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Dear Families,
Welcome back after a quick four-day break!
The way we communicate with our parent community will be undergoing some changes throughout this term. EdSmart has been rolled out to all DECYP schools to enable both one-way and two-way digital communication with parents and carers.
Currently, we use EdSmart for attendance processes, with forms (known as slips in EdSmart) sent to parents when students have been identified as absent. These automated slips enable parents and carers to respond instantly with the reason for their child’s absence.
A new feature coming soon will allow permission and consent forms for excursions to be sent digitally. Similar to absence slips, parents will be able to complete and digitally sign permission forms online. These forms are detailed and will require emergency contact details to be re-entered for each excursion.
It is expected that in early 2026, the one-way communication broadcast feature will also be implemented. This will enable our school to send messages to individuals, classes, or all parents and carers for general notices and reminders. Broadcast messages are one-way, meaning no response is required from recipients.
Tournament of Minds
An exciting time lies ahead for our team as they head to Sydney to compete in the Tournament of Minds International Finals. We wish them the very best of luck and are incredibly proud of their hard work, creativity, and dedication. We look forward to hearing all about their experiences and achievements upon their return.
Lifting Literacy Update
In our Prep to Year 2 classes, students have been learning to read with UFLI Foundations. UFLI (pronounced you-fly) is a phonics program that helps students build strong reading skills through short daily lessons focusing on the sounds and letters needed to spell, say, recognise, and read words.
We are using UFLI Foundations because it is grounded in research about how children learn to read. It provides an interactive and engaging way for students to practise, revise, and build on their reading skills each week.
Our students are loving their UFLI lessons — they are focused, engaged, and their confidence as readers is already growing.
Class Placements 2026
Planning for 2026 is already underway, and we will soon begin the class placement process. At this stage, we don’t have confirmed staffing for 2026, so we are unable to provide specific details regarding teacher allocations. Teachers may be assigned to different classes or grades, and we may also welcome new or returning staff members next year.
At Goulburn Street, we consider the social, emotional, and academic needs of each child when placing students in classes. This process includes balancing abilities within classes and ensuring that each student has at least one established connection with a friend. Students in Years 2–6 will be given the opportunity to nominate three friends they believe they work well with, while teachers of Kinder to Year 2 will support a similar process for our younger students.
Teachers will use all available information to make class placements, which will then be reviewed by the leadership team. The final decision on class placement rests with the principal. Class placements will be announced at the end of Week 9.
We encourage parents to speak with their child’s teacher about 2026 class placements, as they are best positioned to provide support and guidance.
Parents can make class placement requests in writing to michael.park@decyp.tas.gov.au or book an appointment (by phone or in person) via the office on 62 341 884.
Please note:
Class placement requests will only be considered on educational grounds, not for specific teacher or friendship preferences.
- Students will only be guaranteed to have one friend in their class.
Warm regards,
Michael
As you may already know, Tasmanian Unions, including the Australian Education Union (AEU) and other school-based unions, have directed members to participate in stop work action next week.
For the Southern region, the stop work action is planned for Thursday, 30 October 2025.
As a result it has been determined that our school will be temporarily closed for educational instruction until after 11am on this day. With a number of staff participating in the stop work action, our school will be unable to provide adequate duty of care for students and therefore we ask that students arrive after 11.00am for a 11.30am start. Please be assured that normal school arrangements will resume as the school reopens.
Please also note that bus operators will not be adjusting their timetables in response to the later school starting time.
We recognise these closures due to industrial action will impact families; it is regrettable that school closure action is necessary, however, we must be able to ensure adequate safety and supervision of students. If you are concerned you will be unable to make alternative arrangements for your child, please contact our office as soon as possible.
We have had so much fun in Launching into Learning this year with our youngest students and their families! We have a session this Friday, 31st October, and then we will have a four week break due to our Pre-Kinder program. Launching into learning will resume for two final weeks on Friday, 5th December. Please note our final session for the year will be an excursion to the Long Beach Reserve. The bus will depart GSPS at 9:10am. If you would like to attend this excursion, please RSVP to the office or to Mrs Ellerton by Friday 18th November.
Cheeky Chooks in Spring
Bwaark! goes the morning, loud and clear,
Fluffy feathered friends strut near.
Spring has sprung, the air is sweet,
Chicks hatching at our feet.
Clucking chickens pecking pellets,
In cozy coops and grassy cellars.
Strutting proudly, wings a-flap,
Cheeky chooks in a merry lap.
Frolicking under skies so blue,
Feathers ruffled, joy anew.
Life begins with chirps and cheer—
A barnyard symphony we hold dear.
Our Pre-Kinder program will commence next week for confirmed kindergarten enrolments for 2026. Mrs Medcraft looks forward to welcoming new students and their parent/s into the kindergarten classroom for these sessions to help students become familiar with our school and our staff.
The sessions will run from 9-10:30am on the following dates:
- Friday 7th November
- Friday 14th November
- Friday 21st November
- Friday 28th November
On Thursday 13th November, 5/6 Clifford and 5/6 Cook will be walking to the Playhouse Theatre to watch the Hobart City High School musical.
This year the musical is “Popstars!” and we hope to see a number of former Goulburn Street students involved!
Classes will be departing at 10:30am, and will be returning to school by 1:15pm.
If any parent would like to join us for our walk, please contact the office.
If you have any questions, please talk to your child’s teacher.
Nicholas Clifford and Jenny Cook
On Monday the 24th of November, it will be the younger students in our school who will have fun at their Athletic Carnival. The carnival will start at 1:40pm. Children in Kinder, Prep and Years 1 & 2 will be involved. They are invited to wear house coloured clothing that is suitable for running. Oak – green and Phoenix – yellow. Kinder students are not in house teams yet. All students need to bring a soft toy for the Teddy Bears’ race. A hat will be of course required and a water bottle is recommended. Parents and grandparents are invited to attend this fun afternoon.
BYO deck chairs for your own comfort.
We are pleased to announce that the Cricket Blast program will be running again this year for our students. This is a 6 week program, available for children aged 5-10 who are new to cricket or who have previous experience. These sessions will be held on the school oval each Thursday from 3:10-4:10pm, beginning on Thursday 13th November. Please use the QR code to register your child’s interest!
