Newsletter 18 December
From the Principal
Farewell & thank you!
As we come to the end of 2024, it is appropriate to take the time and opportunity to thank a number of staff who are leaving our school this year.
Monty Haydon has been a teacher aide at Springfield Gardens Primary School for quite some time. He’s done a brilliant job in a variety of roles, from helping out in classrooms, to playing sport with students, running Breakfast Club every morning and many more. Many students who have been through Springfield will remember Monty for his positive attitude and his ability to build relationships with all children. While we’re very sad to see Monty go, we wish him all the very best in his new role with PCYC.
Sarah Fielding returned to Springfield last year after a couple of years away. She was well known to many of our students and was a welcome addition to the team. Next year, Sarah takes up a permanent position at Fairview Primary School where one of her responsibilities as Assistant Principal will be to support the development of student literacy skills, especially in reading. I wonder if she’ll introduce Playberry? As a member of the school leadership team, Sarah has taken on a variety of roles in our school, particularly in the Early Years where she maintains a real passion. Sarah follows a number of other staff who have moved on to Fairview – we hope they appreciate her as much as we do!
Brooke Toppin is another person who has been at our school for quite some time and has done a variety of roles while she’s been here. Her willingness to take on any role (Prep teacher, Literacy Support, Grade 1/2, Playberry . . .) and give it her best has been greatly appreciated. She has been particularly interested in literacy and has enjoyed the implementation of structured literacy through our Playberry program this year. Just like the rest of us, Brooke was very proud of the results students achieved this year. We wish Brooke all the very best as she takes on a Kinder class at Princess Street next year.
It's not very often you get a teacher that starts in your school with commitments overseas and a wedding in one year. Sam Belford turned up with a busy calendar, took on the Grade 5/6B class and bought a house! Sam built some significant relationships in his classroom, taught Playberry with a passion and even got his class regularly doing planks! His biggest challenge may have been coordinating the Grade 6 Leavers activities in the last couple of weeks. Sam takes up a Grade 5 teaching position in a private school next year – we wish him all the very best and encourage him not to forget his year at Springfield Gardens 😊
Known as Ross to his EAL students, Ross Eldershaw has been in our school two days a week this year, supporting teachers and students with learning for students who have English as an additional language. Ross surprised us earlier in the year when he first demonstrated his circus skills – and he was pretty good at it too! Ross takes up an extra day at Hobart City High School next year and will also be working at Taroona High. I know many of our EAL students have really enjoyed working with Ross and will miss him – thanks for all your support, Ross, it is appreciated.
Oliver Marshall first started as a teacher aide at Springfield Gardens while still at university. While completing his teaching degree, he and his wife had a baby, and he took on a class teacher role! He’s had a very busy year on Grade 3/4 and is looking to make life a little simpler next year as he moves schools, heading out to Jordan River in 2025. I know – from the tears we saw when he told them he was leaving – Oliver’s students will miss seeing him around the school – as will the staff.
Amelia Clifford joined our school at the beginning of 2024 on Grade 5/6A with a genuine passion for the garden and all things fruit and vegetable. She has experienced significant success getting students to eat salad and vegetables and generally having a go at things they wouldn’t normally. A few students have even found they’ve liked some of the new tastes. Amelia has shared a passion for books with her students and has made a huge effort to make our Move Well Eat Well space a welcoming one. We look forward to the possibility of continuing our work with her as she takes up a role with 24Carrot in 2025.
Anna Correa has been invaluable, working as a teacher assistant throughout our school over the past few years. Her patience and dedication to the students has been admirable, especially when she has been working in Ms Analie and Mr Marshall’s class this year.
Brie Barwick joined us as a teacher assistant this year and was an incredible asset within the Early Years, especially the time she spent in Kinder. One of her biggest achievements of the year must have been being selected in the Tasmanian Women’s AFL team that went to Queensland to compete. We wish Brie continued success with all of her endeavours, especially those that involve AFL.
James Fielding is another one of our teacher assistants, doing something else whilst contributing to our school. While he can occasionally be seen covering for Monty in Breakfast Club, he’s also supporting our Grade 5/6 learners on a regular occasion. James is leaving us to head to Western Australia next year where he will continue his study.
Jess Earney joined us as a teacher assistant this year, working across the school. She has excelled in the upper primary classes and has been an important part of the team working in Miss Nicole’s class. It has been great seeing her extend herself, attempting to keep up with the students in the kitchen, cooking sweet treats on a Friday.
Kellie Jones-Papera has been an integral part of the Kinder team, is often seen at the craft table using the paint, glue and glitter alongside the students. She has worked hard to make new families and students feel welcome in the kindergarten space. Kellie’s ability to assist the painting in one hand and play with blocks in the other has been astounding. We wish Kellie well next year and will miss her as part of the Kinder team.
Luke Budd concludes his time as a teacher aide at Springfield Garden this year after supporting many of our students in a variety of classes across the school. He’s worked hard to build positive relationships and has done a particularly good job in the Early Years in Ms Sun’s and Ms Balhatchet’s classes.
We took the opportunity to wish Lainey Fitpatrick all the very best for maternity leave last year but I would like to acknowledge her transfer to Campbell Street Primary School at the beginning of next year. Lainey has been at Springfield for quite some time and having taught in a variety of classes had knowledge of so many of our children and their families. This will be missed. Lainey’s vivacious nature was a positive both in her classroom and our school. I know Lainey has a passion for the earliest of Early Years – I hope she gets the opportunity to explore this passion wherever she teaches.
It takes a lot to work with children. To support and guide them, help them when they need it but know enough to step back and ensure they are learning for themselves. People become attached and find leaving hard. We all know this and still we choose to do the jobs we do - because we genuinely care about children and want them to achieve their very best. I wish to thank all the staff at Springfield Gardens for the care and concern they show our students. To the staff who are leaving, I would like to thank you so much for everything you have done for our students, and we wish you all the very best for whatever the future holds.
To our school community, thank you for the opportunity to teach your children for another year. Have a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and return to us safe and ready for learning in February.
Nadine Davey
Principal
Kinder O'Neill
It has been a busy year in Kinder O’Neill full of lightbulb moments and lots of growth. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!
What was your favourite moment in Kinder?
“It was playing on the slide” – Athena
“My favourite thing was playing with my friends and on the big slide ages on when it was really, really sunny at the big playground!” – Summer
“Stamping” – Layland
“Playground!” – Jonah
“I play with Milly and Lucy on the bikes!” – Sophia
“Play cats” – Milly
“Learning” – Aylah
“The bikes” – Brantley-Jay
“Playing inside the Christmas area” – Joan
Prep Jardine
What an amazing year we have had in Prep! This year, the whole school started using Playberry to teach letters and sounds, and the reading and writing that the Prep students produce demonstrates just how well they are learning through it. Throughout the year, we have observed plants and insects growing, investigated what things are made of and how they can move, and spent a lot of time in all the beautiful outdoor spaces that our school has to offer.
Daily PE is always fun—we really enjoy walking around the Jim Bacon Reserve, and the Preps especially look forward to when they get to do skipping. A visit from the Jumping Jacks skipping team from Illawarra Primary School has inspired the Preps to keep up their practice so they can learn some tricks!
Other highlights have included our excursions to Bonorong Wildlife Park, Richmond Maze and Lolly Shop, Alice in Wonderland at the Botanical Gardens, and Bounce as a Reading Reward. We have seen helicopters up close, been fascinated by science demonstrations, and learned how to be safe around fire and electricity.
Throughout these fantastic opportunities, both inside and outside of school, the Preps were developing and brilliantly demonstrating our school values of respect, learning, and community. They are very much looking forward to Grade One next year!
1/2 Balhatchet
It’s been a sweet year in 1/2A with a huge amount of hard work and progress. What better way to top it off than with some good old fashioned Rocky Road making? Well - we did do a lot of writing about fruit and vegetables and how to clean our teeth… Thank you to Jazzy for making me remember that there is a lot of delight to be had eating peas fresh from the garden and to all the students who love cucumbers, sweetcorn and apples. Keep healthy and happy!
1/2 Sun
1/2B has a wonderful journey of learning, creativity and growth in term 4. We learned multiplication, division and fractions in Mathematics. We enhanced our writing skill through persuasive text writing. We explored different materials in Science.
In Maths, we engaged in both individual and group activities during our learning sessions.
In our Science lessons, we took on the challenge of building tall towers and creating a piece of paper using simple materials. Through estimating, testing, and discovering, we deepened our understanding and developed new skills.
We also researched, brainstormed, and gathered our ideas to form strong opinions for our persuasive writing activities.
As we wrap up Term 4, we celebrate the incredible progress each student has made and thank families for their ongoing support. Wishing everyone a joyful and restful holiday season!
3/4 Nicole
3/4 A
How quickly this year has gone in 3/4A! We’ve had some amazing adventures, lots of learning and outstanding opportunities. Below, each student has outlined their favourite 2024 experiences.
Anton – ICT, art, music because they’re all fun.
Dallas – My favourite is PE because I like sports. ICT because it’s fun to have computers.
Hailey – My favourite was ‘RUOK Day’ because it’s a good activity to make sure someone isn’t suffering in silence.
Hayden – PE, ICT, maths, art, science, novel, lunch, recess, getting friends, having fun, assemblies, meeting new teachers
Kaysi – doing jobs with Ms Nicole. She has been my favourite teacher. I also really enjoyed going outside with my TAs for fresh air. I loved cooking with Jess this year too.
Kella – My favourite experiences was the movie and park because we could play and watch a movie for almost the whole day. The Elf Cam because we can see what the elf is doing every day and Olympics because I like racing people. Swimming because I like racing people. Mushrooms because we got to plant them and eat them.
Lincoln – Elf Cam because it’s funny.
Mason – I liked the Elf Cam because I have an elf, and it makes me feel that I have two.
Mohammad – ICT because iy is so fun. It is good and has fun games. PE because all of my class have fun. Elf Cam is fun because we get to see where he is.
Oliver – PE because it’s fun, ICT because it’s nice using laptops.
Piper – 1. Making a hand for Ms Davey. It is one of my favourites because I love Ms Davey. 2. Excursions because it was fun.
Archer – My favourite experience is PE because I like games and running. My second favourite is ICT because I like computers and gaming.
Ariana – I mostly liked ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day because remembering people just makes me feel happy. It’s important to remember people who passed, who saves other countries and sacrificed their own lives. I think it’s the best things that can help to remember people who passed away. Those days are really important and rememberable to their families and friends.
Hazel – My favourite thing about school is PE, lunch, recess. Also, I like doing chin-ups on the monkey bars. I like to work out.
Jimmy – PE because I like running!!!!!!!!
Kaavya – The movies and park with Miss Grech’s class. It was fun to watch the movie and go to the park. I love seeing the Elf Cam because she/he is so funny, and he makes jokes out of stuff. Swimming lessons because I love swimming and it’s good for your body. Growing and cooking mushrooms because it’s my favourite and I love cooking for the class and teacher.
Layla – I like PE, music and different stuff and recess, lunch gymnastics.
Matilda - I really enjoyed doing maths with Ella because she makes it fun. I have also loved playing with the toys in my classroom, especially the Barbies. My favourite activity was going to LiL (Launch into Learning) with my mum and little brother, Oscar.
Sam – ICT, PE because my class learn new games, soccer because my friends like to play soccer
4/5 Grech
During this term the grade 4/5s have been working on fractions, decimals and percentages in maths. We have also been working on information reports about natural disasters such as volcanoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, cyclones and avalanches, and we have really had fun doing them. In Science we have explored water cycles and discussed how the water gets cleaned and sent to people's homes. Each day we have had reading groups. During this time there are four activities and four groups. Each group has a turn at doing guided reading, vocabulary tasks, a maze reading task and reading on a computer program called Epic. In Playberry we have been learning new sounds and improving our handwriting by focusing on what our teacher is explaining. Our specialists' classes have been Music, ICT, P.E, Library and Art. We have been doing Christmas games in P.E. In Art some people have been making sunsets and Christmas trees. In Music people on the piano and keyboard have been making creepy tunes on the iPads, people have been doing some funky, creative tunes. We love all our teachers.
By Bella, Noor, Kaia and Lyla.
5/6 Clifford
Springfield Gardens PS recently hosted the Specialist Development Day for 24 Carrot Gardens. The 24 Carrot Gardens staff had a tour of our upgraded veggie patch, and were really impressed with how much produce was growing! Then the staff attended a session in Mrs Clifford’s classroom to learn how to connect the curriculum to the kitchen garden programme. Thanks to Connor, Noah, Mia L, Charlie, Summer and Eli for supporting this session by sharing their learning from the year.
5/6 Belford
“As the year comes to an end, it’s time to celebrate the achievements of 5/6B. To cap off the year, 5/6B performed at the Leavers’ Assembly and Christmas Concert, stepping out of their comfort zones and trying their best. Many of our Year 5 and 6 students were also recipients of the end of year awards. Each and every student should be very proud of their efforts.
Throughout the year, our Year 5s have shown incredible growth and maturity and are well prepared to step confidently into leadership roles next year. They will be a fantastic set of role models for 2025. Our Year 6s have also had a fantastic year, achieving so much both in and out of the classroom. As they head off to high school, they take with them the skills, values, and friendships they’ve built here, ready to tackle new challenges.
Have a fantastic break, and we will see many of you again in the new year!”
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