Campbell Town District High School eNewsletter

Dear Parents, Carers and Community Members

We are pleased to advise that our capital works submission for upgrades to our school has been successful and allocated planned funding in the recent state budget. An amount of $7.83 million has been allocated to capital works projects at Campbell Town. Commencement is scheduled for a little later down the track in 2026/2027 but we are very pleased to have this funding allocated. Amongst the key priorities identified in our school site master plan are a new Kindergarten, Canteen and redevelopment of the primary courtyard into a modern learning and play space. These priorities and the development of plans for construction will be undertaken in consultation with the community in the period leading up to commencement.

We are excited to announce that subject to finalising staffing, our primary school will be transitioning from composite classes to single-grade classes next year. This decision comes after careful consideration and feedback from parents, teachers, and advice from the educational researchers leading the DECYP lifting literacy priority. By moving to single-grade classes, we aim to create a more focused and tailored learning environment where students can engage with the curriculum that aligns directly with their grade level. This approach will allow teachers to concentrate on the specific needs and developmental stages of each grade, fostering more effective teaching strategies and enhancing student learning outcomes. We believe this change will provide our students with a stronger foundation and better prepare them for future academic challenges. Thank you for your continued support as we implement this new structure. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at the school.

Campbell Town District High School takes great pride in fostering an inclusive and diverse environment where every student feels valued and respected. We believe that embracing our differences enriches the learning experience for all. To support positive behaviour and emotional well-being, we implement Zones of Regulation, which helps students identify and manage their feelings, promoting self-awareness and self-regulation. Additionally, our commitment to restorative practices encourages open communication and accountability, allowing students to resolve conflicts collaboratively and learn from their experiences. Together, these approaches create a nurturing atmosphere where all students can thrive and contribute to our vibrant school community.

We encourage all parents to reach out to our school if you have any concerns regarding your child's well-being or academic progress. Open communication is vital in ensuring that each student receives the support they need to thrive. Whether it's about their social interactions, academic challenges, or emotional health, our staff are here to listen and collaborate with you to find solutions. Together, we can create a positive and nurturing environment that fosters your child's growth and success. Your partnership is invaluable, and we welcome your input at any time.

We are highly committed to the DECYP Lifting Literacy Priority, and we are already seeing significant growth in our students' literacy skills through the implementation of targeted programs. The introduction of a fluency trial has allowed us to closely monitor and enhance reading fluency, while the MacqLit and Multilit literacy intervention programs provide tailored support for students who need additional assistance. These evidence-based approaches have not only improved individual literacy levels but also fostered a love for reading and learning. As a result, our students are becoming more confident readers, and we are excited to continue building on this momentum to ensure every child reaches their full potential.

As we approach the school holidays, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our dedicated school staff, supportive parents, and amazing students. Your hard work, commitment, and collaboration have created a wonderful learning environment for everyone. We appreciate the efforts that each of you puts in to make our school a nurturing and vibrant community. Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for another exciting term ahead.

Kind Regards

Mike

Our ‘Fathers/Special Visitors Stay and Play’ morning was held in Kinder on the 30th August to celebrate Dads and special friends.

The students loved showing their visitors around Kinder – where they play and learn with their friends each week.

Activities such as: pretending to ‘shave’ Dad with shaving cream, making collage ties, easel painting and ‘tap tap’ carpentry were some of the popular activites shared.

Thanks Dads and special visitors for making the time to stay and play.

Amanda Luke

Teacher

Recently, students from Prep and Prep/1 went on an excursion to Riccarton where they spent some time on ‘Country’ as part of their HASS inquiry. They explored, observed and recorded natural features in a bush environment. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed a wonderful hands on learning experience.

Rachel Langiu and Mandy Blake

Teachers

Grade 2/3 students have been learning about the properties of materials in science. Last week they explored how materials could be manipulated or combined to suit a purpose. They created scaffolds using spaghetti and plasticine that could hold classroom items such as a home reader, a pencil and gluestick.

Anita Fitzallen

Teacher

In 4/5 Kuna, we recently conducted a fun and educational science experiment called "Ice Cream in a Bag." We learned how adding salt to ice lowers the freezing point of water, which helped freeze our milk mixture into delicious ice cream! As we shook our bags of ingredients, we observed firsthand the scientific process that turned a liquid into a solid - an exciting and tasty way to explore the science behind freezing points.

Gayathirry Kunasegaran

Teacher

It’s like the world stops spinning, thoughts stop circling my head, the music plays a low hum, hooves make patterns in the mud. I could do it all day. Every second of every hour of everyday. I feel the calming movements bouncing underneath me. Using a simple command to stop a 500kg body, another to go forward, left, right, up, down, back, spin.

So simple yet so hard. So calm yet so nerve racking. So safe yet so dangerous. So much money, time, energy, hard work. Despite that I would never have it any other way. How could anyone ever fear such a peaceful, smart, gentle, majestic creature.

They can feel a fly land on their back, they can feel the fear, the frustration, the nerves, the wrong landing, the wrong command, they feel every single feeling pulsing through your body. Yet they let you take control.

Ava

Year 8 student

Term 3 has been filled with various art learning for our primary students. They started learning about how about aboriginal people tell their stories through art using symbols to represent various elements. We learnt from Rheanna Lotter, how she uses symbols to tell her family story and then our Primary students created their own family stories using the aboriginal symbols Rheanna demonstrated.

Our Prep – 2/3 students have been learning and experimenting with water colours. Mixing colours together to create new colours and using these colours to create their own paintings as well as colouring in.

Our 3/4 – 5/6 students have been creating small ornaments with air dry clay. Students have learned how to work the clay, minimise cracks and how to smooth edges. It has been a messy and fun learning experience!

Mrs Barber has had fun decorating the art room with an “under the sea theme”, utilising students Term 2 work in a large display at the back of the classroom. I am excited for our next theme “Spring has sprung” which will be developed with students during the start of Term 4.

Meg Barber

Teacher

Before Julie Howard left CTDHS, she secured a substantial grant through MAIB, to allow us to host a Get Home Safe, High Schools Program on the 9th of September of this year for Grade 10 students. The main attraction of these sessions is that they are based around the use of Australia's first virtual-reality, educational driving simulator, which is connected to a real car. We hosted this event at the Campbell Town Show Grounds, and were joined by Darren from Get Home Safe, as well as the Civil Contractors Federation, State Emergency Services and the Australian Defence Force. Grade 10 students from Cressy District High School and Oatlands District High School also came along.

Designed to address driver behaviours, points covered within the day included:

Consequences of not wearing seatbelts

Positive driving - The art of advanced defensive mindsets for drivers

View from the driver's seat - a look at how so many dangers are hard to see

Inattention - Driving while using mobile phones etc

Looking after your mates

How to be intelligent passengers

Consequences of poor driving decisions and how they affect your family

Thank you to everyone involved in organising and attending this day. 

Hanna and Piper

Grade 10 students

Congratulations to the following students who received certificates at our Primary Assembly on Monday 16 September 2024.

Student	Class	Value	Reason
Douglas	Prep	Connection	For the connections Dougie has made to his new school and classmates
Wilhelmina	Prep	Responsibility	For the high standard to which she completes every learning task
Sonny	P/1	Courage	For confidently applying his blending and segmenting skills to read and write words
Noah	P/1	Courage	For confidently applying his blending and segmenting skills to read and write words
Hugo	P/1	Growth	For engagement and application in Phonics instruction, resulting in significant progress in reading and writing
Olivia	1/2	Connection	For showing kindness towards her peers and being inclusive to all in our class
Scarlett	1/2	Responsibility	For her consistent positive attitude and work ethic
Mason	1/2	Courage	For willingly attempting new tasks
Locklan	1/2	Growth	For actively engaging in whole group discussions and learning
Piper	2/3	Growth	For working hard to develop the skills to segment and blend CVC words when reading
Aubree	2/3	Connection	For working hard to develop skills that allow her to navigate and solve social challenges
Nico	2/3	Connection	For his awareness of others and for offering to help his peers when they require it
Charlie	3/4	Growth	For working hard to improve her handwriting and spelling
Casey	3/4	Responsibility	For consistently being a responsible and helpful member or our class
Edward	3/4	Courage	For working hard in our fluency lessons and aspiring to improve his reading
Hollie	4/5	Courage	For attempting challenging tasks with a growth mindset
Thomas	4/5	Growth	For showing significant growth during our fractions unit in Maths
Tikka	4/5	Growth	For continuing to work through challenging tasks both inside and outside the classroom
Sean	4/5	Growth	For his significant growth in MacqLit and spelling tasks
Maxx	5/6	Growth	For his ability to communicate what he is thinking
Billy	5/6	Connection	For establishing positive connections with all members of our class
Callum	5/6	Courage	For building perseverance skills when faced with challenging tasks
Florence	5/6	Responsibility	For the high standard to which she undertakes learning tasks and leadership duties

A reminder that registration forms for the 2024 Fissure Sealant and Fluoride Varnish Program are due back to the office by Friday 20 September. The program is delivered to students in Kinder, Prep and Years 1, 2, 6 and 7.

2024 TERM DATES

Term 3: Monday 22 July to Friday 27 September

(Friday 6 September 11/12 Moderation Day)

Term 4: Monday 14 October to Thursday 19 December

(Friday 1 November Kinder to Grade 10 Student Free Day, 11/12 students attend classes as normal)