Filter Content
- Penguin District School Calendar
- PDS: Penguin Daylight Stories - Shining a Light on Our School’s Journey
- Green Penguins
- School Association Committee - Thank You
- Year 7 & 8 Reflections
- Year 3-6 Swimming and Water Safety Program - Update
- Year 3-6 Swimming and Water Safety Program Timetable
- Book Week 2025
- Chance For Hoops Application
- Woolworths Cricket Blast
- My Golf School Holidays
- School Calendar
For all upcoming events please see the Penguin District School Calendar
TransitionNaturally, as we reach the end of Week 6 in Term 3, we start to hear the word ‘transition’ used more often. Pre-kinder sessions for 2026 are underway. The Year 6-7 Information Evening was held on Thursday night. A small group of Year 10 students visited Don College on Thursday. Course counselling for future Hellyer College students is on September 15, and there are apprenticeship opportunities popping up on the secondary student notes.
For some, those transitions can feel more significant than others. What we do know is that the closer we work with families to support students the more likely we are of positive learning outcomes. If you have questions, however big or small, about any of these transition processes for your child, continue to reach out to the key contact people. If you are unsure of who that is, use the school email address and our admin team will forward your email to the appropriate person - penguin.district.school@decyp.tas.gov.au
Communicating with Families
In Week 9 of Term 3, all families will have an opportunity to meet with teachers to discuss student progress, work habits and/or wellbeing. Information will be communicated in the coming weeks about how to book in with a teacher(s) and which afternoon/evenings teaching staff are available.
Whilst there is no school report to be sent home during Term 3, we believe it is a valuable opportunity to speak to families face-to-face, or over the phone, to work towards learning and behaviour goals for the remainder of the school year.
It is important to note that teachers value the opportunity to connect with the family even if things seem to be going well at school. We shouldn’t underestimate how good it feels for a young person to receive positive feedback from their teacher in front of their family. There may also be a time in the future when that connection makes picking up the phone or writing an email a little easier too.
Student Devices
Students are very lucky at PDS to have access to devices (computers). For most year levels, this means 1:1 (one device per student).
We are encouraging students to take greater care with school devices after a slight increase with intentional or careless damage recently. This ultimately leads to difficult conversations with families about repair bills that range from $250-$900.
School Fire Education Program
Firefighter Craig has been working with our primary students (P-6) in recent weeks. In addition to the important safety messages he has been sharing we also wish to celebrate that Craig has been coming to our school for 30 years. A huge effort.
Forging strong connections with each other allows for a safe and supportive environment at school.
Our Year 7 & 8 students start each morning in their Home Group circle. Sharing special announcements, having honest conversations and enjoying each others company ensures everyone, including the staff, feel connected, safe and ready to learn. It is honestly the best part of my day as a Home Group teacher of 8A! From peaches and cream lollies to Rhys being able to fit in a cupboard, I am learning amazing information from these 13 and 14 year olds!
During an assembly this afternoon, all Year 7 and 8’s and staff, were discussing friendships. Students were reminded of a Peppa Pig episode entitled ‘Best Friends’ (that many watched in Years 3 or 4) showing that friendships can be hard work. Like Peppa and Suzy, most friendship issues occur due to a lack of information, or a misinterpretation of events. We spoke about finding the positive intent and ensuing honesty guides the solution. As Suzy and Peppa beautifully illustrate to us, talking it out, not just saying sorry, is the way to understand how each other is feeling. We are all different and can interpret things in our own special ways. At the end of the day, we all just want to be liked and have friends - so be kind to one another and your friendships will grow!
In the words of a year 8 student I spoke with this afternoon, ‘I don’t hold grudges. It would take up all the space I have to enjoy the people around me’.
With our current attendance of 91%, the Year 7 & 8 students are above the state average! We are tracking above our annual school attendance goal of 90% for all students, even with the large amount of illness in the past few weeks. Congratulations to our students for ensuring they are attending school each and every day that they can!
2026 YEAR 7 INFORMATION EVENING
Thank you to all of the families who attended last night. There were just over 140 people in the Year 7 classrooms, beginning the transition process into the secondary space.
For those families who were unable to attend, please collect an information pack from the school office when you can. This provides important information for the transition process and how Year 7 operates.
All Year 6 students intending on enrolling in Year 7 in 2026 at Penguin District School will be invited to a Taster Session on October 24 and then the full-day Orientation Day on December 3.
More information will be sent to families in the coming weeks.
Lastly, thank you to our amazing staff and student volunteers who supported families in their tours last night. To hear the positive and honest way in which our students described their experiences at Penguin District School was heartwarming. I know that this is an amazing community to support the development of our students, but it was amazing to hear my thoughts being voiced by our Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 students last night.
As always, I welcome families to contact me via email or Seesaw when necessary (karina.van.essen@decyp.tas.gov.au)
Enjoy the weekend, Karina Van Essen
2025 Year 3-6 Swimming and Water Safety Program
Dates: Monday 1 September – Friday 12 September
Location: Ulverstone Pool, East Ulverstone
Sessions: All students will have 10 sessions of 50-minutes with Mr de Ruyter and trained AUSTSWIM Instructors, undertaking a variety of swimming and water safety activities.
Transport: Students will be transported by Kergers Coaches
Clothing: Please ensure that ALL belongings are named.
Plastic/swim bag with towel and bathers.
Goggles may be worn during SOME activities.
Swimming caps are supplied by the school.
Parent Attendance Parents are able to attend this year’s Swimming and Water Safety Program.
|
Leaving School |
Session time |
Class |
|
9:00 am |
Session 1: (9:20 am – 10:15 am) |
3-4A & 3-4D |
|
9:55 am |
Session 2: (10:15 am – 11:10 am) |
3-4B & 3-4C |
|
10:50 am |
Session 3: (11:10 am – 12:05 pm) |
3-4E & 5-6C |
|
12:15 pm |
Session 4: (12:35 pm – 1:30 pm) |
5-6E & 5-6D |
|
1:10 pm |
Session 5: (1:30 pm – 2:25 pm) |
5-6A & 5-6B |
Designed for kids to learn skills, exercise and make friends.
Ulverstone Districts Cricket Club
Dates: Friday 17th Oct 2025 - Friday 12th Dec 2025
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Location: 88 River Road, West Ulverstone (UCI Oval)
Cost: $99 including participant pack
