Term Three Week 10 23rd September, 2021

Principals Report

Wow, end of Term 3 already. The days are getting longer, the sun is peaking through every once in awhile, and the daffodils are out. My tulips have decided to bloom a little early this year despite the cold winds that still whip through, we might even get snow on the last day of term! Looking back over our term calendar, I realise how busy Term 3 was, despite it being winter. As always, it is great that we are able to provide so many experiences to our students, in addition to the great learning happing in the classrooms. Here is a snippet of the many activities that occurred.

RecLink final-Bothwell/Campania the overall winners, White Cards for Senior Secondary, Jump Rope for Heart, QVMAG and TMAG excursions for our primary classes, North Melbourne Football Clinic, Netball on Thursday afternoons, Aboriginal Cultural Excursion for the middle years, and the Bookweek assembly to name a few. When you look at it all, it is no wonder that staff and students are little tired at the end of this very busy term. 

Looking forward to Term 4, it seems that we are going to have another busy one, with our calendar already filling up. Look out for announcements, updates, and permission slips of the upcoming events. 

Repectful Schools Campaign

You might have also seen the new public education campaign on Respect in Schools. This campaign ties into DoE and BDHS' values of respect, courage, growth and aspiration. As a school we are continually working on respectful behaviour between staff, student, visitors and families. We know when adults model respectful behaviour and work together respectfully, this produces the best outcomes for our children. If you haven't seen the ad, here is the link : Respectful Schools TVC 2021 - 45 - The Line - YouTube

Student Wellbeing and Engagement & Satisfaction Surveys

Thank you to all who participated. We had a 100% from our students, and a great increase of staff and families from the previous year. We will be able to access the responses in the beginning of Term 4 and will use the feedback provided to inform us on how we might move forward to better improve outcomes for our students.

Staffing Update

It is with sadness that I wish to inform you that two of our staff members are moving on. First is Robert Stewart, our MDT teacher on Thursdays. Bob has been with us for 3 years. He has sold his house and is moving up north, and taking LWOP for all of Term 4. We are in the process of looking for a replacement and hopefully we will have someone for the start of term. Our second staff member leaving is Lydia Newton, the school nurse, who visited us every Monday. Lydia has been backfilling since the start of the year for Meegan Richards, who was on maternity leave.  Meegan will be returning in Term 4. Lydia has done an amazing job in supporting the school and students through informal chats, hygiene lessons, and helping out in the Breakfast club. Both her and Bob will be missed by all, as they really were part of the BDHS team. We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours. 

Let's Talk Campaign

Last week, the Department of Education launched the Let's Talk Campaign. Nowadays, our lives our hectic, with many outside happenings taking up our time. Because of this, we often forget to have a simple chat with our loved ones. Being able to communicate is an essential skill in every part of our lives. Having a chat with your children, no matter their age, makes a big impact on their learning. This campaign is designed to help families to get converstions starting in the home, with minimal effort. So Let's Talk.

Lastly, thank you to all the families and community members, who came to our last assembly for the term. It was great to see you all in the audience. It has been a pleasure acting in the principal position, while Janelle has been away. Thank you to Miss Niki Griggs and Mrs. Jen Wise for picking up the AST roles and supporting me. Until next term,  please have a relaxing and safe holiday. 

Regards,

Marissa Murphy

AST/Acting Principal

Resources for families can be found here.    www.talk.tas.gov.au

We have one here for you to get the conversation going in your household

Growth

School Holiday dates Term 3

School breaks up on Friday, 24th September 2021 and resumes Monday, 11th October 2021.

We hope you all have a good rest have some fun and come back ready to learn heaps for the last term.  Enjoy the break with your families.

Cooking with Brigette 9th, September 2021

We had eggs donated to the school for cooking.  We decided to make Egg and Bacon pies.

Some were family sized and others were snack size. 

Be Kind to ourselves and Others

Term 4 - Be Sun Smart

Reminder: Term 4 Students must wear a hat during recess and lunch as part of the Sun Smart Policy. Caps for Secondary and hats for primary can be purchased from the front office, if needed.

Chancy Vale Excursion Class 3

Dr. Claire Knowles from Greening Australia kindly sponsored and organised an Aboriginal Heritage Cultural excursion to Chauncy Vale for Class 3 as a part of their science studies.   The students were able to walk around the area a little before all the rain.  During this time Trish from Nita Education (a group who is creating awareness of how our Aboriginal ancestors cared for Country and is inspiring students to discover more about sustainability) was able to identify and offer students five different types of food that was growing natively in the area to try.  It was unfortunate the rain came and stopped the rest of the walk and opportunity to try more bush tucker.  The students were still able to listen to Trish tell them some dreaming stories, talk about the arrival of the British, megafauna and Tasmania’s timeline.  The students were able to engage in twine rope making, ochre hand painting and spear throwing.  We thank Claire for this opportunity and for Trish for the wisdom and knowledge she was able to share with us all.

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Caramel Crumble Slice. Cooking with Brigette 16th of Sept 2021

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Launch into Learning Term 4 Calendar

Football Clinic ran by North Melbourne

School Association notes

The School Association met on the 8th of  September. The meeting saw us embrace technology and use the platform ‘Teams’, allowing 3 of us to meet from our homes and the rest in a classroom. It felt very 2021!

During the meeting we heard about the school's progression during term 3, staffing updates, the new building for 11/12 space and a verbal report regarding the external review that was recently completed. Each time we meet I am blown away by the achievements of the students and the opportunities offered. We also reviewed some potential ways for the school association to financial support the school such as driving lessons.

Thank you to the school for facilitating the making of the key rings for Father’s Day gifts. We hope they’ll come in handy for all the fathers out there.

Recently you would have been asked to complete a school satisfaction survey. This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts about the school. Thank you to those who participated.

The school association has been approached to assist with two events at the end of October and one in early November. If this is something you would be available to help (even for an hour or two) with we would really appreciate it. Please make contact with myself or one of the committee members to chat further.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable and restful term break.

Kind regards,
Annie

Letter to Students from Jen Butler

Well Done to our students and Miss Griggs for organising Jump Rope for Heart.

Book about One Step at a Time- Class Two

Class 2 did a STEM experiment based on the book 'One Step at a Time'. We used toothpicks, marshmallows and sticky tape to build a design that would support the weight of a tennis ball or a small fruit. There was lots of problem-solving and fun involved! 

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Pre-Kinder Information for Families

Springvale College Hostel visit

Bob Gilmore from Springvale College in Hobart came to visit Class 4 at BDHS last Thursday.  He was entertaining and informative about the importance of years 11 and 12.  He spoke about hostel life and the advantages of it.  He explained how the next two years shapes the rest of the students' future and how to make the most of it. 

No Dogs allowed on School grounds

Dogs are not allowed on school grounds without prior permission from the principal. This decision is effective immediately.

There are some exceptions from this. These include when a guide dog that is accompanying a wholly or partially blind person or is in training for that purpose and/or a hearing dog that is accompanying a wholly or partially deaf person or is in training for that purpose. 

As a school we are aware, that there are families who like to include their dog on their walk/drive to school, as part of their exercise. We still want this to happen, but please tie up your dog at one of the gates or ensure they are safely contained in your vehicle before entering school grounds, as stated on the signs posted on our school grounds. Signs will be fitted by the start of Term 4. 

We understand that there are special occasions where you would like dogs to be included such as school-based sporting and outdoor events, a new puppy for show and tell, a prop in assembly and visits from the RSPCA. We still want these to occur. For these to happen discussions need to be held with the school principal prior to the visit and a decision will be made based on the benefits and the risks to our students. 

We thank you for your support regarding this matter and as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school

Assembly 20th, September 2021

Certificate recipients:

 Kinder/Prep: Lukas McKay, Joel Turner

Class 1: Mia Clark, Chloe Ellis

Class 2: Grace Gleeson, Ella Pearce

Class 3: Harry Barrington, Taniqwa Quarrell, Michael Pearce, Bailey Mayne

Class 4: Mikel Blundell, Byron Conley, Caleb Mayne

Overall values winner-Danielle Bradburn

Shop voucher raffle: Mia Clark, Lachlan Glover

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School Farm report

And just like that, another term draws to a close. In my last newsletter contribution, we were celebrating the help we received from Duncan Campbell and his workmen getting the posts rammed for our new post and rail fence, and as the photos show, we now have the rails up and it certainly looks the part. Next term it will be painted, and it should show off the pride we have in our little school farm.

On the 15^th of this month, students from the Packages of Learning, Agriculture: food, fibre and natural resources had the pleasure of visiting Thorpe Farm where Mr Will Bignell shared with us the vast array of technologies he is using on his farm. From individually controlled sprinklers on the pivot irrigators to the extensive digital mapping of his paddocks, every device aides in improving productivity whilst also ensuring a sustainable approach to his farming practices. Will has a passion for utilising technologies in agriculture, but the one thing he recognised no technology being able to replace is the trusty sheep dog, even if they spent their time riding in the back of the ute and playing chase through the paddock. I do believe there is a more advanced gate opener……… A big thank you to Will for making his time available. The students certainly enjoyed the visit.    

School Holiday Activities at Bothwell Library

Come to have some fun at the Library and make some craft.

Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic Ouse

Junior Blaster -Glenora Cricket

September Hockey Flyer

Ngarie Hobbins Visit

Don’t forget to book your place for this great presentation coming soon to Bothwell.

Ngaire Hobbins is a renowned Tasmanian Dietitian & author that specialises in nutrition for older people.  Many people have probably heard her recently on the ABC radio.  She is a great speaker and very interesting to listen to for all ages.

Maritime Museum - Lume