Filter Content
Dear Franklin Families,
We were finally able to hold our School Association Annual General Meeting last week. The meeting was held online using Zoom providing the opportunity to acknowledge all that has been achieved this year and recognise the vital role the School Association plays in the continuing success of the school.
Thank you to all those parents and staff who will either be continuing or have nominated to be new committee members. On behalf of the school community I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank Carolyn Irving on becoming the School Association Chairperson. Carolyn will be supported by Jess Watson as Vice Chairperson, Laura Quittenden as Treasurer, and Bec Leaper as Secretary. I would also like to acknowledge the following committee members, Lyn Cotterill, Todd Watson, Kate Johnston and Eleanor Rix
This week’s ‘Wacky Wednesday’ is the first of many activities planned by the School Association to raise funds for the new Kindergarten playground development.
COVID 19
As mentioned before, from the beginning of Term 3 there have been some easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Thank you everyone for continuing to support the Stop Drop and Go approach and not entering classrooms unless absolutely necessary. Parents should also limit the time spent on school grounds, including the playground, their interactions and follow physical distancing requirements at all times. Thank you also to everyone who has gone to the front office to fill out the Visitor Health Screening Form if you are at school for more lengthy visits. Teachers are continuing to ensure that good hygiene standards are maintained by students and where required, that adults follow the physical distancing restrictions required in schools.
Have a great week.
Linda Heerey
At Gumnuts we have been out and about for the first time this year, at Dru Point park. We followed the story of “Tazzie the Turbo chook” along the story walk, then had a play and picnic in the sunshine. It was lovely to have the opportunity to have everyone together.
While we have been back at school in our shorter sessions we have been looking at our bodies, keeping healthy and strong by moving our bodies and making healthy choices for our bodies.
Our next session is a whole group session at Heritage Park, Geeveston from 9am-11am. Please bring a drink bottle and perhaps some spare clothes. A picnic will be provided. No need to book for this session. If you have a child aged from birth-5 years old, you are more than welcome to join us!
The following session is at school, and will require booking in to, which you can do by calling the school office.
We are still heavily into using our imaginations in Kindergarten. Last week, we looked further into Amber’s idea of making potions with the wands we made a few weeks ago.
On Tuesday the children drew, and some wrote what they would put in their potions. They were very creative with their ingredients and I have to say that I am VERY pleased that I won’t be drinking them!!!
On Wednesday we took a stroll down to the river to collect natural bits and pieces for our potions. The children found interesting shaped leaves, seedpods, blossoms and different coloured bark. The passers-by commented on how beautifully they were all listening and walking. I was very proud.
Then, the big day arrived….potion making day. The children each got a glass jar and their bag of goodies from the river. They tore, crushed and popped them into their jar. They then used their fine motor skills to grind spices, chop herbs and add coloured water using an eye-dropper. All of which went into the magnificent potions!
Lastly, they each spent time with me writing a label for their potion. Some copied my writing whilst others attempted to write their own. They were so engaged with the writing process, as the task was meaningful for them.
It was such a fun week with lots of happy faces!
In 1/2 MW we have been investigating spelling. Recently we were looking at the long /o/ sound, and the different ways it is represented in words. Our first task is to notice the sound within words we know and use. We collect these words, record them, and then look for the parts of the words that make the long /o/ sound. We highlight these parts, then begin sorting them into groups that have the same patterns making the sound. From these groups we choose one word that will be our ‘anchor’ word, and remind us how we can represent that sound in our spelling.
We have been enjoying spending time with our 4/5 buddies, getting to know them and working collaboratively with them. During Science Week we used a story about a 100 year old fish and his problems with pollution in the sea as inspiration for an underwater scene the 4/5’s will display in their new classroom.
A new game we have been learning is a hands on version of ‘tetris’, where we are manipulating shapes, and investigating the effects of one-step slides and half and quarter turns.
As our Inquiry journey progresses and grows in the direction of our thinking, own interests and discussions, we are integrating other areas of learning such as looking at syllables in our bank of words or closely observing how animals camouflage and experimenting with the mixing of paint colours, white and black. We cut out animals that we are interested in and then created artworks by looking at the colours on the animal’s body and painting a background with the aim to camouflage them.
In grade 4/5 we celebrated National Science Week by investigating pollution in waterways and inventing ways to clean up our polluted rivers and oceans. Here Merin, Sienna and Lily are working on their designs.
In our HASS inquiry we are studying Australians who have made a significant contribution to Australian culture and society. We are beginning our inquiry by investigating timelines as a strategy for presenting biographical information. Our first task has been to create illustrated autobiographical timelines.
The students and teachers went all out for Wacky Wednesday. There were a lot of wonderful and wacky creations.
Young Archies Virtual Viewing | Tuesday 8th September |
End of Term 3 | Friday 25th September |
Start of Term 4 | Monday 12th October |
Bookweek | Monday 19th to 21st October |
Public Holiday | Thursday 22nd October |
Student Free Day Professional Learning Day for Teachers | Friday 23rd October |
NAIDOC Week | Monday 9th to 13th November |
School Photos | Tuesday 17th November |
End of Term 4 | Thursday 17th December |
The Tasmanian Government has announced the expansion of the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS), which waives the cost of Tasmanian Government levies for eligible students, for the 2021 school year onwards.
The eligibility for STAS will move to using the Health Care Card or equivalent as the assessment mechanism, replacing previous income thresholds that applied.
A set of Frequently Asked Questions has been developed to assist with any questions you may have.
Further questions about STAS or Levies and Charges in general can be sent to the Department of Education’s Financial Services Unit at stas@education.tas.gov.au or by calling 1800 827 055.