so many organisations and I can’t wait to see how much denim we have in the school.

Thanks for your continued support,

Kendal King

Principal

Grade 1/2 are VERY excited about the Olympic Games. We are following our interests by keeping a medal tally, interpreting data, finding out about flags, continents, countries and our connections to different places and people.

We even had a viewing party to watch some of the athletes arrive at the opening ceremony.

Our learners have each chosen an Olympic sport or a competing country to research and are working on writing a report with their findings.

We are going for gold in 1/2!

What does learning look like in Grade 3/4/5?

In our classroom, we engage with our learning in many different ways, using a variety of different strategies, materials and methods.  Students engage in hands-on activities to put their learning into practise and to understand not only that it is so, but also the why behind it.  

This fortnight in maths, we have developed an understanding of the area of a triangle and the formula to work this out. We have also focused on the circumference of a circle, what is pi and how to work out the circumference using both the radius and the diameter.

We are very excited about our upcoming camp to Maria Island.  Our HASS studies this fortnight have focused on gathering information about the island itself, while using maps and keys to learn about Maria's geology (which is our Science focus). Our technology and research skills have been put to good use and we look forward to sharing our geological findings with our classmates.

Our persuasive advertising learning in English has allowed us to analyse advertisements, how these are created and why certain persuasive devices and colours are used. We're putting this into practise, so stay tuned for some great examples very soon!

Oh, and sometimes you just need to play a game with good friends...

Until next fortnight!

Mrs Sparshott :-)

In grade 5/6, students have been developing their understanding of fractions.

Skills include comparing, finding equivalency, and converting between mixed and improper fractions.

It has been fabulous to see how engaged everyone has been and how much learning has taken place already!

What's a fabulous way to start the day at primary school? When some special community members come and cook you pancakes! 

We are incredibly grateful to the lovely folks from the Tassal Community Team for coming to visit us at SPS, providing a most delicious breakfast for us all!  Yum!

Whitegoods size boxes needed for the School Production.

Grade 5/6 will begin creating props for the musical in term 3.

Do you have any large pieces of cardboard or core flute board?

Please bring donations in to the school.

Thankyou to everyone that supported Jeans for Genes raising $105.80 for the great cause.

SRC also rasied $111.00 for the Milkshake Day!

A picture is worth a thousand words, the reason we are traveling to Tasmania, so if you can please share this post and if you can donate at the following link https://www.dollysdream.org.au/s/2513/2528 Dolly's Dream thanks to Goulburn Hay Supplies Kylie Barber Arwon's Little Angels ?

We're half way through the 2024 Premier's Reading Challenge!

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is a personal challenge – not a competition.   

How many books will you read in 10 weeks? Set your personal reading goal for the Challenge and see how you go!

It doesn’t matter what you read, as long as you are reading.  You are free to choose books you want to read for the Challenge.  To help you get started be sure to check out the books we have recommended in our Challenge Booklists

You can read books in a variety of formats including print, digital, audiobooks and graphic novels. For younger children, a book that is read to them counts toward their total.

Larger chapter books can be counted as more than one book – please talk to your teacher or parent about how many chapters or pages can be counted as “one book”.

Completing the Challenge is something to be proud of!

Reading helps children to understand the world they live in. It sparks curiosity, nurtures imagination, and is fun to do. Reading is integral to developing vital literacy skills and fostering independence and self-assurance.

The Challenge is most successful when parents show interest and support their children. Help your child with their reading challenge and you will be making a positive difference to their future.

Help with reading

Head over to Let’s Talk for lots of information on the importance of reading, along with tips and tricks to help your child with their reading.    

Students are encouraged to share what they are reading by writing a book review for the PRC website. They can submit a review at any time during the Challenge using this 2024 PRC Book Review form

By submitting a book review, students go into the draw to win a $50 book voucher at the end of the Challenge. There are 12 up for grabs, 4 for each region!

The Scholastic Book Club Issue 5 has landed at Swansea Primary School.

bc_5-24_issuu-1.pdf (scholastic.com.au) PDF is attached also along with the online ordering system for all parents.

Book Club - Parents | Scholastic Australia

HOME (scholastic.com.au)

Orders are to be returned back to school by the 21st of August or please order via the online portal.

The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA) has been Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative for schools for the past 13 years.

For the first time, the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (or NDA) has expanded into a week-long initiative – now known as Bullying No Way: National week of action (being held this year from 12 to 16 August 2024).

The new hero colour (purple) symbolises peace, strength and standing up against bullying in a bold way.

The week aims to inspire whole-school communities to be involved in finding positive ways to prevent and address bullying.

This year’s theme is Everyone belongs. Belonging keeps us connected and is a powerful protection against bullying. In school, belonging is like a superpower against bullying. It's what brings us together, makes us stronger and helps us understand and support each other.

Each year, thousands of schools from all across Australia join in to promote inclusion, respect and belonging. And it's not just schools getting involved. Individuals, early childhood providers, community groups and sports organisations also play important roles in the lives of young people – helping create places where they feel included and belong.

If you or someone you know are experiencing bullying and need support, visit https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/contact-us/need-help-now

https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/

NDIS Survey Form

Audience: NDIS Participants, Families of NDIS Participants, Friends of NDIS Participants

This survey aims to provide support and guidance to individuals with disabilities, as well as their family members, community including children.

Our goal is to assist with funding applications, ensure adequate support, and offer education on available options. We are committed to providing support and assistance to meet your needs.

Survey Form (office.com)

Earlier this year, the Department for Education, Children and Young People rolled out Safeguarding Training for staff, volunteers, and service providers.

This training was compulsory for everyone as part of our ongoing commitment to safeguard Tasmanian children and young people and prevent them from harm.

The department has recently released additional advanced Safeguarding training modules.
These are optional and are aimed at anyone who volunteers at a DECYP site, external providers, and anyone in the community who wants to learn more about how to keep children and young people safe.

If you’d like to build your knowledge in this space, the modules are available on the department’s Safeguarding page.

Note: If you require additional assistance to access the modules, please take a look at the FAQs about technical support and additional assistance, which are also on the department’s Safeguarding page.

All public transport fares have been halved.

This fare reduction applies to adult, concession, urban, non-urban, and child / student fares on public buses, school buses and the Derwent River Ferry.

For students travelling on public buses, fare-paying school buses and ferries, the fare has been reduced from $2 to $1.

All services will run as per their usual schedules.

The Department of State Growth will be coordinating with transport providers to ensure services run smoothly for the duration of the fare reduction, which will last until 30th June 2025.

A4_Flyer_Half_Price_Fares_2024_25.pdf

COVID-safe schools plan 2024 (education.tas.gov.au)

Please remember to  continue to test for covid if your child is unwell.

COVID-safe behaviours

Hygiene

• Do not come to school if unwell – this applies to staff, students and visitors.
• Staff, students and visitors are asked to practise all COVID-safe behaviours, particularly as they apply to their personal circumstances.
• Keep your hands clean by using soap and water or hand sanitiser.