22 November 2023

From the Principal

Thank you to the families who provided some feedback regarding our EAGLES launch last Newsletter. For those who would like to have some input, please feel free to do so via the link below:

One thing that will change this year from previous years, reflective of our new learning framework are our end-of-year assembly awards for all classes. We need to align with our awards what we value, and we value growth, effort and endeavour more than achievement. We value being creative and curious (Explore others), being analytical and critical thinkers (Analyse thinking), showing determination and bouncing back (Grow Grit), having integrity and doing what matters (Learn Character), and, bringing the best out of teamwork and your peers (Engage others). As such, each class will have 5 awards for each of the domains of EAGLE. This will be great alignment with what we teach, model, value and then praise.

Redevelopment Update

A few parents have mentioned the redevelopment tender and the documents that went out, specifically, families have been asking about the gym.

The gymnasium is scheduled for Stage 2 of the redevelopment, which is yet to be started. Principally, the reason for this is we are awaiting engagement with the Clarence City Council. The Council ran a master planning exercise, and we need them to come to the table with both the outcomes of this exercise and how they might fund the additional works that they want outside of the $7M that we are contributing (to works on their land).

Most importantly, I called a Council Officer and have asked that they share some sort of update on the process that they ran over 6 months ago to inform the community on what the master plan for the area may look like.

Thank you to the parents who have taken the time to stay up to date and engaged with the project. I know that Prue has written to the Council on behalf of the School Association, in an effort to have them progress their work to enable the construction of the gym. We want a gym sooner rather than later too!

Teacher Changes for 2024

Every year, there are some changes to staffing. We will start to share information with you over the next three Newsletters. In the last Newsletter of term, we will share all the teachers and class placements.

Sam Smets is transferring to Dodges Ferry Primary School and will be leaving us at the end of the year. Sammy has decided that less travel and being more connected to his home community is what will be best for the next phase of his life. Sam has been a loyal and valuable team member during his 8 years with us. He has provided a diversity of viewpoints and a relaxed nature to our team that has been very much appreciated. Sam’s time with us has been impactful and we will miss him. We also know that this move is one he wants for family and life reasons, and we wish him all the best with the move. 

Jimmy Hevey will take the opportunity next year to explore and travel. Jimmy came in to fill a lot of gaps we had with staff out during COVID and never left. I've known Jimmy since Uni and it has been great to reconnect and have a person with a high level of integrity and charisma on staff. Jimmy has such a positive and joyful disposition, and we will miss him not being with us on Fridays. Jimmy may come back for relief in 2024… it will just depend on what is going on in adventure-land for him. I’m personally quite jealous of his adventures – all the best Jimmy!

Madi Moulds is searching for a 5-day role on-class, and we support her in this pursuit. Madi has grown a lot in her graduate year, and we are proud of her development, her effort, and the skills she will be able to take into a role next year. Starting out as a teacher is hard work and Madi is on a path to great teaching – she is working hard to get her success. While the finer details of where and when are being sorted out, there is no doubt for me that Madi will have her own class next year, 5 days a week. She certainly heads off with all our love and well wishes with us knowing that this is the next best step for her development.

Simone Webb is expecting her second baby at the start of 2024! Congratulations Simone! Little Levi will have a play partner soon! As such, Simone will take all 2024 off (well, she might come back a little bit at the end, we’ll work that out). We certainly wish Simone all the best in her efforts with two at home next year. A busy time ahead for her and the family, but a very rewarding and lovely time.

It's my last Newsletter for a while, so I wish you all the best for the weeks ahead and for Term 1 next year. You’ll be in good hands with Ali for the rest of this year and we’ll let you know about Term 1 in due course. Enjoy your summer!

Courtney.

Duty of Care

It is important to note, before 8:10am and after 2:40pm, your children need to be supervised by an adult unless they are at after school care or waiting for a bus to go home. If they are waiting for a bus, students must remain onsite. Please do not drop your child off before 8:10am and collect them at 2:40pm, as our duty of care is not before 8:10am or after 2:40pm. We appreciate your support in keeping everyone safe with supervision.

Cambridge Primary School Levies and Charges Policy for 2024

Please click on the link below to access the Cambridge Primary School Levies and Charges Policy for 2024. It will also be available on the sidebar of the newsletter. Payment options are listed on page 5 of the policy and on the back of your invoice.

Please contact office staff for further details.

Thank you. Shelley Spong, School Business Manager.

Fundraising Team

The Fundraising Team is currently seeking new members.  The end of 2024 sees the majority of our team leaving the school.  In order to ensure a smooth transition, we aim to use the coming year to train and prepare the next team to take the reins.  Our fundraising activities include organizing events such as Mother’s Day/Father’s Day stalls, disco, quiz night, election day bbq, Easter raffle and more.

School fundraising is crucial for financial support, but it also fosters community engagement and helps to improve school facilities and programs.  Parents benefit from participating by actively contributing to their child’s education, building relationships within the school, setting a positive example for your child and having a voice in the school community.

If you feel that fundraising is for you in any capacity either big or small, then please reach out via our fb page or contact the school office. We would love to hear from you.

Carolyn Smith and The Fundraising Team

Library – Roald Dahl books

We are always looking for Roald Dahl books. If you have any on your shelves that are in good condition but are no longer being read, please consider donating them to our Library. 

Tina Mason, Library Technician

2023 Combined Primary Schools Annual Concert Tickets

Movember 2023

If you see some interesting attempts at a moustache this month at Cambridge Primary, it is to support a very good cause! If the wind blows, though, there is a big chance a few of these may be displaced! To donate towards Mobridge23 please click on the link below.

Double Your Dollars Markets

Once again, the Gr5s and Gr6s will be holding the fantastic Double Your Dollars Markets. They will be on Wednesday 6 December and Wednesday 13 December, between 11.40am and 12.20pm, with goods and services selling from 50c - $5.00. All students, including Kinders, will be invited to visit these great events and all profits will be donated to charity.

Australian Childhood Anxiety Treatment Study 2023

The Tasmanian Department of Education has approved an Australian wide anxiety treatment study for 7 – 12-year-old children which is being undertaken by Griffith University, Queensland. Does your child become very afraid of certain situations or objects, worry about a lot of things, get very distressed, or try to avoid things they fear? Click on the document below for more information about this study.

2023 End of Year Presentation Assembly

The Cambridge Primary School End of Year Presentation Assembly is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the many achievements of our students and to farewell the Grade 6s. This year’s Presentation Assembly will take place on Monday 18 December at Rose Bay High School, in the gym at 11.30am. Doors will open at 11.15am.  At this stage there are no Covid restrictions on gatherings, however, if you are feeling unwell, please do not attend. Prep – Grade 6 students and their teachers will travel to and from Rose Bay by bus. Parents/carers of Grade 6 students will have two seats reserved.

Assemblies in Term 4

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

Friday 15 December

In Term 4 we will be using Schoolzine to notify Parents/Carers when their child will be presented with an Achievement Award. The Schoolzine message will be sent out on the Monday before the Assembly on the Friday, and it will be titled Achievement Award. You may need to right click and hold to download the picture and text.

Remembrance Day

Here are some photos taken as students placed a wreath at the memorial for Remembrance Day earlier this month.

Basketball Report - 2023 Southern 5/6 Primary School Basketball Tournament

School basketball is a fun way for girls and boys to interact with other schools, make new friends and play basketball. Thank you to all the coaches, assistant coaches, all the parents and, most of all, the players. You guys tried so hard and did an amazing job.

The girls won 3 out of 4 games and had the second-best stats out of everyone. Good job to the grade 6s. They have played a lot! You girls helped the grade 5s grow a lot. Good job also to the grade 5s. Some of you girls haven’t played before and you did so well. Thank you all for supporting the school.

Sophie H, Gr6.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Lucas A and Zachary KS who have been selected to play for the State Futsal Team for their age group. They will be travelling to Sydney in January to compete against other teams from across Australia. Both boys are training hard and looking forward to representing Tasmania.

Congratulations also to Evie R, Rose C and Gabrielle W who have been learning ballet with Felicity Ryan Ballet and who recently performed in their end of year concert. Evie said, “We attended our ballet concert on November 12, 2023. We used our collaboration, perseverance and courage. We had great fun and so did the audience!” The three girls are pictured below along with an ex-Cambridge student, Lani.

Let’s Celebrate!

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