As you know, recently Forest Primary participated in a four yearly External Review, which aims to support the school in furthering school improvement. The panel highlighted a number of positive things happening in the school, some of which are outlined below in the panel’s report.

• All staff named the support of colleagues as positive to the school culture. The school was described as: inclusive, inviting, welcoming, supportive and had a “can do” attitude.
• It was apparent school leaders see the development of staff into an expert and coherent teaching team as central to improving outcomes for students.
• Teachers reported using verbal feedback, while some others reported using annotations, goal charts, rubrics, questions and peer to peer techniques. A few teachers reported using student to teacher feedback techniques to guide next steps to meet learning needs. In a few classroom observations, ‘bump up’ displays indicated how to improve student writing.
• The majority of teachers reported a desire for more feedback on how to further improve. Many teachers reported a desire to learn more about effective feedback to improve student learning.
• Teacher assistants reported that student learning information was transferred verbally to teachers at the start or end of learning sessions. They reported learning plans were open and shared with all staff and outlined goals and ways of working for students requiring adjustments. They also reported feeling included in student progress and one reported we are “never out of the loop”.

The panel identified three recommendations to support and inform the school and to be considered in future School Improvement planning.

Recommendation 1

Deepen staff knowledge, skills and understandings of the elements of the Instructional Model across the school to embed agreed ways of teaching and learning that support improvements in student outcomes.

Recommendation 2

• Implement a school wide feedback culture that includes formal mentoring and coaching that is differentiated for teacher development needs, deepening the use of effective feedback techniques in classrooms.

Recommendation 3

Develop and use a broad range of differentiation strategies in the school to deepen student learning:

• Identify student starting points for learning through the systematic use of assessment tools
• Incorporate student needs, interest, aspirations and motivations into planning
• Deepen understanding about designing rich task
• Promote and use a range of ways for students to show their understanding.

The 2021 School Improvement plan will focus on these recommendations to continue pushing students’ academic achievement and assist them in being motivated, engaged learners.

Being the end of the year, I would like to take this opportunity thank our teachers who have dedicated themselves to provide quality education and who continually reflect on their own practice for the benefit of their students; our aides, office staff, cleaner and groundsman who frequently go beyond their responsibilities to assist the school in so many ways, every day.

I wish Elizabeth Snell the very best for next year as she takes up a permanent position in Hobart and Mr Tuxworth who will be working full time at Smithton Primary. They have been very much an important part of our team, respected by their students and excellent teachers.

We also have some temporary changes in staffing next year with staff taking on fixed term positions elsewhere, which while we hate to lose them, know it is for the very best of reasons- to continue learning something new or focus on the importance of family. We look forward to these people returning in the future; Kali Townsend, Kelli Lockett and Toni Pop.

I would like to congratulate Ms Pop on taking up a state wide Numeracy role- one which not only benefits our own school but schools right across Tasmania.

We welcome Mrs Megan Hills to Forest Primary. Mrs Hills will be taking up the AST position. Mrs Annabel Dixon will take over the Agriculture program, while Miss Pegg shall teach Art and Music. We will continue working with The Song Room next year, providing additional visual arts experiences for classes, with specialist artists coming in to work with students and supporting teachers to develop their own skills in teaching Arts. We welcome back Miss Tori Horton, who shall work on Grade 3/4 on a Tuesday and take students for Health and PE on Wednesdays. Mrs Howe will continue teaching Japanese.

We thank the wider  school community;  volunteers, helpers, School Association and parent contributors who in so many ways big and small,  support the school and make a difference in the lives of students at Forest Primary.

I’d like to especially thank P&F for their contributions to the school, supporting events, contributing funds towards activities and spending your precious time catering, cooking and minding stalls or selling raffle books. Know it is truly appreciated.

And- What have we learnt from 2020!

It’s taught us to ask for help and be open to receiving help in all its forms.

We’ve learnt to spend time on learning things that improve your life- sport, taekwondo, fishing or maybe reading.

We’ve learnt that rules are important and shouldn’t be broken - Across Australia, everyone has followed the rules and it’s keeping our country safe. School is much the same,  the rules are there so everyone can be safe and be able to learn and, that it’s everyone’s responsibility to follow them.

2020 has taught us that the only certainty in life is that nothing is certain-. But also, that we can cope with change and still thrive!

We learnt that people need people- That we don’t work best when we’re on our own and it’s the same with learning- we do it best together.

We learnt that resilience really is one of our most important values not popularity, first place awards or owning fancy gadgets. The real goal for all of us is resilience- the ability to bend but not break when things don’t work out. 

We learnt respect- to treat others as you want to be treated. Every person is just as important, just as valuable as the next and should be treated that way. No-one’s role, title or job makes them better or more worthy.

We learnt gratitude- 2020 has shown us all the things we previously took for granted.

For myself;

I am grateful to be working with a beautiful group of people.

I am grateful to see students’ gorgeous faces, smiling, playing and laughing together when they play and work.

I’m grateful that I live here in Circular Head and am a part of this wonderful community.

Forest Primary wish everyone a holiday full of joy, family and laughter.

Congratulations to our grade 6 students who all enjoyed their graduation dinner last night. We wish you all the best and good luck for your future.

Please come to the front office and search through our overflowing lost property box if you have lost any items.

Congratulations to the Grade award winners for 2020.

Ruth Forrest award - Kirrily Ralston

Smithton Club Junior citizen award - Isabella McGlone

Minister for Education and Training attitude and initiative award - Sarharna Horton

Forest Sports Centre sports award - Mason Brown

Senator Anne Urquhart academic award - Sophie Perry

Smithton High School Bursary - Emilee Heald

Ricoh citizenship award - Elijah Champion- Smith

Rocky Cape Lions Club citizenship awards - Toby Mullins & Bronte Lord

Agricultural award - Brady Lardner

Rob Dixon maths award - Brady Hursey

1/2 Skellington have been working hard on our Christmas craft. Here are some photos of our ‘Elfie Selfies” and our “Funky Reindeer”. We hope all kids, families and staff have a happy Christmas and a safe and enjoyable holiday break!

The best part about Christmas at school is being able to relax and have fun. In 1/2W we have been doing exactly that! We are making Christmas houses, painting presents and making snowman baubles. I wish all of our families a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Enjoy the time at home with your children.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from 5/6S.

5/6 Morgan would like to wish everyone a Safe and Merry Christmas!

To the Students and Families of Year 5-6M. Thank you students for being a fantastic group of young people at Forest Primary School. I have enjoyed my involvement with you. I have observed how much you have evolved into mature, responsible young people who are particularly passionate about helping and looking after one another. Fantastic year groups generally mean fantastic parent support. My Year 5-6M parent group was terrific with its involvement in the students schooling. It was clear the parent support was for all students not just their own. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Children, take care of your parent(s) these holidays because they have looked after you and supported you so far in your short lives. I sincerely wish all the 5-6M students, families a sacred and Happy Christmas.

Best wishes, Jessica Morgan

A big thankyou to our wonderful Parents and Friends committee. We appreciate everything you do

Congratulations to Lillylee-Jane, Taylah Weatherill, Amelia Dixon and Caleb Brown, the final students of the week for 2020.

Congratulations to Amber and Emilee on reaching your 100 nights of reading, we hope you enjoy your book!

Uniform order forms can be downloaded from the 'forms & documents' section on our app, downloaded by clicking the link below or a paper copy is avaliable from the office on request. Order forms must be returned to the school office ASAP. Payment is not required until book sales day in January 2021.

The Tasmanian Government has announced the expansion of the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS), which waives the cost of Tasmanian Government levies for eligible students, for the 2021 school year onwards.

The eligibility for STAS will move to using the Health Care Card or equivalent as the assessment mechanism, replacing previous income thresholds that applied.

A set of Frequently Asked Questions has been developed to assist with any questions you may have. 

Further questions about STAS or Levies and Charges in general can be sent to the Department of Education’s Financial Services Unit at stas@education.tas.gov.au or by calling 1800 827 055.