Dear Parents and Guardians,

It has been an exceptionally busy couple of weeks since our last newsletter.  Last week I attended our three day Grade 5-6 camp.  We were fortunate enough to have four wonderful parent helpers and seven staff members attend our camp.  For some students this was the first time they had spent a night away from home, quite a daunting thing for these students who achieved this milestone with the support of teachers and other staff. I am very grateful to our dedicated teachers, teacher assistants and parent volunteers who committed to go on camp with our students. We value the camp experience for our students but appreciate it is a very tiring time for all concerned. A huge thank you to our parent helpers, Shannon, Liz, Stuart and Mel. Along with our teachers, Miss Bodell, Mrs Frerk, Mrs Kaine, Mr Augostin, Mrs Bent and Mr Sutton, without their support and the support of parent help we wouldn’t be able to offer our bi-annual Grade 5-6 camp. 

Esk Band tuition has begun and the corridors are filled with the musical notes of brass and woodwind instruments.   This is a wonderful opportunity offered at our school. If parents of any children are interested in playing the piano after school hours, pamphlets are available outside the office.

Our Prep-1 classes went on their first excursion for the year visiting the Tamar River Wetlands and Tailrace Wetlands.  It was a very big day for our younger students and we were very proud of how well they handled the experiences on offer. Children spoke about the wild life they saw and how exciting it was to see two snakes.  Once again thank you to all our parent volunteers who were an amazing help.

Hot Lunches 

Once again, Michelle Birtwistle has offered to coordinate hot lunches for Term 2 and Term 3.  Hot lunches are held on a Wednesday for students wishing to buy their lunch.  Michelle is seeking parent helpers to help prepare food. I encourage parents to volunteer even if it is only for a few weeks as without the support of our parent volunteers we will be unable to offer this very popular service. 

The will be a NO REFUND policy in place for orders taken if children are sick or not at school on hot lunch day.  The reason for this is that the food for the lunches is pre ordered and as such pre-paid for.  The ladies are not able to exchange the food already purchased.   If children are sick on the day or change their mind we are still unable to return money as this food had been ordered and paid for to our suppliers. We are sorry if this inconveniencies any one, however it is a recommendation from our School Association that this is made clear before hot lunch days are offered.

Easter Raffle

You will have received a letter about our annual Easter raffle, this is a great fundraiser for our school and also an exciting time when we draw the raffle with lots of students hopeful of winning our wonderful baskets. As in previous years we hold a free dress day where in return for dressing up we ask families to donate an item such as chocolate Easter treats, books, or small gift to make up an Easter basket for each class.  Our raffle prizes are drawn on the last day of term.

Late School Pick-Ups

The school works hard to maintain the safety of all children and as such has an area for children to wait for parents to pick up at the end of the day. This area is in front of the school crossing area, behind the yellow line.  The teacher on duty concludes at 3.15pm; please make contact with NCN who offer after school care if your child/children need to stay at school after this time. Children are not to wait outside the office as our staff are extremely busy at this time of the day.

Working with Vulnerable People Cards

Parents who would like to attend excursions, or work in classrooms as parent helpers or coach sporting teams need to have current Working With Vulnerable Registration before they are able to volunteer at our school.  Once registered, all staff and volunteers are required to carry these cards with them at all times and can be asked to show them before going on an excursion or helping at school.  If you have not already done so, please present your current card at the office so a copy can be retained on file.  We appreciate your support with this.

Parent Teacher Conversations

This year we will be trialling an online booking system for our Prep to Grade 6 parent teacher conversations. Parents who are unable to access the booking link https://punchbowlps.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/2, please visit the office between 8:30am and 9:00am next week and staff will be able to assist with your booking.  A letter with more detailed instructions has been sent home with every child this week. Dates for parent teacher conversations will be held from Monday, 1^st April through to Thursday, 4^th April.  Kindergarten parents will have the opportunity to meet with their child's teacher in June.

LSSSA Athletics Carnival 

Congratulations to the students who have been selected to represent our school at the LSSSA Athletics Carnival on Thursday, 4^th April at the St Leonards Athletics Track. Our school will compete between 1:00pm and 2:45pm in Division B. Students will be issued tops before leaving the school.  We wish our team the best of luck!

NAPLAN Testing

NAPLAN testing will be held again Australia wide from the 14^th to 24^th May for students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9.  This year will be the first year that our school will be participating in the online version of NAPLAN. Further information about NAPLAN can be found in this addition of the newsletter. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about NAPLAN testing, please see your child's teacher or Mrs Dean. 

ANZAC Day

Information regarding this year’s ANZAC march and service will be sent home within the next week.  As ANZAC day falls within the upcoming school holiday break, we are seeking an indication from parents as to whether their child will join us on this special day.

Liz O'Donahue - Principal

Naplan Information

Queechy Alliance

Next Tuesday, 26th March we will be holding a Free Dress Day. Normally we would ask for a gold coin donation, but for this free dress day, we ask if children could bring along an Easter related item of choice to be donated towards class Easter Baskets.  The donations will then be divided up into 15 class Easter Baskets.  Raffle books will be sent home next week with every child. As there will be one lucky winner per class, it would be greatly appreciated if all tickets either sold or unsold be returned to your child's teacher. The raffle will be drawn on Thursday, 11th April.

Congratulations

The Tasmanian Brick Enthusiasts Inc. and Brixhibition have invited all Primary School students in the Northern Tasmania area, to compete in an individual and team Lego Competition running in the first term of 2019.  We welcome all students to participate in this Lego building challenge.

Our school will be participating in the Tamanian Premier's Reading Challenge. If your child is interested in participating, they are invited to register between Monday, 18th March and Friday, 5th April. The Premier's Reading Challenge commences on Monday, 29th April and finishes on Friday, 5th July.

Punchbowl Primary School is raising funds. Here's how you can help...

The 2019/2020 Entertainment Book has been sent home with students earlier this week.  If you do not wish to purchase the hard copy of the book, can you please return book to the school office as soon as possible.  Should you wish to order another book 

Click here to order your book online

Icy Pole sales for Grades Prep-6 will be every Thursday during this term.

Lemonade Icy Poles    $1.00

Peters Frosty Fruits     $1.20

Health and Physical Education- NHSSA Girls Football

As part of a new initiative starting this year, the Northern High Schools Sports Association (nhssa) has begun a girl’s football roster. Every Wednesday afternoon the girls play against different local northern high schools. It is a great way to feel part of a team and to gain experience in playing football. Queechy has started the season off with a bang, currently sitting undefeated. A special mention to the students from grade 7 and 8 that have been helping the team every week, your enthusiasm is awesome.

Mothers Day Stall

On Thursday, 9th May the School Association Fundraising Committee will be holding a Mother's Day Stall.  Each class will visit the stall through out the day.