Dear parents, families and community members,

It was wonderful to see so many of you at our assembly and open afternoon on Wednesday. Our students have been working hard this term and it was a fantastic opportunity for them to share their learning with you. All our certificates centred around the value of Courage. Well done to those students who received a Courage certificate:

• Grade Awards:  Daisy, Toby, Molly, Adele, Emmett, Angele, Zephyr, Ruby & Xavier
• Aussie of the Month (July & August): Harry & Noah
• Sports Captains' Awards: Zephyr, Flora, Bella N, Bella G, Benji & Georgina
• Prinicipal's Award: Amelia S

We have been busy this week planning some dates for our end of year activities.  Our Grade 6 Celebration Dinner is planned for Tuesday 10^th December, and our End of Year Presentation Assembly will be on Monday 16^th December. We will provide families with further information soon; however, I understand that it is important to know the dates of these events early.

A couple of reminders regarding before and after school. It is wonderful to see so many students here bright and early. Just a reminder that our duty of care begins at 8:30am of a morning, please ensure that your child is here after this time. Our afternoon bus runs are currently very full. If your child is not on the bus of an afternoon and they normally would be, can you please let us know prior to 1:30pm so that we know how many students we can fit on the bus.

Last week we celebrated Teacher Assistant Appreciation Week. We have amazing TA’s in our school who go above and beyond each and every day. I have included some photos of Tanisha and Susan working with our students below. A big thank you to all of our TA's for the work that they do. 

Our staff and students are very busy preparing for our School Musical – The Wizard of Oz, which is taking place in Week 10 of term. I am very excited to see the production in full and hope that you will join us at one of the shows. Tickets will be on sale from next week via our school office.

Kind regards,

Anna Knowles
Acting Principal

We've been sooooo busy learning in Grade 3/4/5 this fortnight that Mrs Sparshott has forgotten to take many photos.  There are a couple to share though...

Our class has been working very hard on building our multiplication and division strategies.  What better way to learn new and tricky things than through games!  We've used a number of different hands-on activities to practise our skills in making groups, sharing and being quick with recalling our facts.  

Our other maths focus has been a revisiting of the concept of analogue and digital time, which we will share a bit more about in our future newsletters.

Woodwork groups have begun again too.  The students who have chosen woodwork as an extra-curricular activity are creating some fabulous toys including trucks, planes and cars. We'll update soon on how these are going (we've only just started this new project).

See you next newsletter - it'll be our last one for Term 3!

Swansea Primary School participated in Body Kind Day on Thursday 12/9/2024.  September is Body Kind awareness month and has become a national movement of love and support, celebrating diversity and being kind to our bodies in a holistic way.  With the help of class teachers, nurse Anna, the wider school community and of course the fabulous Melissa the entire student cohort traced around their bodies and then either gave themselves a compliment or stated something they love about themselves or something they are good at.  Students demonstrated respect for their bodies and minds, acknowledging all have the right to be proud of who they are and who they are becoming.

An enormous thank you to the year 6 leaders for helping out, which included blitzing and making banana smoothies at lunch time.  This aim was to nourish our bodies and give us some energy for the rest of the afternoon.  It was greatly appreciated and the positive vibe in the kitchen and generally throughout the day was great to witness.  It makes me feel proud being the School Health Nurse seeing the students engage in such a dynamic way. 

Gareth as Timmy and on banjo

Emily Rose of piano accordion

Trent on mandolin and cello

Thank you so much for the fantastic morning!

If your child is in Year 1, they will be participating in the National Year 1 Phonics Check before the end of Term 3. This quick check looks at how well each child can ‘decode’ written words and whether they are making expected progress in reading. The Check is one of many evidence-based screens Tasmanian Government Schools are now using to ensure Tasmanian students get the help they need with reading when they need it. Learn more:

https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/learning/primary-school-to-year[1]12/literacy/#phonics #LiftingLiteracy

Swansea Primary School Staff and Students would like to share a small collection of photos  down memory lane with the passing of Mrs Barbara Hill last week.

Mrs Hill worked in the early 70's and the 80's at Swansea Primary School in the office as a secretary and the library.

The memories below show Mrs Hill in the library in the 80's as part of the Book Week Celebrations along with attending Bicentenial Parents and Friends Fundraising Dinner.

 After retiring Mrs Hill was a wonderful part of our school community coming in and volunteering and listening to student's read, along with being a very dedicated and inugral part of our wider community with her dedication to the Lions Club.

We pass on our condolences to her family.

Students in Kinder- Grade 6 will be participating in an East Coast Cluster Olympics Day held at Swansea Primary School on Thursday the 19^th of September. This day will provide an opportunity for students to build connections with students from other schools while participating in a variety of Olympics activities.

Who: Kinder – Grade 6 students from Swansea, Triabunna and Orford Primary School

What: Olympics Day

Where: Swansea Primary School

When: Thursday the 19^th of September.

Outline of the day:

10:00am – Schools arrive at Swansea Primary School

10:00am– Welcome in Swan Hall

10:00am- Recess

10:15am – Opening Ceremony

10:30am- 12:30pm - Olympics activities

12:30pm – Closing Ceremony

12:45pm– Lunch

1:00pm- Schools depart Swansea Primary School

Students are required to bring:

• A packed lunch
• BBQ provided
• Plenty to drink
• Full school sports uniform
• Hat

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.

Here is a sneak peek at the stage design team in action, creating back drops and props for the upcoming musical.

The group are readily getting busy to cater for the Wizard of Oz Musical. We are asking families to help support the group and please supply baked goodies that can be sold through interval. You may have a great brownie slice to whip up, or a biscuit receipe that is a hit!

We would love your help.

Swansea Primary School Association

Our Swansea Primary School children who are part of South-East Cheer and Dance team competed last weekend and we are thrilled to announce they placed **Fifth** in the competition! Their hard work, dedication and team spirit truly shone through. We couldn’t be prouder of our students!

Word is out that our Acting Principal Ms Anna Knowles is a one eyed Sydney Swans Supporter.

Our schools should be respectful, positive and safe places – for students, teachers, school staff and the whole school community.  

To achieve this, it’s important that all adults work together and communicate respectfully to get the best outcomes for the kids. This includes parents, carers and school staff.  

We all experience everyday pressures and frustrations. It’s sometimes easy to forget this, and our actions, messages or furious typing can quickly lead to disrespect and distress.  

If you have an issue to raise with a teacher or school staff member, remember to stop and think about how you communicate.  

This is also the case in the online world. Remember there is a real person, just like you, on the other end of your post, comment or email. 

Adults behaviour in and around school impacts everyone. Help us to eliminate disrespectful behaviour in our schools and create the best environment possible for our kids to learn.  

Disrespect in our schools is crossing the line. Simple as that. 

Foster carers are individuals, couples and families that open their homes and hearts to children and young people when they are unable to live at home.

Family based foster care settings provide children with a family environment for as long as needed until they can return to their families or until they exit care, generally at 18 years of age.

We have critical shortages of foster carers.  If you have ever considered becoming a foster carer or just want to find out more watch the clip at the top of this story and go to our DECYP website: www.decyp.tas.gov.au/children/out-of-home-care-in-tasmania/foster-care/

eLibrary spotlight: National Geographic magazine

• Explore the National Geographic world for free with your library card.

  National Geographic Magazine brings science to the people. Libraries Tasmania members* can read and enjoy stunning photography, quality journalism and the latest discoveries. All from the comfort of your own device.

  Search for titles in the Libraries Tasmania catalogue. Access the complete archive of the National Geographic magazine – from the first issue to the present.

  Just log into the National Geographic Magazine website, using your Libraries Tasmania membership details. Not a member? Joining online is easy.

  *Libraries Tasmania eLibrary is not available for visitor memberships. 

NDIS Survey Form

Audience: NDIS Participants, Families of NDIS Participants, Friends of NDIS Participants

This survey aims to provide support and guidance to individuals with disabilities, as well as their family members, community including children.

Our goal is to assist with funding applications, ensure adequate support, and offer education on available options. We are committed to providing support and assistance to meet your needs.

Survey Form (office.com)

  Free School Holiday Workshops.

Build a Shearwater/Yolla/Mutton bird inspired lantern and join a full-moon lantern parade with your creations.

Swansea Courthouse Arts group invite you to join us for 6 days of free workshops at the Courthouse during the school holidays. The dates are from Monday 30th Sept. to Wednesday 2nd Oct. and from Monday 7th Of Oct. to Wednesday 9th Oct. 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM each day.

All ages are welcome and children aged 12 or under must be accompanied by an adult helper. As the number of participants is limited, please call 0458002090 by Friday 27 Sept. to reserve your place.

The lanterns will be fun to build and to parade in Swansea at full moon on Saturday 19^th October when we can share a moment to contemplate Swansea's Short-tailed Shearwaters, their tenacity and our respect for their place in our town.

Swansea Courthouse Arts wish to acknowledge and thank the Swansea Community and Men's Shed and Glamorgan Spring Bay Council for financial support for the event.

Earlier this year, the Department for Education, Children and Young People rolled out Safeguarding Training for staff, volunteers, and service providers.

This training was compulsory for everyone as part of our ongoing commitment to safeguard Tasmanian children and young people and prevent them from harm.

The department has recently released additional advanced Safeguarding training modules.
These are optional and are aimed at anyone who volunteers at a DECYP site, external providers, and anyone in the community who wants to learn more about how to keep children and young people safe.

If you’d like to build your knowledge in this space, the modules are available on the department’s Safeguarding page.

Note: If you require additional assistance to access the modules, please take a look at the FAQs about technical support and additional assistance, which are also on the department’s Safeguarding page.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!! Use the link below to register for the 2024 Season!! https://registration.resultshq.com.au/CentreRegistration/CentreInfo/d8141988-a7b4-49ac-bff3-28ea96843c63/?fbclid=IwAR3-lrArMB6dOH1Y0SILrObB-9mWTOrNzxxm_zsBbGCGShH9bsEf-NkrQaY Come and try TWO sessions available to all new members….come and have a go to see if you like Little Athletics. Returning athletes must be registered before week one. Season starts SATURDAY 14th September 9am.

Starts this Saturday see you all at GSBLA!

Free Health Consumer Training in Swansea - September

In the morning, we will have an Information Session about Healthcare Rights and Complaints. This is aimed at any interested member of the public. It is a one-hour session, and there will be complimentary morning tea.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/989657741947?aff=oddtdtcreator

 Are you a community member of the Glamorgan Spring Bay Region?

Would you like to learn about what your healthcare rights are?

Would you like to understand more about health complaints processes?

Come along to our informal information session in Swansea. We will look at the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights and chat about what your rights are, complaints processes and how you can get involved to create change in health service design and delivery.

While child minding is not available, parents with young children are more than welcome to bring their small people along.

Morning tea is provided so please advise of any dietary requirements you have.

If there are any adjustments we can make to ensure this event is accessible to you, please let us know.

 Training Two: Health Consumer Representative Training

 In the afternoon there will be a session for people who are current consumer/community representatives or are interested in being one. This is a three-hour session, there will be a light lunch provided.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/989748653867?aff=oddtdtcreator

 This training session is for patients, carers, and members of the community who are interested in being a health consumer representative and advocating for a better health system, locally and across the State.

We will discuss the different opportunities available for you to partner with health services and participate in their consultation and committee processes, as well as what might be expected of you if you engage a formal role.

This will also be an opportunity for you to meet and learn with and from other people interested in improving health services in your region.

A light lunch is provided, so please let us know if you have any dietary requirements.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

 Kind regards,

 Hannah Fielder

she/her

Advocacy and Impact Lead

0434 298 445

All public transport fares have been halved.

This fare reduction applies to adult, concession, urban, non-urban, and child / student fares on public buses, school buses and the Derwent River Ferry.

For students travelling on public buses, fare-paying school buses and ferries, the fare has been reduced from $2 to $1.

All services will run as per their usual schedules.

The Department of State Growth will be coordinating with transport providers to ensure services run smoothly for the duration of the fare reduction, which will last until 30th June 2025.

A4_Flyer_Half_Price_Fares_2024_25.pdf