SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

A very strong School Association supports our school. In addition, a fundraising committee operates under the umbrella of the Association and works extremely hard to raise money for equipment. Many parents give much time to support school activities which is great appreciated. The Association meets in the school staffroom approximately twice a term in the evening and everyone is invited to attend. Dates will be advertised in the school newsletter.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

 

I would like to welcome everyone back to a new school year, and a particularly warm welcome to our new Punchbowl families.  We have some new teachers working at our school that I would like to introduce.  We welcome Mrs Nicki Airey who has transferred from Mowbray Primary School and she is teaching on the grade 5/6. Mrs Susan Skinner is working part time on the grade 2/3 and Mrs Viv Scott is our new English as an Additional Language teacher. Mrs Cat Marshall has also now permanently transferred from Ravenswood Heights Primary School and is working in both the prep class one day and the 4/5 class for one day. We look forward to continuing to build our collaborative team.

It was great to see so many happy and enthusiastic faces entering the school this week and it has been an incredibly positive and settled start.  Teachers have been getting to know students and developing routines and expectations with their class groups.  If you have not done already, it would be wonderful if you were able to make some time to come in and introduce yourself to your child’s teacher/s.  We really hope to have genuine partnerships working across the school.  

On Tuesday, our teachers undertook a professional learning day on best practice in teaching spelling.  It was a huge day with lots of new learning that I am sure will influence the way our teachers are working in this area.  I look forward to continuing this work with our teachers throughout the year.

 

Mobile Phone Policy

In line with the Education Department of Tasmania’s mobile phone policy students MUST hand in mobile phones and other technology (Ipads, tablets etc.) to the school office at the beginning of the school day.  This is the most central and secure place. Last year a phone went missing from a school bag during the course of the day, as a result our school became a lot stricter as to where phones must be kept during the school day.  This aligns to the Departments new guidelines around mobile phone use in government schools. We thank you for your support in this matter.

  

Communication with teachers
At Punchbowl Primary we strive to have provide every opportunity to have open communication with parents in order to create a safe and happy place to learn.  If your child is having any problems or you would like clarification about events happening please either call or email your child’s teacher.  I am also always available for meetings or calls to help or clarify any concerns or questions that arise. All teachers will be sending home a letter by the end of next week introducing themselves and outlining individual class routines and information.  Teachers will always try to get back to you in a timely manner; however, they are unable to return calls or emails during class times or outside of normal work hours. Keep an eye out for class letters, as teachers will indicate in these letters how you can get in touch with them.

School Uniform

I strongly believe that the manner in which people present themselves has a strong correlation on their approach to the day ahead as well as reflecting the pride they have, in this case, in their school.  It was so wonderful to see every child in school uniform on the first week creating that sense of belonging.

Starting and finishing times

Our school starting time is 9:00am and the day concludes for students at 3:00pm.  Individual classrooms and school entrance doors will be unlocked at 8.30am.  Children are not to be at school before this time unless accompanied by an adult. Prior to 8:30am, teachers and staff are preparing for a successful day ahead and do not have duty of care over students.

At the end of the day, a teacher is on duty at the front of the school (outside the Hall) until 3.15pm, if a parent has not arrived to pick up a child by this time we will bring children to the office area and make a call home.  Please do not tell children to wait outside the office until you collect them, as this is a very busy area.  We really appreciate your help with this.

 

I am really looking forward to an exciting year ahead and working closely with our families.

 

Liz O'Donahue - Principal

On Wednesday, Student Validation Forms were handed to each child in sealed addressed envelopes to hand to their parents for completion and return. This is an annual process that requires all information to be checked carefully, updating of any contact details, emergency contacts, any medical details and permissions by parents/guardians.

Please read carefully the permission box section as this has changed this year before ticking the boxes which are relevent to your child, i.e. your child will not be able to have their photo published, photo taken by the media or permitted to go on excursions.  It would be greatly appreciated if these forms could please be returned to school by Friday, 14th February.  

Thank you

Our school newsletter is called  is distributed electronically fortnightly on a Friday via Schoolzine. Parents will need to download the Schoolzine app (SZapp) to their mobile devices.

The newsletter includes details of school activities and notices of a general nature.  Community groups are welcome to contribute articles or notices.  Activities and notifications will also be posted on Facebook on a regular basis.  Every alternate week a Calendar of Updates/Events will be sent home with the eldest child in each family.

How to install Schoolzine on my device:

Apple devices:
1. On your Apple device, open the App Store
2. Search the App Store for SZapp
3. Download and install SZapp

Android devices:
1. On your Android device, open the Play Store 
2. Search the Play Store for SZapp
3. Download and install SZapp

How do I add a school?

1. Select your region 
2. Type the school's name you want to add
3. Select the school you wish to add

4. Select any group that you wish to recieve notifications from and then tap next

CANTEEN

We do not have a canteen but we have "Special Days" during the year - you will be notified of these in the newsletter when they occur. 

WORKING WITH VULNERABLE PEOPLE

Other - Working with Vulnerable Peoples Registration

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

If you currently have a Volunteer Working with Vulnerable People Registration, could you please bring your card to the school office so that the school can record your registration if you haven’t already done this.  Teachers will also ask to see your registration prior to initially doing Parent Help, so this is a requirement to carry it 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.  Could you please update your registration status via the below link to update and advise all organisations in which you volunteer.

Complete the online application http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/working_with_children/application

BOOK CLUB

We subscribe to Scholastic Book Club and there are about 8 issues per year.  Each child is given a book club leaflet and they select books and enclose order and money in an envelope which is handed to the class teacher and then handed to the office.  Alternatively, orders can be paid for and placed online through the Scholastic website. Dates for handing money will be stated in the newsletter.  If you are placing your order via the school, Issue 1 needs to be given to the office by Monday 17th February. 

ASSEMBLIES

Assemblies will be held on a Tuesdays at 2:00pm and dates will be advertised in the newsletter in the Coming Events Calendar.

SCHOOL BANKING

Banking day will be commence next Tuesday, 11^th February. This is for the children who bank with the Commonwealth.  Children can bring their books and money to their child’s teacher.

LOST PROPERTY

The lost property basket is located near the main office. Please ensure your child’s clothing is clearly named.

LIBRARY

Your child’s teacher will advise when your child can borrow from the library.  Children will be able to borrow from the library each week, providing they have returned previous books.  In the event of books being overdue, parents/guardians will be sent reminder letters, and if no response an invoice for cost of replacement book will be sent home. Library bags are available for purchase from the school office for $10.00 if required.

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

Lemonade Icy Poles    $1.00

Peters Frosty Fruits     $1.20

Students when they commence school are allocated to either Tamar or Esk as their House for our school sporting carnivals.  Students are invited to wear sun safe sport clothing in their allocated house colour at these carnivals,  however, it is not necessary parents purchase clothing in these colours should they wish not to do so. Teachers will advise students of which house they have been allocated to prior to our first carnival.

 

TAMAR – GREEN

ESK – YELLOW

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