Dear Families

Covid-19 Update

Over the last week or so we have observed a trending down in positive Covid cases here at school, however across other school sites, and within the wider Tasmanian community there have been significant daily positive cases being recorded. As a result, the recently released Term 2 Covid Safe Schools Plan (attached) details a similar approach to term 1, with most of the current Covid safe arrangements remaining in place.  

The main change for our school community is that Launching into Learning (LiL) will be able to recommence, indoors and back on school sites, with a range of Covid safe measures to be implemented. Our LiL staff will communicate details of the program and Covid safe expectations with families early term 2. Although we will continue to minimise the mixing of students and staff, we will also explore Covid safe ways of starting to bring larger groups of students together both here at school and across sites to participate in learning activities.

A reminder it is important that we continue to implement the following Covid safety measures in term 2 to assist with managing case numbers within our school and keeping people safe.

Again, I would like to thank all parents and carers for your continued cooperation in regard to keeping us informed of Covid positive cases, and close contact situations.  I would also like to acknowledge all staff, students and families for the manner in which you have all navigated this term. It has been a Herculean effort by all!

As we return for term 2 please continue to contact our administration staff on 6491 8222 if your child tests positive. Also, a reminder that if you require more Rapid Antigen Tests, please contact the office and we can arrange for the distribution of more tests, via your child or post. We have sent home with students today two additional tests, should they be required during the holiday break.

Link to the Term 2 Covid Safe Schools Plan

Staffing Change

Late last week I communicated to impacted families via letter, a range of changes in our staffing for term 2. These changes are a result of the resignation of Mr Johansson recently and the transfer of Ms Bean to Mountain Heights School for the commencement of term 2. I am certainly very appreciative of the flexibility and adaptability of many of our staff that have been prepared to accommodate these changes at this point in the year, similarly I would like to thank students and parents for their understanding and support around these changes.

Bus Code of Conduct

Recently the Department of State Growth (DSG) released a Passenger Code of Conduct (the Code) for School Bus Services.

The Code sets out the expected standards of behaviour for students when using a bus.

It provides guidance and processes for bus operators and drivers to follow when a student breaches the Code, ensuring that all students, and breaches of the Code, are treated in a fair and consistent manner.

All operators of School Bus Services have adopted the Code as conditions of travel for the purposes of Regulation 11 of the Passenger Transport Services Regulations 2013.

The Code has been developed by the Department of State Growth in consultation with the Tasmanian Bus Association (TasBus), the Department of Education, Catholic Education Tasmania and contracted school bus operators.

Link to the Passenger Conduct Code for School Bus Services

In the event of a student breach of the code of conduct, bus operators will forward communication of a warning or suspension from travelling on the bus to the school. On receipt of this we will then forward to the parent/carer via a Schoolzine notification.

If a parent/carer would like to query the application of the Code to the behavioural incident and the sanction applied, they should contact the bus operator. 

Launch of Sheffield School Cookery Book

Back in 2020 Cassandra Speed, from Kentish House, and Mrs Maddick were successful in securing a grant from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal - Strengthening Rural Communities Program. The money was used to produce a cookbook, which at the time was meant to be a yearlong project. Fast forward to this year, following two years of Covid disruptions, and the cookbook was finally launched last week.  To mark the day of the launch, Food Technology students were also treated to an interactive presentation and taste testing by Rees Campbell, from Murnong Wild Food Garden.

Thank you to Mrs Maddick, Cassandra Speed, photographer Sally Milbourne and of course the Year 9/10 Food Technology students of 2020, who have their culinary skills on show throughout the book, for their contributions towards this finished product.

If anyone would like a copy of the Sheffield School Cookery Book please contact Cassandra Speed, there are limited copies available. In exchange for a cookbook I would encourage you to make a small donation to the Kentish House.

Cleveland Cattle Sale

Sheffield School Year 9-10 Food and Fibre students travelled to Ouse on Friday 25 March for the Cleveland on farm cattle sale.  The Cleveland Pastoral Company, owned by the Shoobridge family, have been long-time supporters of our Sheffield School Junior Cattle Handlers Show.  Their sponsorship began in the 1980s and each year they make a very generous donation of 2 steers to encourage young people to participate in hands on learning about the beef industry.  Their donation assists in raising valuable funds to ensure our show can go ahead.  This year Tom and Stacy Shoobridge donated 4 steers to support our program, we cannot thank them enough.    

While at the sale, students had the opportunity to talk to John Shoobridge who started the very first sale in the 1970s.  He shared some stories about the early days on the farm and how they currently manage their land and the environment.  Although the sale is held on farm as a live auction, buyers also have the opportunity to purchase through the AutionsPlus online buying platform.  Zoie MacFarlane provided our students with an overview of how AuctionsPlus worked for the sale.  Zoie also shared her career pathway and how this led her from an inner city Sydney high school to a career in Agriculture.

Our four steers are home at the School Farm and now students will care for and prepare these cattle for our Show's Hoof and Hook Competition that is aimed to promote the commercial beef industry.  Between now and the School Show in November students monitor the growth rate of these cattle, provide necessary feed to meet the growth targets and MSA assessment criteria, as well as prepare the cattle to be led at the show.  At the completion of the event, students analyse carcass data to identify MSA premiums and how prices are calculated.  

Past/Present Sheffield School students have continued to shine, this time on the national stage

Thomas, Chelsea, Demi and Dayna have been participating at the Royal Sydney Show in cattle handling and judging events.  These passionate young agricultural leaders of the future represented Tasmania in the National finals for Junior Handlers and Young Judging.  They all performed extremely well.  Demi was awarded Reserve Champion Handler and Dayna (representing her adopted state SA) won the 2022 Young Judges Competition.  An outstanding achievement by these young women. 

Cattle Handling programs provide students with many valuable experiences that not only connect them to the agricultural industry but develop confidence, self-esteem, teamwork, public speaking and leaderships skills to name a few.  They take these valuable skills and attributes into their chosen career and many have chosen a pathway in agriculture.

Recently, Isabelle (Year 10) competed at the National Rowing Carnival in Lake Nagambie Regatta Centre Victoria.  A number of very successful performances; Isabelle was 5th in A Final U/17 with Lilly from SBSC, both Kentish Rowing Club members.

Finally, I would like to wish all within our school community a safe and enjoyable Easter/ Term break, A reminder that tomorrow, Thursday 14 April is a K-10 Moderation Day, the only students attending will be our Certificate 2 Agriculture students. Term two commences on Monday 2 May.

Ron Daly
Principal

 

 

 

Golden Ticket Award Recipients - Term 1, 2022

The Golden Ticket award recipients enjoyed a delicious morning tea wit the Principal, Mr Ron Daly.

Feisty Tasmanian Visit

On Tuesday 5 April our students had Rees Campbell from Feisty Tasmanian as a guest speaker, sharing her knowledge around native foods including taste testing.  Ms Bell, Mr Richmond and Mrs Maddick’s classes were all able to benefit from Rees sharing her vast knowledge. Thanks Rees – we all enjoyed the session!

The Year 9/10 students were then fortunate to enjoy the launch of the Sheffield Cookbook and afternoon tea. Each student was given a complimentary copy of the cookbook and a sample of native ingredients.

Rees recently emailed me the following:

“I had an enjoyable time at Sheffield School yesterday. I was really impressed with some of the students who were really engaged and thought through the questions I posed. I was also rapt at how almost all the students tried all the wild seeds and fruits. It will be interesting if any of them follow it up.”

Kinder - Sheffield

Kinder - Railton

It was no joke on April 1 at the Railton Campus.  The birds had discovered how yummy the apples on our apple tree were.  So we picked them and stored them in boxes in the fridge.  These delicious apples will support our Boost Break and Breakfast Club programs over the next few weeks.

7/8 English/Maths

7/8C have been very busy in English and Maths this term. Students have been applying their mathematical understanding in our culminating investigation; and, developing their vocabulary understanding after annotating texts. A fabulous term of learning. Well done, 7/8C!

7/8 Food Studies

7/8 have been making ANZAC biscuits.

7/8 Geography

In Geography, we have been looking at change in the Australian Landscapes. As a case study, students researched the Greater Bilby and were given the task of producing an eye-catching, factual poster. Here are a few examples.

9/10 Food Studies

How creatively delicious do these look?

9/10 Sports for Girls

The 9/10 sports for girls class has dedicated this term to improving personal fitness. For our final term assessment, students had to design their own programs and train another member of the class.

CANTEEN

Click here for Term 2 Menu

ORAL HEALTH SERVICES TASMANIA (OHST)
- Fissure Sealant & Fluoride Varnish Program (FSFVP)

OHST are visiting the Railton campus on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 June for the FSFVP for students in Kinder to Year 2. 

If you did not complete an authorisation form and would like your child to be part of the dental program, please print off and return a completed form to the Railton School Office.   Forms are also available from the office.

What parents need to know about e-cigarettes

DEVON WINTER NETBALL

We are looking for more under 16 players for this year at Latrobe. Our coach Leigh, has some great training drills aimed at keeping it fun, learning new skills and getting fit.

If you are interested, grab a mate, a drink bottle and come along to training.

Contact the Leigh on 0409 667 014 or Lisa our Junior Coordinator on 0407 191 014

LEGAL INFORMATION SESSION

SLIPSTREAM CIRCUS

TICKET TO PLAY (Closing Date: 31 May 2022)