Wednesday 4 June

Principal News

Thank you to all who came along and helped with and/or purchased from the TPSA Legislative Council Election BBQ and Cake Stall. Two fundraising events in one month wasn't an issue for our hardworking volunteers and TPSA committee members and their efforts were so highly appreciated by us all. I look forward to next week's TPSA meeting and hearing more.

Thank you also to those families that attended last Friday's Celebration of Learning Assembly, which showcased some of the classroom learning that occurred throughout Reconciliation Week. Rich experiences took place right across the school and a gallery of images has been included below if you were unable to attend. 

Project Lifesaver

If you have visited our front office recently you would have noticed that we now have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) outside the front entrance to our school administration area. An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest by detecting dangerous heart rhythms and delivering a safe electric shock to restore normal heart function. When cardiac arrest happens, the heart suddenly stops beating, and blood stops flowing through the body. An AED can help restart the heart and restore blood flow. AEDs are designed to be user-friendly, providing clear voice and visual instructions to guide users through the process, even if they have no medical training. Simply turning on the machine will start voice prompts telling you what to do. 

The AED was installed as a part of Project Lifesaver. This project is designed to ensure that these life-saving devices are more accessible, demonstrating DECYP's dedication to providing timely and effective emergency response capabilities across the state, ultimately saving lives and fostering a safer environment for everyone!

School Improvement Priority 2: Wellbeing for Learning

Student voice is actively sought and acted upon at TPS in many ways, supporting our work in promoting a culture of learning aligned to our School Improvement Priority 2: Wellbeing for Learning. 

As mentioned in our last newsletter, student leaders were recently asked to gather Prep - Year 6 student ideas for new daily fitness activities and participate in workshops with teachers to consider these suggestions from an inclusive lens to determine if they could be run in the spaces available to us, with the resources that we currently have. 

Last Thursday's session with the students was so productive. The leaders collated and assessed all of the suggestions to create a list of daily fitness activities for further consideration by the DF working group.  This next stage of work will happen over the coming weeks in collaboration with our school's Inclusive Practice Coach, Sarah Quigley, and external physiotherapists from Panda Therapy, who are excited to assist with making basic modifications to activities / games to ensure accessibility for all. 

Moderation Day / Student Free Day: Friday 6 June

This week is a short week with our student free day.

On Friday, our teaching team will be working hard moderating Mathematics tasks with staff from Lansdowne Crescent Primary School, Goulburn Street Primary School and Sandy Bay Infant School in the morning session, reviewing our Attendance and Engagement strategies in the middle of the day and renewing first aid qualifications after lunch.  It will certainly be a busy and fun day of learning for our team.  Please contact Lady Gowrie if you need care for your children on the day.

Best wishes

Danielle

B Kinder Calendar for June

Our b Kinder Ambassadors and Kindness Club members put together a calendar for the month of June to help us remember to be kind every single day!

We hope that everyone will join in the fun and spread the kindness message!

Taroona Awards

Congratulations to the following students who received a Taroona Award at our last assembly. 

• Connection: Arlo C, Augie B.B, Harry B & Luna Z
• Courage: Alex N
• Growth: Lilly H, Lloyd A, Ben P & Rio M
• Respect: Rose W, An T & Estinne N
• Responsibility: Georgia L 
• All 5 Values: Scarlett M, Ivy M, Isabel M, Tibault N, Monty D, Indigo N, Jack S & Soph S

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June and is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements. This year’s theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future.

1-2A

1-2A created yarning sticks and bush creatures from wool and sticks. 

Kinder B

Kinder Bandicoots have been learning about the Aboriginal flag and the special meaning behind its colours. This week we made patterns and painted flags onto our hands to hang in our classroom. 

We have been creating our class Acknowledgements of Country. A copy of this book is on display at the front office. If you are passing by, please come in and have a look at this very special piece of work. 

5-6A participated in Gumnuts to Buttons, developed in Tasmania in 2002, by Mr Philip Kelly and the Aboriginal Education Unit of Tasmania. It is a visual and interactive simulation activity to assist participants to gain an understanding and empathy for the history of the Aboriginal community.

Classroom News

Kinder A

The magic of Autumn has been gently weaving its way through our Kinder Wombats classroom. This seasonal shift has not only changed the landscape outside but has sparked curiosity and wonder within our young learners. From their natural inquisitiveness, many questions began to bloom: Why do the leaves change colour? Will they come back? Our “Word of the Week” – deciduous – opened the door to playful experimentation with Autumn themed art.

Big words like deciduous and evergreen soon had us thinking more deeply about our environment – the places in nature where we love to play, explore, and learn. One conversation led to another, and soon we found ourselves talking about Country and how we can care for it. This meaningful thread of thought inspired the student’s beautiful landscape drawings.

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In other news, our curious Kinder​ kids are becoming true blue ornithologists with visits from a Tawny Frogmouth, a Boobook Owl, and our own endemic species the Green Rosella... we’ve had so much fun getting close and chatty with our taxidermy feathered friends from the Tasmania Museum and Art Gallery. From many memorable moments like “Miss Ruby! Mr Tawny moved!” to staring contests and moments of stillness and observation – our feathered friends not only sparked conversation between peers but they inspired pieces of art and creativity.

Finally, here are some pictures from our Mother’s Day Pamper Afternoon. This was a heart-warming experience for our Kinder Wombat and Kinder Bandicoot students to deepen their sense of belonging in their classroom by spoiling their Mum for Mother’s Day. Nails were painted, portraits came to life and many smiles and laughs were shared. The room was beaming with joy!

Music

Champions Cross Country Carnival

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the Interschool Cross Country, held at Bayview Secondary College on Tuesday.

We were so proud of all the students that attended. They gave 100% and displayed wonderful manners and behaviour throughout the day. Unbelievable weather, too!

Thanks to Ben Crombie, Rebecca Bowden and all the teachers who assisted on the day. I am very grateful – what a great team! Thank you, too, to the TPS Admin Team. These events wouldn’t happen, if not for them.

The next phase is the Tasmanian All Schools Primary Cross Country.

If your child came in the top 30 at the Interschool carnival and is willing to participate, you will need to register them.

To register, follow the link below and click on the green ‘Portal for Individuals’

Primary – Tuesday 17th of June:

https://www.tasathletics.org.au/events/294585

https://www.onlineentry.com.au/XCPrimary_Tas_2025.aspx

The event is on Tuesday 17^ June 2025 at Symmons Plains Raceway.

Parents/carers must transport students and supervise as no TPS staff will be attending.

Thanks and congratulations again,

Adrian Stepnell                                                       

Launching into Learning - Term 2

Kindergarten 2026

Please fill out the form below to secure your spot for Kindergarten 2026!

https://forms.office.com/r/kibUHyLYGH

Sushi Volunteers Needed Urgently!

Safeguarding Update

A copy of the 2025 Risk Management Plan for Safeguarding Risks at Taroona Primary School is available to download below.

TPS Safeguarding Risk Management Plan 2025 Term 1 update

A reminder that all people engaging with schools are required to watch a short 15-minute video about the obligations of a volunteer in DECYP and send their certificate to the school (taroona.primary@decyp.tas.gov.au). The training is valid for 12-months, prior to requiring to be viewed again.  

You can access the video via Safeguarding Training - Department for Education, Children and Young People.  

For more information go to the Safeguarding Training webpage, which includes frequently asked questions. 

School Health Padlet

There are some fantastic links in the Padlet below focusing on Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sleep, Online Safety, Nutrition, Friendships and more. Thank you to our wonderful School Health Nurse, Deirdre for creating this! 

Health and Wellbeing Information (padlet.com)

Online Safety

The eSafety Commissioner provides a range of resources and tools for parents and caregivers who are supporting children and young people to have safe and enjoyable experiences online. Click on the link to find out more!

Parents | eSafety Commissioner

2025 School Term Dates

Term 2: Monday 28 April to Friday 4 July

Term 3: Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September

Term 4: Monday 13 October to Thursday 18 December

Student Free Days in 2025

Friday 6 June

Friday 24 October

Move Well Eat Well