STORY DOGS

We are very excited to be introducing a new initiative to help support a handful of our older readers, Story Dogs.  This wonderful community program recruits volunteers and their dogs to complete Story Dog training and then these volunteers and dog go in to schools and listen to children read.  All volunteers have WWVP checks and dogs are carefully selected so there is no risk to students but the benefits to students who are reluctant older readers can be outstanding.  We look forward to meeting our volunteer and her dog soon and hope to have these sessions up and running soon.  If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please visit this website to find out more details.  : https://www.storydogs.org.au/

It is that time of year that teacher transfers are announced for some staff.  DoE has a transfer policy that ensures teachers continue to grow and learn throughout their career by working in a variety of different school contexts. It is the DoE’s commitment to having the highest quality teachers in all schools regardless of the geographical location or socio-economic level of the school that keeps a flow of teachers moving across the state. 

We welcome Mrs Marcella Galchan to Evandale Primary School next year.  We congratulate both Mrs Lowe and Miss Irvine on being offered permanent teaching positions with the DoE (location TBA) and we wish Mrs Lydon and Mr Chick the best of luck in their new schools for 2020, Campbell Town DHS and Summerdale Primary respectfully. 

JAG WHEEELCHAIR LAP-A-THON

Next Monday from 1:30-2:30pm the JAG students will be completing their lap-a-thon in wheelchair events using our school driveway.  The Northern Midlands Council Mayor Mrs Mary Knowles will be here to officially start the lap-a-thon at 1:30pm at the flagpole area and the JAG students will then complete as many laps as they can to raise money for Wheelchairs to be sent to orphaned children in developing countries around the world.  If you would like to make a donation to JAG for this worthy cause you can drop your money off to the office at any time and we will pass this on.   JAG are also having a stall at the Evandale Market on Sunday 10 November and they are seeking craft items, baked goods or other

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the JAG lapathon on Monday 1:30-2:30pm the driveway into the school will be closed as the course runs up and down the driveway.  The event will conclude at 2:30pm in time for school pickup.  Parents who need to pick their children up early for some reason on Monday will need to walk up the driveway or collect their child prior to 1:30pm. 

EARLIER ASSEMBLY NEXT WEEK

Due to the JAG wheelchair event being on the same day as our assembly, next Monday’s assembly hosted by Grade 3/4 will commence after recess (11:00am).  We hope that you are able to come along at this earlier than usual time. 

GRADE 6 BUNNINGS MURAL

We are very lucky to have the support of Bunnings who will be helping our Grade 6 students to complete a mural on one of our walls as a memory to leave behind of themselves when they head off to high school next year.  Claire from Bunnings also helped us with plants, materials and labour when we were upgrading our Kitchen Garden earlier this year.  We thank Claire and Bunnings for arranging an artist to come and work with the students and for donating all of the paints for this project.  Good luck to our mini Pablos!!

PAT, PIPs and KDC TESTING 2019

Each year DoE arranges for all students across the state to complete some key indicator testing and assessments as touchpoints for tracking their progress and development over time.  These tests help us to determine if students are needing extra support or extension in certain areas of their learning.  Our students are working really hard to complete these different assessments and teachers are busy looking at and responding to this data.  These assessments also inform the final year achievement standards that are communicated to you in your child’s end of year reports.  Reports will be going home to parents on Friday 13 December. 

CHAPLAINCY GRANT UPDATE

Thank you to all who helped to get our application for the Chaplaincy Grant together and submitted.  If we are successful we will be very pleased to have an additional person on our staff to help support our student’s wellbeing. 

NAPLAN STUDENT AWARDS

I wish to extend our congratulations to Ila S for her outstanding Growth in learning this year that was supported by her excellent NAPLAN results this year.  Ila and her family were invited to a special ceremony with the Minister for Education where she was presented with a special certificate.  Congratulations Ila – we are all very proud of your achievement. 

EVANDALE FOOTBALL CLUB

We were thrilled to learn that the Evandale Eagles were successful in their bid to have a new under 12s boys team for next season.  Organised team sport is such a wonderful learning opportunity for kids and we are always proud of the way that Evandale Primary School works in partnership with our local community groups.  Some of the Weagles members came out to school with Andrew Boyd on Monday to run short footy clinics with our Grade 3-6 students.  Registration sessions for next year’s teams (both boys and girls teams) will be held in the next few weeks.

HOT SHOTS SCHOOLS TENNIS COMPETITION

It was a rainy and windy day last Friday when our Grade 3 & 4 students were scheduled to attend the Hot Shots Tennis competition.  Unfortunately it was cancelled however I wish to thank our teachers, in particular Mr Neal, who organised this event and commend our students for the resilience that they displayed with coping with their disappointment.  We look forward to participating in a schools tennis competition next year.  Plenty of time for tennis training everyone!!

LEAVING EVANDALE PRIMARY NEXT YEAR?

Please notify myself or your child’s teacher if your child will not be attending Evandale Primary School next year.  We are currently planning class groupings for 2020.  If you have a request about a class placement based upon learning or social needs these requests need to be made in writing to myself and can either be dropped off to the office or emailed directly to me (Jennifer.gadsby@education.tas.gov.au) by COB Friday 8 November 2019. 

BOOKFAIR

Please make sure you support our Bookfair this year which will be held 11-15 November.  All books purchased at the Bookfair add up to help our school library get free books.  Thanks so much everyone for your support.  Just a heads up, due to the book fair we will not be handing out issue 8 of the Scholastic Bookclub catalogues (the last issue for 2019).  Copies of the catalogues will be available for collection at the front office should you want them.