Good afternoon, Warrane Primary families,

It has been a busy start to our term, with students now settled into their classes and routines. Last week we had our whole School Athletics carnival. It was so wonderful to see so many students participating and encouraging their peers. We also had lots of families join us on the day. Selected students in Years 3-6 will be chosen to represent Warrane PS at the Interschool Athletics carnival on Wednesday 26^th March. These students will receive a notice home next week. Thank you to all the staff who helped on the day, the School Association for organising the BBQ and to Mr K for running the carnival.  

This week students in Years 3 and 5 have begun NAPLAN. The results from NAPLAN will assist whole school curriculum planning and identify areas of prioritised improvement in literacy and numeracy teaching.

Tomorrow, we have our Friday Choices activity program in the afternoon. The groups are facilitated by different staff across the school and are in mixed level year groupings. This term we have a variety of different options, including cooking, bikes and scooters, box work and construction. I know that the students really enjoyed their activity last fortnight and are looking forward to participating again tomorrow.

I hope everyone has a lovely end to their week.

Eliza Jones

AP

I acknowledge and pay respect to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community as the traditional and original owners of lutruwita/trowunna (Tasmania) and as the enduring custodians of the lands, seas, air and waterways. I pay respect to Elders past and present.

A Splash of Colour and Creativity!

Recently, Year Five/Six S/B students brought their artistic visions to life in a vibrant way. After carefully drafting their designs, they took to the outdoors on a beautiful, sunny afternoon to create a temporary chalk mural.

With plenty of teamwork and creativity they transformed the space into a colourful and welcoming masterpiece.

It was great to see their ideas come to life and even better to see them collaborating and enjoying the process.

Great job, Year Five/Six S/B – your artwork brightened our day! 

What makes a great story?

This term, students in Five/Six B/S have been exploring the inquiry question, "What makes a great story?" Through a lively whole-class discussion, students shared a variety of thoughtful and articulate responses, building on one another’s ideas. The insights shared were both creative and insightful, demonstrating an understanding of the key elements that make a story memorable and engaging.

Below are just some of the fantastic ideas and reflections from the students, which will serve as the foundation for our narrative focus this term.

What makes a great story?

“Stuff you don’t see coming!” – Elyus.

“Plot twists” – Mia.

“Multiple characters and detailed backgrounds. You have to learn about the characters and their background stories” – Jacob.

“Captivating storylines – they keep you hooked and make you want to read more” – Jethro.

“When there’s three stories in one book and they all connect at the end” – Mia.

“Blood and gore” – Nova.

“Stories where the main character dies because you think everyone will be saved by that person” – Elyus.

“Murder!” – Lylah.

“True crime” – Kaedynce.

“True crime because it’s real” – Mia.

In line with the Australian Curriculum - English (Years 5 and 6), students will further develop their skills in crafting and analysing narratives. Specifically, the curriculum encourages students to:

• Understand how language features, text structures, and conventions are used in different types of texts to create meaning. Students will apply this knowledge in their own writing, experimenting with elements like plot, character development, setting, and dialogue.
• Create imaginative, informative, and persuasive texts, ensuring their stories engage the audience and effectively convey their ideas. This will involve planning and editing their narratives for clarity and impact.
• Develop a clear understanding of the role of character, setting, and conflict in storytelling, and learn how to weave these elements into their own narratives. Through this process, students will also explore the importance of narrative voice and style.

These discussions and activities will directly link to the Content Descriptions for Literature and Literacy within the Australian Curriculum, including:

• ACELY1701: Plan, draft, and publish imaginative, informative, and persuasive texts, selecting and experimenting with text structures, language features, and images.
• ACELT1603: Identify how the use of language, character, setting, and plot work together to create a story, and how authors manipulate these elements to enhance meaning.

By engaging with these concepts, students will build on their narrative writing skills, honing their ability to create engaging and well-structured stories that captivate their audience.

Growing Up Program Tuesday 1^st- Thursday 4^th April

This term we have the Growing Up Program (GUP). It is Tasmania’s leading relationships, sexuality and protective behaviours’ program for students from Kindergarten through to Year 6.

It is facilitated by an experienced team of Family Planning Tasmania educators, and is age and developmentally appropriate, sequential, and evidence-based.

The program is mapped to the:

• Australian Curriculum
• Early Years learning Framework
• Respectful Relationships Teaching and Learning Package

There will be a family information session on Tuesday 1^st April from 9.00am-9.30am in the Student Support room for all Kinder- Year 6 families.

Growing Up educators will encourage children to talk to their families and other trusted adults and consider their own/family’s beliefs and values.

More information to be sent home with students in the coming weeks.

Validation forms and permissions have been sent home with students. Parents/guardians are asked to make any amendments, mark the permissions yes or no, sign and return the forms back to the office or class teacher as soon as possible. It is important we have up to date information for each student, especially in relation to emergency contacts. Parent/guardian information is listed on the forms but other emergency contacts are required to be added each year.

The completion of the Validation form is a mandatory requirement by the Department for Education, Children, and Young People and must be done on an annual basis.  If validation forms are not returned, students may miss out on participating in school excursions.

We understand that the forms can be time consuming, and we appreciate your efforts to return them ASAP. The first class to have all forms returned will win an icy pole treat day for their class!

The Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) provides assistance for eligible families by waiving the cost of school levies. All families holding a current Centrelink Health Care Card, Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card are eligible for STAS.

Further information on STAS can be found on the Department of Education internet at: https://www.education.tas.gov.au/parents-carers/parent-fact-sheets/fees-levies/.

The online form can be found at: https://stasonlinesubmission.education.tas.gov.au/ .

Parents who currently receive STAS will not need to provide any additional information and will not need to reapply. You cannot apply online or add additional students in the online application form if you are already receiving STAS. If you wish to add a newly enrolled child to your existing STAS file, please email the details to stas@decyp.tas.gov.au.

Questions about STAS can be forwarded to the Department’s Financial Services Unit at stas@decyp.tas.gov.au or by calling 1800 827 055.

We welcome volunteers at Warrane Primary School. As you would know from the past, volunteers require a Working with Vulnerable People check to be able to come onsite to help with events and excursions.

Registration to work with vulnerable people (cbos.tas.gov.au)

There is now an additional requirement that all volunteers have completed the mandatory safeguarding training module. The certificate must be provided to our office staff before you are able to volunteer.

For more information and to complete the safeguarding training visit:

Safeguarding Training - Department for Education, Children and Young People (decyp.tas.gov.au)

We understand that the forms can be time consuming, and we appreciate your efforts to return them ASAP. The first class to have all forms returned will win an icy pole treat day for their class!

2025 Levies will be posted out soon. The cost of this year's levy is $135. This covers all stationery, excursions and activities for the year and can be paid via BPay or via EFTPOS or cash in the school office. 

Payment is not required until the invoice is received.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the office on 6244 1747, via email at warrane.primary@decyp.tas.gov.au or by coming in between 8:30am and 3:15pm.

Our wonderful garden specialist Ollie and volunteer Mick helped the students make saltbush pesto with our fresh produce from our gardens.  It was delicious.

Below is the recipe.

Saltbush pesto 

70g sunflower seeds 

Two handfuls saltbush 

A few leaves of basil  

1 garlic clove 

1/2 cup olive oil 

1 lemon 

Salt and pepper 

Mix together in blender 

Add more of each ingredient if needed for flavour preference. 

We have students who are allergic to nuts and eggs. As this allergic reaction can be life threatening, the school asks that these products are not brought to school in children’s lunch boxes or for class celebrations.

Items not to be brought to school include but are not limited to - all nut products, peanut butter, Nutella, peanut oil in margarines and all egg products.

It is important that all classes observe this nut and egg aware policy due to the danger of an allergic child coming into contact with residue left by other classes. The parents/carers and staff appreciate your co-operation in this serious matter.

A reminder that families are required to use the larger family carpark for school drop off and pick up.

The smaller carpark near the early years classes is for staff and service vehicles only. It does not have enough parking for families and the visibility of the surrounding area and access in and out during busy times creates an added safety risk to students.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this.

A reminder that hats are required for Term 1. Please ensure that your child has a sun-safe hat to wear.  Hats can be purchased at the office for $6.  No caps please.

Please ensure your child's hat is clearly marked.  In the event students don’t have a hat they will be asked to sit in the shaded area.

Reminder that our breakfast club is open from our school hall Monday to Friday from 8:30am till 8:50am.

All students are welcome.