Thanks to all in our Burnie Primary School Community for your support for the stop work meeting held on Tuesday morning. For Burnie Primary School teachers present, this action was taken to highlight the issues we face here such as increased class sizes and access to our quality support staff such as our Social Worker, School Psychologist, Speech Pathologist, and Teacher aides who provide such valuable assistance to students with their learning. We need these people in our school for greater periods of time to support the needs of all your children, and for us, this was worth fighting for!  

As we move quickly to the end of the school year, we have been reflecting on the achievements of students, teachers, staff and our school community as we plan for success in 2019. Teachers are preparing student end of year reports. As part of the on-going industrial bans in place, Burnie Primary School students will receive a rating only and no comments as directed. This has been uncomfortable for teachers as we enjoy celebrating achievements in learning at this time of the year, but again we have been directed to this action to ensure improvements in learning conditions such as class sizes and student support.

AS we did last year, we are looking to provide students with a different way of celebrating their learning  by having a ‘Big Day In’, on their last day, Thursday 20^th December. We invite adult involvement in this day.  It is a fantastic opportunity for the Parents and Friends of our school community to contribute to our students on a different level than is traditionally the case, by providing fun activities that students can choose from throughout the morning till 12:30. If you would like to offer a fun activity on the day or to help out on Thursday 20^th December please phone or email us here at school.

On the day before, Wednesday 19^th, we will be conducting our annual Transition day where students will spend the day with their 2019 teachers in their next year's classroom. This day gives students an opportunity to not only get to meet with the other students in their class, but to organise things like where to put their bag on the first day back. Teachers can share expectations for ensuring all will be achieving at our very best. We have invited students from other schools who will be joining our school community for the first time next year, to take advantage of this day. Teachers have also been given the task of assisting students to prepare a short presentation to their next year teacher introducing themselves as a learner and some aspects of their lives that they might like to share. This will be given to  the 2019 teachers before Transition Day to enhance the experience for both children and teachers.

We are engaging in many high quality learning excursions outside the classroom this term. Our recent Grade 5 camp to Camp Banksia, Gunns Plains Caves, Narawntapu National Park, and the various other excursions, and performances, highlights the high quality learning opportunities that Burnie Primary School offers students. It also highlights the ‘extra mile’ that teachers and office staff go to to ensure that these experiences can proceed safely, and that all known risks are managed. Thanks also to those parents who have supported these extra learning activities, again, in partnership with your child’s learning.  

Andrew Starick.