News from the Railton Campus

The Railton Campus were fortunate to receive a generous donation from Orica Mining Services, Railton.  Some fabulous resources have been purchased, including: a new balance bike, Kicks Bricks, sandpit equipment and some fantastic literacy resources to support our classes.  We really appreciate the generosity of the workers of Orica and enjoyed celebrating with them.

News from The School Farm 

There has been lots happening at the school farm this month with calving nearly finished and lambing finished. We had a visit from Roland View Childcare who had a great time discovering the lambs, calves, dairy and they loved a sit in the tractor. We have also had a visit from the Animal Studies class from Don College who as part of their learning had to monitor calf health, taking temperatures and heart rate etc. as well as feeding the newborn calves.

Our piglets have also arrived, and they are loving their new environment and are proving popular with students.  The Cattle Handling Team have been busy, rain, hail, or shine every Tuesday after school preparing their cattle for showing and they have been very lucky to have a number of ex-students who are experts in this field offer their guidance during these training sessions. 

Year 5/6 Camp

Day 1

Today we were all excited for camp, we packed the bus then we drove to Campbell Town Park to play and have lunch. After a three-hour drive, we arrived at the Doone Aquatic Centre in Hobart and swam for two hours. Then we went to girl guides Orana camp and played outside for an hour before we had a BBQ for dinner.

Day 2

First, we went to the Female Factory.  We turned a piece of sheep's wool into a weaving by brushing out the dirt then twisting it into a single thread then we weaved it into a loom. After that we had a tour of what used to be the Female Factory, the whole class squeezed into a solitary cell which the female convicts went in as punishment. Next, we went to the botanical gardens for lunch, but it was pouring with rain, so we didn’t stay long. Then we went to Parliament House and learned about parliament debates. The class then did a role play of what a parliament debate would look like. We were debating whether all schools should have a therapy dog. The side in favour of the bill won the debate with the speaker getting to vote to break the tie.

Day 3

Today we went to Port Arthur.  The first thing we did was learn how the convicts used to make bricks then we tried making bricks ourselves. Then we had a tour of Port Arthur and got to see where the convict prisons used to be. After that we went on the Isle of the Dead Tour and listened to stories of the people who were buried there. To finish off the day we went on the Ghost Tour, and it was very cold. We got back to the camp and got to bed at 11 PM.

Day 4

Today was it, last day at camp we packed up our gear in the bus and took off. On the way home we stopped at the Richmond lolly shop. Everyone spent most of their money on lollies. Then we went to the Oatlands playground for lunch to spend an hour playing there. We learnt Mr Mac feared heights when he couldn’t get down from the climbing frame. Finally, we arrived back at school at 3:00 for the end of the day.

Work Experience Placements 2025

Our work placement program has been extremely popular this year with most of our students already undertaking work experience. Students have undertaken placements in industries such as agriculture, hospitality, mechanical, beauty, retail and various building related trades.

Work placement is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore industries they are interested in as their future study and career paths. It is also a great way to meet people, build confidence and new skills. Through this program students also gain knowledge in Workplace Health and Safety and how to present themselves to future employers.

We are very grateful to the local employers who give valuable time and effort in supporting students on work placement.

Feedback from students this year has been overwhelmingly positive.

Mrs Huett

For work experience, I went to AgVita Analytical in Wesley Vale. At AgVita, I learnt how to organise plant sap, soil, and water samples and prepare them for the machines. This included extracting sap from plants, weighing out specific amounts of soil, and diluting water samples with ultrapure water. I also learnt about what machines they use to measure different elements and compounds, like the ICP and PIA. They also taught me about entropy, moles, and endothermic and exothermic reactions. I enjoyed my time there and it is similar to what I see myself doing as a career, working with plants in a Lab.

Abigail

Sheffield School Annual Chess Tournament

On 16 September, 2025, Sheffield School’s greatest minds met in the FLO room for a fearsome contest of wits and determination, Sheffield School’s First Annual Chess tournament, hosted by Mitchell and Hudson from the Community Connections 9-10 Option.

The first two rounds were speed rounds lasting a total of five minutes. The first round of the bracket was:

Toby the Chess Tyrant vs Mitchell the Monster

Sam the Incinerator of Chess Pieces vs Abigail the Destroyer

Izzy the Intimidator vs Hudson the Hero

Vayda the Invader vs Bombardier Bailey

In this round, Mitchell the Monster devoured Toby the Chess Tyrant by 1. Abigail the Destroyer extinguished the flames of Sam the Incinerator by 20 (she really is The Destroyer), Izzy the Initimidator terrified Hudson the Not-So-Heroic into submission by 3, and Bombardier Bailey vanquished Vayda the Invader by 3.

The second round of the bracket saw Abigail the Destroyer crushing Mitch the Not-So-Scary Monster by 4, and Bombardier Bailey failing to be intimidated by Izzy the Intimidator and defeating her by 8.

The final round was a nail-biting life-or-death struggle between Abigail the Destroyer and Bombardier Bailey. These two seasoned desktop warriors clashed for a total of nine minutes and fifty-two seconds out of a ten-minute game. Bailey sweated while Abigail opened a strong front against his men with an aggressive charge. Repeatedly, she put his terrified king into check, making him flee for his life from one side of the chessboard to the other. But Bailey, ever the clever strategist, played a strong defensive game, sniping away at Abigail’s pieces as they charged after his not-so-cowardly king.

By 9 minutes, 52 seconds of total mental war, Abigail had destroyed all but Bailey’s king, a rook and three pawns. Bailey had bombed all of Abigail’s pieces, other than a king, a rook and a bishop. As the game ended, someone who shall not be named but who is terrible at maths added up the points and declared that Abigail had won by a point. (Abigail blames Mr Ashby, who denies all). However, upon recount by the much more mathematical Vayda, it was found that Bailey had taken the championship by one nail-biting, teeth-gritting point.

Bailey is now the official Chess Champion of Sheffield School, with a framed certificate and a $10 canteen voucher. After a sportswomanly handshake and congratulations, Abigail retreated to lick her wounds and plan for the Bombardier’s downfall next year, at Don College.

Everyone, including the audience, was supportive of each other, and fun was had by all!

Congratulations Arliah!

On Wednesday 3 September, Arliah proudly represented our school at the Devonport Eisteddfod, competing in the Under 10 Jazz Duet category. Performing with her dance partner, Arliah delivered a fantastic routine that impressed the judges and earned them 1st place!

What a wonderful achievement—well done, Arliah! We’re so proud of your talent and dedication.

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