Dear Parents and Carers

We have now had three weeks with students back on site.  It has been wonderful to see the positive interactions between students after a prolonged absence.  Thank you for your support with our ‘drop off and go’ and ‘collect and go’ procedures for the beginning and end of the day. Many parents have commented on the time-saving to their usual morning routine.  Importantly, students of all ages have adapted extremely well to the new morning procedures, confidently moving directly to their own classroom, organising themselves for morning tasks and settling happily into the day’s learning.

As a school hand hygiene still remains a priority. I have spoken to some families where children are experiencing sore hands from washing and hand sanitizing.  We have recently purchased sensitive hand wash and placed it in each classroom.   If you know your children is experiencing problems please get them to bring a product from home that does not react to their skin or we can encourage students to use our sensitive skin products.  We are still mandated to keep regular hand washing and sanitising processes in place. Another thing to remember is we are unable to share food at school and as such sadly, we are unable to have shared birthday food at school.  We know this is disappointing; however, classes will happily sing happy birthday and make a child feel very special on the day.

By the beginning of next term we hope to be able to offer 5/6 sport again, along with some interschool competitions, at this stage the advice is that there will be no spectators in attendance.  The Education Departments is advising schools on procedures for excursions and larger group gatherings.  As information and procedures are advised, we will let you know.  I thank you for your patience. 

Reporting to parents

As you would have noticed, we were unable to hold our Term 1, parent teacher meetings due to COVID-19 restrictions.  The Education Department has advised that teachers from Prep – Year 6 will be required to communicate to parents about where students are currently at for English and Maths and what the next steps in their learning will be in these areas. There will also be a short comment on student wellbeing in relation to how your child has returned to school. Punchbowl Primary will do this via a short summary report, which will go home to families on Friday 31st July.  As our Kindergarten students have not been at school for very many days, they will receive their report later in the year.

Enrolments 2021

We are now taking enrolments for 2021, children born in 2016 are eligible to enrol for Kindergarten.  If you know anyone looking for a kinder placement that lives in our area please encourage them to think about making an application for enrolment soon as spaces are filling fast. Students need to be 4 years old by the 1^st January, 2021. 

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Congratulations to Riley Medcraft who was presented with a prize by the Minister for Education, the Honourable Mr Jeremy Rockliff MP for his efforts to date with the Premier’s Reading Challenge.  Along with the Minster for Education in attendance was Hawka the Hawthorn mascot and David Cox (Hawthorn - State Manager), Riley was randomly chosen and presented with a Hawthorn membership and a Hawthorn cushion as a prize. We encourage all students to make sure they are having a go and reading their books!! If you need any more information about the challenge, please email your child’s teacher!

Kind Regards

Liz O'Donahue - Principal

Welcome to Kings Meadows High School.  Grade 7 enrolments are now open for 2021.  Please contact the school to express your interest on 6343 1000.

Please click the link below to view our video:

https://youtu.be/Zibe5rFnjfA     

Grade 6 Parents/Guardians

Transition to Kings Meadows High School will be a little different this year due to COVID-19.  That said, we are fortunate that the majority of our communications have been digital for some time.  We continue to modify how we communicate information to ensure that everyone, regardless of location, can engage in the transition program.  We will include more virtual tours (like the one shared here), videos of teaching and learning in action and ‘Live’ events accessible across a number of digital platforms.    

Please complete the intention to enrol at Kings Meadows High School Grade 7, 2021 form to ensure your details are recorded for future communications about the transition to High School.  This form is also an opportunity for you to record the names of three friends you would like your child to have in their class.  Please discuss with your child the names of their three friends before completing the form. 

Grade 7, 2021 Intention To Enrol Form

https://bit.ly/IntentionToEnrolGrade72021

• Mobile Phones are to be handed in to the office at the beginning of each school day.

• Esk Band is now held on Wednesdays and not Tuesdays.

• Icy Pole sales are on Thursdays at lunch time - $1 for a lemonade icy pole & $1.20 for a frosty fruit icy pole.

• We have someones lego still at the office form the Brixhibition competition.

• 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.

Thank you to everyone that supported our Footy Colour/Sports Day the students had a fantastic day.  A big thanks to the Student Leadership Board for organising some football activities at lunch time, our students had lots of fun.

Share your story

The Department of Education would like to capture stories and experiences through this very unique time,  and would greatly appreciate parents and carers participate in a survey about how Punchbowl Primary School managed during the COVID-19 crisis. We want to capture these stories to ensure that we are able to learn, celebrate and grow from this experience.  Please take the time to click the link and share your experience.

Please share your story by visiting: www.education.tas.gov.au/our-learnings

Last term, due to COVID-19 many students were unable to return library books to school. Unfortunately, as a result many students have been not permitted to borrow any library books until their overdue books have been returned. 

It would be greatley appreciated if you could please search your home for any library books or home readers which may belong to the school and return them as soon as possible. 

Thank you!

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.

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. 

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. 

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

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.

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

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

Launceston PCYC will reopen on June 15 as part of a staged recovery plan.  Due to social distancing and number restrictions, not all activities will restart at the same time.  We have been contacting participants in first stage activities, which includes Senior Gymsports, Olympic Weightlifting, Fitness Classes, Tai Chi, Yoga, Nippers & Tyro, Coding and Drawing.  More activities will come 'on line' over the coming months.

First stage does include the opening of our Weights Gym, however bookings are essential.  All activities have maximum numbers of 20 people.  If we reach capacity, you wont be allowed to participate until the number of people reduces.  Please call 6344 2411 or email info@pcyclaunceston.org.au to book your spot.

We are also now accepting bookings for parties and groups - with maximum numbers applicable as stated by the Tasmanian Government - currently 20 people and this should increase from July onwards.  Don't forget, you get the booked room to yourself!  Rock Climbing, Trampolining, Zorb Balls, Indoor Sports all available.

We have been developing our Covid-19 Safety Plan and every staff member has responsibilities for regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, to ensure maximum safety for our members.  This Safety Plan also details the following:

• Get in, Train, Get Out

Anyone attending PCYC must adhere to our new policy of 'Get in, Train, Get Out'.  This is in line with Australian Institute of Sport Rebooting Framework and discourages socialising, use of change rooms and 'hanging around'.  Please come ready for your class or training and leave once you have finished.  No spectators please.

• Don't come if you're unwell

If you have any symptoms, including runny nose, fever, cough or headache, STAY AT HOME.  We encourage anyone experiencing symptoms to get tested for Covid-19.  Do not attend at the Club if you have had symptoms in the last 72 hours or have been in contact with a known or suspected case of Covid-19

• Download the CovidSafe app

Launceston PCYC supports the use of the CovidSafe App and encourages all members to download the app.

• Adhere to Social Distancing and Hygiene practises

Maintain 1.5m between others.  Use hand sanitiser before, during and after training.  Use sanitising wipes provided throughout the facility to clean equipment before and after use.  Do not exceed the maximum numbers in toilets or changerooms.  Showers are currently not available at PCYC - please shower at home.

We are really looking forward to seeing everyone really soon.  If you have any questions about your activity restart date, please don't hesitate to contact our lovely reception staff info@pcyclaunceston.org.au 

Kind regards,

Launceston PCYC

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