From the Principal
Dear Families
Staffing Updates
A very big thank you and farewell to Mrs Jill Budgeon who will be finishing up with us on Friday. Jill has been in the acting SBM position for 15 months and we sincerely thank her for her dedication and service to our school during this time. We wish Jill all the very best on her return to her substantive position at Ashley School from next week. In wishing Jill all the best, we also welcome a new SBM to our Longford Learning Community, Mr John Collighan, who will be starting with us from Wednesday the 21st of August.
School Satisfaction Surveys
Annual School Satisfaction Surveys for parents and staff are being conducted during August 2019 across Tasmanian government schools. The survey provides an opportunity for parents and staff to give important feedback on what our school does well and areas in which we can improve. Questions cover a range of topics about our school.
- All responses are secure and anonymous.
- Parents and Staff are invited to participate.
Similar to last year, paper based surveys will be sent out to all families. The eldest child in each family will bring home a survey letter in coming days. The survey provides great opportunity for growth, celebration and reflection for our Learning Community. As a new Principal to Longford, I welcome all feedback and encourage your participation. Surveys can be returned to the office and dropped in the survey return box when completed. Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries, questions or concerns.
Student Wellbeing Survey
Evidence shows that students who have greater health and wellbeing are more likely to have better educational outcomes and positive wellbeing throughout their lives. Students in Years 4, 5 and 6 will be taking part in a wellbeing survey, along with all other similarly aged children in Tasmanian government schools from the 26th-30th of August. The survey will be completed in class time and doesn’t require any preparation. A letter with more information has been sent home with all participating students, including Frequently Asked Questions and a form to sign and return to school if you do not want your child to participate. If you would like further information, please contact Jacinta Doran.
Thank you for supporting us to ensure that all of our learners are safe, supported and able to flourish.
Enrolling for Kindergarten – 2020
If your child is turning 5 in 2020 or you know of someone who is, they are eligible to start Kindergarten in 2020. Shortly, we will be organising our Term 4 Pre-Kindergarten sessions for children who have completed an enrolment form. If you haven’t yet completed an enrolment form, please see us at the school office, or visit Katherine in one of our LiL sessions. The Department of Education also require us to be provided with original or certified copies of evidence of the following as soon as possible ready for 2020:
1. The students identity – Birth Certificate or Passport
2. The identity of the enrolling parent / guardian – Driver’s License
3. The students residential address – Lease agreement, telephone, utility account
4. Immunization records.
The organisational structure and Kindergarten days for 2020 are not yet known, as this is dependent on student numbers. If you haven’t enrolled, or you know someone that may not have enrolled, please encourage them to do so as a matter of importance.
Playground
We have a team of staff that are dedicated to ensuring students have every opportunity to have fun, enjoyable and safe recess and lunch breaks. As part of this work, the team - lead by Mrs Roberts and supported by Mr Roberts, have started creating some great play spaces in our Early Years playground. Have you spotted our new playground additions yet?
Science Talent Search Results
Prep Viney recently entered the Science Talent Search ‘Destination Moon – more missions, more science, more opportunities’. The talent search generated almost 700 entries from Tasmania. Mrs Viney’s class entered the Prep poster section and the Prep creative writing section of the Talent Search.
Congratulations to: Charlotte and Maya who were awarded equal first and Indiana who was awarded third in the poster section. Chloe was awarded a merit certificate and Lincoln an encouragement award. Lincoln received second in the creative writing section, Jaide third in the creative writing challenge and a merit award to Lilly in the creative writing section.
Students who received an award from first place to merit in their division will be invited to the end of year presentation ceremony at the Launceston Campus of the University of Tasmania on Sunday the 24th of November. Invitations will be sent out in late October.
Congratulations Prep Viney – what an outstanding effort!
Congratulations
William McKinnon was recently published in the Junior National Geographic Explorers Club magazine! William submitted a story about his ‘Antarctic Adventure.’ William wrote a great snapshot article about his adventure to Antarctica in 2018. He used some fantastic descriptors to tell his story; sharing information on the flight, his visit to the cockpit and the amazing landscape he got to see. Congratulations on being a published author William!
Aspiration
In Term 3, we have and will continue to work on our school value of ‘Aspiration.’ All students have been hearing messages of high expectations and high achievement. We were very excited to hear from a special guest speaker at this week’s assembly – Makala Bingley. Makala is a past student of Longford, and now in Grade 10 at Kings Meadows High School. Makala has recently been selected to play for the Tornadoes and she was able to share some fantastic messages with all students about dreaming big, aiming high and working hard to achieve our goals. We sincerely thank Makala for taking the time to share her inspiring story with us and for challenging us to reach for the stars.
Carolyn Sutton
Principal