16 August 2018

Newsletter Articles

Key Dates

Friday 17 August: Tourism and Hospitality Showcase (Year 10)
Friday 18 August: Festival of Bright Ideas (Hobart)
Friday 24 August: Book Week Assembly (11.30am)
Monday 3 September - Wednesday 5 September: Beacon Foundation High Impact Program (Years 9 & 10)
Tuesday 4 September: Don College Taster Day (Year 10)
Friday 7 September: Queenstown Sports Exchange
Tuesday 11 September: Assemblies (Secondary 12pm, Primary 1.30pm)
Thursday 20 September: Footy Colours Day
Tuesday 25 September – Friday 28 September: Hobart/Port Arthur Camp (Year 5)
Monday 1 October – Friday 12 October: School Holidays
Monday 22 October: First Aid Training (K – 6 Sheffield Campus)
Tuesday 23 October: UTAS Discovery Day (Year 10)
Tuesday 23 October: Immunisations (Year 7)
Thursday 25 October: First Aid Training (Railton Campus)
Friday 26 October: Mt Roland Walk (Year 8)
Friday 2 November: Student Free Day
Monday 5 November: Recreation Day Public Holiday
Friday 7 September: Queenstown Sports Exchange
Monday 12 November: Don College Preliminary Enrolments
Tuesday 13 November: Year 7 Parent Information Evening
Friday 16 November: Athletics Carnival
Tuesday 20 November: iParty (Year 10)
Tuesday 20 November: SRC Leadership Conference (Year 10)
Monday 26 November to Friday 7 December: Swimming & Water Safety Program
Tuesday 27 November: Assemblies (Secondary 12pm, Primary 1.30pm)
Tuesday 27 November – Thursday 29 November: Year 10 Exams
Friday 30 November: Devonport Show Day Public Holiday
Monday 3 December: Inter-High Athletics Carnival
Tuesday 4 December: Don College Start Day
Tuesday 4 December: Year 7 Orientation Day
Tuesday 11 December: Presentation Day
Wednesday 12 December: Picnic - SPLASH Aquatic Centre (K – Year 6)
Thursday 13 December: Year 10 Celebration Dinner
Wednesday 19 December: K - 6 Christmas Assembly (9.30am)
Thursday 20 December: End of Year Assembly
Thursday 20 December: Last Day of School 2018

Principal’s Report

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 feedback that is important and valuable to our school as a means of identifying what the school does well and opportunities for us to make improvements.

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

All parents will be invited to complete the survey with a letter being sent 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 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 who 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 Library or a school computer. Please contact the office if you wish to use a school computer.

The survey closing date is Friday 24 August.

Breakfast Club Donation

Recently Mr Steve Martin, Nationals Senator for Tasmania called in to the school to make a presentation of $600 to be utilised to support our breakfast club program at our Railton Campus. These funds were raised through the Senator’s Toast for Kids Charity, a charity that he instigated whilst in the role of Mayor of Devonport. We are very fortunate to receive the support we do, both in the form of financial contributions such as this for breakfast supplies as well as volunteers to be able to offer the breakfast programs across both campuses.

Education and Training Requirements from 2020

You may have noticed in the media recently advertisements promoting the importance of our young people remaining in education or training until the end of year 12 as a minimum. This becomes a requirement in 2020, as legislated in the Education Act 2016. I have included with this newsletter an article providing details as to why this is important, as well as highlighting the improvements across the state in regards to retention and attainment over the past 4 years. A part of the government’s strategy to improve the retention and attainment rates is the extension of high schools to years 11 and 12. The transition process for our year 10 cohort has commenced with staff from Don College visiting our school to provide information about the educational experience at the college. Our year 11 and 12 Coordinator has also spoken with the group regarding the program at Sheffield. Should any parents require more information on the offerings at Sheffield after year 10, please contact Mr Bob Ashby or for information specific to the Certificate II Agriculture course contact Mr Simon Barber.

Staying in Education: Increased Minimum Education and Training Leaving Requirements from 2020

Education Act 2016 New Policy Release

Recently the Department released model policies for ‘Dress Code and Uniforms’, ‘Respectful Volunteer and Visitor Behaviour’ and ‘Respectful Student Behaviour’. Over the remainder of the year we will work through a process with our school community to review, contextualise and then finally adopt these policies. I have attached facts sheets on two of the policies that provide a snapshot of key information. If you have any questions regarding these or would like to provide any feedback please don’t hesitate to contact the school.

RON DALY
PRINCIPAL

Administering Medication to Students

Please click the link below to view information regarding medication at school.

There are is a detailed explanation of the requirements that need to be adhered to for any medication that students are required to take at school.

The information sheet also provides links to download the forms that the school needs to have in order for us to administer any medication to your child.

Autism Australia

Information Sessions for Parents and Family Carers

Book Fair

The date of our annual Book Fair has been postponed until term 4.  We will advise as soon as Scholastic confirm a date with us.

Cooking with Kids

School Canteen

Student Career Choices

Information for parents is highly sought after when it comes to helping their children with their career choices. For that reason the Department of Education has developed an Assist your child feature page containing links to the articles that provide tips and advice to assist your child with their career development.

School Nurse

Anxiety Week - Anxiety

Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried. While stress and anxious feelings are a common response to a situation where we feel under pressure, they usually pass once the stressful situation has passed, or ‘stressor’ is removed.

Anxiety is when these anxious feelings don't go away – when they're ongoing and happen without any particular reason or cause. It’s a serious condition that makes it hard to cope with daily life. Everyone feels anxious from time to time, but for someone experiencing anxiety, these feelings aren't easily controlled.

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. On average, one in four people – one in three women and one in five men – will experience anxiety at some stage in their life. In a 12-month period, over two million Australians experience anxiety. Anxiety is common, but the sooner people with anxiety get help, the more likely they are to recover.

See the support team for more information or where you can get help.

Meningococcal Update

The Department of Health is offering free vaccine to everyone living in Tasmania born after 1 August 1997, and at least 6 weeks old. This is around 100 000 people.

This is a large immunisation program that needs careful planning and preparation.

Their first priority is to quickly protect those in the target age group who live, work or go to school in the New Town, Moonah and Glenorchy areas. This is where three of the four recent Meningococcal W cases were from.

They are also extending this response to offer the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine to young Tasmanians throughout the state, and are planning to achieve this over the next three months.

These actions will provide a high level of protection against Meningococcal A, C, W and Y strains for the next four or more years.

From mid-August 2018, 10 to 21 year-olds eligible for a free vaccine will be able to get it from many local pharmacists. They expect pharmacists to be important partners in this response. They are available from Sheffield Pharmacy.

Young children and older teenagers are at higher risk of catching meningococcal disease. Teenagers are more likely to carry meningococcal bacteria in their throat or nose and spread the bacteria to others in the community. Immunising this wide group of Tasmanians will protect them and help reduce the spread of the disease in the wider population.

Children from 6 weeks old to 21 years of age can receive this vaccine from the Sheffield Medical Centre but bookings are necessary as there is limited stock of the vaccine.

It is uncertain whether the Kentish Council will run a school based immunisation clinic for meningococcal vaccination at this stage. We will update you as Public Health give us news.

MyTime

Student Apprenticeship

Community Notices

Devonport Basketball Council Inc.

Spring Primary School Roster registration is now open.

Please visit the link below and scroll down to junior registrations for all the information required to ensure your child/children are registered in time for the roster commencing Wednesday 12 September 2018.

Online registration will close Friday 24 August 2018.

For all enquiries, please call Jan in the DBC Inc. Office between 10 and 2 pm weekday’s on 6424 2440.

Devon Girl’s Football

For the first time there is Year 5/6 girl’s football as part of the Devon Darwin competition

Devon Selection Information

Coaches/Manager: Tegan Byard and Alex Lewtas
Date/Time: Sunday 19 August. 2 - 3.30pm
Venue: East Ulverstone Primary School Oval
What to bring: Drink bottle, Football boots (if you have them), and sandshoes (in case the training is moved inside)

Please email Adam Lane (President, North West Primary School Sport Association – NWPSSA) if your daughter is intending on trying out for selection. adam.lane@education.tas.gov.au

Gaming Convention - Latrobe

For adults, children and families.

Mersey Community Care Association

Reconciliation Youth Speakout

Rural Youth Tasmania

Splash (Devonport Aquatic Centre)