Morris
Library news for Walpole students | Years 3 - 6
Sharon Ryan and Catherine Duffett, our teacher librarians, are excited to be working with your children this year and are looking forward to encouraging their love of reading through their weekly library lessons and the reading events held during the year. You are always welcome to visit our library and talk to the library staff about good reads for your children. The library is open at 8.30am, at first break (10.50 until 11.50) and after school until 3.45pm.
The Walpole children have individual logins for our digital resources and they will receive a flyer with information about our digital libraries and library catalogue and how to access them at home. It is hoped that you will keep this flyer somewhere visible (such as on your fridge) so that you can refer to it throughout the year and use it as a way of supporting your child to access books. We look forward to working with you to support your child’s reading.
Year 5 Leadership Opportunity - GRIP Leadership Conference | Friday 21 February
On Friday 21 February, 15 Year 5 students will attend a leadership conference at the Derwent Entertainment Centre accompanied by a Year 5 teacher. It will be an opportunity for students to develop their leadership skills and work with students from other schools. Selection will be based on an application from interested students who will be asked to identify why they would like to attend and what leadership skills they would like to develop.
Year 6 Leadership Conference | Friday 21 February
On Friday 21 February, Year 6 students will attend the Year 6 Leadership Conference in The Farrall Centre, from 8.45am-3.15pm. There will be guest speakers, interactive activities and cooperative games throughout the three conference sessions.
There are many leadership opportunities in Year 6, such as house captains, school guides and assembly leaders, as well as semester long leadership roles. These opportunities are for students to develop lifelong leadership and service skills.
Students are to wear their formal uniform on this special day, including jackets, and bring their own water bottle. Break times will be as normal. Students are to bring their own lunch but cookies and fruit will be provided for the afternoon break.
Year 5 Student Breakfast | Thursday 20 February
On Thursday 20 February, Year 5 students will be having a Welcome Breakfast at 9.00am outside the Year 5 classrooms. This will be an opportunity for all Year 5 students to meet in a fun and informal setting while sharing breakfast. Students will be encouraged to talk with a range of other students from across the year group throughout the morning.
Could each student please bring a small plate of suitable breakfast finger food to share. We suggest bringing enough food for three or four people, cut into approximately 8 pieces. Some ideas for breakfast foods are: muffins, pastries, mini quiches, fruit, pancakes, savoury breads or pikelets. Please label the plate with your child’s name and the ingredients. Please do not send any foods containing nuts.
If your child has any food allergies, please ensure that they bring sufficient food in case they are unable to eat other contributions. Feel free to contact the Year 5 teachers if you have any questions about this event.
Reminder: Meet the Teacher | 13, 18 & 20 February
Parents are invited to attend a “Meet the Teacher” session during February with Morris classroom teachers. These sessions are designed to give you an overview of the learning program and classroom organisation for the year. We remind parents that child care will not be provided. All sessions will be held at 5.00pm (except Year 1, which will commence at 5.30pm) and the schedule is as follows:
Thursday 13 February - Year 1/Year 2
Tuesday 18 February - Year 3/Year 4
Thursday 20 February - Year 5/Year 6
Reminder: Morris Music Ensembles
All Morris music groups except Year 5 Band will commence rehearsals next week. Available groups include choirs, concert bands, string and marimba ensembles. Please see this link for ensemble details along with rehearsal times and locations. For most music ensembles, students simply need to turn up to the first rehearsal to sign up.
Please contact Kerry Bennett for further information.
Reminder: Morris Sport Choices
Please see this link for details of the sports available at Morris this year, training times and locations and dates for rosters and carnivals.
Reminder: Year 4 Outdoor Education Excursion to the Domain
On Monday 24 February 2020 all Year 4 students will be walking to the Queen’s Domain to participate in an orienteering session with Nicola Hughes as part of our Outdoor Education Program. We will be leaving school at 10.00am and returning before the end of the school day. Students will need to wear school sports uniform. It may be cold so please ensure students have sufficient layers of clothing and bring their school shell jacket. They will also need to bring their lunch, snacks, a drink bottle, school hat, waterproof jacket and any required personal medications for the day (please ensure that these are labelled appropriately). Please update student CareMonkey profiles before the excursion.
This activity will involve small groups of students and, as such, we will need a number of parent volunteers to help on the day. If you are able to assist us with this activity would you please email the classroom teachers (flewis@friends.tas.edu.au or wfiddaman@friends.tas.edu.au) before Friday 7 February.
Reminder: Years 3-6 Morris Swimming Carnival | Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 February
The Morris Swimming Carnival will be held at Friends Health & Fitness on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 February. The Years 3/4 carnival will run from 12.15pm to 2.45pm on Wednesday 26 February and the Years 5/6 carnival from 9.15am to 12.15pm on Thursday 27 February. Programs will come home in due course. Any enquiries please contact Lisa Di Venuto on 62102228 or email ldivenuto@friends.tas.edu.au.
In order for your child to have an understanding of the events at the carnival, we ask that you allow your son/daughter to participate in the pool session, which will be held at Friends Health & Fitness. We will also be conducting trials for 50m events during this time to try and have children of like ability in the same heat. Children will need bathers, towel, a swimming cap, a plastic bag and goggles (if required). A plastic bag to carry wet gear is also advised. The following times have been allocated:
Monday 18 February - 6M: 9.50-10.50; 6J: 11.40-12.40; 6HT: 12.40-1.40
Reminder: Uniform
Students are required to attend each day in the uniform specific to their class program. We would appreciate your support in ensuring that students are dressed correctly throughout the year, including appropriate footwear.
Reminder: Before and after school supervision
Before school supervision begins at Morris at 8.30am. If children are dropped at the drop off zone, adjacent to Friends' Early Learning, they will need to go to the Bark Chip playground where a teacher will be on duty until 8.45am. Classrooms are opened at 8.35am in preparation for the start of the school day. After school a teacher is on duty in the same area until 3.30pm for pick up by parents. We understand that parking can often be challenging after school and provide this supervision to support families. If you intend to do a drive through pick up after school, a staff member will be located in this area until 3.30pm to supervise students and facilitate the pick up process. We would ask for your patience during the pick up process and that if the drive through is full, that you not stop outside the gate on the road.
Reminder: Absentees
If your child will be absent from school for the day please advise the Morris Office (phone: 6210 2228, or email: morrisadmin@friends.tas.edu.au) and the classroom teacher before 9.00am. We appreciate your support in this process.
Important Dates 2020
Term 1 Monday 3 February to Thursday 9 April
Wednesday 26 February – Years 3 – 4 Swimming Carnival
Thursday 27 February – Years 5 – 6 Swimming Carnival
Monday 9 March – Eight Hour Day holiday
Wednesday 25 March – Friday 27 March – Year 5 Camp
Term 2 Monday 27 April to Friday 3 July
Monday 4 May – Friday 8 May – Year 6 Canberra trip
Thursday 14 May – Cross Country Carnival
Friday 22 - Saturday 23 May - Year 5 - 8 Musical
Monday 8 June – Queen’s Birthday holiday
Term 3 Tuesday 21 July to Friday 25 September
Tuesday 25 August – Book Week Assembly
Wednesday 23 September – Thursday 24 September – Year 6 Exhibition
Term 4 Monday 12 October to Thursday 10 December
Wednesday 21 October – Grandparents & Older Friends Day
Thursday 22 – Friday 23 October – Show Day holidays
Thursday 26 November – Year 2 Musical
Thursday 29 October – Morris Athletics Carnival, Years 3 – 6 New Date
Thursday 5 – Friday 6 November – Year 4 Camp
Thursday 26 – Friday 27 November – Year 6 Camp
Friday 27 November – K-2 Sports Day
Monday 30 November – Moving on Day
Wednesday 9 December – Year 6 Assembly