25 October 2018

Newsletter Articles

Key Dates

Saturday 20 October - Saturday 3 November:  Cambodia Trip
Thursday 25 October: First Aid Training (Railton Campus)
Thursday 25 October: UTAS Discovery Day Launceston (Year 10)
Friday 26 October: Mt Roland Walk (Year 8)
Thursday 1 November: Tasmania Zoo (Railton)
Thursday 1 November: Don River Railway (Kinder-Prep)
Friday 2 November: Student Free Day
Monday 5 November: Recreation Day Public Holiday
Wednesday 7 November: Boat Safety (Yrs 3 – 6)
Thursday 8 November – Friday 9 November: School Show
Monday 12 November: Don College Preliminary Enrolments (Year 10)
Tuesday 13 November: Parent Information Evening (Year 7)
Thursday 15 November: First Aid (Year 10)
Friday 16 November: Athletics Carnival
Friday 16 November: CPR Update Training (Railton Campus 4.30pm)
Monday 19 November – Friday 23 November: P – Year 2 Swimming Program
Tuesday 20 November: iParty (Year 10)
Tuesday 20 November: SRC Leadership Conference (Year 10)
Monday 26 November: Tour de Cure Visiting Railton Campus
Monday 26 November - Friday 7 December: Swimming & Water Safety Program
Tuesday 27 November: Assemblies (Secondary 12pm, Primary 1.30pm)
Tuesday 27 November: LiL (Railton) Learn to Swim (Railton Pool)
Tuesday 27 November – Wednesday 28 November: Kinder Learn to Swim (Railton Pool)
Tuesday 27 November – Thursday 29 November: Exams (Year 10)
Thursday 29 November: LiL (Sheffield) Learn to Swim (Railton Pool)
Friday 30 November: Devonport Show Day Public Holiday
Monday 3 December: Inter-High Athletics Carnival
Tuesday 4 December: Don College Start Day (Year 10)
Tuesday 4 December: Orientation Day (Year 7)
Thursday 6 December: Arts Concert
Friday 7 December: Haglet Farm School Visit (Yr P/1 and 2)
Tuesday 11 December: Presentation Day
Wednesday 12 December: Picnic - SPLASH Aquatic Centre (K – Year 6)
Thursday 13 December: Celebration Dinner (Year 10)
Wednesday 19 December: Christmas Assembly (K – 6: 9.30am)
Thursday 20 December: End of Year Assembly
Thursday 20 December: Last Day of School 2018 (Students)

Principal’s Report

Term four is always a busy time of year with many exciting events. Students have settled into class routines well and are engaged in their learning. Keep an eye on our school calendar because there is already lots happening right across the school.

Public Education Ambassador

This year will mark the 150th year of public education being made compulsory in Tasmania. Seven student ambassadors have been chosen to promote the value of public education and share their positive experiences and stories and one of these include our own Tom Rockliff. Tom began his education at Strahan Primary School on the West Coast before his family returned to Sheffield where Tom completed year 6-10 and was an active participant and student leader. He is currently completing year 12 at Don College. There is no doubt Tom is a wonderful role model who will continue to provide a strong voice for public education during his ambassadorship. Congratulations Tom, the Sheffield School community is very proud of you!

Professional Learning Day

Next Friday (2 November) as determined by the Minister is a Professional Learning Day (students do not attend). The day will provide an opportunity for teachers to meet to further progress work on a number of school based priorities. Part of the day will be used to scan our student data to identify areas of growth and areas for future improvement. 2019 School Improvement Plan goals will be identified through this review process where priority areas will be identified to inform future professional learning.

Breakfast Club

Our school breakfast club program ensures children have an opportunity to start the day with a healthy breakfast and can arrive at class ready to learn. On the last day of term 3 I had a visit from Zac Weeks representing Sea FM Radio who presented me with a cheque for $668. Sea FM coordinated a regional fundraising campaign, the 'Koinz 4 Kidz Appeal' to raise money for school breakfast club programs. The total funds raised through donations was over $30,000 which is an amazing effort and highlights the ongoing support and generosity of local communities. I am sure that our breakfast club volunteers including the Kentish Lions Club, our Chaplain Esther and parent volunteers will appreciate this donation towards our breakfast programs at the Sheffield ECE and Railton campuses.

Primary First Aid

Kinder to year 6 students at both Sheffield and Railton campuses have completed some basic first aid training with St John Ambulance this week. Some of the topics covered in this introductory course were; emergency contact numbers, the recovery position and CPR.

Tasmanian All Schools Track and Field Championships

This weekend three of our students Joven Gyemore in year 8, Mackenzie Duraj and Hollie Diprose both in year 4 are off to Hobart for the Tasmanian All Schools Track and Field Championships. They will be competing over the 2 days of competition in running events ranging from 100m to 1500m. Mr Penney will be commentating over the 2 days and will be hopefully calling them home in great performances!

School Show and Cattle Handling

The Sheffield School Junior Cattle Handlers Show of Tasmania will be celebrating its 25 year anniversary when the annual event is held at the School Farm on Friday 9 November. Some of the best young cattle handlers and junior judges from around the state will be competing, along with top quality cattle in both dairy and beef events. The purpose of our show is to promote the agricultural industry in our community and to make connections with people who are passionate about agriculture in our region.

Our cattle handling team participated in the Burnie Show during the School holiday break and will also compete at the Ulverstone, Scottsdale, Deloraine and Circular Head shows. Our young team of handlers have been very enthusiastic and willing to learn. Thanks must go to our parents, sponsors and volunteers who make this opportunity possible for our students.

Catie Loane and Lilli Rockliff have achieved some recent success in the show ring. Lilli won both the junior judging and handler events in her age group at the Burnie Show and Catie was named the champion handler at Launceston Show. This qualifies Catie to compete in the state final that will be held in Stanley later this year. Catie also travelled to South Australia during the school holidays to attend a Shorthorn Youth Camp where she continued her success winning events in handling, junior judging and herdsperson.

Jamie Skirving
Acting Principal

2019 Class Placements

Staff will soon begin the process for creating class groups for 2019. A number of considerations are taken into account to create classes and a number of hours are dedicated to ensuring classes are equitable. Once classes have been created teachers are allocated a class, therefore requests for individual teachers cannot be made.

Parents are invited to discuss any educational concerns or important information they may have for their child with the senior teacher in charge of their child’s current area of the school. Whilst all requests will be considered there is no guarantee that it will be possible to grant them.

Please make appointments to see staff by Friday 2 November 2018.

2019 Option Courses

Year 8 and 9 students will soon be required to select their Option Courses for 2019. The Curriculum outline is attached to this newsletter and will provide a brief description of the courses on offer. During the option course selection process, teachers will provide support for students making choices. I strongly encourage you to discuss the option choices with your child at home. Parents who would like more information about a particular course are welcome to make contact with Mr Skirving through the school office.

Autism Australia

Information Sessions for Parents and Family Carers

Autism Tasmania information session for parents and family members of children of all ages on the autism spectrum.

The session is free to attend, however registration is required. Please register online via the events page from the link below or contact us via autism@autismtas.org.au or 6231 2745

Supporting the Wellbeing of Siblings

Wednesday 31 October: 10 am – 12.00 pm

Montgomery Room (rear of the Woolworths car park), 17 King Edward Street, Ulverstone

This session explores both the positive and challenging impacts that autism can have on siblings. Strategies to enhance positive family relationships and nurture the wellbeing of siblings will be discussed.

Cambodia Trip

Leaving Australia – Arriving in Cambodia

Cooking Sessions

Halloween Fundraiser

Railton Canteen

For many years at the Railton Campus there has been a canteen once a week. This has been run by a lovely group of volunteer parents. It gives our students the opportunity to order their lunch from a menu which meets Move Well Eat Well guidelines. Many of our children regularly use this service. As we begin our planning for 2019, however our ability to continue to provide this service is at risk.

Our current volunteers’ children are moving on to the Sheffield campus and they will be stepping down from this role. To continue to provide this service to our children and families, we will require new volunteers in 2019.

To assist in the canteen, you need:

• a current Working with Vulnerable People Registration, which the school is able to assist you in acquiring,

• to be able to spend a few hours at school once a week. If we are fortunate enough to receive a few expressions of interest, a rotational/roster basis could be an option.

Currently the canteen operates on a Tuesday, but this is flexible, depending on any new volunteers’ availability. Our school health nurse is also interested in supporting any new volunteers’ meet the Move Well Eat Well guidelines and training will be provided.

The Railton campus also operates a very well utilised Breakfast Club, which currently operates every morning between 8.30 am and 9:00 am. We also require new volunteers for this service to continue.

If you are interested or know someone who might be able to assist us with either School Canteen or Breakfast Club, please contact Alison Last at the Railton Campus.

Railton Pool

Bookings are now open. Please contact either school campus or phone 6491 8222

The full pool season will again run for 20 weeks commencing on Monday 12 November 2018 and ending on Sunday 31 March 2019 (outside of school hours). The holiday season will commence on Monday 24 December through to Sunday 3 February (9 weeks – during school times).

The cost of the pool hire has remained unchanged for a number of years, however with continual increases in the cost of cleaning, maintenance, and water testing we need to increase the hourly rate this year from $10 per hour to $13. The $50 refundable key deposit will remain unchanged:

As a part of the requirements of pool use, the approved adult (hirer) who intends to use the pool or be legally responsible for supervision of others using the pool must hold a current CPR certificate. A completed pool hire agreement, copy of your current CPR certificate and full payment are required to secure your booking.

CPR Update Course: Surf Lifesaving Tasmania will conduct a CPR course at the Railton Campus on Friday 16 November at 4.30 pm. The cost to attend the course is $50 per person. To book you need to follow the link found below or phone Leanne at Surf Lifesaving: 0447 287 847

School Canteen

Railton Canteen Term 4 Menu

Sheffield Canteen Term 4 Menu

Please see changes to this term’s canteen menu.

School Nurse

As the Kinder to Year 4s have been doing a first aid course with St John Ambulance this week – I thought it was an opportune time to remind parents of the first aid action plan and a reminder to update their first aid certificates if they haven’t done it recently.

One of the things highlighted in our first aid course with St Johns this week was how many children said they were not in the correct car seat restraint for their age. If your child is aged four years to less than the age of seven must be restrained in either an approved forward facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat restrained by a correctly adjusted and fastened seatbelt. Parents are generally moving their children into adult seatbelts from about the age of five and half years - research suggests this is simply too early.

I have attached the road rules for you to check if your child has the correct booster seat.

Other useful websites to search information on child restraints are the

RACT site:

KIDSAFE site:

Keep your child safe!

Community Notices

Day of Disability – Wednesday 28 November

Devon Netball Association

Primary Spring Roster

Secondary Spring Roster

Devonport Surf Life Saving Club

Surf Lifesaving is an amazing activity for growing a child’s confidence, as well as providing a strong foundation of knowledge and skills in the beach environment.

Nippers is a junior program that introduces children aged 7 to 12 to Surf Lifesaving with our Flippers program aimed at 5 and 6 yr olds. Surf Lifesaving is a fun outdoors activity that grows a child’s confidence and teaches valuable life skills and knowledge. The programs are focused on play, participation and fun.

Nippers and Flippers are a great way for children to make friends, be active, enjoy the beach in a safe environment and be part of the community for life.

Nippers starts on Thursday 8 November at 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm. Running Thursdays and Sundays 10 am -12 noon with the season ending in March.

Flippers starts on Sunday 2 December 10-12noon and only runs on a Sunday with the season ending in March.

We are proud to be associated with the Starfish nipper program. The Starfish nipper program is designed for individuals with additional needs, catering for children with Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, Down syndrome and individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. Contact the club for program dates and times.

See you at the beach

Contact us via our:

Email – members@devonportsurfclub.asn.au
Facebook page - Devonport surf club
Instagram page – Devonport Surf Lifesaving Club

Kentish Council Youth Scholarship

The Kentish Council is offering a $1,250 scholarship to a University student or a student attending an approved education facility in 2019. The scholarship is to help defray expenses associated with relocating from Kentish.

The Student must:

1. be enrolled or accepted for enrolment for full time study at either a University or approved education facility in 2019;
2. have been a Kentish resident for the last 2 years of their secondary education;
3. intend or be living away from home as a result of their studies; and
4. be under the age of 25 as at 1 January 2019.

All applications must be on the appropriate form which can be obtained from the Council’s website at the link below or by phoning Leigh Gracie on (03) 6491 0200 during business hours.

Closing date for applications is Friday 16 November, 2018.

Kentish Family Support House

Men of Kentish

SunSmart

Reminder: K – 6 need to wear the school hats this term. Cost $8 from the school office at both campuses.