20 March 2019

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Have you seen our new school banners? They look great and are displaying our School Expectations of Be Safe, Be Your Best and Care for the Rest. Our expectations are under pinned by the DoE Values of Aspiration, Courage, Growth and Respect. We have had many highlights this term including the Grade 5 Challenge Day and Grade 6 Hobart Camp. These were both excellent events and provided our senior students authentic learning opportunities. The teachers who accompanied the Grade 5 students to PCYC for Challenge Day were impressed by the level of cooperation the students engaged in to successfully complete team challenges. Hobart Camp again, provided our students with opportunities to learn about Tasmania’s early convict history as well as developing students’ independence and resilience, especially for those students who were embarking on their first stay away from home. I am always proud to hear about comments given by the public, saying how respectful our Exeter Primary School students are. I would like to congratulate our families on raising such wonderfully considerate children.

Morning Drop Off

The safety of our students is paramount. Glen Ard Mohr Road is very busy between 8.30 a.m. and 9.00 a.m. each morning when we have 14 buses bringing children to school and they are arriving continuously during this time. Please be aware that the area in front of the school should not be used for parents to park or drop children off. This area needs to be kept clear for our buses. If you are dropping children off please use the car park at the Kindergarten end of the school. Children can walk safely into the main school grounds from here or alternatively you could use the carpark at the Community Centre next to our school oval.

School Uniform

I would like to remind students and families that the wearing of school uniform is an expectation at Exeter Primary School. Having a school uniform is important in helping to build a sense of unity and presenting a positive public image of Exeter Primary School to our community. The wearing of school uniform is supported by our School Association and our Uniform Shop provides a range of affordable options, including new and quality second-hand items. I ask that you support our school by ensuring your child is wearing their school uniform every day. Please contact us if you require support with this.

Interim Reports

Interim Reports will be sent home on Friday 5 April. This is a tick box progress report that provides information on how your child has settled into the school year and highlights any areas for consideration or future attention. On receiving your child’s report take the time to discuss the progress they have made throughout the term, celebrate the positives and identify any areas where improvements can be made. Learning is not just something that happens at school and it is important that parents and teachers work together to provide children with the best possible opportunities for success. If you have not done so already I urge you to make contact with your child’s class teacher and to discuss your child’s progress at school.

Student Leadership

It is with pride that I congratulate our Student Leadership Teams of 2019. In an attempt to provide leadership opportunities for a greater number of students we have leadership teams in Sport, STEAM, Zones and Peer mentoring. All successful leaders will have opportunities to demonstrate their leadership skills across the school by helping teachers and other students on a daily basis. I wish them all the best for the year and know they will demonstrate our School Expectations of Being Safe, Being their Best and Caring for the Rest every day. Congratulation to our 2019 Student Leadership Team!

I would also like to remind you of our School Association family event. On Thursday 28 March we invite you all to our Family Billy Tea Bush Band and BBQ. This will be a great time to meet your children’s teachers and enjoy a fun time together. Please see the flyer below for more information.

Best wishes
Helen

Parents

School Photos

Photos will be taken on Tuesday 26 March. Please return envelopes to the Office.

Parents wishing to have a family photo taken please collect an envelope from the office.

Scholastic Book Club

Book Club orders will need to be in to the Office by Tuesday 26 March 2019. Spare copies will be available at the Office until this time.

Fissure Sealant and Fluoride Varnish Program

Every year, the Oral Health Services try to improve the participation and consent rates to the program. So far, they have received 143/247 (57.9%) for Exeter Primary School, which is a phenomenal effort! Thank you!

This week we will be sending home to parents and guardians of Kinder, Prep, Grade 1/2, and Grade 6 students who have not returned their Fissure Sealant and Fluoride Varnish Program another registration form just in case you have misplaced your registration form.

Can forms please be returned by Friday 29 March 2019.

Parent First Aide Course

NAPLAN

NAPLAN is held annually in May and all Tasmanian Government schools will sit NAPLAN Online this year, with the exception of the Grade 3 Writing Assessment, which will still be completed on paper. As we move to an online format, the testing window has been extended across a possible nine days, from 14 May to 24 May. Over the past two years students have had experience in the NAPLAN Online platform, providing them with the opportunity to practice using the format and question types. All families of Grade 3 and 5 students have recently received the document below, NAPLAN Online-information for parents and carers. This provides information, timetables and the answers to some frequently asked questions.

If you require more information, a great starting point is the website below, or you can contact your child’s teacher.

National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence

On Friday, March 15 our school participated in class discussions and learning around the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. Classes worked together to make a display of their commitment towards ensuring that Exeter Primary School is a safe and supportive environment for everyone. These displays have been placed in the PAC earlier this week so parents can view them at our whole school assembly on Thursday, or at the Billy Tea Bush Band event on Thursday, March 28. Classes will be voting next week for the display that they think is the best. Results will be announced the following week.

Grade 5 PCYC Challenge Day

Wednesday 13 March saw our Grade 5 students venture off to the PCYC for their “Challenge Day”. While at the PCYC students had the opportunity to climb the awesome Rockwall, test their gymnastics abilities in the Gymnastics Room as well as have some fun in the Trampoline Room. Thanks to Mr Habel, Mrs Geale and Mr Chick for supervising and supporting students on the day. The photos look like everyone had a fantastic day!

Grade 6 Camp

Grade 6 Camp 2019 – What an adventure! With 50 Grade 6 students, Mrs Alcock, Mrs Petrohilos, Mr Clancy and Mr Clark travelled down to Hobart and beyond. With lots of stops at different locations along the way, we had time to undercover historical facts, interesting stories about female and male convicts and the convict era. We saw some of Tasmania’s beautiful landmarks and scenery and also time for a fabulous Student Variety Concert and some awesome fun! We also had many members of the public come up to teachers and make positive remarks about our EPS students and the way they conducted themselves while out and about. Thanks to our bus driver Paul and thank you to the many parents and families who helped with biscuits and slices – we appreciated it! Look out Camp 2020!

Student Leadership Team

Please go to the following link to see the announcement of our Student Leadership Team:

Our Grade 6 Student Leaders will receive their badges at our Whole School Assembly on Thursday 21 March in the PAC commencing at 10.25am.

Exeter’s Got Talent

Sport

Athletics Information

Events for 3-6 Athletic Carnival on Friday 22 March

Novelties include House Tug-O-Wars and mixed relays such as Bridge Rock Tree, Sack Race, Egg & Spoon, Skipping, Rock and Baton Relay.

These events will be held on the infield of the oval gaining House Points but no ribbons.

These are approximate times only.

School Association

Executive Committee

Billy Tea Bush Band

Donations

Help List

Entertainment Book

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