Sheffield School

Department of Education

Key Dates

Monday 20 June

School Assembly:

Grade 7-10 12.00pm

Grade P-6 1.30pm

Wednesday 22 June

Mid-Year Reports Sent Home

Wednesday 22 June

School Production

Thursday 23 June

School Production

Friday 1 July

Last Day of Term 2

Monday 18 July

Professional Learning Day

Student Free Day

Tuesday 19 July

Term 3 Commences for Students

Issue No. 9, 16 June 2016

Dear Parents

Mid-Year Reports

It is that time of the year again when staff have been working incredibly

hard to provide you with an accurate picture of your child’s approach to

learning, their progress and areas for further development during the

second part of the year. Next Wednesday June 22 mid-year reports will

be sent home with students.

This year traditional parent/teacher discussions are taking a new look!

We are encouraging parents and students to attend ‘Celebrations of

Student Learning’ sessions. During these meeting times, students will

share pieces of work they have selected and three way discussions

(Student-Parent-Teacher) will be held. It will also be an opportunity to discuss your child’s report. Parent attendance at these celebrations is

highly valued and parents are strongly encouraged to support the new

format with attendance. Light refreshments will be served at each

campus and our new Science labs will be open for viewing. Celebrations

of Student Learning will be held from Monday 27 June until Thursday 30

June. Alternatively, arrangements can be made for a phone conference if

you are unable to attend in person. All bookings are to be made

through the school office on 64 918 222 from Monday 20 June.

Assembly Date Change

The school calendar is very full over the final two weeks of term which

has led to some difficulties in trying to reschedule assemblies that have

had to be moved due to the postponement and rescheduling of other

events, such as the inter-primary cross country. As a result of this

rescheduling and next week’s matinees and evening performances of the

school production ‘True Colours’, we have decided to hold our final

assemblies for the term on Monday 20 June, (not the previously

advertised Wednesday 22 June) with the 7-10 assembly commencing at

12pm and the K-6 assembly starting at 1.30pm. Apologies for any

inconvenience this change may cause our parents /carers.

Attendance

As we approach the mid-way point of the year our school attendance sits at 91%, which is only just shy of our

end of year target of 92%. The front cover of the mid-year report provides further detail on your child’s

attendance, the year group, and the school and state/sector average. I cannot stress too highly, the importance of good attendance, more often than not there is a strong

correlation between student achievement and attendance. The accompanying table demonstrates the amount

of school that can be lost due to a casual approach to attendance.

1 or 2 days a week doesn’t seem much

but……………………..

If your child

misses………….

That equals…………… Which is…………….. And over 13 years of

schooling that’s……….

1 day per fortnight 20 days per year 4 weeks per year Nearly 1 1/2 years

1 day per week 40 days per year 8 weeks per year Over 2 1/2 years

2 days per week 80 days per year 16 weeks per year Over 5 years

3 days per week 120 days per year 24 weeks per year Nearly 8 years

It is a requirement that all absences are explained. This can be through return SMS, a call to school or a note

to the teacher.

Student Achievement

Two weeks ago a contingent of high school students represented the school at the interhigh cross country

event at Hellyer College in Burnie. Congratulations to Jayke Robertson who recorded a podium finish placing

third in the grade 8 boys’ event. This is a tremendous effort, well done Jayke!

Ron Daly

PRINCIPAL

Payment of School Levies

Thank you to those who have paid their levies in full.

As stated in our document “School Levies Policy & Charges 2016 – Information for Parents” levies are due to

be paid by end of Term 2.

A reminder for those who completed an agreement to pay levies by instalment - the expectation is that you

will honour that agreement, and to those families who have not yet made any payments off their child’s levies

that payments should have commenced by now.

Payments can be made at the school office, by BPay, BPoint and at Service Tasmania.

Another option is Centrepay deductions from Centrelink benefits.

Parents/Guardians are reminded that application can be made for the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) for

exemption from levy charges. This scheme is means tested.

For queries around all of the above please contact our School Business Manager, Charmaine Butcher by

phoning 64918222.

Build-A-Thon (Sheffield Campus)

Our most recent LIFT event was a K-2 Build-A-Thon held last Wednesday. We had a fantastic afternoon, with

almost 100 people coming through the door. Lucky door prize winners were Jaxon Ainslie and Dani Kemp

who each took home a Lego pack. It was great to see so many families working and playing together!

We look forward to sharing some photos with you from our Railton Build-A-Thon, which was held yesterday

in the GP hall.

Have You Got A Great Idea?

Tell us what activities or events you’d like to see happen in our school. Write it down and place it the LiFT

suggestion box in the Flying Start room at Sheffield and the office at Railton, or you can email us:

carly.sullivan@education.tas.gov.au

Premiers Reading Challenge

All K-6 students have now been given their Premier’s Reading Challenge pack, which includes a reading log for

recording what has been read. Books can be read to the child for those who are starting out on their reading

journey.

Take the Challenge

Read 10 books in 10 weeks - 14 June – 23 August

Start the Challenge

Keep a record of the books you’ve read in your reading log. Get an adult to sign it every time you

finish a book.

Give your finished reading log to your teacher by Friday 26 August.

Prizes

When you finish the challenge you will:

Get a special 2016 Premier’s Reading Challenge certificate signed by the Premier.

Enter a draw to win one of three $100 book vouchers.

Collect some fun prizes along the way too. Do a book review during the Challenge, and you could win a $15

book voucher.

If lots of students at your school finish the Challenge, some of you may get to go to a special certificate

presentation ceremony with the Premier. The ceremony will be at Parliament House in Hobart early in Term

4.

Finish the Challenge

Go into the draw to win a $100 book voucher – there are 3 prizes.

Receive your special 2016 Premier’s Reading Challenge certificate in Term 4.

Kids from 3 schools with be chosen to celebrate at Parliament House in Hobart with the Premier.

If you finish your 10 books before the Challenge ends – see how many more you can read in the 10 weeks.

You can get another page for your reading log, or ask your teacher for another one.

What to read

Read any book you enjoy, on any subject, fiction or non-fiction.

You can read at home, school or anywhere.

For great reading suggestions visit LINC Tasmania kid’s pages.

Ask your teacher or a librarian to find some books you’ll like. If you’re beginning to read, share books with

an adult, older brother or sister or a book buddy.

What if I don’t find reading easy?

Do your best and stick with it. Read by yourself if you can. You can also read with a parent, carer or

grandparent. Brother or sister, teacher or teacher’s aide. A friend, classmate or book buddy

Remember to keep trying. There are books you will like. Sometimes they are hard to find so you just need

to keep looking. Ask your teacher or librarian to help. Go to the website at

www.premiersreadingchallenge.tas.gov.au for more information.

12 Henry Street, SHEFFIELD, TAS 7306

Phone: 03 6491 8222 Fax: 03 6491 1408

Email: sheffield@education.tas.gov.au

Disclaimer: Parents should note that advertisements for education services, companies, activities or similar events are

published as a ‘community service’. Sheffield School is in no way liable for the quality, supervision or integrity of the

provider and strongly suggests that parents make their own enquiries before engaging with the advertised event.

Ron Daly, Principal

Inter High Cross Country Report

On Wednesday 1 June Sheffield School took a group of 39 to participate in the Inter High Cross Country. It

was held for the second time at Hellyer College with a tough hilly course and perfect weather conditions.

Our students did themselves and the school proud with lots of great performances and sportsmanship.

Our top performers for the day were Ebony Simms 11th, Pyper Page 16th, Michael Osbourne 18th, Joel Creely

19th Eliza Keen 20th and well done to Jayke Robertson who finished on the podium in 3rd position.

Miss Scattergood

Launching into Learning

Term 3 - 2016

Playgroup for 0-4 year olds!

Sheffield - Wednesdays 11:15am - 12:30pm and Pre Kinder class (children born in 2012) 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Railton - Thursdays 11:15am - 12:30pm

Sessions resume on 20 July

Like us on Facebook or contact Carly Sullivan (LiL Co-ordinator)

carly.sullivan@education.tas.gov.au or 64918222

Production 2016

This year’s Production ‘True Colours’ will be performed on Wednesday

22 June at 11:30am for school students and 7pm for parents and

friends and again on Thursday 23 June at 11:30 am for students and

7pm for parents and friends. Entry will be $5 and tickets may be

purchased through the school office. This production is being

performed by students from Grades 5 - 8.

Get your tickets from the office today!