School Newsletter - Term 3- Week 4
Principal's Report
Dear Bothwell families,
It’s been a busy start to Term 3 and our focus as a school has been ‘to be a learner’.
It was wonderful to start the term with Tree Planting Day and to once again see our students collaborate with Sustainable Timber Tasmania, the Forest Education Foundation and Private Forests Tasmania. Our Tree Day events were captured in a Tasmanian Country News article: The lesson of Tree Day | Tasmanian Country Newspaper. Some images are also included further in this newsletter.
Our recent assembly saw the opportunity for our students to showcase some of the work that they have produced this term. From information text creation, to charcoal drawings, science models and vocal ensemble pieces.
This term, many of our students are involved in the Premier’s Reading Challenge and continue to accrue hours for their Children’s University passports. Recently, our High School students participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition and a number of our primary students have enrolled in the 2025 Premier’s Spelling Bee. We also have entries in the Young Archies Portrait Competition. Our vocal group continue to rehearse Monday lunchtimes and Thursday mornings before school and the gym is opened for organised sports activities on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Our students can attend Reading Club in the library on Wednesday lunchtimes.
Some of our Year 10 and Year 11 students are participating in Work Placements this term. Robert is experiencing a placement at OneTrak, Mason will be working with Hazell Brothers and Lilli continues her experience and Hobart Zoo and Aquarium. A reminder that our Careers Expo will be held on Thursday 28th August and it will provide all of our students with a window into different career pathways and opportunities.
We are also not too far away from our Year 6-8 trip to Canberra. Our travelling students and their families will soon receive a letter with a reminder of items that they will need to pack and airline requirements.
Now that we are halfway through the school year, it is a great time to think about our children who will be starting school next year. If you know of any children in the Bothwell School intake area, who were born in 2021, please encourage them to contact the school office to inquire about a Kinder enrolment for 2026. Hopefully, they will also be able to attend our Launching into Learning (LIL) sessions on Wednesday mornings and our Pre-Kinder sessions which will be held next term.
Finally, last week we recognised and celebrated the career of our Maths/ Science teacher, Mrs Jennifer Wise. Jen began teaching at the school in 2019 and she officially retired on the Friday. We know that Mrs Wise will continue to stay connected with our school and she looks forward to continuing to hear of our student and staff successes.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Warm Regards
Erika Boas
Principal
Ed Smart
The Department for Education, Children and Young People is using a new product for messaging, EdSmart
EdSmart will be used for messaging and is a cloud-based software that enables schools to handle all communication with parents/ guardians electronically. It will mainly be used to manage absences and other quick messaging. E.g. A text will be sent for when a student is absent asking for a text reply with a reason for absence. A text will be sent if a child’s excursion might be running late.
How will this work for absentee notifications and responses:
You will be sent an email or SMS notification with a link to a secure form. Complete the form and submit. These links can be accessed on your phone, tablet or computer.
Privacy and Data Security
All of the data you submit in the Forms is held in a secure database only accessible to authorised DECYP, School Staff and EdSmart personnel.
For further information – visit the Department’s Website: Communicating with your child's school - Department for Education, Children and Young People
Erika Boas
Principal - Bothwell District High School
Schools Tree Day
Our Bothwell School Community came together to plant 600 trees on the school farmland as part of the creation of a shelter belt. A shelter belt to provide future protection against the elements, improve productivity for crops and livestock and provide natural habitats for wildlife. A planting project that will be utilised for student and community education and use for years to come.
Schools Tree Day is not only a great way to inspire students to learn about the local environment and to play an active role in their community, but an opportunity for communication and collaboration.
Our students worked together in cross-aged pairings with older students paired with younger students and all working with members of Forest Education Foundation, Sustainable Timber Tasmania and Private Forests Tasmania.
StoryBox Library
Our school now has access to StoryBox Library as part of the Department for Education, Children and Young People’s Lifting Literacy initiative!
Follow the steps below to login and start engaging your students with a diverse range of Australian children's literature read aloud by fabulous storytellers:
- Go to: http://storyboxhub.com/login
- Sign in with:
- Username: taslift024
- PW: lit302
- Select the Browse Stories tab and start exploring!
Laura Smith
Class 1/2
1/2s explored the Storybox library this week. They were very engaged by the storyteller and the animated illustrations. They read a 2025 Book Week book: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Tooth Fairy (And Some Things You Didn’t) by Briony Stewart.
A reminder to parents that you can access this book, and hundreds of others, at home for free using the following login details: Username: taslift024 - Password: lit302
Our Wellbeing Focus:
Learning Showcase
K/P’s
In Kinder/Prep we have been practising counting collections to 10 and beyond. The Preps have begun looking at adding two numbers together and writing a number sentence. We have enjoyed using the tens-frames and part-part-whole grids to practise counting and adding numbers together.
K/P/1/2:
We celebrated NAIDOC week on the first week back of term by having lots of discussions about what NAIDOC week is, the significance of NAIDOC week and how we can celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures to bridge the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Non-Aboriginal people. We then did some water colour art using natural colours to paint our Australian animals.
1/2
1/2: Across this term we have been looking at different addition and counting strategies in Maths. These strategies include: using number lines, vertical addition, using MAB blocks to represent place value numbers and the counting-on strategy.
3/4
In Art classes with Mrs Taylor, students have been working on acrylic paintings of the houses of Bothwell.
Careers Expo
Careers Expo
Not long now until our Careers Expo which will be held at the school on Thursday 28th August 2025.
The Careers Expo will involve all students from Prep to Year 12. (Kinder’s are able to enter the colouring and story writing competitions though.) Students from Oatlands District High School (Prep to Yr 12), Glenora District School (Prep to Yr 12) and Brighton High School (Yr 11) will also join us on the day.
In the lead up to the Careers Expo students have the opportunity to enter the following competitions which will be judged against their year group from the other schools:
• Colouring competition – some students have taken these home to work on. Please ensure that they are returned to school when completed and by Thursday 21 August in time to be judged.
• A day in the life of………This is a short story about the occupation that they have chosen to colour in. Entries close Monday 25th August for judging.
• FutureMe – for students Years 6 to 12. This is the opportunity to create a poster on where they see their future self. The poster needs to include the qualifications, expected salary, the expected future demand etc.
• Come dressed as a ……………………….(chosen career) Prizes will be awarded for the most unusual career in each year group. Students must be able to tell the
judges something about their chosen career/profession.
• Fleece Micron guessing competition – 3 donated fleeces that have been micron tested. Students will guess the micron of the fleece and rank them from the most valuable to the least valuable fleece. This will be run at the Careers Expo.
The Bothwell Lions Club have volunteered to cook a BBQ lunch for all students. If students wish to have a sausage sandwich, please send them with $2 to give their classroom teachers by Friday 22nd August. Please place in an envelope with the student’s name and the number of sausage sandwiches they would like. Drinks will not be available. Students are expected to have their water bottles and fill them at the water fountain at school please. Primary students will picnic with students from the other schools. Parents are welcome to join the students from 11:30 for primary students and 1 pm for secondary students.
If you have a Working With Children and Vulnerable People number and have an hour or two to volunteer at the Careers Expo, please contact Helen Doyle: helen.doyle@decyp.tas.gov.au or leave a message at the office and I will call you. All help will be greatly appreciated.
We are also seeking either donations or small items that can be used for prizes for the various competitions. If you are able to assist, please drop at the office or contact Helen for collection or to discuss.
Careers Lessons
This term all primary students are undertaking formal careers lessons with Mrs Doyle. Students are learning about themselves, their interests, what they enjoy and what they are good at.
We have also been discussing the difference between Soft and Hard Skills and how they can practice their soft skills. Hard skills are ones that can be taught or learnt through qualifications and skill building etc. Soft skills include communication, team work, problem solving, people skills, empathy, resilience, active listening, showing initiative and being a life long learner. At home you can help your child understand these better by letting them know when they demonstrate a good soft skill. Soft skills are difficult to teach and so therefore need to be practised. If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you would like to talk to the children about your career and what it involves, please contact me. We love to have the community involved at our school and guest speakers or workplace visits can make careers much more understandable. We can’t be what we can’t see.
Workplace Placements
We currently have students out on work placements as part of their Workplace Skills Courses. As part of the experience I need to undertake a work site visit. Last week I visited year 10 student, Lillianne at Hobart Zoo and Aquarium where she has been able to experience a very wide and varied range of activities assisting with the animal care. Lillianne is having many opportunities to practice her soft skills, especially problem solving when some alpacas escaped! She has learnt about some different animal species as did I! She is getting up close to the African Crested Porcupines, who were very sassy but camera shy.
Robert is on his second week at OneTrak where he is experiencing firsthand the life of a heavy machinery/diesel mechanic. Robert is very passionate about becoming a motor mechanic. Robert’s supervisor was very complimentary about how well Robert has fitted into the team and his work ethic. He also praised him on his keenness to learn and ask questions.
Mason in Year 11, is currently undertaking a work placement at Hazell Bros in their IT department. Mason is enjoying the experience despite the monotony of some of the tasks that he has been undertaking this week, however his supervisor David said that he has been very helpful and Hazell Bros have offered the opportunity for any of our students to attend a work placement in their IT department which is rapidly expanding. They are firm believers in their team learning on the job.
If you are an employer who could offer one of our students a work placement, our students’ interests are wide and varied, please contact myself, Helen Doyle. At present I have students wanting to undertake work placements in the following areas: electrical, law, paramedicine, woolshed, agriculture etc. If this sounds like something you can offer, I would love to hear from you.
Stem Cooking
Students in STEM rotation Cooking, have been making slices with Ms Pennicott.
LiL
Our LiL class we had lots of small people enjoying playing together. They played with big blocks and built roads etc.,
Some lovely paintings were done also. The kitchen area is a fun place to role play.
Come along and enjoy the fun.
The Young Archies
Based on the famous Archibald Prize, the Young Archies Awards is a portrait competition open to students in Tasmanian Government schools and colleges.
Students who have work entered this year:
- Mabel
- Kensi
- Matilda R
- Ellie
- Charlotte
- Susie
- Evie
- William
- Grace
- Malcolm
- Chloe
- Jordy
- Koa
All artworks will be exhibited in Hobart at the UTAS School of Creative Arts and Media.
Following this, a touring exhibition of the 2025 Young Archies Awards prize recipients will visit Launceston and the North-West.
Hobart Exhibition
- Address: UTAS School of Creative Arts & Media, Hunter Street
- Dates: Thursday 25 August – Friday 7 September 2025
- Opening times: 11.00pm-4.00pm
Celebrating student success:
Grade | Award Recipients | ||
Kinder/Prep |
| Mabel
Growth
For her huge improvement with her writing and for creating a fantastic written retell of the Three Little Pigs. |
|
Grade 1/2 | Susie
Courage
For overcoming challenges and showing persistence during Maths and Literacy lessons. | Brooklyn
Growth
For being a learner and working hard during Maths and Literacy lessons. |
|
Grade 3/4/5 | Grace Courage For consistently demonstrating courage towards new concepts and ideas | Amelia Respect For being helpful and positive member of the class. |
|
Grade 6/7/8 |
|
| Luke Learner For consistent improvement with his reading in Macqlit. |
`Grade 9/10 | Rubie Being a Learner For a positive start to BDHS. | Kaitlyn Being Respectful For having a positive start to Term 3. | Matthew Learner For consistent improvement with his reading in Macqlit. |
Specialist | Taylor Being a Learner For her enthusiastic effort with Tree Planting Project | Mia Being a Learner For her enthusiastic effort with Tree Planting Project
| Phoebe For her commitment to Vocal Group and excellence in Classroom Music |
Whole School Values | Bailey For an outstanding start to term and demonstrating all the 4B’s consistently | ||
Equine Therapy Program
During this term a group of our students are participating in the Inspire Connections Equine Therapy program.
From our student leaders:
It was the turn of the Clyde House Student Leaders to run the assembly last week. We congratulation all of the students who received an award and who showcase their work. We wish Mrs Wise the very best in her retirement.
Book Week 2025
Reminders
Dear Families,
Earlier this year we communicated to families that staff would no longer heat up lunches (e.g. noodle cups) and toast sandwiches. This is due to safety and staff time. A reminder to please not send lunches that require heating/ toasting. The use of thermoses or insulated food containers is most welcome. We will continue to explore ways that we can provide hot lunches as a school as they were popular last term. Thank you in anticipation.
Bothwell Staff.
Kindergarten Enrolments for 2026
We are now seeking enrolments for Kindergarten for 2026. If your child was born in 2021 they are eligible for kindergarten in 2025. Some of our families are attending LIL (Launching into Learning) and have already indicated enrolment for 2026. Please confirm this now with the office. For any other families wishing to join our wonderful small community school with our focus on nature play, and nurturing the needs of all learners, please make contact. You will be added to our contact list to receive information about our pre-kindergarten transition experiences. Please share this post with friends and family who have young people of Kindergarten age.
For any other enrolment enquiries for other grades, or to book a school tour for Term 3, please contact the office or complete our Enrolment Expression of Interest form: https://forms.office.com/r/1a63aTcAaX
Childcare options – council survey
Are you interested in seeing childcare options in Bothwell?
Council are conducting a survey to find out future childcare needs in the Bothwell area and what types of care suits the community best.
This survey will be open for six weeks until 1 September - please share this information.
Options to complete the survey:
🌞online at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/75QSXPM
🌞pick up a paper copy at Bothwell or Hamilton Council offices
🌞contact Council to have a copy sent to you on 6259 5503 / Kcullen@centralhighlands.tas.gov.au
We look forward to hearing from you.
Thank You:
Thank you to the School Association for supporting the following projects:
New Guitars
With the support of the School Association, four new acoustic guitars have been added to our collection for the music room.
Aqua Bubblers:
We now have two Aqua Bubblers installed in the school. Students can access fresh filtered water as they refill drink bottles. Our School Association paid for the Bubblers; the school covered the installation with the support from the Central Highlands Council 2055 school grant.
Premiers' Reading Challenge
Hope you are all having fun doing the reading Challenge and filling in your reading logbooks.
