Term 1 - Week 4 - 29th February, 2024

IMPORTANT DATES

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

NAPLAN 2024
Students will be sitting NAPLAN between 13 and 25 March 2024.

The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance; however, students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.

This is the second year NAPLAN has been held in March, having previously taken place in May. This change was made so school systems would have access to results earlier in the school year. These can then be used to inform teaching and learning plans for the remainder of the year.

Why NAPLAN is conducted online
NAPLAN online provides a better assessment and more precise results.

One of the main benefits of NAPLAN online is that it uses tailored (or adaptive) testing. The questions a student receives depends on their answers to previous questions. This means that students answer questions better suited to their abilities, so they can show what they know and can do.

Online testing also allows us to provide a wide range of accessibility options to support students with disability to access NAPLAN.

Feedback from students is that they find the online test more engaging. Please note that students in Year 3 complete the Writing Test on paper.

Parent information brochures and other resources
A parent information brochure and questions answered on NAPLAN and what it means for your child can be found at the link below.

The link will take you to the official National Assessment Program (NAP) website and covers a variety of topics such as the timing of the tests and how results from the assessments should be understood.

It also allows access to a Public Demonstration Site which shows the types of questions students will answer and the functionalities that are available in NAPLAN tests.

Please contact the school if you have any further queries.

School Association AGM - Thursday March 21st at 6:00pm
Please consider nominating for our School Association as a Parent Member or Community Member. A nomination form is included in this newsletter.

Twilight Festival - Friday March 15 at 3:30pm
Plans are well underway for another successful event. There are plenty of free activities for families to enjoy and entry is only a gold coin donation. There are a variety of food vans as well as the Spreyton Primary school BBQ and corn. Please keep the date free and come along and support our school.

• School BBQ 
• School Devonshire Teas in the Hall
• Food Vans
• Fairy Floss
• Market Stalls in the Hall
• Face Painting
• Giant Games
• Pony Rides
• Historical Machinery
• Vintage Cars
• Pandara Kelpies
• Whip Cracking
• Little Kids Corner
• Race Car Display
• Brass Band
• Gymnastics Display
• Drumming
• Tool Skool

John Hudson
Principal

SCHOOL ASSOCIATION AGM

SPREYTON PRIMARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Notice of AGM

The AGM of the Spreyton Primary School Association will be held on Thursday the 21^{st of} March 2023 at 6 pm in the staffroom. Results of the Association Election, if known, will be announced at the AGM.

The AGM will be followed by a general meeting at 7.00pm.

Committee Member Nomination Form

Parents, staff and community members are encouraged to nominate for a Committee Member position. All positions are for a term of two years.

Nomination forms must be received by the Principal via the School Office, by 3pm Wednesday 6^th of March. 

If nominations received exceed the number of vacancies, a ballot form will be sent home on Friday 8^th of March to be returned to the school office by 3pm Wednesday 13^th of March. Members of the Committee must be elected by a ballot, if required.

One of the committee’s first items of business will be to elect its office bearers – Chairperson, Deputy Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Public Officer.

Karen Wicks (Acting SBM) is the Returning Officer. Prospective members should familiarise themselves with the roles and responsibilities of School Associations via the Department of Education website

TWILIGHT FESTIVAL NEWS

Online Raffle
The Twilight Festival 2024 online raffle has been launched.  

Thanks to our local business community we have put together some fantastic prizes including First prize of a Tasman Peninsula Experience for a family of four. Pennicott Wilderness Journeys provide a first class wilderness experience. Amazing sea cliffs, caves, beautiful turquoise ocean and a high chance of viewing whales, seals, dolphins and sea birds. Paired with accommodation from NRMA Port Arthur caravan park (5 mins away from the historic site) and a family pass to Port Arthur Historic Site, a weekend of adventure awaits. Throw in $200 worth of fuel and you’re set! You don’t want to miss your chance at winning this one. Grab yourself some tickets today. A big thanks to Ooi Roofing, RBD Electrical, Meadcon, Bonney Group and Pennicott Wilderness Journeys for making this prize pack possible. 

Follow the link below to take you directly to the website.  We’ve taken your feedback on board and included 500 paper tickets this year for those who wish to not purchase online.  These are available from the school office, strictly cash only and correct change please.  You will need to provide your name, address and phone number.  Remaining paper tickets will be sold at the Twilight Festival on March 15th.

This is a wonderful opportunity to raise some significant funds for our school so dig deep if you can and tell your friends, family and neighbours.

'Grow it, Make it or Bake it' Market Stall

Are you interested to know how you can help? 

This year we are looking for donations of any fresh produce or potted plants that can be sold on our school market stall. So, if you have a great veggie patch or plant garden at home, please consider donating to our school. Please drop these off to the school gymnasium (back of school) on the morning of the Festival (Friday 15th of March). 

Also, if you are a whizz in the kitchen and could bake something to sell (cakes, biscuits, jams, chutneys), please do so and deliver to the Gymnasium on the morning of the Festival (Friday 15th, March). Please list the ingredients you used including any allergens (nuts, eggs, dairy) on a small piece of paper and attach it to the product. Packaging trays are available from the school office foyer, please help yourself, if needed.

All money raised will be reinvested into school projects.

Finally, if you are able to help with setup anytime from the Wednesday (13th), Thursday or the Friday morning of the Festival, please contact the school or email Heidi on heidi.broun-donohue@decyp.tas.gov.au

Thank you in advance for supporting our community event! 

Hope to see you all on the 15th of March from 3:30pm!

Apple Socks Are Coming to Spreyton!

Next Wednesday morning 6th March from 8:30-9:00am, our Twilight Festival members will be in the Regulation Room selling apple socks for $5 a pair (limited quantity available). 

So, get into the apple spirit and support our Festival efforts by wearing your socks to school and most importantly, to the Festival! 

All proceeds will go towards school projects. 

We apple-solutely appreciate your support. 

Fundraising Funds Update
Ever wondered where our fundraising funds go? 

In partnership, our School Association and Twilight Festival Committee work hard at raising funds for our school through our Twilight Festival, Colour Run, sock sales, our raffle and much more. 

As a team and in conjunction with staff and student feedback, we aim to reinvest all profits back into school projects that directly benefit our students. We aim to strike a balance between buying longer term resources and engagement/enrichment programs at our school.  A few recent examples include purchasing new sport tops, home readers, giant games for the playground and ground artwork in the yard. 

We are also thrilled to announce that in the week of the Twilight Festival, we are having Tool Skool complete woodworking classes with each of our classes (K - 6). What a fantastic opportunity for our children,  all made possible by the fundraising funds of last year's Twilight Festival and the 2022 Colour Run! 

Thank you to our school community for supporting our fundraising efforts which, in turn, allows this to happen for our Spreyton students. 

Twilight Festival Committee Members

2024 PAYMENT OF LEVIES

Levies are one of the many ways that families contribute to our school community.  They support student learning by contributing towards the cost of essential items and services.

Families should receive your invoice for levies in the next few days.  Statements are posted from Hobart and provide BPay details for Parents/Carers to facilitate payment. Payment can be made online or at the school office via EFTPOS or cash between 8.00 am and 4.00 pm on school days.

Wherever possible we ask that Parents/Carers pay the amount of levies invoiced in full in Term One.  However, we understand some circumstances mean this is not possible and Parents/Carers may choose to agree to pay levies by instalments. Parents/Carers are encouraged to discuss setting up a payment plan as early as possible if there is difficulty in affording the levy charge.  This will enable us to set up an agreed instalment payment plan with regular weekly/fortnightly or monthly payments to suit your circumstance and ensure the levies are paid in full in an acceptable timeframe.

Families who are supported through the Student Assistance Scheme do not need to pay levies. If you have a current Health Care Card and have not already applied for STAS please follow the link below to complete the application.  

Parents/Carers of Grade 6 students have been invoiced for the Grade 6 Leavers Top for $40 per shirt. Students will receive their Grade 6 Leavers Top/s when they arrive and payment has been confirmed.

Karen Wicks
Acting School Business Manager

SCHOOL PHOTOS

PHYSICAL EDUCATION NEWS

Devonport Junior Soccer Association

Referee Training Session
With the soccer season starting soon, the organisers are looking for some referees.
1.5 hour basic Referee training for Grade 5+ children will be conducted at the DJSA Clubrooms on Thursday 7th March or Monday 11th March 6:00pm to 7.30pm. Queries may be directed to devonportjuniorsoccer@gmail.com . It’s a great way to help out, plus earn some pocket money!

DJSA Development Centre
Each year, DJSA invites players (U9/U10/U11/U12 age groups) to represent the association in the, Devonport (7th / 8th / 9th June), Hobart (30th / 31st August / 1st September) and Launceston (28th / 29th September) Cups. Development Centre provides an opportunity for players to develop their skills & compete at a higher level. Interested players should attend training sessions starting on Wednesday 6th March, 4pm at Meercroft Park, Cost is $70 for the season. Online Registration will open on 6th March. Participants need to be registered by 27th March. Jacket, bag, beanie orders will close on 10 th April.

This is another opportunity to play soccer, and a great way to improve personal skills. This is not a compulsory activity, and information can be requested from devonportjuniorsoccer@gmail.com

Spreyton Primary School Cricket Blast
Starting on Tuesday 5^th March is a 4 week opportunity for Prep – Grade 4 students to participate in an after school cricket program. This will be run by qualified Cricket Tasmania staff and will be on the school oval straight after the day finishes. Cricket Tasmania are visiting the week before the program to give the students a sample of the activities they will be doing in the program. If you have any questions that are not answered on the flyer that was sent home, please contact Mr Henry at School.

School Basketball
The winter roster is currently being organised. Notes for this roster were sent home on Monday 12^th February. Please collect one from the office if one has not made it home. Rosters are open for boys and girls in the Grade 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6 age groups. As with all sports their success is reliant on volunteers, so please volunteer to coach, manage or score if possible. This year the DECYP has asked that all volunteers complete an online course relating to safeguarding training, this is mandatory for all school volunteers. Please click link below.

School Netball
Devon Netball are calling for all students wishing to play Netball this year. A note has been sent home, so if you have not received one please go to the office and return it to school asap to be included in the upcoming winter roster. Teams are being formed for Grade 3/4 and 5/6 age groups.

North West Athletics Carnival
Recently students participated in a time trial in PE lessons to be selected in the representative athletics team. Times were quick, with many fast students missing out on selection this year. The successful students have been training at recess and lunch in readiness for their carnivals in Penguin on the 6^th and 7^th March, respectively. Most events are sprint races, some are long distance, with long jump and shot-put events also. Congratulations to the selected students below and good luck in Penguin.

JUNIOR LANDCARE

This Monday the Junior Landcare participated in a ‘Question and Answer’ session with Documentary Film maker Lara Van Raay. She showed the team a film she had made highlighting artist and wildlife advocate, Ruth Waterhouse. The film talked about the plight of Tasmanian wildlife on our roads, those who care for them, how Ruth is using her art to promote awareness, and what simple things we can do to reduce the loss of animals on our roads. It was a very sobering session. The link will take you to the 12-minute documentary.

If you find yourself involved with an injured animal call the following hot-line number and they will be able to direct you to the nearest support – 0447 264 625.

Barrie McClymont
AST

Junior Landcare

SCHOOL GARDENS

Could all students please be reminded that the plants in our school need to be cared for so they may need to be reminded not to move through the garden beds or pick the flowers. If you see this occurring please remind students that the gardens, plants and flowers are for all to appreciate.

Barrie McClymont
AST

SCHOOL HEALTH NURSE

Introducing….me! Hi, my name is Grace, and I’m your School Health Nurse. I wanted to write a little intro to explain who I am, what I’m doing in the school and a little bit about me.

I’ll be around so everyone can put a face to the name. If you’re trying to find me, I have a bright green lanyard with sunflowers on it. Please feel free to come up, say hi, ask me questions!

Some fun facts:

- my favourite colours are yellow, pink and green

- my favourite foods are pizza and strawberries

- I like to do craft and paint

- my favourite animals are cats and pandas

I’ll be working with Kinder as part of the Kinder Health Checks, but I’m available for anyone who has concerns, worries or questions about health and wellbeing.

Looking forward to meeting everyone soon!

Grace Blizzard
School Health Nurse

SCHOOL PARKING

Student Drop off and Pick Up are remarkably busy times in a school day and can be frustrating. We are fortunate that we have very considerate and patient drivers in our school community. To help this continue here is information to be mindful of at these times.

• There is a large carpark at the Netball Centre off Bay Drive that can be used by parents.
• Please be aware there are four spaces at the back of the school that are between ‘No Parking’ signs. This means the driver should not leave the car, this space can be used for quick drop off and collection of students only. Buses use this space for drop off, particularly at the start of the day.
• The staff carpark is for school staff only (as signed). Staff members arrive and depart at various times during the morning; some staff begin work at drop off time and they need to know there is a car space available.
• Please remember it is a Left Turn only onto Mersey Main Rd from the front of school carpark.

If parents have any concerns about parking or road safety around the school, please contact us.

Barrie McClymont
AST

BIKE AND SCOOTER SAFETY

It is wonderful to see that we have several students riding their bikes and scooters to school. 

However, we have had reports from concerned community members of some students riding unsafely. We want to ask families to remind students riding to school about the safety aspects.

Before and after school is a very busy time on our roads. Please discuss the following safety aspects with your children to ensure they ride safely and observantly. 

• Wear a helmet. Helmets are compulsory for all children and adults when riding bikes in all Australian states and territories and when riding scooters, skateboards and rollerblades in some states.
• Teach your child to look carefully at the riding environment to decide whether it’s safe to ride.
• Follow road rules for both cyclists and drivers, like staying to the left, obeying road signs and giving way to pedestrians.
• Make the signals for turning and passing.
• Be aware of other riders, drivers and pedestrians and predict what they may do.
• Approach driveways, laneways and intersections slowly and carefully.
• Pass parked vehicles slowly and carefully.
• Walk the bike across pedestrian crossings instead of riding across the street.

2024 YOUNG ARCHIES AWARDS

NATIONAL WRITING COMPETITION

COVID TEST KITS

We wish to advise families that the Department for Education, Children and Young People are unfortunately not providing schools with free Covid Test Kits.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Skate With Us Today

RHEE Taekwon-Do

Devonport Gymnastics

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