14 March 2024

News from Miss Smith

Our Year 3-4 and Year 5-6 athletics team made us proud at the North West Primary Schools Sports Association Athletics Carnival.  Students displayed the values of COURAGE, GROWTH and RESPONSIBILITY throughout the whole carnival.  A huge thanks to Mr Lucadou-Wells who coordinated our teams. 

Congratulations to our Year 3,5,7 and 9 student who started the NAPLAN assessments this week.   Students complete the writing and reading tests firsts.  We encourage all our students to try their best, starting by having a go.

This weekend our stock handling team are participating in the Wynyard Show, showing lots of COURAGE.  Congratulation to Mr Marks, Mr Boys and Mrs Gardner who have been training our team, we can see the GROWTH.  It is great to see new families joining this program. (CONNECTION) Come and visit us at the Show to see how we are going.

Attendance – Please remember if your child is away from school to make contact and let us know why.  If you’re looking for tips on how to create better attendance habits, visit the Anything can happen website.

Behaviour concern – There has been an increase in the number of secondary students using their phone during school hours.  Families are asked to help us by encouraging your child to turn their phone off and put it away during the school day.  

Miss Smith

Key Dates

DECYP Values

Connection – building positive relationships and a sense of belonging.

Staff News

Mr John Lehman confirmed last week his intention to retire.   Mr Lehman has been part of our school community for many years and there will be a time later this term to recognise his service.  Mrs Kaye Mitchell remains the Year 11/12 contact for 2024.  

Year 7 and 9 English and HASS: Mrs Michelle Bennett is working in the Year 7 and 9 English and HASS space for Term 1.  She has joined our team from Parklands.  The position has been advertised.

Year 8 and 10 English, HASS and Drama: Miss Jasmine Suter is currently on sick leave.  During her absence relief staff will include Mr Dale Ollington and Mr Matt Twin.  When relief is unavailable Mrs Brittany Tippett or Miss Hazel Lucas will be taking these classes.

Support Teacher:  At this time our support teacher role has not been filled.  This vacancy was unexpected, in the interim please contact Miss Penelope Smith.

Yolla District School Association – Notice of Annual General Meeting

SCHOOL ASSOCIATION AGM – MONDAY 25 MARCH 2024, 5:30pm.

Did you know? All families are a member of the Yolla District School Association. Our Association elects a committee that includes families, community members and staff at the beginning of the school year.  The committee usually meet once a term to discuss school matters and policy changes.

Please consider nominating to become a committee member.  Our Annual General Meeting is on Monday 25 March at 5:30pm at the school.

The minutes of the preceding AGM will be confirmed and Office Bearers will be elected. Vacancies are Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary. Nomination forms are available from the school office or can be emailed upon request. Nominations are due by Friday 22 March.

Our Association has sub-committees that include the Parents and Friends and Stock Handling groups. 

Yolla District School Stock Handling Team – Notice of Annual General Meeting

The Yolla District School Stock Handling Team will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 21st March at 6:30pm in the meeting room at school. The minutes of the preceding AGM will be confirmed and Office Bearers will be elected. Vacancies are President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Nomination forms are available from the school office or can be emailed upon request. Nominations are due by Monday 18th March.

Prep – Year 10 Student Assembly

Parents and Friends Committee

Canteen

Our school canteen will be operating on Friday 22 March and 12 April 2024 at recess and lunch. If you are willing to volunteer in our canteen to enable us to open more often, please let the school know on 6438 0222.  A registration to work with vulnerable people (RWVP) card is required for all our volunteers and Safeguarding Training must also be completed.  Please enquire about these at the school office.

Hot Cross Bun and Hot Chocolate Morning

On Thursday 28 March the P&F will be holding a Hot Cross Bun and Hot Chocolate morning. These must be pre-ordered and paid before the day.  Please return order forms and money to the school office by Monday 25 March.  Students can collect their orders from The Zone at Recess on Thursday 28 March.

Mother’s Day Stall

Our Mother’s Day Stall will also include a Muffin Sale on Friday 10 May.  If you can provide any donations for the Mother’s Day Stall, it would be really appreciated.  Any items can be left at the school office, thank you.

Northwest Primary School Sports Association Athletics Carnival

The annual Northwest Primary School Sports Association Athletics Carnival was held at the Penguin Athletics Track on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 March. Yolla sent selected students to represent the school from Years 3-6. Both days provided hot conditions and fierce competition across the day. All the students should be proud of the way they represented the school.  They demonstrated respect to all officials and staff and had the courage to try their best at all races. Well done team!

Well done to Amity, Ethan and Loxton who all qualify for the twilight finals which will be held on Thursday 14 March. Thanks to these three students and everyone else’s results over the two days of competition Yolla finished in 4^th position in Division D!

Year 7 HASS

Year 7 have been studying ancient societies and the history of the movement of peoples. Cave paintings are one kind of evidence that show the existence of different peoples. Pictured are some of the rock paintings by our Grade 7’s using charcoal and ochre.

Harmony Week – 18-24 March 2024

Easter Hat Parade

Fire Education Program

Fire Fighter Craig visited Yolla District School primary students last week to present a Home Fire Safety Program.  The age-appropriate program is designed to raise fire awareness in children and included fun in-class activities, videos and activity books.  There is also an exciting website just for kids from the link below.

FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION

A Fire Fighter from the Tasmania Fire Service visited our school last week to present a Fire Safety Program to our students.

The program is an initiative of the Tasmania Fire Service which aims to deliver appropriate fire safety education to every primary school child in Tasmania.  The program is part of the Tasmania Fire Services ongoing commitment to educate the public for a fire safe Tasmania

Activity Books will be handed out to children from grades 1 to 4.  After the conclusion of the program the activity book can be taken home and we encourage other members of your family to participate in the activities to ensure your home is fire safe.

INSTALL AND MAINTAIN SMOKE ALARMS (Smoke alarms save lives)

Smoke alarms warn occupants of a fire and ensure safe evacuations. Every home should have photo-electric smoke alarms installed in each bedroom, hallway and at the head of the stairway, connecting levels, if you live in a house with more than one level. They provide an early warning of fire, giving people more time to get out potentially saving lives and thousands of dollars in property damage.

Smoke alarms should be tested weekly with flat batteries being replaced immediately.  Batteries should be replaced at least every twelve (12) months; a good time is at the end of daylight savings time. Some alarms have 10 year lithium batteries that do not need replacing every year.

PLAN AND PRACTICE A HOME FIRE ESCAPE PLAN

1. With the family, plan two ways out of every room. In case of fire, one exit may be blocked by flames or smoke.  Choose a safe meeting place outside where everyone will meet like the letter box
2. Enable Doors And Windows To Be Easily Unlocked

Door deadlocks and windows locks are in many homes and can be deadly in a fire. When you are in the home leave keys in any deadlocked door and ensure windows can be easily opened in the event of a fire.

The best fire escape plan is worthless if your escape route is blocked.

CRAWL LOW UNDER SMOKE (Crawl low and go, go, go)

Everyone should know if you get caught in smoke, the cleanest air will be several centimetres off the floor.  Get down on your hands and knees and crawl to the nearest safe exit. Shout Fire! Fire! Fire! To warn others.

2 METRES FROM HEATER / FIRE

Always keep clothes, newspapers, kindling and other flammable material at least 2 metres from the heater or 2 big giant steps away from it.

STOP, DROP AND ROCK AND ROLL

Everyone should know this rule. “If your clothes catch fire, don't run!  Stop put your hands over your face, gently drop to the ground, and rock and roll back and forth on the ground until your clothes stop burning. This will smother the flames while protecting your face, mouth and lungs from the flames.

A MATCH/LIGHTER IS A TOOL FOR ADULTS

Matches and lighters are extremely dangerous in the hands of a child.  Store them up high where children can't reach them.  Teach children that matches and lighters are tools for adults; they are not toys for children.

COOKING (Turn it off before you turn away)

Never leave cooking unattended. Turn it off before you turn away. Be alert when cooking; keep children out of harms way.  Pot handles should be turned inward so they won't be knocked over the edge of the stove.

IF A FIRE STARTS IN YOUR HOME REMEMBER TO:

GET OUT – CRAWL LOW UNDER SMOKE
SHOUT FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! TO WARN OTHERS
GO TO YOUR SAFE MEETING PLACE (e.g. Letterbox)
CALL THE FIRE BRIGADE ON TRIPLE ZERO “000”
GET OUT STAY OUT - NEVER GO BACK INSIDE.

REMEMBER: Plan ahead – there’s a lot you can do to prevent a fire

EARLY CHILDHOOD

TFS receives regular requests from kindergartens, preschools and child care centres asking for firefighters to visit and teach children about home fire safety.

TFS does not deliver structured fire safety programs to children below primary school age. This decision was made based on research carried out by the Mental Health Services of the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Melbourne. This research indicated that:

• Children under the age of five had low retention of the information they had learned; and
• In some children, the information had actually stimulated their curiosity about fire and they had begun to play with fire.

TFS believes that parents and caregivers are the best people to make sure that very young children are safe from fire. To help with this, TFS has a fire safety website for parents, carers, teachers and students @ www.tfseducation.com.au

TFS has also developed resources for young children that introduce them to the friendly firefighter characters that they will meet when they receive the School Fire Education

Program:

• A colouring book;
• A money box shaped like a fire truck; and
• Stickers with home fire safety messages for the whole family.

Reading in Tasmanian Government Schools

Safeguarding Training

Did you know that as a DECYP employee, volunteer, or external service provider for the department, you must complete Safeguarding Training?

The compulsory training is designed to help us better safeguard kids in Tasmania.

student2student Reader – Parent/Carer Information Sheet

The Smith Family’s student2student program matches an older student (the Buddy) with your child (the Reader) to help improve their reading and confidence.

Your child will be reading for 18 weeks with their Buddy, 2-3 times per week for a minimum of 20 minutes each time.

Every school day matters

Welcome back for another school year – we’re excited for what’s ahead! Start the year right by making every school day count.

There are lots of things you can do to set your child up for success:

Make sure your child goes to school, every day

Going to school every day gives your child every chance to learn and grow, and connect with their mates and teachers. It’s where bright futures start and where they’ll benefit the most.

Get them excited for school

If you show a positive attitude and excitement towards school, your child will pick up on that.

The most common thing we hear from students, of all ages, is that school is where they can:

» spend time with their friends and teachers
» create new and fun experiences
» find their interests
» learn new things
» open up their options – for whatever future they want (whether that’s their dream job or to travel around the world).

Share these positives with your child.

Talk to your child about school

Open up a conversation with your child about what’s happening at school. It will help you to better support their interests and confidence in learning. If you show an interest in school, they’ll know that getting an education is important and valued.

Celebrate the milestones

Big and small! Celebrate milestones such as making it through the first day or week of school. And remember: all milestones look different. If it’s a big achievement for your child, it’s important to recognise it.

Set up a time to talk to your child’s teacher or principal

 If you’re struggling to get your child to school, help is available. Please talk to us at school about your situation. We’ll support you, in whatever way we can. Know when to seek help There is no weakness in admitting you need help. If your child has completely disengaged with school, and not attending at all, there is support to help you. In the first instance, talk to us at school.

For more helpful tips, please check out the Anything can happen website.

2023 School Magazine Orders

If you wish to purchase the 2023 School Magazine, you may do so by filling in your details below and returning this form back to the office. The magazine costs $22.00 and will be ready for collection in 2024 or posted home.   

Community Notices

RHEE TAEKWON-DO – The Family Martial Art

Somerset Soccer Club

Wynyard Fitness – Youth Development 12-16 years

Are you aged between 12-16, and would you like your own gym membership?

Wynyard Fitness’s Youth Development Program is for you.

While completing our 8-week program, held on Monday afternoon’s at 4pm, you will learn everything you need to know when starting out on your gym journey.

Once you have completed the program, you will have the opportunity to become one of our Youth Members at a discounted membership!

Sound good?

Contact us on 6442 3844 or our Facebook page.