17 August 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal's Report

NAPLAN Results

This week we received the results of the 2016 National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). The NAPLAN Student Reports for students in Year 3 and Year 5 who sat NAPLAN in May this year have been sent home, so watch out for them in the post. These reports will provide you with information about how your child performed in relation to other students in their year group and in comparison to the national average score for Reading, Writing, Language Conventions – which includes spelling and grammar, and Numeracy assessments. When sharing these reports with your child please endeavour to make it a positive experience and focus on personal improvements and growth in learning. At Exeter Primary School we a foster a Growth Mindset and his means we celebrate effort and value mistakes as an opportunity for new learning. In relation to NAPLAN results you may wish to talk with your child about setting a personal goal for learning, reflecting on where they have made the most improvement and why, and getting them to share something they feel proud about. If you would like further information about the report, or on how to share the results with your child please contact your child's class teacher.

Highlights of our results:

• The most significant gains were made in Year 5 Numeracy and Grammar and Punctuation where our students performed above the national average
• In Year 5 Reading and Spelling our students performed better than other Tasmanian schools
• In Year 3 Reading, Writing, Grammar and Punctuation and Numeracy our students performed above the National average

These are excellent results worthy of celebration and prove that our school-wide focus on Numeracy and Problem-Solving is improving student outcomes in this learning area. I was also very proud of our results in Grammar and Punctuation as this has been a learning area in which direct instruction has resulted in improved outcomes. Over the next weeks teachers will look more closely at our NAPLAN results and use the data to plan for future teaching and learning directions.

Regards

Lift

Family Maths

The answer to the problem in our last newsletter is;

Farmer Joe would have visited 10 pens. Each pen had 2 pigs in it so 10 lots of 2 would be 20 – 10 pens.

Here is this week's problem. Don't forget to bring your answer to the school office and receive a Be Your Best ticket!

All About The Place

Using the digits 4, 2 and 7, how many different 3-digit numbers can you make?

List them in order from smallest to largest.

Growing Maths at Home

Last term we introduced our Growing Maths at Home program for our Prep Students. This program uses take home packs of quality picture books, with a numeracy theme, and accompanying supports for parents. The idea is for parents to share the story with their young children and introduce early number concepts within the context of the story. The packs include ideas to support parents in reading and discussing the concepts with their children.

We have now completed our Growing Maths at Home program for Grade 1 and packs will be ready for borrowing soon. This program concentrates on developing early number concepts and provides games for parents to play with their children using cards and dominoes.

Respectful School

Last newsletter we talked about children arriving at school in a calm and happy state to help them be in the optimal space for learning and shared a clip to help parent's create a calm and organised morning routine. Family meal times can also be stressful on busy families. This week we are sharing a short clip to help you create a relaxing family time instead of a battle at meal times. It is well known that children's social and emotional skills develop all the time and it is a fact that a child's family is the first and biggest influence on developing these skills. We hope this clip is helpful for your family.

Launching into Learning

Last week we welcomed along Georgie Martin, a dance instructor from PCYC, to Exeter Primary School to run some Dance Fun sessions for Launching into Learning families to enjoy.

As you can see, many children, parents, grandparents and carers were all having a lot of fun. Families were active participants as they were fully engaged and involved in all the action and movements. Dance Fun will run every Wednesday morning for the next 5 weeks in our school gym.

Our Learning Community

Library

Book Week 2016

Each year, the Children's Book Council celebrates Book Week with the announcement of Book of the Year in each of the short listed categories. The following link explores each title. Can you choose the winner? Winners announced Friday 19thAugust.

Australia – Story Country!

This year Exeter Primary School will be celebrating Book Week on Thursday 25th August and the theme for 2016 is, Australia Story Country! Students (and parents) are invited to dress as their favourite Australian book character and buddy classes will be visiting the PAC to share and read stories together. Parents and Carers are welcome to attend the session with their child and participate in this wonderful reading opportunity. The purpose of the day it to promote the enjoyment and love of reading and books. We hope that you can join us to celebrate reading with your child and their class.

Sport

5/6 Sport Friday 5th August

Finally a pleasant day for 5/6 Sport after some good weather helped dry up some of the grounds. Exeter travelled to South George Town Primary to play Port Dalrymple as their grounds were still unplayable. The two schools were evenly matched in all sports with only one or two goals the margin in games of soccer, hockey and netball with both schools having some narrow wins and losses. The footballers had a high standard game with 10 out of 18 students in the Country Gold team from these schools. After a tight first half, Exeter went onto win by about 6 goals in a great team effort.

Peter Habel

2016 School Series Event

Congratulations to Quinn, Chloe and Damon for representing Exeter Primary School in the Newstead Athletics 2016 School Series Event. These students set personal goals each week and endeavour to achieve their personal best. It is always great to celebrate individual achievements and recognise those students who use their Growth Mind set to help them improve and set new targets.

Parents

Pokémon and Football Cards

Currently students are enjoying playing with Pokémon and Football Cards in the playground. We believe that this is a good playground activity and are supporting our students to understand how to play with these cards appropriately. This includes being respectful of other people's property and only swapping with students in your own year group. We ask that parents discuss these rules with their children to ensure that playing with these cards remains a positive activity and does not cause problems in the playground. We would like to remind families that, just like with any other toy or piece of equipment that is brought to school, Pokemon and Football Cards remain the responsibility of the student. This means that students need to care for them themselves and not expect the teacher to take responsibility for their safe- keeping. Precious items can always be left at the office for safe-keeping and some teachers are able to keep things safe by locking them in an office or cupboard if asked by the student to do so. We appreciate your support.

Managing Asthma during winter

Have an Asthma Action Plan.

Winter brings cold weather and keeps us inside where indoor triggers such as dust mites, pet allergens, smoke and viruses can worsen asthma symptoms. Cold, dry air may cause airways to tighten, making breathing more difficult.

Winter is also the season for colds and influenza. As many as 8 out of 10 asthma attacks in children and 4 out of 10 in adults are triggered by viral infections. All the more reason to have a written asthma action plan. If you do not have a written Asthma Action Plan please discuss this with your doctor next time you visit.

As with any other time of year, it is very important to keep your asthma under control. This includes having regular reviews with your doctor, taking the proper medication regularly as indicated on your Asthma Action Plan and avoiding your asthma triggers.

Managing winter triggers.

As cold air can trigger asthma, you could try wearing a scarf around your mouth, and try to breathe through your nose, which warms and humidifies the air. Avoid smoke from tobacco, fireplaces and wood stoves as this can trigger asthma symptoms. Gas fireplaces and stoves should be flued, and should be checked and serviced regularly to prevent gas leaks. Also, make sure you use the kitchen vent when cooking.

If asthma limits your physical activity, then it is likely that your asthma is not under control – see your doctor if you have regular symptoms during or after exercising. Asthma shouldn't stop you from exercising outside in the winter. Take your preventer medications regularly, protect yourself from the cold, and warm up and cool down properly. Exercise is important for everyone and can be done indoors on very cold days, for example in a gym, your home, or a heated swimming pool.

What's happening in Our Classrooms

Kinder Enrolment 2017

Enrolments for children who will be attending Kindergarten in 2017 are now being accepted. If you have received an enrolment form we encourage you to complete it and return it to the office as soon as possible. If your child was born any time during 2012 they are able to attend Kindergarten in 2017.

We ask that if your child does not currently attend a Pre-kinder session or you know of anyone who is of Kindergarten age, that you contact the school office on 6394 4700, as attending Pre-kinder is an important support for children entering school. Pre-kinder during Term 4 is when children attend without their parents in readiness for Kindergarten in 2017. Please contact the office for more information regarding the days and times Pre-kinder is held.

As we become more certain about our Kindergarten numbers for 2017, decisions will be made regarding class placements. Confirming Kindergarten numbers for 2017 is important in determining the class structures for 2017. Your support in completing the enrolment process swiftly will ensure class placements can be confirmed for 2017. Please remember an original birth certificate and copy of immunisation history are required on enrolment.

There will be an information session for all Kindergarten parents for 2017 and you will be advised of this date in Term 4.

If you have any questions please contact the school on 6394 4700.

School Association

Community News

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2017 Australia Day Awards and Grants.

Australia Day Awards

Do you know an outstanding individual or group deserving of an award in one of the following categories: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Young Sportsperson of the Year or Community Group/Event of the Year?

Outstanding contributions and community service includes areas such as: education, health, fund-raising, charitable and voluntary services, business, sport, arts, the environment, or any other area that contributes to the advancement and wellbeing of a community.

All residents of the West Tamar Municipal Area are eligible and nominations of non-residents who have made an outstanding contribution to the community will also be considered.

Australia Day Grants

West Tamar Council is offering grants of up to $2,000 to assist community groups in the West Tamar municipality to hold community Australia Day events.

On Australia Day we come together as a nation to celebrate what is great about Australia and being Australian. It is the day to reflect on what we can be proud of and for communities to celebrate together. In line with the National Australia Day Council, West Tamar Council encourages our valued community groups to Celebrate What's Great.

NOMINATE AND APPLY NOW!

Nomination/Application forms and guidelines are available on Council's website. Submissions close on Friday 30 September 2016.

For more information or assistance completing the forms please contact Kaitlin Roach on 6323 9200 / kaitlin.roach@wtc.tas.gov.au .

Hockey

West Tamar Junior Cricket Club

Cricket Season 2016/17 AGM
September 20th 7pm
Exeter Show Ground Hall
All Welcome
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Contact John Cameron 07418 308 513