For all upcoming events please see the Penguin District School Calendar

This week has provided us with many opportunities to reflect on one of key school values.  Aspiration is about having dreams, hopes or ambitions and then developing goals to help you achieve these.  Being aspirational and having high standards of ourselves and others is something that was evident in a range of settings this week at PDS.

Thursday’s primary assembly was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate some of our most aspirational student achievements.  Our Aspiration Award recipients, Aussies of the month, Science Investigation and Australian Maths Competition winners were all on showcase.  Congratulations to all these award and certificate recipients.

Thankyou once again to the families that took the time to celebrate their child’s learning achievements at the Communicating Learning with Family meetings.    This opportunity was another great chance to support our students as they work towards their personal learning goals. 

Examples of aspirational goals I have witnessed this week have included Hannah and Chad aspiring to demonstrate the Olympic values, our Secondary students writing a book in a day, Clementine aspiring to play happy birthday on the Saxophone and Elijah dreaming of becoming an AFL footballer.  Our Secondary netballers have competed in the North West School Championships this week with all teams in the top 3.  We would also like to congratulate Willow as she will compete in Victoria at the National U/14 Club Championships.

As the end of term nears and the days get longer and warmer, I invite you to have a conversation with your child about their aspirational hopes and dreams for the future.

Staffing update

It is with mixed emotions that we'd like to let our school community know that Mrs Moira Paterson will be joining Riana Primary School beginning in Term 4, into 2024 and beyond. Mrs Deb French and Mrs Sharine Johnstone will be continuing to provide quality learning opportunities for 1/2 B throughout the remainder of 2023. 

Moira has been given the opportunity to assist in the development of their nature curriculum and this is an area she is deeply passionate about. Moira has been at Penguin District School for over 10 years and has had a profound impact on many students since that time. Her skills and knowledge in the areas of sustainability and biodiversity, coupled with an inquiry approach, has seen children being visible in our community during 'Wonder Walks' and creating many partnerships along the way. We wish her all the best in her new adventures up the hill and look forward to utilising her skill set in the future as our partnership with Riana grows. 

Yours in partnership

Adrian Beard

Children from Grade 1/2 Paterson have enjoyed using all their senses in the Sensory Garden this term. They have listened and heard the birds, bees, wind and distant traffic. They have smelt and tasted vegetables, flowers and herbs. They have felt the many textures of plants in the garden. Finally they found flowers and leaves to match a coloured card and collected a bunch of flowers to take home to share with their family. It was lots of fun in the garden.

Penguin District School choirs recently performed at the Devonport Eisteddfod receiving high praise from the adjudicator Amanda Hodder. 

Ms Hodder is a former lecturer at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music and a passionate supporter of school and community choirs. She was impressed with the energy, enthusiasm, accurate pitch and attentiveness displayed by our choirs. Our students were very excited to earn the placings below. 

Boys Choir - Primary Boys Choir 1st

Girls Choir - Primary Choir 1st

Vivace - Under 14 Choir 1st

Vivace - Junior Primary School Choir 2nd

We are planning to hold an evening concert in term 4 so families and friends can hear what we have achieved by collaborating together this year. 

Christine Lusted, 

Early Term 3, Grade 5/6 students came up with a science investigation they were interested in running. They planned how they intended to carry out their testing, sourced the equipment needed then conducted their investigation. The range of topics was impressive and standard of work incredibly high.

Wednesday 30th August, the Grade 5/6 students partook in the 2023 Penguin District Science Fair. With over 60 different investigations the students displayed their scientific skills by posing a question, that could be investigated and tested, created a hypothesis, conducted an experiment and collected and displayed their data.

The students then displayed their findings on a science board for eight judges to walk around, ask them questions and score their investigations. 25 investigations made it to the second round which allowed them to represent the school at the 2023 Burnie Work Science Fair. 

The judges praised the overall standard of the work and were amazed with the student’s incredible ability to communicate their ideas. The judges had the extremely difficult job of selecting winners (which are stated below). The Grade 5/6 teachers also picked four investigations which displayed great work habits, teamwork and independence.
Well done to all students involved and a big thank you to all the judges who helped out.

Judges

Geoff Davis, Sarah Mott, Alex Clarke, Justin Rattray, Paige Blackett, Jodie Murphy, Julia King, Tash Turner

On Friday 8 September, each of the above students headed to the Utas Burnie campus with their Science boards to compete against other coastal schools. Once again students were questioned by teams of judges and some were brave enough to be interviewed by ABC Country radio reporter, Meg Powell. This was aired on Country Hour the following Monday.

Congratulations to Arahni who took out 3^rd place and Maddy, Ruby and Scarlet who received Honourable Mentions.

Grade 8 Digital Tech  and some grade 7 students invited Steve the Robot Man into their class for a fun learning experience making robots designed to battle with other robots. The students practised coding using Lego Spike Prime, creative designs and a resilient attitudes to do multiple iterations of their creations to win the robot wars.

In Year 8, students are continuing to work on their model truck projects.

This project incorporates techniques in combining various materials to create the learning task. Interpreting a plan, working with timber, design and production of 3D printed parts and working with metal – marking, cutting, filing, drilling and bronze welding - are all skills used with this project.

For further interest, students have developed a cam design that uses the rotation of the front wheels to create movement in their engines.

Most students are about ready to design and make their interiors for the cabins. They’ve already designed their seats using the 3D printer and are tasked with also making rims for their wheels using the same. The enthusiasm of the students and variations in designs has been pleasing to see.

This week we were represented by three teams in the High School Championships played in Ulverstone. 

Congratulations to all who participated with respect, teamwork, and enthusiasm. The respectful attitude that the Penguin District players showed toward umpires, scorers and the opposing teams was exceptional. The 7/8 boys team played overtime in their grand final which was very exciting.  

The final results for our teams were:

Year 7/8 boys: 1st

Year 7/8 girls: 4th

Year 9/10 boys: 2nd

The 7/8 & 9/10 boys teams will play at the State Finals in November - we all look forward to hearing how you perform and wish you luck. 

Thank you to Hannah and Chelsea for umpiring and Mrs Van Essen and Miss Goninon for coaching. 

The 9 / 10 Woodwork class are continuing with their projects.

Year 9 students are making their Shaker Cabinets – with each student designing their own door styles. This project has enabled them to use the Domino machine to widen joints and join the structure together, using screwing techniques to assemble project parts, use the routers for decorative edges and rebating of plywood back, along with hand processes like planing to fit components corrcectly.

Year 10 students are working on their major projects – each student doing something of their own interest that demonstratestheir learning in this subject through the year – and since Year 7.

Resin table tops are popular with the students, as are timber table tops on metal frames.

Students in Metalwork are working on various projects.

Year 9 students are designing and fabricating an Aluminium trophy. Various designs and aesthetics have been considered. Salt water electro-etching is going to be used on parts of the project to add an etched motif. Interpreting a plan, marking, cutting, drilling, threading, finishing and assembly are skills being learnt.

Year 10 students are working on their individual major projects. Each student has to design and fabricate a piece of work that showcases their skills developed during technology classes throughout their High School years. A significant number of students are combining their metalwork project with other materials – like wood – for their project. Accompanying their project, they are tasked with completing a written port folio that documents their process for initial concept through to evaluation of the end piece of work.

On Friday 15 September, 52 students travelled to Devonport to play in a 6 a side soccer gala day. Penguin had 6 teams in total with many students never having played soccer before. All students demonstrated excellent team work and sportsmanship throughout the day and should be commended on their positive attitude and respect toward other schools and staff. A special mention to the Year 7 girls who won and to the 9/10 girls who were runners up – awesome work!

On Wednesday 20^th September, a group of 7-10 students travelled to Don College to participate in the annual Kakka challenge. Students were in teams of 3 with each member completing a different leg of the event. There was a rock climb, a bike ride and a run. Well done to all students who participated in this fantastic event. A special shout out to the 7/8 boys team who placed second overall!

The following students have been selected to participate in this exhibition at the Hive: Piper , Ruben , Ashley , Tahlia , Kizza and Lara . Please take the time to support these students by viewing their work on display and congratulate them on this wonderful achievement. Beth King

Hi-Vis: An exhibition by Central Coast secondary students

Sat 23 Sept 2023 at 1pm

To be opened by Central Coast Councillor Sophie Lehman and Councillor Kate Wylie

Hive invites you to the opening of Hi-Vis: An exhibition of art by the secondary students (Years 7 to 12) of the Central Coast region. Including works from the students of Ulverstone Secondary College, Penguin District School, and Leighland Christian School, there is a range of mediums to explore. From painting and drawing to sculpture and textiles, let the artists of tomorrow welcome you into their worlds.

This is a FREE event but registration is essential: RSVP Here

DETAILS

Location: Hive Art Gallery

Hive, Level 1

50 Main Street

Ulverstone, Tasmania

Headspace Burnie are hosting two events in the Burnie and Wynyard region during the school holidays. The first event is on Wednesday October 4 called headspace goes to the movies! The second event in on Thursday October 5 called Youth Mental Health Awareness Walk. These event are based around headspace day, a national day of support for the mental health and wellbeing of all young Australian people.