Welcome to the final edition of our newsletter for Term 3 - this term has been full of learning experiences. As we near the holiday period I would like to update you on some of the bigger projects we have underway in the background. We are excited to announce that our Kindergarten play space will have modifications and additions. The commencement of these works will take place over the school holiday period. In addition to this, and also over the school holiday break the playground space in Area One will welcome the addition of a double slide! We are excited to be able to provide these new pieces of equipment!
Our teachers aim to engage every student every day in their learning. This requires careful planning for individual student success and achievement. Teachers here at Burnie Primary School take care and pride in student learning. We have certainly had many opportunities to celebrate these achievements in learning this term with the introduction of our fortnightly values meetings. I am certain that many of you have an aspiration token on your fridge to celebrate your child’s hard work this term.
Celebrating the value of Aspiration
There has certainly been plenty of student engagement in our off site activities recently. Year 6 Camp held this week is an amazing opportunity for students to learn about others and themselves at Camp Clayton. Our thanks goes out to Mrs Smith, Mr Woodard, Ms Munday and Mr Ansell for giving up their time to provide this opportunity for our Year 6 students and for giving them another great event on offer for Burnie Primary School. Grade 4’s recently went on an excursion to Wynard. They had plenty to share about their learning upon return.
This week sees the second week of our Kinder – Grade 2 Early Years Water Orientation program. It has been so pleasing to witness the learning happening at the pool, and developing skills in the water environment. A big thank you to our families for your support during this time, it is no easy task washing towels and bathers' every night for a week!
Celebrating Student Success
Burnie Primary School prides itself on the significant sporting achievements in a wide variety of sports that we are able to offer students. This week Hudson Bain has been competing in the U14 Boys National Basketball Championships in Casey, Victoria. The Tassie Devils have excelled winning 3 out of 5 games. Tomorrow they will be competing for a medal in the shield division.
It has been just as pleasing to be able to acknowledge the participation of Burnie Primary School students in the Maths Relay last weekend. Our team demonstrated their problem-solving abilities and collaboration. Our thanks go out to Miss Smith and Parents who have supported these extra – curricular activities.
Staffing Update
We welcome Miss Lauren Matthews to the BPS Admin Team for Term 4.
Mrs Glynis Martin would increase her days at BPS as our specialist Art teacher in Term 4.
Lauren Matthews Glynis Martin
Welcome and farewell
Next term we welcome,
James and Ivy to BPS, James will be joining 5C and Ivy will join 3W. We welcome Serenity To 4F.
A big thank you to our P&F
LIFT update
Are you making every school day count?
Please remember that Everday Counts in regards to your child’s attendance at school. It is understood that students may miss school days throughout the year due to sickness or family emergencies, however, children should be at school everyday they can. Missing just 1 day a fortnight is equivalent to 4 weeks of school for the year. If this occurs for every year they will miss a total of 32 weeks of school over their primary school years. If this continues into high school then the child would have missed a total 48 weeks of school which is the equivalent to over a year of schooling. That is a lot of learning to miss and does have detrimental effects on learning outcomes and future opportunities. Staying home for birthdays, shopping days, fun days etc not only makes a child miss learning it also develops a belief in the child that education is not important. This can then lead to disengagement from school, reduction in friendships with peers, behavioural issues and lack of future opportunities to gain employment. Attendance is collected into a system wide data base and letters are generated and sent out to parents and carers whose child has missed unacceptable levels of school days. It is a legal requirement within the Education Act for a Parent / Carer to have their child attend school.
If you are having difficulty with your child attending school, please contact the front office to talk with Andrew Woodard (Assistant Principal) and we will meet to look at solving any issues and to provide a range of supports as needed.
We wish all students and families a happy and safe holiday and look forward to welcoming everyone back at school on Monday 16 October.
Susan Barnard
Acting Principal