Dear Families

Although a very busy time of the year, it is an enjoyable time where we will celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of many students over the coming weeks during a number of special assemblies, functions and activities.  It is also a time where students are able to relax and reflect on the year and spend time socially with other students and staff at the various excursions and picnics that will be occurring. This year of course we have the added dimension of COVID-19 restrictions to navigate.

Information regarding some of these special events / activities will have been distributed through students either within letters or the newsletter; if you require any additional information or are unsure of details pertaining to your student’s involvement in some of these events please contact the school office on 6491 8222 or speak with your child’s class teacher.

We have tried to provide clarity in regards to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on these activities and events but again if you do have any queries please contact the school.

Term Dates for 2021

Please be advised that there have been some changes to the Term 1 school holiday dates.

The end date for Term 1, 2021, has been brought forward to allow the school holiday period to commence immediately following Easter Tuesday.

This means that students will not have to return to school for three days between Easter break and Term 1 school holidays, which was previously the case.

The overarching reason behind this decision is to allow for greater learning continuity for students.

The new arrangements are as follows: 

With the school holidays falling directly after Easter, it will be an ideal time for your family to take advantage of the extended holiday period!

All Term dates for 2021 can be found on the Department of Education website at www.education.tas.gov.au/about-us/term-dates/term-dates-2021/

Railton Topiary ABC Gardening Australia

You may remember late last year a crew from Gardening Australia (ABC Gardening Program) filmed a segment on the Topiary in Railton. Students from the Railton Campus were invited to assist Tino Carnevale in the planting out of new topiary frames (5 Pencils) on the campus grounds.  The ABC Gardening Australia segment featuring Railton’s Topiary was aired last Friday evening. If you missed it and would like to view the segment it can also be streamed from the ABC website or watched on iView.   

Presentation Day Assembly

A reminder this Tuesday 8 December we will conduct our Presentation Day Assembly. The assembly will commence at 11.30 am in the Recreation and Related Arts Building. Due to COVID-19 restrictions we are doing things differently this year, with a much smaller student and adult audience. Letters were sent out earlier this week to parents /carers of students receiving an award or certificate, with an invitation for two family members to attend. It is important that we receive an RSVP from those parents/ carers who will be attending to ensure seating allocation. 

Year 10 Celebration Dinner

A reminder that next Thursday we will hold our Year 10 celebration dinner, again this will look different this year. The event will be held here at school, limited family members will be able to be present for the arrivals of students. The arrival of students will however be live streamed via our school Facebook page.

Ron Daly
Principal

School Holiday Closures

iPad Hire

In 2021 we will be offering iPad hire to our students in Years 7-10. Our aim is to assist students in gaining greater access to learning resources at school and beyond by provuding access to an iPad 24/7.  Digital technologie sprovide a wide range of teaching and learning resources that are engaging and relevant to learning in the 21st century.

Students will have the option of hiring the same device each year for an annual fee of $50.  Year 7 students will receive a new iPad and Year 8-10s will be reissued the iPad they have previously hired.  At the end of Year 10 students will have the option of paying an additional $50 to purchase their device, this means the total cost for their iPad will have been $250.  The iPads in a case currently cost the school $450.

For students who do not want to take their iPad home, there will be no hire fee.  These iPads will remain at school locked in a charging station when not in use.  The student will sign the iPad out each time they require it, and then return it for charging.

For those who wish to hire a school iPad, further information will be provided on book sales days.  An information sheet explaining the iPad Provision, a User Agreement form and a Hire Agreement form will be available.  iPads will be issued to students at the commencement of term 1 and collected in the last week of the school year.

Secondary students also have the option to bring their own device to schook through the Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) Policy, rather than hire a school device.  They BYOT form will also  be available from the office and during book sales dats.  There are some minimum specification requirements recommended for BYOT devices.

School Levies

Due to the Department of Education changing the school financial year there will be a change in payment arrangement.  Levy invoices to parents and guardians will be issued during February 2021.  Therefore, we will not be taking payment for school levies on student book pack days.

There will be no increase to Sheffield School levies in 2021 therefore they remain as folllows:

Student Assistance Scheme

The Department of Education recently announced that we would be expanding the Student Assistance Scheme for 2021.

Parents who have a current concession card as listed below can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS:

• Services Australia – Centrelink Health Care Card
• Service Australia – Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
• Services Australia – Pensioner Concession Card or
• Department of Veteran Affairs – Pensioner Concession Card.

Please note that if you are already receiving student assistance you do not need to complete a form.

For 2021 a new on-line form has been developed to assist with processing applications for new applicants.

The online form can be completed here:  https://stasonlinesubmission.education.tas.gov.au/ 

Once a validated form is completed the Department of Education will confirm the outcome of your application in writing, this process takes approximately 14 days.

We understand this online option may not be possible for all families, so if you require a hard copy form please contact the office on 6491 8222 or stas@education.tas.gov.au or 1800 827 055.

Student Book Pack Days

Book packs will only be available from the Sheffield Campus prior to commencement of the school term as follows:

If these days are unsuitable, please contact the school office on 6491 8222 to make alternative arrangements.

Please note it is envisaged that requirements regarding Covid19 safety precautions will still be in place, we will provide information when we return in January. 

Uniform purchases are also available on the Wednesday and Thursday above. 

Please click below for the uniform price list.

Uniform_Pamphlet_2021.pdf

Book Packs 2021

Below is a list of the books that will be included in book packs to assist you in purchasing book cover materials.

Inter-High School Athletics

Members of the Sheffield School Athletics team competed in the recent NWSSSA Inter-High Athletics Championships held at the Penguin Athletics track.  The team had one simple aim for the day, which was to have a student compete in each event.  The willingness of the students ensured we nearly achieved our goal and it was very pleasing to see students volunteer to fill gaps in the program.  Cooper’s contribution to the day was massive, with him competing in 9 events and tasting success for his efforts. 

All students competed brilliantly on the day, our stand out performers include:

The team finished a healthy third on the points table, which displayed our students outstanding ability when competing alongside other athletes from much larger schools.  Members of the team displayed excellent behaviour and sportsmanship throughout the day, encouraged others to achieve their personal best. 

The H.P.E team would like to congratulate all members for their contribution and commitment to the team and encourage all to continue to aim high.

Tasmanian Science Talent Search (TSTS) 2020

Sheffield School is very proud of the students who participated in the Tasmanian Science Talent Search with the creation of a poster around the theme of ‘Deep Blue: Innovations for the future of our oceans’.

A special mention to Savannah (P) who received a merit certificate for her poster as well as Sophie (3/4) who was awarded an equal second placing.

Congratulations to all participants!

Art Acquisition Prize

Voting for the 2020 Art Acquisition Prize has now closed, thank you to everyone who voted.

The winner will be announced at the Presentation Assembly on Tuesday 8 December.

Below are the art works that students have submitted.

Mt Roland Walk

Last Thursday the Year 8s went on the Mount Roland walk from O’Neill’s Creek. It was a long and tiring walk, but the view was well worth it. It was absolutely amazing.

We had great conversations along the way, and everyone walked it extremely well. Everyone encouraged each other and we got though it in an easy six and a half hours. The weather did us well and it was definitely one of the highlights of this year. It was truly a great and memorable experience.

By Charlee

Kindergarten

Kinder students have developed some wonderful counting skills this year and here they are showing how many buttons they could count.

Also, here are some of our very colourful shape paintings. We drew shapes using black glue. When it dried we finished the pictures with some bright dye. They have really brightened our room up.

Year 8B

Getting into the spirit!

Canteen

School Health Nurse

Summer is  here  which means it is now time to be SunSmart! In Tasmania, the UV is now 3 and above (at skin-damaging levels) so sun protection is needed until the end of April. You can download the free SunSmart app to check the sun protection times daily.

Protect your skin in 5 ways:

• Slip: on clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
• Slop: on sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply at least every 2 hours.
• Slap: on a hat that protects your face, neck and ears.
• Seek shade: especially in the middle of the day during peak UV.
• Slide: on sunglasses that are close-fitting, wrap-around and polarised.

Everyone can experience barriers when making changes to their lifestyle and it can take some time for new habits to stick. Making sun protection part of your daily routine will make it easier to remember and it then becomes something we do regularly, without even thinking of it. Why not give it a go for your own health and well-being.

Information supported and provided by the Cancer Council of Tasmania. For further information about SunSmart, call the Cancer Council of Tasmania on 1300 65 65 85 or email sunsmart@cancertas.org.au.

Camps Tasmania

Devonport Gymnastics

HIPPY (Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters)

Hockey Tasmania

Kentish House

KHouse_Dec.pdf

KHouse_Dec _pdf 5.63 MB