5 November 2025

Principals Report

Our team in the state chess finals

So proud of our school representatives in the State Chess Finals.

Well done.

Matthew, Theo, Ben, Aiden, and Jimmy went to the chess state final at Scotch Oakburn College in Launceston. It was a fabulous day, and we played a total of 9 games. The car ride up was really long but it was worth it. In the end, we came 16^th out of 31 schools.         By Matthew

Pre-Kinder

Pre-Kinder has begun and over the next few weeks the children who will be in Kinder in 2026 will spend time getting to know the room, staff and each other. This is also a wonderful opportunity for parents and carers to meet and get to know each other and build connections that will support themselves and their children on their journey through school.

External School Review recommendations -

Last term we underwent an External School Review which entailed three days of observations, interviews and analysing data and policies. The result was very reaffirming, and the recommendations will be four years of focussed work to continue to move our school forward. We received some high praise about our staff morale, how articulate and engaged our students are and what supportive families we have.

Some of what we will be improving and working on will be developing a school vision connected to our context and values, strengthening our processes for teaching and learning and collaboration and continuing to engage student voice and support their sense of belonging and connection to our school.

I feel privileged to work in this school with such professional and motivated staff, families who value education and are supportive of their children and teachers and students who want to learn and be involved in their education and can discuss this coherently and passionately.

Attached is the Executive Summary –

Remembrance Day

We will once again be commemorating Remembrance Day at the Barracks. Due to commitments from the Barracks our service will be held on Thursday 13^th November. On the 11^th we will hold a minute’s silence. See further information about joining us for the service in this newsletter.

Terrapin Puppets performance -

On Wednesday 12 November, Terrapin Puppet Theatre will be visiting Albuera Street Primary to perform Goldfish. 

Terrapin Puppet Theatre will be recording this performance. 

If you do not want your child to be filmed, could you please contact the school to advise on 62 232268. 

STEM Next with Taroona High School

‘Kids from Taroona High came to Albuera Street Primary School to demonstrate science experiments to us. They did many experiments like a dry-ice cannon, traffic light reactions and a colour changing tube. They were very fun and informative experiments, and we hope to see them again at the expo.’ Rishi

School Association Trivia Night – Artwork for auction

Each class has created a piece of art to be auctioned at the School Association’s Trivia Night on Saturday 15^th November. Here are photos of a few of the offerings.

Ms Mirri McShane’s husband, Justin McShane, is an artist and framer, who has framed a couple of our artworks, and he has also kindly donated two of his own prints for the auction as well. Here are the two pieces some lucky bidders could have:

Please excuse my wonky photos that do not do justice to all these artworks, I am definitely not the artist here 😊

So, if you haven’t booked your spot for this great night of trivia, good food, laughs and art, please do. See you there.

AdAstra Gifted Online Writing Competition.

During 3^rd term - 4 x students who are participating in the Gifted Online AdAstra course entered a writing competition. The competition was held throughout the state where numerous entries were judged.

The Course Co-ordinator Mrs Anita Wood was very impressed with the entries and the calibre of work. There were 3 x judges who had to decide the winners of each year group (4 x in total).

I have included her comments concerning our students: - Max N, Matilda Q, Tobias F and Anna D.

“Wow!

Can I just say - you are an amazing group of writers! …I'll share the names of the writers that stood out to the judges. However, every person who submitted an entry should pursue their passion for writing! There were some fabulous ideas and skilled writing. This year, we've decided to announce four stories per year group that really stood out. The judges decided upon the stories based on the checklist and how your mystery items were used in the story.” 

The 2 x winners from the grade 4 year group - out of the 4 top entries are: -

 Entrants                                    Winners

 Year 4

The Heart of Fate - Matilda Q

The Virus - Max N

 Tobias, Max, Mrs Wood, Matilda, Anna                  Max and Matilda                   

Congratulations to our 4 x students who entered and especially our 2 x winners Max and Matilda. 😊

Parent Tip –

Improve Psychological Assessment Reports: Your Input Needed

Are you a parent or teacher who has read a psychological assessment report? We're studying how to make these reports clearer and more useful for families and educators, and we'd value your input.

Who's running this?

Psychologists and researchers from the University of Tasmania, the Department of Education (Tasmania), and the Australian Educational and Developmental Psychology Association (AEDPA).

What's involved?

You may choose to participate in one or both of the following:

• A short, anonymous online survey (15 minutes). No identifying information is collected.
• Conversation about you views
• Focus group on Zoom (60-90 minutes). $50 gift card thankyou, or
• One-to-one interview (30-45 minutes). $30 gift card thankyou

Participation is voluntary, and this study has ethical approval from the University of Tasmania Human Research Ethics Committee (reference 32101).

Interested? Click here https://tinyurl.com/TASpsychreports for further information.

Jo Waldon
Principal

School Remembrance Day Commemorative Service, Thursday 13^th November 2025 

Each year Australia commemorates the end of World War 1 on 11 November.  As a mark of respect Australians are encouraged to pause at 11.00am to observe one minute’s silence and remember those who have died or suffered for Australia’s cause in all wars and armed conflicts. 

This year, Albuera Street Primary’s Commemorative Service will be held at Anglesea Barracks on Thursday.  Please ensure your child has their school hat and appropriate school uniform for the weather, as the excursion will be going ahead unless there is heavy rain falling at the time. 

• Parents and family members who would like to attend the service are invited to, sign in then walk with the group to the main entrance.  
• We will be leaving promptly at 10.40am.  Students are to stay with their class at all times. 
• Once at the service, family members are asked to stand at the back of the whole-school group (similar to assemblies; please do not sit with your child and their class group); seating will not be available.   
• At the conclusion of the service, you are welcome to join your child/ren to walk out of the Barracks.  Please ensure your child stays with their class. 
• It is anticipated that the service will end at about 11.10am.   
• Please do not take photographs before, during or after the service.   

We are making bouquets for each class to lay at the memorial. If you have flowers available, please send some along on Thursday morning for us to use. Each year we have been able to make beautiful bouquets, and we appreciate your donations. 

Interschool Swimming Carnival

On the 4\11\2025 we travelled on a bus to the Doone Kennedy Aquatic Centre to participate in an interschool swimming event. This is for students that got selected in our school swimming carnival. We were in Division B. There were 8 schools participating in our division.

Everyone tried their hardest and represented Albuera really well. The events were 25m freestyle, which was followed by breaststroke, aquatic underarm, backstroke, the medley relay, freestyle relay and last but least the 50m free. Overall, our school placed 7^th, and everybody had a good time.

By Ellie and Seamus

School Association

School Calendar

Student Voice

KinderApples

The Kinder Apples have gone froggy. They are watching tadpoles grow and change, reading about the frog lifecycle and singing Tadpole Blues on repeat!  After reading Tiddalik and watching this animation made by Museums Victoria, they drew fantastic frogs and thought of new ways to make Tiddalik laugh. Here are some of their ideas. I would make Tiddalik laugh by…tickling him with a feather or leaf, singing silly songs, tickling his belly, tickling his armpits and under his chin, doing funny dancing, saying funny things. https://museumsvictoria.com.au/childrens-week/look-and-listen/tiddalik-the-frog/ If you haven’t heard Peter Coombe’s Tadpole Blues look it up!

My New Gallery

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Canteen

Friday 7 November

Recess:
Sweet Special:            Apple Cake with Custard
Savoury Special:          Nachos
Fruit Muffin:               Strawberry
Lunch:                         Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks with rice and vegetable

Friday 14 November

Canteen subject to parent assistance

Recess:
Sweet Special:            Banana Cake
Savoury Special:          Pizza
Fruit Muffin:               Blueberry
Lunch:                         Chilli Con Carne with Cornbread.

Parent Help Need

Without parent help the canteen will not operate. If you can assist, please contact the office or Caron 0417 559 920.

Canteen Helper

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

Nut Allergy – Reminder

We have several 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

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)
• 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 RWVP 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

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.

Sign up with your work email (mygo1.com)

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: albuera.street.primary@decyp.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

Term Dates for 2026

Student Free days 2026

Become a foster carer

Community Notices