19 December 2024

Principal’s Report

As we come to the close of another wonderful school year, I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on all that we’ve achieved together here at Montello Primary School. It’s been a year full of learning, growth, and connection, and I am so proud of how each and every one of you has contributed to making Montello such a special place.

One area where we’ve truly excelled this year is literacy, and it fills me with pride to share that Montello is a leader in Tasmania when it comes to structured literacy programs. Our students’ results in reading and writing are exceptional, and we continue to see great progress across all year levels. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible teachers, the enthusiasm of our students, and the continued support of our families. Together, we’ve created an environment where literacy is at the heart of our learning and as the principal, I could not be prouder.

However, while we celebrate all that we’ve achieved, there is still work to be done in one important area: attendance. Regular attendance is crucial for student success, not just here at Montello, but across all schools in Tasmania. The more our students are in school, the more opportunities they have to engage, learn, and reach their full potential. So, let’s continue to work together to improve attendance in the year ahead, ensuring that every student has the chance to succeed.

Now, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible values that guide us here at Montello – the values that shape our school culture and our community. This year, we have seen so many of you embody the DECYP Tasmania values of Connection, Responsibility, Courage, Growth, and Respect in everything you do.

Our students have shown outstanding courage in taking on new challenges and stepping outside of their comfort zones. Whether it’s in their learning, sports, or friendships, you’ve shown that you are willing to try new things, even when it feels a bit scary. I’m so proud of your resilience and determination this year.

Our staff have demonstrated responsibility every day, ensuring that every student is supported, challenged, and encouraged. You’ve created an environment where students feel safe, valued, and ready to learn. Your leadership and care have made a huge difference in our school community, and I thank you for your dedication.

Our families have displayed connection by coming together to support our students, whether through volunteering, attending school events, or offering a listening ear. The sense of community here at Montello is truly something to be proud of, and it’s wonderful to see the strength of the relationships between home and school.

Throughout the year, we’ve all experienced growth – as learners, as individuals, and as a community. We’ve worked hard to support each other and celebrate the progress we’ve made. Whether it’s academic achievements, personal milestones, or the development of important social skills, we’ve all grown in meaningful ways this year.

Finally, respect has been at the heart of everything we do. From how we treat each other in the classroom to how we interact on the playground, the mutual respect we show one another creates an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. This respect for one another has truly been a foundation of our success.

As I look back on the year, I am filled with gratitude for the way our Montello Primary School community has embraced these values and worked together to create a safe, supportive, and inspiring place for all. We are a school that truly lives these values every day, and that is something that should make us all feel incredibly proud.

I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the courage of our parents and community members in advocating for the redevelopment of our school. The journey to securing the $12 million redevelopment has not been an easy one, and your voices, your commitment, and your advocacy have played a critical role in making this dream a reality. It takes real courage to speak up, voice your opinions, and stand up for what you believe is best for our children and our school. I want to personally thank each of you for your dedication to ensuring that Montello will continue to grow and thrive in the years ahead.

And a special thank you to Meadcon Construction, all the subcontractors, and Denman and Associates Architects for their hard work and commitment in bringing this redevelopment project to life. This investment in our school is truly exciting, and we can’t wait to continue to work with key figures in DECYP to make the final product happen.

As we head into the summer holidays, I encourage all our families to enjoy the beautiful outdoors Tasmania has to offer. Whether it’s a trip to the beach, a walk in the park, or exploring our stunning bushlands, there’s so much to do – and best of all, it’s free! Take the time to relax, recharge, and enjoy nature, while making memories with your family and friends.

On behalf of the staff at Montello Primary School, I want to wish everyone a safe, happy, and restful holiday season. Thank you again to our students, parents, families, and staff for your hard work, care, and dedication this year. I’m excited for what 2025 will bring, and I look forward to seeing all of you back here, ready to take on the new year with energy, enthusiasm, and continued growth.

Enjoy your holidays, stay safe, and I look forward to seeing you all in the new year!

Thank you, and happy holidays!

Dion McCall
Principal

Grade 6 Award Winners

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Mr McCall’s Speech to the Grade 6 Graduates

Families and students, esteemed guests, the Mayor, members of parliament, award sponsors, and of course, the stars of today’s event—our wonderful Grade 6 students,

Today is a day of celebration, reflection, and excitement. It’s a day where you—our Grade 6s—are standing on the edge of a new chapter, ready to leap into the great unknown of high school… and from here on the stage you all look extremely ready for the adventure. But getting there takes courage, hard work, and the willingness to take risks. And I have no doubt that every single one of you is up for it.

Let’s talk about taking risks. Life is all about it. You don’t grow by staying in your comfort zone. Just look at Ariarne Titmus, from right here in Tasmania. She had the courage to take on the world’s best swimmers at the Paris Olympics—and she didn’t just compete; she won! She dared to dream big, worked tirelessly, and proved that with heart, grit, and a lot of early mornings, anything is possible.

And what about our very own JackJumpers? They defied expectations, took risks, and became champions. They wore their colours with pride - colours very similar to our own and just like our school - they showed us that with teamwork, determination, and a belief in yourself, even the impossible can be achieved. You see, whether it's in sports or life, it's all about getting back up when things don't go your way and pushing through, no matter what.

I want you to remember, as you move into high school, that taking risks means stepping into the unknown. Sometimes you’ll fall, sometimes you’ll succeed. But each moment is part of your journey. So, when you’re faced with a tough decision—whether it’s trying out for that sports team, signing up for a new subject, or just speaking up in class—take a deep breath and go for it. Do it scared. As another champion of 2024, Taylor Swift said, “You are what you love, and you are what you work for.” It’s your hard work, your commitment, and your willingness to persevere that will define you in the years ahead.

I’d also like to take a moment to thank some very important people. First, to the parents: thank you. Thank you for supporting your children not just in the classroom but on the sports fields, during music lessons, on excursions, and in all the moments that made their time at Montello so rich and full. Your involvement is priceless, and we couldn’t do it without you.

To Miss Stephens and the entire Grade 6 team: thank you for shaping these young people into the remarkable individuals they are today. Your dedication and care have made all the difference.

And to our entire staff at Montello—teachers, support staff, and everyone who contributes to this wonderful school—thank you for making this school a place where our students can thrive and grow. A special mention to Alison Palmer for the time and care you have put in to help with today.

Finally, to you, the Grade 6 Montello students—thank you. For your hard work. For your curiosity. For your laughter, your questions, and your sheer brilliance. You’ve made Montello proud, and we can’t wait to see what you do next.

Remember, the world is full of opportunities, and they are there for the taking. Don’t be afraid to dream big, work hard, and, above all, take risks. Because the future is yours to create.

Good luck, and go chase those dreams.

Thank you.

End of Year Award Winners

Student Leadership Group 2025

Xmas Hamper Winners

Games Pack Winner

Jake Wilson – 5/6 Quolls

Values Card Draw

Congratulations to the following students who won movie tickets from the End of Year Draw. Everyone who received a Values Card this year was in the running!

Christmas Lunch

After the amazing time our Grade 1/2 classes had last year, we decided to go big and include the entire school in 2024! ALL our students have enjoyed a traditional Christmas with their classmates over the last 2 days.

We are extremely grateful for the kind donations from the City of Burnie Lions Club, TG Build and Julie from the Sunshine Foundation.

Their generosity has helped to spread Christmas cheer throughout and was a wonderful way to finish the year! Special thanks to all our wonderful staff over all areas of the school, from Canteen Kim to the teachers aides and our fabulous volunteers who made sure it all happened.

Thank YOU

Thanks to the following amazing people and businesses who have helped to support our Montello Primary School students in so many different ways in 2024.  We are so grateful for your generosity and value your contribution to our community.

Kim Peisker & Sheldyn Williams - Canteen Volunteers

Variety Club of Tasmania – Breakfast Club Program

School Food Matters – lunch program

Foodbank Tasmania – Breakfast Club Supplies and pantry items

Radford Milk - for subsidising our milk costs for Brekky Club

LIL Christmas Party

Our LiL students celebrated the end of another wonderful year with a party. 

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Final House Point Tally

Childrens University Graduates 2024

Congratulations to our 2024 Children’s University Graduates. We look forward to continuing this exciting program in 2025. Look out for information on how to enrol your child in early 2025!

School Levies and Charges for 2025

Levies are one of the many ways that families contribute to our school community. Levies support student learning by contributing towards the cost of essential items and services.

Levies for 2025 will be $140 for Kinder and $200 Prep – Grade 6.

Our Book Collection & Uniform Sales Days will be Wednesday 29^th Jan from 10am-2pm and Thursday 30^th Jan from 1pm-5pm.

Levies will not be invoiced until Term One 2025 so we will not be accepting levies payments on our Book Collection & Uniform Sales Day.

You will be asked to sign a payment plan and select the option for payment that best suits you. If you have applied for STAS and it has not yet been approved, we will ask you to sign a payment plan until your STAS status is confirmed by the school. (If you are approved for STAS you don’t need to do the payment plan).

Payment plans are available for all families and will give you four different options to pay.

Option One:  Four equal payments to be paid at the end of each term:

Payment One: 11^th April 2025
Payment Two: 4^th July 2025
Payment Three: 26^th September 2025
Payment Four: 5^th December 2025

Option Two:  Two equal payments, one in week one of Term Two and the other in week one of Term Three:

Payment One: 2^nd May 2025
Payment Two: 25^th July 2025

Option Three:  Fortnightly payments with full payment to be completed by the end of the school year (last week of Term Four):

Payment start date: 28^th March 2025
Payment completed by: 5^th December 2025

Option Four:  Payment in full by due date on Invoice

If none of the payment options listed here work for your family or if you are experiencing financial difficulty or financial hardship, please contact the school’s Business Manager, Emma Short on 6432 2755 or emma.short@decyp.tas.gov.au.

Levies can be paid:

• At the school (by EFTPOS, cash or cheque)
• At Service Tasmania (by EFTPOS, cash or cheque)
• Through BPAY (using the Biller Code and Reference on your invoice)
• By mail, forward your cheque, money order or credit card details to the school, with the payment slip from your invoice attached (payable to the Department for Education, Children & Young People)
• Using Centrepay, a service provided by Centrelink.

Can I get help with school levies?

Do you have a Health Care Card or other concession card? You may be eligible for the Student Assistance Scheme. If you are eligible and your application is approved, you will not need to pay any levies.

2025 Student Assistance Scheme

Parents who have a current concession card as listed below can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS:

Services Australia – Centrelink Health Care Card
Services Australia – Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
Services Australia – Pensioner Concession Card or
Department of Veteran Affairs – Pensioner Concession Card.

Please note that if you are already receiving student assistance you do not need to complete a form.

You can apply online Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) (education.tas.gov.au) or we understand this online option may not be possible for all families, so if you require a hard copy form please contact your school or stas@education.tas.gov.au or 1800 827 055.

Once a validated form is completed the Department for Education, Children & Young People will confirm the outcome of your application in writing, this process takes approximately 14 days.

Book Collection & Uniform Sales 2025

Wednesday 29^th January from 10am-2pm
Thursday 30^th January from 1pm-5pm

You will be able to collect your child’s books and you will be able to purchase any items of uniform they may require. You will also be required to complete validation forms, permission forms, update any medical information for your child(ren) and add emergency contacts for your child(ren).

* On the day please remember to bring any medical action plans, any court orders, current phone numbers for your emergency contacts and anything else you think might be relevant or important for the school to know.

We won’t be collecting money for levies on the day, we will invoice eligible families later in February, you will only be required to complete a Levies Payment Agreement.

Please allow plenty of time to complete the book collection and paperwork process. There may be delays due to the high volume of parents/carers attending and there are several forms to be completed for each child. Students are not required to attend. Please note that we require a main parent/carer contact to attend on the day, we cannot send paperwork home with other family members, siblings, or family friends. If you cannot attend on either of these days, please call the office on 6432 2755 and we will organise a time for you to come in.

Students return on Thursday 6^th February. 

We are looking forward to a great 2025 at Montello Primary.

Chaplain’s Chat

• Here it is, "another year over & what have we done".

As your School Chaplain I have:

• enjoyed incidental conversations in the halls, in the playground, at breakfast club, on the deck, in classrooms & sometimes in the shops with many children & some parents & carers.
• spent some time helping in classes but mostly worked with a few individual students, being a listening ear for them & supporting their emotional wellbeing while completing various activities including crafts, puzzles & games & making slime. While I work with some of these students it gives the teacher a chance to spend more quality time with other students.
• organised for an Inside Out 4 Kids Understanding Worry Group to be run by a City Mission Facilitator & ran one program myself.
• arranged for many students to attend Riverbend Camps during school holidays thanks to the generosity of the school, Coastlands Baptist Church & Prison Fellowship.
• enjoyed sharing lunchtimes with children - playing board games, skipping & crafting including pom-poms, loom knitting & bracelet making.

Now..... it's not long till Christmas, "the most wonderful time of the year" according to the song of the same name.

I wonder what you think is the most important thing at Christmas time?

Many would say it is love.

I'd like to reshare ten tips I shared 4 years ago for creating a more loving, affectionate family this Christmas

• Laugh together.
• Play together.
• Eat together.
• Dream together.
• Thank each other.
• Dance together.
• Gaze together.
• Learn together.
• Smile at each other.
• Escape Together.

These tips are taken from https://www.929voice.fm/news/1st-day-christmas-starting-love/ where you can find ideas on how to enact them.

No matter how you celebrate Christmas, whether with family &/or with friends, whether or not you celebrate the spiritual reason for the season, remembering the birth of Jesus, as 2024 comes to an end, Otto & would like to wish everyone a happy Christmas, a wonderful 2025 filled with joy, peace, love and lots of fun & laughter and to thank you for allowing us to be part of this wonderful school community.

I am looking forward to returning again next year to see all your smiling faces, to walk alongside you as you experience the many emotions that make up our lives and ..to start a lunchtime Montello Jigsaw Club.

If you think I can help you and your child in some way or you'd like to chat please leave a message at the school office.

Chaplain Sue  &  Otto the Otter

Chaplain’s Thought

Call for members: Premier’s Youth Advisory Council

Do you know a young person aged 12-24, living in Tasmania and passionate about Tasmania’s future? If so, you can encourage them to express interest in becoming a member of the Premier’s Youth Advisory Council (PYAC) in 2024. There are 12 positions available.

The PYAC is an opportunity for young people to meet with the Premier, Minister for Education, Children and Youth and Government to discuss their ideas on how we can make Tasmania a better place.

All young Tasmanians are encouraged to apply regardless of their background or participation record.

The PYAC has a diverse and inclusive membership where all members feel welcomed, safe, and supported. PYAC members come from different backgrounds, and we encourage applications from diverse young people so that the Council has a mix of beliefs, skills and life experiences,

The PYAC values the unique experiences, knowledge, and skills that its members bring to the group. If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you!

Recruitment is now open and closes on 11:59pm on Monday 27 January 2025.

For more information and to apply,

visit www.dpac.tas.gov.au/pyac or email youthadvisorycouncil@dpac.tas.gov.au or call 6232 7676.

School Holiday Programs

Burnie OSHC

Riverbend Holiday Camps

Community Notice Board

2025 Auskick

2025 NAB AFL Auskick and Superkick Registrations OpenWelcoming all footballers! Whether you've never touched a footy or are an aspiring AFL/W star. Everyone is welcome to attend our fun-filled sessions! Participants will work alongside their peers to develop their skills and learn all things footy!

Click on the following link to find a centre near you:

Kicking off in early March, we can't wait to see you there!

For further information, please contact:

Payton.connell@afl.com.au OR 0488 993 123

Breast Screen Tasmania

Burnie Concert Band Junior Programs

Saver Plus Program

School Holidays & Important 2025 Dates

Department for Education, Children and Young People
Montello Primary School