Newsletter Term 3 - Week 9
- Principal's Report
- More Canberra pictures
- The 2025 School Satisfaction Survey is open!
- Ed Smart
- Swimming and Water Safety Program
- Book Week Parade
- Book Week Activity Kinder-Prep - Class 1-2
- Bothwell Careers Expo
- Father's Day/ Special Persons Morning Tea
- Our Reading Focus
- Our wellbeing focus
- Learning Showcase:
- Year 11 Driving Lessons
- Danielle's Biology Practicum
- STEM Cooking
- Holiday Fun
- Reminders:
- Assembly Invite
- Other messages:
- Children's University
- Sports Colours Day
- 6/7/8 Canberra Trip
Principal's Report
Principal’s Report:
Dear Bothwell families,
It’s hard to believe we’re almost at the end of Term 3!
This term we held our Swimming and Water Safety Program, and it was a great success. The children did an amazing job in the pool, building their confidence and having fun. Thank you to all staff for supervising students during the week.
Book Week was another highlight, with colourful costumes, engaging literacy activities, daily storytelling and a highly successful Book Week Parade. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making it such a memorable celebration of reading. A special thanks to Brigette and Mrs Smith for co-ordinating the event.
Our Year 6/7/8 Canberra Trip saw our students experience an educational tour of the national capital. Students were provided with the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs will a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.
Places visited included:
Parliament House: where they had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Federal Member for Lyons Minister Rebecca White, and Senators Wendy Askew and Tammy Tyrrell.
The Australian War Memorial and the surrounding commemorative statues along Anzac Parade.
The National Electoral Education Centre, where educator Gus took our students through a simulated voting process using the preferential voting system.
The Museum of Australian Democracy and the Old Parliament House rooms.
The National Museum of Australia where a Mr Squiggle commemorative exhibit was a highlight.
The Royal Australian Mint where our coins and those of several other countries are minted.
Government House where Australia’s Governor General resides when she is in Canberra.
The Australian Institute of Sport where our elite athletes train.
The National Gallery of Australia where some of Australia’s most valuable art work is on display.
The National Film and Sound Archive where media clips have been collected and housed.
And a favourite of the students – Questacon, where the many interactive exhibits kept everyone entertained for hours!
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding to our school in the amount of $900 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs.
A further $10, 000 was very generously donated by the Sheep Station Cup Committee and together with funds raised from all of our fundraising activities, and our family payment of $400 per students, we will be able to cover all of the costs of our Canberra Trip.
Once again, a big thank you to all students, staff, family and community members who assisted in making this trip happen. A gallery of images is below and stay tuned for further student reports in the next newsletter.
Thank you to Mrs Doyle, Mr Thornley and to Fiona Ellis (Parent), for accompanying me and the students on the trip.
This week we celebrated Father’s Day with a special breakfast on Tuesday, 9th September. Students were able to invite Dad’s and/or special persons along for a breakfast and visit to classrooms after to discuss student learning.
A reminder to our families that the 2025 School Satisfaction Survey is still open. We encourage all of our families to take part.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community.
Warm Regards,
Erika Boas
Principal
Our Visit to Government House in Canberra
Canberra Highlights
My favourite part about Canberra was the zoo because there were animals there. My favourite animal that was at the zoo was the fish, tigers, and the birds, Molly T.
My favourite part of our 4 day Canberra trip from Bothwell was, the moment I heard “look who’s coming”, my heart was racing it was the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese! Sophie B.
My three favourite things about Canberra were The Zoo, the Institute of Sport and Parliament House. Overall, I enjoyed the activities and the tour. Sammy S.
I encountered the world’s smallest monkey at the zoo when we first entered the Canberra Zoo. Harley M.
I liked it how everything seemed really close together in the city. There were lots of really cool cars to spot as well! George E
I really enjoyed our visit to the zoo and seeing all of the animals. Mia C
Of all of the places we visited, I really liked visiting the Canberra Zoo. We had the change to feed lots of animals. There were so many highlights though. Taylor P.
The best thing in Canberra was Questacon as it had lots of hands-on activities, and everyone enjoyed Questacon. Chloe E.
Canberra trip Gallery
More Canberra pictures
The 2025 School Satisfaction Survey is open!
Every year the Department for Education, Children and Young People conducts a School Satisfaction Survey to find out what your child(ren)'s school does well and where it may improve. Your feedback is very important to help us inform our school improvement planning and decision-making.
The survey about Bothwell District High School is open until Friday 19 September 2025 and should take about 5 minutes of your time.
Each family should nominate one person to fill in this survey for their child(ren).
Take the online survey by clicking this Link, or pasting it in your browser: https://nam.dcv.ms/EAS2ka6yUz
The survey is carried out on a secure website and all responses are anonymous and confidential.
All families in this school receive the same survey link and no identifying information is collected. A summary of the survey results will be provided to schools. Responses from individuals or small groups will NOT be disclosed to any Department for Education, Children and Young People staff.
Please contact the school if you require any assistance.
Thank you for taking the time to fill in this survey.
Ed Smart
The Department for Education, Children and Young People is using a new product for messaging, EdSmart.
EdSmart will be used for messaging and is a cloud-based software that enables schools to handle all communication with parents/ guardians electronically. It will mainly be used to manage absences and other quick messaging. E.g. A text will be sent for when a student is absent asking for a text reply with a reason for absence. A text will be sent if a child’s excursion might be running late.
A reminder that all student absences should be reported. For any sickness that carries into multiple days, a parent should supply a medical certificate.
How will this work for absentee notifications and responses:
You will be sent an email or SMS notification with a link to a secure form. Complete the form and submit. These links can be accessed on your phone, tablet or computer.
Privacy and Data Security
All of the data you submit in the Forms is held in a secure database only accessible to authorised DECYP, School Staff and EdSmart personnel.
For further information – visit the Department’s Website: Communicating with your child's school - Department for Education, Children and Young People
Swimming and Water Safety Program
Our students participated in a week of swimming and aquatic safety activity.
Book Week Parade
On Monday 25th August we held our annual Book Week Parade.
Katie Thompson was our judge, she is from Libraries Tasmania, Katie dressed as one of the Chicken Divas, pink boas and all. Katie also brought some prizes along herself as extra. So nice of her.
Thank you to Katie for being our Judge and also Mrs Hatty Taylor for judging the colouring in competition.
It was really wonderful to see so many students and adults dressing up, Well Done to you all.
Most Imaginative Winners:
Special Mention
LiL - Braxton & Zahra B,
Kinder - Hunter P,
Prep - Kensi B,
Gr.1 –Charlie F,
Gr.2 –Piper B,
Gr.3—Grace D,
Gr.4 –Ruby P,
Gr.5 –Mason P,
Gr. 6 –Chloe E,
Gr.7 –Taylor P,
Gr. 8 - Sophie B,
Gr. 9 –Eliza E,
Adults—Tanya Lovell
Special Mention
Lil - Millie F,
Kinder = Elana B,
Prep—Mabel F M,
Gr.1 - Matilda R,
Gr. 2 - Charlotte C & Evelyn A,
Gr. 3 - Archie E,
Gr.4—Ava B,
Gr.5 - Indigo M,
Gr. 7 - Koa E & Sammy S,
Gr. 8 - George e & Harley M,
Gr. 9 –Angel M & Rubie C,
Adults - Mrs Smith & Miss Pennicott
Colouring-In winners:
Lil /Angus D
Kinder/ Hunter P
Prep/ Kensi B
Gr.1 Susie D
Gr.2 Piper B
Gr.3/Grace D
Gr.4 Holly S
Gr.5 Mason P
Gr.9/ Ella P
Adult/ Bryanna Canham
Book Week Activity Kinder-Prep - Class 1-2
Book Spiro by Anna McGregor
Spirits story is about trying to find a decent meal his formula is 11% Hunger to succeed, 34% Trying again and again … and again! 53% Giving it another shot 2% Luck and a whole lot of Spider Silk.
The next week the students have read a book about a "Tooth Fairy"
Bothwell Careers Expo
Our Careers Expo was a highly successful community event. Thank you to all of the exhibitors and stall holders, especially our local community members, for supporting the event.
Father's Day/ Special Persons Morning Tea
Our students invited their dad's or important people in their lives to a lovely morning tea.
Here are some of the pictures.
Our Reading Focus
Earlier this term our primary teaching staff engaged in valuable collaboration meetings with the Midlands Cluster schools, focusing on literacy planning. Teachers worked together to design a three-lesson sequence aligned to a chosen text with a comprehension focus. These professional learning opportunities are a vital part of our commitment to high-quality teaching and learning.
Our wellbeing focus
Our Year 4 to 12 students are all n the process of completing the Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey.
Learning Showcase:
K/P/1/2: In K–2, we participated in R U OK? Day by exploring the theme of kindness. We discussed what it means to be kind, how we can show kindness to others, and why it’s important to check in with our friends and ask, “Are you okay?” As a class, we created a Kindness Tree filled with thoughtful actions and words. We also read ‘How to Be a Bucket Filler’ by Carol McCloud and Katherine Martin, learning how small acts of kindness can brighten someone’s day.
Class 1/2:
On Wednesdays, we have hands-on phonics lessons. Recently, we played Worketball. This is where students read each other's spelling words over the term, and they spell it. If it's correct they try to score a point for their team by throwing it in to the basket. They had a lot of fun!
Year 11 Driving Lessons
Students have been participating in driving lessons with RACT. Thank you to the Central Highlands Council for sponsoring the lessons.
Danielle's Biology Practicum
As part of her Year 11 Biology Studies, Danielle recently completed a heart dissection.
STEM Cooking
Students in STEM rotation Cooking, have been making slices with Ms Pennicott.
Holiday Fun
Looking for something FUN and FREE to do next School Holidays?
Council is proud to support a holiday activity by Football Tasmania in Bothwell on the 9 of October 9am-12pm. No experience needed - just come along for a morning of active fun.
All Central Highlands kids 5-18 are welcome, and the Bothwell Cricket Club will put on a BBQ from 11:30am.
All participants will need to register beforehand - family most welcome to come along to watch and enjoy a BBQ.
Reminders:
Dear Families,
Earlier this year we communicated to families that staff would no longer heat up lunches (e.g. noodle cups) and toast sandwiches. This is due to safety and staff time. A reminder to please not send lunches that require heating/ toasting. The use of thermoses or insulated food containers is most welcome. We will continue to explore ways that we can provide hot lunches as a school as they were popular last term. Thank you in anticipation.
Bothwell Staff.
School Hats in Term 4
A reminder to families that in Term 4 as part of our SunSmart Policy, all primary students are required to wear hats for outside learning and play. We encourage all of our high school students to also follow this plan.
EScooters
A reminder to all families that eScooters are not permitted at schools. Any eScooters that come are brought to school by students will need to be collected by a parent who will be contacted.
Any non-powered scooters (which are permitted) need to be used with a helmet worn at all times and to be safely stored throughout the day.
Assembly Invite
Other messages:
Kindergarten Enrolments 2026
We are now seeking enrolments for Kindergarten for 2026. If your child was born in 2021, they are eligible for kindergarten in 2025. Some of our families are attending LIL (Launching into Learning) and have already indicated enrolment for 2026. Please confirm this now with the office. For any other families wishing to join our wonderful small community school with our focus on nature play, and nurturing the needs of all learners, please make contact. You will be added to our contact list to receive information about our pre-kindergarten transition experiences. Please share this post with friends and family who have young people of Kindergarten age.
For any other enrolment enquiries for other grades, or to book a school tour for Term 3, please contact the office or complete our Enrolment Expression of Interest form: https://forms.office.com/r/1a63aTcAaX
Pre Kinder Classes
Pre-kinder will be operating at the following dates and times next term:
Children's University
A reminder to all students and families that in order to log passport hours for activities, we need to receive information as soon as possible. Please pass on any updates of out of school activities to Ms Pennicott via Seesaw. All activity logs are due by 15th October. Students require a certain number of points to graduate.
Sports Colours Day
6/7/8 Canberra Trip
A big thank you to our entire community for your support with our recent Canberra Trip. We thank all who contributed to the fundraising and planning efforts.