The Department for Education, Children and Young People supports the rights of children and young people with a disability to access education on the same basis as their peers.

There are two documents that tell us about the rights of people with a disability in education. They are called The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education (DSE) 2005. These documents tell us about what schools must do to make sure that students with a disability have the same opportunities as everyone else. The documents say that schools must make reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning.

Educational Adjustment Disability Funding

The Educational Adjustment Disability Funding model is based on student needs and is guided by key principles. The model delivers resources to Tasmanian Government schools to support educational adjustments that they provide for students with disability. Educational adjustments are all the things that schools do to help a student with disability. We use adjustments to make sure that everyone can access, participate and engage on the same basis as their peers.

Structure of the Model

The Educational Adjustments funding model is based on a simple, structured approach to funding and resourcing. It takes into consideration the additional and changing needs of students with disability.

In the model, students who are provided with more intense support and adjustments receive more resources than those with a lower level of support and adjustments.

The model links with the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) levels of educational adjustment:

• Extensive
• Substantial
• Supplementary
• Quality Differentiated Teaching Practice.

Moderation and Educational Adjustment Descriptor Tool

Each year a Disability Educational Adjustment Moderator works with each Tasmanian Government school to talk about all students with disability who need educational adjustments. This is called the moderation process.

During the moderation process, moderators and school staff identify the level of adjustment using the Educational Adjustment Descriptor Tool. The tool helps us to understand each of the levels of adjustment, especially the extra levels in the Extensive and Substantial range. The Tool helps school staff to make decisions about educational adjustments that they make for students. These decisions are written in the student’s Learning Plan.

How does it work in government schools?

The Model gives a base allocation to every school (which includes Support Teacher staffing and money) for every student in the NCCD from Supplementary to Extensive.

At MHPS ...

All students for whom we have evidence of a disability diagnosed by a psychologist or paediatrician are on the NCCD.  All of these students who require extensive, substantial or supplementary adjustments, have a Learning Plan.  Some students with disability are supported by Quality Differentiated Teaching Practice and may or may not have a Learning Plan. 

In June, the Disability Educational Adjustment Moderator will be reviewing our Learning Plans to ensure the adjustments we are making for students are aligned with the appropriate level of funding.

If you have any questions in relation to this process please make a time to talk to  your child's class teacher, or Mrs Julia Ayers and Mrs Claire Chalmers (Support Teachers), or a member of the Leadership Team. 

Sharon

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

State Athletics Carnival Report – 2024

We are so proud of the 10 students who represented the LSSSA on Friday last week!!!

Their efforts were applaudable and their ability to mix with their new teammates was successful, meeting some new friends along the way.

Some of the standout performances are below:

Lawn Bowls @ MHPS

Kingball - MHPS v Punchbowl Primary School

Netball - Norwood Primary School v MHPS

Football - St Leonards Primary School v MHPS

Soccer - MHPS v Glen Dhu Primary School

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

On Thursday 23 May, our 5-6 classes will travel to the Princess Theatre to watch the Launceston Church Grammar School’s production, Strictly Ballroom.  Following this, students will be having lunch in City Park.

Students need to wear school uniform on the day. Sunscreen will be available, however, if your child is sensitive to the sunscreen provided by the school, please make sure you provide an alternative.  Students need to take enough food and water for both recess and lunch.

Buses will leave school at 10.15 am and return to school before 3:00 pm.

5-6 Team

A firefighter from the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) is visiting our school to present a Home Fire Safety Program to a number of our classes during Week 5 of this term - 27 to 31 May. The classes involved during this week are the Prep classes, the Year 1-2 classes and 3-4 Rafferty. The remaining Year 3-4 classes and the Year 5-6 classes will have sessions in Week 2 of Term 3 – 29 July to the 2 August. Kindergarten students, whilst not receiving a structured lesson, can expect a visit from the firefighter who will leave some free fun activites for the students to complete.

The age appropriate program is designed to raise fire awareness in children and includes fun in class activities, videos, activity books, website www.tfseducation.com.au and giveaways. Parents and other family members are also encouraged to participate by reading the information and assisting your child with the after school activities. The TFS aims to deliver appropriate fire safety education to every primary school child in Tasmania and is part of the TFS’s ongoing commitment to create a fire safe Tasmania.

Key Fire Safety Messages include,

Wake up - Install a smoke alarm in every bedroom

Plan and practice a home fire escape plan with the whole family

In a fire crawl low and go, go, go to the nearest exit

In an emergency call triple zero  

Keep flammable material at least two metres from the heater

If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, rock and roll

Keep matches and lighters away from children

Cooking - Turn it off before you turn away

Cool a burn under cool water for at least 20 minutes

Most house fires can be avoided. Make your home fire safe

More information www.tfseducation.com.au

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.

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.

In response to student voice within our school, we have introduced a new item of uniform. Our primary female students requested a more contemporary style of shorts that suited all body types. The shorts are now available for purchase from our Uniform Cupboard or via the QKr! App and retail for $25.00.

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.