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

This week, we held our first whole-school assembly. We were delighted to officially welcome our new Principal, Mr David Bryant, and to introduce our Student Leaders for 2025 who were presented with their blazers and badges.  In addition, students from Prep to Year 10 were acknowledged for their commitment to our school values and DECYP principles, with class certificates awarded to those who have demonstrated excellence in these areas. The assembly was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our students and reinforce our shared values. 

Amanda Lydon

AST

In 3B Maths we have been learning about capacity.  We read Alexander’s Outing and participated in some experiments to rescue our own ducks.  We chose a “pouring” container and a “filling” container and did some estimating on how many times we would need to fill the “pouring” container to get the ducks to the top of our “filling” containers.  It was a fun and hands-on experience, particularly on a hot Summer afternoon.

Halana Knowles

Teacher

We have had a wonderful start to the year in Grade 4.  On Valentine's Day we wrote some poems based on the rhyming format of Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, and we brainstormed some words we associate with love and created some artwork.

Elizabeth Webber

Teacher

11/12/13 Students Start to the Year

• The WII battle ground has seen Lachie defeated by Shane in an epic boxing match. I wouldn’t challenge Shane to a bowling game either, he is a bit of a pro.
• Sport & Recreation classes have had a Pilates class and learnt this form of exercise originated in gaol. Marissa and Ty were working on their core. A big thank you to Stephanie Tait for her time and expertise. Pilates was followed by a very competitive Beep Test with Lachie dipping out to Ty this time and Brodie a close third. Well done all.
• Cooking has seen buns made, garlic bread and a beautiful apple cake (Thanks Aiden). Jack has been seen in the kitchen lending a hand to make cupcakes.
• In Reading and Writing students are writing a newspaper article and Emily is still looking for more words, whilst Charlie is researching a basketball player.
• Chickens will be hatching soon as Ag students set up the incubator and are monitoring the temperature and humidity. A chicken with chicks is already in residence. Lilly isn’t a chook fan but I am sure we will win her over with fluffy little handfuls of chicks.
• Focus on Children has seen Ella designing activities for the children in kinder and carrying them out on a Friday.
• Three students have 100% attendance and others have already raised their attendance from last year. Well done everyone.
• All connected with Senior Secondary are enjoying the new space and its facilities. We have a great co-hort of students and we look forward to seeing them grow and follow their dreams.

Jill Bennett

Senior Secondary AST

This week, some of our students had the exciting opportunity to collaborate with the inspiring team at Supporting and Linking Tradeswomen (S.A.L.T). Through this experience, students were introduced to various trades and gained hands-on skills, including tool use, empowering them to explore careers in traditionally male-dominated fields. The students were highly engaged, enjoying a fun and educational session building wooden caddies. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to S.A.L.T for providing such a valuable opportunity and for encouraging young women to pursue careers in the trades. It was an unforgettable experience for all involved!

Amanda Lydon

AST

This term, our Grade 8 students are participating in the PCYC’s Skills for Success program, designed to develop key life skills such as leadership, decision-making, and healthy lifestyle choices. Through weekly sessions, students are learning valuable tools to help them navigate both personal and academic challenges.

This week, the students had an exciting adventure at the Launceston Cataract Gorge, where they took part in an abseiling challenge. The experience encouraged students to step outside of their comfort zone while building trust in themselves and their peers. A huge thank you to Hari and the PCYC team for facilitating this enriching program and providing our students with opportunities to grow, learn, and challenge themselves in a supportive environment. 

Amanda Lydon

AST

Students will be sitting NAPLAN between 12 and 24 March 2025.

The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance; however, students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.

NAPLAN has been held in March since 2023, having previously taken place in May. This change was made so school systems would have access to results earlier in the school year. These results can then be used to inform teaching and learning plans for the remainder of the year.

Why NAPLAN is conducted online:

NAPLAN online provides a better assessment and more precise results.

One of the main benefits of NAPLAN online is that it uses tailored (or adaptive) testing. This means that students receive questions better suited to their abilities, so they can show what they know and can do.

Online testing also allows us to provide a wide range of accessibility options to support students with disability to access NAPLAN.

Feedback from students is that they find the online test more engaging.

Please note that students in Year 3 complete the Writing Test on paper.

Parent information brochures and other resources

Your questions answered on NAPLAN and what it means for your child:

NAPLAN information brochure for parents and carers

The link will take you to the official National Assessment Program (NAP) website.

Please contact the school if you have any further queries.

Erin Unsworth

AST

My name is Louise Hawkins, and I am pleased to be returning to Campbell Town District High School as your School Health Nurse for 2025.

The role of the School Health Nurse is to provide health education and health & wellbeing promotion and support to students and the school community. This includes health assessments for kindergarten students and engaging across all grades in lessons and group activities surrounding health and wellbeing. Examples of lessons and activities include education on nutrition, personal hygiene, oral care, sun safety, growth and development, positive mental health, and mindfulness.

Vision and hearing screens for all students are also available on request if there is a specific concern. A consent form is required to be signed by a parent/guardian prior to all assessments, including kindergarten health assessments.

Just a reminder……

Parents, guardians, and carers must ensure that a Medical Management Plan and/or Medical Action Plan is in place for students who require ongoing medical care and that these plans are communicated to the school.

Administration of medication must be authorised by a parent/guardian/carer using the following DECYP forms:

• For non-prescribed medication, parent/guardian/carer must complete the Authorisation for Administration of Student Medication Form A-non-prescribed.
• For prescribed medication, parent/guardian/carer must ensure that Administration of Student Medication Form B - prescribed is completed by a doctor, pharmacist, or practice nurse and signed by the parent/guardian/carer.

Parents/guardians/carers must ensure that the completed form is supplied to the school at least annually, or earlier if circumstances change.

Please feel free to visit me for a chat or contact me via the school office on a Wednesday and alternate Thursdays if you have any concerns or questions regarding your child’s health or the role of the School Health Nurse. Alternatively, you may email at your convenience louise.hawkins@decyp.tas.gov.au

I look forward to meeting and supporting students, parents, carers, guardians, as well as staff at Campbell Town District High School.

Kind Regards,

Nurse Lou

This is a great opportunity for someone in our community to come and work in our school. We would like to encourage those interested to apply.

For more information about the role or application process, please contact Lucy Powell by phoning the school office on 63811166 or via email lucy.powell@decyp.tas.gov.au

The job application is live on the jobs.tas.gov.au website and will close on Sunday 9 March 2025.

Please follow this link Tasmanian Government Jobs