20th February 2025

Principal’s Report

Welcome to the start of another exciting year at Montello Primary! Tomorrow, as we come together for our Athletics Carnival, it's a perfect opportunity to reflect on our journey so far and to look forward to the exciting developments ahead.

This year, we are continuing our strong commitment to literacy, with a particular focus on structured literacy. Our goal is to provide all students with the skills they need to be successful readers, and we are seeing tremendous progress. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our parents for the pivotal role they play in supporting their child's learning. Your ongoing involvement is invaluable, and together, we can continue to foster a love for learning that will serve our children for years to come. We encourage open communication between home and school as it remains essential to each child’s success. You are truly partners in your child’s educational journey.

We are also thrilled to share that our $12 million redevelopment is going from strength to strength. This incredible transformation will make a lasting difference in our school environment. The children are buzzing with excitement about the possibilities ahead, and we can’t wait to see how our school will look at the end of this project. The improvements will benefit our students for generations to come, ensuring that Montello Primary remains a place where learning, growth, and creativity flourish.

In addition to our growth as a school, we are also focused on improving student attendance. We know that consistent attendance is crucial for academic success, and Montello, along with all government schools in Tasmania, will be placing a strong emphasis on improving attendance this year. We encourage families to make every effort to ensure students are in school and ready to learn each day.

As we embark on this new year, I’d like to leave you with a thought on the power of education. Education is truly transformational. It shapes minds, opens doors, and builds futures. The start of this year has been incredibly positive, and I have no doubt that it will continue to be a year of growth, learning, and success for all of us.

At Montello, we are committed to fostering a supportive and kind community where every student, staff member, and family feels valued. Let’s continue to choose kindness in everything we do.

 Dion McCall
Principal

Key Dates for 2025

February

Friday 21^st

P-6 Athletics Carnival

March

Wednesday 5^th
3/4 NWPSSA Inter-Primary Athletics

Thursday 6^th
 5/6 NWPSSA Inter-Primary Athletics

Monday 10^th
Public Holiday 8hr Day

Thursday 13^th
School Photo Day

April

Monday 7^th - Friday 13^th
Prep - 2 Water Awareness

Friday 11^th  
Last Day Term 1

Monday 28^th  
First Day Term 2

SeeSaw Currently Offline

We have been informed of a technical issue with Seesaw across DECYP – the platform we use to engage with families. This issue has meant that there have been some errors with connecting families to their child. As a precautionary measure to support the maintenance of student privacy a decision has been made to disconnect all families from Seesaw whilst work is being undertaken to resolve the issue. Student privacy is a priority which is why we are being cautious in relation to this issue.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We will update you once we are advised that families can access Seesaw again and provide you with support in reconnecting if needed. Thank you for your understanding.

School Photo Day

School Photo Day is coming up on Thursday 13^th March.
Order information will be going home with students very soon!!!

Introducing our new staff

Catherine Grining – Social Worker

Hi everyone! My name is Catherine (Cat) and I am very excited to be joining Montello Primary School as your School Social Worker for 2025. I am looking forward to connecting with students and families throughout the year.

A little about me - I live on the Northwest coast on a small hobby farm with horses, cows, and chickens. I enjoy spending time with family and friends and also love spoiling our two corgis who are always keen for a long walk and a good belly rub!

Megan Maney, Teacher – Kinder Joeys

Hi everyone! My name is Megan Maney & I have been a teacher for 24 years. I am passionate about the Early Years Learning space. My goal is to make sure every child has a voice and is valued. I am very excited about working at Montello Primary School. 

I live in a family of 5. My partner, our two children and our loveable scruffy dog Raffey. I enjoy watching footy, walking my dog, listening to music, riding my bike with my kids and spending time at the beach.

Sarah Jordan, Teacher – 1/2 Wallabies

Hi there, my name is Miss Jordan. I have joined Montello Primary School this year and I am teaching in 1/2 Wallabies. I have previously taught grade 5/6 at another school in Smithton.

I am a mum to my 2-year-old daughter, Luka. I have two dogs, Skipper and Stella, they are both labradors. I also have a cat, his name is Halo.

My favourite colour is blue. I love to read in my spare time. I also love camping!

I am looking forward to my time at Montello Primary School.

Robyn Locke, Teacher – PE

Hi, I’m Robyn Locke,

New PE teacher at school. Have taught Kinder to grade 12 in the past and looking forward to working with Primary Students again. A bit of trivia….last year I travelled through Central Australia with the family for 3 months in a car with a tent! I enjoy playing lots of different sports and have spent a lot of time at the beach this Summer. I am really excited for the Athletics Carnival tomorrow and can’t wait to see lots of new faces.

Canteen

Subway Orders Open – every Monday 

School Lunch Project

The School Lunch Project started on Tuesday and will happen every week for different grades.

Please find the School Lunch Project Timetable for this term below.

Variety School Breakfast Club

Our breakfast club continues in 2025, thanks to Variety School Breakfast Club’s generous donation of $10,000!

Children & parents are welcome to enjoy breakfast club every morning in the Hall from 8:30-9am.

Drop Off Zone Rules

Drop Off Zone Rules
The start of the year is a great time to remind everyone of our Car Park rules. Please follow the rules of the Drop Off Zone to keep our students safe.
*Do not park and wait in the Drop Off Zone and hold up the flow of traffic.
*The parking spots adjacent to the drop off zone are strictly 5 min parking only.
*Disabled parking spots MUST display their pass to use.

Driveway Safety

Launching into Learning

Athletics Carnival

We welcome all family and community members along to this special Prep - 6 event held on the School Oval on Friday 21^st February, from 9:15am to 2:30pm.
 A reminder that as a spectator, you are to please remain in the designated area on the bank and not join your child on the oval. Similarly, your child must remain on the oval and not join you on the bank.

Students have been allocated to one of the three House Groups:

Waratah – Red
Myrtle – Green
Wattle – Yellow

CLOTHING:

We do encourage children to wear their House colour T-Shirt, or something similar on the day. If your child does not have one of these coloured tops, then they can be purchased from the office for $8 each, size 4 - 14 and $10 for adult sizes (stock is limited). If purchasing from the office, please purchase prior to the event to avoid missing out. Students should also wear/bring appropriate clothing (shorts and footwear for running) and their school hat. Shoes must be worn while competing – no running spikes or bare feet! Students should bring plenty to eat, including snacks and a full drink bottle with water. Students can still purchase lunch orders on these days. (No counter sales)

Robyn Locke
PE Teacher

Chaplain’s Chat

• Otto & I have loved reconnecting with old friends and making new friends with new students.
• For new families & those who may not know me too well here are a few facts about me.
  • Favourite Colour: Cobalt Blue
  • Favourite Animal: No surprise it's an otter
  • Family: One husband & 2 adult children who both attended Montello Primary School 1996-2006
  • Outside of school: I enjoy reading, playing board games, swimming at the beach & pool & attending the Baptist Church.
• This term lunch time wool craft has started again with children enjoying loom knitting & bracelet making & hopefully rug hooking soon. It is great to see students teaching other students. I would like to thank some generous Farm It Forward participants who donated some extra looms.

• Thanks to sponsorship from Emu Bay Lions Club Mrs Gbenga & I who both enjoy jigsaws are really excited that our MONTELLO PUZZLE CLUB will start next Wednesday lunchtime. Children will puzzle in teams & our club will be about puzzling for fun & relaxation as well as competitions & there'll be some jigsaw based games & craft.

Some Ways children can benefit from doing jigsaw puzzles

1. Fine motor development
2. Hand and eye coordination
3. Problem solving and logical reasoning 
4. Spatial awareness
5. Cognitive skills
6. Improved memory and attention span
7. Self esteem 
8. Teamwork 
9. Meditative benefits
10. Last, but not least – It’s FUN!

More detail @ benefits from doing jigsaw puzzles from Usborne.com

@ Montello Primary Wednesday Lunch Time with Chaplain Sue & Mrs Gbenga

• Christmas box update: Over the holidays I received an email to say that the boxes of gifts students packed last year have gone to Cambodia to bring joy to children in need.

• Inside Out 4 Kids: We have two Change, Grief & Loss small groups starting next week. If you think your child would benefit from being part of a Change, Grief & Loss or Understanding Worry group please let me or other staff know.
  More info @ https://www.insideout4kids.org.au/page/show/12315
• I will be at Montello for 10 hours a week - Tuesday mornings & all-day Wednesday. I'm looking forward to walking alongside you as you experience the many emotions that make up our lives.

If you think I can help you and your child in some way or you'd like to chat please leave a message at the school office.

Chaplain Sue & Otto the otter

Chaplain’s Thought

NAPLAN 2025

Students will be sitting NAPLAN between Wednesday 12^th and Monday 24^th March 2025.

The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance; however, students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.

Your questions answered on NAPLAN and what it means for your child: NAPLAN information brochure for parents and carers:

The link will take you to the official National Assessment Program (NAP) website.

Please contact the school if you have any further queries.

School Levies and Charges for 2025

When setting school levies and charges the school:

• considers inclusive education, community expectations and family financial constraints
• sets levies at the lowest amount possible
• consults with the School Association of the school.

Levies are invoiced in Term One each year and can be paid in full or in instalments using a payment plan. Payment plans are available for all families and may continue through to the end of the school year.

Families who are supported through the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) do not need to pay levies. Parents holding a Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card, or Pensioner Concession Card are eligible to apply for STAS for their children.

How do I pay levies and charges?

Levies can be paid:

• At the school (by EFTPOS, cash or cheque)
• At Service Tasmania (by EFTPOS, cash or cheque)
• Through BPAY (using the Biller Code and Reference on your invoice)
• By mail, forward your cheque, money order or credit card details to the school, with the payment slip from your invoice attached (payable to the Department of Education)
• Using Centrepay, a service provided by Centrelink.

You can choose to pay your levies by instalment by contacting the school to set up a payment plan of regular instalments. Payment plans can continue through to the end of the school year.

Can I get help with school levies?

There are a range of options available to support families with the costs of schooling.

• You are eligible for the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) if you hold a Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card, or Pensioner Concession Card. Once you have applied and are approved for STAS, you will not need to pay any levies. You may apply online Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) (education.tas.gov.au), or collect a paper application form from your school office.
• Families receiving STAS can access the Spectacles Assistance Scheme to support children who require spectacles.
• For more information: https://www.education.tas.gov.au/parents-carers/parent-fact-sheets/fees-levies/

If you are experiencing financial difficulty or financial hardship, and none of the support options above will work for your family, you can contact our School Business Manager Emma Short on 6432 2755 or by emailing emma.short@decyp.tas.gov.au or you can contact the Department of Education’s Financial Services Unit on 1800 827 055 or Fin.Serv@decyp.tas.gov.au  

Where can I access the Levies and Charges Policy for our school?

You can request a copy of our Levies and Charges Policy from the school office or by emailing montello.primary@decyp.tas.gov.au

What will happen if I forget to pay?

Students will not be prevented from participating in any learning activities that are part of the curriculum if their levies have not been paid.

If your family has not paid their levies by the due date, and has not organised to pay in instalments, the school will be in contact to remind you that payment is due and will check to see if your family requires support. If your levies remain unpaid after the school has sent two follow-up letters, the matter will be forwarded to Finance and Budget Services within the Department of Education to be followed up.

Under no circumstances will the status of payment of levies or charges be discussed directly with students.

Who can I talk to about levies?

You are a valued member of our school community, and we welcome your feedback on levies and charges at our school.

You can contact our School Business Manager Emma Short on 6432 2755 or by emailing emma.short@decyp.tas.gov.au if you have any questions or would like to talk about levies at our school. Personal information relating to levies will always be treated with total confidentiality.

The levies and charges we receive from families supports our school to deliver learning opportunities for all students. Thank you for your contribution.

Softshell Jacket Order

Softshell Jackets are currently available to order! Orders will be taken in term 1 to arrive in term 2 ready for the cold weather!

Please note these items are by ORDER only and are not kept in stock like our polar fleece and polo shirts, so to avoid disappointment please have your orders back to school by Wednesday 9^th April. 

Class Snapshot

1/2 Koalas

3/4 Quokkas

Burnie Library

Community Notice Board

Burnie Concert Band

Burnie Basketball Association 

Communication Process

Whilst everyone wants to feel safe and enjoy happy times at school, from time-to-time issues may arise.

If you or your child would like to speak about an issue at school, please follow the flow chart below for the best way to resolve a problem.

2025 Term Dates

Department for Education, Children and Young People
Montello Primary School