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- Penguin District School Calendar
- Principal's Report
- Clever Penguins
- Kindergarten to Year 12 – “Off and away all day”
- Thank you
- Gold Cards
- Renaessance Artists
- Sensory Garden
- Christmas Assembly
- Early Childhood Presentation Assembly
- Year 3 to 10 Presentation Assembly
- Principal's End of Year Address
- Year 9 and 10 Woodwork and Metalwork
- Book Sales
- Year 7 Camp 2020
- Year 8 Survival Camp 2020
- School Calendar
- Basketball Tasmania Holiday Camp
- Burnie Disc Golf Youth Championship 2019
Penguin District School Calendar
For all upcoming events please see the Penguin District School Calendar
I am pleased to announce that the we have been able to finalise our staffing profile for 2020. Whilst I publicly acknowledged the contributions of long standing staff members Sharine Johnstone, Deb Lutwyche, Janeen Lillas, Damien Pursell and Jason Faulkner in our assembly, I’d like to also thank and celebrate the contributions of staff that will be starting the school year in new schools/roles. Thank you to Duncan Murfet for his excellent leadership in establishing our 11/12 program. There is a significant body of work behind this, and we have benefited from Duncan’s experience and calm, measured approach in commencing our journey in to 11/12. Duncan has been appointed as principal of Havenview Primary School from the beginning of 2020 and we wish him well in his new role. Narelle Maher has been a positive, vibrant educator and leader that has established some fabulous connections with the students and families across grade 4-5. We know that her students are sad that she won’t be continuing with us, but we know that she will have a great impact as she returns to Nixon Street next year. Steven Jones has built great relationships and provided some memorable moments with the students in his 3/4 class across terms 3 and 4. We wish Steven well for the future. Melinda Dykman has run our playgym program on Tuesdays which has been a real hit with our families. We know Melinda will be a great asset to the next school community she is working within. Thank you to Jasmine Biere, Alex French and Misha Frankcombe for the outstanding learning support they have provided students across our school. Jasmine will be heading interstate, Misha will be joining the School of Special Education and Alex will be undertaking the final year of his teacher qualification.
Our school leadership team will include, Mr Mat Grining (Principal), Mr Matt Perry (Assistant Principal Primary), Mr Geoff Davis (Assistant Principal Secondary), Mr Adrian Beard (Literacy Coach), Mrs Karina Van Essen, Mr Adam Lane, Mrs Jessie Eberhardt, Ms Jodie Murphy, Mr Matthew Smart, Mr Robert Maywald, (Advanced Skills Teachers)
Kinder – Mrs Deb Haberle
Kinder - Mrs Olivia Bracken
Kinder - Ms Megan Maney
Prep – Mrs Carla Hubbard & Mrs Wendy Radcliff
Prep – Mrs Pietta Nicholls
Prep/1 – Ms Nicky Green
Grade 1 – Mrs Lynne Taylor
Grade 1/2 – Miss Maddison McCormack
Grade 1/2 – Ms Jenny Slater
Grade 2 – Ms Moira Paterson
Grade 3/4 – Miss Gill Pratt
Grade 3/4 – Mrs Jenna Langham
Grade 3/4 – Mrs Kylie Mudford
Grade 4/5 – Mrs Deb French
Grade 5/6 – Ms Jenni Maartensz
Grade 5/6 – Mrs Bronwyn Enright
Grade 5/6 – Mrs Lyn Brown
Literacy Support – Mrs Cheryl Wells
Music – Mrs Christine Lusted/Mr Nick Turner
PE – Mrs Karina Van Essen/Miss Abby Goninon
Japanese – Miss Mina Howe
Digital Technology – Mr Adam Lane
Secondary Campus Teachers
Jodie Murphy, Nick Owen, Adam Conkie, Angela Fitzallen, Geoff Davis, Nick Turner, Narelle Butler, Amie Dunlop, Ashley King, Sheila Sherriff, Jade Hughes, Kirsten Rockliff, Robert Maywald, Phil Hawley, Abby Goninon, Jordan Taylor, Sarah Mott, Mina Howe & Mathew Smart
Best wishes to all of our families for a safe and enjoyable holiday break. Thank you for your connection and support of our school during the 2019 school year. We look forward to working with you all again in 2020.
Warm regards
Mr Mat Grining – Principal
Mat Grining
Email: mathew.grining@education.tas.gov.au
Congratulations to Alicia S who has been selected for the U15 Burnie State League Netball team and also Charlotte W who has been listed as a reserve.
Surf Life Saving Tasmania have recently selected their state U14 and U15 team to compete on the Sunshine Coast, QLD at the end of January 2020. Three of the ten males representing Tasmania are from Penguin District School. Congratulations to Noah, Fletcher and Alex.
Penguin District School values the contribution that students make within the community, please keep us informed of significant student achievements by emailing penguin.district.school@education.tas.gov.au or send a message via the Penguin District School Facebook page.
Kindergarten to Year 12 – “Off and away all day”
From the commencement of Term 2, 2020 all Tasmanian Government Schools from Kindergarten to Year 12 will need to implement restrictions on the use of mobile phones by students at school. The Minister for Education and Training announced this policy in November, 2019.
Kindergarten to Year 12 – “Off and away all day”
The decision to restrict the use of mobile phones by students during the school day will support schools to minimise distraction from learning and encourage healthy and positive personal interactions.
The policy has been developed in consultation with schools, School Associations and students.
From the start of the school day to the end of the school day, students must have their mobile phones switched off and stored. All communication with students during the school day must go through the school office.
This policy applies to all students, unless they meet the requirements of an approved exemption.
Exemptions may be considered where students require the use of their mobile phone for educational adjustments, monitoring health conditions or other extenuating circumstances. There may also be instances where teachers permit students to use their mobile phones for educational purposes.
If you would like to discuss an exemption for your child or have any questions about the policy please contact Geoff Davis.
Geoff Davis
Email: geoffrey.davis@education.tas.gov.au
Three new pieces of Primary artwork are on display at the Renaessance Café in Main Street. Please drop in to see the lovely pieces of art by Emmie, Zoe and Tahlia.
Principal's End of Year Address
Education in our town has a proud history of breaking new ground. Going in to the unknown requires you to have a well-considered plan for a future that is aspirational, as well as a growth mindset, courage to have the conviction for what you are doing is the right thing, and a bit of resilience to work through those moments when the going is tough. Recently I was told about how Penguin was the first school in the state to have the courage to offer textiles and typing classes to all students. Hard to believe that our teachers were challenged on why they’d take a risk on having both girls and boys touchtyping and sewing! But they worked through their plan, celebrated the successes and it soon became the norm in all schools statewide. 41 years on, the next piece of ‘new ground’ that we will be breaking, will be establishing the foundations for our major redevelopment in term 3 of next year. Whilst it is of a different nature, it still requires those same values and a focus of how we will ensure that we are creating the best possible opportunities for our students.
Whilst we are on the cusp of a building project that will have a tremendous impact on our community, it is critical that this doesn’t provide a distraction to the immediate responsibilities for teaching and learning. The Project Working Group have worked through some initial challenges to now have a school design that we believe will be a great model that many other communities will aspire for. I’d like to thank the working group and everyone in our school community that has engaged in the consultation process to this point.
Thank you to the hard working and committed teaching and support staff that we have at Penguin. Our teaching teams with leadership from Mr Matt Perry and Mr Geoff Davis, have been willing to step out of their comfort zone, trial new strategies, teach across other schools, and work collaboratively; with our schools growth highlighted with some of our teachers invited to share their learning with colleagues around the state.
2019 has been a year of firsts on many fronts. We have commenced our 11/12 program, opened up our school to exchange students from Taiwan, partnered with a number of sporting organisations for Athlete Development, held colour run fundraisers, pop-up playgroups and outreach programs, contemporary dancing and a record number of students on work placements. Inquiry is now a key feature of how we teach in the early years and we’ve had our older students serving the first coffees to the public from our Railway Café.
We must all work together as a community and I ask that families accept the invitation to communicate openly and freely with our school, and take any invitation to work towards your children having a successful year of learning and achieving. Our responsibility as a school is to ensure that our environment is welcoming and engaging to all families and that we are providing the opportunities to strengthen partnerships with our community. I am determined that our school will be considered the centre of the community and that the concept of community, will always be central to how we operate as a school.
Our students have all achieved something special throughout the year that they can be proud of. Whether it is learning about the changes in the seasons with the Kinder tree, getting on stage for the first time in an Eisteddfod, making someone new to our school feel welcome, braving the mountain bike trails in PE, approaching your first pre-tertiary exams in Maths Methods, finding the courage to nominate for a student leadership position or just feeling more confident to speak your mind. Please join me in congratulating all of our students.
The end of the school year brings with it mixed emotions as we need to say some farewells.
Starting the 2020 school year will feel quite different for our school as we farewell 5 dedicated and committed teachers that have been a constant with us for so many years.
Mrs Sharine Johnstone’s passions for sustainability and maintaining a special place for students to enjoy our Sensory Garden will be lasting legacies from her time with us at Penguin. Mrs Johnstone always held high expectations around literacy and numeracy, mixed with authentic learning in the garden and visual arts to provide balanced and engaging programs to the children in her care.
Mrs Deb Lutwyche started at Penguin in 2007. The students that started Kinder in Mrs Lutwyche’s first year had just finished grade ten last year. Her exceptionally warm and kind personality and welcoming classroom for parents and their children, has provided hundreds of Penguin students with the perfect start to their education.
Mrs Janeen Lillas’ commitment to education in our town goes beyond her time as a teacher. Janeen is also one of a small number of life members of our school parent group from her time when her two daughters went through Penguin Primary. This passion for the community extended to Janeen’s teaching with a desire to have her students have a strong understanding of where they are from, and how they can contribute to their town.
Mr Damien Pursell has been an integral member of our health and PE team for 12 years. Extracurricular opportunities can only happen with committed staff, and many students have Mr Pursell to thank for being able to hit the slopes at Mt Hotham or in trying to land a trout at the school fishing titles, amongst other memorable moments.
Mr Jason Faulkner will be leaving us after 11 years to teach on King Island. Jason’s commitment to keeping parents connected is always appreciated, as are the exciting literacy and technology based opportunities he provides his class, from animation to student poetry readings. Jason is always generous in his time for students and looking to build on their passions.
Please join us celebrating and acknowledging these long standing staff members.
Mr Duncan Murfet has led the successful implementation of our year 11/12 program. His genuine care, interest and connection with students is unparalleled and Havenview Primary will benefit from him leading their community as principal from 2020.
Thank you to Narelle Maher, Mischa Frankcombe, Alex French, Melinda Dykman, Jasmine Biere, Steven Jones and Ian Forbes for your work since joining our school in recent times. We value the contributions you have made to our school and wish you well in to next year.
I would like to publicly thank the parents of all of our children. Thank you for preparing your children for every day, remaining connected with your child’s teachers and for making every day count by valuing your child’s time at school. Our school is considered to have a very high level of attendance, and that can be directly attributed to your connectedness. We were reminded of this recently when one of our house groups had 98% attendance at the athletics carnival last month. I’d like to acknowledge the students and their families across our school that have made a priority of getting to school on time, each and every day and as a result have 100% attendance.
I appreciate the time that parent volunteers have invested in our school by volunteered in a variety of ways across either campus. It’s wonderful to have more people putting their hand up to add value to our school. Thank you to our School Association, led by our outgoing Chairperson Tim Powell. The School Association have had a busy year with a focus on increasing the engagement with the broader school community. Thank you to the representatives of this group for your strong advocacy of our school.
Finally I’d like to acknowledge the most important people, and that is the children that we spend each and every school day with. We are inspired by the respect, kindness, care and consideration you show for each other. I would like to end my address by telling you how proud I am to be a part of your school. Congratulations on a successful year and thank you for your support.
29
Wed
29 Jan 2020
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
29
Wed
29 Jan 2020
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Our 2020 Book Sales will be held in the Penguin Community Learning Centre (Primary Campus hall)
PLEASE NOTE
PARENTS OR GUARDIANS WHO BPAY THEIR LEVIES PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED BOOK SALES DAY CAN COME INTO THE PRIMARY CAMPUS OFFICE (9:00 AM TO 1:00 PM ANY WEEK DAY FROM TUESDAY 21 JANUARY UNTIL FRIDAY 24 JANUARY 2020) TO COLLECT YOUR BOOKS AND COMPLETE STUDENT VALIDATION FORMS.
Payment of Levies/Book Sales
- Payment of levies are to be made on/by book sales day and payment be made by
- Cash or credit card
- Bpay, Bpoint
- Service Tasmania
- Parents or guardians are encouraged to discuss payment of levies and charges as early as possible if there is potential difficulty or financial hardship. To discuss payment options please speak with our School Business Manager, Max Brown
- A levy instalment plan will be made available to parents or guardians who are unable to make a full payment at the beginning of the new school year. This plan offers flexible, sensitively negotiated payment options to assist parents or guardians to budget for this cost. Payments can be made weekly, fortnightly or at other agreed times after payment of an affordable deposit.
Validation Forms
Validation Forms must be completed on book sales day in 2020. These forms have important information that MUST be updated every year. To ensure important emergency contact information is recorded on your validation form, we ask that you have with you the names, addresses and phone numbers for these contacts. Please allow approximately 5 minutes per child for the completion of these forms.
29
Wed
29 Jan 2020
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
13
Thu
13 Feb 2020 - 14 Feb 2020
9:00 AM to 2:50 PM
13
Thu
13 Feb 2020 - 14 Feb 2020
9:00 AM to 2:50 PM
The Year 7 Camp will be at Camp Banksia at Port Sorell on Thursday 13 February and Friday 14 February. The purpose of the camp is to be a getting to know you and team building experience for all students as they start their first year at the secondary campus of the school. There is no cost for this camp, other than the contribution you have already made as part of the school levies.
Students will leave at 9:00am on Thursday 13 February returning at 2:50pm on Friday 14 February. This is the same as the usual school finishing time, however, please be aware that it might be easier to pick your child up from school as they will have all of their camp gear with them.
Students will be visiting the Ulverstone Waterslide on the way back from Camp Banksia. This is the only aquatic activity that will be part of the camp. Even though we are close to the beach at Port Sorell, students will not be able to enter the water.
Please find below a list of items your child will need to pack for the camp:
- Sleeping bag and pillow (or alternatively sheet, doona and pillow)
- Pyjamas
- Underwear and socks for 2 days
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trousers/track pants/shorts
- Change of shoes
- Thongs (for showers)
- Long sleeve tops /jumpers /jackets (warm clothing)
- Wetsuit /swimming gear for the Ulverstone Waterslide (optional)
- Toiletries – including sunscreen
- Towels – shower and beach
- Waterproof jacket
- Sun hat and beanie
- Torch
- Garbage bag for dirty clothing
- Writing pad, pen, pencil
- Drink bottle
- Roll-on deodorant (no spray deodorants allowed)
FOOD
Students are required to supply their own lunch on the first day (Thursday). There will be no canteen or shopping options available. Tea on Thursday, and breakfast and lunch on Friday will be catered for by Camp Banksia. Students are able to bring snack foods if they choose but are encouraged to bring only limited amounts of sugary foods.
OPTIONAL (BROUGHT AT STUDENT’S OWN RISK)
Cameras, watches, books to read and sunglasses. (Students are required to hand all electronic devices including mobile phones to staff members during the night time, to ensure a more restful sleep for everyone.)
MEDICATION
A medical consent form and an aquatic (water based) activity consent form will be available at book sales day to complete with your child’s validation form. Medication required, on a daily basis, is to be given to Mr Hawley the day of the camp. Please place in a named and sealed plastic bag, in the original packaging, with clear instructions for administration and use. Please also ensure you have returned the Medical Administration Plan, Forms A or B (or both) prior to the camp. All required documentation will need to be returned by Friday 7 February, 2020, to ensure arrangements can be finalised. No return means no attendance.
Note: If you require or have any questions in relation to Form A or B, please contact the office.
BEHAVIOUR
Students are expected to follow the school’s standard of behaviour at all times. The camp, like any other school activity is of course strictly alcohol and drug free. Failure of a student to behave appropriately will involve a parent or carer being contacted to take their child home, along with follow-up disciplinary action.
EMERGENCY CONTACT
In case of an emergency, the camp’s phone number is 6428 6121 or alternatively a staff member will have the school’s mobile phone at camp. The number is 0427 057 579. Please contact us through the means listed above.
13
Thu
13 Feb 2020 - 14 Feb 2020
9:00 AM to 2:50 PM
Phil Hawley
Email: philip.hawley@education.tas.gov.au
13
Thu
13 Feb 2020 - 14 Feb 2020
9:00 AM to 2:50 PM
13
Thu
13 Feb 2020 - 14 Feb 2020
9:00 AM to 2:50 PM
The Year 8 ‘Survival Camp’ will be held at Paton Park, North Motton on Thursday 13 February, 2020 and Friday 14 February, 2020. The cost of the camp is covered in school levies; transport, hire of the camp site, general camp necessities and all activities are catered for.
During grade assemblies, students will be informed of the eating arrangements for the ‘Survival Camp’. Students will need to organise the food and equipment required for both days of camp (with breakfast being the only exception; breakfast on Friday morning will be supplied by the school). How students organise the purchase or collection of food will be their decision. This will need to be coordinated with parents / guardians in students’ own time. Penguin District School will provide general camp necessities (along with breakfast on the Friday morning).
A camp itinerary will not be sent home with students; all activities are top secret and are not to be revealed to the ‘troopers’. Prior knowledge may give students an unfair advantage and a greater chance of overall success. Students will participate in a mixture of physically and mentally challenging activities designed to promote independence and responsibility. The camp provides students with the opportunity to face real challenges and to experience and develop important life skills. Those skills include recognising and regulating emotions, developing empathy for others, establishing positive relationships, making responsible decisions, working effectively as part of a team and handling challenging situations constructively.
Students will leave for camp on Thursday 13 February, 2020 at approximately 9:00 am. Therefore, they can make their way to school as per a normal school day. Return time on Friday 14February, 2020 will be 2:40 pm. Therefore, students will also be able to return home as per a normal school day at the conclusion of the camp.
A medical consent form, which includes a special dietary requirements section, an aquatic (water based) activity consent form and a Tas Laser Skirmish consent form will be available at book sales day to complete with your child’s validation form. Medication required, on a daily basis, is to be given to Mr Conkie the day of the camp. Please place in a named and sealed plastic bag, in the original packaging, with clear instructions for administration and use. Please also ensure you have returned the Medical Administration Plan, Forms A or B (or both) prior to the camp. All required documentation will need to be returned by Friday 7 February, 2020, to ensure arrangements can be finalised. No return means no attendance.
* Note: If you require or have any questions in relation to Form A or B, please contact the office a.s.a.p.
If there are any queries concerning the camp, please do not hesitate to call during school hours on 6434 2222. In case of an emergency whilst students are on camp, Paton Park’s phone number is 6425 6552. Alternatively, a staff member will have the school’s mobile phone at camp. The number is 0427 057 579 and may be called at any time.
Paton Park has kitchen facilities that staff will be using. Students will not be using the kitchen in line with the challenges they are set. There are outdoor sinks with hot water for students to wash up in, as well as shower facilities (with hot water).
Students will be cooking their meals on fire pots. Alternatively, they have the option of bringing a small gas cooker from home.
Students will be permitted to bring mobile phones to camp for restricted use. They will be allowed to ring home or be contacted between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm (unless contact is of a matter of importance / urgency). Mobile phones will be prohibited during all other times on camp. Students will have their phone confiscated if caught using it without permission outside of the designated time.
We understand this is a lot of information to take in. Therefore, if you have any problems or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Clothing, Toiletries & Other Equipment
We are going to have a great time, but we need to make sure we are organised. Be prepared for cold / wet weather, as well as fine / warm weather.
Student Checklist
Drink bottle
Clothes (warm)
Coat (must be water proof)
Tea-Towel
Towel
Toiletries
Torch
Cutlery
Can opener
Pot
Frying Pan
Food
Esky (small)
Sleeping Bag
Pillow
Hat
Sunscreen
Medication (if required)
Suitable Shoes
Spare socks and shoes
Washing Cloth
Umbrella (optional)
Further information, a list of items supplied by the school, along with a student organisation document will be provided early in 2020.
13
Thu
13 Feb 2020 - 14 Feb 2020
9:00 AM to 2:50 PM
Adam Conkie
Email: adam.conkie@education.tas.gov.u