As we move into this fourth term we have a dual focus for learning. Firstly, we have been celebrating the outstanding student achievements that have been made already this term! Term four sees a lot of consolidation in student learning and for many students, it’s a time where they progress in ‘leaps and bounds’ and find real understanding in their learning. Fourth term is also a valuable time for reflection on what has been learnt and how we can use this learning to be applied to new situations. We use these valuable tools with students but we also undergo these processes as a school.

There has been some recent mixed media reviews on the results of students in recent NAPLAN testing. I am pleased to say that this has not been the case for Burnie Primary School students who have again achieved well above ‘Similar schools’ throughout Australia, but also the Australian average which includes all public, private, independent and catholic schools throughout Australia. In Grade 3, Burnie Primary School students outperformed students in Tasmania and Australia in our ‘Mean scores’ in every aspect of NAPLAN testing! This was also the case in 3 out of the 5 NAPLAN testing areas in Grade 5. An exceptional result from our school which we are very proud of and is return for effort for students and the adults that ensure success for all our students here at Burnie Primary School.

Grade 3

Grade 5

A reminder that tomorrow, Friday 4^th November, is a student free, professional learning day. Teachers will be meeting with other teachers from Burnie High, Cooee, Natone and Somerset Primary Schools to continue our learning in the teaching of one of our School Improvement priorities – Maths. We look forward to catching up with students and families on Tuesday 8^th November, after the Northern Tasmanian Recreation Day Public Holiday on Monday.

Term 4 is always busy with events, including making up for events missed in Terms 1 & 2 due to the restrictions placed on schools earlier this year. On Wednesday 16^th November, the Parent Group and the School are conducting a School Social here in the Gym. 3:30 – 4:30pm for Kinder – Grade 2 students and 4:30 – 5:30pm for Grade 3 – 6 students. Parents are asked to pick up your child/ren from the JMC promptly at the end of each social.  Students can wear appropriate casual clothes and they will have dances and games organised by our Parent Group. We are always looking for helpers on the night so if you have a current ‘Working with vulnerable people’ card please contact the parent group via the Facebook Page.

We are also going to run an Athletics Carnival on Thursday 8^th December. This years Carnival will have a running component, but the emphasis is on a shared whole school fun day of activity and events to bring our school together. All spectators are welcome on our School Oval. Due to the huge number of events this term, we do not have a back up day if the weather is not kind to us.

We have plenty of examples of staff going over and above to benefit the students here at Burnie Primary School. Some recent examples this Term already include the Grade 5 Camp and the teachers who spent the weekend at the NW Primary Schools Basketball tournament in Devonport where we achieved some outstanding results including Runner Up in the Grade 5/6 boys, Grade 3/4 girls and boys in Div 1, and 7^th in the Grade 5/6 girls . Our thanks also goes out to all the parents who also supported our sporting teams throughout the year.

As part of our planning for next year, it is important for us to make an accurate prediction as to our numbers of students who will be attending Burnie Primary School next year. If you know that you will not be here or you know of families that will be moving into our area, can you please let us know as soon as possible so we can ensure that we cater for every single students’ success in 2023.

At the time of printing, we have not had any advice from the Department for Education, Children and Young People regarding the impact that proposed industrial action may have on school operations next Wednesday 9^th with the impending AEU industrial action. We will inform you as soon as we get a directive from our department.

Andrew Starick
Principal