It has been wonderful to see the large number of families come into the school this week for parent/teacher meetings. This is an opportunity for teachers and students to celebrate their learning through sharing of work. The focus has been discussing and viewing work that demonstrates where a child is in their learning. As with all work, teachers then identify an area of future growth for the student that will enhance their understanding. It is a beneficial meeting as the sharing of work helps create the bond and understanding that we all work as a team for student success. It is important that we all work together for children in our care to help them achieve success. Celebration of student work can focus our minds on how much our students can achieve when given the right tools and messages that they are awesome!

Students are provided with opportunities that extend beyond academics. This is so important for students to know that their emotional and social health and wellbeing is equally important. This term students have been involved in Cross Country – both at school and selected students attended the Interschool event at Bayview College competing against a wide range of schools. They have been involved in Winter Sports, a lunch time basketball tournament and chess club at Colinsvale Primary. I would like to thank students from both Montrose Bay High and Hobart City High who have come to support our students with umpiring.

EXCURSIONS

Excursions provide such rich learning experiences for our community of learners. Our Prep and Prep/1 students have been to the Marine Discovery Centre at Woodbridge and our 3/4 classes have extended their learning about animals at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. The enthusiasm from the students about these experiences is evident as they have enjoyed sharing their stories in assembly and with teachers in the playground.

MODERATION

This week we have our Statewide Moderation Day. This is an opportunity for teachers across the state to share work samples with their colleagues to discuss student learning. Moderation is ensuring that we all have an understanding of curriculum ratings and that we are all on the same page when it comes to reporting. Friday 7 June is a student free day due to Moderation. Monday 10 June is a public holiday, so students will enjoy an extra long weekend coming up.

CANTEEN

As mentioned last week via Schoolzine, we are continuing to explore ways in which a canteen can be provided again at AFPS. Last year we were in the unfortunate position of our external provider being unable to continue in 2024. I understand the frustration of the community in not having an operational canteen, however, at this stage, we have been unable to source a provider to run it. We are looking at alternative options but these would also require volunteers to support this. If you have ideas or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me – Suzanne.oates@decyp.tas.gov.au

RESPECT

Schools across our state are guided by the principles of safe and inclusive practices for our whole community. At a school level we create and maintain a safe, positive and inclusive learning environment so all learners have the best opportunity to strive for excellence and reach their potential. The partnership between school and home is vital in ensuring a positive approach to learning and behaviour. Our staff work extremely hard to help students develop a positive sense of self and to work towards showing respect and kindness towards others. We know that our families support us in this. When students do speak disrespectfully towards our staff, do not follow directions or refuse to participate in the learning opportunities, this creates challenges for our staff to teach and for students to learn. To support student understanding we have discussions with them, are providing explicit lessons in respectful communication and at times, if a student is not making positive choices in interactions, we will phone home to discuss this with you.

Our role at school is to ensure that your child is “Known Well, Known Safe and Known Learning.”

Below is the link to the Department of Education, Children and Young People policy on behaviour management.

SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Tuesday 12 June is our next School Association meeting starting at 6pm. Please feel free to come along to these meetings as they are a way to stay up to date with what is happening in our wonderful school. All voices welcome!

COMMUNITY LUNCH 

The Community Lunch has been so well attended and we are extremely excited about these opportunities for families to have lunch together at school. The students love it and talk about it after the event. We were so fortunate last week that the rain held off and we were able to enjoy the time in the courtyard with families. The next Community Lunch will be held in week 10.

This time we have added an Open Afternoon for sharing of work, meeting and greeting with other parents / carers of your child’s class and a chance to say hi to the teacher. We added the coffee session at the end of the day which provided a nice opportunity to meet with members of the community to ask questions and offer suggestions to help our school grow.

ASSEMBLIES

Assemblies are short and sweet this term! The focus is on celebrating our great school with the positive news stories of the week. The children are showing that they make great audience members and showing great courage in speaking to a room full of people. Our value of connection really shines through in both the Community Lunch and our Assemblies. We hope to see you there.

 As always, please do not hesitate to drop in and say hi. The door is always open and I am open to ideas, thoughts and suggestions.

P/1A have had a busy Term 2 so far! We have been learning all about ocean animals and were so excited for our excursion to the Marine Discovery Centre! We had lots of questions to ask the experts.

This Year, 3/4 Pearce are learning about Australia, including native animals and plants, the history of Australia, Indigenous culture, and Australian states and territories.

During term 1, students learned about native plants and animals. They collected eucalyptus seeds from gumnuts, and used them to conduct a science experiment to test which variables help seeds grow. They were allowed to change one variable; the sunlight exposure, watering, or the soil the seed was planted in. It was interesting to see how the changes affected the seeds growth.

In week 4, grade 3/4 students made their way to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Students arrived with eager anticipation, ready to learn and inquire about our diverse Australian animals.

Upon arrival, students were greeted with a tour by staff, finding out more about some of the animals, their journey to Bonorong, and efforts for rehabilitation and conservation. Students were inquisitive, respectful and thrilled to be in close proximity to such diverse wildlife. Upon the completion of guided tours, students were able to explore the sanctuary through activities based around our inquiry.

Students were split into groups for a more relaxed tour, completing the BINGO activity in quick succession, along with the individual fact file for their chosen animal (the wombat was a clear favourite amongst groups!). Students were also able to feed the Forester Kangaroos in the park, who were spoiled for food and scratches by our students.

It was also noted on both excursions that behaviour on buses by all classes was highlighted by bus drivers, with the values of respect showcased throughout the two days. We couldn’t be prouder of students for their excellent behaviour.

We would like to thank Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for their time, hospitality, and opportunity of learning for our Red Pod students.   

In Grade 6 Coppleman, we have been learning about Space and the different planets in our Solar System. We are currently halfway through crafting replica planets.

Students were given the choice of planet and how they wanted to recreate it. Maddie chose to recreate Uranus through making a paper mache, Montanah also chose a paper mache to recreate Neptune. Prabhnoor and Giana chose to make Neptune with clay.

We can’t wait to see how they look when we have finished!

Week 4 of term saw the start of our Inter House Basketball Competition.

In Game 1, Emerald defeated Ruby, 14 to 9.

Game 2 was a close match with Sapphire 2 defeating Sapphire 1, 16 to 13.

With such great enthusiasm shown from students, the roster will continue all term with the Final held in week 10.

Thank you to the Montrose Bay High School students for supporting us with coaches and umpires.

Download the Schoolzine App today and keep up to date with the lastest information from Austins Ferry Primary!

Parents can submit absence notifications, access the School Calendar, Newsletters and notices all from one easy to use App. 

Launching into learning (LiL)

Launching into Learning is a free program where you and your child get to know your local school and other families.

LiL is for families with children from birth to 4 years of age.

Children learn a lot in the early years of life. LiL provides opportunities for you to be involved in your child’s learning in a supportive environment, helping to give your child a great start.

All sessions are held in the Grace Crichton-Gill Early Learning Centre (ELC) and are conducted by a fully qualified Teacher and Teacher Assistant.

Session Times

Mondays

Birth to 4 years:  9:00am–10:30am and 1:30pm-2:50pm

Tuesdays

Birth to 4 years: 9:00am-10:30am

Baby Group: 2:00pm-2.45pm

Friday afternoons

Birth to 4 years: 1:30pm-2:50pm

Friday mornings

Pre-Kinder 9:00am-10:00am

Pre-Kinder Program

In Term 2, children who will commence Kindergarten in 2025 can attend the Pre-Kinder program. These sessions are designed for families in the Austins Ferry Primary School (AFPS) enrolment catchment and prepare children for entrance into Kindergarten in the following year.

If your Grade 6 child will be attending Montrose Bay High School in 2025, please scan the QR code to register electronically. 

Alternatively, you can fill out a hard copy form at the Austins Ferry Primary School office.

We all know how busy week nights can be... Try our kid friendly 5 ingredient Pasta Bake!

Ingredients:

500g beef mince

1 pk penne or spiral pasta

1 jar passata pasta sauce

250g tub of cottage cheese

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (or blend of your choice)

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180°C.

Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook the pasta for about 10 minutes or 1 to 2 minutes before the cooking time recommended on the package. The pasta will still be slightly firm. Drain the pasta and set aside.

In the meantime, heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. If you'd like, drain the excess fat.

Stir in pasta sauce and cook until warm, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the pasta to the sauce and stir to combine.

Pour half of the mixture into a casserole dish. Make dollops of cottage cheese on top, then cover with half of the shredded cheese. Spread the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with the remaining shredded cheese evenly scattered on top.

Bake until bubbly and cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 20-30 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Sit and enjoy!