28 March 2025

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Term 1 has been a busy and enjoyable term with incredible community engagement. From our Launching into Learning sessions, which connected families with our outdoor learning environment, to the fun at our Welcome BBQ, it’s been a wonderful way to kick off the year. The Athletics Carnival was filled with energy and team spirit, while our first Assembly of the year set a positive tone for what's ahead.

This term, we’ve focused on the concept of harmony across our school, exploring what it means in the classroom, our environment, and globally. Students have been actively engaged in investigating and reflecting on how harmony plays a role in their daily lives and communities. This exploration has been a key part of our student agency work, encouraging students to take ownership of their learning while fostering a deeper understanding of unity and balance.

A friendly reminder about our parent communication process: Our staff are always happy to discuss your child’s progress and wellbeing with you. Please make an appointment via email or through the school office. This allows teachers to focus on student wellbeing and support in the mornings, while also respecting existing end-of-day commitments. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to working together to support your child’s learning journey!

Next term is shaping up to be another exciting one. In weeks 1 and 2, grades 3-5 will take part in the Swimming and Water Safety Program, an important opportunity to build confidence and skills in the water. Then, in week 3, the library will be buzzing with our annual Book Fair, where students can explore and purchase a fantastic selection of books.

Regards
Amy Jones & Bronwyn Douglas

3R

Congratulations to those awarded the 3R’s certificates.

Athletics Carnival

A huge thank you to all teachers, parent volunteers and students who helped make the Athletics Carnival a huge success. Students had a fantastic day, with everyone trying their best and demonstrating their 3Rs. Congratulations to Tasman who took home the winning shield!

Camp 2025

We are thrilled to share the fantastic success of our recent Grade 6 camp at Spring Beach! Students were challenged in a variety of exciting activities, including ziplining, kayaking, crate stacking, and obstacle courses. The adventure didn’t stop there—our evening bonfire, complete with singing, dancing, movie night, and the talent quest, were unforgettable highlights for many.

A massive thank you to the Grade 6 team, our dedicated office staff, and the incredible camp teaching crew who worked tirelessly (despite their lack of sleep!) to ensure every student stayed safe, happy, and engaged throughout the camp. It was a memorable experience for all!

Prep Yellow: Exploring, Discovering and Learning Together!

Prep Yellow has made an exciting start to the year, with everyday filled with curiosity, exploration, and wonder through a play-based approach to learning! Our eager learners have been diving into new experiences, making discoveries together, and embracing the joy of learning every day.

Our class has been exploring the concept of ‘harmony’ through the Rainbow Fish series of books. These beautiful books have helped us explore the themes of kindness, sharing, and harmony in our classroom community. Just like the Rainbow Fish, we have been learning how to show empathy, include others, and build friendships through our play.

In maths children have been copying, continuing and creating patterns using loose parts, maths manipulatives and art materials. Children are also gaining confidence subitising and have been able to show their learning through play.

We were very excited to discover yellow ladybirds in our vegetable garden which has led to an inquiry linking harmony in nature to our science focus on the external features of living things. We have been investigating the life cycle of a ladybird, their features and habitats as well as the symmetrical patterns on their elytra (wings cases). The children have loved observing pictures, creating their own ladybird artwork, and sharing their discoveries with each other.

A highlight of the term has been this week’s excursion to the Botanical Gardens and Legacy Park. The children enthusiastically explored the varied settings at the gardens and delighted in collecting acorns and playing in the Autumn leaves. This hands-on experience has already sparked so many wonderful discussions and connections to our learning in class.

It has been a fantastic time of growth and discovery in Prep Yellow, and we can’t wait for more exciting learning adventures ahead!

3-4 Green News

3-4 Green have been working on narratives this term. Narratives are stories that you write (it is basically another word for story, or tale). Some can start with Once upon a time... But 3-4 Green are also working on how to start a story with more interesting starts like ‘In a little village’ We are trying to write something that will catch the reader's attention. 

Show, not tell means we write more of what we feel, hear and see around us. For example, instead of saying it is hot, you could say that you were sweaty, or your shirt was sticking to you.  

Why are we learning about this, you ask? Well, because nobody wants to read IT WAS HOT, they would much rather read something descriptive like SHE SQUINTED AS THE SUN SHONE BRIGHTLY DOWN ON HER... If you want a narrative to be good, then you should use descriptive language and if you want it to be even better, then you should use show, not tell which, as the name suggests is where you're showing something in writing rather than telling. 

By Ida and Jonathan

Bella put on her jacket. The snow was covering the whole town. She could see her breath in the fog. Her body was starting to shake. She went in the kitchen to get a hot chocolate and wrapped her stiff hands around the cup. She looked out of the window. She saw a dark sky and snow falling down.  – Harper

Issy stepped outside. That weird feeling shivered down her spine. Her body shook and she froze. Her fingers felt numb. As she walked out more into the snow, she saw Lottie slowly walking towards her - Matilda

I was shivering on the side path. The wind was howling around the corners and chunks of snow were falling on me. Wind was swirling the snow above me. I felt like I didn’t exist – Spencer

My heart raced as goosebumps shivered down my spine. My mind anxiously thinking of what the worst could come. My eyes darting around the forest as far as I could see trying to find a way out, I was trying to scream but could not. Then mum woke me up and I realised it is just a dream – Mia

Vine jumped head first into what seemed like a hurricane of wolves howling. A new sensation jolted into him. For the first time in a long time, he wanted to be small. – Jonathan

The snow fell down. The sky was dark. How far do I have to go? I blow in my purple hands as I trudge down the mountain.  – Nora

Kinder 2026

Enrolments for Kinder 2026 (2021 Year of Birth) who already have a sibling attending Montagu Bay Primary School can now be accepted. Please make contact with the office to ensure your child’s name is added to our Intended enrolments and collect an enrolment form.

Volunteers

Parent Help/Volunteers

We very much encourage and appreciate parent help and volunteers in our school. The Department of Education Children and Young People require that all volunteers must hold a current Registration for Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) and now also require you to complete Your Obligations – Safeguarding Training 15-minute video. When signing into the office please have on hand your working with Vulnerable People card and copy of your safeguarding certificate.

Apply for registration to work with vulnerable people | Service Tasmania

Compulsory Safeguarding Training for Workers - Department for Education, Children and Young People

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop has relocated and will now operate out of the Hall.

Thursday’s Weekly 8:30am – 9:00am

Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) 2025

Parents/guardians who are applying for STAS for the first time are encouraged to apply online at www.onlinesubmission.education.tas.gov.au, alternatively applicants can search STAS in Google and be taken directly to the online application site. Applications can be completed on any electronic device including mobile phones. Parents/guardians must hold a current Centrelink concession card or Department of Veterans’ Affairs concession card to be eligible. STAS 2025 assessment letters have been posted to all families. If a parent/guardian wishes to add a newly enrolling or additional student to their existing STAS file they need to email their full name, the student’s full name, date of birth and school attending in 2025 to stas@decyp.tas.gov.au and the file will be updated.

What’s On Term 1 2025