As our second newsletter lands in your inbox on what has been an incredibly busy and rewarding week.

Students are continuing with their core learning as specialist programs and extra-curricula offerings are now ramping up. Our Hands on Learning program is in the process of reviewing student applications, secondary students have engaged with PCYC programs, the school lunch program commenced last week, we have been visited by both the Minister for Education and the Governor of Tasmania, LiL commenced last week, and we are preparing for tomorrow’s Swimming Carnival.

Reading priority:

Our school’s implementation of the structured approach to literacy is making pleasing progress. Consistent reading fluency teaching strategies are being implemented across the school as well as two new programs:

UFLI in Prep-Grade 3 – UFLI stands for ‘University of Florida Literacy Institute’ and the program is an explicit and systematic phonics program.

Word Origins in Grades 4-6 - Word Origins is a DECYP preferred program for a structured approach to upper-primary spelling, reading and vocabulary instruction.

Emina McLean is an academic and reading expert and she has been working closely with our Department over the past few years. The Examiner recently posted this editorial, which concisely explains the reading revolution underway in all Tasmanian public schools:

Whole-school assembly

On Monday, we held our first all-school assembly for the year. This was my first opportunity to speak to the entire student cohort at once, as well as for us to induct 2025 student leaders and present awards.

I spoke about our value of Courage and challenged students to have courage this year to try new things, do what is right even when it is tough and take advantage of the opportunities the school offers.

Families, I ask that when your young person receives an award in assembly that you celebrate this at home too. Display it proudly on the fridge and make a fuss when aunts, uncles, grandparents or friends visit. It is important (even for secondary students) to hear this.

Student leaders also signed a pledge, in which they made a commitment to me and our school community with their parents and carers as a witness. The pledge states:

I pledge to uphold the traditions, values and reputation of Campbell Town District High School.

I will strive to foster a positive and respectful school culture, lead by example and work with others to create an environment where all members of the community are valued, respected and included.

I will be a voice and advocate for other students and I will always conduct myself in a way that is consistent with my school’s expectations.

Congratulations to student leaders and to everyone who received an award.

Pedestrian safety around the school

Thank you for the way everyone has driven safely around the school over the past few weeks. I can also report that Midland Highway underpass is operational again, greatly increasing pedestrian safety. I do have one request, however, and that is that families crossing Bridge Street with young people in the morning use the pedestrian crossing and not cross elsewhere. Doing so increases the chance that your young person will use the crossing when you are not present and it makes it easier for us to enforce this expectation with our younger students.

Student drop-off time

Staff are on duty and classrooms are open from 8.30am each morning. Families are asked not to drop students off before that time as they are unsupervised. If there is an urgent and unavoidable reason you need to drop your young person off at school earlier than 8.30am, please do so to the office where they will be supervised until a teacher is on duty.

Visit from Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Governor of Tasmania.

It was a pleasure to host Her Excellency on Tuesday 25th February. Her Excellency toured our specialist classrooms and participated in a Q&A with our junior primary classes. Mayor Knowles hosted Her Excellency in a tour of the Northern Midlands and our school was the only one they visited on this occassion.

I hope to meet more of you at our upcoming swimming carnival.

In partnership,

David Bryant,

Acting Principal