This short video highlights our amazing Forest School Program at Northern. We encourage you to take the time to watch this and witness the opportunity for students to spend time outside the classroom, engaging with God’s creation found within the beautiful bushland surrounding our school.

Based on the Forest School movement in the United Kingdom, there is a strong focus on providing children with experiences that develop
self-confidence, resilience and appropriate risk-taking, therefore enhancing social and emotional skills.

It has long been recognised that spending time outside and engaging with the natural environment is beneficial for development and wellbeing. Both play and appropriate risk-taking are important parts of child development and learning.

Despite living close to the bush in Australia, it can often be hard to fit nature experiences into already busy schedules. We are often too concerned about safety, leading to children not learning to make safe decisions when interacting with the world around them later in life. Having regular, supported visits to the bush and natural spaces in a safe setting helps address this. Evidence also shows that students who participate in the program benefit from improved social and emotional skills, academic results and classroom engagement.

Each class participates in weekly sessions for one term each year gaining knowledge and understanding of the world around them, learning new skills through activities and exploring various locations around the school.

The Forest School Program also allows students to ponder creation and be reminded that God is the supreme artist. Students are invited to contemplate both the Creator and His handiwork.

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them.” (Psalm 8:3-4)

We are very blessed to have a bush environment onsite to provide this opportunity for our students. If you are interested in helping out with our Forest School Program through either time, knowledge or relevant skills, please feel free to contact me.

Mr Samuel Whittle - Forest School Educator

School Calendar

TERM 1

Week 8 - March 22 to March 26, 2021

Monday | School Banking
Monday | Harmony Day - Unique Socks Day
Wednesday | Excursion - Kinder to Tynwald Park
Thursday | Excursion - Year 1 to Glenorchy Waste Management Centre
Thursday | Prep to Yr 2 Assembly - 2.15pm - Yr 2 Parents welcome to attend
Thursday | Subway Lunch - Order via QKR! before Thursday 9.00am
Friday | Little Learners 9.00am - 10.30am: Term 1 Calendar

A list of Term Dates for 2021 can be found on our Parents Page and also on the School Calendar.

Unique Socks Day

Harmony Week (March 15 - March 21, 2021) celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

On Monday, March 22 we will be holding Unique Socks Day as part of our Harmony Day celebrations. Students may come to school wearing unique, crazy or colourful socks as we remember to celebrate our differences.

100 Nights of Reading

We value reading very highly. We have started our new initiative called '100 Nights Of Reading' with our students. All students are encouraged to take this challenge on.

Prep to Year 6 students that complete '100 Nights of Reading’ will receive a certificate and a book of their choice.

Kinder students will also receive a certificate and a book of their choice once they have completed 50 nights of reading with their family.

Please let your child’s teacher know if you require another Reading Log.

Our hope is that our students will continue to read more at school, and at home, and will learn to love reading!

Year 2 Update

We are having a good start to our year!

As it is my first year of teaching here at Northern, it has been delightful getting to know the wonderful Year 2 students and the beautiful school around them.

Crazy Hair Day - March 30

This term, the Student Representative Council (SRC) is focussing on overseas missions and mental health. With this in mind, the SRC will be hosting Crazy Hair Day to raise funds for tearfund, a Christian charity that partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. The impacts of poverty can threaten people’s mental health and wellbeing, but a network of support can make a vital difference. Funds raised connects people with mental illness and their families with trained support workers and access to psychiatric services.

Donations can be made via QKR! from now until April 1, 2021. Please remember we do not accept cash at the school.

School Photos - May 3

Class, individual and family photos will be taken on Monday May 3.

Please be reminded there will be no cash option for payment this year, so please feel free to start ordering your photos online. Students will bring home a flyer shortly with all the details.

Family photos must be ordered by 4.30pm the night before photo day. If you do not order before this time you will not be able to have a family photo taken.

Individual and Family Photo packages can be ordered via the Leading Image Website using the same access key ZTX89TFR.

Prep to Year 6 Hockey

Spaces still available for Years 3 - 6 students!

The Hobart Primary Schools Hockey roster will start in Term 2 on Saturday mornings at Cornelian Bay for Prep to Year 6 students for 8 weeks (1 May – 26 Jun).

We still need to fill spaces in the Years 3/4 and Years 5/6 teams, so please return the expression of interest note by Friday, March 19 to the Office. Please contact Mr Samuel Whittle if you are able to assist with coaching.

From the Office

Uniform Reminder - Jumpers

Our Uniform Policy states that either the Knitted Jumper, Soft Shell Jacket or Hoodie (transitioning / discontinued) are the permitted outerwear. If your child needs to wear something other than these please contact the School with the reason. ADDITIONAL outwear i.e puffer jackets are allowed during the cold weather however they are removed upon entering the classroom, so please ensure your child has sufficient clothing for inside.

COVID-19 Regulations

Parents and carers are not permitted to enter classrooms during school hours (between 9.00am and 3.00pm) unless signed in as a Visitor at the School Office. If you are dropping off or collecting your child during these hours please attend the Office first.

All other parents and carers are reminded to wait until 3:00pm before entering the school grounds to collect students.

All School Absentees

For absentees please fill-out our Absentee Form OR email us before 9.30am.

• An SMS will be sent to parents for unexplained absences.

• Please ensure late students who arrive after 9.00am are signed in at the office.

• If students are leaving early they are required to be signed out at the office.

• A doctor’s certificate is required for more than three days’ absence.

• Please notify the office before 2.30pm for any messages your children need before leaving school.