This week, we have been celebrating the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Week! Books play such an important part in children’s lives! I still remember when the internet was being established (yes showing my age!) many IT experts predicted the end of books and libraries as everything would be accessed online. Ironically, the opposite has become the case! There are now more books sold than ever throughout the world, and we are upgrading our library here at Burnie Primary School to accommodate the fabulous new children’s literature that we have purchased for students! Reading is one of the most important things students will learn, and you as parents and carers form an important part of this learning. A tip from Jackie French, Australian Children's Laureate for 2014-2015, for parents and carers is;

“Read to your kids!
This should start when they're a few days old. I'm serious...while you're cuddling them and feeding them, tuck yourself into a comfy chair with a good book, and read bits out to them. No, of course, they won't understand it ... but they'll love the sound of your voice.

Read them a bedtime story every night too-and if you go out get the baby sitter to do it for you! Both of these steps mean that kids associate reading with being loved and cuddled...and also gets them hooked on the fun of books.

KEEP reading to your kids!
Read stories to little kids several times a day. Even when they learn to read well, KEEP reading to them. Kids love the drama and closeness of being read to!

Make the books available! Kids can't read books that aren't there.
It's so easy for kids to turn on the TV, but books have to be hunted out...and just like our ancestors had to learn how to hunt a sabre tooth tiger, it takes time to learn book hunting, how to find the books that THEY like in shops and libraries, just by skimming the back cover and first page and a bit of the middle.

Read to your kids, take them to the library, show them how to sort through books to find the ones they like . . . then take a deep breath, because the chances are that you'll have an enthusiastic reader demanding more books NOW . . . and WHY aren't you supplying them!”

Transition is a focus for us this term. We know that this helps start learning on a positive pathway. Our pre-kinder sessions start this Friday and provide parents and children starting kinder next year, with a taste of what to expect in their kindergarten year. This builds on the quality Launching into Learning early learning sessions we provided throughout parts of the year. Our Grade 6 students start their transition to Burnie High School throughout November in the lead up to their Orientation Day in December. We are planning for transitioning students here as well into next year. To help us with this planning process, one consideration we make when we undertake this complex process of constructing classes is parent requests. If you have any information that may help us in this process, please put it down in writing or email burnie.primary@education.tas.gov.au, addressed to the Principal, by Friday 31 October, so that we can consider your requests when constructing 2021 classes. Teaching staff will not be finalised until later in the year so information about preferred teachers cannot be accepted, however, we are aware that due to the learning needs of some students, consistency is important and we will take measures to ensure these needs are met. 

A reminder that next Friday 30^th October is a Student Free/Professional Learning Day and students are not required to attend school. Teachers will be undertaking Professional Learning, moderating student work samples and data in preparation for the end of year reports. We will also be reviewing our year to date and start planning for 2021. Monday, 2 November is also a Public Holiday.

Andrew Starick
Principal

Congratulations to our talented Music Teacher - Kathleen Matthews who has been involved in presenting and sharing her lesson plans for the Music Count Us In PD program from around the country. Her 12 minute video was selected and produced. Supported by the Tasmanian Orff Schulwerk Association (TOSA) and the Tasmanian chapter of the Australian Society for Music Education (TASME), seven music educators from across Tasmania have contributed segments to a professional development video that covers working with students from early childhood to lower secondary and special needs.  Segments include movement, song analysis, chordal accompaniments, rhythmic and melodic work, improvisation and creativity, along with a marimba ensemble arrangement for You Won’t Bring Us Down with performance variations and tips.

Please click on this Youtube link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80ThvDM3B0c&list=PLEpXT4Gn8YYBcalIfIeY8YzoKSavaqwj8&index=30&utm_source=MCUI+EDM+List+-+14+June&utm_campaign=b530e446b7-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_01_28_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_79d66baffa-b530e446b7-250897355

On Thursday, 15 September both Grade 5 classes went on a day camp to Camp Clayton. Unfortunately, due to coronavirus, we were unable to go on our normal overnight camp, but we were lucky enough to be able to go for a day! Mrs Hill, Mr Woodard, Mr Dome and Mrs Hyland were lucky enough to join us.

It was an early start to the day waking up early to be at school at 8:05am. We were all very excited and couldn’t wait for the day to start! After the attendance, we all hopped on the bus ready and excited for a fun day. Unfortunately, it was a wet and cold day, but that didn’t stop us from going and having fun.  Fortunately, it was Paige’s birthday, so everyone was very happy. We had a long 40-minute drive to the camp listening to music and being very loud! But we finally arrived! 5H and 5M were instructed into the meeting area. We had a quick briefing of how the day was going to work. Because it was a wet day the activities were changed but we were still excited to get going. There were 3 different activities, Games/Challenge Course, Rock Climbing and the Flying Fox. We had around an hour and a half on each activity. Both classes got split up into 3 groups so we could rotate around easily.

My group was first on games and the Challenge Course, while groups 2 and 3 were on the others. There was a games room and an empty room where we could use our imagination. In the empty room we were told that everyone loves to play the Finger Blasting game. We were told to build a fort in 2 groups. Obviously, we decided to do Girls VS Boys. After building our fort we were told to put on safety glasses, so we didn’t get hurt. We were extremely eager to start now. Both teams were given a box of Finger Blasters (small foam rockets). You would flick the band with your finger and try and get the other team out. We had lots of fun with Mr Dome playing this Game. We then went outside to do the Challenge Course. The first activity was for all our group to get through a tyre. We showed great leadership skills, and all worked together as a team. The second activity was to walk along a tight rope onto 2 ropes, this was more challenging, but we all worked together well and achieved it. The rain was getting too heavy, so we decided to go back inside. Our first activity was over.

We then all went into the gym and had recess and were told what activities we were on next. My next activity was the zipline. The other group said that that activity was very fun, so we were very happy that that was next.

It was a short walk down to the zipline, past the beach and a lot of bush. We then were told by the lady how to put the harnesses on safely. After a long struggle for us all to try and put on the harnesses we finally did! I offered to be one of the first. The lady then put us onto the line and made sure we were safe and tight. She said we could spin ourselves around if we wanted too, so we all span around and around before we jumped off to make ourselves spin. It was fun going down the zip line over a river and some of us had some very big slipovers at the end. We got 4 turns each. Mrs Hill decided to have a go. She was very nervous but did it! Though she lost her shoe and slid on her bottom at the end! Our second activity was over.

We next had a catered lunch in the hall. We were all starving and couldn’t wait for lunch. Everyone that had been there before said their food was very good. We were served lasagne and chips. It was delicious.

Our last and final activity for the day was the Rock Wall. We were extremely happy for the best till last. Once we had another briefing of what was going on we put on our harnesses and were ready to go. We all did the first 2 walls easily. One being normal, the second one being a little harder and the last one that we all had a go at was the box one, with the overhang. This was definitely the hardest one of the day. My first attempt was very close but couldn’t get it. On my second try, I slowly and carefully made my way up. When I got up, my arms were burning, and my legs were shaking. But I did it. I was fortunate to be one out of 3 people that did it that day, and the only girl so I was very happy.

Lastly, it was the end of the day. We were all very quiet on the way back and very warn out after a big day! We got back at around 4:00pm. After a fun day!

Amarli
Student

This term, Burnie Primary School students will be participating in The Marathon Challenge (42.2kms for Grades 3-6) with a reduced distance for Prep 10km, Year 1 - 15km and Year 2 - 20km).

The aim being for the students to see how far they can run. Students will be running during Daily PE and if they choose to, can do so at recess and lunchtimes. Students will record their distances in class on a personal tally sheet. 

This will also be a house competition and house captains will be collating their house distances also.  

Students are able to add to their distance tally at home after school or during the weekend, if parents could send a note to their child's teacher stating distance ran, then this can be recorded on their tally sheet.

Students who complete the challenge will receive a certificate.

Stephen Dome
AST/HPE Teacher

We understand that the pick-up and drop-off times within our school area are busy and frustrating with limited parking spaces, but we ask that parents/carers are respectful of nearby residents and refrain from parking over their driveways. This includes along Curraghmore Avenue if you get your children to meet you there. We thank you for your cooperation and patience with this.

Issue 7 closes 30th October 2020.

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