Dear Families,

It is hard to believe that we only have one week of Term 2 remaining!

It has been a wonderful term, and we have so many things to celebrate. These include; our participation and success at the Launceston Competitions, our very successful Grades 3-6 and Kinder- Grade 2 Cross Country Carnivals, National Simultaneous Story Time and the wonderful treasure hunt for the Blue Bowerbird’s nest, the BMX Bike Trick Show, the introduction of a Chess Club pilot program, the All Schools Cross Country event, the Inside Out program for our Grades 3-6 students, Readers’ Cup, the Interschool Netball Carnival, Esk Band visiting our Kinder classes, our ongoing Buddies visits, and very excitedly the completion of our new playground equipment!

Whilst these activities have been taking place our students have continued to be engaged in our quality teaching and learning program.  Every day our skilled teachers, ably supported by our Teacher Assistants, provide a range of learning tasks and challenges for our students. Our goal is always to ensure that our children can do their best and truly thrive in our environment.

This week has provided an invaluable opportunity for you to meet with our teachers and to have a conversation about your child’s learning. It has been a special time for each student’s achievements to be celebrated and future focuses to be identified. I would like to acknowledge all the work our teachers have undertaken, particularly over the last two weeks, in preparing for both our Mid-Year Reports and our Parent Teacher Conversations. It has been a very sucessful week and a sincere thank you is also extended to our parents for joining us for these discussions. It has been delightful to have almost all of our families represented.

This week, with so many of our parents on site, it has been a reminder that, as parents, you are one of our school’s greatest resources. We have such a wide range of parents in our community with differing skills, passions and interests. Therefore, next term we are going to be extending an invitation to any parents who may be interested in sharing their knowledge or skills with our children, to be  included on our Parent Resource data base. Please look out for this in Term 3!

Finally I would like to recommend to you a parent session that is being held next Tuesday, July 2^nd at  Riverside Primary School. One of Australia’s foremost experts in cyber safety, Susan McLean, is presenting a session entitled, ‘Growing Up Online’. There is no cost to attend this event but you do need to register online. As parents and educators this a very challenging area and Susan is an extremely knowledgeable and engaging speaker.

Finally I would like to let you know that Mr Pat Symes, who has been our acting School Business Manager, for the past two terms, will be leaving our school at the end of Term 2. We have enjoyed working with Pat very much and we have greatly appreciated the work that he has undertaken during this time. We will miss Pat very much and wish him all the best for his new appointment at Waverley Primary School.

Next week is our final week and we are hosting our Grades 3-6 Assembly on Monday and our Prep- Grade 2 Assembly on Tuesday. Both assemblies commence at 2.00pm. Please feel very welcome to join us.

As the end of term approaches very quickly I wish you and your children all the best for a safe and happy break.

Jane King - Principal

Futsal

Two Punchbowl teams competed at the Futsal School Championships held at the end of May.  Our Grade 6 team consisted of Jasper, Cooper, Isaac, Angus, Bray, Jonathan & Liam. The boys enjoyed success and arrived undefeated at the grand final, before succumbing 2-1.

Spencer, Henry K, Henry T, Flynn, Billy, Marcus & Amir made up the Grade 5 team. These students experienced a tough pool but finished off with a high score of 9-0 win in a play off for 4^th.

Thank you to the parents that organised and supported student participation at this event.

Cross Country

Twenty students represented Punchbowl proudly at the All Schools Cross Country at Symmons Plains on the 18^th June. In cold but dry conditions, students in Grades 3-6 bravely lined up amongst fields of over 220 students from all around the state to tackle an undulating and varied course beside the race track.

Congratulations team Punchbowl; Henry F, Samara, Tilly, Flynn, Aaron, Merrick, Spencer, Henry K, Ruby L, Addison, Matilda, Jacinta, Alfie, Bailey, Levi, Millie, Opal, Ella M, Ellie R & Hazel.  

Well done to Bailey who placed 4^th in the Grade 3 Boys event. Bailey also took out the U11 Northern All Schools Cross Country Series.

Netball

Well done to Jorja, Kate, Polly, Leni, Poppy K, Isla, Willow, Nicole, Amy & Nikaylah who recently participated in the first ever Primary Schools Netball competition last week.

They showed fantastic determination and sportsmanship to make it to the grand final. Thankyou Taleah, Nat and Mrs Frerk for your time and support.

Soccer

Congratulations to the Launceston United Lion Cubs that won the state U9 division 1 competition at Devonport last weekend.  This team includes Alfie, Alex, Albie and Levi. Showing great team work and dedication.

Orienteering

During Term 2 in HPE, students took part in Orienteering activities. This included exploring navigation, problem solving, map reading and teamwork.

Thank you to Eleanor from Orienteering Tasmania for sharing her knowledge. 

Permanent orienteering courses are available at our local Punchbowl Reserve as well as; 

• Heritage Forest Invermay (Launceston)
• Heritage Forest Mowbray (Launceston)
• Riverbend (Launceston)
• Royal Park (Launceston)
• Tailrace Park (Launceston)
• Windsor Precinct (Launceston)
• visit https://tasorienteering.asn.au/get-involved/try-a-permanent-coursefor more information. 

AFL Tas

Thank you to Luka & Maddison from AFL Tas who have spent the last two weeks at Punchbowl, supporting our students to develop their handball, kicking, game play and reaction skills.

For students interested in more AFl fun - In Term 3, AFLTas are holding after school sessions on Wednesdays from week 1. Visit play.afl to sign up or gain more information.

Term 3

During Term 3, Prep-6 students will prepare for the return of the LSSSA Dance Event. Schools in Launceston will come together at the Silverdome on Tuesday September 10^th to showcase a range of dances that we will master throughout the term.

The Swimming & Water Safety Program will occur in Weeks 7 & 8 for students in Grade 3-5.  

E-SAFETY RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND CARERS

As parents and carers, you play an important role in protecting your child from harm in the digital world. Thankfully, there are many resources available to support your child to safely navigate this world and educate them to avoid harmful online experiences.

Online resources include advice sheets, home learning and family activities, webinars and videos to help you talk with your children about online safety.

Here are just two recommended eSafety resources for further information and support:
· eSafety Commissioner Australia – https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents
· ThinkUKnow Australia – https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/resources-tab/parents-and-carers

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

31^st July

11^th September

23^rd October

4^th December (TBC)

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

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!

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

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