Hello everyone,

What a wonderful time of year term 4 is in schools, a hub of activity, learning and celebrations. One of our big programs that runs during this term is the On the Water Program through the fantastic volunteers at the Living Boat Trust. We have seen grade 4 and 5 students engage in real world education, developing skills in problem solving and water safety and learn a lot about themselves and what they are capable of. My favourite moment of the week was when a boy came to schools on Monday and said, “what time are we heading to the boats today”. My least favourite was saying “sorry, we only go down there on Fridays”. A special mention to Mike Dredge who makes all of this happen, he has never asked for anything except to give our kids an opportunity. What an amazing member of our community.

One of the big celebrations that occurs in Term Four is the Children’s University Graduation. Our leader of Teaching and Learning Mr de Tarczynski attended the event at the University of Tasmania Sandy Bay Campus and was so proud of our graduates. The experience of dressing up in graduating gowns, receiving their graduation documents and tipping their hats was memorable for both students and staff involved. The afternoon tea provided after also does a good job of making them feel that extra special. Students who partake in this program aim to graduate at the end of the year by completing extra-curricular activities outside of school hours. They can earn different levels of graduation by completing more and more hours. One student I spoke to after the graduation showed me his bronze graduation badge from 2022 and then with the biggest grin on his face turned and showed me his 2023 silver badge saying “I stepped up a level this year Mr Milne and next year I’ll get the gold.” If this sound like something you would love your child to be involved with, reach out to Mr D for 2024.

Today a group of students from Prep to grade 3 went on an excursion to the Botanical Gardens and the Rosny Look Out to learn more about Hobart and the different environments we have. Our 1/2 Page students are besides themselves with excitement as they will be treated to a special stage performance of Pinocchio within the gardens, our only hope is they come home with the same size noses as when they left at the start of the day.

This week we also started out the process of transitions for next year with the Kinders starting to see the “big school” environments. This time of year, our staff spends a significant amount of time planning for 2024, ensuring that the decisions we make about student cohort, facilities, teacher recruitment and student outcomes are the priority of our decision-making. Nothing is ever considered lightly, and we make sure that every child is known and thought about. We always do what is best for each and every child. Our 2024 class placements will come out with reports at the end of Week 9 with step-up days to occur to support a successful transition into next year.

This time of year, we also look forward to some very significant events such as the Grade 6 HHS transition day, the all-schools triathlon, grade six big day out and leavers dinner, our end of year celebration assembly as well as our colour run on the last day of school. These can all be found on our school calendar, and we look forward to seeing your child/ren have the most amazing end to 2023 as possible.

Dear Families,

It gives me great pleasure to share some exciting news in regard to the recently completed Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT).

In 2023, 75% of Franklin Primary School students achieved a medium or high growth in PAT Reading. This is a relative increase of 12% from 2022!

These are fantastic results and continues the trend that we are seeing in Reading across the school. Staff have been working extremely hard with students right throughout the year to teach Reading skills, and these PAT results are a vindication of our hard work and commitment. Staff also planned for and implemented a very organised testing schedule for students this year, ensuring that students were able to complete the tests in a calm testing environment.

Congratulations must also go to all students at Franklin Primary School for their commitment to becoming the best readers that they can be!

Nick de Tarczynski (AST/QTC)

It is now time for us to show what we know now after a year of learning new concepts, building our confidence and applying our new knowledge and understanding to a variety of familiar and unfamiliar situations.

 

    

  

In between all this, we have been painting our clay pots that we made in Art and creating short stories. 

    

 

 

   

A huge thank you to Tim (playing guitar) and Viriginia (singing) who are helping us to practise our singing for our end of year performance item.

  

On Friday, sixteen students took part in day one of the On the Water Program, run by the Living Boat Trust.  Students are learning about water safety, teamwork and perseverance. 

We had two sessions of rowing and got to row through the canal and back, between Egg and Snake Islands.  Students were wobbly and a bit chaotic at first, but by the end of the day we were in time (mostly) and encouraging and supporting each other.

We had students who were nervous and thought that they would be unable to complete the row and students worried about the ‘rock’ in the boat.  By the end their confidence had grown.  A few students got ‘crabbed’ (when their oar catches the water and pushes them off their seats), but regained their seat and oar and kept going.  Many of us got wet and a few hats blew off.

All students pushed through the uncomfortable times.  I am so proud of this group.

All had fun and all intend to return next week for more!

On Wednesday 15 November, our Children's University Students attended their graduation ceremony at University of Tasmania Sandy Bay Campus. Students in the program were recognised for their hard work completing extra-curricular activities outside of normal learning hours. For more information about the Children’s University or how your child can get involved next year, please talk to Mr D.

The Wooden Boat Guild has some seats available for free on Nancy from Franklin to Huonville, leaving Franklin 10am. There will be a return trip in the afternoon.  It is a great chance to get out on the water in a boat which has been part of the history of Tasmanian waterways for more than 100 years. Register your interest by calling 0497 786 572.

Please use this link for more information about the Wooden Boat Guild excusion.