Primary School
Wells Assembly - Monday 5 May
Next week we will be holding a Wells Assembly for students in Kindergarten - Year 2. The assembly will take place on Monday 5 May in The Farrall Centre commencing at 2.15pm. We welcome members of our community to attend. Please remember that due to privacy concerns and to respect the photo permission choices of other families we ask you to refrain from taking photos and videos during assemblies.
School Hours
The teaching day at the Primary School runs from 8.45am until 3.15pm each day, except in the Kindergarten where children finish their day a little earlier, at 3.00pm. Classrooms are open from 8.35am each morning. We aim to commence the learning program at 8.45am or as close to that time as possible. While we appreciate that there are times when prompt arrival at school is not possible, we ask that families have their children in the classroom ready for learning at 8.45am to avoid disruptions or children missing out on the start of their learning day. If you arrive after 8.45am, please remember that all children arriving late need to sign in at the office before heading to their rooms. Thank you in advance for your support.
Kindergarten Earthcare Excursion Days - Term 2 - Lenah Valley
The Kindergarten children will be visiting a site near the Lenah Valley Linear Park for their Earthcare Days in Term 2. We will be going out each week, on Thursdays, starting next week on Thursday 8 May until Week 26 June. We will travel to and from the site by bus. We will leave at 11.50am and will return by 2.45pm. Collection time for all children will be at 3.00pm from the Kindergarten area, at the end of the Kindergarten day as per usual.
These excursions are an important aspect of our Sharing the planet unit of inquiry. Through these weekly trips we are aiming to develop independence, responsibility, curiosity, resilience and earthcare in a nature play environment. Please ensure that your child has a rubbish free packed lunch at Kindergarten, especially on Thursdays. This will help develop the children’s understanding about the concept and practices of earthcare and raise both the children’s and the community’s awareness about the impacts of soft plastic on our natural environment.
On our Earthcare days, the children need to wear their sports uniform, to ensure they are ready for active, hands-on, nature play learning. Your child will need warm clothing, appropriate for the forecasted weather, and spare clothing packed for the excursions, as we will be playing outdoors, even if it is raining. The school has special wet weather jackets and overpants that the children will wear, as necessary, depending on the forecasted weather. We have also asked all families to bring a pair of gumboots to school for puddle play at school, and on our excursions. These will also double as a spare pair of shoes if needed.
To help prepare the children, we ask that you support your child by encouraging them to carry their own bags to and from school - they will be doing this independently on our Earthcare Days too. We are looking forward to seeing how their natural curiosity and wonder is expressed while we are there and what we can learn about the land we live on, as we come to know a place slowly across these weekly visits. Please contact the Kindergarten team if you have any questions.
Year 1 - Outdoor Education Excursion - Knocklofty Reserve - Friday 2 May
On Friday 2 May, Year 1 will be embarking on a bush day to Knocklofty Reserve. Class teachers, learning assistants and Emily Ardas, our Outdoor Education teacher, will accompany the students on the excursion. We will be departing school at 9.00am and returning at 11.00am. The aim of the day is to explore the local bushlands while developing relationships with peers. Students are required to wear their Physical Education uniform and sturdy shoes to walk in. They are also to bring a backpack with morning tea, a rain jacket, water bottle, a warm jumper, beanie, sun hat and any required personal medication.
Year 3 - Excursion - John Elliott Classics Museum - Wednesday 7 May
On Wednesday 7 May, Year 3 will visit the John Elliott Classics Museum at The University of Tasmania (UTAS) as part of their inquiry into Where we are in place and time. Students will visit the museum to gain an understanding of the daily lives, technologies, and cultures of ancient societies. We will engage in hands-on learning, cultural appreciation and historical inquiries with a University lecturer guiding us through small group activities with support from classroom teachers and parents. We will be departing school by bus in class groups. Year 3B will depart at 9.00am and return before 12.00pm and Year 3M will depart at 12.00pm and return to school by 3.00pm. Students will need to be in uniform for this excursion. Parents are welcome to express their interest in joining us by email, and meet us at the Museum at UTAS underneath the Stanley Burbury Theatre which can be accessed via the car park opposite the Hill Street Grocer. You will also need to complete a Volunteer Registration Form.
Lunchtime Disco - Thursday 8 May
The Primary School Council are holding a disco for Prep to Year 6 students in The Farrall Centre from 11.00 - 11.30am next Thursday 8 May. Students are welcome to wear a hat if they would like to do so. It is not a free dress day.
Year 6 Canberra Trip - Monday 5 May - Friday 9 May
Our Year 6 students will visit Canberra from Monday 5 May to Friday 9 May for an educational tour of the national capital. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $300 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. Please do not hesitate to speak to your class teacher or call the Primary School Office if you have any queries at all about arrangements for the Canberra trip.
Year 4 - Outdoor Education Excursion - Risdon Brook Dam - Monday 19 May
On Monday 19 May, Year 4 students will be going on an Outdoor Education excursion to Risdon Brook Dam where students will participate in a number of bushcraft activities.
We will depart school at 9.00am and return to school by approximately 2:30pm. Students should wear sports uniform on this day, but will need to bring a warm jumper, their school jacket, beanie and a raincoat as it could be very cold. As we will be away from school for most of the day, students will need to bring a large packed lunch, snacks and drink from home. Personal medications such as asthma puffers will be needed also. Please ensure Operoo details are up to date.
This activity will involve small groups of students and we will need a number of parent/guardian volunteers to help on the day. If you are able to assist us with this activity could you please email the classroom teacher by Friday 9 May.
Our volunteers will require a current Working With Vulnerable People card. You will also need to fill in a volunteer form at this link. We thank you for your assistance with this, and appreciate any helpers who are able to be involved.
Term 2 Co-curricular Information
At The Friends’ School, we are proud to offer a rich and diverse co-curricular program that complements our formal curriculum and enhances students' educational experiences from Kindergarten to Year 12.
With activities spanning Sport, Music, Service and Enrichment, we encourage every student to explore their interests and talents. Participation fosters skills, values, and connections that support holistic development.
View the co-curricular opportunities for Term 2 in the online handbook here, noting that some activities have already commenced and the sport sign ups have now closed (information was sent separately on these).
Student Photo Packs
This is a note to advise the printed student photo packs are arriving at the School by the end of this week and will be sent home with students over the next week.
Absentees
If your child will be absent from school for the day please advise the Primary School Office (phone: 6210 2228, or email: primaryschooloffice@friends.tas.edu.au) and the classroom teacher before 9.00am. We appreciate your support in this process.
Important Dates
Term 2 Monday 28 April to Friday 4 July
Monday 5 - Friday 9 May - Year 6 Canberra Trip
Wednesday 21 May - Year 3/4 Cross Country Carnival
Thursday 22 May - Year 5/6 Cross Country Carnival
Friday 6 June - Moderation Day - student free day
Monday 9 June - King’s Birthday public holiday
Thursday 19 - Saturday 21 June - Year 5-8 Musical