10 April 2025

Principal’s Report

What a fantastic start to the school year it has been at Montello Primary! From the very first day, there has been a real sense of positivity and connection across our school. The strong relationships being built between students, staff, and families have set the tone for a wonderful year ahead. Our focus on the DECYP values—and our school values—of connection and respect has been at the heart of everything we do, and it’s been incredible to see how these are being lived each day in classrooms, the playground, and beyond.

A key DECYP and school priority this year is improving reading outcomes for all students. At Montello, we are committed to implementing evidence-based practices through a structured literacy approach, to ensure every student develops strong foundational reading skills. We are a few years into our journey now and the results are very pleasing. Progress reports have been sent home recently and staff will be communicating progress regularly throughout the year through reports, evidence of learning or parent/teacher meetings. Please reach out to your child’s teacher via SeeSaw or in person if you would like to talk.

A huge congratulations to our student leaders, who did an amazing job presenting our first whole-school assembly of the year. Their confidence and leadership set a wonderful tone for the term. They’ll also be representing Montello at the Anzac Day Service at Burnie Park during the school holidays. Norah, one of our school captains, has been selected to read a poem during the ceremony, and Norah and Maddix will lay a wreath on behalf of the school. I encourage families to consider bringing their children along to the Burnie Park service on Friday 25 April, and to have a conversation at home about the importance of Anzac Day, in addition to what has been discussed in classes. 

We were very proud of all the students who represented Montello at the recent North West Inter-Primary Athletics Carnival and Twilight meet. A special mention goes to Xahlia and Zander, who not only performed strongly at both of these events but have also been selected to compete at the State Championships in Launceston. We will be cheering them on!

Our students also did a brilliant job at the North West Chess Tournament held at Ulverstone Secondary College. Montello finished an impressive second overall, and Bryon took out second place individually—a fantastic achievement and a great reflection of the strategic thinking and focus of our students.

We have a staffing update to share: Emma Short will be heading to Burnie High School in an acting role for Terms 2 and 3. She will be returning to Montello in 2026. Everyone at Montello wishes her all the best in her new role. In her absence, Ange Flanagan from the office will be taking on the School Business Manager role for the remainder of 2025. We know she will do a great job supporting the leadership team and school community.

As we head into the school holidays, I want to wish all of our families a safe, relaxing and joyful break. I hope there is time for some rest, family, and maybe just a little bit of chocolate. And hey—here’s hoping Carlton finally gets their first win over the break… we live in hope (well I do)!

I’m so proud to be the Principal of such a fantastic school. Thank you for your continued support and for being part of the Montello community.

Dion McCall
Principal

Key Dates for 2025

April

Monday 7^th - Friday 11^th
Prep - 2 Swimming

Friday 11^th  
Last Day Term 1

Monday 28^th  
First Day Term 2

May

Monday 5^th  
Mother’s Day Stall

Wednesday 14^th May  
Cross Country  

Wednesday 21^st May  
Madagascar Performance Excursion  

Tuesday 27^th May  
Inter-Primary Cross Country 

Friday 4^th July  
Last Day Term 2   

Term 1 Merit Award Winners

Class Snapshot

5/6 Kookaburras

This term in 5/6 Kookaburras, we’ve been busy exploring decimals! We’ve learned how to add, subtract, convert and represent decimals in lots of different ways. In our most recent project, we turned our names into decimals!

In Art, we’ve been experimenting with perspective. Check out our vanishing point aquariums and geometric shapes — we had lots of fun bringing 3D illusions to life on paper!

3/4 Kangaroos

Here are some shots of the 3/4 Kangaroos making connections in the classroom 😊

Children’s University

Sports News

School Athletics

At the end of Week 3, we held our School Athletics Carnival, with students from Prep to Grade 6 giving their all in a full day of running events, novelty races, and of course, the competitive House chants.

The points were incredibly close throughout the day, but in the end, it was Waratah who came out on top with the highest points—a big congratulations to all Waratah students and well done to all students who participated on the day.

Thanks to the many great performances on the day, the NWPSSA Athletics Team was announced, and selected students went on to represent our school in the Inter-Primary Athletics Carnival in Week 5.

The Grade 3/4 team, accompanied by Miss Locke, Mr McCall and Mrs Hurst, and the Grade 5/6 team, accompanied by Miss Locke, Mr McCall and Mrs Stephens, travelled to the Penguin Athletics Track to compete against other schools across two very hot and challenging days.

Our students gave it their all—cheering, competing, and proudly representing our school. Some students placed in their heats and progressed to the Semi-Finals later in the day. A special mention to those who stepped up to try field events such as Shot Put and Long Jump for the very first time. Many came close to placing—well done for your courage and effort!

At the end of the event, we had two students—Xahlia Rogers (Grade 4) and Zander White (Grade 5)—who both placed in their 100m Semi-Final, and qualified to compete in the Twilight Finals.

On the Thursday evening (13^th March), both students ran in incredibly close races in their final. Xahlia finished an amazing 2nd, and Zander came a strong 5th. What a fantastic effort from both of them!

And the excitement doesn’t stop there—we’re very proud to announce that both Xahlia and Zander have been selected for the State North-West Athletics Team. They have commenced training with the team and go on to compete in Launceston in Term 2, representing our school at the state level.

Robyn Locke
PE Teacher

Ticket to Play

The key objective of Ticket to Play is to increase the number of young Tasmanians participating in sport and active recreation.

Vouchers can be used toward the cost of club membership or registration fees at Tasmanian sport or active recreation organisations who are listed as an approved activity provider. Click here to search for Approved Activity Providers.

House Tally

Scooter & Bike Rules

Driveway Safety

Please don’t walk down the driveway. Use the pedestrian walkways at either end of the school.

School Newspaper

Our 5/6 PPP School Newspaper Group have been hard at work this term preparing the very first edition of the Montello Times! Students have done an amazing job preparing stories and doing interviews and the finished product is top quality! Well done to our budding journalists.

Launching into Learning

Chaplain’s Chat

Amazing that  first term is already over & Easter has come around again. I hope you all have a wonderful time however you spend it. For many it will be a special family time maybe with trips away. For some, Easter symbolizes the renewal of life. For some it will be all about the chocolate!! For some, the spiritual reason for the season will be important, remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus. If you look up towards the Upper Burnie look out on Good Friday or Easter Saturday you may see the 3 crosses shown  in the accompanying photo.

I plan to spend time with family, see the sun rise @ the sunrise service on West Beach on Easter Sunday, play board games & eat chocolate.

During the rest of the holidays, I'll be helping in the kitchen @ Riverbend Camp & doing A2B training which is about helping group members get from A2B.

This term Inside Out 4 Kids ran one "Change, Grief & Loss" program for one student who loved it & said they would do it again if they could.  If you feel your child would benefit from being part of either an "Understanding Worry" or a "Change, Grief & Loss" group please contact me or your child's teacher.

Our Montello Gr 3/4 Puzzle Club has started well with students working on 100, 150 & 200 piece puzzles. It has been great to see the students' enthusiasm & the teamwork displayed by them. Some students are puzzling for fun & relaxation while others are keen to improve their speed. We have also just started the Gr5/6 Puzzle Club. I am hoping that a team of 4 students will be able to attend the Tasmanian State Jigsaw Puzzle Competition in Launceston on May 17th where they will have 2hrs to complete a 500-piece puzzle.

@ Montello Primary Wednesday Lunch Times

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

Kitchen News

It was fantastic to see everyone when I returned after an extended break in week 5. Lots of students had many great stories to tell about what they have been up to while I was away.

It sounds like the chocolate fudge we made at the end of last year was a hit, not just with students but with parents too, as I heard from a lot of children that Mum or Dad ate my fudge, ha-ha! One group of students even told me they couldn’t wait to eat some, so they tricked the relief teacher into letting them have some at school!

Thank you to Alison for cutting and bagging it all up. It was a mammoth task.

 Since it was enjoyed so much, I have attached the recipes below, it only takes about 5 minutes to make using the microwave and you can buy chocolate in bulk from the frozen food place in Camdale for a reasonable price.

I have made the most of lots of fresh fruit being available now by buying as many different kinds as possible for students to try. Plums, nectarines, peaches, pomegranate, dragon fruit, honeydew melon, starfruit and of course watermelon - which is always a favourite.

We started out with tasting the fruit, comparing textures and colours, smells and flavours. I was very proud of all the students who tried new fruits even if they thought they might not like them. We talked about how good fruit is for us and that children should try to eat 2 serves every day.

The second time the students came to the kitchen this term we made fruit slushies. Each group got to choose which fruit they wanted in their slushie. They were delicious.

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In the 5/6 PPP Kitchen group we are focusing on making dishes that students can easily make at home. We have been using the fresh vegies from our school garden as much as possible. Tomato and vegetable pasta was a favourite, and Mr McCall gave us a great recipe for tomato, zucchini and bacon soup which was delicious and went really well with the garlic and cheese bread students made.

I am looking forward cooking up some tasty treats next term.

Enjoy your holidays,
Lisa M.

Recipes

Fudge

White Chocolate Fudge

Mother’s Day Stall

Chess Club Tournament

11 Students participated in the first Chess Club Tournament of the year over at Ulverstone Secondary School last Friday.

Montello Primary performed exceptionally well and represented Montello fantastically.

Our results were 2^nd overall with Byron Reeve taking out 2^nd place in the individual section.

Special thanks to Jonty from Black Square Chess who comes to Montello every Friday to train our chess champions.

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Class Snapshot

Kinder Puggles

Burnie Library – April Highlights

Community Notice Board & Holiday programs

Discovery Early learning Holiday program

Slipstream Circus Holiday Program

School Holiday Footy Program

Karen Young – Psychologist

CHaPS Healthy Kids

2025 Term Dates

Department for Education, Children and Young People
Montello Primary School