3 November 2023
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Principal’s Report
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School Calendar
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Every School Day Matters
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Class Snapshot
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Pre-Kinder Sessions
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Levies 2024 & STAS Information
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Book Collection & Uniform Sales 2024
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Children’s University
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EMUsicians 2024 Auditions
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Coin Drive for Cancer
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Community Pantry
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Farewell to Stella and Bernice
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Volunteers & Parent Help
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Launching into Learning - Term 4
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World Teacher’s Day
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School Nurse News
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Netbooks for Sale
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Chaplain’s Chat
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National Student Wellbeing Program 2024 - 2027 Montello Primary School
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Tell Someone Campaign - DECYP
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Burnie Library
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Community Notice Board
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2024 Term Dates
Principal’s Report
Time to stop and reflect is a good recommendation for people in all walks of life. The same is true for organisations and schools. Today, whilst our students are enjoying the beginning of an extra ‘long weekend’, staff will be hard at work, assessing and reflecting on sets of students’ data to make individual adjustments for students. We will also be using some of the time to freshen up our knowledge with up to date evidence-based practices to teach your children each and every day.
One set of data that has recently become available to us is the Student Wellbeing and Engagement (SWES) Survey that is completed by State Government schools from Grade 4 – Grade 12. One piece of information that stood out to me was that 89% of Montello students indicated that they had important adults at school that they could connect with. This figure is well above the 2023 State average of 65% and much better than the 54% figure at Montello in 2019. This indicates that all adults at Montello are trying the best they can to make your child feel safe and connected at school. This is a big cause for celebration, and I congratulate all staff at Montello for everything that they do every day to achieve this. My mind then of course turns to the 11% that indicated that they don’t have an important adult at school and other sets of data from the survey and across the school. We are improving in so many areas but there is always a desire to do better. School improvement is a continuous journey. The work to continue improving for the rest of 2023 and into 2024 starts tomorrow. 😊
I would like to personally thank Bernice and Stella for their wonderful years of service to the school with the Story Dogs program. Over the last 6 years Stella and Bernice have listened to hundreds of stories read aloud by our Montello Grade 2 students and in some cases the same story multiple times (I’m looking at you – Where is the Green Sheep?). Stella will be going into retirement shortly and will be taking a well-earned rest from her reading service. We wish Bernice and Stella all the best for the future. Volunteers like Bernice and Stella add to our wonderful school culture here at Montello and I encourage you to consider volunteering with us to help us all to keep improving.
Stay safe everyone.
School Calendar
November
Monday 6th
Public Holiday
Thursday 9th
Coin Drive – Charity Fundraiser
Sat 11th
FIRST Lego League NW Tas Regional Tournament at Somerset Primary
Thursday 16th
3/4 Sports Expo
Tuesday 21st
Children’s University Graduation Day
Wednesday 22nd
Magic Show Excursion (Prep-Grade 2)
Monday 27th
Emus Concert Excursion (Gr 3-6)
Thursday 30th
PHS Orientation Day
December
4th – 15th
3-5 + At Risk 6’s Water Awareness
Friday 15th
Gr 6 Commemoration & Award Assembly @ 9:30am
Monday 18th
School Picnic
Tuesday 19th
Grade 6 Celebration Evening
End of Year Final Assembly @ 9:30am
Thursday 21st
Last Day of School
Every School Day Matters
Turning up matters
Welcome back to Term 4! We hope you enjoyed school holidays, and are ready for another exciting term.
We all want the best for our children – for their futures to be as bright as possible. Showing up every day to school really matters. It gives your child every chance to learn, grow and find their interests.
This last stretch of the school year can sometimes be tricky. Keep it up, because each day is another chance to:
- be around friends
- learn new things
- find interests
- create dream futures (whatever that may be!).
If you’re looking for tips on how to create better attendance habits, visit the Anything can happen website.
Please always talk to us if you’re having trouble getting your child to school. We’re here to help.
Class Snapshot
Kinder Joeys & Puggles
Pre-Kinder Sessions
Levies 2024 & STAS Information
Levies 2024
Levies are one of the many ways that families contribute to our school community. Levies support student learning by contributing towards the cost of essential items and services.
Levies for 2024 will be $140 for Kinder and $200 Prep – Grade 6.
Our Book Collection & Uniform Sales Days will be Wednesday 31st Jan from 10am-2pm and Thursday 1st Feb from 1pm-5pm.
Levies will not be invoiced until Term One 2024 so we will not be accepting levies payments on our Book Collection & Uniform Sales Day.
You will be asked to sign a payment plan and select the option for payment that best suits you. If you have applied for STAS and it has not yet been approved, we will ask you to sign a payment plan until your STAS status is confirmed by the school. (If you are approved for STAS you don’t need to do the payment plan).
Payment plans are available for all families and will give you four different options to pay.
Option One: Four equal payments to be paid at the end of each Term
- Payment One: 12th April 2024
- Payment Two: 5th July 2024
- Payment Three: 27th September 2024
- Payment Four: 6th December 2024
Option Two: Two equal payments, one in week one of Term Two and the other in week one of Term Three
- Payment One: 3rd May 2024
- Payment Two: 26th July 2024
Option Three: Fortnightly payments with full payment to be completed by the end of the school year (week 8 of Term Four).
- Payment start date: 29th March 2024
- Payment completed by: 6th December 2024
Option Four: Payment in full by due date on Invoice
If none of the payment options listed here work for your family or if you are experiencing financial difficulty or financial hardship, please contact the school’s Business Manager, Emma Short on 6432 2755 or emma.short@decyp.tas.gov.au.
Levies can be paid:
- At the school (by EFTPOS, cash or cheque)
- At Service Tasmania (by EFTPOS, cash or cheque)
- Through BPAY (using the Biller Code and Reference on your invoice)
- By mail, forward your cheque, money order or credit card details to the school, with the payment slip from your invoice attached (payable to the Department of Education)
- Using Centrepay, a service provided by Centrelink.
Can I get help with school levies?
- Do you have a Health Care Card or other concession card? You may be eligible for the Student Assistance Scheme. If you are eligible and your application is approved, you will not need to pay any levies.
2024 Student Assistance Scheme
Parents who have a current concession card as listed below can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS:
- Services Australia – Centrelink Health Care Card
- Services Australia – Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
- Services Australia – Pensioner Concession Card or
- Department of Veteran Affairs – Pensioner Concession Card.
Please note that if you are already receiving student assistance you do not need to complete a form.
You can apply online Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) (education.tas.gov.au) or we understand this online option may not be possible for all families, so if you require a hard copy form please contact your school or stas@education.tas.gov.au or 1800 827 055.
Once a validated form is completed the Department of Education will confirm the outcome of your application in writing, this process takes approximately 14 days.
Book Collection & Uniform Sales 2024
Wednesday 31st January from 10am-2pm
Thursday 1st February from 1pm-5pm
You will be able to collect your child’s books and you will be able to purchase any items of uniform they may require. You will also be required to complete validation forms, permission forms, update any medical information for your child(ren) and add emergency contacts for your child(ren).
* On the day please remember to bring any medical action plans, any court orders, current phone numbers for your emergency contacts and anything else you think might be relevant or important for the school to know.
We won’t be collecting money for levies on the day, we will invoice eligible families later in February, you will only be required to complete a Levies Payment Agreement.
Please allow plenty of time to complete the book collection and paperwork process. There may be delays due to the high volume of parents/carers attending and there are several forms to be completed for each child. Students are not required to attend. Please note that we require a main parent/carer contact to attend on the day, we cannot send paperwork home with other family members, siblings, or family friends. If you cannot attend on either of these days, please call the office on 6432 2755 and we will organise a time for you to come in.
Students return on Thursday 8th February.
We are looking forward to a great 2024 at Montello Primary.
Children’s University
Graduation - 21st November 2023
This year, Montello will take 60 students to the Burnie Arts and Function Centre to graduate from Children’s University.
The students will have their family with them to support them and cheer them on. It will be such a fantastic experience with 34 new students that haven’t graduated from CU before. All students will be wearing a black gown, a black hat (called a Mortar Board) with a yellow tassel and they will all get to wear the yellow Children’s University scarf around their necks.
Montello Students have graduated with 5726 hours between them all. We have one student that, over her time in Children’s University has accrued over 1000 hours. This is a huge effort on Eva Murrell's part and I look forward to seeing her graduate in November.
Congratulations to all students that are going to be Children’s University graduates for 2023.
Alison Palmer
Children's University Co-Ordinator
WALLABIES
Bella Pearce
Elizabeth Clarke
Indiana Reeman
Paxtyn Bartsh
Jet Hawkins
Saxen Beeton
KOALAS
Rylan Weeks
EMUS
Jase Gibbins
Arabella Murrell
Liarna Best - Barnwell
Presli Bartsh
Xahlia Rogers
RED
Aleeya Weeks
Caelan Morey
Oliver Cox
YELLOW
Elle Brett-Cohen
Zander White
Jack Richer
Lucas Bugg
Kyrah Fry
Max Best-Barnwell
Na’taya La Trobe
Ryder Crompton
BLUE
Evelyn Edwards
Lily Lavell
Jake Wilson
Norah Ashley
Ruby Beckerath
Zarah Lapham
ORANGE
Amarlee Lowry
Kayne Baxter
Levi Evans
Piper Reader
Sam Garlando
Asha Taiaroa
Emily Best - Lemon
Mia Ashley
Xavier Rogers
TEAL
Bridgett Smith
Oliver Heazlewood
Sophie Feltham
Alexis Steers
Ameliya Weeks
Mayson Reader
Ryder Boon
Scarlett Steers
Suresh Opatha
PINK
Dakota Boon
Molly Leary
Serena Schefferle
Kaha Taiaroa
Mika Brian
LIME
Hope Innes
Noah White
Ethen Parker
Eva Murrell
Padgett Richardson
EMUsicians 2024 Auditions
Coin Drive for Cancer
Community Pantry
Our Community Pantry is now set up and is located in the foyer near the Office entrance.
Families are welcome to take what you need.
Ongoing donations are very welcomed, please give what you can at the Office.
Farewell to Stella and Bernice
After 6 years of service Stella is hanging up her Story Dog coat and going to enjoy retirement at the end of the month.
Stella & Bernice have helped countless students with their reading over the years and our MPS staff & students are so appreciative of all their hard work. Enjoy your hard earned rest Stella and we will miss seeing you on the Story Dog couch!
Volunteers & Parent Help
Are you interested in volunteering at Montello Primary School? We are looking for parent/carers who may be interested in helping out at our school in a number of different ways. With the lunch program, in the canteen, in the kitchen, in the library, in the classroom, at school events. You will need to have a Registration to Work with Vulnerable People card. Please see Ange or Emma in the office if you are interested:
Launching into Learning - Term 4
World Teacher’s Day
Friday 27th October was World Teacher’s Day. Our students wrote some wonderful appreciation posts that they read out over the PA in morning announcements. Here are some of them:
Mrs Hurst is the best because she helps everyone, and she is really nice.
Santana (3/4 Blue)
Miss Spinks is a great teacher, and she is helpful.
Beemer (3/4 Blue)
I like Mr Speglic because we get to play dodge ball and poison frog tag. Mr Speglic teaches us new games and skills. When Mr Speglic is up for octopus, he targets us, and it is so much fun. When we play stuck in the mud, we have lots of fun while we learn.
Saxon (1/2 Wallabies)
Mrs Gregg you are the best teacher. Thank you for teaching us. I like you because you teach us so many new things. My favourite things you teach me is maths and science. You listen when we need to talk to you or when we have a problem. You make learning fun. I am so glad you are my teacher.
Indiana (1/2 Wallabies)
Mrs Blizzard likes to read stories to me, she actually let’s me go outside when it’s outside time.
Aziah
Mrs Jordan does a good job of listening.
Harlan
Miss Douglas is a kind and caring teacher. She gives us Icy poles on a Friday if we have enough class cash. She is just a nice person to hang around with.
Bianca Newdick
Mr Crawford has helped me and other students this year with our work. You are the best teacher ever and you are crazy funny.
Sophia Levesque
Miss T
She helps us with our writing. We love her. She’s the best. She is beautiful.
She makes us happy.
She makes us learn.
She helps in computer lab.
We are lucky to have her as our teacher.
Mia
Miss E
She’s kind and helps us with heggerty. She’s a really nice teacher. I feel happy when I’m around her. She’s pretty. She brings joy and she works hard to keep us on task. She reads us great book that we like. We love having her as our teacher.
Scarlett
I like Mr Edwards because he has taught us a lot about all sorts of different programs. We use micro bits and we have spent a lot of time being taught about them. Mr Edwards runs lots of competitions that are great. Mr Edwards has a joke with us and we are lucky to have him as a Makers Space teacher. Thanks Mr Edwards for being our teacher.
Paxtyn (1/2 Wallabies)
Mr Langford, you are our favourite teacher. The garden is an amazing place to be, especially with you helping us there. Woodwork is really fun because we mostly get to make anything we like.
Mr Langford you are a fine bearded fellow.
Alex and Kayne
Miss Stephens you are kind, sweet, understanding, happy energetic, fun and an amazing teacher. In general, I’m happy that I’ve had you this year. It has been a very fun roller coaster. You are a very chill teacher and if someone doesn’t understand some work you help and put in extra detail for us to understand.
Indie Cameron
Mr Wolarczuk
As a member of Senior Staff, you are a great role model because you are very positive all the time. You spread kindness everywhere, to all students and staff; even with the responsibilities you have. As a school we are all grateful for all the things you do. You have a great sense of humour that shines through whenever you interact with any students. This school is very enjoyable to attend, and this is attributed to you as a person and as a teacher. So, we thank you for everything that you do for all the students.
Sincerely Grade 5/6 classes
Mr McCall
Being the Principal of this school comes with great responsibilities. You always find time to support all the students and staff, you are very kind and well respected by everyone. The programs you introduce to this school make learning enjoyable and very interactive. You are also a very fun Principal to spend time with and you create happiness everywhere you go. Everyone is grateful for all the opportunities you are creating for us, and we respect that. We thank you for everything you do for Montello Primary School.
Grade 5/6 classes
School Nurse News
Farewell from Nurse Lyndsey
For the past 5 years, I have been a member of the DOE and DECYP community. Before entering the role as school health nurse, I had no idea what to expect. And over the past 5 years, the School Health Nurse program has changed, and grown as have I. I have been in several schools around the NW region, and I have come to know many students and families in the community. It has been a pleasure to work with you all and support you and your child/ren to have access to allied health support services. I have watched children grow from their early kinder days into young ladies and gentlemen who have a big world of possibility and potential at their feet.
It has not been an easy decision to leave a position that I love so much, but due to personal circumstances, I have had to make changes and accept a new role. I hope that if you see me around, that you are still happy to say hello and give me a wave. It has been an honour to be a part of the Montello Primary School community. Thank you for having me as a school nurse and for allowing me to work with you and your child/ren.
Lyndsay Norton
School Health Nurse
Netbooks for Sale
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e (4th Gen) 20HU - $50 each
We currently have second-hand (ex-student devices) netbooks available for purchase. The devices are sold as is. Please contact the Office to buy. Only available to Montello Primary student families at this stage.
- Flip design
- Core i3 7100U / 2.4 GHz
- Win 10 Pro 64-bit
- 8 GB RAM
- 128 GB SSD
- 6" IPS touchscreen 1366 x 768 (HD)
- HD Graphics 620
- Wi-Fi
- graphite black
Chaplain’s Chat
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD BOXES
Over the last 2 weeks there have been 15 students attending after school sessions with me to pack Operation Christmas Child Boxes - shoeboxes filled with new gifts bringing joy to children in need around the world.
Before packing the boxes with lots of items including school supplies, personal care items, wow items, clothing & toys the students enjoyed working on: building the box from the flat pack, a picture to represent a postage stamp to decorate their box, beautiful beaded fish & decorated pencil cases & notebooks. I was very impressed by the enthusiasm & care the students showed in completing the items.
I'd like to thank Mrs Yaxley & her daughter Myra for helping us. It was great to have them.
A really big thank you to the school family who donated items for the boxes & to my church friends who donated items & contributed to the cost.
If you think I can help you and your child in some way or you'd like to chat please leave a message at the school office.
Chaplains Thought
National Student Wellbeing Program 2024 - 2027 Montello Primary School
Our school chaplain is funded by the National School Chaplaincy Program.The school is in the process of applying for funding for the next 3 years through the National School Wellbeing Program and for this application to be effective, it’s important that we have parent and community support.
Please take some time to complete a short survey by clicking the link below. Responses are anonymous.
Tell Someone Campaign - DECYP
All children in Tasmania have a right to be known, safe, well and learning. We are highly committed to the safety of all students at our school.
Earlier this month, DECYP launched the Tell Someone initiative, to raise awareness in the community about child sexual abuse and grooming.
The Tell Someone website gives children and young people clear advice on what to do in situations where they feel worried, unsafe or unsure. It also gives adults advice and support on how to respond if they suspect or know a child is being groomed or sexually abused or is at risk of harm.
Please visit the website, read the information, and try to find a suitable time to talk with your children about this issue and the resources available. It’s important that you both understand the possible signs of sexual abuse or grooming behaviour, and how to stay safe online and offline.
If reading this information has caused you distress, please visit DECYP’s website for a list of support services.
Please contact the school if you have any questions about this information.