Back to School

Everything you need to know for 2024

Contact Details

Principal: Mr Chad Smit – principal@dcs.tas.edu.au

Head of Primary: Mr Tom Evans – evanst@dcs.tas.edu.au

Head of Secondary: Mrs Alison Moore – moorea@dcs.tas.edu.au


Address:
3 – 11 Jiloa Way, DON 7310

Postal Address: PO Box 44D, DON 7310

Phone: (03) 6423 1373

Email: admin@dcs.tas.edu.au


Staff email addresses:

Communication by email is often the best way to be in contact with teachers and other staff. All staff have a DCS email address using the same formula:

surname first initial @dcs.tas.edu.au

Some examples:
smitc@dcs.tas.edu.au (Chad Smit)
tabitha.kohler@dcs.tas.edu.au (Tabitha Kohler)
cruset@dcs.tas.edu.au (Travis Cruse)

Page Contents

Office Information

At DCS we have two main office spaces, the Central Office, and the Front Office (Reception).
 
Office hours for both are: 8:00am to 4:00pm
 
Central Office
Our Central Office is the main connection point for all current DCS families and students. It is located near the parent parking area, alongside the Jiloa Centre. True to its name, this space sits at the heart of our school and is the place for day-to-day student and family needs.
 
You can visit the Central Office for things such as:
  • Dropping students off late or collecting them early
  • Dropping off student medication
  • Purchasing uniform items
  • Signing in for Parent Help
  • Collecting an unwell student
  • General enquiries for current Primary or Secondary students
 
Front Office
Our Front Office (Reception) is where we welcome visitors to the school, enrolment enquiries and interviews, accept deliveries, and support families and guests who are new to DCS. The Front Office (Reception) can be found at our Jiloa Way entrance, opposite our Visitor Parking.
 

School Times

Primary School Times: 8:30 am start | 3:00 pm finish for K-6
Recess: 10:55 am – 11.25 am
Lunch: 12:45 pm (eating), 12:55 pm – 1.35 pm (playing)
 
Secondary School Times: 8:30 am start | 3:10 pm finish for Secondary
Recess: 10:35 am – 11.00 am
Lunch: 12:55 pm – 1.35 pm

Uniforms & Buses

Uniform Purchases:
Can be made from the office during office hours 8:00am – 4:00pm


Buses:

Kinetic are contracted by the State Government to provide a bus service for students. Any questions regarding bus routes and pick up times can be made by phoning Kinetic on 6427 7626. Maps are also available on their website: https://www.wearekinetic.com/au/devonport-north-west/schools/devonport-christian-school

For 2026 student cash fares are $2.00 per journey. Students catching a dedicated school bus can purchase a sheet of 10 tickets for $16.00.

Parking

The following information will help you understand how we manage traffic flow around school drop-off and pick-up times.

The Kiss ‘n’ Collect Zone is a designated area for parents to come and quickly drop off or collect their children. When using the Kiss ‘n’ Collect Zone vehicles should not be parked for longer than two minutes and parents should not leave their vehicle. If you wish to meet your children inside the school grounds, please park in the allocated spaces along the left hand side of the driveway and opposite Kiss ‘n’ Collect.

If you wish to get out of your car and walk your children in, you will need to park your car using the left hand side parking spaces and the parking spaces on the right hands side opposite Kiss ‘n’ Collect. For the safety of all our students and families, please ensure to use the pedestrian crossings if parked along the right hand side.

Parents are encouraged to inform their students to be collected at either one of these three times as their preferred pick-up time; 3:00-3:10pm, 3:10pm-3:20pm and 3:20pm-3:30pm. This will help to minimise the number of adults on site at any one time as well as aid the flow of traffic. See pick up zones below for the areas students can be collected from.

Students have two different areas to wait at the end of the day; Kiss N Collect, and in the Kinder playground if waiting for a bus.

What do I do if...

The first point of contact relating to your child is the classroom teacher. We have a well-established culture of clear and consistent communication that our teachers establish both inside their classrooms and with home. This results in a positive learning community where we appreciate and value communication.

I want to arrange an appointment to see a teacher?
  • Email the class teacher; OR
  • Send a note with your child; OR
  • Telephone the school; OR
  • Call in at the school office.
I want to follow up about something that happened at school?
  • Always the first contact is with your child’s class teacher.
  • For recurring issues, you can contact the Head of School for support. Mr Tom Evans (Primary) or Mrs Alison Moore (Secondary) support children and positive behaviours across all levels. For Primary Mrs Prue McCulloch (K-2) and Mr Travis Cruse (3-6) are the Deputy Heads of Primary and assist with Primary student matters and support in primary. If you have chatted with your child’s teacher and an issue continues you may contact their Head of School (or Deputy) for supported suggestions. The Heads of Schools will also be in contact with parents at times when situations arise where they may have been needed to provide support.
I need additional support or specialist assessments for my child?
  • For Primary student support, at first speak with your child’s teacher and then communicate with either Primary Wellbeing Coordinators: Mrs Jess Belchambers (K-2) and Mrs Anna De Haan (3-6) or Deputy Heads of Primary Mrs Prue McCulloch (K-2) and Mr Travis Cruse (3-6) who can coordinate support with classroom teachers and ‘Shiloh’ Wellbeing department about the options for support. If you have received or have specialist assessment documents, please pass these to your classroom teacher to have the information communicated with our team to support your child.
  • For Secondary student support, at first speak with either of your class home teachers and then communicate with Head of Secondary, Mrs Alison Moore.
I wish to talk about learning and curriculum?
  • The first discussion is always with the class teacher.
  • If you would like a further discussion or to seek clarification on your thoughts on learning at DCS, you may contact the Level Team Leader or Year Level Leader or communicate a query to the Director of Learning and Teaching, Mr Scott Davies.
I wish to speak with the Level Team Leaders?
Each year level has team leaders supporting the learning within the team. If you have spoken with your child’s class teacher and wish for support about things within a teaching level, you can contact the Team Leaders or Year Level Leaders.
  • Kinder is Lauren Heagney
  • Prep Learning Team Leader is Mrs Prue McCulloch
  • Year 1/2 Learning Team Leader is Mrs Claire Walker
  • Year 3/4 Learning Team Leader is Mr Jesse Dance
  • Year 5/6 Learning Team Leader is Mrs Robyn Angliss
  • Specialist Team Leader is Miss Rebekah Shurley
  • Year 7 Leader – Mrs Mieke Richards (and Mrs Rachel De Bruyn)
  • Year 8 Leader – Mr Marcus Watson
  • Year 9 Leader – Ms Rhiannon Coates
  • Year 10 Leader – Mrs Alison Moore
 
Or you can contact either Deputy Heads of Primary – Mrs Prue McCulloch (K-2) and Mr Travis Cruse (3-6)
 
Or the Heads of School, Mrs Alison Moore (Secondary) or Mr Tom Evans (Primary) or our Director of Learning and Teaching, Mr Scott Davies
I want information about uniforms or the DCS Community

Please contact the Central Office.

I want to make an enquiry re my fees?

Contact the Chief Financial Officer, Mr Ken Clarke by phone on +03 6423 1373 OR email ken.clarke@dcs.tas.edu.au

I want to make an enquiry re buses?
I want to make an enquiry about membership of the Devonport Christian School Association?

Please contact the Principal, Board member OR enquire at the Front Office.

I want to make an enquiry, feedback, complaint or suggestion and do not know who to contact?

Please telephone the school office OR visit the school in person.

I want to make a suggestion about improvements to buildings?

Please make an appointment to discuss the matter with the school Chief Financial Officer, Mr Ken Clarke.

I wish to see the Principal?
  • Contact the Front Office by phone; or
  • Email the Principal Mr Chad Smit principal@dcs.tas.edu.au
  • Call in at the Front Office to make an appointment
I want to contact the Board?
  • Telephone the school; or
     
  •  
  • Write to the Board President care of the school.
I have a concern about anything?

Any person with a query or concern is asked to speak directly to the person with whom they may have the concern. If a resolution is not found, please speak to the Principal who will arrange a meeting between the parties to assist in a process of reconciliation. Should the Principal be unable to bring about reconciliation, the matter can be passed on to the School Board.

Term Dates 2026

Term 1: Wednesday 4th February – Friday 17th April
 
Term 2: Wednesday 6th May – Friday 10th July
 
Term 3: Thursday 30th July – Thursday 1st October
 
Term 4: Tuesday 20th October – Tuesday 8th December