Primary News

'A fine work or art - music, dance painting and story - has the power to silence the chatter in the mind and lift us to another place.' 

Robert McKee 

Last Friday we gathered as a Kinder - Year 10 College to celebrate our Arts Festival.  The joy was palpable, the smiles broad, the laughter aplenty as our community came together to celebrate The Arts - and boy did we succeed.

The above quote I used when emailing staff to thank them for their contributions.  I also used it as my sign off to thank all involved on Friday night as I think it sums up what  power the Arts can have on all of us.  As a Kinder - Year 6 student, the opportunity to partake in Dance, Music, Drama and the Visual Arts as well as explore such mediums in greater depth, does ‘allow the chatter to be silenced and lift us to another place’.

Celebrating The Arts is of paramount importance to our Primary school for several reasons. It possesses the remarkable ability to transcend the ordinary and provides unique benefits to all - performers and spectators.  It also deepens our connections with our Secondary School, reinforcing the significant advantage of being on one campus.

The Arts within the classroom provides our students with the chance to cognitively develop skills via critical analysis of what they are presenting, as well as what  is displayed before them.  It embraces creativity, problem-solving and encourages our students to think outside the box and explore various perspectives.  It enables our students to be innovators and helps to ensure a well-rounded and holistic learning experience. It complements the more traditional subjects, helps students develop into individuals who have respect and understanding of personal growth and happiness, and it allows students to delve and discover  their passions and interests.

The Arts provide a safe and constructive outlet for children to express their emotions and feelings. Equally, it fosters greater cultural awareness, and an  appreciation of diversity, which in turn,  promotes tolerance and understanding.

Our time in class exploring the many facets of The Arts enhances communication skills as our students learn to express themselves effectively and become more confident in front of their peers, when asked to participate in  public speaking or performing.

Over the past few weeks, there has been clear evidence of improved teamwork and collaboration in areas such as Dance and Drama. Both are important life skills, and set our students in good stead to further develop an understanding of the value of cooperation, compromise and appreciating one another. Such awareness became apparent throughout various aspects of the Arts Festival.

Learning an instrument, perfecting a dance routine, or creating a piece of art all require dedication and self-discipline. These skills carry over into other areas of a child's life, helping them excel academically and in personal pursuits.  For some it also acts as a stress reliever assisting in managing anxiety through an ability to paint, dance to a favourite tune, craft a piece of pottery, or play a musical instrument. Art has the potential to be therapeutic, inspiring, and expressive all at once, and it has been wonderful to see our students tap into their sometimes hidden talents, and reveal their inner artist.

As you can appreciate, a lot of effort goes into an evening like this with so many staff and students ensuring it runs smoothly.  But I would like to make special mention of the following staff for their assistance: Ms Dorothy Lincoln, Mr Dave MacNamara, Ms Jess Trost, Mrs Caroline Jager, Mr Damien Lowe and Mrs Michelle Wall.  Also thanks must go to our Primary Leaders and the Year 6 students who acted as backstage crew and lighting throughout the evening. 

Moya Belcher Award

Each year Moya Belcher, a retired teacher who worked at the College for over forty years and had a passion for The Arts judges the award in her name, ‘The Moya Belcher Visual Art Award’.  This is in recognition of an outstanding piece or pieces of work completed by students in Kindergarten to Year 2 and in Years 3 to Year 6.  

The worthy recipients for 2023, who were acknowledged on Friday night, were:

Moya Belcher Award

Primary Winner: Isobel Souah - Year 5 Navy

Runner Up: Annabel Henderson - Year 6 White 

Honourable Mention: Isabella Fabrizio and Lacey Trask - Year 5 Navy 

Early Years Winner: Harrison Rhodes - Year 2 

Runner Up: Lexie Baguio - Year 1 

Honourable Mention: Isla Harris - Prep 

Vaping Information Session 

Last Thursday our Years 5 and 6 students listened to Tanya Cavanagh who is the Executive Director of ‘Teen Challenge Tasmania’. She spoke at length to our students about the harm vaping is doing to them and offered up a number of strategies to assist them in combating the peer pressure that some are already experiencing. 

That evening, Tanya spoke to parents again addressing the issues around vaping and I thank those Primary parents who did attend.  It is incredibly important that as a Primary community we do not have our ‘head in the sand’ around this issue and think it only impacts Secondary students and parents - when this can be no further from the truth. 

If you would like further information about what was presented you can find the link to Teen Challenge Tasmania HERE. 

Tournament of Minds - Primary 

This Saturday, four teams from the Primary will compete in Tournament of Minds at Hobart City High School - Ogilvie Campus. All these students need to be recognised and applauded for the hard work and commitment they have shown over the last six weeks.  

From the initial stages of interpreting the best way to tackle the problem chosen, to writing scripts and then rehearsing all the right moves to ensure that they keep within the ten minute time frame, and have four people in the 3x3 metre square that they are required to perform in. 

Teams have given up many recess and lunch times, as well as coming in before school and will also stay late tomorrow after school to guarantee that they will be ready on the day.  

A huge thanks must go to the staff who have assisted in supervising and encouraging the girls, Dave Wierenga, Kate Harper, Damien Lowe, Sharon Himson, Nicola Smith and Emily Coleman.  I am sure you will join me in wishing them all the best as they present their answer to the challenges chosen. 

Primary Tournament of Minds Teams 

Primary Athletics Carnival 

Next Tuesday, our Kinder - Year 6 students will participate in the Primary Athletics Carnival.  Information went home to all families last week about this day but below is some key information that may assist you:

• Students will be transported from the College to the Domain by bus and will return to the College by bus.
• Kinder students will return to the College at 12:15pm.
• Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 will return at 12:45pm.
• Year 3 - 6 and Year 9/10 Athlete Development class will return from 2:30pm.
• Selection for the Interschool athletics team will occur for Year 3 to 6 students.
• We are unable to supervise students at the Domain before and after this event, and therefore we are unable to accommodate any variations to travel arrangements.
• If any student is unwell and unable to attend on the day, parents/carers are asked to follow the usual procedure of advising the College Office by 9:00am of the reason for the absence.