For all upcoming events please see the Penguin District School Calendar

It has been really pleasing how quickly everyone has settled back into school routines. On walking around the school and through classroom visits it is obvious, that overall, students and staff have started the year very positively, including those new to the school and those starting their learning journey at Penguin.

Courage is often associated with superheroes, dragon slayers, those completing death defing acts such as kayaking across the Bass Strait or jumping out of an aeroplane at 3000m (not me I’m terrified of heights!). The reality is, courage comes in all shapes and sizes and is not always obvious to those around us. What someone finds scary or troublesome may not cause the slightest bother for someone else.

Starting school for the first time, putting your hand up to answer a maths question, letting an adult know when something is troubling you, stepping out of the car to enter school, walking into class when you’re late for school, standing out the front of an assembly can cause extreme worry for some and may require significant courage to overcome.  The truth is, our children are being superheroes, every day.

The OUR in courage was jumping off the poster at me (see below) when reviewing what our students had identied as how we demonstrate courage. Being corageous ultimately sits with the individual, however, the team or support around a child can certainly empower them to feel safe enough to take a risk and show courage. We can help our children by providing a safe and supportive environment, identifying a trusted adult that they can talk to about the things that are worryng them and be there for them when they do need help. To offer encouragemnet, reassurance and fist pumps when they do overcome their ‘dragons’. We can share in the moment examples of things that may be challenging for us, explain how our body is feeling and the thoughts or steps required to overcome these challenges.

Last year a number of our staff and families attended a presentation by psychologist, Karen Young. Karen has some great tips on how as parents and adults we can further develop courage in our kids. I encourage you to read her article, Building Courage in Kids – How to Teach Kids to Be Brave. Building Courage in Kids - How to Teach Kids to Be Brave - Hey Sigmund

This week our Year 7s were given many chances to demonstrate courage during their overnight camp at Payton Park. It was exciting seeing our kids stepping outside of their comfort zones and showing courage whether it was staying away from home for the first time, overcoming the pain of a dreaded Jack Jumper bite or being grouped with some unfamiliar people for the first time. I’m sure that the connections and camaraderie formed between the group and acknowledgement of each other’s achievements will set them up for success across the remainder of the year. A big thankyou to Mrs Van Essen and other staff members from our year 7 team for their preparation and organisation to provide this valuable learning opportunity.

  One group’s planning for how they would show COURAGE at camp.

As a school we really value parent assistance in supporting school whether in the classroom or beyond if accompanying an excursion. As well as having a current Working With Vulnerable People Card, to keep our kids safe, secure and supported, from the 29^th February you will now need to complete Safeguarding training either by following the link or QR below.
https://decyp-safeguarding.mygo1.com/signup/email.  

Once completed, please email your certificate to penguin.district.school@decyp.tas.gov.au

Yours in partnership

Matthew Perry

All Year 7 students were invited to an overnight camp at Paton Park this week to create memories whilst building connections with peers and teaching staff. 

56 students jumped on the bus with their sleeping bags and pillows ready for some fun. 

Building waterproof shelters, unpacking their A game behaviours and collaboratively working with their house group were some of the activities completed. We explored the bush land in the rain and the dark, drank Milo and played card games into the night. 

Upon returning to school, each student presented a Courage Award to a member of their house group. This was based upon a goal that each student voiced to the group on the first morning. As a teacher, this moment was a highlight of my career to date, watching each student speak in front of the whole year level and connect to one of their peers in a real and significant manner.

Thanks to the teaching staff who attended; Mr de Ruyter, Mrs O'Donnell, Mrs Bingham, Miss Solomon and Miss Lutwyche. The energy you gave to the camp made it a success and loads of fun! 

Congratulations to the Year 7 group for their courage, humour and resilience shown over the two days.

Mrs Van Essen

Year 7 coordinator

On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, the year 7s went to Paton Park where they had their camp. On camp, the year 7s faced various challenges such as how to adapt plans due to wet weather, how to build a sturdy outdoor shelter which could protect them against Mr De Ruyter’s ruthless bucket challenge, and how to invent an entirely unique character based off a hat. Throughout the camp, there were many discussions about the focus value – courage – and how they could show courage while away.

Each student received an individual courage certificate awarded to them by one of their peers at the end of camp. Most importantly, the camp taught the students the importance of community and building relationships as a cohort. The year 7 students not only went home with slightly muddy clothing and a new appreciation for uninterrupted sleep, but they also went home with many new friendships and memories that they can expand on over the next four years.

Miss Solomon

Year 7 Teacher 

Student reflections:

Sienna - It was fun. It was great to meet each other as we have all come from different schools. At night we played sardines in the dark - I was one of the few who actually found Mr de Ruyter. 

Ethan - It was pretty good. The place we stayed was nice. The dorms were nice and pretty clean. The food was pretty good and so were the activities. My favourite was building the shelter and I only got a little bit wet. Leven and Michael got drenched!

Thank you Alana De Bruyn for all you do as School Chaplain at the Penguin District School. On School Sunday, Clive Jewell on behalf of the Penguin Uniting Church members presented Alana with a cheque for $2000 towards the School Chaplaincy programme. Chaplains make a significant contribution to the wellbeing of school communities through the facilitation of social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing programs and participation in extra-curricualr activities. Alana is an outstanding example of a School Chaplain.

Students 'hungry to learn' after using Duck River butter at Breakfast Club

Regular donations of Fonterra's Duck River butter is helping students at Penguin District School start their day off with the most important meal of the day.

The Penguin school is one of 19 in the state receiving donations from Spreyton's Fonterra factory to assist with its breakfast club.

Aussie chef James Cornwall gives us his top tips for a healthy, hearty and easy school lunch that'll keep kids satisfie

"It is an amazing weight lifted off our shoulders," the school's breakfast club coordinator and chaplain Alana de Bruyn said.

"We can use it for toasties and pikelets.

"We can't run breakfast club without donations and they have done an amazing job supporting us.

"It's good we can have good quality stuff as well because butter is expensive."

Mrs de Bruyn said the breakfast club was available to all students once a week for 30 minutes before the first classes start.

"I don't personally remember having one when I went to school," she said.

"Up to 300 students grab food and it's really important not just for those who need it but all students to feel like they have that support available.

"We want it to be open to everyone as it breaks down the stigma of those who need it as they can bring their friends and it becomes a bit of a communal thing for them to grab some food together."

Fonterra Spreyton butter factory workers. Back row, left to right: Justin McQueen, Ben Cox and Russell Frankcombe Front row, left to right: Jason Knowles, Matthew Nash, and Phill Hall-Midson. Picture supplied

Fonterra site manager Douglas Overdijk oversees the production of Duck River butter at Spreyton.

He said the idea to donate to schools came directly from the site's employees who wanted to give back to farmers and local communities.

"Our team contacted schools from Smithton in the North-West to Ringarooma in the North-East with an offer to donate butter for their breakfast programs," Mr Overdijk said.

"We now donate around 150 kilograms of butter in total each term.

"Fonterra is committed to keeping our communities strong, and the next generation are key to this.

"We want to ensure breakfast clubs can run each day and children continue to learn and develop.

"It's great to see our butter giving back to Tassie kids so they're not hungry for the next meal, they're hungry to learn."

Registration - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdygy-RXLnf0ixfsYwWpyqXBd91T4jSNsD4_JYKGL6PS5kY4g/viewform?usp=pp_url

NWFL  PRIMARY SCHOOL FOOTBALL RULES 

 COMPETITION RULES

 This competition can be considered as a hybrid between NWFL Under 12 (club) football and Auskick. For those involved in NWFL Under 12 football, please be reminded of the above point. 

 Players on Ground

• 15 players on the ground at any given time  
• By mutual agreement, the coaches may alter this number, but must ensure no team is disadvantaged 

 Match Start Time 

• All matches start at 3.45 
• Teams must contact each other where challenges exist through the relevant schools

 Inclement Weather 

• In the event of inclement weather, the coordinator will communicate at lunch time to update school
• In light rain, games should continue
• It is the responsibility of the teams through relevant schools to communicate with respective families where changes to games occur

 Ground Conditions

• In extreme cases, grounds may be closed if so games will be cancelled.

 Length of Quarters 

• 12 minutes per quarter to enable games to finish by 4.45pm 

 Physical Contact 

• Wrap tackle (hold with hands).

 Mouth Guards 

• Mouth guards are encouraged but not compulsory 

 Zones

• Players start in their “thirds” but do not need to stay in these parts of the ground

 Umpires/Coaches/Time Keepers

• Team responsibility to coordinate 
• Two umpires is needed per match. Both teams participating in the match should endeavour to supply an umpire. 
• Coaches and umpires are expected to prioritise sportsmanship and communicate this to all players, at all times

 Scoring

• Informal scoring is acceptable as the children do have an interest. We are not playing for “premiership points” nor ladder positions. 

 Parental Behaviour

• Parents are expected to model sportsmanship and communicate this to their own children 
• Unfortunately, parents who are unable to demonstrate this will not be permitted to attend matches

 Bounces 

• One bounce permitted

 Out of Bounds 

• From a kick a free is awarded against the player who last kicked the ball. From hands, or if there is doubt the umpire shall call a ball up 10m in from the boundary 

 Kicking the Ball Off the Ground 

• Not permitted unless accidental 

 Rotation Policy 

• Every player should play at least 50% of game time

 Penalties 

• A 25m penalty can be applied
• Players can be yellow/red carded (sent off for time or full game depending on behaviour shown)

 Cricket Pitches on Grounds

• In the event where a synthetic pitch exists on the ground, the umpire must exercise caution and blow the whistle where congested play exists within close proximity
• Players must be briefed on this before the game by coaches and umpires 

Should you have any team/school specific questions in relation to the roster, please contact your school’s coordinator. 

Rod Walker - Competition Coordinator 

Cradle Coast Junior Rollers are a skating sport club based on the NW coast of Tasmania. We are holding a free Come + Try session on February 28