Morris
Kindergarten - Earthcare Days Term 1
Thursdays - 16, 23, 30 March
We are pleased to announce that the Kindergarten children will be starting their Earthcare Days, these will continue weekly until Thursday 30 March. Earthcare Days form part of our Sharing the Planet unit of inquiry which supports the children’s current curiosity about marine animals and the impacts of plastic on these environments. To enhance the children’s discussions and learning, we request that children do not bring plastic wrap/packaging on food in their lunchboxes, especially on these days. (We encourage plastic-free lunches everyday where possible).
Our Earthcare Days are about building childrens’ independence. Parents do not attend Earthcare days and there will be other opportunities for you to attend Kinder experiences throughout the year. We are planning three different locations for our first set of Earthcare trips for 2023. Please note that travel times vary for different locations, details are as follows:
- Week 7 - 16 March - Sustainability Learning Centre - Looking at how rubbish gets to the ocean. Children and teachers will be departing from school by bus at 9.30am and returning to school around 2.30pm.
- Week 8 - 23 March - The summit of kunanyi/Mount Wellington - Gaining a birds’ eye view of nipaluna/Hobart to see how our waterways are connected, exploring how this relates to the interdependence of people, plants, animals and the land. We will be leaving school by bus by 11.40 am and will return by 2.30 pm.
- Week 9 - 30 March - Taroona Beach - Looking at pollution on the beach and seeing where the river meets the sea. For this visit, we will be leaving school by bus by 11.40 am and will return by 2.30 pm.
For each Earthcare Day please ensure that your child has appropriate clothing, gumboots and spare clothing packed. On Thursday 23 March, we will be visiting an alpine area and the temperature is often different to what is forecast for Hobart. We have wet weather jackets and overpants that the children can wear if necessary, depending on the weather forecast. We are looking forward to seeing the children’s independence, risk taking, organisation and thinking develop over time through our Earthcare trips.
Please contact Heidi Weibke, Gina Colhoun or Michelle Pepingco if you have any questions.
Supporting the Cancer Council
Friday 17 March
The Morris Council are busily organising a free dress day and sausage sizzle for Morris students to support the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life. Our school has a team called the ‘Friendlies’ and the money raised by the Morris students will be added to their efforts.
NAPLAN Assessment dates
Naplan Assessments will occur for Year 3 and Year 5 students between March 15 and March 21. There will be no interruptions to the classrooms specialists timetable, however we do ask that all children are present at school by 8.45am on these days to begin the assessments at 9.00am. The assessments are conducted in a predetermined order, and will follow the pattern of Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy over the four days. There will be opportunities for students to complete catch up assessments if they happen to not be at school on the day throughout the assessment period. We are mindful that this can be a time of high anxiety for some students and we will endeavour to support all students in a gentle and calm manner during this time.
Please contact Wendy Crow if you have any queries.
Year 3 Excursion to Mt Nelson Signal Station
Thursday 23 March
On Thursday 23 March Year 3 are visiting the Mt Nelson Signal Station as part of their inquiry into How We Organise Ourselves. Students have been exploring different types of communication including the Semaphore system. Built in 1811, the Mount Nelson Signal Station will give students a first hand experience of how communication was conducted in the early 19th century. They will conduct their own Semaphore communications, observe other types of communication and make connections with their understanding of different technologies used to communicate. We will leave school by bus at 12.30pm and return for the end of the school day. Students will need a hat, drink bottle, fruit snack, raincoat and any medication they normally have at school.
Year 4 - Outdoor Education - Team Orienteering Queen’s Domain
Wednesday 15 March
On Wednesday 15 March all Year 4 students will be walking to the Queen’s Domain to participate in an orienteering session with Lauren Stranger 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 (no lunch orders on this day), school hat, waterproof jacket and any required personal medications for the day (please ensure that these are labelled appropriately).
Please update student Operoo profiles before the excursion.
Year 5 Camp - Orford
Wednesday 22 - Friday 24 March
Year 5 Camp will take place in Week 8, from Wednesday 22 - Friday 24 March. Detailed information has been sent to families. Please ensure that you have responded to the permission form and updated student medical details in Operoo, including any dietary requirements.
Chamber Music Concert - The Farrall Centre
Tuesday 21 March | 6.00pm -7.00pm
Musicians from Years 7-12 will present an exceptional and eclectic program of solo and ensemble items. This is a concert not to be missed!
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
Term 1
Thursday 2 February - Thursday 6 April 2023
Monday 13 March – Eight Hour Day holiday
Wednesday 22 March – Friday 24 March – Year 5 Camp
Friday 7 April - Tuesday 11 April – Easter
Morris – Friends’ Primary Years Office
6210 2228 | morrisadmin@friends.tas.edu.au
8am – 4pm Monday – Friday