Dear Families,

We have had a fabulous week at Punchbowl Primary School and there was a definite buzz of excitement as our new playground equipment was completed and our students  accessed this area for the first time!

 After announcing on Wednesday morning, at a special line up, that our Prep-2 students could be the first to try the equipment there was a race to get there! 

As I stood watching the joy on our children’s faces I also heard some delightful comments;

‘This is amazing’, 

‘ I wouldn’t know how to climb if it wasn’t for this playground’

 ‘l love this so much’,

‘ this is the best playground in the world’

'I want to stay here all day’

 ‘I think I am brave’

Our special thanks are extended to Mrs O’Donahue, Mrs Shaw, Mr Symes and the Sturdybuilt team for all their work in relation to this project. Thank you also to our students who had input into the plans last year and to our students who have waited so patiently for this to be completed.

This initiative would not have been possible however, without the financial support provided by our Punchbowl Primary School Association (PPSA) who very kindly donated $20 000 to this project. We are extremely grateful.

I have inserted a link so you can enjoy some photos of our lovely new playground.

This week we were also very excited to have Chess Club taking place in our muti-purpose hall. This was led by an expert coach from Black Square Chess and 20 players enjoyed learning about different strategies and moves. We are now preparing for the Schools Chess Tournament which is taking place later in June. We have some amazing Chess players!

Other highlights this week have included Hydro Education joining our Science classes, Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, Esk Band students sharing their music in Kinder, about 30 families participating in our Lil program, 2  teams competing in the Futsal Titles  and much practising taking place for the Readers Cup and the Launceston Competitions.

It is such a pleasure to be in a school that offers such a wide range of valuable opportunities for our students. Thank you to our staff who make these experiences possible.

I would like to also invite parents to please send to the office, details of any special events that your child has been involved in, out of school. It is important that we acknowledge and celebrate all of our students’ achievements.

I wish everyone all the best for the remaining half of our term!

Jane King - Principal

2024 Term Dates

• Term 2: Monday 29^th April to Friday 5^th July

Friday 7^th June – Student Free Day

• Term 3: Monday 22^nd July to Friday 27^th September

• Term 4: Monday 14^th October to Thursday 19^th December

Friday 1^st November – Student Free Day

A reminder to families that mid-year reports will be distributed on Friday 21st June.

The report will show your child’s learning achievement on a 9-point visual scale for students in Years 1 to 10 (and for Prep students at the end of the year).

The 9-point scale shows where your child’s learning achievement is against the expected standard for their year level.

There will be no teacher comments in the report. This term parent/teacher conversations will be offered in Week 9. These conversations are a great opportunity to discuss how your child is progressing with their learning as well as any concerns that you or the teacher may have.

We strongly encourage all families to make an appointment to see their child’s class teacher.

For more information about reports: · School Reports FAQs - Prep to Year 10 (education.tas.gov.au)

· Understanding the 9-point scale (education.tas.gov.au)

· Visit the Department’s website at: School reports - Department for Education, Children and Young People (decyp.tas.gov.au)

The safety of our children at the front of our school has continued to be an issue this term.

We all need to work together to ensure that this is a safe area for everyone.  We are still seeing cars parking in the drop off zone, U turns being made in front of the school and children getting into cars with doors opened on the traffic side, rather than the footpath side.

We now also have a new sign that arrived this week that more clearly indicates our Drop off and Collection zone-hopefully this will help to improve the safety in this area.

Meeting dates for 2024 are as follows and will all be held at 7:00pm:

19^th June

31^st July

11^th September

23^rd October

4^th December (TBC)

Queechy High School

All assemblies commence at 2pm in our Multi-Purpose Room.

Monday, 3rd June - Grade 3-6 Assembly - Hosting: 3-4 Beckett-Butler & Sharing: 5-6 Marshall, 3-4 Jones-Sutton & Esk Band.

Tuesday, 4th June - Prep-2 Assembly - Hosting: Prep Peachey & Sharing: 2 Richardson & 1-2 Cameron.

Monday, 1st July - Grade 3-6 Assembly - Hosting: 5-6 Airey & Sharing: 5-6 Spangaro & 3-4 Walkinshaw

Tuesday, 2nd July - P-2 Assembly - Hosting: 1-2 Cameron & Sharing: 1-2 Millen & P-1 Wilson

We look forward to you joining us!

State Athletics

Following the LSSSA Athletics Carnival, 5 students were chosen to represent our region following their fantastic results; Emerson H (100m), Jack G (100m), Mia E (100m), Hamish (Long Jump & 400m) & Cooper (Long Jump).

Cross Country

Bailey S represented Punchbowl Primary School at the recent Northern All Schools Cross Country Championship. Bailey S won the U11 age group. Well done to Olivia P who also competed. Students are invited to represent Punchbowl Primary in the remaining Northern All Schools Cross Country Series. Further details at newsteadathletics.org.au.

Tas Little Athletics also have a Cross Country Series, please visit Home - Cross Country North Little Athletics Tasmania (xcnorth.au) for more information.

The Tasmanian All Schools Cross Country Championships is on the 18^th June

Futsal

Liam Alcorso has been selected to represent in the Australian Futsal team touring the Philippines. He was selected for the team following his participation in National Futsal events, including the School Futsal titles. Congratulations!

Winter Sports

Many Winter sports have begun their rosters; Futsal, Basketball, Soccer, Netball and AFL. Many Punchbowl students are involved in local sporting clubs. I am enjoying students reporting back to me, detailing how their teams are progressing and how they are performing individually.

Cross Country

Kinder to Grade 2 students braved the first chilly morning of the year to complete their Cross Country fun run on Tuesday 21^st May. They enjoyed pushing themselves and covered varied distances and circuits around the school boundaries. Thank you to Miss Bennett for her excellent commentary and our Grade 6 Daily PE Leaders who were a fabulous help to ensure students did not get lost and enjoyed the ‘bubble patch’ to run through.

Grade 3-6 students were also challenged at our recent 3-6 Cross Country event held in Punchbowl Reserve on the 15^th May. It was pleasing to see the many happy faces enjoying the undulating courses set in our scenic reserve. We are very lucky to have this natural bush environment within close proximity to our school. From the results of this event, a team has been selected to represent Punchbowl at the upcoming LSSSA Cross Country Championships at the Windsor Community Precinct in Riverside on Thursday 6^th June.

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 2024 will be open mid November

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 2024 will be available from the school from mid November. 

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.

Alternatively, parents/guardians who have not applied for STAS previously (and do not have an existing STAS file) can apply online for STAS 2024 at Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) or simply Google STAS to be taken to the link.

Letters advising of STAS approval (or otherwise) will be posted to all families with existing files in the STAS database in mid-November.

If a parent/guardian has received STAS in 2023 and wishes to add a new/additional student to their STAS record they simply need to email their name, the student’s full name, date of birth, school, and grade in 2024 and we will add them to the existing STAS file.

For queries please contact stas@decyp.tas.gov.au