Lifting Literacy with Team Glenorchy

This week Stephanie Brown ran professional learning to support our transition to a structured approach to literacy. The focus this week was on the re purposing of our levelled texts and next week we will be working together to understand how we use decodable readers at school and how they will support your children to read with you at home. Simple, effective, and fun!

Staff continue to attend professional learning this week at Blundstone Arena with expert tutors, Mr Griffith and Ms Alexander attending Word Origins learning and Mrs Reid, Miss Boston, Mr Watson and Ms Young learning more about UFLI. Exciting times!

Stay tuned for news about home reading program that will be accessible for all!

Other initiatives to promote our love of reading include:

• We will be conducting an inquiry into why our upper primary children are not borrowing books from our amazing library.
• We have created a reading room in the round room where children at lunch can relax and read at playtimes.
• Year 2/3 classes attended the Glenorchy Linc for National Simultaneous Storytime, and all children from Kinder to Year 6 attended the dramatic role play of 'The Truck Cat' performed by staff.
• Steph, Michelle, and Susan will be attending the National Conference (ALEA) in July for English teachers so they can provide continued inspiration in our Lifting Literacy priority.

Connection at Glenorchy Primary

Thank you to our families for coming along to our fortnightly STAR values assemblies and special gatherings such as the Storytime performance this week.

Another opportunity to connect with our school community will be our Cross

Countryon Monday 26^th May from 9:30am to 12:40pm with a parent/staff fun run at 10:00am! On my latest fun run I got to meet a special character.

On Monday Mrs Miles and I met with our Federal Representative for Clark, Andrew Wilkie MP who has agreed to come and listen to our Year 5/6 students and inform them about the ways they can use their voice in our community. (Stay tuned).

Don’t forget to come to our termy Coffee Chat with Karen, Mrs Miles and a great group of families, we want to hear ALL voices as we connect Team Glenorchy.

We are concerned at the number of children who are arriving at school very early. Some children are arriving before 7:30. This is not safe. There is no one on duty and no one to help your child if they are hurt or scared. Our Breakfast Club is a safe place and is open from 8:00am. You are welcome to drop your child at the door but we remind you that your child must be prepared to stay in the hall or they must not be dropped at school before 8:30am. Thank you for caring about all our children.

Parents are reminded that drop off and pick up is from the Hull Street loop. 

The Kensington Street car park is for staff and deliveries only.

An Answer looking for a Question with Dr Karl.

At Glenorchy Primary School, curiosity is in full bloom! Our Grade 3/4 (Reid and Watson) students have been honing an important skill—asking open-ended questions that spark rich discussions and deeper thinking. Rather than just asking for yes-or-no answers, they’ve learned how to dig into topics with thoughtful, engaging inquiries.

To put their new skills to the test, the class had the incredible opportunity to pose their questions to none other than Dr Karl Kruszelnicki—Australia’s beloved science communicator and all-around knowledge powerhouse! We met with Dr Karl via Zoom - another new experience for us all!

The students brainstormed questions that would encourage meaningful responses, from mysteries of the universe to everyday science in action. Here are just a few of the gems they came up with:

• Why do we tan when we go out in the sun?
• Why does the world spin?
• Why do we grow most of our hair on our heads? and
• Why do we yawn?

Dr Karl, ever the enthusiastic explainer, took the time to answer the students’ questions with his signature mix of fun facts, mind-blowing science, and infectious enthusiasm. The students were enthralled—hanging on to every word and walking away with even more questions than they started with!

Learning to ask open-ended questions doesn’t just help students become better interviewers—it helps them become deeper thinkers, keen investigators, and engaged learners. We are so proud of our Grade 3/4s for embracing their curiosity and making the most of this inspiring experience.

Stay tuned for more learning adventures at GPS! who knows what big questions our students will tackle next?

Meet the picture perfect members of 2/3 Little-Smith!

Creating these self portraits was a great way to develop a sense of belonging in our classroom and celebrate our similarities and differences.

Whole School Celebration

The audience was not disappointed in the dramatic performances of some of our more adventurous staff members as they took on the roles of the characters in The Truck Cat today in celebration of National Simultaneous Storytime. Our 'budding' actors put their talent, creativity, and enthusiasm on display and treated the entire school to a delightful performance - and they were absolutely fantastic! 

The story came to life with Yacoub and Tinka in their truck, butterflies causing havoc, hot dogs and donuts walking around and all coming to a very happy ending when everyone is reunited and home is found.

And more Simultaneous Storytime!

The children in 2-3 (Crowley and Smith/Little) had even more excitement as the school performance was followed by a walk to the Glenorchy Library where they shared the story again - this time read by Jonny X.

Winter Sports

Our Winter Sports roster for 2025 is officially underway, and what a fantastic start it’s been for Glenorchy Primary!

Students from Years 5 and 6 have hit the field and court with enthusiasm, competing in netball and football matches against neighbouring primary schools. We are impressed with their teamwork, sportsmanship, and school spirit. We couldn't be prouder.

Well done to all our players—keep up the great work!

Come along and have fun at our annual Cross Country. Warm up with the staff as we run the course, showing off our own courage and resilience!!

Family Concert at the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra 

TSO Family Concert coming soon to the Federation Concert Hall. Bring the whole family along to Australia: One Land, Many Stories!

A musical storytelling concert featuring The Kookaburra Who Laughed at the Moon with narrator Gina Rose and other Australian inspired music. All backed by the full Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra! Adults $35 | kids under 17 $15

Thursday June 19, 6pm

Buy tickets and find out more: https://www.tso.com.au/concerts/australia-one-land-many-stories/

Table Tennis

RSPCA Million Paws Walk

13Yarn