Filter Content
- Penguin District School Calendar
- Principal's Report
- Launching into Learning Update
- Kinder M Excursion
- Year 9/10 Animal Studies Chicks
- Primary Students Visiting Our 9/10 Animal Studies Class
- Bags Of Hope
- Year 9 Health
- Year 9/10 Outdoor Experience
- Inter-high Athletics Carnival
- School Levies and Charges for 2022
- Notice of Penguin District School Association Annual General Meeting
- Penguin District School Association -Major Raffle
- School Calendar
Penguin District School Calendar
For all upcoming events please see the Penguin District School Calendar
Levies
At our recent School Association meeting, the executive passed a motion to make a small increase to school levies for the 2022 school year. In 2016 the school reduced the rates for levies and they have remained at the same figure since that time. The School Association were presented with the departments levy policy, a list of levies from other schools statewide as well as the school’s budget to assist in the discussion and process in coming to a decision for the upcoming school year. Families should have received a notification of levies payable with relevant information including payment options.
School Association AGM
Our School Association will be holding the Annual General Meeting at 5:30pm Tuesday December 14 at the Penguin District School secondary campus. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all members for their contribution to our school across the past 12 months – Paul Kenny, Elisha Franks, Melika Kelly, Brendan Ivory, Mel Grey, Kathryn Smith, Lennice Wilson, Julie McKenna and Nicky Green.
New classes 2022
On Monday December 6, primary campus students met their new teachers from years 1-6. Whilst it has been widely reported in the media that teacher shortages across the country are being experienced, we are very fortunate to be able to confirm our teaching team for 2022.
Primary campus
Mrs Deb Haberle, Mrs Olivia Bracken, Ms Megan Maney, Mrs Pietta Nicholls, Mrs Wendy Radcliff, Mrs Carla Hubbard, Mrs Elisse Gardam, Miss Maddison McCormack, Ms Moira Paterson, Miss Nicky Green, Mrs Lynn Taylor, Mrs Kylie Mudford, Dr Janet Mackenzie, Mr Justin Rattray, Miss Hayley Marshall, Miss Paige Blackett, Miss Maddison Hayward, Mr Damien Rabe, Mrs Bronwyn Enright, Mrs Lyn Brown
Literacy support – Miss Bronwyn Gibson, Mrs Cheryl Wells, Ms Jenny Slater
Specialist lessons – Mr Chris De Ruyter, Miss Abby Goninon, Mrs Christine Lusted, Mr Nick Turner, Ms Jenny Slater and Mr Adam Lane,
Secondary campus
Karina Van Essen, Tash Turner, Nick Owen, Darcy Schake, Amie Dunlop, Bec Van Essen, Ashley King, Jodie Murphy, Noah Johnstone, Sarah Mott, Narelle Butler, Sarah Cappelli, Angela Fitzallen, Beth King, Robert Maywald, Nick Turner, Geoff Davis, Jade Hughes, Abby Goninon, Chris DeRuyter, Jordan Taylor, Matilda Lutwyche and Mat Grining.
School Leadership Team
Mat Grining, Geoff Davis, Matthew Perry, Sarah Cappelli, Adrian Beard, Jessie Eberhardt, Adam Lane, Jodie Murphy, Robert Maywald, Karina Van Essen & Jade Hughes.
Following a number of permanent vacancies due to retirements and school growth, I’m pleased to announce that following recent selection processes that Jade Hughes, Adrian Beard, Jessie Eberhardt and Sarah Cappelli have all been appointed to long term leadership positions at our school. Our primary campus assistant principal position is still to be finalised following Jenny Ashton vacating the position.
I’d like to welcome Beth King, Justin Rattray, Janet Mackenzie, Tash Turner & Sarah Cappelli who will be joining our teaching team for the first time in 2022.
Capital Works Update
Following the announcement that Vos Constructions will be undertaking the contract for the refurbishment of the year 7-12 teaching areas, we have decided that all kinder to year 6 classes will remain at the primary campus for the duration of 2022. Whilst the ‘new’ primary teaching spaces will be open from March/April of next year, they will be required as classrooms for the years 7-12, whilst demolition and renovations take place. I’m sure that our Kinder to year 6 students will be able to enjoy plenty of ‘visits’ to the new areas as part of their transition for 2023.
Public artwork
Jerome and Amanda from Third Door Designs (T3D) provided an update this week of their project through the Tasmanian Public Art Scheme. One of the most exciting aspects of this public art installation has been that students and parent/staff representatives were actively involved in the interviewing and selection of the artists. Their art installation will be sure to evoke a sense of curiosity and wonder for people of all ages. They shared technical specifications and some (much smaller!) 3D models of their sculptures to the panel, which will eventually stand as tall as 2.4m in the canteen courtyard and be visible from a number of vantage points from around the school. Riley, Portia and Molly checked out the final location and got a sense of the visual impact that they will have once completed.
Mat Grining - Principal
Email: mathew.grining@education.tas.gov.au
Launching into Learning Update
This Week
Tuesday - Last Music session
Wednesday - NO PLAYGYM
Thursday - Pop up Sulphur Creek 9am
Friday - Mount Gnomon farm excursion. Please arrive at 9 for a 9:15 departure. Returning at 11.
There will be no sessions next week (13th-17th)
Kinder M’s latest inquiry has been about forces. A force we decided was anything that moved by a push or pull action. To discover forces in action, Kinder M ventured out into the Penguin community. We took the school bus down to the main street of Penguin and to Ferndene Reserve. Firstly in town, the children discovered lots of mechanical objects that were propelled by a push or pull action. On the beach they discovered natural forces. The wind pushed the birds around. The waves crashed on the shore and the seaweed moving in and out with the water.
At Ferndene, the children discovered that the landscape was vastly different from town. At first they couldn’t find any forces. However after hearing the tress rustle and watching the creek run, the children focused on natural forces. We threw sticks, leaves and stones into the creek trying to work out how the water was moving. We enjoyed our two very informative exciting days out.
Year 9/10 Animal Studies Chicks
The animals studies class has hatched some fluffy chicks. After 21 days of incubation 9 out of 10 eggs hatched. The chicks are mixture of silkies and bantams. The students are caring for the chicks for the next 2 weeks then a couple of the students are taking them home to look after until they are old enough to incorporate with their own chicken coops.
Primary Students Visiting Our 9/10 Animal Studies Class
The 9/10 animal studies class had some primary school visitors last week. The students did an excellent job talking to the preps and 1/2’s about the animals at our secondary campus. The students showed our miniature goats, guinea pigs, tadpoles, leafy stick insect, fish and newly hatched chicks.
Thursday the December 2, the PDS donated to The Ulverstone Salvation Army, several Bags of Hope. These Bags of Hope were a culmination of the generosity of our school community, along with the hard work of our Enterprise Group, who raised the money throughout the year to purchase 10 bags worth of products.
A massive thank you to the Penguin community who also participated in donating to this very worthy cause, we have helped a minimum of 15 local families to enjoy Christmas this year.
In Year 9 Health we have been learning about substituting ingredients for healthier alternatives. This week we had a practical lesson. Some results were better than others…
During Week 7 of this Term a group of 18 students in Years 9 and 10 headed off to the East and South-East coast of Tasmania. The trip came about after the cancellation of another ‘Ski Trip’ to Mt Hotham with the lingering effects of COVID and travel restrictions, with the intention of providing an ‘outdoor experience’ in our home state.
On Day 1 we headed to Scamander and participated in a surf lesson with local legend Gary Egan (42 South Surf School) before checking in for a burger and sleep at the Surfside in Beaumaris.
On Day 2 we hit the road again to Freycinet National Park and walked into the well-known Wineglass Bay Lookout and Beach. Hitting the road again, we travelled via Swansea, Orford, and Sorell, to eventually arrive at the Eaglehawk Neck Dive Centre.
Day 3 saw us participate in pool training sessions in small groups, learning the essential skills to safely scuba dive. These included regulating, clearing the mask and breathing through the mouthpiece. With participants ticked off, we headed down to the local beach and Tessellated Pavement site for a look around.
On Day 4, we once again kitted up in our scuba gear and were shuttled to the local boat ramp for the ocean dives. Whilst intimidating at first, all students were able to submerge and enjoy the view below. The viewing included fish, kelp, boulders, a small shark, jellyfish, and a range of small organisms that live underwater. On top of this, was the feeling of being between 5-12m underwater with the dive instructor and our dive partner.
On Day 5 we checked out, stopped by a few local tourist sites, and hit the road home. A really enjoyable week away, where students were challenged to overcome some level of fear to participate in something new and unique, whilst also getting to experience some of Tassie’s best spots.
On Wednesday December 1, 71 students went to the inter-high athletics carnival at Penguin. 57 students competed on the day and 14 students attended as event officials. The grit and determination of all students was exceptional. Penguin finished 4th overall which is an incredible achievement! Congratulations to all students.
We would like to thank Ben and Leanne who prepared a beautiful cooked breakfast for the students to enjoy before they headed up to the track. We would also like to thank Penguin Fruit & Veg as they provided the fruit for a very small cost.
School Levies and Charges for 2022
Levies are one of the many ways that families contribute to the programs and opportunities in our school community. Levies support student learning by contributing towards the cost of essential items and services. Tax invoices for levies will be sent out in the week commencing 7 February 2022. This is a significant change due to the change of financial years in Tasmanian Public Schools.
When setting school levies and charges the school:
- considers inclusive education, community expectations and family financial constraints
- sets levies at the lowest amount possible
- consults with the School Association of the school.
Levies are paid in Term One each year, or can be paid in instalments using a payment plan. Payment plans are available for all families. These will be available from the School Business Manager. Families who are supported through the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) do not need to pay levies.
Book Collection and Validation Form Day will be held on
THURSDAY 27 January 2022 |
10:00 am – 6:00 pm |
Our uniform supplier, Todd Rogers Signs, will also be onsite. IMPORTANT – Validation forms MUST be completed by the enrolling parent (main contact). These forms must be completed on Book Collection Day prior to the collection of book packs.
Levies For 2022
Year level |
Total levy |
Kinder |
$170 |
Prep – Year 2 |
$245 |
Year 3 – Year 5 |
$285 |
Year 6 |
$315 |
Year 7 & 8 |
$475 |
Year 9 & 10 |
$520 |
WHAT CAN BE INCLUDED IN LEVIES AND CHARGES?
LEVIES |
CHARGES |
Levies include costs for items and services that are required to complete the normal educational instruction at the school. Levies include the cost of:
Stationery costs include a stationery pack that students receive at the start of the school year. |
Charges are payments made to the school for items or services that are optional. Charges may apply for:
|
How Do I Pay Levies And Charges?
Levies can be paid:
- At the school (by EFTPOS, cash or cheque)
- At Service Tasmania (by EFTPOS, cash or cheque)
- Through BPAY (using the Biller Code and Reference on your invoice)
- Using Centrepay, a service provided by Centrelink.
Can I Get Help With School Levies?
There are a range of options available to support families with the costs of schooling.
- You are eligible for the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) if you hold a Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card, or Pensioner Concession Card. Once you have applied for STAS, you will not need to pay any levies. You may apply online https://www.education.tas.gov.au/parents-carers/parent-fact-sheets/fees-levies/ or collect a paper application form from your school office.
- Families receiving STAS can access the Spectacles Assistance Scheme to support children who require spectacles.
- Social Worker (uniform assistance)
If you are experiencing financial difficulty or financial hardship, and none of the support options above will work for your family, you can contact the School Business Manager or the Department of Education’s Financial Services Unit at Fin.Serv@education.tas.gov.au or on 1800 827 055.
Who Can I Talk To About Levies?
You are a valued member of our school community and we welcome your feedback on levies and charges at our school.
You can contact the School Business Manager, if you have any questions or would like to talk about levies at our school. Personal information relating to levies will always be treated with total confidentiality.
Notice of Penguin District School Association Annual General Meeting
The Penguin District School Association AGM has been scheduled for Tuesday December 14.
We are calling for nominations for Staff, Parent and Community members to the Committee.
The PDS School Association committee represents parents, staff and community members of the Penguin District School. Its role is to provide members with a way to participate and be involved in supporting the school. The Association works with the Principal to achieve shared outcomes for learners and the whole school. Membership of the Association provides a forum for the sharing of knowledge and skills.
We are seeking for nominations for the following positions:
- 2 Parent Members to the Committee (1 full 2 year term, 1 year term)
- 1 Community Member to the Committee
Those whose term expire are able to renominate. Nominations close on the December 14 at 4:00pm, with a ballot conducted (if required) opening on December 15 and closing on December 17. Should the number of candidates not exceed the number of vacancies, then no voting will be required and all those who nominated will be taken as elected.
Nominations forms can be collected from both primary and secondary campus offices. Completed nomination forms can be given to the Returning Officer Julie McKenna at the secondary office. If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact Julie McKenna on 64342222 or Julie.mckenna@education.tas.gov.au
School Holidays
13 Apr 2024 - 28 Apr 2024 |
|
First Day Term 2
All day |
|
Nature Kinder A
All day Recurring event |
|
School Netball Begins
All day |
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Year 7 and 10 Immunisations -
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
|
Nature Kinder A
All day Recurring event |