Dear Parents and Carers

At our last assembly, we acknowledge the value of Aspiration by taking time to present certificates to all our students who participated in the Australian Mathematics competitions.  Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions and venue density arrangements we were not able to invite every parent to this assembly.  Often I think we are quick to celebrate our sporting achievements and individual students that excel in this area which is why I took the time to acknowledge and celebrate academic achievement. Each child that received a certificate needed to meet a high level of mathematical achievement throughout the year to participate.  A huge congratulations to Aya, who not only won the Best in the School but also received a High Distinction.

Swimming Carnival – 18^th November

As mentioned in our previous newsletter we will be holding our Grade 3-6 Swimming Carnival on the Wednesday, 18^th November at the Riverside Pool. After speaking with the Pool Administration, under their COVID plan, we are now able to allow one parent per family to attend the carnival.  Parents will be restricted to a roped off area only, are not able to access the student area at any time and must socially distance within this area.  It is important to note that parents are able to purchase food from the kiosk for their own personal consumption; however, they are not permitted to buy food to take over to children, as this forms part of the Riverside pool’s COVID plan.  We are fortunate enough to be able to hold this event and invite parent spectators, for which we are incredibly grateful.  Please follow and adhere to the directions of the Riverside pool staff when entering the venue as they have gone to considerable effort to support parents watching.

A reminder that students are required to either wear a rash vest (encouraged) or wear their school t-shirt in between events in line with our sun safe policy.

LSSSA Swimming Carnival – 27^th November

Unfortunately due to the number of different schools present, the LSSSA carnival is still not able to host spectators.  Schools are required to physically distance and due to the number of students participating, having extra adult spectators is not possible.

Basketball Weekend

Last week our Grade 5-6 teams competed in the Northern Primary School’s Basketball Tournament.  We had four teams compete and all students should be incredibly proud of their teams effort and resilience throughout the games.  Congratulations to every team on their results and a particular congratulations to 5-6 Dean Girls who won the girls Division 2 final. A big thank you Mike Lyndon, Lauren Taylor, Adrian Dean, Ms Dykman and Mr Sutton for volunteering their time to coach and manage teams. Also to Mrs Dean who manages all the organisation that goes with this event. This weekend we have four Grade 3-4 teams participating.  I look forward to watching a few games this weekend.  Best of luck to all competitors.

Water Bottles

The weather is getting hotter and I am surprised with the amount of students coming to school without drink bottles as well as students still wearing their jumpers and jackets all day at school.  There is no need for students to bring or wear a jacket or jumper on hot days.  Please make sure students come to school with a drink bottle that they can refill with water throughout the day.

Sunscreen

Students are reminded to regularly apply sunscreen throughout the day.  If your child has skin allergies and possibly allergic to different brands can you please make sure you send the sunscreen to school that suits their individual needs.

NAIDOC Week

This week our school has recognised NAIDOC week in many different ways. Heath and our SLB held a flag raising ceremony on Monday morning. Classes have also attended a virtual excursion through the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery- First Nations in Tasmania. We were also lucky enough to have Bonnie Starick, one of our parents, come and share her knowledge of Aboriginal culture including how to count in palawa kani and sea shelling. Our students were also lucky enough to create their own sea shell necklaces. A huge thanks to Bonnie for giving up her time to share her culture.

Happy Gardeners

You may have noticed that are school garden beds are looking green and lush!! We have had lots of helpers working in the gardens preparing them for summer planting. We have had some kind donations of dwarf fruit trees and seedlings and we are looking forward to being able to harvest the fruits of our labour in the not too distant future. It is great to see students helping with the watering at recess and lunchtimes!

Theatre Residency

This week, Amanda and Daniel from Launceston Youth Theatre Ensemble have worked with all our classes Kinder – Grade 6. The sessions have had a focus on the value of Courage, especially putting yourself outside of your comfort zone. The students have all really enjoyed the experiences offered.

Remembrance Day

On Wednesday, the SLB participated in the Remembrance Day Ceremony held at the Launeston Cenotaph. They presented a wreath on behalf of our school. Lily and Eloise ran a small ceremony for our school where we observed a minute’s silence. Our students should be commended on how respectful and reflective they were during these events.

Kind Regards

Liz O'Donahue - Principal

CHRISTMAS STALL

We are excited to be planning a Christmas Stall at the school on Monday, 7th December for students in grades Prep to 6.  Kindergarten students will have the opportunity to purchase gifts the following day.

Students will be able to buy small gifts for family and friends priced between $1.00 and $3.00.

The money raised will be used by the School Association to purchase equipment and resources to be enjoyed by current and future students.

We are seeking volunteers from the school community to craft and create some gifts to sell at the stall. Items could include potted seedlings, handmade ornaments, gingerbread, lolly jars, candles, scrunchies, bath bombs etc.

Costs for materials can be reimbursed or made as a donation towards the fundraising effort.

Please contact Frith at frithmabin@gmail.com if you would like to help out, many hands make light work!

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. 

The Department of Education (DoE) has released updated government primary and combined (district) school intake areas, to apply from Term 1, 2021. These updated intake areas will only apply to families who enrol a child in a government primary or combined (district) school for the first time from Term1, 2021.

This means that for parents with children already enrolled in our school, the updated intake areas do not apply to your family. If your child has a brother or sister who hasn’t started school yet, they can still enrol at our school.

Our school’s updated intake area map can be found here https://publicdocumentcentre.education.tas.gov.au/Documents/Punchbowl-Primary-School-Intake-Area-from-2021.pdf.  This map is the same as the Proposed Map released by DoE last year in stage two of the Intake Area Review consultation process.

Why do we have intake areas?

Intake areas ensure that every Tasmanian child can enrol at a high quality government school close to where they live. Attending a school close to home helps children feel part of their local community. Intake areas also help ensure schools have the facilities and staff to best support their students’ learning.

Where to get more information?

If you would like more information about our school’s intake area, or help finding out whether a particular address is within our intake area boundary, please contact us directly.

Alternatively you can contact Learning Services Northern Region: phone 6777 2440 or email Learning.Services.NR@education.tas.gov.au) 

To limit the number of adults on site our school gates will be locked at 9am and reopened at 2.50pm, 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.

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

The Department of Education recently announced that we would be expanding the Student Assistance Scheme for 2021.

A set of Frequently Asked Questions has been developed to assist with any questions you may have. 

Parents who have a current concession card as listed below can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS:

• Services Australia – Centrelink Health Care Card
• Service Australia – Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
• Services Australia – Pensioner Concession Card or
• Department of Veteran Affairs – Pensioner Concession Card.

Please note that if you are already receiving student assistance you do not need to complete a form.

For 2021 a new on-line form has been developed to assist with processing applications for new applicants.

The online form can be completed here:  https://stasonlinesubmission.education.tas.gov.au/ 

The form will be available for public use from 10th November.

Once a validated form is completed the Department of Education will confirm the outcome of your application in writing, this process takes approximately 14 days.

We understand this online option may not be possible for all families, so if you require a hard copy form please contact your school or stas@education.tas.gov.au or 1800 827 055.

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. Find out more: https://www.entertainment.com.au/orderbooks/2406h04

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 is required.

The final School Association meeting will be held on the 2nd of December. 

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

• Please remember to bring your water bottle to school each day.

• Esk Band rehearsals are every Wednesday.

• Icypole sales every Thursday at lunch time: $1 Lemonade Icypoles & $1.20 Frosty Fruits                                                     

• 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.

• If your residential address has changed or you have a new telephone number, please contact the office to request a change of details form.

• Just a reminder that during Terms 1 and 4, students are required to wear their school hat.  Children who forget to bring their hat, will have to sit on the deck area in the shade. Unfortunately, sharing or borrowing of hats is not permitted.  New hats can be purchased from the school office.