As term two draws to an end, we have much to celebrate. Before the end of term, we are looking forward to meeting with parents and carers to share their child’s evidence of learning, application to learning and attendance reports with families. This is a snapshot of the progress with teacher feedback that students have achieved for the first half of the year. Three-way interview conversations will focus on how together we can work with families to build on each child’s success and support them to grow and aspire to be lifelong learners.

In our two Hands on Learning (HoL) provisions we are unlocking the potential of many of our young learners. The power of doing to build wellbeing and develop skills to thrive at school, at work and in life are being enhanced by our committed staff and volunteers. Hands on Learning is a practical program that builds wellbeing, engagement and attendance by creating opportunities for students to discover their talent and experience success through significant and authentic hands-on projects in and around our school community. Hands on Learning transition into our school community has provided learning opportunities to develop many skills in an environment that builds a sense of connectedness and belonging. Our current lunch time activities commpliment these with Jenny Batty, Carleen Richardson joining students to sew, Amelia Clark supporting crochet club and Jodie Clifford from AFL Tas developing football skills and team work. Fran McCarroll supports the Hands-on Learning Kindness Café. Our student learning is being enriched with students showing courage to develop new skills, building positive community connections, and engaging in positive, proactive activities at school.

I would like to express my gratitude to all of our adults on the ground daily that work with and support our young people. From our Teachers to Teachers Aides, Administration staff, EFA’s and volunteers, collectively we have been able to offer increased opportunities for our students to engage in. The focus of our flexible provisions has seen students engage in small group

• MDT
• Gross Motor Skill Development
• Rock Water
• Art therapy
• Girls Group
• Literacy/numeracySupport

Our flexible provisions aim to focus on developing and extending the skills and dispositions reflected in the table below.

Congratulations Jayne Watts

Jayne has officially been selected as a 2023 STEM Together Future Shaper! 

Our Future Shaper Supporters are educators or members of the community that have helped students to boost their STEM or 21^st Century Skills. STEM Together Future Shapers is a recognition program for Year 5 to 10 students and their supporters. ‘Future Shapers’ get to design their own prize or experience to take their interest in real-world STEM* further. Jayne has been recognised for wanting to make a positive change, supporting our students to be curious, creative thinkers. She has been working in collaboration with the GFG Foundation and the CSIRO to build STEM skills and knowledge connecting students to local industry and the community. Future Shapers also recognises amazing people in the community that support students to build STEM capabilities. Jayne through her role as our Youth Networker is helping students build 21^st century skills and confidence, capability and connection with STEM.  Through Jayne’s work as a mentor with the GFG Programme she was nominated for supporting our students to build their confidence and connection with STEM, working with the CSIRO, Liberty Bell Bay and Princes Trust Australia. We are very proud of Jayne and her achievements.

New uniform options

We are ordering in the next week 1/4 Zip Jumper and trackpants for students. Purchase of these will be firstly available by order at the school office.

Transition form Year 10 to 11

Our Year 10 students are commencing planning for transition to Year 11.  Visits from Launceston and Newstead Colleges have occurred over the last two weeks and students this week are beginning their visits to the colleges. Students have the choice of attending Year 11 at Port Dalrymple School or transitioning to a Secondary College. Apprenticeships, School Based Apprenticeships, Traineeships and other training opportunities are all options that students might consider for their future. We hope that parents will play an important part in planning for these important choices.  Parents are encouraged to discus the options available with their child and the school if they would like further information.

Beacon Foundation partnered with Bell Bay Aluminium to offer a hands-on program to our Year Ten students. The program was aimed to build career awareness and work-ready skills. Students were fully engaged in the one day program that saw them interview and be interviewed by BBA staff and Beacon facilitators. The students will have an opportunity in Term Three to visit the BBA site and tour the facility.

VLT-Virtual Learning Tasmania

VLT@Tasmanian eSchool enables Years 11 and 12 students in Tasmanian schools to undertake courses not available at their Base School by studying them online.​​​​​​​

Students enrolled in VLT courses meet with their Delivery Teacher and fellow students to discuss ideas, answer questions, undertake group work and provide feedback in synchronous sessions on a regular basis.

This year at Port we have students enrolled in Legal Studies level 2, Certificate II in Community Services and Certificate II in Tourism.

What our students say about studying through VLT

“I am really enjoying the different way of learning”.

“I like being able to work independently at my own pace and off campus if I need to”.

“I really enjoy VLT because there is a lot of one on one with the teacher and less distractions than being in a face-to-face classroom”.

“I like the flexibility that it is online so I can still participate from home when I need to”.

“I have found VLT easier than I thought, and it has brought me out of my shell a bit more because I participate more in the class discussions as its by text chat”.

“It’s nice being in a VLT course because it gives me more flexibility with how I like to learn”.

Exciting News from the Photography Department!

In our school's photography program, high school students have been immersed in the captivating worlds of photo-editing and light drawing. Through hands-on workshops, students have acquired valuable skills in photo-editing, discovering the power of enhancing and transforming images using various software tools. From adjusting exposure and colour balance to retouching and manipulating elements, students have honed their abilities, creating captivating visual narratives with their newfound digital literacy skills.

Additionally, students have explored the technique of light drawing, experimenting with long exposure and light sources to create stunning images. With light as their brush, they have painted vibrant streaks and patterns, infusing their photography with imaginative and expressive elements. The combination of technical expertise in photo-editing and the artistic possibilities of light drawing has empowered our students to become proficient photographers, capable of capturing and manipulating images that evoke powerful emotions and tell compelling stories.

We are proud of our students' achievements and the creative community they have fostered through their collaboration and support. Photography truly is a medium of limitless possibilities, and our students have embraced its potential with remarkable skill and creativity.

Savannah has made a wonderful start to her work experience with Kurt Davies Tiling. Savannah is learning the skills and attitude required to have success in the tiling industry.

Aden is also on work experience with Reel Game Boats and Trailers learning the craft of aluminium welding and Charlie has just completed a successful placement at Confab Engineering.

If any Year 9-12 students are interested in a work placement, they can speak to Mr Sanders or Mr Austin.

This year Port Dalrymple School will be using the online booking system process for 3 way interviews (parent/teacher/student). To collect your students report please make a booking with your student’s home group teacher. Subsequent appointments can then be made with additional teachers to discuss your students learning progress in the relevant subject. Parents/Guardians who do not have internet access, please phone the school on 6382 0500 or see office staff to make a booking.

Bookings can now be made

Interviews are strictly 15 mins and spaces are limited. If you require more time, please contact the teacher directly to make an alternative arrangements.

To make a booking, go to www.schoolinterviews.com.au and follow these simple instructions.

Enter the code vehme

Location

Kinder to Year 6 interviews will be held in the students’ home group classroom.

Year 7-10 interviews will be held in the PAC

Days and Times

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews Monday 26^th June 3:30 - 4:30pm

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews Tuesday 27^th June 3:30 - 6:30pm

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews Monday 3^rd July 3:30 - 4:30pm

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews Tuesday 4^th July 3:30 - 4:30pm

PORT DALRYMPLE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING JULY 2023

The Annual General Meeting of the Port Dalrymple School Association will be held on Wednesday 5^th July 2023, commencing at 3.30pm, all welcome. 

Nominations are sought for two (2) parent representatives, two (2) staff representative and three (3) community representative. Nomination forms can be collected at the school office or phone (03) 6382 0500 and are to be returned to Returning Officer, Lorna Clifford, Port Dalrymple School, PO Box 84, George Town, TAS 7253 or handed in at the office by Friday 30^th June 2023.

 Why is the Association important?

The Association works with the Principal to achieve shared outcomes for learners and the whole school.

Membership of the Association provides a forum for the sharing of knowledge and skills.

Parent and community engagement in the school is important, as it:

• creates a collaborative culture within the school
• uses existing community strengths to benefit all learners
• creates collaborative teamwork between staff, parents and the community
• role models good citizenship to learners
• inspires and helps learners to succeed
• helps create better understanding between the local community and school
• facilitates a good understanding of the value and benefits of education
• provides adult learning opportunities
• supports opportunities for creative thinking
• creates community support.

Research shows that children do better at school when their parents are involved and engaged in their education.

Families can easily find information to help you navigate your child's education from birth up to 18 years of age, at Welcome to your child's Tasmanian education / decyp.tas.gov.au.

Some of the things you'll find include tips on how to support your child's learning at home, keeping them safe and well, and help to explore courses for the career they want.

https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/information-for-families-and-students/ 

Student Behaviour Management Policy- Staying Safe

We are committed to ensuring your child is provided with a school that supports them to be the best they can be.

As a school we work hard to create and maintain safe, supportive, positive and inclusive environments where all students can engage in their learning with confidence and optimism. This is done by using a range of ways to:

• promote respectful relationships and positive behaviour
• prevent and respond to unacceptable behaviour, which includes discrimination, harassment and bullying.

Ensuring that students are safe and free from discrimination, harassment and bullying is a shared responsibility between school staff, parents and carers, students and the community. Port Dalrymple School along with all other Tasmanian Government schools, is committed to providing students with a learning environment that supports them to be the best they can be. We work hard to provide safe, supportive and inclusive environments where your child can engage positively with their learning.

To strengthen the way that schools prevent and respond to bullying, all Tasmanian Government schools will have implemented the Student Behaviour Management Policy. This policy replaces the existing Respectful Student Behaviour Policy.

The important change between the old policy and the new policy is that now all schools will have the same minimum standards for preventing and responding to bullying. The new policy also has a clear definition of what bullying is and sets clear expectations for how we support students impacted by bullying.

These changes mean that the way Port Dalrymple School prevents and responds to bullying will meet the same standards as all other Tasmanian Government Schools. Some schools may incorporate different programs or measures to respond to bullying, but all will have the same foundation.

For more information, please see the Staying Safe in Tasmanian Government Schools parent fact sheet at: https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/parents-carers/parent-fact-sheets/staying-safe/

What is bullying?

Under the new policy, we have adopted the national definition of bullying*

“Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm.

Bullying can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.

Bullying can happen in person or online [cyber bullying], via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert).

Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records).

Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.

Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.”

Bullying definitions

Social/relational

Ostracising, making up or spreading rumours, social exclusion, rejection, purposeful misleading/lying to, sharing others personal information.

Physical

Hitting, kicking, pinching, pushing, tripping, ‘ganging-up’, unwanted physical or sexual touching, personal property damage and assault using objects.

Emotional Psychological

Stalking, threats or implied threats, unwanted email or text messaging, threatening gestures, manipulation.

Verbal

Put downs, name-calling, swearing, nasty notes and negative remarks about race, culture, family circumstances, gender, sexuality, disability, appearance, medical conditions, etc

Cyber

Sending mean texts, pranking someone’s cell phone, hacking into someone’s gaming or social networking profile, pretending to be someone else to spread hurtful messages online

What isn’t bullying

• Mutual arguments and disagreements (where there is no power imbalance).
• Not liking someone or a single act of social rejection.
• One-off acts of meanness or spite.
• Isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence.
• Ghosting, one off instances of hate speech.

Winter wellness

The cooler months bring colds, the flu, COVID-19 and other illnesses.

Being prepared is the best way to protect yourself and your family.

Prepare

Children are most likely to catch and spread the flu. Make sure your child has received their annual flu vaccine. This will boost their immunity against most likely circulating flu strains. It will also help stop them getting very sick.

Plan

If your child is at higher risk of becoming very sick from the flu, COVID-19 or other respiratory illnesses, make a plan with your healthcare provider for when your child becomes sick.

Protect

Protect others by keeping your child home if they’re unwell, encouraging regular hand washing, and covering coughs and sneezes.

For more information, read the [enclosed/attached] parent and carer factsheet or visit the Department of Health website.

Thanks for doing your part to keep our school community safe, healthy and learning.

New online information hub for families

Some exciting news! The Department for Education, Children and Young People has recently launched a new online information hub for families with school-aged children in Tasmania. Our new website has information to help you navigate your child's education, from birth all the way up to 18 years of age.

Visit our new webpage at Welcome to your child's Tasmanian education - The Department for Education, Children and Young People Tasmania (decyp.tas.gov.au)(https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/information-for-families-and-students)

Some of the things you’ll find include

• tips on how to support your child’s learning at home
• information to help you keep your child safe and well
• a guide to explore courses for the career they want
• school holiday and term dates.

We hope this website will be a valuable tool for you as you help your child navigate their education journey. We would love to know what you think of our new information hub for families. You can tell us by completing a quick survey on the webpage.