Upcoming Events

Assembly

Assemblies are held in the GP Hall unless otherwise stated. Parents are welcome to attend. Attendees are asked to sign in and sanitise at the office. Please allow time to complete this.

Term Dates

Professional Learning Days and Public Holidays

Welcome to Term 2. The ANZAC Assembly was held Friday, 23^rd of April and I would like to acknowledge the respect shown by students, especially the minute silence. The wreath (laid on Sunday at the Devonport RSL by the Student Council Representatives) was placed at the front of the stage.  Mitchell from 4/5 Sherriff played the last post on the trumpet; outstanding! The 5/6 Welling class recited “In Flanders Field” and the 4/5 Sherriff class shared poppy artwork. The ANZAC assembly was an acknowledgement of those who fought for our country.

Last Friday we farewelled Mrs Tracey Crowther who returned to her home state of South Australia.  We wish Mrs Crowther all the best.

Welcome to Ms Lisa Grundy who has been appointed to the 2/3 class.  A very quick transition with Ms Grundy starting yesterday. 2/3C will now be known as 2/3G.

The Thomas Street front of the school and car park fencing is being upgraded. The car park has a new paling fence back from the original fences; large shrubs will be planted. The chosen plants will grow to cover the fence (please note the external school cameras have clear coverage of the carpark and play area). Throughout the term, maintenance of lots of ‘little’ things will be done around the school grounds and buildings. As one student commented yesterday ‘it feels like a new school’ regarding the fence.

Did you know?

• Regular school attendance will help your child to gain the skills and knowledge needed for success both now and later in life.
• Attending school every day helps your child to make steady progress with their learning. Your child will also be able to establish firm friendships by participating with others in enjoyable activities.

When can my child be authorised not to attend school?

Reasons your child can be authorised to be absent include:

• sickness/incapacity
• medical, legal or related appointments
• natural disaster or extreme weather preventing your child from safely attending their enrolled school
• terminal illness of an immediate family member
• bereavement of a person your child had a close, significant or family relationship with
• having witnessed or been subjected to family violence
• being a participant or official at a recognised State, National or International event
• participation in a recognised learning experience
• an application for home education being received by the Education Registrar and provisional registration being granted.

What will happen if my child is absent for a reason that isn’t listed?

• The absence will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.
• Principals receive notifications about the number of unauthorised absences your child has.
• Your child’s school may send you a letter notifying you of the number of unauthorised absences your child has.
• They will seek to work with you to increase your child’s attendance to maximise their learning if the Principal is concerned about your child’s attendance.

What should you do if your child has to stay away from school?

• If your child has to be away from school, it is important to tell the school and provide the reason for your child’s absence as soon as possible. You can:
• send a note or email to the school
• telephone the school office
• visit the school.
• The principal may ask for a medical certificate or statutory declaration to explain absences for illness after a child has been absent for a total of more than 5 days in any school year, but this is only required if the principal has requested it.
• The principal may also request evidence for other authorised absences; such as evidence of participation in an event or recognised learning experience, or a statutory declaration from a parent. This is only required if the principal has requested it.

What happens if my child isn’t attending school?

• Schools will follow up non-attendance, which could include sending letters to let you know how many unauthorised absences your child has during the year.
• Schools will work closely with parents to support a child’s attendance at school to maximise their learning. They can provide options for continued learning where illness is resulting in absences.
• There is also a new compulsory conciliation process to help resolve issues that are causing a child not to attend school.
• For more information, see the Information for Parents on compulsory conciliation on the Office of the Education Registrar’s website.

Where can I get more information?

• If you want your child to attend school but need help to do this, your child’s school would really like to talk to you about what help you need.
• Please contact your East Devonport Primary School for more information.

Source:  https://www.education.tas.gov.au/parents-carers/parent-fact-sheets/attendance/

This year we were fortunate enough to participate in the ANZAC Day 11.00am service. It looked a little different from previous years, as it was held at the Devonport RSL. Miss Welling, Reuben and Taryn attended and lay the wreath on behalf of the school as part of their duties on the SRC. 

On Sunday the 25^th of April, as you probably already know, it was Anzac Day. Anzac Day is a day where we commemorate and remember those who have died in war saving and risking their lives for us. Without them, we probably wouldn’t be standing here today. That is why on Sunday at 10:30 Reuben and I (Taryn) went to the Devonport RSL Club to participate in the ANZAC Day Service.  To start the service, there was a group of cadets, men, women, and even some children marching to the RSL. Then the mayor Annette Rockliff said a speech about Anzac Day and what it means. After that the ‘Right on Cue Choir’ sand “In Flanders Fields” then that the guest speaker GC Ashley Howell was talking about Teddy Sheean who was a local WWII veteran. When the ship went down all the people were evacuating Teddy Sheean stayed mounted on the gun and took fire and gave the people that were evacuated cover. Teddy Sheean died that day and that is why he was awarded the Victorian across recipient award. Following this the ‘Right on Cue Choir’ sang “Abide with Me” and while the choir was singing there were planes passing by, they were all different colours and they were right on time. After that everyone joined in and sung the National Anthem and then straight after that we got lay our wreaths on behalf of the school. To end the service The Last Post was played followed by a minute silence while the flags were raised.

By Reuben and Taryn

Aneka, Eliza and Adam participated in the march and service as part of the 1st Spreyton Scout Group. 

The East Devonport Primary School Association held their AGM on March 25. The following office bearers were appointed for the 2021 year.

Chairperson: Anna Cullis

Deputy Chairperson: Elizabeth Mann

Secretary: Gail McLaren

Treasurer: Prue Marshall

Students in Year 3 and Year 5 will be participating in NAPLAN from Tuesday 11 May - Friday 21 May. The students will complete four tests in total with one each in Numeracy, Writing, Reading and Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation. This is a National Assessment. Information was sent out to parents of our Year 3 and 5 students on Friday. If you require any further information in regards to NAPLAN, please contact the school.

Deputy Mayor Allison Jarman and Karen Whish-Wilson are offering East Devonport Primary School students the opportunity to act and perform. One goal is to enter our students in the Deloraine Drama Festival in September. The drama club will meet every Monday after school from 3.00-4.00pm in the GP Hall. Allison Jarman brings a wealth of experience of acting and performing with her association with the Devonport Repertory Society and the running of the 2019 East Devonport Has Talent Variety Show. Interested students will be given further information to take home this week.

Thank you to those students who have returned their parental consent forms to participate in this program. It is not too late for students to sign up. If anyone is interested in becoming a member, please get a form from Mrs Whish-Wilson. Each signed up student will be given a passport and their aim is to gain 30 hours in out of school activities so they can graduate in September. Sporting, church, music, art, groups that a child might already participate in, count towards graduation hours. At school, a CU students could also receive hours in their passport if they join our lunchtime garden club or our new after school drama club. 

The last day of students saw a sea of red shirts. Spirit House had won the house points challenge for Term 1 and as a result, were able to wear their house colour to school. They also sat together in prime position, enjoying an icy pole watching our school finals of 4 in a Row. Spirit House members then enjoyed an obstacle course in the gym.

House points now start afresh for the term and students will try and receive as many Thumbs Up cards as they can so they can get points for their house.  I wonder which house will win Term 2?

The finals of 4 in a Row was  fun event watched by all classes. Well done to the class finalists who played off and showed wonderful skill and sportsmanship. Congratulations to our school champion, Axle from 5-6W. Watch out for our Term 2 whole school Competition.

As part of our school improvement journey, we are seeking the input of our whole school community to support us in identifying areas of strength as well as areas of practice that need improvement. As valued stakeholders in our school community, we are seeking your perceptions of our school and the extent to which you feel the school builds and supports partnerships with families, local business and community organisations. You can provide feedback by clicking on the link below and completing a brief, 2-minute survey. With your valuable input, you can support us to improve outcomes for students. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DMNJKEa7gnkaf6Ba_FwGVpENe1I--2A349AWszUziRY/edit

East Devonport Primary has been able to field four teams in the Devonport Junior Soccer Competition playing at Meercroft Park on Saturday mornings. It was great to see the teams enjoying themselves and wearing our school colours with pride. A huge thank you to Anna and Prue for organising the teams and to all the coaches and parents. It is certainly a challenge spectating on cold, early mornings each Saturday so well done everyone. Our students really appreciate it.

• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Grain (cereal) foods
• Lean meats and alternatives (including eggs, tofu, legumes and beans)
• Milk, yoghurt, cheese and alternatives

A great way to include everyday foods is with nude food! This is about packing lunches with reusable packaging, using small washable containers, beeswax wraps or reusable food bags. This can save money, reduces rubbish and is more environmentally friendly.

Kinder students hard at work and having fun.

First week back in P-1M, students read the book Anzac Ted, designed their own Anzac Teddy, created a poppy and on Friday we had a go at cooking some traditional Anzac Biscuits. Unfortunately, our Anzac Biscuits didn’t turn out very well, but they were still very tasty. We have some left over ingredients and will have another go this week.

Students in 1-2 Portlock made some fun loving sock bunnies, they are very unique.

Last term 3-4 Howard were lucky enough to have a session with our school police officer. During this session we were able to ask lots of questions about what police officers need to do in their job, and we talked about the different things police officers need to wear. We got to try on some police uniforms and we even got our fingerprints taken. We enjoyed the experience so much and can not wait to have a visit from Leesa again!

Students in 4-5 Sherriff and 5-6 Welling created some art work as part of their work on ANZAC day.

The Hot Lunch Project is a collaboration between the East Devonport Child and Family Centre and East Devonport Primary School. The aim is to provide a hot, nutritious, and cheap meal every Wednesday - examples include:

• Pasta Bolognaise
• Fried Rice
• Cheesy Mac
• Cottage Pie
• Casserole
• Potato Bake

Students that would like a meal will need to bring $1.00 to place an order (50c for Kinder - ½ serve).

Students choose from a selection of 3 items first thing on Wednesday morning.  Meals are delivered to classrooms at the start of lunchtime.

All food is freshly cooked within the school kitchen by TasTAFE students who have completed hygiene training. Food production is overseen by an experienced, qualified chef - also a TasTAFE Teacher.

Meals will be available from Wednesday 28^th April.

Meals are served in takeaway containers - with ecofriendly disposable fork and spoon.

Please email keith.sanderson@tastafe.tas.edu.au if you would like to discuss any particular food intolerances.

Students can place their orders on the day in their classes.

School Banking is back.

School Banking is back.  School Banking Day will be Friday commencing this week. 

For each weekly deposit made at school, students will receive a Dollarmites token. Once they collect 10 tokens, they can redeem them for a School Banking reward.

If your child has previously participated in School Banking, or has an existing Commonwealth Bank Youthsaver account, they can start banking straight away by bringing their Dollarmites deposit wallet to school on School Banking day.

If your child has lost their deposit wallet, please contact your School Banking Co-ordinator or visit any Commonwealth Bank branch for a replacement.

Our School Banking program is made possible because of volunteers. Thank you to those volunteers for donating their time to run School Banking for our students.

If you would like to know more about School Banking, please ask for a 2021 School Banking program parent guide from the school office or visit www.commbank.com.au/schoolbanking

The Premier's Reading challenge has started! To complete the challenge you need to read 10 books in 10 weeks. You can read more if you wish by just adding an extra reading log page. 

What can I read?

You are free to choose which fiction or non-fiction books to read for the Challenge.

Larger chapter books can be counted as more than one book - please talk to your teacher about how many chapters or pages can be counted as "one book".

These places may help you choose a book:

• Reading Time - children's book reviews and news
• Libraries Tasmania - Kids Reading p​age​​
• Good Reading Magazine - For kids​​
• If you can't read a physical book, Libraries Tasmania have eBooks available to members.

Libraries Tasmania members can read these eBooks for free.

No. 34 Aboriginal Health Service are partnering with Hearing Australia to deliver HAPEE