Lockdown is the response strategy for incidents that pose a threat to the safety of our students and staff.  These incidents can happen without warning, are fast moving and can have devastating consequences.  These incidents however, are extremely rare in Australia.  All DECYP sites are required to maintain a site-specific Lockdown Plan and Lockdown drills must be completed at least annually.

Our Lockdown drill will be held on Wednesday 27 November in the morning.  To prepare our students for the drill they will have been read a social story multiple times which describes the actions we need to take.  Our students will be told that the Lockdown drill is a practice and that there is not a real threat. The Lockdown drill will go for approximately 5 minutes.

Our Kindergarten classes are on an excursion on Wednesday 27 November which means they will not participate in the drill.

If you would like a copy of the social story which is presented in PowerPoint please email Claire Chalmers  (claire.chalmers@decyp.tas.gov.au) or Julia Ayers (julia.ayers@decyp.tas.gov.au).

Sharon

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

In Term 3, a group of Year 5/6 students entered the Launceston Historical Society History Competition.  Prue McCausland attended our assembly last week to present students with a book and to recognise the following winners:

Congratulations everyone!

From Tuesday 12 November to Friday 29 November, Pre-Kindergarten children are able to attend Early Start sessions without parents. This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to practise separating from family and to develop some independence in the school setting.

There will be a Teacher and Teacher Assistants to supervise and support your child during this transition. The staff enjoy this valuable time to get to know your child and make stronger connections with them. We would expect that children attend on their regular Pre-Kindergarten day and time.

It is a legal requirement that parents remain at school while your child attends Early Start. During this time parents will have an opportunity to move to another location in the school grounds and have a tea or coffee with other parents and staff. I will share information with you about enrolment, uniforms and the Kindergarten Program. You will have about 10 minutes to settle your child into the program before each parent session begins.

Our LiL staff are happy to answer any questions.

Family Planning Tasmania are visiting our school from 18 November through to the 22 November to provide The Growing Up Program – a relationships, sexuality and protective behaviours program.

The Growing Up Program (GUP) 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 aligned to the: 

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

GUP reflects the latest in sexual and reproductive health research, and aims to maximise learning outcomes, and increase positive communication between parents  and carers and their child/children. 

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

Family Planning Tasmania recommends that students be provided with relationships, sexuality and protective behaviours education each year. 

By clicking on the below link, parents and carers will be able to access information to their child/children’s program. https://fpt.org.au/programs/parents-carers/the-growing-up-program-gup-parents-carers/

Our School Association is really keen to build connections with families and a sense of community. Families are invited to join our School Association Committee members for a meal on Thursday 21 November at 6:00 pm at the Mowbray Hotel.  Children are welcome.

Please RSVP to Priscilla on 0418 146 703 as soon as possible to ensure the reservation numbers can be provided to the venue.

We look forward to meeting you!

School Association Committee 

Best wishes to Jessica and Abina who are competing as a team in the Triathlon at Devonport this Friday.

Josh Leighton - HPE Teacher

Orienteering @ Heritage Forest

Tennis @ Mowbray Heights Primary

Girls Football @  Mowbray Heights Primary 

Speedball @ Mowbray Heights Primary

Basketball MHPS v Summerdale Primary School

On Wednesday 27 November Kinder A, B and C will be going on an excursion to the City Park. The children will be involved in a range of wellbeing activities at the park including a play in the playground, music, visiting the sensory garden and conservatory and observing the ducks and monkeys.

The children will need to bring a packed morning tea, lunch and a drink bottle. There will be no lunch orders available on this day.

The bus will be departing school at 9:30 am and returning to school by 1:45 pm.

The children will need to wear school uniform and sunscreen.

Please talk to your child’s teacher if you have any questions. We are looking forward to a wonderful day in the park.

Rebecca Saunders, Natasha Gibbons and Danielle Evans - Kindergarten Teachers    

We are very much looking forward to joining our Year 6 students at the Leavers' Dinner. This evening is a wonderful occasion, celebrating learning, friendships and all that makes their time at MHPS memorable.

When: Monday 9 December 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Venue: UTAS Stadium Function Centre, Invermay Road

Cost: $35.00

Professional photos: An option available for families costing $36.00 

Payment for the dinner and optional professional photos can be made at the school office by cash or card. All payments are required by Friday 29 November.

To help families learn online at home, every family with children in Kindergarten to Year 10 are receiving a copy of Supporting online learning: a guide for families.

This guide provides families with information and advice about:

• school communication apps, such as Canvas Parent
• managing online privacy
• social media readiness
• effective online searching, and
• spending time online as a family.

Families are the most important influence and support for children and young people. Learning online at home builds life skills to succeed in today’s digital world.

Guides are being sent home today.

For more digital skills and support, please email digitalskillsforfamilies@libraries.tas.gov.au

Each year our Year 6 students have the option of wearing a Leavers' Polo Top. This is a long standing and special tradition.  Leavers Polo Tops are available for purchase at a cost of $40.00 each for Short Sleeve and $45.00 for Long Sleeve. If you would like your child to have this opportunity please complete the 2025 Year 6 Leavers Polo Top order form which will come home with our Year 5 students this week. There will be one order placed for the year. The expected delivery date for polo tops is early Term One, 2025.  

Please return the Order Form and payment to the School Office by Wednesday 11 December 2024.

We are now accepting Kindergarten enrolments for next year.  To be eligible for Kindergarten in 2025, children need to be 4 on or before the 1st January 2025.  When enrolling in a Tasmanian Government school for the first time, evidence must be provided in relation to student identity, the parent/guardian identity, student residential address and student immunisation. 

Evidence is required in relation to student identity which may include one of the following:

• Australian Birth Certificate
• Current Australian or foreign passport and visa

Evidence is required in relation to parent or legal guardian identity which may include one of the following:

• Birth Certificate
• Current Australian Drivers Licence
• Current Australian passport or foreign passport and visa 

Evidence is required in relation to residential address which may include one of the following:

• Birth Certificate
• Current Australian Drivers Licence
• Current Australian passport or foreign passport and visa 

Evidence is required in relation to immunisation which may include one of the following:

• The child's Health Record Book (Blue Book)
• A printout from the Medicare - Australian Immunisation Register

Kindergarten at Mowbray Heights Primary School is a three full day program. Please phone the office or drop in to register your child’s name and begin the enrolment process. 

If you have completed an enrolment form for Launching into Learning your intention to enrol your child, if in our intake area, is already known and underway.

Please note: We are not able to accept Expressions of Interest for an Out of Area Enrolment as we are at capacity.

Sharon

Term Dates

Professional Learning Days