14 September 2017

Newsletter Articles

Key Dates

Friday 15 September – Assembly Whole School (11.30am).
Friday 15 September – SRC Fundraiser (Whole School Crazy Hair Day).
Friday 15 September – Oral Health Program forms due back to school.
Tuesday 19 September – Trade Skills Day.
Thursday 21 September – Vaccinations Year 7 (Gardasil) / Years 10 – 12 (Meningococcal).
Friday 22 September – Snow Queen (Burnie High School Production).
Tuesday 26 September –Friday 29 September – Year 5 Camp (Roches Beach).
Friday 29 September – Last day of term.
Monday 2 October –Friday 13 October – School holidays.
Monday 8 October –Friday 14 October – Mental Health Week 2017.
Monday 16 October – Term 4 commences.
Wednesday 18 October - Don College Transition – Information evening.
Monday 23 October –Thursday 26 October – School Oral Health Program.
(Sheffield Campus: 23 – 25 October, Railton Campus: 26 October)
Wednesday 25 October – EMUsicions Tour (K-6).
Friday 3 November – Student Free Day.
Monday 6 November – Recreation Day.
Wednesday 8 November – Assemblies (Years 7 – 12: 12pm, Prep – year 6: 1.30pm).
Wednesday 15 November – Don College Enrolments.
Friday 1 December – Devonport Show Day.

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

ACARA School Satisfaction Survey

Over the next two weeks school satisfaction surveys for students, parents and staff will be conducted. These surveys contain questions on a range of matters about our school.

This survey provides an opportunity for students, parents and staff to provide important feedback. This feedback is valued by our school as a means of identifying what the school does well and opportunities for the school to make improvements.

A random selection of students (from Year 5 and above), parents and staff will be invited to participate. Those students who are randomly selected to undertake the survey will do so during school time.

All parents will be invited to complete the survey. Letters will be posted out this week, the survey can be completed online or in the paper form. If you decide to complete the paper version there is a collection box located in the administration areas at both the Sheffield and Railton campuses.

Your responses will be secure and anonymous. Schools will receive a summary report of responses.

I would encourage you to complete the survey so that the school has a clear direction when planning for future programs and services for students.

Parents that do not have access to a computer or the internet at home and would like to complete the online survey can access computers at the Online Access Centre, LINC or a school computer.

Please contact the office if you wish to use a school computer.

The survey will need to be completed by 22 September 2017.

Communication with our School Community

We are currently working with Schoolzine to develop our new school webpage which will be more dynamic and user friendly than the current version. We hope to have this completed by early term 4. Once up and running any feedback regarding its functionality and content would be welcomed.

I have also included information on downloading and accessing the Schoolzine app, this along with an improved webpage are actions we have taken to improve communication and keep our school community better informed. Once the app is downloaded parents are able to receive a notification and access the fortnightly newsletter, school calendar, receive notifications regarding other events /information, and notify the school of student absences.

Please don’t see these digital forms of communication as a replacement to face to face interactions, during the year we have a number of formal opportunities to meet with teachers to celebrate and discuss student learning progress, however please also remember staff are available at any other time during the year to meet with parents to discuss their child’s progress or any concerns they may have. In these cases please make an appointment through the school office to meet with the teacher after school, as particularly for our K-6 staff before school is generally a fairly hectic time and probably not conducive to uninterrupted meeting time with parents.

RON DALY
PRINCIPAL

Art Department – After School Sessions

The art room is now open on Thursdays after school, this provides students with the opportunity to receive further one on one feedback and further develop school and personal art projects in a supportive and creative space.

The group is off to a great start, with a growing number of Art students attending from years 7-10.

Book Week Awards

In recognition of Outstanding Academic Achievement in Literacy

In recognition of Outstanding Academic Achievement in Numeracy

Class Awards

Launching Into Learning (LiL)

Learning in Families Together (LiFT)

Family Maths Prizes

Well done to the Year 2 students who picked up the error printed on the multiplication placemat that was given as a prize after our Family Maths challenge last month. The company are aware and are in the process of printing and sending new placemats.

Board Game Library

Board games are fabulous for people of all ages. We are hearing some really positive feedback from our families. A reminder that our board games are to be returned every Tuesday at Sheffield and Thursday at Railton with all of their bits.

Sheffield Pre-Kinder - Fridays at 1:30 in KINDER

If you have a child that was born in 2013, they are eligible to join our Pre-Kinder sessions. This is an informal, one hour session where children stay with their parents in the Kindergarten room. This is a great opportunity to play and learn, get familiar with the environment, get to know friends who will be in Kindergarten with them in 2018 and share some songs and a story together. There is no cost for this program. We will provide all the information you need for the enrolment process, uniforms, lunch boxes and the routines of Kindergarten. Please spread the word.

*Railton Pre-Kinder will run during LiL each Thursday at 11:30-12:30 in Terms 3 and 4.

For further information, please contact Carly Sullivan 64918222 or carly.sullivan@education.tas.gov.au.

Mental Health Week (8 – 14 October 2017)

Mountain Heights Sports Exchange

On Thursday 31 August, Sheffield School hosted Mountain Heights for the second running of our annual sports exchange. Mountain Heights made the arduous trip up from the west coast and were happy to see sunlight for the first time in some months.

The Secondary girls kicked off the day’s proceedings with a combined 9/10 netball game and were comfortable winners after four quarters of competition. New coach Allison Boutcher quickly instilled her game plan within the group and the fruits of her hard work were clearly evident. The Grade 7/8 girls also recorded a resounding win, with super coach Mrs Eustace squeezing every ounce of potential out of her charges.

The Secondary boys played their first game for the year and with the expert guidance of new coach Nathan Applebee were quick to burst out of the blocks in the first quarter. Excellent team work was displayed resulting in a hefty first quarter advantage. Mountain Heights found their legs in the second quarter and although not able to score heavily, competed extremely well in the centre bounces and up forward. Disciplined tackling and hard running were a feature for the remaining two quarters as Sheffield continued to score regularly yet Mountain Heights to their credit, never surrendered.

It was great to see members of the local community assist in the running of the day’s events and I would like to make mention of Mrs Allison Boutcher for her expert coaching and training of the secondary girls netball team. Mr Nathan Applebee for his hard work and injection of enthusiasm with the boys’ football team. Staff members Mrs Eustace and Ms McNab for their contribution to the umpiring and smooth running of the netball games, whilst Mr Matthew Wall and Mr Dennis Foley provided faultless umpiring of the football match. Thank you all for your contribution.

Music Department

A big THANK YOU to the MDT department from the Music Department for the new Ukulele Wall Stand. It is fabulous and looks superb!

Respectful Relationships Information Evening

Sheffield’s Greatest Shave

As many of you know, Friday is a big day for our school. Four teachers and two students are having their heads shaved as the culmination of our big fundraising efforts for the last two terms.

If you wish to support this, the assembly will be starting at 11.45 on Friday and all are welcome to attend.

Students are also reminded that there is a CRAZY HAIR DAY on Friday, gold coin donations will be gratefully accepted.

Our thanks must go to Jodie Huett from Obsession Hair for donating her valuable time to assist us with this.

Sheffield Campus School Canteen

Congratulations on the SILVER reaccreditation with the Canteen Accreditation Program.

Community Notices

Australian Defence Force Careers Expo – Hobart

Do You Live With a Fussy Eater?

Inter Cultural Management (ICM)

BRING FRENCH, ITALIAN OR SPANISH CULTURE TO LIFE!

Why not volunteer to host an international student from France, Italy or Spain next

year?

We have a small group of delightful students coming to Australia for 11 weeks to immerse in local Australian culture, experience our schools, sports, environment and lifestyle. All the international students are around 15 or 16 years old, speak excellent English, have their own spending money, cover all school expenses, and we arrange all aspects of their program. They are looking forward to joining an Australian family for a short term cultural immersion stay. It’s fun and interesting to help these young people achieve their Australian dream. If you’d like know more, please email your interest to ICM on info@icm-education.com.au or call Georgie or Anja on 1800 500501, or visit our website below:

Riverbend Spring Holiday Camps

Slipstream Circus