22 May 2024

From the Principal

Last year we launched some graphics for our EAGLEs Framework. You may have seen some signage around school – you will definitely see some more over the later part of the year.

Our EAGLEs Framework is the organising structure of our Cambridge Capabilities – the dispositions for learning and life that our whole community has provided feedback for.

We know from our parent data, that parents want a say in what their children are taught at school, and yet with the Australian Curriculum, there is not too much room for what we do teach our students. We also know, from research and our parent interviews and School Association consultations, that the dispositions that our children take away from their time at our school are just as important (if not more) than the knowledge and skills we are imparting and acquiring.

In short, our community is clear that who you are when you leave here is just as important as what you know and can do.

Back in 2021 and 2022, we conducted a variety of in-depth processes that create the “data sets” from our students, families and staff to try and get really specific on what might be the best dispositions for students at our school to acquire. From this, we have been drawing out individual dispositions (we call them Cambridge Capabilities) and explicitly planning and teaching what these look like. The process takes a while.

As a teaching staff, we draw out the data, then build a toolkit for each Capability, before having it as a focus for a two-week school block. This year, we expect to finish (for the time being) the drawing out and creating work. We will make sure that we use the Newsletter to share the Capabilities that we are teaching our students and we will start to share exemplars and the Capabilities in action in Newsletters and, soon, on social media.

For now, we may have a bit of catching up to do with three capabilities since the start of the year.

Cambridge Capabilities - Concentrating

At the end of last term, our students explored concentrating – timely as the build had begun! For us, concentrating is defined as: Maintaining focus despite distractions. We believe that concentrating is a key component of “Analyse Thinking”.

Concentrating is about being able to focus on the task at hand, irrespective of the world around you. Understanding that distraction is everywhere, means that developing the ability to manage and control focus can significantly improve your learning. Concentrating involves attention span and staying on task - something that is really worth discussing in the age of smart phones and attention grabbing tech.

Cambridge Capabilities - Critiquing

At the start of this term, our students explored critiquing. For us, critiquing is defined as: Identifying what went well and what can be improved. Critiquing also lives in our Analyse Thinking domain.

Critiquing is about turning that analytical and critical brain on, in an attempt to improve. We are very much assessing what is in front of us rather than thinking through for more possibilities. Critiquing links well with Accepting and of course the other Capabilities in the Analyse Thinking domain. Critical thinking is imperative for our young people! They must have the skills to assess and judge the super highway of information that pervades their lives right now.

Cambridge Capabilities - Organising

This week and next, our students are exploring organising. For us, organising is defined as: Thinking about what is needed to learn. In our EAGLEs Framework, organising is aligned with Learn Character.

Organising is about knowing what you need to learn right now. Do you have your things? Are you in the right place? What else might you need? Who and how can you ask for help or something you may need? Organising is about predicting the learning ahead and thinking through what you might need to be most successful. Organising is also about knowing, remembering and following the learning routines in your classroom to be most successful. Organising has both personal and group elements. It will be interesting to see how we explore this as a group over the two weeks ahead!

Redevelopment Update

Kindergarten is nearly completely bricked up on the sides and back with the front work starting this week. From this, we will finish off the steel work on the veranda and then look to roof and put windows in over the new couple of weeks. As soon as the roof goes on, we might not see as much as all the trades move inside and get busy fitting out. Some minor landscaping will occur after the scaffolding goes down.

The new build has been slowed as the steel work hit a snag, but next week will see a big crane here and steel work go in and then a second-storey slab be poured. The retaining walls and waterproofing have progressed well on this section.

We are still expecting to be into the new kinder building in August and the new building in November. Very exciting!

Parent Teacher Meetings

A huge thank you to our parent body for making the time to come along to Parent-Teacher meetings this week. These meetings are an integral part of our reporting to you on your child’s progress at school. Most importantly, it’s a great opportunity for us both (staff and families) to meet, bond and continue to strengthen relationships in the best interests of our students, your children. We appreciate your time.

See you soon - Courtney

School Association News

The next School Association General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 29 May at 5.30pm until 7.00pm.

Parent Maths Workshop

On Thursday 20 June from 6.00pm – 7.30pm Maths consultant, Rob Vingerhoets, will run a workshop for parents to understand more about Maths and how we are teaching it at our school. It would be a useful evening for you as parents to help you to help your kids with maths. There will be lots of ideas, tips and activities.

Rob will be working here with the staff all week, both after school and in classrooms.

If you’d like to know more about Rob, click on this link

Please RSVP to the office if you would like to attend, on 6248 5168 or email cambridge.primary@decyp.tas.gov.au.

Mothers’ Day Stall

Our annual Mothers’ Day stall took place in the school library on Wednesday, 8 May. There were gifts ranging from $1 to $6 and the children were spoiled for choice!

The stall was buzzing with excitement as students dashed around, picking out the perfect gifts for their mums. Enthusiasm filled the air; you could practically feel the love vibes bouncing off the walls!

We are fortunate to have incredibly talented parents and grandparents in our community who contributed stunning artwork on canvas, beautifully wrapped chocolates, cultivated greenery, and donated goods. Their generosity and creativity truly brightened our day! Thank you all.

A special shoutout to Clare from Forage Flowers, who generously donated posies, as she does every year. Her ongoing support is invaluable to us.

This year's Mothers’ Day stall was our biggest yet, raising an impressive $2,200! These funds will support various school events, such as camps for Grades 4 and 5, the school band, bush school, and surf lifesaving. The School Association contribute an annual amount to these events to ensure the longevity of these programs, enriching our students' experiences.

We hope you had a wonderful Mothers’ Day, filled with lots of love and appreciation.

The CPS Fundraising Team

Champions Athletics Carnival and State Carnival

Congratulations to the Cambridge Primary School Champions Athletics Carnival team that competed at the Domain on Wednesday 1 May.  The students represented Cambridge with pride and demonstrated fantastic sportsmanship.  Highlights of the results included:

First in 100m final, first in 200m final and first in 400m final (grade 5) – Lucy C
First in 400m final (Div E – G) (Grade 3) – Mila A
Third in 800m final (Grade 5) - Eli H

There were many other fantastic efforts by Cambridge students and to qualify for the Champions Carnival is an amazing feat in itself. All participants should be extremely proud of their efforts.

After her amazing efforts at the Champions Carnival Lucy C qualified for the State Carnival in Launceston.  This was run on Friday 10 May and she won the 400m final and came second in the 100m and 200m finals.  Lucy also participated in Hobart’s relay team which came second in the final.  Truly remarkable effort Lucy!

Next interschool event for Cambridge Students will be the Cross Country Carnival at Bayview Secondary College coming up soon on Tuesday 4 June.

Ryan Thomas, HPE Teacher

School Uniform

Here at Cambridge Primary we have a School Student Dress Code and Uniform Policy which you can view from the side panel of the newsletter, via School Policies. We have a good stock of uniform in the storeroom and the office staff will be more than happy to help you.

Canteen News – Help Needed

Volunteers are needed for the Canteen on Thursdays (9.00-11.00) or Fridays (9.00-11.00 or 11.00). If we don't have volunteers, it makes it very difficult to provide a service for the children.  If you feel you would like to help, even if it's only for an hour, it all helps.  Please leave your contact details at the office (6248 5168) and our Canteen Supervisor will be in touch.

Thanks, Julie Barwin

Assemblies in Term 2

Assemblies are held in the MPR and start at 1.40pm. All are welcome to attend. This term’s Assemblies will be on:

Friday 24 May
Friday 14 June
Friday 28 June

Let’s Celebrate!

Community Notice Board

Work Experience Placement

Cameron Birchall (you may know his mum, Mrs Birchall) is looking for a week’s work experience in the first week of July. He is a responsible year 10 student at St Virgil’s college. He is keen to pursue engineering, especially AI or robotics but really any type of engineering would be great. Could you please contact Mrs Birchall at Emma.Birchall@decyp.tas.gov.au if you or anyone you know can help.

Many thanks, Cameron and Mrs Birchall