26th August 2025

Welcome to our Newsletter

Principal's Report

Halfway Through the Term!

We’ve now reached the halfway point of the school term, and what a busy few weeks it has been! There has been so much happening across our school community, and it’s a great time to stop and celebrate some of the highlights so far.

Book Week

Firstly, a huge congratulations to Miss Longey and the team for leading a fantastic Book Week including the wonderful Parade. The energy, colour, and creativity on display were incredible, and it was wonderful to see so many students and families joining in on the fun.  Thank you to everyone who supported their children in bringing characters to life – it was a real celebration of the joy of reading.

A group of Year 10 students from Kingston High School visited us as a part of our Book Week celebrations. The high school students arrived in character ready to read and share some stories with our Prep – Year 2 students. It was a lovely morning to share the joy of reading, and an opportunity for older students to model and engage with reading experiences.

Huon and Channel Sports

We would also like to congratulate our Year 5 and 6 students who recently represented the Huon and Channel in Football, Netball, and Soccer. We are very proud of your efforts, the way you displayed sportsmanship, and the way you represented our school with pride. Well done to all involved!

Finally, a friendly reminder that our Lantern Walk will take place on the evening of Friday 29th August. We are looking forward to seeing the creativity and glow of everyone’s lanterns lighting up the night.

Thank you to our staff, students, and families for making the first half of the term such a success.

Suzanne Oates

Principal

NATIONAL ALEA/AATE CONFERENCE #CONNECT

At the end of last term, Karen Harrland and Liz Finlayson attended the National ALEA/TATE (Australian Literacy Educators Association and Australian Association of Teachers of English) Conference held in Hobart.

Karen was one of the presenters who shared our amazing Story Circles program in a session called “Story Telling in Nature – How we help children find their Voice and share stories”. This was very well received, and we should feel proud and privileged we have this program at Margate Primary!

Liz attended through a scholarship she won through Growth Coaching International. As well as the attending the conference, Liz is also undertaking coaching sessions to improve her teaching and leadership skills.

The conference was an amazing experience for both Karen and Liz. They were able to connect with colleagues from across the country, hear from leading international experts in education and meet some amazing authors.  A highlight for Liz was meeting Sally Rippin – who wrote the Billie B Brown series as well as listening to Martin Flannagan, Robbie Arnot and the First Dog on the Moon cartoonist talking about their writing/creating process and the importance of education in their lives. Karen was inspired by the different presentations on the writing process – both from teachers and authors.

Both Karen and Liz came away from the conference feeling inspired, re-energised and eager to implement the things they learned, starting with the importance of good quality books and reading aloud.

Student and Wellbeing And Engagement Survey

New School Signage

Last week we had our new signage installed across the school by Flying Colours.

We love the incorporation of the DECYP values of Connection, Courage, Growth, Respect and Responsibility which freshen up the front of our school.  

We would also like to ensure our community know that the safety of all children is paramount.  The new signage on the fence in the top carpark is for our 'Kiss and Drop' which occurs Mornings Only.  This is not to be utilised in the afternoons due to many buses entering and exiting this space.     Please also be mindful that the carparks are for Staff Parking Only.  There are alternate parks at the bottom of Area 4, the hall and the cricket club.

Golden Tickets

Book in a Day

A group of Year 6 students were selected to develop a book for children to read who are in hospital with cancer. We also raised money for Childhood Cancer Research.

Students worked very hard from 8am-7pm and took on different roles such as leaders, thinkers, authors and artists. I was impressed at the calibre of thinking and problem solving, and the way that every student played an important role in the book creation.

Students worked very well as a group, supported and guided each other. They developed a complex story with foreshadowing, character development and a main message. The message was that amidst a world heavy with screens and computer games, to remember their teddies and books…

Thank you to all the families who attended a celebration of learning at the end.

We were very proud to create a book for children with cancer, and we hope in this way they know they aren’t alone, and we are thinking of them.

Thankyou,

Karen

SCIENCE WEEK

Our budding botanists, physicists, chemists and engineers explored a range of different science elements through multiple open-ended provocations and activities.  The 1/2 Classes combined for the afternoon and had fun making predictions, testing hypotheses and being curious learners.  

On Tuesday 12th August Students from 3M, 3HB and 4B where very lucky to have a visit from three amazing Scientists as part of the young Tassie scientists Program.  We learned about chemical reactions, how the eye works, and the different types of galaxies.  My favourite part was when the chemical's changed colour. 

Abraham   

Winter Sports Day

On Tuesday, 19th August, Hugh, Josh, Eli, Jack, Eddie, Harry, Spencer, and Thomas went to play footy at the Cadbury oval. We were the Huon and Channel Tigers, and we played against other teams, such as the Derwent Saints, Glenorchy Magpies, Hobart Demons, and other ones. In our firsts game we played against the saints, and we sadly lost by about 10 points. The captain of the team was Hugh. After the first game we had a ten-minute break until the second game. In the second game we played the magpies, and it was rough. We lost by about 30 points. After that game we had a big break because we had our bye game, we got lucky because we got our break during lunch. Our next game was against the swans, and we tried hard, but we lost again. At the end of the day everyone gathered who was still there watched the best and fairest. If you did good in a game you would get some vote to add up at the end, some teams played four games, but most teams played three games. The top six people got a ball, and the most votes was eight, then there was five people on six points, one which was Hugh on our team.

Hugh

Grade 6 Fundraising

Courtyard Connections

Kinder 2026

Gumnuts Early Learning

MPSA News

Well Done Max

The Archie Green Medal recognises a young player who demonstrates exceptional dedication to their team, embodies the values of fair play, and shows outstanding support for their teammates both on and off the field. This award is not just about skill, but about character and the positive influence a player has on their team and the broader football community. Archie's love for life and his selfless act of organ donation, which saved five lives, continues to inspire us. Through this award, we aim to encourage young athletes to embrace these qualities of generosity, teamwork, and community spirit in their sporting endeavours. The recipient of the Archie Green Medal will exemplify the heart and soul of what it means to be a true team player, carrying forward Archie's legacy in Hobart's junior football community.

Congratulations Max on winning this wonderful award!

DECYP Volunteers - Safeguarding

Safeguarding Children and Young People

All DECYP employees and volunteers must complete Safeguarding training every year, before working with any children or young people. This is compulsory under new laws determined to better safeguard children in Tasmania from sexual abuse.

The volunteer training is a 14-minute video, you do need to register and will receive a certificate on completion. Please download certificate and provide a copy to the school (in person or via email).

Compulsory Safeguarding Training for Workers - Department for Education, Children and Young People

Certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of completion.

Duty of Care

We have had a number of students at school well prior to 8.25am.

We would like to remind families that the school does not have duty of care for children before 8.25am and encourages families to drop student/s off from then onwards.

The school office is open during each term from 8.25am - 3.30pm Monday to Friday.  

Safety on Van Morey Road

Van Morey Road is very busy around school times with buses and cars going everywhere.  This is why we had a school crossing installed.  For the safety of yourself and your children please only use the school crossing to cross Van Morey Road.

Booking of the Gym

Just a friendly reminder if you wish to use the gym after hours for training, please make sure you ring and speak to the office first to check that there are no other bookings.  Thank you.

Collecting your child from school within the school day

If you are collecting your child from school within the school day for an appointment or other early departure reason, please come by the office first.  The office will then assist in calling your child up to the office and you can sign your child out.

Attendance Notifications

Please contact the Office with attendance notifications no later than 9.30am to avoid receiving a phone call from our office staff.

Phone 62 672 238

Text Attendance's Only: 0437 294 856

Email: margate.primary@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Facebook

Please follow us on our School Facebook page for infomation about upcoming school events and celebrations.

Lost Property

Please help us by coming along and looking through the lost property items. Named lost items will be returned to the student (where possible) and all un-named items will be passed on to the uniform shop at the end of term.

Community Notices