9 April 2025

Principals Report

What a term filled with learning and events we have had. Thank you to the students, teachers and families for all the support you give the school and each other. When we all work together for the common goal of learning – academically and socially – we can make wonderful progress.

Together for Humanity

Our school is involved with a project called Together for Humanity (TFH) where we are learning about and focussing on inclusion and belonging. This is part of our one of our priorities in this year’s School Improvement Plan and being supported by a Grant we have received from TFH. Last Monday we had members of TFH at school running workshops with the students from years 3-6 around the importance of respect and feeling that we belong with a particular emphasis on students with diverse backgrounds.

‘I think it was very interesting because we were learning about each other.’ Matilda

‘It was fun and interesting because we got to learn about other people’s culture.’ Sian

‘We learnt where different people’s parents came from and where the presenters came from and what happened to them.’ Hazel

‘I learnt a lot about people’s religions and how they live.’ Arjun

‘They were teaching us about how everyone should be able to feel like they belong. If you have a sense of belonging, you are less likely to be depressed.’ Zoe

‘We learnt how we can hurt people even if it is meant as a joke. Jokes should be funny not mean.’ Mia

‘I learned that lots of people feel left out and lonely. We can play with and hang out with them which will make them happier. It was good to find out who and how to help them. It was a good experience to have.’ Adia

‘It was very inspiring. We should not stereotype people because of how they look.’ An

That afternoon, staff also attended a session about how to embed cultural understanding into our teaching. It was gratifying to realise that much of what we already do relates to this area of our curriculum but there is always more that we can do.

In term 2 we are using some of the grant money to have the students (3-6) participate in a workshop run by TAFE Students Against Racism. We are looking for what we can do to bring awareness to our younger students about respect, inclusion and belonging to add to what we already do to build kindness and connection.

School Association AGM – Chair’s Report 2024

On Wednesday 26^th March we held the Annual General Meeting of our School Association followed by a General Meeting. While it was a small gathering, we did begin some plans for 2025.

We’d like to thank outgoing members Caroline Corrigan for her time as the teacher representative and welcome Sharron Baird. Also thank you to Nat Mills who worked tirelessly for the fair last year and organised the day out at Richmond for our school.

Here is our Chair, Arron Ryan’s report:

2024 saw a range of successful events at Albuera Street, including a family picnic day, a movie night, and our wonderful school fair – among others – as well as a number of financial contributions, including funding assistance for the new school playground artwork, and for the school chess team to travel to WA to attend the national championship competition. These were made possible through the considerable contributions of time and effort from our wider School Association, and our individual Committee members, and speaks highly of our school community.

Committee membership has increased slightly since last year and we have happily been able to ensure a quorum was met for all Committee meetings in 2024. Nevertheless, we continue to face challenges with low committee numbers, and we hope this year the Committee will be able to encourage at least one parent or guardian representative from each class to join the group.

This year we farewelled two of our long-standing and highly valued members; Miriam O'Neill and Sophia Staite. On behalf of the Committee, I wish to extend our deep and genuine thanks to Miriam and Sophia for their significant contributions during their tenure with the Committee.

We look forward to another great year at Albuera Street Primary in 2025.

Lisa Ford Parent Session –

Last Wednesday Lisa Ford, a child psychologist, presented an information session on Navigating Friendships. This was a very informative presentation explaining the stages children go through in building relationships and some strategies parents can use to support their children navigate this complex process. Children will make mistakes while on this learning journey and this is to be expected, and we need to support our children to solve their own issues rather than follow our natural urge to jump in and fix things for them.

Some key messages from the evening were:

• Friendships should make you feel good about yourself – it is healthy to move away from people who consistently don’t treat you well (without resorting to mean behaviour ourselves).
• Belonging is very different to Fitting In. your friends should accept you for who YOU are.
• It is important to SHARE SPACE respectfully with people you don’t like (without creating drama)
• Modelling empathy in your home is one of the most powerful ways to help your child understand and manage social issues.
  (The Resilience Co)

Thank you to the School Association for funding this session, particularly Rose Flynn and Jane Blakeway for coordinating the session, setting up and providing the nibbles.

Inter School Athletics Carnival

Last Monday 50 students represented our school at the Interschool Athletics Carnival. We came 4^th overall. Well done to all the students who participated and the teachers and volunteers.

PAT Early Years testing

All students in Prep have undertaken a reading and Maths test over the last couple of weeks. This will be baselining data for our Prep students. the students in Prep – Y2 will be tested in October, and we can use this data to track individual progress as well as cohorts across the years.

Students new to our system who did not undertake PAT assessments in their previous school have also been tested so that there will be data to compare in October in the next round of testing.

Bringing Personal Items to School –

We discourage students from bringing personal and precious items to school as they can be lost or broken in the general hubbub of classroom and playtime life.

We also do not allow students to trade or give items eg pokemon cards and Cubees, to others as this can lead to extortion tactics and traders’ remorse.

Please reinforce this with your children at home.

Parent Tip – a possible holiday activity

One of our previous School Association chair Karen Garner-Hamilton passed away suddenly last weekend.  On behalf of Albuera Street Primary School and School Association we send our condolences to Karen’s family.  We remember Karen for her loving dedication and commitment to our school.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful fun and safe break.

Over the holidays there is Easter, Passover, ANZAC Day and other special events happening. We hope everyone commemorating and/or celebrating these events finds peace and love.

See you all back here on Monday 28^th April for Term 2.

Jo Waldon
Principal

Community Connections Fundraiser – Wednesday 2^nd April

Hi we’re Community Connections, and on the 2^nd of April we ran a fundraiser for NICU research project and it was a huge success.

Everyone wore colourful clothes we raised $435.

Thank you for all your donations.

Mandatory Reporting

Please Note: that this needs to be done annually, please check your certificate for the date of expiry, link below to sign in and redo.  

 DECYP requires all volunteers to do a short online course (short 13 min video) about Mandatory reporting. This is one of the ways we are working to keep all our students safe. Please use the link below.

School Calendar

Student Voice

Prep/1

Term 1 with P/1 Platypus

We have had a busy term and have some photos to show you.

In Maths we have been sorting objects in lots of different ways then making repeating patterns with the objects.

We farewelled our friend Minh last Friday.

We have monitors jobs for packing up time. Look at how good we are at tidying and cleaning up!

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Grade 2

Grade 2 Orcas have been working with place value in our number work this term. We use the 10s and 1s to find out the value of different words.  Aren’t we clever? 😊

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Grade 5/6DJ

Last week, we teamed up with our buddy class, Grade 2 Baird, to create 3D bunnies using various nets. We decorated and built the bunnies, then assisted our buddies in identifying the 3D shapes of their creations.

This term in HASS we have focused extensively on the development of the Australian Colonies. As part of our unit, students created timelines illustrating the progression of the Australian colonies from 1788 to 1901. They researched key events and included detailed information on their timelines, ensuring they followed appropriate conventions such as scale, title, and a sequence of key events.

Garden Club

Garden News

In Term 1 we have enjoyed eating sour cape gooseberries (these are our funny faces in the photos).

Four Garden Club students worked with Caron in the Canteen to harvest rhubarb and to cook a ginormous rhubarb and strawberry crumble for all of Garden Club and school staff. It was delicious.

We enjoyed harvesting our potato crop which was bigger than last year. While eating roast potatoes, 21 Garden Club students wondered how we might grow bigger potatoes in our garden. Some ideas included burying the seed potatoes deeper, space the seed potatoes out further and give the growing potatoes more water and compost. Keep an eye on our 2026 potato crop which will be planted later in the year!

Caroline Corrigan

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On Saturday Albuera Street Primary community was well represented at the Sri Lankan New Year Festival on the Domain with Senuli and Genuli dancing in Sri Lankan costume. They danced beautifully despite being nervous and cold then introduced Orla and Caroline to some delicious Sri Lankan treats for breakfast. With thanks to the Sri Lankan Community of Hobart for your welcome and hospitality, Caroline Corrigan

Canteen

Friday 11 April

Recess:    Sweet Special:       Apple Cake
                 Savoury Special:   Nachos
                 Fruit Muffin:         Strawberry
Lunch:     Gnocchi in a light tomato sauce

Friday 2^nd May

Recess:     Sweet Special:      Apple Crumble
                 Savoury Special:   Savoury Muffin
                 Fruit Muffin:         Raspberry
Lunch:      Pasta with a beef Sauce

Help Needed:

Each Friday approximately half of the people in the school order something from the canteen. That is a lot of kids. Your Kids. I need help delivering that food. This equates to about 5 hours of your life. If that is too much, I can negotiate a shorter period. Cooking ability is optional. There is always the washing up.

As of now, I have not received any commitment for next term. So please, if you can volunteer on any Friday contact the office, fill out form below or me directly on 0417 559 920.

Caron Summers  
Canteen Manager

Canteen Helper

Please remember to choose the correct order date on the Qkr! App.

Nut Allergy – Reminder

We have a number of students in our school who are allergic to nuts and nut products. Exposure to nuts can trigger an allergic reaction and be life-threatening for these students, so please avoid sending nuts or nut based products to school. We aim to keep our school as nut-free as possible to keep our students safe.

Launching into Learning 2025

IMPORTANT

Albuera Street Primary Launching into Learning (LiL) uses email, Schoolzine (the school newsletter) and Facebook to communicate with our families. Families are responsible for ensuring the school has your current email address. Stay up to date with LiL through the school Facebook page and the newsletter. If you have any questions, please email mandy.newton@decyp.tas.gov.au

Uniform Times

This year as we are setting times available for the purchase of uniforms.

Tuesdays:  2.30pm to 3.00pm
Thursdays: 8.30 am to 9.15am

Orders can be made and paid for over the phone and be ready to pick up at an arranged time if the above times do not suit you.

LEVIES REMINDER

Thank you to parents who have paid levies and to those who are making regular payments. Levies are now overdue, if you are experiencing difficulties with making payments, please contact Annette and discuss a payment plan.  Payments can be made weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

Payment Options

• BPay, Service Tasmania, Eftpos
• Credit Card over the phone (6223 2268)
• Cheque payable to Albuera Street Primary School
• Levy Instalment Plan (Please contact reggett@decyp.tas.gov.au or 6223 2268)

Student Medications

It is a Department of Education requirement that all medications to be taken by students during the school day are to be passed into the office or teacher in charge of an excursion or camp. The medications require a signed doctor/pharmacist as well as parent permission form (these forms are available in the Forms and Documents panel in the newsletter or at the office). The medication is also to be in the original packaging so that staff know what they are administering. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Medical Action Plans

Every child at Albuera Street Primary with a medical condition needs to supply an updated medical plan to the school each year, especially those with Anaphylaxis and Asthma. Staff from Albuera have been trained in Anaphylaxis using EpiPens and also in Ventolin administration for Asthma. If you are new to the school and your child has a medical condition please come into the office and collect an appropriate action plan form, or if you just have questions please don’t hesitate to phone the school.

WWVP Card & Mandatory Reporting

The Department requirement is that you must present your WWVP card EVERY time you sign in.

Information for those who need to apply for WWVP card

To volunteer at this school, you will be required to hold a “Registration to Work with Vulnerable People”. It is extremely important that parent helpers and volunteers are registered and Albuera Street Primary School is recorded in your application.

How to apply for a WWVP Card

Complete the online application form. 

Chose Department of Education from the organisation drop-down box and also select Albuera Street Primary School from the location drop-down box. Please remember each time to volunteer at the school you need to bring your card each time.

Mandatory Reporting

Our Department now requires all volunteers to do a short online course (short 13 min video) about Mandatory reporting. This is one of the ways we are working to keep all our students safe. Please use the link below or see the flyer.

Sickness

Parents/carers are reminded to advise the school office if their child is unable to attend school due to illness or any other reason.

• By phone (62232268) leave a message anytime on the answering machine.
• Email street.primary@education.tas.gov.au
• Schoolzine – click on the absentee tab

A medical certificate is required if a child is absent due to illness for 5 days or more

GASTROENTERITIS –
If due to norovirus, or the cause is unknown, exclude until there has not been a loose bowel motion or vomiting for at least 48hrs.

After School Care & Before School Care

ASC & BSC is provided on site by Lady Gowrie Child Care Services (Ph: 6230 6806).
BSC is available from 7 am to 8.30 am.
ASC is available from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm each school day and 1.00pm – 3.00pm Wednesday for Kinder.

Term Dates for 2025

Student Free days 2025

Community Notices