17th October 2025

Welcome to our Newsletter

Principal's Message

Dear Families,

A heartfelt thank you for the warm welcome that I have received from the Margate Primary School community. It has been a challenging start to the term for all of us, following the passing of Karen Harrland over the school holidays. In this time of grief and reflection, we have been called to care deeply for ourselves, for one another, and for our students, as we honour the incredible person Karen was.

Despite the emotional weight of this week, our teachers, TAs, Admin and Professional Support Staff have shown remarkable dedication, providing the consistency and structure our students need to feel safe and supported. I sincerely thank them for their compassion and professionalism. Thank you to Alice Parker and the School Association for organising morning tea and lunch for staff this week. Gestures of kindness such as this was greatly appreciated by staff. Karen was a treasured, long-standing member of this community and in coming weeks, we will talk more about how we will honour her legacy of MPS.

It is clear to me that this school has an incredibly strong sense of connection and community complemented by excellent teaching and learning, and engagement and wellbeing opportunities for students. I have had the pleasure of visiting many classrooms and learning spaces, meeting wonderful students, learning their names, and having great conversations about their interests. They have had lots of questions for me too, and I have answered a few in this newsletter to satisfy some curious minds. I have also met many parents and carers this week, and I look forward to connecting with more of you in the weeks ahead, including at our next School Association meeting.

Next week is short but packed:

• Tuesday – Year 3–6 Swimming Carnival at Clarence Pool
• Wednesday – Colour Run
• Thursday – Show Day Public Holiday
• Friday – Teacher Professional Learning Day (Student Free Day)

Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other.

Kind regards,

Kumudu Stewart

Getting to know Ms Stewart

As a way of introduction to the MPS community, Ms Stewart asked students if they had any questions to ask about her. Here are the questions and Ms Stewart’s responses:

Do you sleep here at night? Isla, Kinder

As lovely as this school is, I don’t sleep here at night. I go home to my beautiful family in Mount Stuart which is where I live. It’s about 30 minutes from Margate and the drive is lovely.

Do you like nature? Hazel, Year 2

I love nature. I like going on bushwalks and being in and near the sea. I do like doing these things when the weather is warm though.

Have you taught before and for how long? Taylah, Year 3

Yes, I have been teaching for 18 years. My background is as a high school English and History teacher. My last two schools were Montrose Bay High School and Clarence High School.

Do you have any children? Max, Year 3

Yes. I have a wonderful 12-year-old daughter named Rosalind (Rosie for short). Rosie goes to Mount Stuart Primary School and she loves art, music and drama.  She is a very creative person.

Have you been a Principal before? Logan, Year 3

Yes. I was Acting Principal at Blackman’s Bay Primary School last term. I have been a school leader for 16 years.

Do you have any pets? Jasmine, Year 4

Yes. We have a cat named Holly Gucamole.

What is your favourite snack? Elsie D, Year 4

Salted potato chips.

Are you a beach girl? Grace, Year 5

I love the beach. I was born in Sri Lanka and the beaches there are amazing. My favourite beaches in Tasmania are on the East Coast.

Do you prefer cricket or footy? Jake, Year 6

I may get into trouble for this, but I prefer cricket.

What are your favourite movies to binge watch? Lewis, Year 6

I am a massive film fan. I watch at least one film a week. There are many I have binge watched but my favourites are: Lord of the Rings, Back to the Future and Home Alone.  

Duty of Care Before School

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

Please ensure student/s are not dropped off before 8.25am.

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

Hats in Term 4

Students are required to wear hats in Term 4.  Hats can be purchased from our school uniform shop.  Microfibre Hats $12.00 and Reversable House Hats are $16.00

Kinder 2026

Gumnuts Early Learning

MPSA News

Kiss and Drop off Zone Mornings Only - Top Carpark

Please remember this is a drop-off zone only in the mornings and is not to be utilised in the afternoons due to many buses entering and exiting this space and to ensure safety.  Please be mindful that the carpark is for staff members only.  There are alternate parks at the bottom of Area 4, the hall and the cricket club.  

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.

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