Welcome to the 2021 school year at Penguin District School! A special welcome to those students, families and staff who are new to our school community. This year we have 667 enrolled students from Kinder to Grade 12, with 47 children beginning their formal schooling journey with us in Kindergarten.

As you know, our teachers returned to school last Monday and used this time to ensure that everything was ready to welcome students back for an exciting start to their 2021 learning program. Our teachers have put a lot of time into preparing classrooms and making sure that our children have an exciting and engaging learning program – thank you to our teachers for this. Thank you to our school attendants who worked hard to make our school and grounds clean and looking beautiful. Our office and support staff did a tremendous job during book sales and thank you for the support that you provided to ensure this is a smooth process. A final thank you to the parents for sending children to school looking so smart in their uniforms and for covering and naming books, pencils etc. —the kids look terrific!

With a growing student population, I’d like to also welcome a number of new staff: Mrs Elisse Gardam (Prep), Mrs Sarah Carr (Grade 1-2), Miss Maddison Hayward (Grades 5-6), Mr Damien Rabe (Grade 5-6), Miss Darcy Schake (Grade 7-10) & Mr Noah Johnstone (Grade 7-10). Our support team will extend to include Lillie McPherson joining our team of teacher assistants and Denise Thorp as our canteen manager. Next newsletter we will publish our full staff list and contact details.

Changes to Bus Services

The Department of State Growth are responsible for managing bus contracts for all Tasmanian schools. With our school numbers growing, we are closely monitoring the provision of bus services for our local families. If you have some observations/recommendations to share, please email them through to our school administration penguin.district.school@education.tas.gov.au

Notifiable Illnesses

We are aware of reports of a number of young people affected by viruses/illnesses across the north west coast. A reminder that if you child is ill for any reason, that it is a requirement that the school administration team is notified as soon as possible.

Communication Regarding Excursions

During book sales, all parents are required to update their children’s contact information and permissions for a range of school activities. One of the permissions that parents are able to grant is for their child to participate in local excursions. We have defined local excursions as being of low risk activity, in the school intake area that is serviced by our local buses, or to other Department of Education sites outside of our bus route, and that would be for no longer than a school day in duration. The bus area incorporates, Ulverstone through to Heybridge and southwards to South Riana. For any other excursions, parents/guardians will be asked to complete a permission form and return to school for their children to be able to participate.

Capital Works Update

Our school redevelopment is taking shape with the first areas to be handed over to the school in the next few weeks. Our Food & Fibre Technology areas will be the first areas that we will be able to enjoy that have undergone a significant change. 

Canteen

Please note that our school canteen will commence from week 3 of this term.

School Uniform and Hats

Our uniforms are very distinctive and many new families to the school commented on how wonderful our students looked in full school uniform on the first day.  Please ensure that children also have appropriate footwear as per our uniform policy that has been approved by our School Association.

Penguin District School is a ‘sun-safe’ school and hats are required in Terms 1 and 4 for playing outside during recess and lunch breaks and during PE.  ‘Sun-safe’ hats are available for purchase from the secondary campus office for $14-$17.

https://penguindistrict.education.tas.edu.au/forms-documents/uniform