The weeks are flying by and the end of the year is fast approaching. Our classes are still busy and there is still much progress being made by all our learners.

Your children may have told you that our classes are participating in PAT (Progress and Achievement Testing) across our prep to grade 6 classes. This is an annual assessment that measures student's knowledge, skills and understanding and what the next steps are for improvement. We use PAT to gather information in order to improve teaching and learning. 

Teachers also use classroom based assessments and literacy screening tests to make sure their teaching is targeting the things that the students need and it is at the right level.

At the end of this term you will receive a report which tells you your child’s assessment against the Australian Curriculum

As we approach the end of the year, our classes are planning excursions to consolidate and celebrate their learning. Some classes will be asking parents to come along. We really do value the input from parents in our classrooms and your invaluable help on excursions. Please note though, that the Department for Education, Children and Young People now require volunteers/parent helpers to have a current Working With Vulnerable People card. If you are planning on joining us on excursions or helping in the classroom please ensure your WWVP card is up to date. Please see the link further in this newsletter for more information.

Finally, a last reminder about class placements for 2025. If you have concerns about your child's upcoming placement, please pop your reasons in a note and bring to the school office next week. Classes are currently being finalised.

Kind regards

Selected students did a magnificent job today representing Glenorchy Primary in the Interschool Division E Swimming Carnival at the Aquatic Centre. 

Our students exemplified all our STAR values as they strived to do their best in the water, worked together in our team - cheering and supporting their team mates, acted responsibly and safely in and around the pool and showed respect to all.

Well done all of you.

A Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) card is required when volunteering in a school in any capacity. All schools now require all visitors to have a WWVP card. 

These are available through Service Tas or online at Working With Vulnerable People

Kinder Gold have been discovering what their bodies can do! Did you know our bodies can wriggle, dance, jump, stretch, sit, stand and and so much more - our bodies are amazing!!

This term our Gross Motor session has moved from Thursday morning to Tuesday 8:45am - 9:30am. All of our other sessions remain the same.

Do you have a little one that will be joining us in Kinder in 2025? Our Pre Kinder session have started every Thursday - 9:30 - 11:00am in our Kinder Blue room. These sessions are facilitated by one of our Kinder teachers, Mrs Robins, and is a great opportunity to begin the transition to school.

If your child was born in 2020, please complete an enrolment form for Kindergarten next year and bring it along to the office with ID documents. Forms are available from LiL sessions or the school office. 

Spark is a basic reading and literacy program designed for primary school children.

The links between literacy, self-esteem, school performance and adult life opportunities have been widely documented. Statistics show that individuals with poor literacy skills are more likely to leave school early.

Spark aims to address this. While the focus of the program is on reading and comprehension, there is a critical element of socialisation, with reading mentors acting as positive role models for participating students. The one-to-one time involved provides an opportunity to chat with adults from the business world, encourages the student personally and has a powerful impact on their enjoyment of reading – all of which helps build confidence and self-esteem.

Participants are in the early stages of primary school and are matched with a mentor for weekly sessions. The program works on a buddy system for mentors who alternate their visits to the school, reading with their student once a fortnight.

We have been partnered with KPMG and our very enthusiastic mentors have made great connections with our students. We celebrated the end of our successful program with a visit to the KPMG office in Hobart.