Welcome back to 2025. I hope families have had the opportunity to have some down time over the Christmas/New Year break and spent time with loved ones, family and friends.  Entering Term One, most students have made a sound start, settling into their learning quickly and efficiently. Talking to staff, there have been many encouraging conversations about how positive the students have been.

On the Monday of the first week back, all staff participated in a professional learning day which focused on the practice, restorative practices. Restorative practice is a whole school teaching and learning approach that encourages behaviour that is supportive and respectful. It places the responsibility on individuals to take full accountability for their behaviour and make amends for any harm they may have caused to others through their actions. Restorative conversations encourage open, honest communication with a focus on understanding the impact of actions on others. Instead of blame, the process focuses on “connection before correction”. Staff thoroughly enjoyed the day, and we will continue to explore, practise and discuss what we have learnt.

At the end of last year, it was decided to move away from the Sheffield School values and adopt those of the department. Our values are Connection, Respect, Responsibility, Courage and Growth. As a school we are beginning the year focusing on the value, connection. Connection is incredibly important for us at school as it forms the foundation for a positive, supportive learning environment. When students feel connected and have a sense of belonging, whether to their peers, teachers, or the school community, they are more likely to flourish academically, emotionally, and socially. We have reintroduced homerooms this year in the senior school to help build connection and focus on improving school attendance. We have a number of activities and homeroom competitions planned to help build connection and belonging at Sheffield School.

Week Four of this term, we will be going through our External School Review. The External School Review happens every four-year cycle. The panel members will spend four days at our school talking with staff, students and parents as well complete walk throughs of classrooms. At the end of the four days, the panel convenes and provides us with feedback to help us continue to improve the learning outcomes for our students and achieve the department’s ‘Why’ – Bright Lives-Positive Futures. A focus will also be on our school priorities, which are ‘Reading’, ‘Attendance’ and ‘Safeguarding’.

Term One is quite a busy term with our school calendar filling up fast. After school art group and band practise starts shortly, as well as breakfast club; we have our swimming carnival, NAPLAN, an art excursion, the Year 9/10 mainland trip, open classrooms afternoon and vaccinations. Please keep an eye out through texts and social media to stay informed of the many wonderful things happening at Sheffield School.

Please remember my door is always open.

Wendy Leonard

Acting Principal

2025 Secondary SRC Members

2025 Primary Student Representatives

Becoming a student leader is an incredible opportunity for kids to grow, learn, and make a positive impact within their school communities. Representing other students sparks excitement among many young students who are eager to leave a positive mark on their school community.

Over the past two weeks, there has been a great buzz around the school as students prepared speeches and expressed interest in student leadership roles. These roles provide students with valuable responsibilities and opportunities to contribute to our school community.

Congratulations, Chloe. Chloe has been selected for the Tas netball futures team. This program runs for eight weeks twice a year for two years. We can’t wait to follow along with her on her netball journey (attached photo).

Canteen

Please make sure your orders are in by 10am.  You can either order on the QKR app or at the main office. When ordering between 10am - 12pm choices are very limited.

QKR

Order (and pay) for school lunches for up to two weeks in advance from your Smart device.      QKR Set Up Instructions

When logging on to QKR for the 1st time each year you will be asked to enter your child's year level and home group.  It is important that you add both of these details and not just home group.

2025 School Levies

2025 Student Assistance Scheme

STAS application forms for 2025 have not changed from the 2024 form. The STAS form is also available on the Intranet for printing here, alternatively contact Financial Assistance via email to stas@decyp.tas.gov.au who will post a supply of forms to your school if needed.  

Families who have not applied for or received STAS previously are encouraged to apply online at https://stasonlinesubmission.education.tas.gov.au (or Google STAS to be taken directly to the link). Online applications can be submitted on any electronic device including mobile phones.

Families who are advised by letter that they are approved for STAS 2025 and who need to add another student can email their full name and the name, date of birth and year of the student in 2025 to stas@decyp.tas.gov.au and the newly enrolling student will be added to their file.

2025 approval letters also provide the facility to add a new student and return by email or post. Parents/carers cannot add a student to an existing file using the online service.

Applicants who have been assessed as not eligible and wish to have the assessment reviewed can call Financial Assistance on 1800 827 055 or email their query to stas@decyp.tas.gov.au.

If you have any STAS queries, please contact Financial Assistance on 1800 827 055 or via email to stas@decyp.tas.gov.au.

Uniform

Every school day matters

Click here for information on every school day matters

2025 Volunteer Requirements

As we kick off the new school year, we want to remind our school community about the important requirements for volunteering at our school.
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, it is mandatory for all volunteers to have their RWVP (Registration for Working with Vulnerable People) and to have completed the Our Obligations – Safeguarding Training 15-minute video before engaging with children and young people in a volunteer capacity at our school.

Certificates for the training video are valid for 12 months from the date of completion. These steps are essential in helping us maintain a safe and supportive environment for our children.

To apply for a Registration for Working with Vulnerable people, please visit: Apply for registration to work with vulnerable people | Service Tasmania

To complete the Our Obligations – Safeguarding Training 15-minute video please visit: Compulsory Safeguarding Training for workers - Department for Education, Children and Young People

Volunteers are a vital part of our school community, and we are excited to collaborate with you in the year ahead!

Please ensure you present your certificate of completion at the office for our record.

Safeguarding Training QKR Code

Values and Connections

Click here to hear about our values and connections

Rural Clinic Tasmania

Rural Clinical School Tasmania is pleased to invite Year 10, 11 and 12 students, parent(s)/carer(s), teachers and interested members of the community to our annual Health Careers Information Evening, 2025.

Venue: paranaple Convention Centre, 137 Rooke Street, Devonport
Date: Wednesday 5 March 2025
Time: 6pm – 7.30pm
RSVP: by Sunday, 2 March, using this link:  https://events.humanitix.com/year10-12healthcareersdevonport2025

Please click here for more information regarding the Year 10 - 12 Health Careers Information Evening

Libraries Tasmania

Devonport Gymnastics

Devonport Gymnastics is looking to expand our competitive and recreational teams in Trampolining and Tumbling for 2025.

If you love to jump and would like to be assessed to join our Competitive or recreational Tramp and Tumbling program, Devonport Gymnastics Club are holding tryouts which will be a 45 minute session:

Saturday 22 February

Trampoline: 9am

Tumbling 10am

Cost per session is $10

Come along and give it a go!! Bookings are essential, and can be made online here: https://portal.iclasspro.com/devonportgymnastics/booking

Munting Taekwondo Tasmania

Devon Netball Association

Kentish House