For all upcoming events please see the Penguin District School Calendar

It’s been entertaining walking through the Secondary Campus over the last couple of weeks. Seeing the enjoyment and excitement in our 7-10s competing and completing novelty ‘Olympic’ activities that have been on offer of a morning. Representing their class and nominated country with loads of laughter, healthy competition and encouragement of each other to start the day. Our primary classes too were inspired by the performances of our Aussie athletes celebrated through tally boards and learning tasks including biographies and open-minded portraits.

Responsibility is our focus value this term. Earlier this week I had the chance to visit Year 9 Science where the students demonstrated some mini experiments and supported the learning of our Yr 3/4s as part of Science Week. The older students responsibly managed dangerous liquids and modelled safe behaviours in the science labs. Further to this our primary students were able to view the Year 7, 8’s and 9’s science investigation boards this afternoon and our Year 5/6’s will present their own investigations in the next week. Opportunities like this really highlight the importance of being role models for our younger students.  As I shared in this morning’s Secondary Assembly, this responsibility extends across the school when simply by our actions, the way we move, speak and act can set an example for those around us whether that’s walking through the library, exiting the school at the end of the day or on the bus on the way home from school. Our ‘little’ people will learn and model off those older than them.

The work experiences that our Year 9s and 10s have had this year have been many and varied Ranging from Antarctic experiences in Hobart, plastering in Penguin or childcare experiences in Ulverstone. I would like to thank Mr Maywald for all his efforts in ensuring that our students have these wonderful opportunities to explore potential career pathways. Students who have undertaken or are undertaking work placements are demonstrating responsibility by being on time, giving their personal best completing the tasks they are attempting, being respectful in their interactions with others and turning up in the right ‘uniform’.

Miss Penton’s Year 1 class have been reflecting and describing how they demonstrate responsibility at school and home.

• We all show responsibility at school by wearing our full school uniform proudly
• Dexter has been showing responsibility at home by cooking pancakes by himself (with supervision!) for the whole family
• Mia has been showing responsibility at home by hanging up the towels in the bathroom that were on the floor
• Max has been showing responsibility at home by eating his dessert at the table (even when dad said he can eat on the couch!)
• Armani has been showing responsibility at home by getting dressed and ready for school all by herself, she even helps her sister to get dressed too
• We all show responsibility at school by trying our personal best and using the right voices for learning
• Maggie, Scarlett and Amarni have been showing responsibility at school by using their recess and lunch times to pick up rubbish in the playground

Next week our school will celebrate and embrace Book Week with our annual dress up day occurring on Wednesday 21 August. Students (and staff!) have the opportunity to dress up as book characters. This is a brilliant week recognising not only the importance of reading and learning to read, but the pure love and enjoyment that can be obtained through reading. This year’s theme is ‘Reading is Magic’ and the book of the year winners can be found at 2024 Book of the Year Award winners - The Children’s Book Council of Australia (cbca.org.au)

Thankyou to those families who responded to the text earlier in the week and completed the Communicating with Secondary Families Survey. This feedback is invaluable in refining and shaping how we communicate with families in the future.

I’m pleased to advise that we will finally have our formal ‘official school opening’ on September 5 at 11:15am. Please see the invitation below for more information and RSVP details. I hope you can make it!

Yours in partnership

Matthew Perry

Year 9 students, Mia, Hamilton (ex student) Jordan and Katie represented the Tasmania State School under 15 football team in Qld last week.

What a great achievement to be selected in a team of 25 girls and 25 boys. The boys finished 6th and the girls finished 5th overall.

Bus 1 

• Sulpher Creek / Heybridge   free service tickets & passes not required.

Bus 2 

• Students embarking & disembarking between Olivers Rd West Ulverstone to including White Hills Rd Penguin free service tickets & passes not required.

• Students embarking & disembarking after White Hills Rd whole of town urban area require to pay fare or produce free pass card to driver.

Bus 3

• Students embarking & disembarking between Isaac Rd & 218 Ironcliffe Rd free service ticket & pass not required.

• Students embarking & disembarking after 218 Ironcliffe Rd  whole of town urban area require to pay fare or produce free pass card to driver.

Fares $8 per sheet of 10 tickets or $1 per trip

Free pass card apply online www.transport.tas.gov.au/student  or at service tas for paper application

Eligibility for free pass applicant must be a concession card holder.

This week, the year 3/4 classes enjoyed participating in a variety of activities that were held for Science Week. The students were excited to visit the high school science lab where the year 9/10’s did a fantastic job at sharing their knowledge and hosting a range of experiments for our students to complete.

National Science Week 2024, held from August 10-18, celebrates the theme “Species Survival – More Than Just Sustainability.” The week aims to engage the public in scientific exploration and highlight the importance of science in preserving biodiversity. Schools, museums, and community groups participate, offering a range of events for all ages. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn about the latest scientific advancements and contribute to meaningful environmental initiatives. On Friday 16 August, Eleanor Noble and Heidi Rowden hosted a ‘2024 Science Week Brain Break Quiz’ for year 3-6 students. Well done to Joey, Eloise, and Trinity for placing top three on the podium.

On Tuesday, all year 5/6 students participated in the NWPSSA 5/6 Sport Day held at various locations in Burnie. Students had an opportunity to select 1 of 7 sports that they would participate in. All students demonstrated the PDS values whilst participating and playing these sports and it was great hearing about the successes students were having, whether it was developing new skills or making new friends.

A big thanks to the NWPSSA and the Venue Coordinators for the great day! The kids really did enjoy and will have really fond memories of these events.

If your child enjoyed playing the new sport, feel free to get in touch about how your child can keep participating.

Please be aware that some students may be selected for the Darwin representative teams that will vs the Devonport based primary schools later in the term. Information  will be sent home once schools find out who has been selected. Some students may then be selected in the Launceston Exchange program.

A Penguin District School first! The Year 7 HASS classes participated in the potato Olympics. All students were paired up and given a country to research before creating their athletes and decorating a potato to compete in the five events: Potato Roll, Potato Toss, Potato Dance Off, Potato Balance and Potato Bowls. Each qualifying event was completed in their squad with the winners making it to the grand final. Pictured are our gold, silver and bronze medalists.  

The annual ‘rock adoption’ in Year 8 Science occurred on Wednesday.

A process of classification of the rock type through observing characteristics was undertaken before each student named and ‘decorated’ their new friend.

An official certification was created with weight, length and birth name being recorded.

We wish each new ‘guardian of the rock’ all the best of luck as they nurture their new friend.

A group of Students from grade 7-9 participated in Write a Book in a Day again this year. This is an annual event where students get together to write and illustrate a short story in a 12-hour period. This is a fun and challenging activity, giving students the opportunity to work together towards a common goal. The finished books are given to children with cancer in hospitals across the country. This event also seeks to raise funds for Kids Cancer Project. Donations can be made to support our teams using the following link. Sponsor a Student | Write a Book In a Day