31 August 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principals Report

Hello everyone,

Book Week Celebrations

Thank you to all our families who came along last Thursday to help us celebrate Book Week. It was wonderful to see our children reading with friends, older children, mums, dads and grandparents. I was particularly impressed by the way our children embraced the Australian Book Character theme and came up with very creative ways in which to represent their favourite character. I would like to acknowledge the work of Mr Clark and his class for the organisation and set up of the PAC. They did a wonderful job setting the scene, decorating the space and making it inviting for our students and our visitors. Thank you also to Mrs Clarke for sharing her knowledge of the shortlisted books and helping Grade 4/5 in their preparations.

2016 Maths Relay

On Sunday August 21 2 teams of our top mathematicians participated in the Annual Maths Relay at Scotch Oakburn College. Our teams competed against 34 other teams and worked their way through 20 very challenging mathematical problems. Well done to our team members, Elise, Gemma, Nikita, Dylan, Jed, Ryan, and Will.

Launceston College Band

As many of you would be aware Exeter Primary School has a strong music culture and has been committed to the Esk Band Program for many years. This involvement with Esk Band has resulted in many of our students joining the Launceston College Band. Last weekend I was very privileged to be able travel to NSW with the Launceston College Band and see the band participate in the NSW Band Championships (you may have seen the recent feature in The Examiner). It was such a pleasure to see many of our former students perform so well. The Launceston College Band finished first in the Open D Grade competition and came second place in the Junior C Grade, competing against 11 other bands. A special mention must go to Jasmine Russell, who plays saxophone, and is 1 of only a handful of primary students who play with the band.

School Uniform

Over the last couple of months I have noticed a gradual increase in the number of non-uniform items being worn to school. With the winter weather well and truly upon us it is important for children to be warm and dry at school but it is also important for them to wear the appropriate school uniform. The wearing of school uniform is an expectation for Exeter Primary School students and helps to promote a sense of belonging and generate a feeling of pride in being part of the Exeter Primary School community. Wearing a school uniform is cheaper in the longer term and certainly makes life easier in the mornings when children are getting ready for school. We are fortunate to have a well-stocked uniform shop here at school which offers good quality uniform items for sale at very reasonable prices. They also stock good second hand items and our volunteers are always happy to source a second hand item for you. If you need assistance with the purchase of school uniform items please ask at the office. Thank you to those families who endeavour to have their children looking smart each day in the appropriate school uniform.

Regards

Lift

Family Maths

The answer to the problem in our last newsletter is:

You can make 6 numbers, they are listed from smallest to largest.

247, 274, 427, 472, 724, 742.

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

Insect Lengths

A bee is longer than an ant.
A wasp is longer than a bee.
A flea is shorter than an ant.
List the 4 insects in order from shortest to longest.

Extension: Can you make up a problem like this one using 6 animals? Give the clues to someone in your family and see if they can list the 6 animals from shortest to longest.

Respectful School

At Exeter we are working towards building a culture of a Growth Mindset. Children who have a "growth mindset" know that intelligence is dynamic. As neuroscience has now decisively shown, the brain does change based on one's experiences and efforts.

Regardless of the research, all of us develop beliefs about our own intelligence, beginning in childhood. Some children worry that they don't have enough. Others grow up thinking that they can do anything if they just work hard at it.

Research shows these beliefs make a big difference in how children do in school. Even students who consider themselves "gifted" often avoid challenges, for fear they might lose status if they fail. When we teach children that intelligence is malleable, they more readily take on challenges, persist through difficulties, and experience intellectual growth. (Blackwell, Trzesniewski, & Dweck, 2007)

The attached poster shares some questions you can use to find out about your child's day and help promote a Growth Mindset in your children and your home.

Birthdays

We wish the following students a very happy September birthday.

Launching into Learning

Pre-Kinder

If your child does not currently attend a Pre-Kinder session we encourage you to attend to assist with their transition to school. Pre-Kinder during Term 4 provides the opportunity for children to attend without their parents in readiness for Kindergarten in 2017.

Stay tuned for parent sessions that will be on offer during Term 4 Pre-Kinder sessions.

Our Learning Community

Library

We are lucky to have a fantastic library space at Exeter Primary School. Every class visits our library once a week. Students are also welcome to visit in the mornings or afternoons and at lunch time to change their books, play games, draw and explore the wonderful books on our shelves.

Our library is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Click on the link below for a virtual tour… and come and visit us sometime.

The Children's Council of Australia's Book of the Year Winners and Honour books were announced on the 19th August for Book Week. Did you pick the winners?

4-5 Clark Celebrates Books

To celebrate Book Week 2016, 4/5 Clark decided to visit our awesome library and share some of their favourite books and favourite authors with you.

Science

Young Tassie Scientists with 4/5 Clark

To celebrate and promote Science Week, 3 Young Tassie Scientists came to Exeter Primary School to explain their field of interest and show us what they do. Hope you enjoy our video below.

Sport

2016 Tasmanian Schools Triathlon Challenge

When: Grades 3-6 Thursday 24th November
Where: Devonport Bluff
Cost: $15

Entry Forms at School Office

Entry forms need to be returned to the school office by Friday 16th September with payment.

The school will put one entry in on behalf of all participants.

Students will need to organise bikes (if required) and travel. The school can provide a polo shirt.

Peter Habel

Support Services

News from the School Nurse Juanita

BREAKFAST – THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY

Breakfast, as the word suggests, literally means 'breaking the fast'.

After going 10-12 hours overnight without food, children's energy reserves are low and their bodies and most importantly their brains, need fuel.

Without breakfast children (also adults!) can get irritable, restless and tired. This will make learning in school very difficult for our kids.

Kids who eat breakfast are more likely to:

• have improved concentration and short term memory
• be more focused
• maintain a healthy weight

Apart from providing children with body and brain 'fuel', breakfast foods are good sources of important nutrients such as calcium, iron and B vitamins as well as protein and fibre.

BREAKFAST ON THE RUN

Sometimes there is just not time for your child to eat breakfast.

Breakfast ideas to keep little tummies happy and full if you are short on time:

• a wholegrain cereal bar and a small fruit juice
• a tub of yogurt and a banana
• a bag of dry cereal mixed with trail mix
• a piece of fruit or dried fruit
• A fruit bun
• Toast and a glass of milk

Parents

Book Club Issue 6

The sixth issue of book club has been sent home. If you would like to place an order, please put your child's and teacher's name on the front of an envelope, place the order sheet and money inside the envelope and bring it to the school office by Monday September 5th

What's happening in Our Classrooms

4-5 Clark and Prep Simpson Book Week Buddy

What did Mr Clarks Group do at the Mine?

2 Johns

Enrolment

Future Starting Age Update

As you may be aware, the Government has been working on a change to the school starting age through the Education Act review process. The original proposal to make the compulsory starting age of Prep 4 years and 6 months has now changed to a minimum starting age.

This is in recognition that parents and carers are best placed to decide when their child should start school, the Government has agreed that, although the age at which a child can commence in Prep will be lowered to 4 years and 6 months, the compulsory school starting age will remain at five.

The commencement of this change would take effect in Prep in 2021, which means children who are born in the first half of 2016 will be eligible for Kindergarten in 2020.

These changes result in an optional Kindergarten starting age of 3 years and 6 months in 2020, parents can decide what suits their child best.

For further information on this topic please see the below link to an updated fact sheet:

If you have any questions about the upcoming changes, please email: comments@education.tas.gov.au

Kindergarten Enrolments 2017

If you have received a Kindergarten enrolment form for 2017 we ask that you return it to the school office as soon as possible. We would really like forms back by the end of this term. Confirming Kindergarten numbers for 2017 is important in determining the class structures for 2017.

If your child was born in 2012, or you know of anyone, and would like an enrolment form please contact the school office on 63 944 700.

School Association

P&F Parent Direct Toy Catalogues

A reminder, Chalk and Parent Direct orders need to be back at the school office by Monday September 19th to avoid disappointment and guaranted delivery.

If you haven't seen a catalogue and would like one please contact us in the office and we will be only too happy to send them home.

This is a school fundraiser with 20 cents of every dollar you spend being donated back to our school. Through parent purchases last year we received a voucher to enable us to purchase 4 Dual timeclocks for Grade 2 and Grade 3 with a value of $130 each.

Community News