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- Penguin District School Calendar
- Principal's Report
- Year 5/6 Term 2 News
- Year 5/6 Art Term 2
- Year 10 Art Term 2
- Year 10 RYDA Program
- Green Penguins
- 2025 Primary Communicating with Families Meetings
- Student Free Day and Public Holiday
- MND Hose Down Day - Student Board Fundraiser
- Kinder 2026
- PDS Beanies
- SCHOOL CANTEEN - CAN YOU HELP? VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
- Penguin Playgroup
- School Calendar
For all upcoming events please see the Penguin District School Calendar
GrowthAt PDS, we value growth. We routinely monitor, recognise, and celebrate the progress of our students and staff by frequently reminding everyone of the growth they have made. We encourage students and staff to set goals and to do the hard stuff. I wonder if your child/ren has shared their learning, wellbeing or attendance goals with you? If not, I encourage you to open the conversation.
When students face struggles, confusion, or poor performance, PDS staff respond with support, strategies, and additional opportunities to improve. This approach helps students understand that mistakes are opportunities to learn and it’s all part of the learning process. When students experience failure or find things hard, they may doubt themselves and their abilities. Many students might think they’re not "good enough" for certain subjects. In these moments, PDS staff play a crucial role in re-engaging students and reassuring them of their capabilities. Our staff are dedicated to helping students thrive in school and in life. By fostering the value of growth, we ensure that all students are supported to do the hard thing and achieve beyond their full potential.
What does growth mean to students at PDS?
“I have got better at climbing, I can now climb higher”, Evelyn Kinder.
“I have been doing things better, like listening and I got a gold card for growing”, Kai Prep.
“I always try really hard”, Joseph Year 1.
“Encouraging yourself to do hard things”, Ada Year 2.
“I try my hardest at everything at school as I want to get better ”, Mason Year 3.
“I am focusing on getting better at my handwriting, I listen to adult feedback” Hudson Year 4.
“I set myself challenges e.g. daily I challenge myself to do 10 maths questions”, Aisha Year 5.
“I choose people to sit with that are good learning buddies”, Oaklee Year 6.
“ I aim to improve my skills and grow as a person”, Acen Year 7.
“I give my all and know mistakes are good as long as you learn from them”, Arahni Year 8.
“I step outside of my comfort zone, develop work overtime to make it better and do harder things to make sure I am pushing myself. Tannah Year 9.
“I listen and always give my best effort and help others”, Rose Year 10.
Reminder: Every School Day Matters
As the term approached midway, we wanted to share a timely reminder about the importance of school attendance. Our attendance is sitting just above our goal of 90%.
We love seeing your child/ren at school every day – it’s the best place for them to learn and grow. It’s a chance to be around their friends, learn new things (including life skills), spark their curiosity and have fun. Term 2 is packed with exciting things your child/ren won’t want to miss.
For tips on creating positive attendance habits, visit the Anything can happen website.
Please talk to us if you are having trouble getting your child to school. We are here to help and support is available.
Staffing Update
Will be saying goodbye to Miss Hayley Marshall 3/4C on Wednesday 4 June. Thank you for your dedication and flexibility when working with us over the last few years. You have made a significant impact on our students and the entire school community. We wish Hayley all the best as she moves interstate. Mrs Deb French and Mrs Anita French will be teaching 3/4C for the remainder of the term.
Mr Jade Hughes is taking four weeks leave from Friday 30 May. We wish Mr Hughes all the best for the safe arrival of baby Hughes. Mr Rob Maywald will be stepping into the Acting Assistant Principal secondary role and Miss Sarah Mott will be stepping into the Year 9-12 AST position. Mr Stephen Walsh will be joining us for four weeks to teach some of Miss Mott and Mr Maywald’s classes.
Lastly, I am excited to announce Mr Adrian Beard is the successful candidate for the substantive Primary Assistant Principal position. Mr Beard has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to our students’ success. His ability to connect with both students and staff has been instrumental in creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Congratulations Mr Beard.
Shout outs
- Congratulations to Arahni for receiving the BMS Wayne Hayes Award for her role in Madagascar.
- Well done to the Inter Primary Cross Country Team for their individual efforts and winning ‘A Division’.
- To Oakley, Jayda, Lenny, Jesse, Flynn, Halle, Owen, Koby, Aryannah, Maddison and Josh whose attendance has increased by at least 20% compared to last year.
- To the Penguin Pantry thank you for your donation of fruit for Walk Safely to School Day.
- Our Year 10 students have done an outstanding job completing their 'Life Story' assessments. Each student chose someone special, often a family member, to write about, capturing their life stories with care and creativity. On Tuesday afternoon, students proudly presented their life stories in the theatre, with some families in attendance to celebrate their hard work and achievements. Well done to everyone involved!
Yours in partnership - Angela McAuliffe
Year 5/6 Excursion To The Makers Technology and Innovation Hub
At the beginning of the term, the Year 5/6 classes went on an excursion to The Makers Technology and Innovation Hub, walked the foreshore boardwalk observing penguins in their burrows and had our lunch break at the Burnie Park.
All students had the opportunity to work hands on with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) activities as part of Questacon’s Travelling Science Exhibition. The interactive exhibition explored key scientific principles in a fun and engaging way.
Fascinating Science provided a great way to dive into the world of science. Some of the activities included:
- Playing with mind-bending illusions
- Building a six-sided cube with seven pieces
- Feeling the force of powerful magnets
- Threading a needle with one eye closed
- Solving the ancient puzzle of the Tower of Brahma
- Seeing the world through coloured filters
This is what our students had to say about our excursion:
“I think Questacon was interesting because the activities looked easy, but they were hard. My favourite was the robot controls.” – Isla
“Questacon was fun because we had to solve problems, but in an engaging and inclusive way.” – Montana
“Questacon was a fun experience. One of my favourite parts was when we got to watch a video on storm water rain.” – Billie
“I liked doing the puzzle using the dice it was hard, but I was excited to get it right.” – Riley
“It was really good. I enjoyed the activity where you had to separate the metal rods.” – Lenny
“I thought it was really fun, there was a pyramid puzzle that was challenging, but I enjoyed it". – Alexis
“My highlight from the UTAS Questacon trip was the ball that could move. We got to control it with an iPad, we could make it different colours and speeds and we had to guide it carefully through the maze. It was really fun!” – Eleanor
“My highlight was the exhibits. They were so much fun, and I can imagine the amount of work that went into them.” – Xander
“I liked the dice exhibit and enjoyed the time with my friends.” – Mia
“I liked reading the agriculture info on the wall and there were actually things I didn’t know.” – Lachie
“Questacon was an amazing experience, playing with the activity boards and learning about fascinating science concepts was great. I would 100% go again. As a Year 6 student, I am looking forward to seeing Questacon in Canberra. I would like to give a huge thanks to all of the amazing people who made it fun.” – Lochie
“Questacon was a fun and exciting experience for all. The boards were challenging, while also being fun.” – Nina
“At Questacon we learned new things. They were like magic tricks. We learned about rubbish in water and the effects it has on the environment. We went for a walk on the board walk and saw the penguins!” – Darcie
Year 5/6 have been exploring texture this term. We have started off the term working with clay and developing their skills and techniques in “exploring and making.”
Year 9/10 Art students have explored the theme “portraiture” this term. We have studied the Australia artist “Ben Quilty. We have experimented with different styles of painting techniques and then challenged the idea of what a portrait can look like. Students were encouraged to challenge to reflect on this and develop their own art work reflecting this.
Today our Year 10 students travelled to Camp Clayton to participate in the Rotary Youth Drive Awareness Program (RYDA).
The RYDA workshops cover learning material from basic road rules, risk taking behaviour, car safety features, and the impact that a car accident can have on an individual or communities’ wellbeing.
Students worked with facilitators to develop and practise personalised strategies and life skills which will help them make positive choices, both as drivers and highly influential passengers.
The upcoming Primary Communicating with Families meetings will take place in Week 7. These meetings are a great opportunity to support your child to reflect on their learning across the first part of the year, celebrate successes, and set goals for future growth.
We encourage all families to book an appointment and bring their child along to meetings with teachers.
Please see below for booking link.
