15 February 2024

Principal’s Report

Welcome Back!

I would like to welcome new and returning students and their families to our school for 2024. It has been fabulous to see our students looking very smart in their school uniforms and ready for learning. Thank you to families for making this happen.

The start of the school year has been very busy with school staff engaging in professional learning in the first three days prior to students returning. Staff have completed training in First Aid, Mandatory Reporting, Learning Plans and Reading. This learning supports our day to-day operations and will also be beneficial to meeting targets aligned with the school’s improvement plan.

To start the year, our 5/6 classrooms have been fitted out with new furniture which certainly improves the classroom environment and lends itself to current teaching and learning practices. During 2023, staff worked with several agencies to research and learn about contemporary learning environments to support students. We have created flexible classrooms, with new student desks, mobile furniture including soft furnishings and a mix of high and low tables for students to work at. This will support teachers and students to learn in whole and small groups and as individuals with an emphasis on differentiating for students needs. We hope students enjoy their new look classrooms.

Validation Forms

Please return your validation forms to the office as soon as possible so we can update your information on our records. If your child has a high-level medical condition which the school is unaware of, can you please make contact as a matter of urgency to share this information. All high-level medical action plans e.g asthma, allergies, anaphylaxis MUST be updated every year. Please ensure your child’s medical action plans are current and a copy has been provided to the school office.

Important Information Pack

On Thursday, students should have received an envelope containing important information including permissions for Major and Minor Excursions and Information Computer and Technology Agreements. These documents need to be completed as soon as possible and returned to the classroom teacher or school office. Please contact the school office should you require additional information.

Nut Awareness

We have students in our school who have high level allergies to nuts which can trigger anaphylactic reactions, leading to the need for medication, ambulance, and hospitalisation. We ask parents, carers, and students to be mindful of this situation when bringing food to school and avoid products containing nuts.

 Foods which should NOT be brought to school include:

• Peanut butter
• Nutella
• Biscuits or cakes with nuts in them
• Muesli bars with nuts
• Chocolate containing nuts
• Dried fruit and nut mixes

Swimming and Water Safety Program Year 3, 4, 5 and selected 6s

The SWSP will be held in Week 4 and 5, from 26 February – 8 March. This is a mandatory program, funded by the Department. All children in Year 3-5 are required to attend. Students will complete part of the Swimming Program here at Beaconsfield Primary School Pool and travel by bus to Launceston Church Grammar School Pool for their deep water skills. Further details will be provided to families in the coming week. Students MUST have returned their Major Excursion and Aquatic Permissions Form to attend this program. These were sent home in the information packs in the first week of school.

DECYP Strategic Plan 2024-2030

The Department has developed a Strategic Plan (2024-2030) which fosters a shared vision for children and young people in Tasmania and provides strategic direction for our department. Our Strategic Plan is a guide for planning, making decisions and working together to achieve better outcomes for children and young people in Tasmania.

The Department have also introduced new values, and as a school we will embrace these throughout 2024 and beyond. The new values are Connection, Courage, Growth, Respect and Responsibility. These values are what our Department’s culture is built on.

We endeavour to live our values and bring them to life through our everyday actions. They help us to ensure every child and young person in Tasmania has a bright life and positive future. Our values were created by talking to children and young people and our staff across the state.

Courage – Accepting challenges and embracing opportunities.
Growth – Aspiring to learn, and improving even when it is tough.
Respect – Caring for ourselves, each other, and our environment.
Responsibility – Stepping up and doing what is right.
Connection – Building positives relationships and a sense of belonging.

NAPLAN 2024 (Year 3 and 5)

Students will be sitting NAPLAN between 13 and 25 March 2024.

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.

This is the second year NAPLAN has been held in March, having previously taken place in May. This change was made so school systems would have access to results earlier in the school year. These can then be used to inform teaching and learning plans for the remainder of the year.

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. The questions a student receives depends on their answers to previous questions. This means that students answer 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. Students in Year 3 and 5 will receive an information flyer with further details about NAPLAN.

Mrs Daisy Stephens
Principal

EdSmart Communication

Dear Parent/Guardian

As from Monday 26 February our School will be using a new  messaging platform alongside our current Spacetalk App for communicating with you.   The platform will, over time, be rolled out across all Tasmanian Government Schools and new features will be added. 

The new platform, called EdSmart is an Australian platform which is designed to improve communication in school communities by allowing electronic messaging i.e. SMS and emails. For now, it will be used to manage absences messages i.e. you will receive a SMS or email alert if your child is absent from school requesting a response.  It will also allow us to send a communication message to all parent/guardians.

Note, the text message sender will be a shortened version of our school’s name - Please keep an eye out for it!

Further information is available on the Department’s website

Every School Day Matters

Welcome back for another school year – we’re excited for what’s ahead! Start the year right by making every school day count. There are lots of things you can do to set your child up for success:

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

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 website Anything can happen - Department of Education, Tasmania.

Launching into Learning Programs – Starting Next Monday 19 Feb

Book Club News

Welcome to a new school year! Issue 1 brochures for Book Club have been distributed to classes. Please return all orders by Thursday 22 February. Orders can be paid by cash or by online payment (LOOP), there are some special offers available via LOOP for Issue 1 so make sure to check them out 😊. If you have a ‘secret order’ (not given direct to child) please advise on the order form and use the GIFT option in LOOP for “secret orders’.

Many thanks
Jo Stevens
Library Technician
(03) 63831215

Lost Property

During the school holidays, a ring was found in the playground. If you have a lost a ring please contact the school office on 6383 1215.

RAINBOW CARDS

Some of Our Rainbow Card Recipients

Beaconsfield Gold Mine

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Beaconsfield Child & Family Learning Centre

February Calendar

Child Development & Wellbeing

Support Services

Weekly Playgroups

Welcome Back Event – Thursday 7 March

Beaconsfield Neighbourhood House

Free 2 b Girls

Fun Station

Beaconsfield Youth Centre

Term 1 Roster - Monday

Term 1 Roster – Wednesday

Beaconsfield Tennis Club – Tuesdays

Exeter Show – Saturday 24 February

Friends of the Library Launceston Book Sale

Junior Badminton – Elphin Sports Centre