Start Smart Tasmania

20/10/2026

Meet Dusty, our Reading Dog in training!

Dusty is a miniature groodle who loves people, cuddles and being part of the action! He’s busy learning all the things he needs to know before he is ready to spend time with students at Start Smart Tasmania.

The idea is simple: sometimes it’s easier to practise reading with a canine audience. Dusty won’t mind if a word is tricky, a mistake is made or a sentence needs to be read again. He’ll be happy to sit quietly, enjoy a cuddle and listen.

We can’t wait until Dusty is ready to meet our students and become part of the Start Smart Tasmania team!

29/09/2026

A great initiative from Code Read to promote awarenesss of dyslexia. Check out our Tassie landmarks!

This October, Tasmania is lighting up red for Light It Red for Dyslexia Awareness 2026! With 11 landmarks across the state joining the campaign, we’re shining a light on dyslexia and helping to build greater awareness, understanding and support.

As Tasmania’s landmarks glow red, let’s use this opportunity to start conversations, encourage early identification and highlight the importance of the right support at the right time.

Keep an eye out for the landmarks lighting up across Tasmania this October, show your support and help spread the message.

https://codereadnetwork.org/campaigns-and-events/light-it-red-2026-for-dyslexia-awareness/

𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲. 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭. 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫. 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝.

22/09/2026

Now taking bookings for our Dyslexia Awareness workshops.

07/09/2026

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26/08/2026

What a legacy — using her success to help generations of children discover the joy of reading. RIP Dolly.

12/08/2026

An amazing opportunity for any dyslexic students in Grade 6!

🎉Our FOURTH Dyslexia Empowerment Camp is Here! 🎉

Calling all Tasmanian Year 6 students with dyslexia and their parent or caregiver!

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend at the beautiful Spring Bay Eco Resort on Tasmania's East Coast, where you'll connect with other families, build confidence, learn new skills, and celebrate the strengths that come with thinking differently.

What’s included?
✅ Kids' workshop: Entrepreneurs & Innovators
✅ Parent workshop: Advocating for Your Child with Dyslexia
✅ Fun shared activities including surfing, painting and weaving*
✅ Accommodation, meals and activities included
✅ New friendships, fresh ideas and lasting memories

This camp is specially designed to help students prepare for the exciting transition to high school while empowering the whole family through connection, learning and support.

⭐️ Saturday 19th to Sunday 20th September
⭐️ Just $60 per family
⭐️ Includes one child and one parent/caregiver
⭐️ Spring Bay Eco Resort, Triabunna
⭐️ Places are limited and priority will be given to new participants.

Whether you're looking for practical strategies, a supportive community, or simply a fun weekend away with people who understand your journey, this camp is for you!

Register early to secure your place at events.humanitix.com/empowerment-camp-september-2026

💙 Learn 💙 Grow 💙 Connect 💙 Thrive 💙

09/08/2026

A post for teachers this morning from Five From Five, a project aiming to improve children's literacy by promoting evidence-based reading instruction. They are offering a great, FREE series of online seminars. Check them out via the link.

Five from Five offers seven free professional learning seminars. They are available either as scheduled webinars that anyone is welcome to attend or, when available, schools can book a presentation for whole staff professional learning either as a videoconference workshop or, depending on location a...

07/08/2026

As World Breastfeeding Week 2026 comes to a close, we'd like to pause for a moment to reflect.

Throughout this week we've celebrated breastfeeding, shared evidence-informed information, and acknowledged the remarkable work that mothers and babies do together every day.

Breastfeeding journeys are rarely identical. Some are straightforward, while others bring unexpected challenges, changes or difficult decisions. Every journey is shaped by a mother's love, care and commitment to her baby.

Whether you breastfed once, for a few weeks, many months or many years, whether you reached the breastfeeding goals you had hoped for or your journey looked different from what you had imagined, we honour the love, time and care you gave your baby.

Thank you for allowing us to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week with you. 🤍

06/08/2026

World Breastfeeding Week 2026 – Day 4

Breastfeeding may be between a mother and her baby, but no one should have to do it alone.

The support of partners, family, friends, workplaces and communities can make a real difference to a family's breastfeeding journey. Sometimes that support is practical. Sometimes it is emotional. Sometimes it is simply someone listening without judgement.

Supporting breastfeeding isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating an environment where mothers and babies feel valued, encouraged and able to ask for help when they need it.

This World Breastfeeding Week, let's celebrate not only breastfeeding mothers, but everyone who quietly supports them along the way.

🤍 Behind every breastfeeding journey is a community that can help it flourish.

04/08/2026

World Breastfeeding Week 2026

When people think about breastfeeding, nutrition is often the first thing that comes to mind. But breastfeeding also supports the development of the mouth and face.

Feeding at the breast requires babies to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing while using the muscles of the lips, tongue, cheeks and jaw. These early movements contribute to the development of oral function and help build the foundations for later feeding, speech and breathing.

Like every aspect of child development, many factors influence how a baby's mouth and face grow. Genetics, health, environment and everyday experiences all play a role. Breastfeeding is one of those experiences, supporting development in ways that extend well beyond nutrition.

This World Breastfeeding Week, we're celebrating the many ways breastfeeding helps babies grow, develop and connect.

🤍 Every feed is about so much more than milk.