Exeter Primary School eNewsletter

The average daily attendance rate; Year-to-Date, derived from student attendance data recorded inEduPoint as at 12/03/2025 is 91%

MANAGING SAFEGUARDING RISKS IN OUR SCHOOLS

Our staff play a key role in keeping students safe by proactively monitoring any risks.

The Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) recently released new Safeguarding Risk Management resources for our schools to assist with this.

These resources are designed to help us continuously identify, prevent, and reduce risks to students of child abuse and harm, and support our school to be a safe environment where every child and young person can thrive and grow.

We have a school site Safeguarding Risk Management Plan that sets out the risks that we can identify, and most importantly, how we can reduce them. If you are wishing to view this please make contact.

As parents and carers, you play a significant role helping us to identify safeguarding risks in our school, and I’m sure you may also have ideas on how we can reduce these risks to keep students safe.

If you or your child/children have any questions, concerns or wish to report any incidents relating to child abuse or harm, I encourage you to reach out to me or a trusted staff member. We welcome your views and any feedback.

The Tell Someone website is also another useful source of information if you are worried that a child may be at risk of harm or is being sexually abused or groomed.

If you have any concerns, the website gives clear information about what to look for, how to make a report and who to speak to.

For further information on the work being done on safeguarding in our school, please visit DECYP's website.

Importance of Sleep

As we head into the back end of term the days are beginning to become shorter and sometimes this can affect sleep, coupled with a busy time in the school calendar students will begin to tire.

The following information has been sourced from Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800

Sleep is vital for kids' health, development, and wellbeing. It helps them to stay healthy, grow, learn and do well in school. Sleep physically restores their body, improves brain function and mental health.

Kids of all ages need to get enough sleep so they can play, learn, and concentrate during the day.

Not getting enough sleep can have a significant impact on your kids – behaviourally, mentally and emotionally.

Recommended hours of sleep per night can vary depending on age. Every kid is different, so take time to figure out what works best for your kid. Here is a guide:

0-11 months - 14-18 hours per day
1-2 years - 10-14 hours per day
3-5 years - 10-13 hours per day
6-13 years - 9-11 hours per day
14-18 years - 8-9 hours per day

There are many things you can do to help your kids get good quality sleep as often as possible:

Encourage exercise or time outdoors during the day.

Turn off devices at least 30 minutes before bed.

Talk to them about their sleep to figure out what might be impacting on it.

Help them make sleep a priority! Ensure they’re getting enough sleep for their age.

Set up a regular bedtime and waking up time – and help them stick with it!

Develop a regular bedtime routine – taking a bath, brushing teeth, then reading or meditation.

Create a good sleeping environment (dark, cool, quiet, and screen-free).

Avoid sugary foods and drinks a couple of hours before bed to help them rest easier.

Digital Skills for Families – Online Resources and Social Media Content

As part of the DECYP’s commitment to support families with online learning at home, there are a range of online resources for families available on the Digital Skills for Families DECYP website. Resources include information videos and tips for supporting online learning at home.

School Photo Day is 20th March.

Next week we will be celebrating Harmony Week. This is an opportunity for our school to celebrate Australian multiculturalism and recognise diversity. On Friday 21st March, students are invited to dress with a touch of orange. Classrooms, the Library and even the Canteen will be recognising this special event.

P - 2 Optional Swimming Programme

The Prep to Grade 2 Optional Swimming Programme will run from 5th - 16th May.

More details will be sent home later this term.

During Term 1, 5/6 Petrohilos have been developing a range of important skills and acquiring valuable knowledge. We have spent some time learning about the etymology of a range of words. Did you know that the word gnome may have come from the Greek word genomos meaning "earth-dweller" which would explain the silent ‘g’. We had fun working with clay and learning about different methods of building through making our own gnomes.

We love Wednesday afternoons and being able to spend time with our 1-2 buddy class. This term we are sharing books with them in the library.

Our HASS unit began with an inquiry into the significant people who impacted on federation and our contemporary political system. Many of us created spoon dolls to represent these people. We entered some of these into the Exeter Show and won all three top prizes!!

Maths is of great importance in our classroom; we are currently developing our understanding of measurement, decimals and multiplication.

We have been lucky enough to spend some time in our kitchen garden pulling out a lot of weeds and conducting soil tests in preparation for some biology lessons.

We sure have been industrious learners thus far this year.

Teaching about respectful relationships and consent helps change the way people think and act. When people treat others fairly and with respect it is less likely for violence and abuse to occur.

The Department is adopting a whole-of-system approach to respectful relationships and consent education (RRCE). We aim to stop problems before they begin by using what research tells us works best.

Home - Respectful Relationships | Bullying Stops Here

A reminder that Issue 2 of Book Club will close Wednesday 26th March.

Orders can be brought to the school office, if ordering with cash by 26th March. Please place orders in an envelope with the student's name and class on the front. Orders can also be placed online using the Book Club Loop App.

Our commitment

The Department for Education, Children and Young People Tasmania supports the rights of children and young people with a disability to access education on the same basis as their peers.

Education Adjustment Disability Funding

The Education Adjustment Disability Funding Model is based on student needs and is guided by key principles. The model delivers resources to Tasmanian Government schools to support educational adjustments that they provide for students with disability. Educational adjustments are all the things that schools do to help a student with disability. We use adjustments to make sure that everyone can access, participate and engage on the same basis as their peers. The Department for Education, Children and Young People worked with an independent consultancy company, KPMG, to develop the Educational Adjustment model. The model was developed using both research and consultation. KPMG’s final report is available at Development of a Needs-Based Funding Model for Students with Disability – Final Report (PDF, 700KB).

Canteen

Special Day (21st March) in conjunction with Harmony Day will be offering orange slushies, jellies and icy pops. These can be ordered on QKR or over the counter. Slushies and icy pops will only be available at lunch time.

Orange choc chip cake $1.00

Orange ice blocks $1.00

Orange slushies $2.00

Orange jelly $1.00