16 March 2017

Newsletter Articles

Key Dates

Thursday 16 March – North West Primary School Sports Association (NWPSSA) Athletics Carnival
Friday 17 March – Progress Reports home
Friday 17 March – Cancer coin line fundraiser
Thursday 23 March – Vaccinations (Gardasil) – Grade 7
Thursday 23 March – NWPPSSA Twilight Carnival
Tuesday 28 March – RACT Road Safety Activity (Grade 10)
Tuesday 28 March – School Council AGM (Library) – 7pm
Thursday 30 March – Railton Assembly - 2pm – 2.40pm
Saturday 1 April – Sunday 2 April – Relay for Life
Friday 7 April – Science Engineering Challenge (Secondary)
Wednesday 12 April – Primary Fair and Pet Parade
Wednesday 12 April – Students finish term 1
Thursday 13 April - Moderation Day Years K – 10 (Student free)
Monday 1 May – Term 2 commences

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents

We are now over half way through the term, with a busy calendar ahead in the weeks to come! The first report for the year is scheduled to be sent home with students today. This initial report will indicate to parents and carers how well students have started the year. The front cover page also includes attendance information for your child, the year group, and the school and state/sector average. Please take the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress with their class teacher at any time during the school year by making an appointment through the school office on 6491 8222.

Grade 7 Camp

Last week our grade 7s spent 3 days and 2 nights on camp at Paton Park. The program was packed with many activities aimed to develop and challenge both individual and team skills. The abseiling was again a favourite for many of the students; this year they also had the opportunity to ride through the tracks of Paton Park on mountain bikes which was certainly an exhilarating experience. Water activities including the Ulverstone Water Slide and the surf were enjoyed by many students, especially given the very warm weather. Thank you to Mrs Eustace and Miss Hampton for their organisation and commitment to ensuring the success of this camp. Thank you also to Mr Hays and Mrs Maddick for their support and attendance at the camp. I would also like to acknowledge the support of the Ulverstone Surf Club in providing the supervision for the swimming on the Friday.

Student Achievement

Our rowers have continued to experience success at the State Schools Rowing Event, with Jessica Welch and Ruby Skirving adding to the State Championships that we have won over the past 4 years. The girls were successful in the State U/13 Doubles event. Well done girls!

In the coming weeks Abbey Boutcher will travel interstate to the National Rowing Championships to compete, combining with students from the Tasmanian University Boat Club in both the quad and doubles events as well as competing in the singles event, we wish Abbey all the best in her endeavours and look forward to her reporting back on the experience when she returns

Visit by Past Student Darren Wheat

On Friday 10 March, a group of students had the privilege of participating in a range of leadership and team building activities, coordinated by Chief Petty Officer Darren Wheat, who is an Operations Officer for the Royal Australian Navy. Darren is a former Sheffield School student, and has served in the Navy for 30 years. During the morning block, Darren organised and facilitated a variety of activities for our year 10 students, to improve their teamwork and communication skills. After recess, Darren held an information session, which was attended by a large group of secondary students. The students thoroughly enjoyed hearing about Darren’s career pathway and his personal experiences in the defence force, and were intrigued to learn about the huge scope of employment opportunities within the Navy.

School Crossing

Recently I have had a number of approaches by members of our community concerned that students are not using the crossing on Main Street, but instead crossing at other points along the Main Street or on the intersection of Main Street and Henry Street itself. Students crossing Henry Street, opposite the school main entrance without due care has also been observed. Parents please reinforce with your child/ren the importance of using the crossing, and for senior students it is particularly important that the appropriate use of the crossing is modelled to younger students that may be making their way to school from the Southern side of Main Street. Thank you for your co-operation with this matter in ensuring the safety of students that walk, ride or scoot to and home from school.

Cancer Coin Line

Insights

Launching Into Learning (LiL)

Learning in Families Together (LiFT)

Music News

Taiko Drums, Junior Rock band and the Railton Rockers and Sheffield Stars Choirs have had a great start with some very excited students chosen for solos in the choirs!

If your child belongs to any of the ensembles please support and encourage them in their rehearsal efforts. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact Mrs Crowther via the office.

If you are interested in your child having private Music lessons then please contact the following people:

Esther Wass – Piano – 0458 378 437
Brad Wilby – Guitar/Drums – 0457 209 648
Ian Leslie – Violin/Clarinet – 64912767

National Simultaneous Story Time

Come along on Wednesday 24 May to participate in our National Simultaneous Story Time.

The story, ‘The Cow Tripped Over The Moon’ will be read by Mayor Don Thwaites at 11am in the school Library (next to the office.)

For more information on NSS:

Primary Fair and Pet Parade

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.

Community Notices