16 February 2017

Newsletter Articles

Key Dates

Monday 20 February – Home reading (Sheffield)
Monday 20 February - Open Classroom Afternoon Tea (Sheffield and Railton)
Monday 20 February – Vaccination forms (Grade 7) are due back
Thursday 23 February – Launching into Learning Sign up Day BBQ (Railton)
Friday 24 February – Launching into Learning Sign up Day BBQ (Sheffield)
Friday 24 February – Swimming Carnival (Years 3 – 10 at Splash)
Monday 6 March – School photos (Sheffield and Railton)
Tuesday 7 March – School photos make up day
Wednesday 8 March – Friday 10th March – Grade 7 Camp (Payton Park)
Tuesday 14 March – Moderation Day Years 11/12 (Student free)
Thursday 16 March – North West Primary School Sports Association (NWPSSA) Athletics Carnival
Thursday 16 March – Vaccinations (Gardasil) Grade 7
Thursday 23 March – NWPPSSA Twilight Carnival
Thursday 13 April - Moderation Day Years K – 10 (Student free)

Principal’s Message

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the new school year. I hope that families have enjoyed a wonderful holiday together. It certainly seems that all of our students have returned to school refreshed and eager for their year ahead.

This year we welcome a number of new staff to our school; Mr Simon Voorwinde will be teaching grade 9 Maths / Science, Mrs Petra Wilden teaching grade 8 Core, Miss Kayla Hampton a grade 7 Core class, Mr Lochie Williams and Mrs Megan Vos are replacing Mr Hinrichsen and Mrs Moles respectively term 1, Mr David Hearne will be teaching Art whilst Mrs Bentley is on leave and Miss Jessie Howe will be teaching Primary PE whilst Miss Scattergood continues her maternity leave. In addition we welcome Mrs Sheree Lynch into the School Business Manager role and Mrs Susan Kennerley to the Band 3 administration position. Parents would also have noticed a number of other changes in regard to roles being performed by a number of our teaching staff.

Each newsletter we include an article by Michael Grose, a renowned author of 9 parenting books. Included in this first newsletter is the article “7 ways to make this year your child’s best year ever at school”. There are some excellent tips within this article, with reference to valuing education, a positive approach, and ensuring students are well rested and prepared for each day at school to gain maximum learning. To this end, thank you to parents for the effort in preparing students ready for the school year. Being well organised with books and equipment makes for a good start with learning and the students look especially smart and connected to school when wearing their uniform.

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending the Don College Celebration of Excellence Evening, and Sheffield students again featured prominently in the awards. Congratulations to Jordan Winwood, Jordyn Enright, Lachlan Gower, Georgina Rayner, Troydan Mason, Jeremy Denby, Emily Smith and Bianca Eberle who all won subject awards. Dayna Grey received multiple subject awards and was also recognized within the major awards section of the evening for her outstanding results, as was Hamish McLean, Lachlan Gower, Jonty Winwood, Emily Smith, Bianca Eberle and Hannah Huett. Dayna Grey and Bianca Eberle were also recognized for achieving an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) of 95+, this places them in the top 5% Australia wide, a fantastic achievement!

These young people set an excellent example for our students, and the message for all students is to aim high with your learning goals!

Finally, in welcoming our secondary students back last Wednesday, I encouraged each student to strive to improve on their 2016 attendance. As a school we have achieved an average attendance rate of around 90% for the last few years, and we generally observe a drop off in the secondary years. We also talked about learning goals for the year and the links between time at school and achievement. Please work with us to ensure your child is at school, unless they are unwell.

RON DALY
PRINCIPAL

Before School Supervision of Students

A reminder to parents that staff do not commence before school duty until 8.30am, therefore there is no direct supervision of students arriving early. Where possible, we would encourage students not to arrive before 8.30am.

Canteen Price Lists

Please note canteens determine the foods that they will offer to students therefore prices may differ between campuses.

Home Reading

Immunisations

Grade 7 immunisation forms need to be given to your child’s home room teacher by the end of the day on Monday 20th February. Home room teachers have spare forms if you require another.

Launching Into Learning

Music News

Welcome back to the new school year!

Music groups that will be running this year are.…The ‘Railton Rockers’ choir.
There will be a Sheffield Campus choir (for years 3-10).
Junior and Senior Rock Bands and, Taiko Drummers.

Private music lessons are also available in Violin, Guitar and Drums.
Information about piano lessons will follow shortly.
For information about lessons please contact tutors directly.

Mr Brad Wilby (guitar and drums) on 0457 209 648
Mr Ian Leslie (violin) on 6491 2767

If there is anyone in the community who has a violin sitting in a cupboard not being used and they would be willing to donate it to the school, please contact Mrs Crowther.

Open Classroom Afternoon Tea

School Photos

School photos will take place on Monday 6 March, with a further catch up day on Tuesday 7 March for students who were away. Leading Image, who have continued to provide a high quality service, have again been enlisted to take our photos this year.

Order envelopes will be sent home with students at the end of next week and should be returned to school, with correct payment prior to or on Photo Day. Order envelopes can be passed to class teachers or directly to the office. As per last year, payment can also be made on the website, and instructions for this can be found on the order envelopes. Please note that the school will not be handling any money or accepting payments on Leading Image’s behalf.

Any queries should be directed to Leading Image on 1300 084 586; or via email at info@leadingimage.com.au

A timetable for family photos will be advertised in the newsletter 2nd March and will also be published, on our facebook page and the student memo the week prior.

Those families who do not place an order on the day will be given a second chance to order, via a new form which will be distributed when photos are returned to school.

School Times

School Uniform Shop Price List

Slaters in Sheffield currently have in stock the following school uniform items:

Note: School uniform is not mandatory for years 11 and 12.

Sheffield School Council Election 2017

Elections for School Council will be held on Tuesday, 21 March 2017.

Nominations are being called for one (1) community and four (4) parent vacancies. Nomination forms and an information brochure are available from the school office. Nominations must be to the Returning Officer, Sheree Lynch, by COB Monday 20 March, 2017.

For enquiries phone 6491 8222.

The School Council gives parents, community members, students and staff an opportunity to participate in setting future directions, making decisions and developing policies that have a direct effect on the way the school operates.

Parents and guardians of a student are automatically parent members and are entitled to nominate for a parent position and to vote, should an election be required.

Other members of the community interested in being a community member are required to apply to the School Council to be accepted as such. At this stage, only those who have been accepted can nominate for this vacancy. Interested members of the community are encouraged to place their names forward so that they can participate in future elections and possibly be members of the School Council.

The students in Grades 7-9 will elect among themselves the students who will fill the Student Member vacancies.

The values and purposes that underpin all that we do at the school are constantly reviewed. The School Council has revised its vision statement that takes into account our values and captures the uniqueness of our school and the wider community. A review of several key policies is currently underway.

Being a member of the School Council is a worthwhile and effective way to be involved in the school community and to ensure that we provide an education for our students that will foster in them a desire for life-long learning.

Enquiries should be directed to the Returning Officer, Sheree Lynch, at the school office.

Students leaving school during the day.

Please note the following protocols with regards students leaving school during the day. These protocols are in place to ensure we are able to meet our Duty of Care obligations and are also able to account for all students in the case of a fire evacuation or some other type of emergency situation. Parents please reinforce the following steps with your children.

• Students need to have a dated and signed note from their parent /carer explaining why they will need to leave school.
• Students need to have this note signed by their class teacher and a senior member of staff.
• Prior to leaving the student needs to present at the administration area and provide the signed note to the administration staff and sign out.
• If the student returns to school that day he /she will need to sign back in at the administration area.
• Students are to leave and arrive via the main student entrance not the front entrance to the administration area, unless with their parent /carer.
• In the event that something unexpected occurs during the day and a parent /carer needs to provide permission for their child to leave school this can be done by phoning the school and speaking with administrative staff on 64918222.

Thank you for your cooperation with these matters.

Swimming Carnival

The Sheffield School Swimming carnival will be held at the Devonport Splash Aquatic Centre on Friday 24 February. The carnival will involve students from years 3 – 10 from both the Sheffield and Railton Campus’s. Parents and families are more than welcome to attend and spectate, admission to the centre is free. Below is a program of the day’s event and indicate approximate commencement times.

PRIMARY TIMETABLE OF EVENTS

SECONDARY TIMETABLE OF EVENTS

Term Dates

Community Notices