Newsletter - 14 February 2025

Principal's Highlights

Dear Families,

Welcome to the 2025 school year! We are excited to embark on another year of learning and growth. I hope you had a restful summer, filled with quality time spent with family and friends. A special warm welcome to all our new families and staff members.

It’s been fantastic to see our students fully engaged in their learning and embracing positive behaviours. I can’t recall a more settled start to Term One. The smiles, excited chatter, and green and gold uniforms fill the school with vibrant energy as students visit classrooms to reconnect with friends and greet staff. This success is in part a result of the thoughtful and engaging programs our teachers have created to keep students motivated from day one. We’re also incredibly thankful for the time and effort our staff has dedicated to preparing the learning environment, inside and out, for our community’s return. Their work truly reflects our school’s vision: "We Nurture, We Empower, We Strive for Excellence."

A strong start is crucial, and your ongoing support as parents and carers has been key in making this possible.

We encourage you to take a moment to introduce yourself to your child’s teacher, especially during our Nurturing time between 8:30 and 9:00. In the coming week, our teachers will host ‘Meet the Teacher’ events, where you can learn more about the curriculum, class routines, and the experiences your child will have throughout the year.

Welcome BBQ

Our School Association Committee has organised a special Welcome Back BBQ event for next Wednesday, 19 February 2025, and we invite all families to save the date! This event will be a great opportunity for staff and the community to reconnect and welcome new families. Organising such an event early in the school year takes a lot of planning, and we truly appreciate the time and energy invested in making this happen. A big thank you to Marita Jones and the School Association Committee for leading this initiative!

Communication
We recognise the importance of communication in supporting a successful school experience. While email, Schoolzine, and newsletters are our primary means of connecting with families, I’d like to remind everyone about our school’s Facebook page, which is another great way to stay updated on school events and activities. Additionally, Seesaw provides a fantastic platform for staying connected to your child’s learning and progress.

If you have any concerns or important information about your child that you’d like the teachers to be aware of, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. In most cases, the classroom teacher is your best point of contact, as they have a close relationship with your child, but our Senior Staff are always available to assist if needed.

Whole School Inquiry Question

We’re also excited to announce a whole school Inquiry that will shape each class's learning program this year:

"How can we build a safe and supportive community where we ALL feel connected?"

This central idea will guide students across the school as they deepen connections within our community. Each class will explore this theme while aligning it with curriculum goals, shaped by student interests and input. We look forward to seeing the unique directions each class will take in their learning and will keep you updated along the way.

I look forward to meeting  and re-connecting with as many of you as possible in the coming weeks. It’s been a joy to see the smiling faces of both students and families as we kick off the year. Please feel free to stop by and say "hello." I’m excited to work together with all of you this year.

Kind regards
Catherine Grace
Principal

Welcome BBQ!

Join us next Wednesday, 19 February, for our Welcome BBQ after school!

This is a great opportunity to meet other families, connect with staff, and celebrate the start of the school year.
Sausages and veggie burgers will be free for all students, with BBQ for parents, icy poles and drinks available for purchase.

We can't wait to see you there!

Please note that our duty of care finishes at 3:10 PM. Parents must stay with their child for the duration of this event, or ensure they have an adult supervising them.

Meet the Teacher Sessions

We invite all our parents/carers to join their child’s classroom teacher in Week 3 for our ‘Meet the Teacher’ sessions.  This is an opportunity to find out about the organisation of your child’s weekly program and classroom routines.

Handouts shared will be sent home via SeeSaw at the end of the day the class meeting is held, as we understand that the times may not suit all families.  Just a reminder, you are always welcome to contact your child’s teacher by dropping into the classroom from 8.30 - 9 am, sending an email, or using our SeeSaw app.

See you at our morning information sessions!

2025 School Reminders

Levy Payments

Invoices will be posted home at the end of February and payments will be due by Sunday, 30 March 2025.

Levy Payment Options

• BPAY or BPOINT (using the biller code and reference on the invoice)
• QKR
• At the School (cash, EFTPOS or cheque)

Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) recipients do not pay levies. Parents who are eligible can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS. Online applications can be made by using this STAS form. If you need access to a hard copy form, please contact your school, email: stas@decyp.tas.gov.au or phone 1800 827 055.
Apply for the Student Assistance Scheme | Service Tasmania

Validation and Other Permission Forms

We would like to thank those parents who have already returned the validation and other permission forms. If you have not yet returned your child’s forms please return them to the office as soon as possible, preferably in the original envelope.

Uniform Sales

Our school actively encourages the wearing of our school uniform. The School Association, in consultation with the school, is responsible for making decisions about school uniform.
School uniform is available to purchase on Qkr! Orders are processed and delivered to your child’s classroom every Thursday.
The uniform shop is open Fridays from 2.45 - 3.15 pm for all brand new and second-hand sales. 

We apologise for some items being out of stock. We are aware of the issue and are actively working to resolve it as soon as possible.

Lunch Boxes

A healthy lunch box is preferred with a piece of fruit or vegetable. We encourage students to drink water. Each child will need their own drink bottle. We are a nut and egg aware school. Please avoid nut and egg products.

School Times/Duty of Care

Doors open at 8:30 am and classes commence at 9 am. Students finish school at 3 pm.
Please be advised that the school's duty of care is from 8:30 - 3:10 pm. 

If you are unable to drop off your child by 8:30 am or pick up your child by 3.10 pm families will need to book their child into Before School Care (BSC)/After School Care (ASC) which is provided on site by Lady Gowrie Child Care Services.
Please contact them directly to book in - Phone: 6230 6806
BSC is available from 7 am to 8.30 am
ASC is available from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm

Volunteering at our School

Volunteers are required to have a current Working with Vulnerable People card before they can assist in the school or on school excursions. This can be applied for online at http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/workingwithchildren.

Volunteers will also need to complete their Safeguarding Training at the beginning of each year.
Click here to complete your training: www.decyp.tas.gov.au/safe- children/safeguarding-children/safeguarding-training/

Medication at School

If your child requires to take medication at school at any time, please see the office for appropriate forms.

Term Dates

Term 1:  Thursday 6 February - Friday 11 April
Term 2:  Monday 28 April - Friday 4 July (Student Free Day Friday 6 June, Public Holiday - Monday 9 June)
Term 3:  Monday 21 July - Friday 26 September
Term 4:  Monday 13 October - Thursday 18 December (Show Day Public Holiday – Thursday 23 October, Student Free Day Friday 24 October)

NAPLAN 2025

Students will be sitting NAPLAN between 12 and 24 March 2025.

The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so.
NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance; however, students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.

Why NAPLAN is conducted online

NAPLAN online provides a better assessment and more precise results.
One of the main benefits of NAPLAN online is that it uses tailored (or adaptive) testing. This means that students receive questions better suited to their abilities, so they can show what they know and can do.
Online testing also allows us to provide a wide range of accessibility options to support students with disability to access NAPLAN.
Feedback from students is that they find the online test more engaging.
Please note that students in Year 3 complete the Writing Test on paper.

Parent information brochures and other resources

Your questions answered on NAPLAN and what it means for your child:
NAPLAN information brochure for parents and carers
The link will take you to the official National Assessment Program (NAP) website.

Please contact our NAPLAN Coordinator (Georgie Field) if you have any further queries, or question about your child participating successfully in NAPLAN. Georgina.field@decyp.tas.gov.au

Every School Day Matters

Make sure your child goes to school, every day!
Going to school every day gives your child every chance to learn and grow, and connect with their mates and teachers. It’s where bright futures start and where they’ll benefit the most.

Get them excited for school
If you show a positive attitude and excitement towards school, your child will pick up on that. The most common thing we hear from students, of all ages, is that school is where they can:

» spend time with their friends and teachers
» create new and fun experiences
» find their interests
» learn new things
» open up their options – for whatever future they want (whether that’s their dream job or to travel around the world).

Share these positives with your child.

Talk to your child about school
Open up a conversation with your child about what’s happening at school. It will help you to better support their interests and confidence in learning. If you show an interest in school, they’ll know that getting an education is important and valued.

Celebrate the milestones
Big and small! Celebrate milestones such as making it through the first day or week of school. And remember: all milestones look different. If it’s a big achievement for your child, it’s important to recognise it.

Set up a time to talk to your child’s teacher or principal
If you’re struggling to get your child to school, help is available. Please talk to us at school about your situation. We’ll support you, in whatever way we can.

Know when to seek help
There is no weakness in admitting you need help. If your child has completely disengaged with school, and not attending at all, there is support to help you. In the first instance, talk to us at school.

For more helpful tips, please check out the Anything can happen websit:
Anything can happen - Department of Education, Tasmania.

Celebrating Birthdays

We understand that our community loves to celebrate their birthdays with their classmates at Mount Nelson Primary School.  To help us manage this and keep all students safe we ask you to follow the following guidelines:

• Parents of students with anaphylaxis caused by any food product are encouraged to either bring their own supplies of appropriate ‘treat food’ into school for the class teacher to store and distribute as required instead of birthday treats brought in by other students, or instruct the teacher that the student should not be given any treats at all when the rest of the class celebrates by sharing treats.
• Students with anaphylaxis caused by any food product will not be given food that isn’t supplied/ordered by their parent, unless their parent is present to check ingredients and give consent.
• Any birthday treats to be shared with others must be given to the class teacher before 9am. 
• We prefer that birthday treats are individually factory-wrapped and labelled with ingredients (e.g. Freddo Frogs).
• All birthday treats brought into school must have a written list of ingredients.

If you have any questions or concern, feel free to contact the school office. 

Little Seeds - Launching into Learning

Little Seeds will recommence on Thursday, 27 February 2025 and will continue every Thursday for the remainder of the year!

Please find below the Little Seeds Calendar for Term 1. 
Bookings are not required for these sessions, just come along with a hat, a drink bottle and some snacks!

Please make sure to join our Facebook Group to stay up to date with all the sessions and exciting events! https://www.facebook.com/share/k8DELGhWBhG6km9t/

What is Little Seeds?
Little Seeds is a program for young children, Birth to 5 years old and their families, where you and your child can form relationships with your local school and other families before they start Kindergarten. Children learn a lot in the first five years of life. At Little Seeds, you and your child learn together to give them the very best start to life.

Why Little Seeds?
Children’s experiences in their earliest years are really important to their ongoing development and they have a major impact on the future achievements at school and later in life. We know that supporting children’s learning experiences before they even begin school will give them a greater chance of success. At this young age, learning through play and exploration alongside the people that mean the most to them is a really positive experience for children.

School Photos - Order Form

This year, Leading Image will be taking our school photos on Tuesday, 18 February 2025. Students will have their individual photos taken upon completion of group photography. Please ensure all students are dressed in the MNPS uniform.

Order your School Photos below!

CLICK HERE TO ORDER SCHOOL PHOTOS
Enter in the Access Key: XGWNGH58

Reading at Home

20 is plenty!

Reading at home for 20 minutes a day can help us learn so many things and help build confidence, fluency, reading stamina and general knowledge.

Term 1 Calendar

Sport @ MNPS

Netball

Netball at Kingborough Sports Centre starts again on the 17 March on Monday afternoons until the beginning of June.
We are hoping to have enough students to register a Grade 5/6 team, as well as a Grade 3/4 team. 

We currently have a coach for the 5/6 team but are looking for some parents to coach and manage the 3/4 team. 

Grade 5/6 training will be from 3.15-4.15 on a Monday if it goes ahead. 

Rachel will meet with interested students early next week but please send an email if your child is interested in playing to Rachel.viney@decyp.tas.gov.au. Please include your child's name and age. 

MNPS AusKick and SuperKick

Auskick Registration Link: Register to Sandy Bay Auskick Centre | PlayHQ

Superkick Registration Link: Register to Sandy Bay JFC Superkick Centre | PlayHQ

Sessions will run on the below dates:

• Thursday, 6^th March, 8:00am – 8:45am
• Thursday, 13^th March, 8:00am – 8:45am
• Thursday, 20^th March, 8:00am – 8:45am
• Thursday, 27^th March, 8:00am – 8:45am
• Thursday, 3^rd April, 8:00am – 8:45am
• Thursday, 10^th April, 8:00am – 8:45am

Strike Soccer School

Strike Soccer School is kicking off our soccer sessions for Term 1!

Sessions will be held every Wednesday of Term 1 from 3 - 4 pm for Prep - Grade 6 Students. 
Sign up now: https://strikesoccerschool.com/mount-nelsons-soccer...

Please note: Strike Soccer School won’t be running sessions in Terms 2 & 3 due to school soccer, so don’t miss out on the fun this term!

Extracurricular Activities

French Lessons

Book here: https://www.funlearning.com.au/
Classes start the week of the 17th of February, places are limited.
Classes are held in the new Art room on Wednesday mornings starting at 8 am.

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