Dear Families,

Our Positive Start to the School Year

The school year is off to a great start at Lilydale District School.  Students have settled into their routines quickly, and it has been great to see the engaged in learning and forming strong connections with their teachers and classmates.

Our staff have worked hard to create a positive and supportive environment, ensuring all students feel welcome and ready to learn.  Our new students have adjusted well, with good support from their peers and teachers.

We appreciate the ongoing support from parents and caregivers in helping make the transition back to school a smooth one.  With a strong start, we are looking forward to a productive and successful year ahead. 

A Big Thank You to Our Education Facility Attendants

A clean and well-maintained school makes a big difference, and I would like to acknowledge the hard work of our Education Facility Attendants.  Every day, they ensure our classroom, shared spaces and grounds are tidy, safe and welcoming for students and staff.

Their efforts often go unnoticed; however, they play an instrumental role in keeping our environment clean and safe.  We appreciate the work they do in our school.

Swimming and Water Safety Program

The Department for Education, Children and Young People provides a Swimming and Water Safety Program for:

• All Year 3, 4, 5 students in Tasmanian Government Schools.
• Lilydale District School is paying for all Year 6 students to attend

This program consists of 9 consecutive lessons each year.  It supports our students to become competent swimmers and be water safe.  Our program commences on 24 February and concludes on Friday 7 March.

The program has a strong emphasis on:

• water safety, including boat safety
• using personal floatation devices
• survival swimming
• reach to rescue
• entering aquatic environments safely
• efficient stroke development
• building swimming stamina.

The skills build the foundation for safe participation in aquatic activities.

This year we are offering an Orientation to Water experience for our Year 1 and 2 students.  Students will attend the sessions at the Lilydale Pool 2 afternoons per week for the next two weeks.

Join Us for our Open Afternoon and Sausage Sizzle

We invite all families to our Open Classroom Afternoon, followed by a sausage sizzle.  This is a wonderful opportunity to see what your children have been learning and to connect with their teachers.

Date: Tuesday, 25 February

Time: 4.00pm – 6.00pm

Location:  Lilydale District School

This event has been previously advertised on our Facebook page.

Explore classrooms, participate in activities, and enjoy some food with our school community. 

We look forward to seeing you all there!

NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy)

What is NAPLAN?

NAPLAN is a national assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9, testing essential literacy and numeracy skills.

Subjects Tested:

1. Reading
2. Writing
3. Language Conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation)
4. Numeracy

Key Details:

• When: Conducted annually in March (Term 1).
• Format: Mostly online (except Year 3 writing, which is on paper).
• Purpose: Helps schools, governments, and parents understand student progress over time.
• Results: Schools can use the data to improve teaching practices and address specific learning needs.

NAPLAN at Lilydale District School will commence on Monday, 17 March and conclude on Monday, 24 March.

Warm Regards,

Karen Hay
Principal