As we approach the end of the term, it’s time to reflect on the hard work and dedication of our entire school community. First and foremost, I’d like to congratulate our students for their incredible effort in developing their reading skills. Reading is such a crucial part of life—it opens doors to new knowledge, ideas, and opportunities. Every word learned is a step toward a brighter future, and we are immensely proud of our students’ commitment to mastering this essential skill.

A huge thank you to all our wonderful teachers, teacher assistants, admin staff, and grounds staff for their dedication throughout the term. Your work behind the scenes and in the classroom is truly appreciated.

As the term draws to a close, I’d like to extend a special thanks to Nick De Tarczynski for stepping in as Acting Assistant Principal during Emily Roberts’ long service leave. Nick, your leadership and support have been invaluable. We look forward to welcoming Emily back soon.

Don’t forget that Footy Colours Day is happening this Friday! It’s a fantastic cause, raising funds for kids with cancer. Be sure to wear your favourite team colours and get involved in this fun and meaningful event.

I am also delighted to announce that Erica Cashinella-Smith and Chrystal Thorp will be joining the Herdsmans Cove Primary team from 23rd September 2024 until 27th June 2025. They have been appointed as Family Engagement Workers (FEWs) through the Child and Family Learning Centre (CFLC) Community Outreach project, funded by the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy, ‘It Takes a Tasmanian Village.’

Erica comes to us from her role as a Community Inclusion Worker (CIW) at Chigwell CFLC, while Chrystal has been working as a Support Worker for Child Safety Services. Both Erica and Chrystal will be based at Herdsmans Cove Primary and will focus on supporting families with young children (from pregnancy to age 5).

Their work will include:

• Providing families with holistic, wraparound support and referrals to early learning and support services, with the goal of improving children’s learning, health, and wellbeing outcomes.
• Collaborating with the community to identify strengths, needs, and aspirations, and offering opportunities for community members to design and implement support systems that serve local families.
• Engaging with local support services to foster greater collaboration and better support for families with young children.

Please join me in welcoming Erica and Chrystal to their new roles—we’re excited to have them as part of our school community!

Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing holiday, and we look forward to seeing you all in Term 4!