Dear Families

The wellbeing of all students at MHPS is important to us.  When students feel safe, supported and connected, they are more likely to engage positively in their learning. 

Students in Year 4 - 12 will be taking part in the DECYP Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey. The survey will help DECYP and individual schools to gain a clearer understanding of our students' current wellbeing, as well as identify opportunities to enhance the support we provide. 

The survey gives students in Years 4 to 12 an opportunity to share their thoughts on their wellbeing and engagement with school.  The more students who participate, the clearer our understanding will be of how they're feeling and what support they may need. 

Students will be asked about a range of topics under the six Wellbeing domains: Healthy, Valued, Loved and Safe, Material Basics, Learning, Participating, and Positive Sense of Identity and Culture.

The details for the survey are:

When: The week beginning 25 August, 2025

Who: Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 students

What do I need to do?: You and your child don’t need to do anything. The survey will be done in class time and will not require your child to prepare in any way.  All responses are confidential and individual students cannot be identified in the results. Participation is voluntary.

A letter with more information is coming home today with all Year 4, 5 and 6 students, including Answers for Parents, and a form to sign and return to the school if you do not want your child to participate in the survey.   

Thank you for supporting us to ensure that all our learners are known, safe, well and learning.

Sharon

Congratulations to the following students who received awards at our last assembly.

Last Friday, Flynn, Tate, Yaqub, Bailey, Payton, Ava, Abel, Jett, Bisan, Eugene, Kee Ling, Austin, Ashim, Ainsley and Matilda participated in the Launceston Sports Exchange - a fun and exciting event where highly skilled students came together to play sport, learn new skills and endeavour to impress coaches and selectors.

Our students showed respect on and off the field, supporting teammates, listening to their coaches, and playing fairly. They showed great courage by giving new sports a go, doing their best, and not giving up if things got tough. Throughout the event, we observed real growth, with students learning new techniques, building friendships, and discovering their strengths.

We’re so proud of every student who participated, and soon we will be able to announce and congratulate those chosen to represent Launceston.

Thank you to all the families for your support, particularly those parents who provided transport for other families.

Josh Leighton - Health and Physical Education Teacher

This week, our top spellers in Year 3 - 6 were invited to participate in the school round of the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee. Students were required to spell 30 words with a time limit of 25 seconds for each word.

Students’ results are ranked according to the accuracy of their spelling and the time taken to spell each word. This first round of the competition closes on 22 August, when we will find out if anyone from Mowbray Heights Primary School has made it into the State final.

All students involved demonstrated courage and persevered with some very challenging words. They did their very best and their efforts were exceptional!

Zoe Galloway - AST

Bootcamp @ Royal Park

Kingball MHPS bye

Netball MHPS v Glen Dhu Primary School

Football MHPS v Glen Dhu Primary School

Soccer Norwood Primary School v MHPS

This week (4–10 August) is Dental Health Week, and this year’s theme from the Australian Dental Association is “Reach Every S-milestone” - a celebration of the key oral health milestones in every child’s journey from baby teeth to big smiles!

As part of this campaign, families are encouraged to focus on four simple but powerful habits that help children maintain healthy teeth and gums:

1. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
2. Clean between teeth daily using floss or interdental brushes
3. Eat a nutritious diet, low in sugar
4. Visit the dentist regularly

Tips for Parents to Support Healthy Smiles at Home:

• Make brushing fun: Use a timer, play a song, or let your child choose their toothbrush to make brushing more engaging.
• Lead by example: Brush and floss your own teeth alongside your child to model good habits.
• Limit sugary snacks and drinks: Offer water and healthy snacks like cheese, fruit, and vegetables instead.
• Schedule regular dental visits: Children should see a dentist by age 1 or within 6 months of their first tooth appearing.
• Use age-appropriate toothpaste: A pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is recommended for children aged 3 and up.
• Celebrate milestones: Acknowledge your child’s progress - like brushing independently or visiting the dentist by celebrating their “S-milestones.”

Further resources, including fact sheets, podcasts, and expert advice from dental professionals are available at teeth.org.au.

Our Year 3-4 classes are going on a guided tour at QVMAG, participating in activities to celebrate Science Week.  This year’s topic is Decoding the Universe - Exploring the unknown with nature's hidden language.  The activities will range from exploring everything from the fascinating patterns found in our natural world and physical science phenomena, through to the hidden maths in art, Aboriginal knowledge sharing, and more.

Students will be travelling on buses and will leave Mowbray Heights Primary School at 9:10 am and will return by 3:00 pm.

Students will need to wear full school uniform and bring a warm jacket. Students will also need to bring recess, lunch and a drink. There will be no canteen orders available.

Excursion dates:

Tuesday 12 August 3-4 Sheedy, 3-4 Boon- Smith, 3-4 Boyle and 3-4 Partridge

Tuesday 13 August 3-4 Uffelmann

Year 3-4 Team

This year’s Book Week theme is “Book an Adventure”. Our school Dress – Up Day will be on Wednesday, 20 August. Think about your favourite books and characters and start planning your costume!

Sharon Rafferty (Library Teacher) & Angela Rose-Eadie (Library Technician)

P&C Committee

Tasmanian primary school students now have free access to StoryBox Library - a fun and educational digital library you can enjoy at home.

StoryBox Library is a subscription-based website and app featuring Australian storytellers reading hundreds of much-loved children’s books. It’s a fantastic way to nurture your child’s love of reading and support their literacy development.

With features like Read-Along, Closed Captions, Auslan stories, and engaging audio-visual content, StoryBox Library is designed to be inclusive and accessible for all children.

How to Access:

1. Visit www.storyboxhub.com or search “Story Box Library” on your device’s app store.
2. Click LOG IN at the top right of the homepage.
3. Enter the school username and password (provided below)
4. Start exploring hundreds of stories - Anytime, anywhere!
   
   

School Login Details
Username: Mowbray_2025
Password: MHPS2025

Please visit the DECYP website or StoryBox website for more information.

MHPS is a Nut Aware school.  We allow nuts but discourage students bringing them to school.  However, lots of products contain nuts or traces of nuts, so our emphasis is on preventing cross-contamination through proper food handling, washing hands, not sharing food and being aware of student allergies.

The following sizes are available in the 2025 Year 6 Short Sleeve Leavers Polos. The tops are $40.00 and can be purchased at the school office. These are the last sizes available and no further orders will be placed.

Our Year 6 students have the option of wearing a Leavers Polo Top.  This is a long standing and special tradition at MHPS. 

Leavers Polo Tops are available in short sleeves ($40) or long sleeves ($45). An Order Form will be sent home with our Year 5 students on Monday 4 August. The Order Form with payment is due at the school office by Monday 1 September.

Jenny Boad - Uniform Co-ordinator