Dear Parents/Guardians

Thankyou to the parents who have returned student learning packages to teachers over the past two weeks. Students have returned to school with a positive mindset and classes have been very settled.  We will continue to publish pictures of students engaged in their core classes and optional lines in the newsletter.  Attached to this newsletter are photos of the Building and Construction class with teacher, Mr Robert Webb.  Mr Webb is a Builder by trade and we are fortunate to have him teaching in Years 11/12 VET Building and Construction and Pre VET on a Friday.  Last week the students were working on our school garden beds.  Thank you to the students who have been helping with this project.

Cross Country 

This year the TPSSA and NHSSA Cross Country Carnivals were cancelled but we have decided as a school to hold a cross-country run in school time for students. Students will come out of their normal classes to run the school course in year groups and then return to their normal timetabled classes.  Each run will be timed, and results will be published in our newsletter.  The cross-country run will be held in week one of Term 3 on Thursday, 23^rd July.

Mid-Year Learning Conversations/Reporting

In 2020 the reporting requirements for schools have changed given the impact of COVID on teaching and learning programs. 

Teachers in Kinder to Year 10 in week 10 of Term 2 and week one and two of Term 3 will be contacting parents/guardians to inform them of the child’s progress. 

Subjects to Be Reported Against - Mid-Year Learning Conversations

Kindergarten Development Check (KDC) for Kinder students

Literacy and Mathematics for Prep – 6

Mathematics, English, HASS and Science for Years 7-10

Teachers will phone parents/guardians to inform them of their child’s progress being Working Towards Standard, At Standard or Above the Standard Expected.  Teachers will also provide parents with an indication of how their child has settled back into face to face lessons and their wellbeing.

This is an opportunity for parents to ask questions of teachers and understand what their child needs to do to continue to progress with their learning.

Elective Lines

In Term 3 the elective lines change for middle school students in Years 7 and 8. The changes are detailed below.  All student's will receive a new timetable at the start of Term 3.

Civics and Citizenship is replaced by Economics and Business, but with the same teacher.

Staffing Changes for Term 3

In Term 3 we have Sarah KuKa and Rachael Richardson returning from leave. Ms KuKa will be replacing Miss Caitlyn Wheaton.  We thank Miss Wheaton for her time teaching in the middle school.

School Dates

A reminder that Monday, 20^th of July is a Professional Learning Day – Student Free Day for students in Kindergarten to Year 12 at Port Dalrymple School

Jeanna Bolton

Principal

From the commencement of Term 2, 2020 all Tasmanian Government Schools from Kindergarten to Year 12 will need to implement restrictions on the use of mobile phones by students at school. The Minister for Education and Training announced this policy in November, 2019.

Kindergarten to Year 12 – “Off and away all day”

The decision to restrict the use of mobile phones by students during the day will support schools to minimise distraction from learning and encourage healthy and positive personal interactions.

The policy has been developed in consultation with schools, School Association and students.

From the start of the school day until the end of the school day, students must have their mobile phones switched off and stored.  All communication with students during the school day must go through the school office.

This policy applies to all students, unless they meet the requirements of an approved exemption.

Exemptions may be considered where students require the use of their mobile phone for monitoring health conditions or other extenuating circumstances.

If you would like to discuss an exemption for your child or have any questions about the policy please contact the Principal, Jeanna Bolton on 63 820500.

Pizzas

During the month of May,  students had the chance to make home-made pizzas.  Hopefully, they have remembered the recipe and can make some at home!

If not, the base for the pizza is;

1 cup of Greek yoghurt  

1 cup of SR Flour – mix it up and turn it into a dough!  A yummy home-made pizza base for everyone to enjoy!

Straw Challenge

During June, students stayed in their mixed age groups as we attempted a Stem challenge with straws.

Straw challenge 1 – Build a raft that holds 10 teddies for 60 seconds without sinking.

Straw challenge 2 – Build a tower that is at least 30cm tall and stands for one minute without falling.

Straw challenge 3 – Build a bridge that holds 10 dinosaurs at least 10cm off the ground for 60 seconds.

It has been a lot fun, with the children supporting each other by being encouraging and mentoring the younger students.

Has your child turned 4 or is turning 4 this year?  Do you live in the Port Dalrymple School zone?

Our Pre-Kindergarten sessions will be starting on Wednesday of week 3 in Term 3 and we would love to see you and your Pre-Kinder aged child here for some fun learning through play.

Please call us on (03) 6382 0500, text on 0428 308 855 or inbox on the school FaceBook page to chat to Selina Taylor and Halana Knowles if you have any questions.

This year a number of Year 11/12 students are participating in a variety of VET courses both face-to face here at Port and through VLT (Virtual Learning Tasmania). VET courses are structured through a delivery of units where students complete both a practical and theory component. The teacher then assesses each student’s competency by demonstrations, theory work and practical sessions. All VET courses have points attached to them which counts towards the TCE attainment that students are progressing towards upon completion of Year 12.

Current VET Courses for 2020;

CPC20112 Certificate II in Construction

SIT20416 Certificate II in Kitchen Operations

SIT20116 Certificate II in Tourism

CHC22012 Certificate II in Community Services

On Thursday 23^rd July, Port Dalrymple School will be holding the K-10 Cross-Country run in school time. The run is conducted on the school grounds and the program for the day is attached to this letter for students.

This year we will not be conducting a carnival with spectators/adults due to covid restrictions but are still providing our students the opportunity to run.

All students are encouraged to participate in this event, whether that be competing to win or place, aiming for a personal best time, or simply to enjoy some physical activity with friends. Students will participate over a course that includes a variety of terrains and obstacles within the school grounds. They will also be participating to earn points for their respective house, Norfolk or Paterson.

Students who excel in their age group will be recorded as winners and placegetters for school records. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Tamar Primary School Sports Association (TPSSA) Cross Country Carnival and the Northern High School Sports Association (NHSSA) Cross Country Carnival will not be held.

Year groups will be allocated a time to come out to the cross-country course and complete their event. A normal school day will operate with students in their classes until their run time. 

Clothing

Students are required to wear their school uniform as this is a normal school day. Students are encouraged to run in appropriate running attire and shoes. Warm school clothing is strongly advised to wear prior to and after events to get changed into. A change of socks and/or shoes is advised in case of wet conditions.

Kinder

Once again, this year Kinder students will be running their cross country on the Multi-purpose court. Under the guidance of Miss Fish, Ms Bailey, Miss Kuruvita and Class Teachers, Kinder students will complete an obstacle course around the track.

If you have any further questions, please contact Mr Sanders at the school on 6382 0500.

Cross-country run 2020

A significant focus for us at Port Dalrymple School is improving the teaching and learning of reading. 

As part of this focus we have implemented the MacqLit reading program to support student learning.  Selected students from the Grade 5/6 classes have been participating in small groups to learn, strengthen and practice their reading skills and strategies. 

We have been delighted to see growth in the students’ confidence in their reading and their willingness to put new learning into action.

Port Dalrymple School will be conducting a Crazy Hair Day to support Cystic Fibrosis Tasmania on Friday 3rd July (last day of Term 2). This event has been organised by the Year 8 Leadership Class.

Students who wish to participate should colour and/or style their hair and make a gold coin donation (given to class teachers). To ensure that we are conducting this event in a Covid safe manner, it is important that hair is coloured/style at home and that students understand that they must not style or colour the hair of other students whilst at school.

Congratulations to the following students who have received Merit Certificates

Please note the icecream tubs are no longer available