This Term in 3-4A our focus for Science is Physical Science. We are learning about forces and their effects on objects. Students are successful when they can; identify a type of force, describe how a force can be transferred and investigate different types of forces and their effects on different objects. Last week we used Hot Wheels cars to measure the distance the cars might travel on different surfaces. We discussed why and how the different surfaces and applied force could affect the distance that the cars travel.

Student Leaders working on the School Vision

This week there was another planning session with Mr Pearson and our Junior and Senior Leaders. This time they were working on what is our future vision for our school. This also included looking at our current school vision statement and providing a student voice on the direction our school should be heading in.

It has been insightful working closely with the student leaders over the past month. To help us shape the right path forward it is important to invite and listen to our students, in line with our community and parent body. Our recent discussions have helped refine our thinking and added a couple of pertinent questions to answer moving forward. Well done to all our leaders for their work and commitment to making Lilydale a better place each and every day.

The recent weather has not discriminated in who it has affected. We understand this is a challenging time for families. Obviously the first impact that we see as a school are things like non-attendance or inconsistent student uniform. We understand the pressures that families have been under, so if we can assist please let us know and we will make every effort to help remove some of those barriers.

The beauty of school is that it has reliability for students. These include things like having friends, known adults and consistent routines. These are all important for students, particularly when things are unsettled in other aspects of their life.

As a school we are continuing to refine our routines and processes to ensure that we meet the needs of our school programs to maximise learning. There are numerous ways that we work with students to help not only with their academic learning but also socialisation and emotional learning. We have at our disposal our professional support staff (Psychologist, Social Worker, School Nurse) as well as department and external experts including an Inclusive Practice coach who provides independent observations and recommendations as well as paediatricians and doctors.

In addition we have numerous supports across our school, tailored to individuals and small groups with selection based on a combination of staff observations and recommendations from our wide group of experts. We are also spending a significant amount of money in these spaces to ensure that appropriate support is available not only to individuals but also in turn that it enables all our learners to access their learning with minimal disruption.

It has been a real positive to work with students and staff more closely over the past month, to explore their ideas and opinions in relation to making positive change within our school. Having this perspective has help shape some of our direction and we will continue to expand our conversations to ensure that we have a representative voice moving forward.

Congratulations to all our students for their conduct over the past few weeks where we have been limited with usable play areas and having to be inside for breaks. They have done a great job and thank you to teachers for their planning for these events to make sure students are occupied and settled.

With only three weeks left in the term we are sending home some evidences of learning, from a range of subject areas. These are noted on the cover letter and hopefully provide a positive snapshot and insight into the learning of your child, not only through their work but also through the rubric that accompanies these. Understanding what more they can do and how to achieve this will continue to be a focus for all our classrooms across the year.

Colin Pearson
Principal

In the coming weeks there will be a variety of leadership opportunities for students in High School in 2025.

We will soon be asking for applications for year 9 students who would like to be a Student Leader in year 10. This extension program allows students to participate in programs that will enhance their skills as well as providing a student voice in our school.

Lilydale District School is also offering the opportunity for up to 20 students who are in Year 7 – 9 in 2025 to attend the Secondary Schools GRIP Leadership Conference in March at the Tailrace Centre. These students would be participating in the program alongside the Year 10 Senior Student Leaders. We are required to register numbers attending the conference before the end of this year, so further information on the conference will be provided next year.

The GRIP Conference is presented by a team of specialists in the area of student leadership. The team is comprised of young men and women who know what it’s like to be in the shoes of a student leader. Some team members are recent school graduates with the ability to share from their own recent experience. Other team members are in their twenties and thirties and have worked across thousands of schools to develop a career exploring what works, what’s current and what’s possible in the area of student leadership. It is an engaging and interactive experience which is attended by many other schools in the area.

If your child is interested in being a Senior Student Leader or in attending the GRIP conference ask them to get in touch with Mrs Denehy or their Class teacher. More information will be provided at the High School assembly this week.

On Monday, 16 September the Year 10 students that participated in the Beacon Career Program in Term 2 will be having a casual afternoon tea to celebrate their success with the program. They can invite people to attend. If you would like to attend please discuss this with a participant and RSVP to Karin.denehy@decyp.tas.gov.au by Friday September 13.

The Year 1 Phonics Check: Information for families

If your child is in Year 1, they will be participating in the National Year 1 Phonics Check before the end of Term 3.

This quick check looks at how well a child can ‘decode’ written words and whether they are making expected progress in reading. 

Your child’s teacher will use this information to identify and provide extra support to those students who need it. 

As part of the Check, students will be asked to read 40 words to their teacher – 20 real words and 20 made-up words. The teacher will listen to how students sound out the letter and letter groups and blend these sounds together to make words.

Using made-up words like “jound” is important as students cannot read these words from memory, they have to use their decoding skills.

Why is phonics important?

Phonics is the relationship between letters and sounds. Learning that there are predictable relationships between sounds and letters helps students decode words and spell them. Phonics is one of the essential components of learning to read.

How can I support my child?

Your child does not need to prepare for the Year 1 Phonics Check. It’s not a test. It’s a check-in on their progress. You can let your child know that the Check includes real words and made-up words.

The best way to support your child to become a confident reader is to spend time reading with them. Even a few minutes a day can make a difference to their learning.

For more tips on reading with your child, check out talk.tas.gov.au

If you would like help with your own reading, contact 26Ten on 1300 00 2610. It’s never too late to.

Year 9 – 12 Lilydale Students were fortunate to have a visit from the University of Tasmania today and participate in engaging Agricultural Science activities. The students were able to ride VR rollercoasters, fly drones and plan their own farm and problem solve issues they might come across when farming. The students had the opportunity to learn more about attending University and having an Agriculture pathway. It was great to have Scottsdale High School join us for these activities. Thank you to the representatives from UTas and Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture for working with our students. Also, thank you to the Beacon Foundation for organising this valuable opportunity.

UTAS scholarship sponsored by Reconciliation Tasmania are now open.

The Chris Crerar Reconciliation Scholarship is available to a Tasmanian Aboriginal student commencing a Bachelor degree for the first time, in any discipline, at the University of Tasmania from Semester 1, 2025. 

The $5000 a year scholarship ($25,000 over five years) aims to provide financial support for the duration of the undergraduate degree, and to offer the successful applicant opportunities to connect with Reconciliation Tasmania.

The scholarship was established in memory of our former colleague Chris Crerar, a strong social justice advocate who was committed to Closing the Gap and self-determination for Tasmania's First Peoples.

Applications close on 31 October 2024.

Potential applicants are encouraged to visit the UTAS website  to view the full scholarship details and apply online.

Any questions can be directed to UTAS via the links on above webpage or by contacting Reconciliation Tasmania at info@rectas.com.au.

Our chess program has been going strong all year. Every Friday we have a professional chess coach from Black Square Chess come in to work with our students. During lunch time, anyone is allowed to attend the session in the PAC. After lunch, students that are particularly interested in fine tuning their skills and preparing for tournaments. In these after lunch sessions, chess coach Andrew, also educated the students about the culture of chess. Introducing students to the history of chess, chess tournaments around the world and famous chess players (this week it was a 9 year old chess master). Well done to those students that have been participating in this program.

After a very busy Winter at City Mission, its time to re stock their Emergency Relief pantry. And the Senior Student Leaders at Lilydale have offered to help!

With spring just around the corner, City Mission is preparing for its annual Spring Food Drive, a vital non-perishable food donation drive to help restock City Mission's Emergency Relief pantry after a very busy Winter period providing grocery hampers to families struggling to put food on the table.

Teaching our children the importance of charity is one of the most valuable lessons they can learn. The power of giving not only helps them discover causes they care about but also teaches them kindness and empathy.

From now until the end of the first week of Term 4 Lilydale School Community is going to help by collecting non-perishable items for City Mission. These items will be collected in the school office area.

If you are able, we ask you check your pantry or pop an extra item in your grocery cart to donate.

High School – Student of the Week

Every week all staff, Student Leaders and the wider community have the opportunity to nominate a high school student as a ‘Lilydale Legend’. These nominations acknowledge when another person has noticed the student demonstrating our school values of being safe, respectful and learning. If a student is nominated by multiple people their name will appear twice. Lilydale Legends for the week will get recognised in our high school assembly and receive a certificate. Congratulations to the Lilydale Legends for Week 6 and 7 - Term 3.

Week 6

Week 7

Our School Association usually meets on the second Monday of each month in the Kinder space. Our next meeting will be on Monday, 11 November at 7:00pm. We would love to see more people at the meetings and invite you to attend.

If you need to get in contact with members of the School Association, please contact the school office on 6395 0100. Thank you.

Heritage Sketch Competition 2024

Launceston City Council are running an arts competition for school aged children (4-17) of all abilities, inviting them to produce an artwork of a heritage place or item based within the Launceston municipality.

The competition will run from next Monday 16 September to Friday 1 November, with a number of prizes to be won!

Further information can be found on their website here:

Heritage Sketch! - City of Launceston.

Single Use Plastics Consultation

We are surrounded by plastic and plastic waste. Single‑use plastics are plastic items like coffee cups and cutlery designed to be used once and thrown in the rubbish. These types of plastics are often easily littered, difficult to recycle and recover and can be made with harmful chemicals.

The Department of Natural and Resources and Environment Tasmania is currently considering the impacts of phasing out certain problematic and unnecessary single-use plastics and invites you to share your thoughts on the Phasing Out Problematic Single-Use Plastics in Tasmania Discussion Paper.

Some of the items being considered for phasing out include drinking straws, cups and stirrers, and takeaway food containers.

Consultation is open from Tuesday 20 August 2024 and will close on Tuesday 1 October 2024. You can respond to the online survey or provide a written submission; more information is available at: https://nre.tas.gov.au/plastics-consultation.