Newsletter 29/6/2023
From the Principal:
Dear Parents and Carers,
This afternoon from 2:30-3:30 we held our first Learning Expo. This was a wonderful opportunity for parents to engage with their child/ren in the classroom and explore their learning and progress at school. Parents were excited to view children’s work, Learning Snapshots and to witness the excitement of their children's learning.
On Friday your child’s Mid-Year Report will be available through Compass. Should there be parents still wishing to attend a Parent /Teacher conference next week, we ask that you make direct contact with your child’s teacher to make an appointment. Teachers will be available Monday-Wednesday afternoons.
Kind regards,
Mary Bennett
Important Dates:
Term 2 concludes- Friday 7th July.
Student Free Day- Monday 24th July.
Term 3 commences- Tuesday 25th July.
Student Free Day- Monday 16th October.
Term 4 commences- Monday 17th October.
On Country Excursion:
Yesterday, we went to Tulampanga/Alum Cliffs. As we arrived, Jesse met with us, and he put some local ochre on the back of our hands. He did this to connect us to the Country we were about to walk on.
We started walking up the hill and met up with Uncle Hank. Uncle Hank taught us about the wooden sculpture in the shape of a triangle, he said that each point leads to an important location. These places are Quamby Bluff, Western Bluff and Alum Cliffs. Next, Uncle Hank led us to the Alum Cliffs lookout.
As we arrived we saw a magnificent view. Uncle Hank pointed out where people got ochre from and said that only Aboriginal women could collect it. He then started to tell us about the cool burns that they will be doing soon, and explained how cool burns are different to hot burns.
Next, we all sat around and were able to ask Uncle Hank lots of important questions about our environment, bush tucker, Aboriginal culture, ochre, and Elders. As we followed Uncle Hank back down the path, he showed us many local bush tucker. We were all able to try a type of cutting grass called Lamandra . It tasted like snow peas and helped hydrate us.
After lunch when we were back at the sculpture, we all got to have multiple turns throwing waddies and spears at a bucket. The spears were a lot harder to throw than the waddys. We all thanked Uncle Hank and Jesse for an amazing day and walked down to the bus to return to school. It was a great On Country learning experience.
Oliver and Maeve
On Country Tulampanga/Alum Cliffs
International Mud Day:
On Tuesday students in the early years participated in mud play activities to celebrate International Mud Day. The day gave children the opportunity to celebrate mud play with a variety of experiences. Mud is a natural part of childhood. It is invaluable for children’s sensory development, provides a source of creativity and imagination and allows children to connect with nature. Research also suggests that mud is also beneficial for children’s overall health and immunity. The day was a fun opportunity for children to participate in activities such as pie throwing, mud kitchen, mud wall, small world play, mud pictures and painting. As you can see by the photos below our students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed this experience.
International Mud Day
Tasmanian All Schools Cross Country:
Cedric from Year 5/6 participated in State Cross Country Championships on Tuesday the 27th of June at Symmons Plains. There were 230 students from around Tasmania who competed in the Grade 5 boys race. Cedric ran well and finished in 185th place, running the whole 3km course in 16 minutes. Well done Cedric! Our school community is very proud of you.
Cedric Greive
Friday Sport:
Our Lady of Mercy will travel to Bracknell this Friday for Football and Netball. Start time is 12:30pm. Parents/Carers are welcome to attend.
SBSC Scholarship Recipients:
Congratulations to Jessica Kearon and Zaide Arnold on successfully receiving scholarships for 2024 to St Brendan-Shaw College.
Jessica & Zaide
Premier's Reading Challenge:
Students from Prep to Grade 6 have been given the opportunity to participate in the Tasmanian
Premier’s Reading Challenge. The aim of the challenge is to read 10 books over 10 weeks. The
challenge has already started. We strongly encourage all students to participate in this challenge and read as many books as possible to further develop their reading and literacy skills.
Children's University:
Swisher Hoops Academy:
School Holiday Tennis Clinic:
Kids Cosy Winter Reading Club:
This program is supported by Friends of the Library Launceston and runs for June, July and August. There is still plenty of time for children to participate, especially with school holidays coming up! You can participate in this program through the Deloraine and Westbury Library
Some quick facts:
- Kids Cosy Reading Club is open to kids aged 5-12
- It aims to encourage kids to keep reading and enjoying books through the chilly winter months
- Library membership is not required for participation, although many kids may wish to join to access and borrow a wide range of Libraries Tasmania resources
- Reading logs can be collected from the participating libraries – Launceston, Ravenswood, Lilydale, Westbury, Campbell Town, Longford, and Deloraine
- Registration is through a registration form on Eventbrite Cosy Winter Reading Club @ Launceston Library Tickets, Thu 01/06/2023 at 9:00 am | Eventbrite
- Kids who read and record 10 books in their reading log will receive a reward
- Kids who complete the reading log by reading and recording 25 books will receive a special prize – a book voucher
- Last logs will be received Friday 15 September.