For all upcoming events please see the Penguin District School Calendar

As we approach the end of the year, it’s natural to feel a mix of emotions. The end of the year brings change, and sometimes that can feel uncertain or even a little sad. Whether it’s saying goodbye to a favourite teacher, moving on to secondary school or college, or finding out you won’t have all your best friends in your class next year, these moments can stir up feelings of loss.

But there’s also plenty of excitement as we look ahead to 2025. Some will be eager to start an apprenticeship, others excited about new teachers, or simply looking forward to what the new year brings. For those leaving, it's a time to reflect on the great years spent at school.

This week, while there have been lots of smiles and laughter, we’ve also seen a few tears shed by students, parents, and teachers. It’s all part of the journey as we embrace both the goodbyes and the new beginnings. Let’s hold onto the positive moments we’ve shared and look forward to all the wonderful things the new year will bring. Last night we held our Year 6 Celebration Dinner, today was the Year 10 assembly and tonight the Year 10 Celebration Dinner. All fantastic events which wouldn’t be possible without parent and staff organisation and collaboration. I’m sure our children are extremely grateful and have/will thoroughly enjoy themselves. Thankyou to everyone who has assisted in making these events possible.

Next week we hope to see many families join us to celebrate the achievements of our students from K-12 at our Award Presentation Assemblies. Bring your tissues!

A big thankyou to the weather Gods and to our dynamic sporting duo of Mr DeRuyter and Mr Baldock for their organisation of another successful Primary Athletics Carnival earlier this week. The athletics track was awash with red, blue, yellow and green with loads of cheering and encouragement from beyond the fence from parents and on the track from classmates. Yet again the staff and students race was a highlight with some pretty lucky staff hamstrings just holding up as they gave their all to compete with their significantly younger, fitter and faster students.

Congratulations to Nell Gardam who was recently advised of her successful Harding Miller Education Foundation (HMEF) Scholarship. The HMEF support Australian girls in public high schools who have high academic potential, are talented and dedicated.

This scholarship is available to female students in Year 8. Nell’s continued high academic results and demonstrated motivation and effort to achieve make her a worthy recipient. This is a fantastic opportunity for Nell who will receive support including a laptop, ICT support and tutoring over the next 4 years. I’m certain that Nell will make the most of this opportunity to extend her learning and support her on a pathway towards tertiary education.

We are a large school by Tasmanian standards and have a staff of over 100 people. Although having a largely stable staffing profile, we do have a number of changes taking place at the end of 2024 as does any school.

Whilst we will officially farewell the following people at our school events, I would like to wish the following staff all the best in their future endeavours:

Geoff Davis (on 12 mths leave), Joel Reeve, Jasmine Arnott, Ian Forbes, Laura Gee, Sharine Johnstone, Megan Maney, Justin Rattray, Claire Wade (on 12 mths leave), Geb Davis, Laura Haberle, Alana De Bruyn, Georgia Maingay and Kacie Murach.

We will welcome the following staff for 2025 and I am confident that they will enjoy their time at PDS:

Katrina Blair (Primary AST), Andrew Woodward (Primary Art/Digi Tech), Carolyn McNaughton (5/6), Emmy Gee (Prep), Richard Collins (1/2) and returning to PDS and the classroom Jenny Slater (1/2 with Mrs Taylor).

Congratulations to Julie McKenna who has been appointed as the substantive School Business Manager. Julie has previously been acting in the role. Her appointment will not only provide continuity for the school, but PDS will benefit from her knowledge, dedication, hard-work and can-do approach.

Further to this, congratulations to Nicky Green who will be backfilling Mr Beard as he returns to the role of Primary Assistant Principal for the first 6 months of 2025.

As someone who began their learning journey at the ‘old’ Penguin Primary School, I had never envisaged that I would spend a big chunk of my adult life back at Penguin in a school setting. I would like to say a massive thankyou to the Penguin staff, students and broader community for their support and camaraderie and I will leave here with many fond memories. You are all very fortunate to live in such a beautiful town with an amazing new school facility full of wonderful human beings.

Wishing you all a joyful and peaceful end to the year and an exciting start to 2025!

To quote our Year 10 leavers from today…

Signing out,

Matthew Perry  Assistant Principal 

Our primary choirs are combining to perform at the Penguin Carols at Hiscutt Park on Sunday 15 December,

Singers please arrive and check in with staff by 6.45 pm.

Students will need to check out and be collected by an adult at the conclusion of the performance. (approximately 7.30 pm)

Please wear a red Santa hat and school uniform as follows:

Girls – PDS polo shirt, PDS skirt or navy blue trousers or shorts, black shoes

Boys – PDS polo shirt, grey or navy blue trousers or shorts, black shoes

Congratulations on receiving your Connection Award at our last Primary Green Penguin Assembly for 2024.

We are ending the year researching a country of our choice or an ancient civilisation of our choice. Here are some work in progress action shots. 

Something I have learned in HASS this year:

• Different types of government (Eva)
• How to save money (Hayley)
• What the different types of government do and mean (Kiara)
• Where countries are located and what their flags look like (Logan and Reede)
• Mungo Man (Sienna)
• How laws work (Xanon)
• Democracy (Harper and Alycia)
• Thermoluminescence (Maddy) 

A collection of our favourite words we've learned in Year 7 Japanese.

Lost Property - Production 

Purchased devices will be avilable for collection from the office between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm. 

Supporting online learning at home

To help families learn online at home, every family with children in kindergarten to year 10 are receiving a copy of Supporting online learning: a guide for families.

This guide provides families with information and advice about:

• school communication apps, such as Canvas Parent
• managing online privacy
• social media readiness
• effective online searching, and
• spending time online as a family.

Families are the most important influence and support for children and young people. Learning online at home builds life skills to succeed in today’s digital world.

Guides were sent home 11 December.

For more digital skills and support, please email digitalskillsforfamilies@libraries.tas.gov.au