Mr Hay has headed off on a well-earned Long Service Leave break and so it falls to me to write this piece. The Winter weather has certainly hit and made the last few weeks rather fresh, especially in our corridor and in the playground. We hosted the first round of Winter Sport on the 20^th June and will continue rounds next term. Students enjoyed hockey, soccer and netball with one joining the Port Dalrymple School football team for the day. Our students maintained our reputation as a great school by demonstrating sportsmanship and respect throughout the day.

The term has been busy with excursions and incursions. Classes have visited Tasmania Zoo as part of their Science work on lifecycles, the George Town Library for National Simultaneous Storytime and we have had visits from Hydro Tasmania for more valuable Science learning. The Smith Family provided our grade 5s with the Future Seekers program which culminated in a visit by several mentors who shared their career journeys and encouraged students to consider what their future might look like. We are looking forward to more programs courtesy of The Smith Family next term. We now have many families benefiting from The Smith Family Scholarships. If you would like to know more about this excellent program please chat with me at school. 

Our Home Reading program continues to grow as we add more and more quality literature to the baskets in classrooms. As the famous Australian author Mem Fox says “Reading aloud and talking about what we’re reading sharpens children’s brains. It helps to develop their ability to concentrate at length, to solve problems logically, and to express themselves more easily and clearly.” One of the most important things you can do as a parent is read with your child and we have some wonderful books to share so keep borrowing!

This term we welcomed our youngest students to the South family. Our Pre-Kinder classes have settled in beautifully and have been enjoying getting to know the staff, space and some new friends. It is exciting to watch them grow in confidence. Some will soon be receiving a special gift, in the form of a beautiful picture book for attending ten sessions.

Finally, we end the term with a week of Parent/Teacher interviews. We trust parents and carers find these meetings valuable and provide insight into the academic and social/emotional progress of students. Please remember that discussions with teachers can also take part at other times during the year. Just organise an appointment through the class teacher or the school office.

The school holidays are a chance for students and staff to rest and recover and ready themselves for another big term of learning. Please stay safe and warm and as Mr Hay would say “be kind” and “read a book”!

Janine