Dear Parents and Carers,

It is hard to believe that we are heading into week 4.  This term is extremely busy as we prepare for major events and end of year functions such as our Grade 6 Leavers Dinner and Celebration Evening along with planning for 2020.

As the year comes to an end the excitement builds for our Grade 6 leavers. Along with this we find we need to review our expectations and reinforce our value of respect.  As a staff, we have been discussing this and developing a clear understanding of what we all value about the respect at Punchbowl Primary School. We have decided to concentrate on three main elements for the remainder of the year. 

Speaking respectfully to adults (no back chatting)

• Listen to the teacher first
• Follow fair and reasonable instructions
• Be an active listener
• Accept decisions, thinking about others points of view
• Show empathy and remorse
• Take responsibility for your behaviour

Be respectful with materials

• Return equipment
• Use equipment as intended
• Not damage school or others personal things
• Clean up their own mess
• Ask the teacher/ or peers permission before using something that doesn’t belong to them

Listen respectfully (no talking over others or out of turn)

• Put their hand up if they want to talk
• Let others finish
• Actively listen to someone else speaking before responding
• Make eye contact with the speaker
• Allow others time to think before adding to the conversation
• Understand that some people need more ‘think time’

All teachers will be highlighting the value of respect and encouraging students to uphold this value at school.

Basketball Weekends

Over the last two weekends we have had Grade 3/4 and 5/6 teams representing our school in the Primary Schools Basketball Tournament. I was able to watch a few of the games last weekend and it was so great to see our students try their absolute hardest.  A big thank you to Mrs Dean for her organisation and coaching along with the many parents who took the time to manage and coach teams along with our active and vocal supporters. 

ESK BAND

There will be some changes to the costings with regard to Esk Band for 2020 and we will be sending a letter home with all previous Esk Band participants and all students in Year 2 to 5 to gauge interest and our future capacity to offer this option at our school.  Esk Band has been a wonderful experience for students who have chosen to participate; children have learnt to play woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.  On a Tuesday morning tutors come to our school to teach small groups of instrumental sections.  The tunes that float through our corridors on a Tuesday morning are a delight to listen too. I would encourage anyone interested in continuing or joining to please read the Esk Band letter sent home which details the costs and program offered.

STUDENT FREE DAY

All state schools in the North have a Professional Learning Day allocated to them on Friday, 1st November. Our teachers will be working on our school’s Strategic Plan and participating in professional learning on our clusters new instructional model.  The following Monday, 4th November is a Public Holiday, so we look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday, 5th November. 

SCHOOL HOURS

We are noticing that a number of children are arriving at school very early and often before the school is open (8:30am).  All school doors are not unlocked until this time and students should not be on the grounds without a parent or carer to supervise them.  Teachers are working in their rooms before this time and as such there is no duty of care for children prior to 8:30am.