Dear Families,

You would all be aware of the tragic incident that occurred at Hillcrest Primary School yesterday. I am sure you would all join with me in expressing our heartfelt thoughts to all within the school and wider Devonport community at this very difficult and challenging time. Such a traumatic event can impact each of us in different ways, potentially some within our school community will have connections with families of Hillcrest Primary School; please reach out to the various support networks available if you require assistance.

• Lifeline 13 11 44
• Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
• Mental Health Helpline – 1800 332 388
• Beyond Blue Support Service – 1300 224 636

A helpful resource is also available at helping-children-affected-tragic-events.pdf (psychology.org.au) that provides guidance about how you can support your child and help them cope after such tragic events. More resources are available to support families at https://www.education.tas.gov.au/trauma-support-resources/.

Please look after yourselves and your families. 

COVID19

As with any end of year there are many celebratory activities and assemblies that occur, this year again due to COVID19, and particularly venue density restrictions many of these events have needed to be adjusted to meet Public Health and Department of Education requirements. As a result of the restricted audience numbers we have again endeavoured to ensure access, by providing live streams from our school Facebook page, or uploaded videos to a private YouTube channel as was the case with the recent Primary Celebration Concert.  I hope this has assisted families to be able to be a part of these events when not able to attend in person. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of those staff who contributed to recording, editing and uploading these videos/ live streams for our school community to view.

At this stage we will commence 2022 in a similar vein to the way we have ended 2021, operating under the guidelines of our school COVID19 safety plan. This will mean the continuation of a range of existing strategies and some new to ensure the wellbeing of our community; effective hand hygiene, maintaining 1.5m physical distancing, Check in and vaccination requirements for DoE staff, volunteers and contractors accessing the school site, wearing of facemasks where necessary, increased ventilation and the use of outdoor learning spaces and staying away from school if unwell.

Included below is a letter from the Secretary of the Department of Education, Tim Bullard outlining the measures the department will be taking to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our school community.

Thank you to all members of the school community for your continued support and understanding.

Our Presentation Assembly held last Tuesday was a great showcase of the achievements of many of our students over the course of the year.  We were very fortunate to have Her Excellency, The Honourable Barbara Baker, Governor of Tasmania, and her husband Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers attend. Well done to Amber who won the Thomas Alexander Memorial Award for the best grade 10 results. Congratulations to all award and certificate recipients.

Staffing  

At the end of each year we farewell a number of staff, and this year is no exception.

During the year Miss Keeley Lester and Miss Alizia Sheehan commenced maternity leave and with their partners entered the world of parenthood, welcoming Veah and Elka respectively, certainly a special time for them all.

Mr Andrew Polotnianka will complete his fixed term contract at the end of the year.  Mr Polotnianka has made a positive contribution to our school community and the students within his care over the past two years, we wish him well and look forward to his return in 2022 in a relief capacity.

Mr Stephen May, after a short contract as Groundsman one day per week will not be continuing in 2022 due to other employment commitments. Mr May has worked tirelessly during his time at Sheffield with the results of his hard work very evident in the presentation of the school grounds.

Mr Daniel Mulholland resigned from his position as MDT assistant several weeks ago to focus more on his farm. His skills in the MDT area and his calm and easy going nature will be missed, we wish him well.

Mrs Narelle Maher will be taking up a new position at Port Sorell Primary School.  Mrs Maher has in her 12 months at Sheffield provided positive leadership in our K-6 sector of the school, she has a passion for leading teaching and learning, and a great empathy for the young people she works with, always striving to deliver improved outcomes.

Mrs Melina Mainwaring has decided to take leave for 2022, Mrs Mainwaring has taught at Sheffield for the past 20 years, the last 3 as our Quality Teaching Coach, where she has effected significant change, driving a student-centred approach to improve teacher practice and student outcomes. Mrs Mainwaring will leave big shoes to fill, we look forward to welcoming her back in 2023.

Mrs Esther Wass, our School Chaplain, after 10 years serving the school and local community has decided to finish. Mrs Wass’s caring and friendly nature, her preparedness to always offer a listening ear, and her willingness to go over and above to ensure the wellbeing of those requiring her support, are features of her time as Chaplain. We wish her well as she enters the next phase of her life, where hopefully she will be able to find some more time for herself, her family and activities that provide further fulfilment.

After close to 60 years combined service to our school community supporting many students and positively impacting many lives, both Mrs Shirley Elliott and Mrs Julie McCarthy have decided to retire. Both ladies have demonstrated a commitment and desire to ensure the very best for the young people they have worked with, they will both be sorely missed, we do wish them well as they commence a new chapter in their lives.

After 22 years at Sheffield School, Ms Tamieka Lockwood will be transferring to Latrobe Primary School. Ms Lockwood is a dedicated educator of early years children, having taught primarily in the Prep and Kindergarten areas during her time at Sheffield. She is highly skilled and is a joy to watch when teaching our youngest students, it is her work that sets the basis for the formal schooling and across such a long span, she has impacted positively the development of so many young people. Ms Lockwood will be sorely missed; we do wish her well in this new and exciting chapter of her teaching career.

Mrs Sharon Allen will be retiring at the end of the year. Mrs Allen has taught in the early childhood area at Sheffield School for the past 15 years, the later years at the Railton Campus, she has impacted positively the many young people that she has taught over her career and has always demonstrated a particular empathy for those in her classes who have found school and aspects of their life to be challenging.  We would like to acknowledge her contribution to the department and our school, and wish her well in the next phase of her life.

As a result of some of the above staffing movements we will be welcoming Mr Ben Richmond (Food and Fibre Production), and Mr Anthony Lee (Primary AST) to our school.  Further information regarding staffing and specific roles for 2022 will be confirmed in the first newsletter next year.

Finally, congratulations and thank you to all staff and students for the manner in which you have navigated the year, have an enjoyable and safe holiday period and I look forward to the commencement of the 2022 year.

Ron Daly
Principal

Art Acquistion

Congratulations to Petra on winning the Art Acquisition prize
- Petra's winning entry will be on display in the Sheffield Campous Administration Foyer

Art Exhibiton

Inter-High Athletics

The Sheffield School athletics team competed at the recent North West Schools Inter-high Athletics Carnival held at the Penguin Athletics complex.  The team consisted of 32 enthusiastic athletes who put in a tremendous effort and represented the school with pride.

The day got off to a positive start with the early field events.  Isabella, Isabelle and Allie all placed in the top three to get the team off to fabulous start.

The junior boys enthusiastically participated, Cooper in particular who competed in 9 events and Jack competed in 6 events.  They greatly assisted the team gain pint in the competition.  Olava was a standout in the senior boys and competed well alongside Jason, Brandon, Luca, Kaleb and Kalan.  Evlyn provided some highlights and also pushed Hollie, Hunntah and Talasha towards achieving their personal best.

The team finished the day in fourth position. It was pleasing to see our students encouraging and congratulating other competitors.  The behaviour of the team overall on the day was excellent, with a vry high level of sportsmanship displayed.

Well done, Sheffield School athletics team!

Readers’ Cup

On Friday 12 November 2021, Lillie, Abigail, Chelsea, Shania, Kiara, and I (Ava) went to East Devonport Primary School to participate in Readers Cup with 10 other local primary schools.

We had to finish a quiz as a group, then watched other schools do plays, reading and more while we waited for our turn. We did a book review about The Wolf Wilder, Wombat Warrior, and sick bay.

The highlights of our day were watching people do their plays and reading.

I highly recommend any students going into year 5/6 next year who love to read to participate in this fun day out with Miss Gerke.

By Ava and Shania 5/6B

Year 10 Celebration

Year 8/9 students Talasha, Evlyn, Tahli and Isabelle produced these amazing platters for the Year 10 Celebration Dinner.

Applications are now open for the Commissioner for Children and Young People (CCYP) Ambassador Program 2022

The application process will be open for Tasmanian children and young people until 5pm on Friday 18th February 2022. 

The CCYP Ambassador Program provides children and young people with an opportunity to have their voices heard about matters that are important to them, and on how things can be improved for children and young people in Tasmania. CCYP Ambassadors are also provided with opportunities to come together to discuss key issues and to influence decision-makers.

The information pack and electronic application form are now available on the CCYP website at: https://www.childcomm.tas.gov.au/get-involved.  

Leanne McLean
Commissioner for Children & Young People

2022 INFORMATION

ADMINISTRATION

Student Assistance Applications

CURRICULUM

SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Year 8

8B busily sewing their designed Christmas decorations

What's on in the holidays?

KENTISH HOUSE - January Program