26 August 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal's Report

Dear Families,

Thank you to those parents who attended our Cyber Safety session last Tuesday night with Senior Constable Stephen Rose from the Southern District Community Police Service. We had a good turnout including some parents from other local schools. Any other parents who would like support with speaking to their child about cyber safe behaviours, please see the flyers in the parent information area in the office foyer and/or visit the link below.

Congratulations to the Grade 5 team for what I hear, was a rocking performance last Wednesday. A big thanks to all those involved in our brilliant performing arts program. It was so wonderful that some of our parents became part of the performance.

Book Week has always been a great chance to dress up as our favourite characters. We love books and learning at Snug and we hope to have photos in next fortnight's newsletter of all the costumes and the Learning Expo displays that followed.

All the best to our Grade 3, 4 and 5 students with their learn to swim program beginning Monday. We have Snug swimming caps for sale at the office for $2.00 if students need this required item.

Have a great weekend.

Bonnie Jeffrey
Principal

Kath's Spot

Impromptu gatherings or outings always seem to be fun don't they? Well this week I would like to say...most of the time they are.

On Monday my husband arrived early home from work, which never seems to happen, so we decided to pile in the car and go for an impromptu outing! We set off, stopping at Margate to pick up some Bugsy's for dinner along the way, who doesn't love a bit of Bugsy's fish and chips every now and then, and we headed for the mountain.

The sun was soon to set and we thought why not take the kids up the top of Mt Wellington to see the lights over our wonderful landscape of Hobart. I had even remembered to pack the sauce- Go Me !!

Then we soon found one of the Council workers was there literally just shutting the gate at the springs right in front of us. So all that driving and we didn't get to see the lights!! So we did a U-turn, with a carload of unhappy campers. Then boy No2. managed to accidently elbow boy No 4. in the eye socket. Then boy No.4 was in tears, so boy No.3 decided to call him a "Cry Baby", then it seemed like we were at a crossroads. Is everything going to hit the fan, or is there time to try recover this attempt of wonderful family time together?

After a couple of questions from Chris and I, soon boy No.3 was apologising, boy No.4 had stopped crying, and boy No 2 had his arm around him, patting his shoulder. Yay!!!!! We had done it, we have accomplished a wonderful feat- we have calmed the storm.

Can you remember ever being in that crossroads moment, where it could go either way? In this moment, it went in our favour, but sometimes it doesn't. You know what though, I think sometimes it is just about stopping and breathing. Experts say if you pause for 4 seconds before responding, you have enough time to then choose to make an "adult" response rather than a "parent" response. An adult response is one that is based not off the neurotic things that are going off in our head, put rather it assesses the situation and talks calmly, justly and calls the other people out to be the best that they can be.

I encourage you to have a go at this sometime this week, and if it doesn't work, that's ok, try again next time. And we will venture out again on another impromptu outing together, it might just not be today :)

Blessings to you all

Kath Dolliver
Chaplain

Assembly Awards

Class in Focus – Prep Koalas

Wow! We have done some wonderful Winter work in Prep.

We used modelling clay to make these cute snowmen.

We made collage snowmen.

We made snowflakes from pipe-cleaners. We left them in a special solution. After one day we started to see crystals forming.

Father's Day Stall

This will be running on Tuesday 30th August and Wednesday 31st August from the school office. Gifts will range from $1.00 to $5.00.

Lunch Provision

A reminder that we will not be accepting late lunch orders. All lunch orders and money need to be submitted to the office by midday Friday. This enables The Admin Team to finalise orders and Dearne enough time to get organised. Thank you for your co-operation with this.

Drama News

"Rock on Fifties" by Grade 5

Photos from the Grade 5 production "Rock on Fifties" are available for ordering from the office for until the end of next week.

"Alice in Wonderland" by Grade 6

This production will be on Wednesday 14th September. Scripts have been sent home with students today. Tickets can be purchased from the school office from Monday 5th September. Help with set, props, costumes or make up would be greatly appreciated, as always.

Car Parking Safety Concern

Please be aware of our new sign at the Tiers Road school entrance near the Grade 5 classrooms – "strictly staff cars only beyond this point". Thank you for your co-operation with this as we work together to keep Snug a safe school.

Levy Payments Due

Please ensure you pay any outstanding levies as soon as possible as many of these are now overdue. Don't hesitate to contact The Admin Team if we can be of assistance at any stage.

Future Starting Age Update

As you may be aware, the Government has been working on a change to the school starting age through the Education Act review process. The original proposal to make the compulsory starting age of Prep 4 years and 6 months has now changed to a minimum starting age.

This is in recognition that parents and carers are best placed to decide when their child should start school, the Government has agreed that, although the age at which a child can commence in Prep will be lowered to 4 years and 6 months, the compulsory school starting age will remain at five. 

The commencement of this change would take effect in Prep in 2021, which means children who are born in the first half of 2016 will be eligible for Kindergarten in 2020.

These changes result in an optional Kindergarten starting age of 3 years and 6 months in 2020, parents can decide on what suits their child best.

For further information on this topic please see the below link to an updated fact sheet:

If you have any questions about the upcoming changes, please email: comments@education.tas.gov.a

Facebook

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Census Completion

There's still time to complete your Census

Thank you to everyone who has participated in the 2016 Census so far.

If you or your family haven't completed the Census yet, don't worry, there's still plenty of time to make a difference and be counted. You will not be fined for completing the Census after Census night.

Our online Census form is running smoothly and securely, and only takes an average household approximately 26 minutes to complete.

Please complete your Census online or on the paper form as soon as you can.

Field Officers will start visiting all households who haven't already responded to the Census. They will be offering paper Census forms for those who require them.

Remember, the Census helps plan for Australia's future. For more information, please visit the Census website at

Coming Events

Community Notices

KHBA Rosters Now Available

Strength-Based Parenting Session

Presented by Professor Lea Waters at the Stanley Burbury Theatre on Wednesday 14th September at 6.00pm.

Term Dates for 2016