22 August 2025

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Supporting Every Student’s Literacy Journey: Our Approach

At our school, we’re committed to making sure every child and young person receives the literacy support they need—when they need it. That’s why we use a consistent, evidence-based approach across all Department schools called the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).

Here’s how MTSS works:

• Tier 1 – For all students: Every child is taught to read using proven, evidence-based teaching strategies.

DECYP Document title 2

• Tier 2 – For some students: Those who need extra time and practice with specific literacy skills work in smaller groups. Once they’ve mastered the skill, they return to Tier 1.
• Tier 3 – For a few students: These learners receive one-on-one support to help them learn specific literacy skills, alongside the learning in Tier 1.

This system ensures that every student gets the right amount of help at the right time. Whether it’s extra practice or individual support, MTSS is our way of making sure no student is left behind in their literacy journey. Lyn Lewer, Selina Tummon and Amy Jones, along with Sharon Rowbottom, provide this support across our school. Student progress and achievement is closely monitored which means your child may receive support at different times of the year, rather than all year.

We had a great School Association meeting this week. Your committee are doing an amazing job with their four fundraisers this year: Quiz Night, Festival Under the Bridge, The Yearbook and our Tea Towel fundraiser. We look forward to you getting behind these events.

Book week was a huge success again, a big thank you to our families for the work you put in to making sure your children can participate in this fun day. Next Tuesday is Disco Day!

I’d like to acknowledge the amazing staff here who have been incredibly flexible and graciously accepted changes in their roles at very short notice. Mel Turner is on extended leave and Lauren McCarthy has moved from Student Support to full time on Prep B. This has meant that Bron Douglas has resumed the Role of Student Support with Amy Jones taking on our Tier 3 learners. Lyn Lewer and Selina Tummon have adjusted their timetables to ensure any Tier 2 learners that were receiving support from Lauren now work with them.

3R

Congratulations to those awarded the 3R’s certificates.

Music News

Making Music, Moving Bodies: A Look Inside Our Music Program

This year in Music, our students have been exploring a world of rhythm, melody, and movement — and having a whole lot of fun along the way!

🎶 Term 1: Finding the Beat
We kicked off the year by diving into rhythm using body percussion and a wide range of percussion instruments, including djembes, tom toms, cajóns, frame drums, bongos, tambourines, and more. Students learned to read rhythm notation and even created their own rhythm patterns through exciting group projects and hands-on activities.

🎵 Term 2: Tuning In
In Term 2, we moved into tuned percussion. Building on our rhythm skills, students explored melody through Ostinato patterns and the Pentatonic scale. Creativity took center stage as they composed original rhythms and melodies.

💃 Term 3: Let’s Dance!
This term, it’s all about movement and ensemble! Students are learning dance routines and playing full-class ensemble pieces using piano keyboards, marimbas, guitars, drums, and ukuleles.

🎉 Save the Date!
Don’t miss our End-of-Term BBQ and Dance Event – a fun celebration of everything we’ve learned and created together. Bring your dancing shoes and join the rhythm!

Fitness Leaders News

Fitness leaders are one of the many leadership roles and opportunities in the school and their job is to run our fitness program. 3 leaders per class direct, guide and teach the students and run specially chosen activities to boost our schools students fitness level. They are there to bring positivity and encouragement.

Fitness leaders run these activities on Tuesday and Thursday for 25 minutes. There are many fitness leaders, enough for 3 per class not to mention the reserves. Having the role of fitness leader is a big responsibility as only those who have been respectful and show good leadership are chosen. To be a fitness leader you must show good leadership, be resilient, respectful and put in an application to convince our principal Mrs Young and our PE teacher and the main organiser, Mr Claridge, that you are the right person for the job. Fitness leaders are trusted with setting out equipment, running the group and encouraging students to always try their best. Being a Fitness Leader is a great privilege and a responsibility.

By Lochie W and Harry M

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.

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 3 2025