August 2008

ParentTasmanian State Contact School Parents and Friends Inc. enewsletter

TASSP&F ANNUAL CONFERENCE about the Tomorrow The 2008 TASSPF Annual Con- Local dance troupe Bee Bop changes to post year 10 study to ference was held at Exeter High Dancers from George Town be introduced in 2009. It was School in the tranquil and beau- provided a wonderful interlude evident that there is much tiful Tamar Valley region on 2 in the afternoon session with disquiet with many aspects of August. a high energy dance display. Tasmania Tomorrow and with the It was marvellous to see such Principal Christine Males, stu- extension of Grade 10 for an a talented and happy group dents, staff and a band of hard additional 3 weeks, beginning of children performing. The working parent volunteers, pro- this year. Delegates indicated Company provides a wonder- vided a warm welcome to all 60 that the lack of consultation, ful opportunity for children of delegates and guests. Two very planning and funding were of all abilities to have fun and be talented Exeter High Students, greatest concern. Premier active. Max Cooke and Georgie Curtin Bartlett reiterated that the provided a wonderful introduc- changes are here to stay. Keynote Speaker Scott Wade tion with their performance of (AFL Tas): “Fit For Life” Programme: “Coming Home”. Scott Wade spoke of the AFL`s In addressing the theme of role in providing positive role Conference, several wonderful model programmes in high people gave freely of their Satur- schools and of some of the day to provide a fun and thought activities undertaken by AFL provoking programme including Tasmania. The AFL, in part- diverse activities. nership with the Hawthorn Football Club, are presenting To start the day, delegates and a programme to several high guests were encouraged to par- schools working on self esteem ticipate in a relaxing session of and positive choice. Tai Chi presented by Chris Dell, a very talented instructor. Conference Agenda Items.. Premier - Hon MP Twenty seven agenda items After Lunch Casey Mainsbridge Opening: were discussed, debated and from the Department of Human David Bartlett opened Confer- voted on. Movement, UTas, got us up and ence focusing on an overview Some of the highlights were: moving with a fun activity where of new funding initiatives and teams linked food choices with Two alternative name change the launch of the first edition exercise outcomes. Smart teams options were presented to the of “Engage”, the new magazine chose food items with the lowest conference but neither were for schools, parents, carers and energy output and this ensured adopted. students. that only 5 push-ups or sit-ups were required. The whole ex- Annual subscriptions will now Discussion Panel: ercise was great fun and it re- be due and payable before the The Premier joined Opposition ally did make you think about first day of term 2 of the Leader , MLC Ivan the link that exists between diet school year and will be for the Dean and MLC Ruth Forrest to and exercise and the better food period 1 January to 31 take questions from delegates. choices December each year. Many questions were asked we can all make.

www.parentsandfriendtasmania.asn.au From the Presidents desk…..

Dear Friends Guest politicians and speak- After a very successful conference held at Exeter High in August ers inc:MLC Ruth Forrest, I am pleased to be back as President for another year. MLC Ivan Dean, Mayor Barry Easther, and Opposition The year seems to have flown and we are now starting the Leader Will Hodgman September school holiday. I hope everyone has a lovely holiday and comes back refreshed for term three. Bus Fares: Hagley Farm School highlighted some of the issues We as an organisation want to offer the best service to our around the recent introduction members as possible and engage with you in conversations of bus fares that now see many that are important to you and your school community. To do children paying fares to at- this we will be conducting a state wide tour during 2009 to tend their local school where in come to your area and meet with you. As President I will be the past they travelled free. This making myself available and will bring with me the people who motion was carried and TASSP&F represent you in your area. As the peak body representing have issued a media release in parents in state schools we wish to also share with you how we line with Policy that “free trans- represent you and the service we have available to you. I look port be provided for all students forward to meeting you in 2009. attending the nearest or desig- nated government school….” Thank you again for your support, Soap in School Toilets: TASSP&F Jennifer Branch to discuss with the Department President the availability of soap in all state school toilets. - That the transfer to Acad-

emy/Polytechnic where school • Tas Photo Company Other Items: associations currently manage • Entertainment Publication of - TASSP&F to call on the business enterprises be de- Minister to review his decision ferred until acceptable provi- • Cancer Council that requires Year 10 Students to sions are established to en- • Active After School Com remain at school until the end of able the continuation of these munities the year. business enterprises. • Total Learning • Crime Stoppers Tasmania - The Department be asked Thank you to • Tasmanian School Canteen to establish an Asbestos Register • Veolia Environmental Association for each school and review how Services for their continued • Gambling Support Bureau it provides risk assessments and sponsorship of Conference the • Australian Sustainable action plans for those schools. very successful “Me and My Schools Initiative. Girl” Seminar. • Kidsafe Tasmania - That the legislation for the • Cripps NuBake establishment of the Tasmanian We also thank the following • Windmill Educational Products Academy, Polytechnic and Train- businesses and community ing Tasmania include the provi- organisations who provided Thank you to all who attended sion that each campus of each displays and information for and helped to make this institution will establish a “parent the delegates. a great Conference and community association”. with great Outcomes.

TASSP&F ANNUAL CONFERENCE FROM YOUR ACCSO Issues for internet access by students and jurisdictions are REPRESENTATIVE: remote and rural students are performing and will identify areas being investigated. where policies and resources THE NATIONAL EARLY need to focus. A broad range YEAR LEARNING STUDENTS WITH of information will be included FRAMEWORK IS BEING DISABILITIES in the report ~ socio-economic DEVELOPED TO: Monash University’s Report status of school, numbers of - a) Guide the development of about Portable Funding for indigenous students, children quality programs for ECE that Children with Disabilities is with with disabilities or non-English would suit a range of care the Minister for consideration. speaking backgrounds. The report settings; Following recent trials, new will be delivered to MCEETYA in b) Recognise the importance funding for Autism will make summary form in September and of play-based learning, available training sessions/ is anticipated will be available in communication and language workshops for parents and its entirety by December. as well as personal, emotional carers to be delivered by the and social development; Australian Autism Education and LAUNCH OF FAMILY-SCHOOL c) Document the broad Training Consortium (AAETC). &COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP parameters for an enhanced Further information can be found BUREAU and smooth transition to at www.deewr.gov.au/schools/ At a recent forum with the school. autism or register you interest executive committees of ACSSO The Government has by email to [email protected]. and the Australian Parents committed to delivering by au Council (APC) and senior staff 2013, universal access to all of the Department of Education, children to ECE for 15 hours a COAG Employment and Work Relations week for 40 weeks a year, by The new Commonwealth-State (DEEWR), the Family-School & degree qualified EC teachers. Financial Framework developed Community Partnership Bureau They have promised extra by the Council Of Australian (FSCPB) was launched. University and TAFE places, no Governments (COAG) aims The FSCPB aims to help Australian TAFE fees and 50% reduction to - establish clearer roles schools, families and communities in HECS fees to help build a and responsibilities; enhance build sustainable, collaborative, skilled workforce. accountability; sharpen productive relationships. $114.5 million has been incentives for reform; increase At the launch the sustained allocated to building the first flexibility in use of funding and efforts of the two peak parents’ 38 of 260 new child care reduce duplication. groups - the ACSSO and APC, centres. Ninety six previous funding in stimulating research in, Special support will be programs for schools have and promoting the benefits of, available for the most been closed and replaced with family-school partnerships were disadvantaged children and new flexible Specific Purpose recognised. their families through the Payments available through the • Browse the NEW website at Home Intervention Program National Education Agreement www.familyschool.org.au/ which will be delivered in and delivered by the State • Vote in the online poll Tasmania by Anglicare. Government. “Who should take the lead role in family-school & community NATIONAL SECONDARY NATIONAL ASSESSMENT partnerships?” SCHOOL COMPUTER FUND PROGRAM • Take part in the first talk- Round One ~ 896 of the 902 Literacy & Numeracy (NAPLAN): tool check-list - “How well does applicants received funding Over one million students in your school engage Parents and to upgrade their computers. years 3, 5, 7 & 9 participated the Community?” Round Two ~ Open from 14 in the testing in May this year. July to 9 October. Parents will receive a report An ICT plan must be in place on their child’s results in and consultation with the September. A two stage report parent body needs to occur is being developed for the to best assess the schools Ministerial Council of Education, greatest ICT need. This round Employment, Training and is not restricted to computer Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) from infrastructure but can include data collected by DEEWR. It Jenny Grossmith - Vice fibre optic connections, will provide information on how President (ACCSO) teacher training etc.

Australian Council of State School Organisations (ACCSO) based professionals to all SHHPS Celebrated 150 years of UPDATES FROM THE SMITH parents and carers of children education in August. FAMILY from birth to 4 years old. As part of the celebtrations “Together with caring students have been talking to Australians, The Smith Family Through the Gagebrook and past pupils of the school. will unlock opportunities Northern Suburbs Community The school held events which for disadvantaged families Centres, The Smith family included an Open Day, an to participate more fully in is implementing Unlimited assembly and a re-enactment society.” Potential Clubs, a digital day in which the staff and literacy program which will students turned out in old Following their arrival in help parents and children gain fashioned school clothes from Tasmania last year, The important computer skills at the 18th century. Students Smith Family has been busy their own pace, build on their lined up in their shortest to consulting with parents, schools interests and make new social tallest and their hand and and key stakeholders in each connections. fingernails were checked for of the four communities with cleanliness by the school whom they have formed Principal, Greg Turner. partnerships. The school assembly saw more than 140 past students and In the North The Smith Family staff attend and at the end of is working with Rocherlea and the week a school reunion was Mayfield primary schools, the held in which over 190 people Northern Suburbs Community attended. Centre and TAFE Tasmania to implement ‘On Our Patch’ - a The Smith Family is also helping TABLE CAPE PRIMARY parent learning recognition Tasmanian parents save for SCHOOL program aimed at encouraging their children’s education. In Smart students win National a positive attitude towards partnership with ANZ and with Award Congratulations to Table learning and helping with the support from the Tasmanian Cape Primary teacher Micheal first steps towards gaining a Community Fund, The Smith Van der Ploeg and students recognized qualification. Family is helping parents Tom Bird, Cally-Rose Ware, improve their financial literacy Alex Ridge and Maddison In the North-West through skills through Saver Plus, Walker for their success in Playgroup Tasmania and with an exciting matched savings what is considered the Oscars The Smith Family’s support, program. of the Science awards - The a new Baby Playgroup was For more information about University of Sydney sleek recently launched at Table The Smith Family’s programs Geeks Science Eureka Prize. Cape Primary School to provide in Tasmania, please contact Students from the school local parents with the chance Wendy Armstrong, Community entered a claymation video that to attend a playgroup at no Programs Manager on 03 6223 follows Archimedes as he hops cost, meet other new parents 2627, or email wendy.armstrong in and out of his bath, puzzling and learn about what else is thesmithfamily.com.au over the rise and fall of the happening locally. water line and explained where In the South-East The Smith SOUTH PRIMARY the water goes Family is working with SCHOOL CELEBRATE 150th WHAT A GREAT ACHIVEMENT! Greenpoint, Bridgewater, ANNIVERSARY Herdsman’s Cove and DUNALLEY PRIMARY Gagebrook Primary Schools. SCHOOL Dunalley Primary Grade 4-5’s Together with Southern Training experiment on the growth and Employment Services mould on apples won a (STEPS), the Department berth in the National Science of Education and other local competition. The 25 student organisations, ‘Grow and scientists examined the best Learn’ has been developed conditions for mould to grow. Principal Greg Turner on re- – a program for parents and The NATA (national labratory enactment day, stepping back children to play together, grow accreditation authority) Young a vegetable patch and learn to the 18th century inspecting students fingernails for cleanliness. Science Award winner will be practical skills. announced in October. The award offers prizes totalling $10,000 FOREVER A PRINCESS. in science equipment. Just when she thought that cancelling her birthday GOOD LUCK DUNALLY PRIMARY SCHOOL! celebrations for one of those significant ones 50 ish Jenny G was surprised and delighted the night before Annual conference when her cabin mates SCHOOLS ROCK CHALLENGE Congratulations to all up-and-coming produced the most wonderful cake complimented musicians who competed at the recent with a pink and silver tiara and matching Princess Rock Challenge finals in Hobart. In plates. Of course this scene wouldn’t be complete particular we acknowledge Launceston without the popping of corks and everyone enjoyed College band “Framed” for their winning a glass of bubbly to wish Jenny a belated happy performance, as well as Prospect High’s birthday. “Chaotic Dilemma” for their achievement For those who have not heard the whole story Jenny in the high schools division. G `s actual birthday clashed with the Seminar ‘Me and My Girl’ for which with loads of work she was A FORMAL THANKYOU TO TASAIR able to get support for a bus to seminar from the North West. However in order to make this event a Two of our Executive Commit- success Jenny gave up her planned celebrations . A tee Members from TASSP&F Jenny post script to the story is that the hall where they Grossmith and Lisa Gillard flew were to be held was in fact burnt down. Just over to visit school representatives remember 50 is the new 40. and Parents and Friends of Flinders Island schools in July. We would like to take this opportunity to say Jenny Grossmith thank you to TASAIR for providing Vice President TASSP&F us with discount airfares to and from the Island.

We love to hear news about what is happening in and around your school and school community.

All submissions to Parent Contact to be made no later than the 25th of each month. Please send information to [email protected] or phone 03 62349488

The views expressed by individuals and groups contained in this publication are not necessarily recommended nor endorsed by the editor TASSP&F.