Dear Parents and Carers

It has been absolutely wonderful to hear the laughter in our playgrounds, see the smiles on your children’s faces and watch the learning occurring in classrooms around the school.  Schools are designed to have children in them and we are all extremely happy to see our school at capacity once again.  A huge thank you to our parents for your support and understanding with the restrictions in place with the beginning and end of the day procedures.  We are getting better at this every day and the traffic congestion is easing with the two collection times. 

KINDER 2021

Can you believe it!

We are currently seeking enrolments for next year’s Kindergarten classes.  If you have a younger child at home and they will be turning 4 years of age by December 31^st (year of birth 2016).  Please contact the office on 6344 1382 or via email punchbowl.primary@education.tas.gov.au so that an enrolment form can be sent home with an older sibling or mailed.  It would be greatly appreciated if you know of any other families that live in our area who have young children currently not attending school, please encourage them to make contact with the school regarding enrolment or our Launching into Learning (Kickstart) program.

ESK BAND

The Department of Health has advised that Esk Band can continue with tuition during school hours as long as COVID-19 guidelines are in place.  At this stage, Esk Band tutors are planning to recommence lessons at school on Wednesday, June 9th (please note the change of day). Please remind students involved to bring their instruments with them to school.

 ICY POLES

Our Grade 6 Student Leaders have asked if they can continue to sell Icy Poles as part of their fundraising initiatives. Icy Pole sales will commence Thursday, June 4^th.  As they come individually wrapped, students can purchase and consume at school. Sales will be held on Thursday’s each week, Lemonade Icy Poles are $1.00 and Frosty Fruits are $1.20.

BOTTOM NETBALL COURT REDEVELOPMENT

Over the holiday period, we were able to complete some much-needed work on our bottom basketball court area including the cricket nets. This area has had a wonderful make over and has been resurfaced with artificial turf which makes it much safer.  This project was a direct result of a Local Schools Community Grant with funds contributing towards the costs. This area is now one of our most utilised play spaces and will become even more sort after when the oval becomes too damp to use.

Thank you.

Kind Regards

Liz O'Donahue - Principal

AFL IS BACK! SLB will be holding a Footy Colours Day on Thursday, June 11th.  Dress up as your favourite footy team for a gold coin donation.  On the day,  SLB members will be hosting football stations around the school for you to try some footy activities.  Please note that participation isn't compulsory. 

The planning for transition of our 2020 Grade 6 students to high school has begun.  This week you should have received a letter to complete informing us of your ‘Intention to Enrol’ for high school, as well as an information booklet about Queechy High School.  Our two main feeder schools are Queechy High School and Kings Meadows High School although we understand that some students wish to attend other local high schools.  Where students can enrol depends on their address and location to the school zone, information about school zones can be found at;

 https://www.education.tas.gov.au/about-us/school-directory/school-intake-area-maps/  

To help with us with assisting this process we ask that you complete the form ASAP and return to the school office. At this stage we are awaiting information from the high schools in relation to parent evenings and school visits.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child attending high school in 2021 please contact Bec Frerk via email rebecca.frerk@education.tas.gov.au.

We have a lego design sitting in the school office waiting for its owner.  If this is yours could you please collect it.

Thank you. 

The lost property baskets are located near the main office and outside 5/6 Frerk/Sutton.

Currently we have a lot of clothing that is not named in these baskets, so it would be greatly appreciated if all parents could please ensure their child’s clothing is clearly named. 

Esk Band is still currently linked to the CANVAS page in our school.

The program will hopefully resume after the June long weekend, but may be possibly held on a different day.  As soon as we receive confirmation we will let you know.

For students playing reed instruments, new reeds (at no charge) can be collected from Barratts Music.  

All invoicing has been placed on hold and further information regarding this will be made available later in the year.

Esk Band will recommence at school on Wednesday, June 9th. 

Entertainment Memberships are here! You can support Punchbowl Primary School buy purchasing yours today – and you can choose to activate it now or wait up to 6 months.

https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/2406h04

With many businesses offering takeaway, you can still use your Membership and benefit from many offers, as well as discounts at places including Woolworths, Dan Murphy’s, Big W.

https://www.entertainment.com.au/Member%20Information/Takeaway/Australia/Launceston

From the commencement of Term 2, 2020 all Tasmanian Government Schools from Kindergarten to Year 12 will need to implement restrictions on the use of mobile phones by students at school. The Minister for Education and Training announced this policy in November, 2019.

Kindergarten to Year 12 – “Off and away all day”

The decision to restrict the use of mobile phones by students during the school day will support schools to minimise distraction from learning and encourage healthy and positive personal interactions.

The policy has been developed in consultation with schools, School Associations and students.

From the start of the school day to the end of the school day, students must have their mobile phones switched off and handed to the school office to be safely stored. All communication with students during the school day must go through the school office.

This policy applies to all students, unless they meet the requirements of an approved exemption.

Exemptions may be considered where students require the use of their mobile phone for educational adjustments, monitoring health conditions or other extenuating circumstances. There may also be instances where teachers permit students to use their mobile phones for educational purposes.

If you would like to discuss an exemption for your child or have any questions about the policy please contact Elizabeth O'Donahue. 

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. Normally, School Association meetings are held in the school staff room approximately twice a term in the evening and everyone is invited to attend. 

Proposed School Association Meeting dates for 2020 are listed below.  

• 22nd July - AGM followed by General Meeting
• 9th September
• 28th October
• 2nd December

Due to the current COVID19 pandemic unfortunately there will be no Hot Food lunch days in the immediate future.

As a school we are trying to reduce our carbon footprint on the world by reducing the amount of paper we use.  One of the ways we can do this is by relaying information to parents via digital platforms i.e. Schoolzine, Facebook, Email, Telephone and Class Dojo.

It has come to our attention that some parents were not receiving information relayed via Schoolzine other than the fortnightly newsletter, as their individual devices may have not received a notification that we had posted some information.  This information can be found in Schoolzine "Feed".

We apologise if you are not feeling informed, and encourage you to contact the school should you have any queries or concerns.

Thank you

Message for Parents

If you have not already received your 2020 School Levy Refund, please forward an email to stas@education.tas.gov.au which includes parent's name, student's name and grade, school and description of your query.  The Student Assistance division will make contact with you to provide a resolution.

The Tasmanian Premier’s Reading Challenge for 2020 is underway. The students have been challenged to make reading a part of their day and read 10 books in 10 weeks.

The challenge finishes at the end of the term, so there is still time to participate if you haven’t started yet. All you need to do is record the ten books you read and give the information to the teacher.

If you have completed the challenge, let your teacher know so that you can receive the certificate from the Premier and go into the draw to win a prize.
Happy reading!

Miss Jupp
AST

https://premiersreadingchallenge.tas.gov.au/Documents/2019_PRC_Reading_Log-type_into.pdf

Icypole sales will recommence next Thursday, 4th June.

Lemonade Icy Poles    $1.00

Peters Frosty Fruits     $1.20

Primary School Sports Tasmania is kindly paying for students of their association schools to participate in the Great Australian Cross Country (GACC). Parents are required to register their child if they wish to be involved, you do require a code.

As we are still unsure of the road ahead we would be encouraging students to register and participate in this event.

If you wish to register please contact Mrs Bent for the code. 

please head to https://gaccc.com.au/ for further details.

https://gaccc.com.au/?fbclid=IwAR14Qz8rZzsgCkV46KXv_uaPiEe-3gP4yUti_xtEFz2zVK79QFk1H4e0APQ

What is GACCC?

The Great Australian Cross Country Challenge is a “virtual race” meaning you still go for a run (or walk), but you can choose where and when. It can be outside, on a treadmill, you can do it with your family or friends (within social distancing guidelines of course!).

The Specifics

Cost – Punchbowl is a registered school  you will just need to enter the PROMO CODE supplied by the school.

When – You can start running and recording your results from May 15 – Aug 31 2020. Race as many times as you like, submitting your best results.

Where – On any surface you like – sand, grass, footpath, roadside, back yard, treadmill etc. (when choosing where, make sure you discuss this with an adult that is caring for you).

How does it work?

Register – To register for GACCC head to gaccc.com.au. When completing your registration, add the PROMO CODE supplied by your school.

Run/Walk – Run, walk, roll or stroll your way through your age division distance, using your mobile phone or watch to track your distance and time.

Record – Visit the Results Hub at gaccc.com.au to upload your results and see where you’re coming in your region, state and around Australia.

The link is on the canvas page and you can register in your house groups too if you like.

The PROMO CODE is TASSIEXC

Student Late Arrivals and Early Departures through Pencil Entrance

To limit the number of adults on site our school gates will be locked at 9am and reopened at 3pm, all students arriving late to school to enter through Pencil doorway entrance, sanitise their hands and sign in.

If you child needs to attend an appointment is needs to be collected early, please contact the school office prior to collection time and we will endeavour to have your child waiting at the office for you collect them.

It would be greatly appreciated if all students could please bring their own drink bottle to school as the water fountains are temporarily disconnected for health and safety reasons. 

Uniform Sales

If you wish to purchase any uniform items for your child, to limit the number of adults we have on site and congestion in the main corridor, we would greatly appreciate orders and payment via telephone.  Clothing purchased and a copy of receipt will be sent home with your child.  Office staff are happy to assist your child try on clothing if you are uncertain as to what size will require.

Public Health advice is clear – it is safe for schools to be open. This is because we have a low rate of Coronavirus (COVID-19) community spread in Tasmania and there has been increased and expanded testing. To reduce the risk even further, schools have hygiene and physical distancing measures in place.

While it is safe to send your child/ren to school, we still need adults to maintain a distance from other adults, whilst on site.

To help us with adult physical distancing, we are asking all parents/carers to:

• Stop, Drop/Collect and Go’ for all drop offs and pickups. This means please remain in your car and we will direct your child/ren to your car.
• If you need to talk to your child’s teacher, please call the school office on (03) 6344 1382 or email your child's teacher

We want to make school as safe as possible for everyone. Feel free to ask questions if you require any further information. These things won’t be forever, but we all have a shared responsibility to act in a way that supports everyone being safe.

More information is available on the Department of Education website: www.education.tas.gov.au

See the COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD situated in the walkway outside P-1B Millen classroom for all upcoming community events