Yesterday we had the pleasure of Jo Palmer (Minister for Education) and Simon Wood (MP) visiting our school.  She was here to report that our school is one of 15 schools being upgraded as part of the School Building Blitz.  We welcome this future investment in infrastructure for our own school and others across the state.  Our school is very much looking forward to delivering contemporary facilities for our students and staff.  More information will be shared with our school community on these works later this year.

We are also just about to award the tender for works to commence mid-year as part of improvements to our school through the Government's Contemporary Classrooms program, with $750 000 committed for improvements to our early learning space, including undercover and outdoor learning spaces.

Exciting times ahead!

Sharon

In Term 1, Max was selected as our MHPS winner for the Brixhibition Design Competition.  His design was built by the Brick Enthusiasts and was displayed in the Grand Competition at the annual Brixhibition Event during the holidays. Out of all the schools who participated, his design was declared the overall winner.  Max received lots of prizes including a trophy and he gets to keep his model. Congratulations to Max!

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

P&C is a sub-committe of the School Association. The main functions of our P&C are fundraising and providing a clear pathway for communication with the School Association. At the moment we have two parents who lead this committee and they are very keen for support. In a school of just under 500 students we are hoping that someone may be interested in getting involved.

• Would you like to help out and support your child's school but don't know how? 
• Do you have an idea for a great fundraiser? 
• Are you a business owner and would like to know how you can support the P&C fundraising efforts? 
• Would you like to talk to a parent representative from the School Association? 

We will be having a get together for parents and carers on:

Date and time: Thursday 9 May from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Venue: PAC (small end). 

You are welcome to drop in at anytime and for as long as you need. Children are welcome as it will be a very informal occasion.  

If you have any questions or are not able to attend but would like to discuss something, please reach out to Priscilla Chilcott, School Association Chairperson on 0418 146 703 or email prcparty@yahoo.com.au               

P&C Committee

Following on from the success of our School Athletics Team last term, we are proud to announce that we have students who have been invited to join the Launceston Athletics Team!  Congratulations to Aisha, Adaora, Matthew, Makennah and Jake. We are also proud to anounce that Izak, Jimmy, Ella, Henry and Amelia have been invited to join the Launceston Multiclass Athletics Team.

These students will compete against other Primary School Sports Associations from around Tasmania on Friday 10 May at the Northern Athletics Centre in St Leonards.

We wish these students all the very best!

A reminder that parents/guardians are required to transport students to and from the venue.  An outline of events has been sent home with your child.

Josh Leighton - HPE Teacher

Lawn Bowls @ MHPS

Kingball - Riverside Primary School v MHPS

Netball - MHPS v Riverside Primary School

Football - Ravenswood Primary School v MHPS

Soccer - MHPS v Punchbowl Primary School

On Wednesday 15 May, our Year 3-6 students will be involved in our Annual Cross Country Carnival which will be held at the Mowbray Racecourse from 11:30 am – 12:55 pm. Students will be walking to the venue. In the event of bad weather, the postponement date is Thursday 16 May.

We encourage students to wear shoes appropriate for physical activity (no ballet flats), their black school shorts and a t-shirt in their house colours. Your child has been placed in a house group. House colours are as follows:      

Beatty – Blue

Jellico – Yellow

Cadorna – White

Please ensure that your child has adequate water for the morning. It is advised that students bring a change of clothes and a spare pair of socks and shoes.

Here is the Carnival race schedule (approximate times).  Please note the times have been brought forward by 10 minutes since published in the Newsletter on 8/5:

Families and friends are most welcome to attend this event and show their support.

Josh Leighton - HPE teacher       

Students from Year 4, and all of our Year 5 and Year 6 students will be visiting the University of Tasmania to work with the Centre for Human Movement students. Our students will participate in a variety of sporting activities over the next two weeks, in one hour sessions.  The students will be walking to Uni and bussing back to MHPS if the weather is fine.  Buses will be provided both ways if it rains.

Steve Smyth - Assistant Principal

Library Days for Term 2

Kaz Searle - Library Teacher

Inside Out 4 Kids is a peer support, education program providing a healthy path toward healing for children and young people who are dealing with significant change.  The aim of the program is to assist children through the grief process when confronted with a change, loss or transition in their lives, for example family breakdown or the death of someone close to them.

The program consists of eight weekly sessions that run for 45 minutes each, during school hours.  Children meet in small support groups (2 – 5 members) with a trained facilitator. In this safe environment students are encouraged to talk, listen, as well as take part in games and activities, to develop strategies they can use to process their loss or change.  There is no cost involved.

Over the 8 week x 45 minute sessions the program covers:

• Week 1               My Story
• Week 2               Emotions and Feelings
• Week 3               Emotions, Feelings and Anger
• Week 4               My Heart, Grief and Loss
• Week 5               Memories and Moving On
• Week 6               I Belong, A Sense of Self Identity
• Week 7               Connection and Hope
• Week 8               Celebration Week

Our Chaplain Stephen Avery will be facilitating this program this term.  

If you think this program may assist your child/children please call the Admin team on 6326 1892 to register your interest.  Stephen will then make contact with parents to share more information and answer any questions.

If you are interested in joining our Educational Facility Attendant Team in a relief capacity, we would love to hear from you! As an EFA your role is pivotal in creating a clean, safe and well-maintained environment for our staff and students here at Mowbray Heights Primary School. As part of a team, you will perform various tasks which may involve cleaning, grounds keeping and some basic maintenance. As part of the DECYP recruitment process, we can only employ staff from the DECYP Register and you must have a current RWVP. Here is the link to join the DECYP Register: https://www.jobs.tas.gov.au/employment_registers/teacher_fixed_term_and_relief_employment_register

If you would like to discuss this opportunity or require assistance with registering please contact Tina Todman (School Business Manager) on 6326 1892 or pop in to the office.

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

The following sizes are available in the 2024 Year 6 Leavers Polos.  The tops are $35.00 and can be purchased at the school office. These are the last sizes available and no further orders will be placed.

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.