Double trouble for teachers as 11 sets of twins prepare to start kindergarten
Teachers will be left seeing double when students return next week, with more than 10 sets of twins hitting southern Tasmanian classrooms for the first time. SEE THE CUTE VIDEO >>
Education
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- Identical twins make for twice the fun on first day of kindergarten
- ‘We are seeing double everywhere, sometimes triple’
TELLING siblings apart will be an extra challenge for teachers when these 11 sets of twins start kindergarten in southern Tasmania this week.
Two schools – Snug Primary and St Aloysius at Kingston – are lucky enough to be receiving three sets of kinder twins.
“In 2016 it was a huge year for TasMBA (Tasmanian Multiple Birth Association),” said the association’s president Allison Young.
“We may well have a burst after COVID as well.”
Jack Brown, 9, said he was excited to have his four-year-old siblings, Henry and Lily, joining him at St Aloysius.
“It’s the last year for me on this campus so it’s exciting. It will be fun because I get to see them more,” Jack said.
Ava and Ben Pregnell, 4, are among the six twins joining Snug Primary.
“One of the kinder teachers has grown-up twins, so she’s quite experienced,” their mum Karen Pregnell said.
“I’m excited for Ava and Ben, they’re ready for school, but it’s always a bit sad when your youngest goes off to school.”
Mrs Young said some of the twins had known each other from birth.
“Many of these mums met and have been friends since (their children’s) birth, having spent a lot of time in hospital due to premature births,” she said.
Julia March’s children, Ella and Lucy, 5, are among two sets of identical twins heading to Howrah Primary School.
“Both sets are going into the same class. Lucky teacher!” Mrs March said.
“They will have different coloured clips, so everyone can tell them apart and they’ll definitely let everyone know if they get it wrong.”
Proposal that could solve their lunch box woes for good
BACK-to-school week can be a stressful time for parents, particularly when it comes to packing lunch boxes each day.
Many would jump at the chance to do away with the challenge of creating something healthy, which complies with schools’ waste-free and nut-free guidelines and that their children will actually eat.
Head of Tasmania’s School Canteen Association Julie Dunbabin wants Australia to follow the lead of the US, UK and other countries in providing a government-funded school lunch program.
“Australia is unusual in that it is one of the few developed countries to not have a school lunch program,” said Ms Dunbabin.
Having studied other countries’ lunch programs during a Churchill Fellowship tour in 2019, Ms Dunbabin plans to make a business case to the state government to roll out sit-down shared lunches in public primary schools.
The model was trialled for a month at Richmond and Warrane primary schools and Triabunna District School in term four last year, with incredibly positive results.
SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM AIMS TO REPLACE THE LUNCH BOX
“They found the children were able to concentrate and learn because they had tummies full of nutritious food,” Ms Dunbabin said.
“The parents were very happy and fewer children were sent to the front office for bad behaviour because they didn’t have the sugar rush from what they had eaten at lunchtime.”
At Richmond Primary, where the community-run vegetable garden is helping to teach students about healthy eating, mum and teacher Allison Scott said the free lunch trial was a huge success.
“It was the best feeling not having to pack a lunch and the kids got to try so many different foods,” she said.
Ms Dunbabin said the two-course lunches could be delivered for up to $5 a student each day including labour, with parents who could afford it chipping in and the rest government-funded.
“That sounds like a lot but it’s such a small amount compared with creating some lunch boxes and the costs associated with chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity and heart disease,” Ms Dunbabin said.
The trial schools easily met the challenge of cooking with at least 50 per cent local produce.
“The most popular meal was the pasta bolognese and the children loved the stewed fruit with yoghurt or custard. They really loved the chicken curry and pumpkin soup, but the minestrone soup wasn’t as popular,” Ms Dunbabin said.
The schools allowed 20 minutes for eating.
“Normally kids get five minutes at best, so they either gobble their lunch down, which isn’t great for their digestive system, or they don’t eat it because they don’t want to miss out on play,” Ms Dunbabin said.
“The children learnt social skills and the teachers reported that children who were fussy eaters were eating what everyone else was.”
Optimism in the air as students prepare for new school year
SCHOOL returns for Tasmanian students this week, with a sense of optimism that 2021 will be relatively free from the disruptions that plagued last year’s learning.
Private and Catholic schoolkids return on Monday while most public students return from Wednesday, including more than 4000 who are starting kindergarten, more than 4000 starting high school and more than 4000 starting year 11.
“We are pleased to welcome back students across all sectors of education in Tasmania, along with our dedicated teachers, principals, leaders and school staff,” Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said.
“Last year certainly saw many unexpected challenges, but our school communities showed incredible resilience to overcome the unusual circumstances presented by COVID-19.”
From term 1, arrangements are in place at public schools allowing parents and carers to visit for meetings, events, presentations, assemblies and volunteering.
A department spokeswoman said that included carers dropping-off and collecting children from classrooms.
“Venue density and physical distancing of adults on school sites is required in line with Public Health advice and, on this basis, parents and carers are requested to limit their time spent on school grounds,” the department said.
Increased cleaning and sanitiser stations will remain in place on campus and schools will keep a record of all adult visitors.
This year another nine Tasmanian schools are offering year 11 and 12 classes as part of the government’s extension program, which is now running in 56 schools.
Those starting the extension this year are Brooks, Cosgrove, Montrose Bay, Queechy, Riverside and Exeter high schools, Bothwell District High School, Woodbridge School and the school in the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
Mr Rockliff has previously said he looks forward to receiving a proposal from Taroona High School soon to extend to Years 11 and 12.
Katrina Brazendale, of Bothwell, whose son is starting year 8 at the local district high school, said the extension to Year 12 was a great opportunity for the community.
“I think it’s really positive for the rural community, particularly given a lot of students travel in to Bothwell from places like Miena,” she said.
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