2024 – what a year it has been at Forest Primary School. One that as a community we should feel very proud of as I know I do every day.  I’ve said this before – I feel like I am the lucky one to lead such a fantastic team of staff, students and families.

As part of my vision for this school is to ensure that we always put our students first and at the centre of everything that we do.  I want to continue to provide quality teaching and learning for all of our students Kindergarten – Year 6. 

Data targets in our school Improvement Plan were met and as a school this is something that we should be celebrating together today. Hard work and dedication to improving student outcomes has led to significant student growth which has been reflected in our assessments. So, thank you to my leadership team for all of your support and guidance; Toni, Sarah, Melissa, Ann and Danielle – I couldn’t have led 2024 without you!

My staff – you are the most hard-working dedicated team that I have worked with.  You all work so hard to support our students and you must be commended for everything that each and everyone of you do to contribute to such a great working environment.  You are all so flexible and willing to adapt to whatever role needs to be covered to support each other and our students.  You all have contributed to our student’s growth in 2024 and making our school a great place to be.  So, thank you to each and every one of you – I appreciate you all. We farewell Jasper Perry, Elyse Poke and Blane Wright and welcome Ebony Meldrum to our Forest Primary family for 2025.

To our school community, I couldn’t have done this without you.  Please keep providing me with feedback, please come and speak with me about any of your concerns – my door is always open.  Thank you to you all for once again helping me to navigate another year as your Principal. I have valued all of your support and willingness to do whatever is necessary – to support our students and staff.

2024 has been amazing and I cannot wait to lead again in 2025 alongside of you all. Please stay safe and enjoy family time over these holidays. Thank you, and Merry Christmas!

Mrs Megan Hills.

Mrs Young,

We wish you all the very best as you take your Long Service Leave in Terms 1 and 2.  We hope you enjoy some ‘you’ time and spending time with your family, doing all the things that you love and enjoy.

Mr Perry,

Your infectious smile and laugh are a real asset to you.  We have witnessed you develop your confidence and willingness to teach small groups of students.  Our students have enjoyed playing football and basketball with you during break times and we have appreciated your support in our classrooms across our school.  You may have to reconsider your footwear as you have learnt the hard way about red mud at Forest!  We have enjoyed having you join our Forest family, and we wish you all the best as you enter your final year of your Health and Physical Education degree.  Our door is always open, and we hope to have you return as a PE teacher very soon.   On behalf of the Forest Community – Thankyou and we wish you all the very best.

Miss Poke,

Your first-year teaching on a LAT and what a rollercoaster it has been. Studying, teaching, horse riding, travelling– life has been very busy.  You have increased your confidence throughout the year and have now successfully graduated from University as a Teacher. I thankyou for taking up the position at late notice at the beginning of the year and sharing a class with our wonderful students who you have shown great care and respect for. On behalf of the Forest Community – Thankyou and we wish you all the very best for the next chapter of your teaching career.

Mrs Wright,

Aka well known to her Forest family as Blaney or Wrighty.  Often you could hear me yelling out – Blaney down the corridor to get her to go and do a job for me or to check that my children were doing the right thing before the school day had begun. And yes – she always did it!

You, Glenn and your family left Western Australia 7 years ago to purchase land at West Takone as you won a teaching position here at Forest Primary School. 

West Takone – where Glenn and Blane would build their dream home – in the middle of nowhere and I mean nowhere. Blane has commuted daily to Forest spending over 3 hours daily in the Isuzu with the bumper bar to protect it and her from any wildlife she may encounter on the road. And as you all know - Blane is an animal lover and it doesn’t take much to bring a tear to Blane’s eyes.  Blane loves her dogs like her own children, and she especially loved when her students would bring in their pets for special Mrs Wright cuddles. Blane would leave home daily for the past 7 years in the dark and arrive home in the dark.  If she could ever use the excuse of, “you all don’t have to drive 1 and a half hours” to get out of a staff meeting - Blane would try this line weekly.

Blane is well known for her daily text messages of memes to remind us how much we love our jobs and how lucky we are to work with her…   her infectious laugh from stirring up staff in the staffroom has definitely been heard from the office area and beyond – even been known to clear the room because it becomes so loud from the laughter.

Blane can always be relied upon to just pick it up, get on with it and help out when ever. From before school duties, being the first one to cook a BBQ with Muzza and Sandra (now let me remind you all that Blane is a vegetarian) so for her to come in and flip bacon and eggs is a well-deserved feat if you ask me. Speaking of cleanliness – Blane’s classrooms have always been immaculate, and her students know exactly where everything belongs, and she ensures they are a well oiled machine during pack up times.

Blane has made a lot of memories over the years during her time at Forest Primary – some sad that would make you cry and some happy that you will hold close to your heart.  Our school just won’t be the same without Blaney but we – and I mean our whole school community have been the lucky ones to have had the privilege to have you a part of our life’s.

When I asked my son, who is your teacher next year he replied with, “well Mum I am not having Mrs Wright for the 5^th year in a row I am having you and Ms C BUT I really don’t want her to go but I know she doesn’t want to travel the road for 3 hours every day anymore and I am going to miss her.” I think this pretty much sums up the impact Blane has had on our students.

We know it is time for you Blane to be closer to home, arrive home in the daylight and spend that extra time with your family making memories as we know how much they mean to you. Just as much as you mean to your Forest Primary family. We thankyou for everything that you have given to Forest Primary School and we wish you all the best for the next chapter as you take on your new teaching role at Cooee Primary School.  Always remember your Forest family’s door is always open and we will miss you dearly.

Megan Hills

Principal

Grade 6 Dinner Evening: A Night to Remember!

On Tuesday, our Grade 6 Dinner Evening was held and what a spectacular success, bringing together students and teachers for a night filled with joy and celebration. From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement, thanks to the vibrant decorations and twinkling lights that created a warm and inviting ambiance. Students lined up to capture fun memories, donning silly props and playful poses that guaranteed laughter and smiles. One of the most entertaining activities of the night was the "Guess the Baby Photo" game. Students brought in their adorable baby pictures, and everyone had a blast trying to match the tiny tots with their now-grown faces. Of course, the heart of the evening was the food! A delicious spread was prepared, featuring a variety of dishes that catered to all tastes and making sure everyone left the table satisfied. And we can't forget the grand finale—a beautifully decorated cake featuring our red tractor. The cake was not only a treat for the taste buds but also a stunning centerpiece that added to the overall charm of the evening. As the night wound down, the laughter and chatter continued, with everyone reflecting on the wonderful experiences shared. The Grade 6 Dinner Evening was not just about great food and fun games; it was a celebration of friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

Christmas Around the World was showcased today at the Forest Primary School final assembly! Our Kinders started off with our Christmas adventure to Iceland, then onto Mexico where our Grade 6’s danced in their ponchos. We then had Prep/1 take us to amazing New York, followed by our 3/4 showcasing Christmas in Japan. From there we flew into Switzerland where our 1/2 students starred and our final destination was a fantastic glow celebration by our Year 5’s who took us all the way to Brazil! Have a Ripper Christmas from all of us at Forest Primary.

On behalf of the Parents and Friends Association I would like to thank everyone from our school community & beyond for their support this year. We have managed to run a few very successful fundraisers this year – Sunrise Bakery, Slimefest, Election day cake stall, pop up lunches, Christmas raffle, Christmas BBQ and we will cater for the grade 6 dinner tonight. We have raised in excess of $7,000 which we should be all very proud of. We have contributed funds back into our school by sending the whole school to the Frozen Musical, purchased some new instant shelters and mats, our annual $5000 contribution to the grade 6 school trip & a donation to our Forest students representing at Country Gold. Bringing the total we have put back into our school to over $8000. This would not be possible without your support so we thank you all very much and this is why we do what we do to support our students in anyway we can. Now we have some staff to farewell. We would like to thank Mr Perry for being part of our school community this year. The Children have loved your enthusiasm, stories and humour. Good Luck as you start your teaching career. Thank you to Miss Poke for joining our school community. We hope you enjoyed your first year of teaching here at Forest Primary School and take with you some great memories. Good Luck at your new School. Seven years ago, we were joined by a teacher, not only all the way from Western Australia but also from West Takone, and how lucky were we. We would like to thank Mrs Wright for not only providing an excellent education for our children but also for all the care and support she has given over the years. It has been a huge commitment from you to drive nearly 3 hours every day to be with us, sometimes in very dodgy conditions. We know you won’t miss the drive, but we sure will miss you. Good luck at your new school, they are so lucky to have you. Hope they have lots of glitter waiting for your arrival. Please stay in touch. Turns out you were Mrs Just Right for our school. Once again I would like to thank you all for your support over the year and I would like to make a special mention to our committee. The work and effort it takes to run successful events and fundraisers is huge but somehow we manage to get it done so thank you for being a part of it all and the support you show. To the parents out there that want to be a part of it all please come along next year to the meetings. The more the merrier. To Megan, Danielle and Ann - Thank you for all you do and allowing us to run events as we all know how difficult it can be at times. We hope everyone has a Lovely and Safe Christmas and holiday break and we look forward to seeing you all in 2025 for another great year.

Grade 3/4 have had a wonderful year together. We started the year as two small classes and came together halfway through to make one big class. We have worked well together and formed a real team environment; a group of people who work together to help and support each other. We have been to the movies, enjoyed a play at the park, had a hot chip lunch and 2 class parties but more importantly we have worked hard to learn and apply that learning. I have grown to know all these students really well over my 7 years at Forest Primary School and have built some really good bonds with the students. I would like to say a big thank you to the Forest community for your support and help over the years and wish you all the best.

Mrs Wright.

I would like to take the opportunity to say a big thanks to the Grade 6 students of 2024 for allowing me to enjoy every moment of teaching and to want to turn up to be with you every day. You have been an amazing leadership group and have led from the front. It has been fantastic to be met with your enthusiasm and smiling faces every day.

We have achieved a lot – both academically and as a team. Excursions, experiments, collaboration, building resilience, lots of laughs, storytelling…the list goes on.

I would also like to thank Ms C for teaching alongside me. I’m glad we remembered what to do and we didn’t even lose our glasses too often.

I would like to wish this amazing bunch of kids good luck as they move into high school. Have fun and work hard! I can’t wait to meet you down the street some time in the future and hear about all what you have achieved.

I will finish with my two favourite lines from our Grade 6 rap.

“As we leave and branch off into our own space

Always remember Forest Primary is our place”

Enjoy the holidays.

Miss Pop

Thanks to every member of the SRC this year for your commitment and motivation. Thanks also for giving up your lunch times to meet regularly.

It has been a very successful year – we have held heaps of fun opportunities for all the students, raised money for different charities and represented Forest Primary in the wider community.

Some of the activities that we have been involved in this year include:

• Hosting assemblies
• Easter pj day and lunch time activities
• ANZAC Day
• Silent disco
• Brixhibition
• Vietnam Veterans’ Day
• Footy Colours Day and lunch time activities
• Remembrance Day
• Christmas Dress up and lunch time activities.

You have all been amazing role models and leaders in the school and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you all.

On behalf of the school thank you for your leadership.

Miss Pop

A huge thank you to the staff and students of Forest Primary for a fantastic 2024. Work is never work when you get to do what you love. 

I look forward to making more music in 2025 and wish all our Forest Primary families a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

Annette 

Reflections on Teaching and Learning

Good teaching comes from having strong relationships with the kids in your class. It comes from children knowing you believe in their abilities, and the expectations you have in their learning. It comes from students knowing you care about their success and achievement, and it comes from working hard to provide engaging learning for students. It’s also, being able to reflect on your teaching, recognising when things don’t work and continually striving to improve your own work in the classroom.

I can honestly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed working with our Grade 6 group this year. I have been so impressed with the respect and acceptance they show one another, their willingness to take on challenges and motivation to improve their own learning. Each and every student in that class has qualities, skills and talents where they shine. Each and every one of those students has the capacity to be a strong, successful learner and I hope they remember to have confidence in themselves and their own abilities heading into Grade 7. I want to thank our Grade 6’s for being such a top group of people, I really look forward to hearing about your future!

Working alongside Toni Popowski this year has also been a joy. We’ve planned, organised, laughed and  maybe at times (almost cried) on our teaching journey but the passion Miss Pop has for providing good teaching and learning has made the trip definitely a worth while one in 2024!

Term 3 and 4 saw me working alongside Blane Wright in the 3/4 class and as always Mrs Wright has the uttermost respect and care from the students in her class. She has a lovely manner with her group, and maintains high expectations of them-  not only as learners but also as good people- and it shows in the way they treat one another. Mrs Wright has been a pleasure to teach with, as we both have learnt and grown from each other. Boy will she be missed across our school in 2025. 

For a big combined class, Grade 3/4  can be so proud of the way they have conducted themselves in the classroom, their engagement and focus on learning is to be commended and I’m thrilled to be working again with them again next year.

May all Forest families, fill the next month with memories made, laughter and family fun times.

Ms C.

I can’t believe it’s nearly Christmas. 2024 was a tough year for me. I went back to study at university, and 24 hours a day wasn’t enough time for me to study, teach, eat and sleep. Sometimes I was exhausted, but I could make it through the day because of you! Most of you were looking forward to learning Japanese with me and greeted me with big smiles when you saw me on Monday mornings. My tiredness was blown away when I saw those smiles. I am pretty sure that Santa knows your address, and a friendly reminder that you are so lucky to receive presents no matter what they are. Do you remember my childhood story about how I never received Christmas presents? Please don’t forget to go to bed super early on Christmas Eve so that Santa can bring you lots of presents!

Happy holidays and all the best for the New Year!

From Mrs Howe.

Throughout the year, I have had the pleasure of working alongside our 29 Grade 5/6 Daily PE leaders. This group of students ran our school Daily PE program from February through to December and proved themselves to be excellent leaders.  In their role, these students exhibited excellent leadership skills in communicating, demonstrating activities, listening to their group, showing initiative, being organised and knowing when to seek support. As the year progressed, these students learnt to modify, and change their activities to suit the group they were teaching and researched new games and activities to run when needed. 

Physical  exercise is an integral part of our daily activity at school, and the program would not be possible without these dedicated and responsible leaders running the sessions. Congratulations to all 2024 Daily PE leaders on an excellent program and thank you for all your effort throughout the year!

Ms C.

As my first year of teaching comes to a close, I want to express how much I’ve enjoyed working with my 1-2 students, alongside Mrs Megan Hills. We have been super busy, and it has been a pleasure to watch them grow in so many ways — from their personalities and confidence to the many new things they’ve learned. They have been an absolute joy to teach, and together we've created wonderful memories that I will cherish. Thank you to Forest Primary for this incredible opportunity, and most of all, thank you to my amazing 1-2 students for making this year so special. 

Miss Elyse Poke

As we wrap up another incredible school year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to all the students and families in our prep/1 class. It has been a joy to watch each child grow, learn, and develop over the past months. From mastering new skills in reading and math to building strong friendships and discovering their unique talents, every student has contributed to making this year so special. Your enthusiasm, and hard work have made this classroom an exciting place of learning, and I am incredibly proud of everything we've accomplished together. This year we have made many memories from attempting to grow sunflowers (we still have hope some may bloom over Christmas), dining on damper and tea like Tom Tom, singing to some of our favourite classroom tunes in particular ‘Beautiful Things’ and so many more.

Congratulations on all your achievements this year! You should be so proud of how much you’ve learned and how much you've grown. Whether it was learning to write your first sentences, solving tricky math problems, or sharing laughs with friends, you’ve done an amazing job. I wish each of you a wonderful, restful holiday break and look forward to seeing you continue to shine in the years ahead. Thank you, parents, for your ongoing support throughout the year. Here's to a bright future full of learning and growth!

Mrs Melissa Cox.

Dear Kindergarten Families,

As our year together comes to an end, I want to take a moment to thank you for an amazing and unforgettable year. It has been such a privilege to be part of your child’s learning journey and to witness their growth, curiosity, and achievements. Their smiles, laughter, and enthusiasm have truly made this year so special.

Thank you for your unwavering support, kindness, and involvement throughout the year. Whether it was lending a helping hand, encouraging your child’s learning at home, or simply being there with a smile, your contributions have meant so much to our classroom community.

As we say goodbye to this wonderful year, I wish you and your family a joyful and peaceful Christmas filled with love, laughter, and magical moments. May the New Year bring happiness, good health, and exciting new adventures for you all.

Have a safe and relaxing holiday break, and thank you once again for an incredible year.

Merry Christmas and best wishes,

Mrs Bransden

OUR YEAR IN GRADE 5 OLLINGTON!!

WOW! What a year it has been!

As we come to the end of 2024, I cannot help but reflect on how much our Year 5 class has grown and what an absolute pleasure it has been to teach each and every student. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching each of you develop physically, academically, and most importantly, in confidence. From the very beginning of the year, you all showed incredible enthusiasm and dedication to your learning, and I couldn't be prouder of all you've achieved. Our class family is something you should all be so proud of having created.

When speaking with the students, one of the most memorable highlights of this year was our adventure in raising two adorable orphan lambs, Sissy Girl and Rambo. Caring for them and watching them grow was a true lesson in responsibility and teamwork. You all put your hearts into looking after them, and seeing their progress was as rewarding as it was memorable.

Another unforgettable experience was our excursion to Emmerton Park, where we had the opportunity to showcase the incredible picture books you worked so hard to produce. You should all be extremely proud of the dedication you put into your writing and illustrations. Your books were a reflection of your creativity and effort, and I hope the feedback we received encouraged you to continue pursuing your passions.

This year also brought exciting experiences like Agfest and Country Gold, these events were more than just fun outings; they were opportunities to gain valuable life skills.

I have watched you grow in so many ways – academically, emotionally, and socially. You've become more confident in your abilities, more resilient when faced with challenges, and more kind-hearted as you've supported one another. The progress you've made is truly remarkable, and I am excited to see what 2025 (Year 6) holds for each and every one of you.

As we head into the summer break, I encourage you to take some time to rest and recharge. Spend time with family and friends, make some wonderful memories, and enjoy the sunshine (hopefully!) while it lasts. I know that you are all ready for the next chapter of your journey, and I wish you nothing but the best for the year ahead.

Thank you for making 2024 such a special year. I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of your learning journey. Enjoy your holidays, and I look forward to seeing all the amazing things you'll accomplish in 2025!

Merry Christmas, and a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Miss Jessie Ollington.

A summer of reading fun with the Big Summer Read

Students and families can join the Big Summer Read at Libraries Tasmania for the chance to win prizes and be part of a statewide reading club.

The Big Summer Read is a reading initiative that makes reading over the summer holidays fun and engaging. Students can participate in reading challenges, add book reviews and track reading progress as they aim to read at least 10 books for a chance to win a major prize.

The Big Summer Read ends on 2 February 2025.

Visit https://libraries.tas.gov.au/BigSummerRead to register and join the Big Summer Read.

5 tips to keep your family safe and sane over the holidays

Will you be juggling screens and routines with the kids these holidays? We know it can be a challenge, so we’ve got 5 tips to help:

1. Adjust tech settings and use parental controls to keep kids safe while they play. 
2. Talk to your child about what they are doing online and identify trusted people to go to if something worries them. Our Mighty Heroes can help.
3. Take care when taking and sharing photos and videos of children. Practice asking for permission and respecting people’s choices around being in photos and videos. 
4. Set up a family tech agreement to suit the age and needs of your children.
5. Have fun! By watching and playing online together, you can learn about what your kids enjoy doing, as well as noticing any risks.