Dear Parents and Carers,

It seems that winter has hit us hard and fast this year with the temperature dropping quickly.  As a result, we are seeing an increase in cold and flu symptoms.  As a school we are continuing to regularly remind students to wash hands, hand sanitise and implement good hygiene procedures.  It is incredibly important if your child is unwell that they remain home and get better, this will help stop the spread of these viruses to classmates and staff.

Launceston Competitions

On Tuesday, 1st June we had 18 recorder students attend the Launceston Competitions with the support of Mr Tabe and Mrs Jones. This year unfortunately due to COVID-19 our Choir performances were recorded. It was wonderful to see our students get to experience performing to an audience once again. Well done to our students for all their work in preparing for these competitions.

School Fundraising

It seems Term 2 is the term of dress ups!! We appreciate that our SLB has organised a number of fundraising activities that involve dressing up and we have another much anticipated one later in the term; Oodie/ Hoodie day.

I would sincerely like to thank all families for your involvement and contributions of a gold coin and invariably the effort that goes into sources costumes either homemade or bought. It not only brings a lot of joy to our students and staff, but it has also gone a long way to raising significant funds to support our community.

The Pirate Day raised $419.60 and these funds went to support children with brain cancer.  A big thank you to Jo Freeland and the TAFE Prac students for helping with Pirate activities during the lunch time. 

The Hero Day raised $352. This donation was presented at assembly to City Mission to support the purchase of blankets and food during these hard times. I would like to thank our student leaders for all their work and enthusiasm with promoting, organising and running these events.

School Association

This term we held our school association AGM and elected committee members to roles.  I would like to thank everyone who attended and congratulate these our 2021 committee members.

School Association continuing committee members – Nikki Daking (Deputy Chairperson), Felicity Smith, Krystal Kaine (Secretary)

New committee members and re-elected members: Mark Padgett, Paula Coghlan, Shelly-Ann Cassidy (Chairperson), Natasha McConnell (Treasurer), Sukwinder Singh Sohal, Ashlea Mastroyanis and Rebecca Frerk

Our School Association meetings are on a Wednesday evening from 7:00pm - 8:30pm once or twice a term.   Keep an eye on the term calendar and please come along as anyone from our school community is a part of our school association.                      

Northern Schools Futsal Tournament

Last Tuesday our Grade 4 boys team participated in the Northern Schools Futsal Tournament they played exceptionally well and came runners up to Sacred Heart. These boys have been playing as a team since they were in Grade 2 so it was a great opportunity for them to play representing our school. I would like to thank Zane Patmore for coaching the team.  A big thank you also to Jo Freeland for organising the team. What a great result.

LSSSA Cross Country

Wow, we managed to do it again!!! Our fabulous representative team of 47 runners managed to come home with the shield as Division B winners held at Windsor Park Precinct today!! We are very proud of each and every one of them, the races are a team event with the top four runners’ placings for each team deciding the winning school for each event.

The effort that our entire team put in was fantastic with all runners trying their hardest to gain some valuable positions for their team.

A huge congratulations to our winning teams of;

• Grade 3 Girls
• Grade 4 Girls
• Grade 6 Girls
• Grade 6 Boys

In addition we had some outstanding individual performances;

Grade 3 Girls

3^rd Shelby R

Grade 3 Boys

1^st Cooper H

Grade 4 Girls

2^nd Annabelle P

3^rd Emily P

Grade 4 Boys

1^st Harry T

Grade 5 Girls

1^st Olivia P

2^nd Jada R

Grade 6 Girls

1^st Aya C

2^nd Savannah McK

Grade 6 Boys

1^st Oscar T

2^nd Lachlan H

3^rd Flynn M

This is a very strong performance for Punchbowl given that we are competing against much bigger schools! Our team was so excited that we even had to call Ms O’Donahue from the bus while she is on leave, to sing her our celebration song!! We will present the shield and certificates at our next Primary Assembly.

Reporting to Parents

Student reports will go home on Wednesday 30^th June in a sealed envelope, teachers have spent many hours on these reports and moderated with other teachers to determine appropriate curriculum ratings.  There are comments individual for Mathematics, English, and HaSS.  There will be ratings for each of these subjects along with an effort rating for all subject areas.

Parents who are living in separate households and would like to individually receive a child’s report please contact your child’s teacher or the office to arrange for this to occur.

Kindergarten Parent Teacher Evenings

Next week our Kindergarten parents will be having parent/teacher meetings. This is a great opportunity to share the progress of our youngest learners as they have transitioned into their first year at school.

Enrolments 2022

We are now taking enrolments for 2022, please let us know if you have a younger child at home that will be ready for Kindergarten in 2022.  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 2022. 

Ms O’Donahue has taken extended leave until the beginning of Term 3. I will be Acting Principal in her place for the remainder of the term.

Abbi Dean - Acting Principal

https://mailchi.mp/d894f2de9601/sunsmart-schools-early-learning-program-newsletter?e=3a606f277e

The Reader’s Cup is a competition open to all Grade 5/6 students where they are given the opportunity to work in collaborative groups to read six books in six weeks. We have six teams who have been working hard over this term, reading and swapping books between them. Next Wednesday they will take part in an intra-school quiz as well as presenting a creative piece they have developed to address the messages in one book of their choosing. The winner of the school competition will then represent Punchbowl at the inter school competition at Perth Primary School on the afternoon/evening of the 24th June. We wish all our teams the best next Wednesday and applaud them for taking on the challenge of being in our first Reader’s Cup Competition at Punchbowl.

Over the past Term or so, a group of music students have been giving up their lunch hours to hone their recorder-playing skills. Every week, these students have been practising at home and coming together to work towards perfecting some songs for competition at the Launceston Competitions. This week, all their efforts have been rewarded by a successful afternoon competing at the Competitions which were held at Country Club Tasmania. Results are as follows: 1^st place Primary Recorder Ensemble; 1^st place Grade 5/6 Duo Ruby and Sunny M; 2^nd place Grade 5/6 Duo Grace B and Savannah M; Very Highly Commended Grade 5/6 Duo Ruby C and Olive R; Highly Commended Ingrid B and Alyssa P; and Very Highly Commended Justin T and Jai C. It was a fantastic result all round and students represented Punchbowl with pride.

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

On Wednesday, 2nd June 4 Bodell went on an excursion to the Queen Victoria Museum Art Gallery. Here they viewed many different exhibits including First Tasmanians: Our Story, Wrapped In Culture and Lost Landscapes. The focus however, was the ‘Nest’ exhibit,  which explores the impact that we as humans have on the environment and how the choices we make have the power to create positive change. Students thoroughly enjoyed exploring the different parts of the museum.

After the museum, 4 Bodell met  up with 3/4 Dykman-Skinner and 3/4 Faulkner at the PCYC. The DoE values of Growth, Courage and Aspiration have been a focus here at school and the students had a chance to enact these through rock-climbing, trampolining, gymnastics and mega-games. A great day was had by all.

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

If you are intending on competing in the All Schools Cross Country held at Symmons Plains on Tuesday, 22nd June and your child will require transport to and from this event please return the form sent home with your child no later than Monday, 7th June. 

The school will make a decision as to whether transport is provided to and from the event dependent on the number of students who compete and require transport.

The closing date to enter online is Monday, 14th June at 5.00pm.

How to enter: https://www.onlineentry.com.au/XCPrimary_Tas_2021.aspx

Online entry fee: $18.00 (including $2.00 admin fee) per person

Late entry fee online: $30.00 per person

Late Entry Fee online on the day: $50.00 per person (only accepted until 1 hour before the scheduled start time) 

The Student Leadership Board have been busy organising some fun fundraising events for Term 2, please pop this date into your calendar.

Thursday, 1^st July – Oodie/Hoodie Day – students to come dressed with either a Hoodie or Oodie as well as their school uniform and bring a gold coin donation (we are NOT expecting parents to purchase new clothing for this event) and bring a gold coin donation – this is an SLB fundraiser for Punchbowl Primary School. 

If you have any questions please contact Bec Frerk or Nicki Airey.

We are currently taking Kindergarten enrolments for 2022. If you have a child, (or indeed know of a child who lives in our local area), who turns 4 before 1st January 2018 (born in 2017), please contact our school office to collect an enrolment form.  Proof of your child's birth, immunisation records, proof of residential address and parent identification will also be required. 

Later in the year we also offer three Introductory Sessions for children who have enrolled in Kindergarten next year. These sessions will be held on a Wednesday morning. Parents will be advised of these sessions closer to the date.

We look forward to commencing our partnership with you and your child.

SCHOOL INTAKE AREAS

New updated school intake areas will only apply to families who enrol a child in a government primary or combined (district) school for the first time from the beginning of 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) 

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.

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

The Department of Education has expanded 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 received student assistance in 2020 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/ 

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.

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 greatly appreciated.

The Association meets in the school staffroom approximately once a term in the evening and everyone is invited to attend. Please see proposed dates below:

28th July

27th October

1st December

The Australian Government will start its program in Tasmania to vaccinate residential aged care and disability care staff and residents at the same time as the Tasmania Government’s roll-out program commences.

I recognise that you may have questions about the vaccination program. I encourage you to visit www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/vaccine for the latest information on the vaccination roll-out. Additionally, you can visit the Australian Government Health website for further information at www.health.gov.au.

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.

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

Mothers in Mind is a mother and child group designed specifically to meet the parenting needs of mothers who have lived a hurtful experience such as family violence, childhood abuse or neglect, and have a child or children under 4 years old.  This program is designed for Mums who might be feeling overwhelmed as a Mum due to past experiences.

The group has routine and structure, we have no more than 8 Mums with 3 facilitators so if the Mum’s become overwhelmed there is a break out room and a facilitator can go with them for support.  The Mums only share what they feel comfortable sharing.

Mothers in Mind runs for 10 weeks for 1.5 hours and the structure of each session is:

• First hour is play so everyone sits in a circle with kids and toys in the middle of the circle.  We support the Mum’s to play with their child(ren), we sing songs and we read a book at each group.
• When Mum’s attend each group – they get a free copy of the book for that week.  The book reflects the weekly topic such as ‘taking care of yourself’.
• While the kids have a snack, the facilitators broach the topic of the day and a discussion ensues. 

Coming into the cold and flu season, it’s important that we all continue to keep healthy and safe. To ensure we can keep on top of COVID and also cold and flu, make sure you:

• Be alert to any symptoms of cold or flu that you or your child may exhibit
• Get tested for COVID if you or your child have symptoms
• 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 has 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