What's Happening In Primary

Mathematics in Primary - Mr Scott Davies (Director of Learning & Teaching)

This year at DCS, we are continuing to strengthen the way Mathematics is taught across the school, with a whole school focus on clear, consistent, and effective instruction. Explicit teaching remains a key part of our approach. We want students to feel supported, know exactly what they are learning, and build confidence step by step. This clarity and structure helps students recognise the order and purpose God has built into His creation, including the patterns and logic found in mathematics.

In Prep to Year 4, students are now engaging with the Explicit Mathematics Program. This program provides clear explanations, guided practice, and plenty of opportunities to build strong foundations in number and problem solving. Teachers are already seeing students respond positively to the steady routines and the way each lesson builds on the last.

In Years 5 and 6, the teaching team is using a variety of resources to support their teaching of Mathematics. Learning is reinforced through Oxford Owl, which helps students tackle more complex ideas while still working in a structured and supportive environment. It encourages independence and confidence as students begin to think more deeply and flexibly about mathematical concepts. Oxford Owl also helps teachers target specific areas of strength and weakness to further enhance their instruction.

Supporting this work is the Mathematics Guiding Coalition, a team of staff helping to coordinate and improve mathematics instruction from Kinder to Year 10. Their goal is to ensure that every student experiences success, challenge, and steady growth in their understanding.

Parents play an important part in this journey too. Encouraging a positive attitude toward maths at home, even when tasks feel tricky, helps students build resilience. Finding small, everyday ways to connect maths to real life—whether through cooking, budgeting, shopping, or planning, helps students see that mathematics is practical, purposeful, and part of God’s orderly world.

2026 Canberra Excursion: Parent Information Session

We are looking forward to our 2026 Canberra Excursion, which promises to be a wonderful learning experience for our students. Planning is well underway, and we are excited to start sharing details with you.

We warmly invite our Year 6 families to join us at our Parent Information Session on Wednesday 8th April at 3:30pm in the JILOA Centre. This will be a great chance to hear more about the camp and have any general questions answered. If you are unable to make it, all the information will be sent home afterwards. 

As we prepare, we invite you to join us in praying for all involved, that this experience will be memorable, enriching, and full of growth for our students. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Tom Evans (tom.evans@dcs.tas.edu.au) or Corina Barnard (corina.barnard@dcs.tas.edu.au).

Scholastic Book Club

Scholastic Book Club provides Primary families with an affordable and convenient way to encourage a love of reading for our students, with each catalogue having a wide variety of books and gifts for families to choose from.  Scholastic Book Club earns our library additional resources from every book purchased.

A copy of the latest Scholastic Book Club catalogue has been sent home with all students.  If you did not receive a catalogue, and would like one, please come and visit us at the school office.  Alternatively you can view the catalogue online here.

Parents please note: whilst the book clubs offer you the opportunity to purchase books at great prices, as well as allowing us to expand our resources, you are under no obligation to purchase items. 

All book club orders must be placed online via Scholastic Book Club LOOP for parents.  LOOP is the Scholastic Book Club Linked Online Order & Payment platform. 

To order and pay, please visit: www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP or download the LOOP app from your App Store.

The current catalogue will close on Wednesday 18th March.

For further information, please visit: www.scholastic.com.au/parents to find out more.

School Uniform Changeover: Winter

As we approach Term 2, it is time to start looking ahead at winter uniform for Primary students. All Primary students are required to wear full winter uniform for Terms 2 and 3 as per our uniform policy  Please visit our uniform shop (now located in the Central Office) if you require any new uniform items during our office hours, 8:00am - 4:00pm. 

Students are welcome to wear either summer or winter uniform for the first two weeks of Term 2 as we transition into the winter uniform. Students are required to be in full winter uniform from Monday 18th May until the end of Term 3. 

Hats are no longer required during Terms 2 and 3, however optional DCS beanies and scarves are available to purchase from the Central Office. Please note that only DCS beanies and scarves may be worn with the uniform.

We also have a range of free donated second-hand uniform available through our uniform shop. Pop in and see our lovely admin staff in the Central Office and our team will be happy to show you what is currently in stock. Uniform donations are always welcome and can be left at the Central Office. There is also a DCS Community Uniform Facebook Group for buying, selling or giving away uniforms. Please contact Jasmin at: jasmin.thompson@dcs.tas.edu.au if you wish to get connected into this group. 

All items are available for purchase from the school uniform shop except for socks and shoes.

Students in Kinder have the option of wearing navy track pants.  Students in Prep-Year 6 have the option of wearing navy track pants or shorts for PE.

School shoes should be all black (with no white).

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