Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope you and your family enjoyed a lovely Easter and holiday break and are refreshed and ready for another busy term.  We have enjoyed a smooth start to Term 2.  It has been great to see students inspired and actively engaged in maths problem solving, sharing their thinking to collaboratively create a poem, talking about the reading strategies they use and painting portraits. What an exciting term ahead with many learning, sport and wellbeing opportunities for our students - Theatre Residency, Cross Country Carnival, Inside Out for Kids, Simultaneous Story Telling Day, Premiers Reading Challenge and Readers Cup.Here is a snapshot of some of the learning that has been happening already in our clasrooms.

It was the highlight of my week to accompany Punchbowl Primary School to march in the Launceston City ANZAC Day Parade on Tuesday.  

Thank you to the students who respectfully represented our school with such pride and to families who supported their child/ren to participate in the event.  A special thanks to Thomas, Maxwell and Indy for laying the wreath on behalf of our school community at the 11am service.

I wish to advise the school community that Liz O’Donahue will return to Punchbowl as Principal on Monday the 15^th of May.  I wish to say a big thank to all staff, students and families for your support and making me feel so welcome whilst I have been in the acting role.   

I wish all you the best for the rest of 2023 and remind students to live your aspirational school motto “Dream, Believe and Succeed”.

Maree Duggan - Acting Principal

Uniforms can be purchased via the school office between 8:30am and 3pm each school day.

If you are unable to visit the office wish to purchase uniform, orders can be placed and payment made via the telephone.  Office staff are happy to assist your child try on clothing if you are uncertain as to what size is required.

Clothing purchased and a copy of receipt will be sent home with your child. 

Every school day matters

Start Term 2 right by making every school day count!

Going to school every day gives your child every chance to learn and grow, and connect with their friends and teachers. It’s where bright futures start and where they’ll benefit the most.

When your child goes to school every day, it helps them to:

• learn better
• find interests
• make friends
• connect with teachers
• be happier
• have a brighter future.

We have lots in store for this term, including <please include your school calendar highlights>.

If you’re struggling to get your child to school, help is available. Please talk to us at school about your situation. We’ll support you, in whatever way we can.

To find out more, visit the Anything can happen website.

ICYPOLES AND FROSTY FRUITS

Icypoles and Frosty Fruits will be available for students to purchase each Thursday throughout the year.

Lemonade Icypoles $1.20

Frosty Fruits $1.50

HOT FOOD DAYS

Wenesday 10th May - Pizza

Wednesday 24th May - Chicken Burgers

Wednesday 31st May - Party Pies & Sausage Rolls

Wednesday 7th June - Sausage in Bread

Wednesday 21st June - Pizza

Wednesday 28th June - Chicken Burgers

SUBWAY DAYS

Subway will be avaialbe for students to order via Canteen Hub in Term 2 on the following dates;

Tuesday 2nd May

Tuesdy 16th May

Tuesday 13th June

Tuesday 4th July

Please update your child's class when you place their order.

The new prices for 2023 are as follows:

6inch & Wraps Lunch Packs

Veggie Delite - $8.00

Ham - $8.00

Roast Beef - $8.50 - possibly not available to order 

Turkey - $8.50

Falafel - $8.50

Chicken Strips - $9.00

Footlongs Lunch Packs

Veggie Delite - $12.00

Ham - $12.00

Roast Beef - $12.50 - possibly not available to order

Turkey - $12.50

Falafel - $12.50

Chicken Strips - $13.00

Assemblies will be held on the below dates during Term 2 and will commence at 2pm. Parents are most welcome to attend.

Monday 15th May - Grades 3 to 6 - Hosted by 3-4 Dykman

Sharing Classes: 3-4 Dykman, 5-6 Airey & 5-6 Marshall

Monday 22nd May - Prep to Grade 2 - Hosted by 1-2 Millen

Sharing Classes: P-1 Wilson, 1-2 Millen & 1-2 Cameron

Monday 19th June - Grades 3 to 6 - Hosted by 3-4 Faulkner

Sharing Classes: 3-4 Faulkner, 3-4 Walkinshaw, 5-6 Hartley/Sutton & 5-6 Spangaro

Monday 26th June - Prep to Grade 2 - Hosted by Prep Stagoll

Sharing Classes: Prep Stagoll & 1-2 Richardson

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

If you currently hold Volunteer Working with Vulnerable People Registration,  please bring your card to the school office so we can record your registration.  Teachers will also ask to see your registration prior to initially doing Parent Help, as it is a requirement to carry your card 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. Please update your registration status via the below link to update and advise all organisations in which you volunteer.

If you wish to register, please complete the online application via the below link:

http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/working_with_children/application

Looking forward to seeing all our Launching into Learning friends this term. All children 0-4 are welcome to attend our sessions.

We are also excited to welcome our littlest learners to punchbowl with a new baby group running fortnightly starting next Wednesday the 3^rd . We begin these sessions with Naomi from Holistic Massage  coming along to demonstrate baby massage.

Please pass on the details if you know anyone in our area that might be interested in coming along to either groups.

Due to many parental requests we have decided to add long sleeve polo tops to our selection of uniforms.  These will be available in all sizing options and we are hoping that they arrive at school for purchase in mid Term 2.  We will let you know once they are available.

Students  have the opportunity to purchase books via Scholastic Bookclub. Catalogues are sent home throughout the year.

Orders can be placed either via the school office or via the Scholastic website.  If you wish to place an order via the office, please enclose named order and money in an envelope and hand to either the class teacher or to the office.   

Closing date for Issue 3 Bookclub orders is by Friday, 12th May. 

• Mobile Phones are to be handed into the office at the beginning of each school day.
• Please name your childs clothing as a lot of our lost property is not named.   
• Please remember to bring your water bottle to school each day.                                        
• If your residential address has changed or have a new telephone number, please contact the office to request a change of details form.
• Please notify the office if your child test positive to COVID-19.

If you require any RAT tests please contact the school and we can send some home with your child, alternatively they are available for collection from the school office.

Keeping yourself and others safe

We must all continue to play our part in being COVID safe. While the vaccine is an important measure in our response to COVID-19, it is part of a suite of things we need to do – including maintaining our COVID-safe behaviours:

• Stay at least 1.5 metres away from others;
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water;
• Stay at home if you are unwell;
• Get tested for COVID-19 if you have any cold or flu-like symptoms; and
• Be aware of, and follow, current gathering, business and travel restrictions.
• Practise good hygiene, such as covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands
• If you or your child do get sick, stay at home until symptoms have passed, even if a COVID test is negative

Remember, symptoms include fever, tiredness, cough, headache, sore throat, sniffling and sneezing.

To keep our school safe, we are still:

• continuing with increased cleaning
• making sure there is plenty of soap, sanitiser and tissues available
• applying restrictions to large gatherings of adults and encouraging physical distancing
• requiring visitors to check-in on our sites

For the latest updates on the COVID-19 restrictions in Tasmania and across Australia, visit  http://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au.

The Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) is now open for 2023. 

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 2023 are available from the school office. 

Term Dates

• Term 2: Wednesday, 26th April to Friday, 7^th July

• Term 3: Tuesday, 25^th July to Friday, 29^th September

                       (Monday, 24^th July - Student Free Day)

• Term 4: Monday, 16^th October to Thursday, 21^st December

                      (Friday, 3rd November – Student Free Day)

Are you ready to get out and about to enjoy the best things in life? Buy an Entertainment Membership to support our fundraising and your next adventure could be around the corner. Buy a Membership and Punchbowl Primary receives 20% of the purchase.

To order: https://www.entertainment.com.au/orderbooks/2406h04

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 committee meets in the school staffroom approximately once a term at 7pm and everyone is invited to attend as all parents are members of the School Association.

Please see below meeting dates for the remainder of the year:

3rd May - AGM and General Meeting

26th July

18th October

13th December