As we begin 2024 together, I want to extend a big welcome back to our returning students, families, and staff, as well as extend a warm welcome to those students and families joining us for the first time. Amazingly we have had 23 new enrolments since the beginning of the year. Keep your eyes on our school Face Book (FB) page and newsletter to find out more about our new staff as the term progresses.

The start of a new school year is always a time filled with anticipation and excitement for staff, students and families. It's a chance to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and set goals for the year ahead. While we may face challenges along the way, I have no doubt that together, as a unified school community, we will overcome them and achieve remarkable things. A great example of this already would be the way that our admin team and families have rallied around, through donations, FB community page sales and Op Shop contributions to guarantee that all children were in uniform for the start of the school year whilst we transition to our new uniform supplier.

Our goal as a school is to ensure that all our children are known, safe, well and learning. As a Department and school we know that every day at school matters and we aim to have children attending 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.  If you do experience difficulties in getting your child to school for any reason, it is important that you communicate and work with us to find solutions. Our dedicated staff is prepared to provide the guidance, resources, and encouragement necessary to help every child thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

The end of the day can be quite hectic in and around the school with almost 700 children and numerous parents and accompanying little people leaving the school grounds. Could you please ensure that you talk to your children about using the crossings and take care at all times crossing the roads. Please remember not to park in the no standing zones and ensure that if you are driving to do so below the required speed limit of 40 kmph when within the school zone. Keeping our young people safe is all of our responsibility.

I encourage you to be involved in your child's education in any way that you can. Whether it's attending assemblies, volunteering in the classroom, or simply having conversations about their day, your support makes a world of difference in their success. I appreciate that not all families are able to get into school during the day and invite you to reach out to staff via, email, seesaw or a phone call when needed to share or seek important information about your child.  If you don’t have one already, and you would like to volunteer at school in any capacity, you are required to have a Working With Vulnerable People Card (WWVPC). You can apply via the following link Apply for registration to work with vulnerable people | Service Tasmania

Once again, welcome back to Penguin District School. Here's to a fantastic school year ahead!

Yours in partnership,
Matthew Perry

Kerson brought me great joy today. Kerson shared his writing with me that he was understandably very proud of and was officially our first GOLD CARD for the year.