As we embark on a long weekend, (for some lucky students and families) I would like to take this opportunity to remind families about the importance of online safety. 

The online world is a fundamental part of our modern lives, providing access to everyday services, social media networks, entertainment and education. Information around online safety (eSafety) and wellbeing is changing at a rapid rate. We all have the responsibility to model and promote a positive and safe online environment. This week, it has been reported to me that several students have had access to adult movies and/or series online through family accounts such as Netflix.  The amount of students watching MA or MA+ movies is alarming.  Students have been role playing games involving mature themes found within such movies during break times. Did you know...without watching a movie - you can check the suitability of over 900 titles via this link... Raising Children Network

While we are on the topic of online safety and technology, there has been a noticable increase in the presence of mobile phones at school.  As per the DoE 'Use of Mobile Phones at School' policy, phones are not permitted in schools and should be 'off and away all day'.  If a student requires a phone for safety concerns regarding before or after school arrangements, please take the time to notify the office.  All devices must be handed in to the office upon arrival at school, where it will be kept safe for the remainder of the day.  Please note, students are not permitted to use devices on the school bus as per the user agreement signed with East Coast Coaches.  Please continue to communicate all after school commitments during school hours via the school office.  Your support in this rapidly growing digital space is very much appreciated and welcomed.  If you have concerns regarding the safe use of technology please visit the following links to learn more. These websites provide the most up to date resources and guidance for teachers, staff, learners and parents about online safety. 

• Office of the eSafety Commissioner
  • The eSafety Commission’s website provides a wide range of online safety programs and resources, as well as advice for individuals experiencing online bullying or abuse to take action or make a complaint.
• Kids | eSafety Commissioner
• Responsible mobile phone use: kids & teens | Raising Children Network

Have a wonderful fortnight!

Regards,

Kristy Hay

Principal

NITA Education Visit.

On Friday 15th of October, the Kinder/Prep/One students shared some time with a special visitor. Trish came to visit our class. She told 2 really fabulous Tasmanian Aboriginal stories. She taught us some animal sounds so that we could join in on the stories.

She brought lots of amazing things to share with us. We got to try on her wallaby cloak, hold her clubbing stick and use her clapping sticks.

We went outside and learnt an emu dance. We had to pretend that we were emus, move like emus, eat like emus and run to safety as a group when hunters were nearby.

We have some new words that she taught us:

muna = yes

putiya = no

pama = 1

piya = 2

luwa = 3

tapiliti = go/travel

tunapri = learn/know

kipli = food

Matilda – My favourite part of Trish’s visit was the clap sticks.

Bella - My favourite part of Trish’s visit was dancing.

Abbey - My favourite part of Trish’s visit was seeing Trish’s Aboriginal flag on her arm.

Molly - My favourite part of Trish’s visit was the funny part where we made the animal sounds.

Liliana - My favourite part of Trish’s visit was listening to her stories.

Max - My favourite part of Trish’s visit was dancing like an emu.

Peter - My favourite part of Trish’s visit was learning the song.

Poppie - My favourite part of Trish’s visit was listening to her stories.

Emmett - My favourite part of Trish’s visit was learning new words. Muna means yes.

Zeb - My favourite part of Trish’s visit was being the head emu.

Flora - My favourite part of Trish’s visit was learning new words. Pama is 1, piya is 2 and luwa is 3.

Aleighna - My favourite part of Trish’s visit was doing the emu dance.

Ella - My favourite part of Trish’s visit was learning new words. Muna is yes and putiya is no.

Melody - My favourite part of Trish’s visit was doing the emu dance.

We’d like to thank Trish for traveling such a long way to come and share with us.

We hope we get to see her again soon.

The Prep/One class would like to welcome Holly to our class

Our visit from NITA Education Tasmania

On Friday the 15th of October, the Grade 2/3 class spent a wonderful session with Trish, a co founder of NITA Education Tasmania. The students participated in some extremely valuable conversations, created a human timeline that illustrated the history and culture of the Aboriginal community in Lutruwita (Tasmania), listened to the familiar story of Taraba (the story fo the Tasmanian Devil) and tried on a wallaby skin coat. 

We concluded the session by learning a dance which represented the Tasmanian Emu (an extinct sub sub species of emu). 

What a fantastic learing experience! We can't wait for Trish's next visit. 

This week in Health and Physical Education, students have been learning about the Human Skeletal System. We identified various bones throughout the body, discovering that the skeleton has 206 bones and is the most important framework of the human body. After identifying and labeling various bones, students designed their own skeletal systems using a variety of pasta. 

- Miss Van Galen