20 February 2019

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

It has been a very smooth transition into the school year at Exeter Primary School. As I walk around the school there is a real sense of productivity and a clear focus on learning that is evident in every classroom. At this stage in the year teachers are taking time to revisit, and in the Kinder and Prep classrooms, introduce our school expectations of Be Safe, Be Your Best and Care for the Rest and what these look like in the school context. Teachers are also unpacking the Zones of Regulation and teaching students how to use the Zones to recognise and regulate their emotions. At Exeter we believe that high expectations around behaviour, respect, treatment of others and yourself are crucial pre-conditions for learning. We aim to create classrooms in which students and teachers feel safe and are in the optimal emotional state for learning. If you would like to know more about this process please talk with your child’s class teacher.

Regular School Attendance

As you would be aware there have been some changes to school attendance procedures as a result of the new Education Act which came into effect late 2017. These changes further support regular school attendance for all children. It is important for families to set good habits early around school attendance and ensure children attend school unless they are unwell. There is a direct link between poor attendance during the Prep year and poor attendance later in school. Missing school on a regular basis contributes not only to poor academic success but also social isolation for many children. Even getting to school late can make a child feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. You can support your child to attend school every day by setting good habits around sleep and preparation for school, as well as reinforcing the importance of school attendance by speaking positively about school and sorting out any issues your child may be having quickly. Please let us know if you are having difficulty with getting your child to school so we can help. If your child is unwell and cannot come to school please contact the school by 9.00 on the day of absence. This can be done by phoning the school office, sending an email or via the Schoolzine app. Family holidays should be planned for school holiday times. For more information on student absences please visit the following link.

Parent Teacher Conversations

Throughout this term teachers will be making an effort to catch up with all families. This may be done via a phone conversation, a quick chat before or after school or by appointment. Parents are encouraged to make contact with their child’s teacher to share information and find out how they can support their child’s learning at home.

Launching into Learning

It was great to see our Launching into Learning programs commence over the last 2 weeks. This term we are offering Swim Fun, B4 School Play Group and Gym Fun. Please see our attached flyer for more information.

Volunteers

Exeter Primary School would like to invite any family or community members who may hold a “Working with Vulnerable People” authorisation to contact the school if you have any interest in offering time at the school in a volunteer capacity. The school welcomes the contributions of our volunteers who assist in a range of areas, for example reading support, Breakfast Club, our school garden. Should you have a special area of expertise to offer, or simply wish to support our students in their daily programs, please contact Alison Johnson through the school office.

Parent Room

Please do not forget our Parent Room is available for parents to use through the school day. This room is equipped with a coffee machine and for the small cost of $2.00 you can purchase coffee, tea or hot chocolate! The Parent Room provides a great space for you to catch up with friends, wait for your children to finish for the day or perhaps you have an idea for a visiting speaker or information session. Let us know your thoughts.

Best wishes
Helen

Parents

Pre-Kindergarten Term 1 2019

Zones of Regulation

At Exeter Primary School we support our student’s social and emotional wellbeing with The Zones of Regulation program.

The Zones of Regulation highlight the following areas of learning for our students:

• Emotional self-understanding and emotional self-regulation. Students are supported to learn to understand the connection between their sensory systems, their emotions and their ability to relate to the world in ways that make others feel comfortable relating to them.
• Sensory integration and regulation, helps students learn to manage sensory input from the environment so they can process and respond in ways in which they are expected to function.
• Students learn about brain based skills such as impulse control, sustaining attention, planning, problem solving and self-talk as the foundation to manage their behaviours and overcome the hurdles that stand in the way of them reaching their goals.

Just to remind you the Zones are:

We are hoping there will be many purposeful discussions at home regarding how your children are using The Zones of Regulation and ask you to contact your class teacher if you require any further information.

Growth Mindset

At Exeter we are also continuing to build 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 a person’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 do not 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 the steps of developing a Growth Mindset, you can use this poster to help promote a Growth Mindset in your children and your home.

PIPS Parent Information

Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure

On Wednesday, 13 March Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Educational Program will again come to Exeter Primary. A letter will be forwarded shortly with further information.

Ditto has been coming to EPS for many years and provides children with the basic principles of personal safety and tools to keep safe.

Parents are also invited to come and view the program with their children, so they can discuss these issues at home.

Times for the Program:

School Fire Education

Brixhibition LEGO Challenge 2019

School Information and Conditions of entry for individual Students

The Tasmanian Brick Enthusiasts Inc. invites all Primary School Children in the Launceston and Northern Tasmania area to compete in a Lego Competition running in the first term of 2019.

This year there are 3 age groups:

• Prep – Grade 2 - winner to receive a winner's medallion
• Grade 3 – 4 - winner to receive a winner's medallion
• Grade 5 – 6 - winner to receive a winner's medallion

Schools will judge an overall winner, who is then invited to display their winning Lego model, along with all other primary school’s winning entries, at Brixhibition Lego convention at Albert Hall, Tamar Street, Launceston on Saturday 13 April and Sunday 14 April 2019.

Entry forms and Conditions of Entry are available at the school office.

Lego entries may be brought to the STEAM Room on Thursday 21 March, Friday 22 March and Monday 25 March 2019, with the winners announced by Friday 29 March 2019.

National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence 2019

On Friday 15 March, Exeter Primary School will again be participating in the nationwide National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. To show our schools commitment to standing up and say no to bullying and violence, we are asking all students to wear something GREEN for the day. All classes will be participating in activities throughout the day with their teachers, with a display of their learning to be available for parents and the school community to view after the day. If you have any questions regarding the day, please contact your child’s classroom teacher or Mrs Alison Johnson.

Support Staff Introductions

Introducing our Support Staff for 2019

We are very pleased to let you know our support staff for 2019.

Speech and Language Pathologist – Erica O’Neill works Monday and Tuesday.
Social Worker – Karen Button works Thursday and every second Friday.
Psychologist – Annie Fitzgerald works Monday and Tuesday.
School Health Nurse – Bec Beeston works every Wednesday.
Baptcare Support Worker – Louise Young works Friday afternoon fortnightly.

Should you need to contact any of our support staff, please do so through our school office or by contacting Alison Johnson, who co-ordinates our support caseloads.

Erica O’Neill

From the School Nurse

Welcome to a new school year! My name is Bec and I am your new Primary School Health Nurse. The role of the School Nurse is to provide health education and health promotion to the whole school community. I will be engaging with students in some interactive health activities this year and will work with teachers in each grade to provide lessons on different health related topics. This might include subjects like nutrition, personal hygiene, dental care, sun safety, growth and development and mindfulness, to name just a few.

I will also be interacting with Kindergarten students prior to conducting their individual kinder health screening that is offered in Term 2. This will include a vision and hearing check. Additional vision and hearing screens for all other grades are also available on request. Consent forms must be signed by a parent/guardian prior to all screening and will be sent home with your child prior to screening.

I will be working at Exeter every Wednesday this year. I would love to chat if you have any concerns or questions regarding your child’s health or the role of the School Nurse. My office is located in the main corridor along with the other student support offices (opposite the Gym). My door will be open each Wednesday morning between 9:00 - 9:30am for parents/guardians to pop in and chat regarding any child health related concerns. You are most welcome to drop by without an appointment during this time. Alternatively you can email me at your convenience to make an appointment or ask a question on bec.beeston@education.tas.gov.au.

I am looking forward to holding a parent information session for all in week 5 of term 1 to share some further information about the School Health Nurse Program at Exeter primary School. You will be notified of this session date/time within the next few weeks so keep your eye out for it in the school newsletter.

I hope that your child/ren have had a positive start to the year and I look forward to working with you and the teachers to promote a healthy school community.

Kind Regards,
Nurse Bec

GRIP Leadership Conference

Tuesday 19 March saw our Grade 6 students attend the GRIP Leadership Conference at the Tailrace Centre with other upper primary students from across the north. The day focussed on equipping students with the knowledge to understand what leadership is, leadership qualities and how leadership can be put into practice both at Exeter Primary School and through everyday words and actions.

This event launches our student leadership for 2019. The skills the students learnt at the conference will help with their application for leadership positions and carrying out their leadership responsibilities this year. Grip Leadership is a wonderful opportunity and we are fortunate to be able to send all of our Grade 6 students thanks to the generous support of our School Association.

Grade 5 PCYC ‘Challenge Day’

Date: WEDNESDAY 13 March 2019

Grade 5 families, please ensure you have completed and returned all of the necessary permission/consent forms as soon as possible, so your child can attend the PCYC ‘Challenge Day’ on Wednesday 13 March.

Students will depart school at 9:15am and will return the same day by 3:00pm.
If you require replacement forms, please ask you child to speak to Mr Clark.

Grade 6 CAMP

To Hobart and beyond…

All Grade 6 students received their complete camp package last week, containing: an information letter, itinerary, equipment list, request for muffins/biscuits + all the necessary consent and medical forms.

Please ensure that these forms are returned as soon as possible, so that we can finalise numbers and bookings.

If your child has misplaced or requires another set of forms, please see Mr Clark. Furthermore, if you have any queries or concerns then please contact the school office to coordinate a time to speak with Mr Clark.

In Our Classrooms

5/6 Petrohilos in Focus

3/4 Gee in Focus

Goal Setting

Grade 3 – 4 Gee have been setting goals this week for Term 1. We reviewed what a goal is and the different types of goals there are. We came up with several headings: Behavioural, Social and Emotional, Subject Related and a miscellaneous category. We then had to write a goal for ourselves and present it in an unusual way.

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