SBIS Newsletter - 9 April 2025
Dear Families,
It is hard to believe that we are already at the end of Term 1. While the term feels as though it has flown by, we have certainly been busy and engaged learners this term!
Term 1 Learning News
In the subsequent sections of this newsletter each class will be sharing some of their learning highlights for the term so I would like to take this opportunity to share with you our whole school focusses, which have enabled us to maintain consistency in our practices across the school. In English all students P-2 are receiving explicit phonics-based instruction daily using UFLI Foundations program. In Kindergarten students share and discuss stories together, sing nursery rhymes and songs, notice sounds and words and learn through play.
Maths learning has focussed on maintaining structures and processes that were embedded last year, which continue to support students in building critical, logical, and creative thinking skills. Our specialist lessons continue with Declan (PE), Susie (Japanese P-2), and Suzi (Music). We are fortunate at SBIS to have access to a diverse range of specialist lessons that support the fostering of creativity, cultural awareness, and emotional expression.
This term, each class has undertaken their own inquiry aligned to the Australian Curriculum with a focus in either HASS or Science. Kindergarten students inquired into how they could build a sense of belonging and community in the classroom. The Prep classes inquired into how family memories, traditions and celebrations shape who we are. It was wonderful to have so many families visit the Prep students and share events and celebration that are personally significant. Our Year 1 students have explored how living things are connected through ecosystems to ensure survival. Their inquiry resulted in the construction of some fantastic mealworm habitats, the Year 1 class have also been busy looking after our local environment by replanting and caring for the flowers and vegetables in our school garden beds.
Year 2 have had a busy start to the year with inquiries into the material world and leadership. Students explored what it means to be a leader in our school, discussing the dispositions of a leader and how their leadership contributes to the SBIS community. Year 2 Leadership opportunities this term have included the training of library monitors, Fun and Fitness planning and leading the crazy socks fundraising initiative.
In addition to our classroom learning, we have been fortunate to participate in a range of activities that have provided us with opportunities to demonstrate our values of Connection, Respect, responsibility, courage, and growth. Participation in the Rotary Readers program has provided our Year 1 students with weekly opportunities to connect with the broader local community and practise their reading skills. Beach Explore and Bush Explore (Year 2) continue to be an important learning opportunity for our students. Educators use this time to support nature play and Inquiry learning in the outdoor classroom while also teaching students how to care for and connect with our local environment. Our P – 2 students participated in a successful Swimming and Water Safety Program this term, they displayed courage and growth as they harnessed our learner assets of self-managers and risk-takers to learn new skills.
Our 2025 School Improvement Goals
At last week's School Association meeting I shared the Sandy Bay Infant School 2025 Improvement Plan. If you are interested in viewing the plan, it is available at the front office. Please read on for a snapshot of our goals below:
Staffing News
This week we farewell Anne Curtis, our English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher. While Anne was only with us for Term 1 she quickly connected with staff, students and the wonderful culture of our small school by the sea. We wish Anne all the best in Term 2 at her new school.
Next term we welcome April Halliwell and Rubi Healey to our staff. April and Rubi will be joining our Teacher Assistant team. Staff and students have met both April and Rubi who have worked in the school this term in a relief capacity.
Finally, we are very excited to share with you that Alison, our wonderful School Business Manager, will be continuing in her role for Term 2.
We hope that you enjoy the Easter break and find some time to rest and recharge ready for another engaging and busy term of learning at Sandy Bay Infant.
April Rubi
Warm Regards,
Emily
Parent Teacher Conversations
We will be running parent teacher conversations in week 2 of Term 2. Commencing Monday 5 May to Friday 9 May. Bookings our now open and can be made by clicking on the below link.
School Association
Welcome to our 2025 Sandy Bay Infant School Association!
The Association Annual General Meeting was held on 6 March and I am very pleased to welcome aboard previous and brand new members to the Committee.
Chairperson - Alice Thorp
Secretary - Louisa Shadforth
Treasurer - Stuart Thickett
General Committee - Sylvia Paton, Tink Hudson, Samantha Bonnitcha, Neil Luddington, Kate Foster, Esta Hages, Katie Duffy, Mel Britton and Fiona Webb.
We have hit the ground running this year with our first Association event already complete and our next one now in planning!
A key focus for the Association is connectivity, belonging and community, and our Bonding by the Bay event, held on Wednesday 26 March, was an amazing way to start the year. A huge thank you to everyone who attended and to SBIS staff for coinciding this event with the school's Harmony Day celebrations.
As the term comes to a close, the Committee have started planning for an Election Day Cake Stall to be run in Term 2. We are fortunate(?) to have two dates to choose from - the Federal Election will be held on Saturday 3 May and the Legislative Council Election on Saturday 24 May. The Committee have decided to run the cake stall on Saturday 24 May to give everyone enough time to bake up a storm in readiness for the day! Last year we had an amazing turn out and raised $1,800 for the school, and no doubt this year will be just as successful. More information will be sent to families in Term 2.
We are excited to start planning our fundraising intentions for 2025 and 2026, and are keen to hear from parents about what you would like to see us focus on. We will be distributing a survey to parents and carers so we can ensure your voice is heard.
Until then, please always feel free to grab one of us if you have an idea or suggestion on how the Association can better support our school and our children.
Have a very hoppy Easter / Term break :)
Alice Thorp
SBIS Association Chairperson
Alice Thorp - Chairperson Louisa Wells - Secretary Stuart Thickett - Treasurer
Kindergarten
Building Connections Through Play: Cardboard Box Creations
On a sunny afternoon the Kindergarten children gathered outdoors and were immersed in a seemingly simple activity that sparked their imagination and creativity—constructing with cardboard boxes. They were joined by their ‘big friends’ from Prep and Grade 2, creating an inclusive play environment where collaboration, problem-solving, and creativity flourished.
How lucky we were to be able to watch on as the play unfolded and creations became more elaborate, with each and every child participating with enthusiasm and excitement!
It highlighted the value of mixed-age play, where the children can learn from one another and strengthen their sense of belonging to a diverse and supportive school community. A lovely opportunity for us to encourage and nurture the connections our Kinder children are making with their peers and older buddies.
We loved sharing and showing our creations to our teachers and friends as they emerged and wanted many a photo to be taken! We hope you enjoy our photo gallery, just a snippet of the fun and joy that was had by all!
Prep A Koalas
Prep Koalas have been investigating families as part of their unit of inquiry into what makes us who we are. We have been discussing family traditions and celebrations and we’ve been lucky to learn from our school community about cultural traditions such as Chinese New Year and Ramadan. We have shared with each other what our families celebrate and what we do to mark the celebrations. Celebrating Harmony Day in Term One is well timed for us as it forms another rich provocation for discussions around families, cultures and celebrating diversity. Students illustrated our Harmony Day celebrations and explained what they understood about this event.
Maths Games with Prep B Kookaburras
Maths games are a regular and important activity in our classroom. They are used to reinforce learning and to practise skills. Using a variety of instructional approaches in the classroom, including playing games, enables the students to encounter concepts in different ways. Games are motivating and dynamic, requiring students to be alert and attentive in a setting which fosters movement and interaction.
Games also help develop social and emotional skills as the children learn to monitor their responses, take turns, build respect, cooperate with a partner or group, listen to others, and play fairly.
Playing maths games helps children to develop mathematical language skills. Through interacting with classmates, the children develop the language of the focussed concept as well as the language of teamwork and cooperation. They are required to explain and justify their choices using the appropriate language in context and to ask relevant questions.
As well as all these wonderful educational outcomes, maths games in the classroom are fun.
Year 1
Maths is Year 1
In Year 1, we focus on making maths fun and engaging for our students. We explore basic number concepts like counting, addition, and subtraction, and help children understand how numbers relate to each other. We also look at patterns, shapes, and measurements, which are great for developing spatial awareness and problem-solving skills.
Our hands-on activities and real-life examples make learning maths enjoyable and meaningful. Students are encouraged to work together, participate in group activities, and have discussions that build their critical thinking and communication skills.
Our classroom is designed to create a positive and supportive environment where students feel confident to explore and experiment with maths. By fostering a love for maths early on, we set the stage for continued success in the future.
Please enjoy some “snap shots” of maths in our classroom.
Rotary at SBIS
At SBIS, we are incredibly fortunate to have the support of our amazing Rotary volunteers. Rotary is a global organisation dedicated to making a positive impact in communities around the world. Here at our school, Rotary volunteers play a crucial role in enriching our students' learning experiences.
Our Rotary volunteers spend time with our students, listening to them read and engaging them in fun maths activities. Their dedication and enthusiasm help create a supportive and encouraging environment where children feel confident to explore new concepts and develop their skills.
By working closely with our students, Rotary volunteers not only help improve literacy and numeracy but also foster a love for learning. Their presence and support make a significant difference in our students' educational journey, and we are incredibly grateful for their commitment and kindness.
Year 2
The Day my Dad came to School
My Dad came in one day and we decided how to make a playground. One in the jungle and the other park was under the sea. Dad showed us some photos of parks all over the Earth.
Written by Rudi and edited by Megan
Paper Chairs
We made paper chairs for our materials inquiry. They didn’t survive both tests. I sat on it.. it survived. But it didn’t survive the Megan test. It was fun. It took two days to finish it. Paper is not a good material for making chairs. It is a good material in books and fake flowers and tissues.
Written by Angus and edited by Megan
The Grade Two’s Money Count for World Down Syndrome Day:
For World Down Syndrome Day on 23/3 it was so awesome at our school because everyone wore funny and silly socks. We sold them for $10 a pair or 2 for $15. The socks were so popular I think most kids wore them and all the teachers did. I felt like I belonged.
Then we go to count the money. First the notes. We each got one and had to make $100 with a group; there were lots of different ways. Then we made lots of $10 with the coins and added all those up. It was $531 in total! Well done everyone!
Written by Josie and edited by Megan
Making Scones
We were making tonnes of delicious scones for our peer leader morning tea. We each got a tray and a big bowl and we took turns by pouring in some dusty flour into the big bowl and we put in some sweet, sweet lemonade and it was very soggy and this happened in week six. The mixture was going good but then it got sticky all over our hands. It was a disaster. HELP! We flopped it onto this hand and that. It was crazy. We washed our hands and lost a lot of mixture. What was left we cut out and put in the oven. Luckily we had enough to share with all the parents and grand parents at our morning tea to celebrate becoming peer leaders.
Written by Frank and edited by Megan
Peer Leader Assembly
In week six we got our red hats and badges at an assembly. We were practising for weeks our titanium song to sing to parents. We knew the moves well but we still practised until we knew it really well. And then it was the day. I was so nervous but excited at the same time. We all spoke as well and the parents loved it.
Written by Ana and edited by Megan
Toilet Paper Outfits
We made toilet paper clothes for each other to see if it was a good material for clothing. It was not! Tilly made me into a mummy, she wrapped my head around in strips and made little holes for my eyes so I can see. When I walked out into the hall it ripped so I it didn’t pass the test and I ended up with toilet paper all around me. I felt excited and nervous to show off my outfit.
Written by Lola and edited by Megan
Japanese
During Term 1 in Japanese, students participated in this year’s JATNET (Japanese Teacher’s Network Tasmania) poster competition. The theme was The Year of the Snake and students were asked to include writing snake in Japanese in at least one of the three script – hebi (romaji), へび (hiragana), 巳 (kanji). In the category of Prep to Year 2, the following student’s posters were forwarded for judging in this statewide competition:
Ella M
Dimitra H
Matilda W
Thank you to all students in these classes for participating and we wish the three representatives of Sandy Bay Infant School all the best.
Susie
2025 School Levies
School levy invoices have now been sent out to families from the Department for Education, Children and Young People.
Payment Options: Bpay, Service Tasmania, Eftpos, Credit Card over the phone (61656423).
2026 Kindergarten
Is your child born in 2021? if so, they are eligible for kindergarten in 2026.
Please click on the link below to complete the kindergarten enquiry form.
On the Noticeboard
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