Dear Families

It has been a very focussed and positive term! I thank you all for supporting your children to be the best they can be, living up to our vision of Aim High: aspire, learn, achieve. School is the best place for your children and it is where bright futures start. Every school day matters for learning and friendships.

At MHPS we are committed to building positive relationships and encouraging a sense of belonging with all members of our school community, and sincerely thank you for your willingness to connect with us. When school and families work respectfully in partnership, academic and wellbeing outcomes for children increase. 

I wish you a happy and safe term break, and look forward to reconnecting in Term 2.

Sharon

Congratulations to the following students who received awards at our last assembly.

Last Wednesday and Thursday, 72 of our students represented our school so well at the Multi-Class and LSSSA Athletics Carnivals held at the Northern Athletics Centre in St. Leonards.  Our students supported each other with enthusiasm and their behaviour was exemplary.

Well done to the following students who competed in the Multi-Class Division for the LSSSA Athletics Carnival:

We ended the LSSSA Division B Carnival finishing in 4th place out of 6 schools (only 7 points behind finishing 3rd!). Our Relay Teams were one of the highlights of the day, finishing with ribbons in 7 out of 8 events!

Individual top 3 students were:

With our current whole school wellbeing focus being emotional regulation and resilience, students in Years Prep - 6 will be watching the film Inside Out on Friday of Week 10. Inside Out (rated PG) follows the story of Riley, an 11-year-old, whose family suddenly relocates across the country. Riley is guided by her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness. The emotions live in Headquarters, the control centre inside Riley's mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to the move, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley's main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate their new city, house and school.

As a school we seek to empower our students to take charge of their own health and wellbeing through the delivery of quality health education. This includes topics such as sun safety, oral health, hygiene, and growth and development.

The Department for Education, Children and Young People has recently prioritised smoking and vaping education in response to the impact vaping and smoking has on attendance and engagement within schools.  Since 2010 there has been an increasing number of young people taking up vaping in Tasmania. There is a misunderstanding amongst young people that vaping is harmless compared to smoking. This is not true, vapes still contain harmful chemicals.

We are well placed as a school to educate young people about the harmful effects of smoking and vaping, so they are equipped to make informed decisions about their health. Nurse Pia will be visiting the primary classes over the next couple of weeks to conduct education sessions about smoking and vaping.

More information can be found on the following websites, including tips on how to talk with your child about smoking and vaping.

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

E-cigarettes and vaping - what are they? | Quit Tasmania

E-cigarettes and vaping | Tasmanian Department of Health

THE FACTS ABOUT VAPING (health.tas.gov.au)

The Buzz will be starting a new group of beginners in Term 2.

What is The Buzz?

• The Buzz is a beginner brass band facilitated by volunteer members of the City Of Launceston RSL Band.
• Instruments on offer are cornet, trombone, trombone mini and euphonium. All learner instruments are made of plastic and are ideal for children.
• The Buzz lessons are weekly on a Thursday afternoon from 3:10 pm - 4:00 pm. Lessons take place in the school PAC. Students will need to be collected from the PAC at 4:00 pm.
• There is no charge for lessons, instrument hire or book hire. We do expect that all students will take care of borrowed instruments and books and be responsible for bringing them to school on Thursdays.

Learning any musical instrument is a challenge and requires patience, persistence, a positive attitude and plenty of practice.  Learning a brass instrument has the added challenge of producing a sound (a buzz).  Students who join The Buzz need to be prepared to practise at home in order to make progress on their instrument.

If your child is interested in joining The Buzz they can see Mrs Partridge for more information. You can also email Mrs Partridge at cherie.partridge@decyp.tas.gov.au if you have any queries.

Launching into Learning - Pre-Kinder

Pre-Kinder groups have started at Mowbray Heights Primary and will continue for the rest of the year as part of our Launching into Learning Program. Pre-Kinder is for children turning 4 this year who will start Kindergarten next year.

Families choose one Pre-kinder group to attend each week:

Tuesday 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Friday 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Friday 10:30 am – 11:30 am

Why Come to Pre-Kinder?

• Learn and Play
• Meet the teachers
• Get to know the routines
• Meet other families who will also be in Kindergarten next year

Children attend with an adult and there is no cost. You may also like to come to Kindy Gym and Playgroup.

If you have any questions, please ask us!

Lisa Probert, Kelsey Campbell and Danielle Evans

Invoices have been sent home to families who have not been approved for STAS.  This composite levy covers almost everything, including learning materials, resources, equipment, excursions and performances.  It does not cover specialised activities such as the Leavers’ Dinner, cost of school photo or any other optional activity.

Families are able to choose between a single payment of the levy or they may take advantage of a range of payment options. You are most welcome to discuss your needs with Ms Tina Todman our School Business Manager (6326 1892).

The Student Assistance Scheme provides assistance for low income families towards the cost of levies. STAS is provided to the school rather than paid directly to families. STAS 2024 application forms are available for new enrolments, or for families who have not applied for, or been in receipt of STAS in 2023. Please note, being the holder of a Centrelink Health Care Card does not automatically mean that a family will be approved for STAS. Families who were approved and received STAS in 2023 have been sent correspondence regarding STAS 2024 directly from the Department for Education, Children and Young People. STAS application forms can be downloaded from the Department's website at www.decyp.tas.gov.au or collected from our school office.