You may have heard in the media that reading practices across the Department are shifting. This will also mean changes for Exeter Primary, particularly around the types of books we use with students, how we monitor their reading progress and the way home reading operates. We will be providing more information throughout the year about these changes, beginning with the article in this newsletter.

Welcome Back BBQ

Thank you to all the families who attended the Welcome Back BBQ. It is a great way to connect with families at the beginning of the school year and for student’s to show off their new learning environment. I would like to thank the volunteers and The School Association for their support and work during the event to make it a success.

Student Mobile Phones and Devices

“Off and Away All Day”

The Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) takes the safe and responsible use of digital technologies, student wellbeing and the development of social and emotional skills very seriously. We live in a technology rich world where mobile phones are an important tool for life and work. However, research and consultation with the Tasmanian community has found that mobile phones (This includes smart watches, tablets and associated listening accessories such as, but not limited to, headphones and earbuds) are a distraction from learning, and impact the development of positive personal relationships at school.

Students who bring Mobile Phones to school are required to hand them at the office when they arrive at school and collect them at the end of the day. Other devices, such as Smart Watches need to be offline also.

If parents/carers need to communicate with their child, this can be done by contacting our school office.

Vaping

Vaping continues to be a trend amongst children and young people.

Electronic cigarettes, or vapes, are similar to smoking cigarettes, but don’t use tobacco.

Instead, vapes are a battery-operated device which heats a liquid. This liquid turns into an aerosol and is inhaled.  Like smoking cigarettes, vaping is highly addictive. Research shows that young people are three times as likely to start smoking if they vape.

While Tasmanian law says that a person under 18 can’t use, possess or buy vapes, we know that some young people are doing it because they believe it’s a safer option than smoking cigarettes.

It’s important to work together to educate them about the health impacts of vaping and the harm it can cause on their short- and long-term physical health.

The Department for Education, Children and Young People has a dedicated webpage with information and resources for teachers, parents/carers and young people.  This includes tips for talking to your children about vaping and how you can support them in quitting.  

At a school level, we are approaching vaping as a health issue. We use a range of educational resources to help students make healthy choices and informed decisions.

It’s important that we all work together to nurture the wellbeing of students so they can continue to grow, thrive and succeed.

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with either your child’s teacher or myself.

Farewell Mrs Joan Worth

Mrs Joan Worth is retiring after over 20 years’ service at Exeter Primary School as a Teacher Assistant. Joan has worked across all sectors of the school in her role as a TA and supported hundreds of students to participate and engage in their learning. Joan has an incredible ability to build relationships and provide a caring, nurturing and supportive environment for students to thrive. Her skill and positiveness will be a loss for Exeter Primary School. On behalf of past and current staff, students and families we wish Joan all the very best in the new chapter of her life.