Dear Parents and Guardians,

It has been a busy couple of weeks with Science Week closely followed by Book Week. Thank you to Ms Batt who set up science activities every lunch time for students to engage in. Everyone loved these interactive experiences. This was closely followed by Book Week activities and displays. Thank you to Mrs Baker and Miss Richardson for organising the displays and themes. It has been a fun week.

Book Week – Read, Grow & Inspire

A big thank you to all our students who came dressed up as a character for our Book Week parade, it was a fabulous day. It is wonderful to see the magic of books come alive with the parade. The weather was not on our side forcing a quick unplanned move to the Multi-Purpose Room to complete the parade. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility with these quick changes.

This week is one of my favourite weeks of the year. It was fantastic to see our students embrace Book Week with wonderful costumes and ideas. Our amazing staff decided to once again unite and come in a Dr Seuss theme with me as Cat in the Hat and all my THINGS to help me around the school! We also had  Kinder Baker dress up as Mr and Mrs Wishy Washy. It was a deilight to see little Red Riding Hoods, Fairies, Sponge Bobs, Cinderellas, quite a few Harry Potters and many more characters come to life. We realise that this is no small effort and without the support of parents it couldn’t happen. A big thank you to everyone who came to watch the parade. Please take the time to walk through the hallway and look at the amazing artwork on display, also see if you can guess the  staff baby photos and catch a glimse of their favourite childhood books.

NAPLAN Results

This week there has been a number of media releases condemning the Tasmanian Education System, connecting everything to NAPLAN Scores. I wanted to take the time to highlight that Punchbowl Primary School is more than NAPLAN tests. Our teachers work tirelessly to provide an engaging and quailty education for your children using the Australian Curriulum to guide planning. We see your child/children shine in their musical and physical pursuits, their learning assets, their cooperative skills and engagement in learning. They are learning to be collaborative kind members of a small community which is more than what is depicted in a NAPLAN test.

NAPLAN is a test that has been developed to measure how students are developing Australia wide. As a school we need to celebrate our achievements in NAPLAN. Our year 3 results for Reading, Writing, Grammar and Numeracy were all above that of similar schools, Tasmania and Australia. In year 5 our students performed above similar schools for Writing , Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation and were closely aligned for Numeracy and Reading.  

We can’t achieve such positive results without the dedication and commitment from our teachers who continually reflect on their practices, undertake professional learning and strive for excellence. It is for this reason that I want to take the time to thank each and every teacher from Kindergarten to year 6, our support staff and leadership team as we work together to strive to improve our results each year.

Open Classrooms

These will be held in week 9 of Term 3. We will have two days available - Tuesday 18^th September (3.30pm – 5.00pm) and Thursday 21^st September (3.30pm - 6.00pm). Parents will have the opportunity to visit classrooms during these times for 20 minutes and share in their child’s learning progress. Approximately four families will be in the classroom at a time where the teacher will faciliate the sharing of learning and progress. Our online booking system will be available from Monday 4^th September for parents book a time on one of these days. For parents with multiple children, we ask that you please book in a time for each child's classroom.

Kinder Enrolments for 2024

A reminder to parents of students who were born in 2019 that it is a requirement to enrol your child in Kindergarten for 2024. We would ask that any parents who are yet to enrol, please do so as soon as possible, as shortly we will be organising groupings for classes.

If you know that you will not be attending our school in 2024, can you please let the office or Principal know in writing as soon as possible as we are beginning to configure our staffing and every number counts.

Sickness

As you have probably noticed we have had a lot of staff away over the last two weeks. Unfortunately, we have had a lot of sickness ranging from Influenza, colds, viruses, and Gastroenteritis. We urge parents to please keep children home if they are unwell. If your child has been sent home with gastro they must stay home until 48 hours from the last time they have a vomitting episode. Over the last week we have up to seven teachers away at a time very unwell, please help us keep everyone well at work and school.

Save the Date School Association Fundraiser – Parent Get Together – Friday 20^th October "Sip & Paint".

We are eager to build parent connections within our school community. If you would like the opportunity to come and meet other parents and friends from our school community, and support our fundraising efforts, please come along. Details are to be found under the School Association section. 

Liz O'Donahue - Principal

Term Dates

• Term 4: Monday, 16^th October to Thursday, 21^st December

                      (Friday, 3rd November – Student Free Day)

On Friday, 4^th August 3-4 Dykman visited their buddy class, Prep Peachey.  The students enjoy catching up with each other and on this visit, the 3-4 students made a balloon dog for their prep buddy.  It was a bit noisy with all the balloon twisting and shaping but the results were excellent, and the Prep students loved their balloon dogs.

There are still families who are not benefitting from the NBN in Northern Tasmania.

The Australian Goverment has committed to the School Student Broadband Initiative and has asked NBN to implement the Government's initiative to provide internet access, via participating internet service providers delivered over nbn's wholesale broadband network.

The School Student Boroadband Initiative aims to boost education opportunities by providing up to 30,000 Australian eligible familes with school aged children (K-12) with free nbn-powered broadband internet at home for 12 months. 

To be eligible for the School Student Broadband Initiate, familes must:

• Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school in 2023.
• Not have an active nbn network internet service at hoem. Having a mobile internet service does not affect eligibilty.
• Be referred by a nominating organisation.
• Live in a premises that can access the nbn network.

Should you wish to apply, please contact the school office and they will forward on your details. 

The 2023 School Satisfaction Surveys are coming!

Every year the Department of Education conducts a School Satisfaction Survey to find out what your child(ren)'s school does well and where it may improve.

We would be grateful if you completed our online survey about Punchbowl Primary School. Your feedback is very important to help us inform our school-planning and decision-making.

The survey is open from Monday 28 August 2023 until Friday 22 September 2023 and should take about 5 minutes to complete.

Take the online survey by clicking this

or pasting it in your browser: https://ncv.microsoft.com/vkrF1MXWk6

The survey is carried out on a secure website and all responses are anonymous and confidential.

All families in this school received the same survey link and no identifying information is collected. A summary of the survey results will be provided to schools. Responses from individuals or small groups will NOT be disclosed to any Department of Education staff.

Please contact your school if you require any assistance.

Thank you for taking the time to fill in this survey.

ICYPOLES AND FROSTY FRUITS

Icypoles and Frosty Fruits will be available for students to purchase each Thursday throughout the year.

Lemonade Icypoles $1.20

Frosty Fruits $1.50

HOT FOOD DAYS

Wednesday 30th August - Sausage in Bread

Wednesday 6th September - Pizza

Wednesday 13th September - Chicken Burgers

Order forms were sent out in the first week of Term 3. 

SUBWAY DAYS

Subway will be avaialbe for students to order via Canteen Hub in Term 3 on the following dates;

Tuesday 19th September

Tuesday 26th September

Please update your child's class when you place their order.

IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR A PERSON TO WORK OR VOLUNTEER AT PUNCHBOWL UNLESS REGISTERED!

If you currently hold Volunteer Working with Vulnerable People Registration,  please bring your card to the school office so we can record your registration.  Teachers will also ask to see your registration prior to initially doing Parent Help, as it is a requirement to carry your card with you at all times. 

If you nominated another organisation in which you volunteer when you registered, unfortunately at present we are unable to check you are registered. Please update your registration status via the below link to update and advise all organisations in which you volunteer.

If you wish to register, please complete the online application via the below link:

http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/working_with_children/application

Are you ready to get out and about to enjoy the best things in life? Buy an Entertainment Membership to support our fundraising and your next adventure could be around the corner. Buy a Membership and Punchbowl Primary receives 20% of the purchase.

To order: https://subscribe.entertainment.com.au/fundraiser/2406h04

Assemblies will be held on the below dates during Term 3 and will commence at 2pm. Parents are most welcome to attend.

During the past few years, we have had many students from Grades 3-6 participate in the annual Primary School Triathlon event at Devonport.  This event is aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle choices to school students, regardless of ability, sporting background or current lifestyle.  Participation and enjoyment are the foundation of this event. Students can opt to participate as an individual, in a team, or both events.

The Primary School’s event will again be held in Devonport on Friday, 24th November.

Once again, this year Punchbowl will not be involved in the event, therefore, will not provide transport or supervision.

This year there is no date clash with Dance Fever performance when our Grade 5-6 students perform in the school performance production.

Should your child wish to participate in the Schools Triathlon Challenge, spare entry forms are available from the school office or printable via www.schoolstriathlonchallenge.com  and returned to the school office along with payment by Friday, 22nd September, 2023.

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Uniforms can be purchased via the school office between 8:30am and 3pm each school day.

If you are unable to visit the office wish to purchase uniform, orders can be placed and payment made via the telephone.  Office staff are happy to assist your child try on clothing if you are uncertain as to what size is required.

Clothing purchased and a copy of receipt will be sent home with your child. 

Long sleeve polo shirts have arrived are are available to purchase from the office for $35 each. 

• Mobile Phones are to be handed into the office at the beginning of each school day.
• Please name your childs clothing as a lot of our lost property is not named.   
• Please remember to bring your water bottle to school each day.                                        
• If your residential address has changed or have a new telephone number, please contact the office to request a change of details form.

• Please notify the office if your child test positive to COVID-19.

If you require any RAT tests please contact the school and we can send some home with your child, alternatively they are available for collection from the school office.

Keeping yourself and others safe

We must all continue to play our part in being COVID safe. While the vaccine is an important measure in our response to COVID-19, it is part of a suite of things we need to do – including maintaining our COVID-safe behaviours:

• Stay at least 1.5 metres away from others;
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water;
• Stay at home if you are unwell;
• Get tested for COVID-19 if you have any cold or flu-like symptoms; and
• Be aware of, and follow, current gathering, business and travel restrictions.
• Practise good hygiene, such as covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands
• If you or your child do get sick, stay at home until symptoms have passed, even if a COVID test is negative

Remember, symptoms include fever, tiredness, cough, headache, sore throat, sniffling and sneezing.

To keep our school safe, we are still:

• continuing with increased cleaning
• making sure there is plenty of soap, sanitiser and tissues available
• applying restrictions to large gatherings of adults and encouraging physical distancing
• requiring visitors to check-in on our sites

For the latest updates on the COVID-19 restrictions in Tasmania and across Australia, visit  http://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au.

The Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) provides assistance to low income families towards the cost of levies for students enrolled in a school from kindergarten through to year 12.

STAS is provided through school and college resourcing rather than payments direct to families.

Applications for 2023 close 7th September 2023.

Eligibility

Parents who have a current concession card as listed below can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS:

• Services Australia – Centrelink Health Care Card
• Services Australia – Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
• Services Australia – Pensioner Concession Card or
• Department of Veteran Affairs – Pensioner Concession Card.

Families who were approved for STAS last year should have received written notification regarding their eligibilty (approved or not approved) for 2023.

Application forms for 2023 are available from the school office. 

To apply for STAS please complete the Student Assistance application form.

For further information please view the Frequently Asked Questions.

Financial assistance

• Families on low incomes who meet the eligibility conditions of the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) will not be required to pay school levies. Grandparents raising grandchildren may also be eligible for STAS.
• Families who are not eligible for STAS, but who may experience financial hardship should talk to the school about payment arrangements and other financial assistance which may help.
• School staff understand that financial matters are highly sensitive, so your questions will remain completely confidential.
• These matters will also be dealt with directly with you and not through your child.
• Your child’s participation in learning will not be affected.

Where can I get more information?

• Talk to the school business manager or principal at your child’s school.
• Contact the Department for Education, Children and Young People, Finance and Budget Services on 1800 827 055 or email stas@decyp.tas.gov.au
• For information on Centrelink assistance programs, contact Centrelink’s Youth and Student Services on 13 24 90 or visit the Services Australia website.

All parents are welcome to attend School Association meetings. These meetings are held at the school and commence at 7pm

Please see below for remaining meeting dates

18^th October

13^th December

Paint & Sip Fundraiser
The School Association are delighted to announce a Paint and Sip fundraiser to kick off Term 4.

Hosted by Paint the Town Red, come along with your friends, sip your favourite beverage and enjoy step-by-step instructions with an experienced and passionate artist, and come together as a school community to raise funds for the playground redevelopment.

No art experience required! Paint, sip and laugh while creating a one-of-a-kind painting that you get to take home!

Date: Fridy 20 October
Time: Doors open at 6:30pm, painting starts at 7pm!
Location: Multipurpose Hall
Cost: Tickets are $50pp, and include all materials.

BYO food/platter, and bar sales available on the night.   

Book tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/CLBYJ

Students  have the opportunity to purchase books via Scholastic Bookclub. Catalogues are sent home throughout the year.

Orders can be placed either via the school office or via the Scholastic website.  If you wish to place an order via the office, please enclose named order and money in an envelope and hand to either the class teacher or to the office. 

Issue 6 is due to the office no later than Friday, 8th September.   

Are you making every school day count?

We are half way through Term 3 already!

As we move through the school year, sometimes regular school attendance can be challenging.

It’s important your child keeps up good attendance habits though.

Going to school every day means your child has every chance to learn, and be around their friends and teachers. Every day adds up, to benefit your child now and in the future.

If you’re having trouble getting your child to school, please talk to us. We’ll listen to your situation, and help in any way we can.

If you’re looking for tips on how to create better attendance habits, visit the Anything can happen website.

Red Nose is Australia’s leading authority on safe sleep and supports research into the causes and prevention of sudden infant and child death.   Red Nose has a range of safe sleeping resources and factsheets for Parents, Health Professionals and Educators.  Fact sheets are available in a range of languages. 

The Red Nose Safe Sleeping Guide for Parents promotes six safe sleep recommendations to help reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy.