Punchbowl Primary School eNewsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

A highlight to share in this newsletter is most certainly the successful ‘Carols on the Oval’ held on Tuesday evening. This event exceeded our expectations in so many ways. It was a delight to welcome back families and friends into our school grounds, culminating in a wonderful community event. I would like to once again thank all our staff who contributed to this special night especially each class teacher responsible for preparing an item to be shared. Their enthusiastic approach gave all our students an opportunity to shine. We had several emails and verbal thank you messages from parents and families in our wider community hoping and requesting that we will make this our new tradition. We agree and as such have already begun looking at dates for 2022, let’s hope we can replicate the weather also! A big thank you to our School Association committee for all their work with the sausage sizzle, bar, and other novelty sales, as a school we were able to raise approximately $3000.

We are at the time of the year when staffing changes are being confirmed within Learning Services. We will be sadly saying farewell to a long serving staff member Mrs Dunn who has been teaching at Punchbowl for 15 years. Mrs Dunn has been granted a transfer to Invermay Primary School next year, we will miss her knowledge and expertise greatly. We also received some sad news recently as Miss Campbell made a difficult decision to leave Punchbowl Primary School and begin a new teaching position in the private sector, we will miss her greatly as we have loved having her inspirational thinking and inquiry-based approach to Kindergarten. At this stage we are waiting to hear what is install for our temporary teachers Miss Bovill and Mrs Skinner.

We will be welcoming Mrs Jo Crawford, a transferred teacher from Exeter Primary School, we will also be welcoming Miss Bronwyn Wilson who was granted a transfer from Swansea Primary School. Mrs Angela Williams will be joining our Kindergarten team, Angela has been working at Westbury Primary School this year.

Grade 6 Student Leadership Board

Last week we held our 2022 Leadership Position speeches, we had approximately 30 students present a speech about the qualities that they would bring to a position on our Student Leadership Board. The Grade 4 and 5 students and staff all voted for whom they felt would be the best students to represent our school on the SLB. Votes were counted and I would like to congratulate the students below on the nomination for the Punchbowl Primary School Student Leadership Board for 2022. Our leaders will receive their badges on our first assembly back in Term 1.

Congratulations to;

· Sophie A

· Jedd B

· Alfie C

· Darcy M

· Olivia P

· Olive R

· Millie S

· Japhia W

State Schools Basketball Championships

This weekend we have three teams competing in the State Basketball Championships. Teams are invited to this event, with three school teams representing each region of the state. Congratulations to our 3-4 Boys (coached by Danny Freeland), our 5-6 Girls team (coached by Adrian Dean) and our 5-6 Boys team (coached by Abbi Dean). We wish them every success on the weekend. If you are free and able to go to any games, they will be held at the Elphin Sports Stadium on Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th December.

SATURDAY (Elphin Sports Centre) games as follows;

9:00am (crt 1) Grade 5-6 GIRLS v Our Lady of Lourdes

10:00am (crt 1) Grade 5-6 BOYS v Burnie Primary

11:00am (crt 4) Grade 3-4 BOYS v Howrah Primary

12:00pm (crt 2) Grade 5-6 BOYS v Sacred Heart (South)

2:00pm (crt 1) Grade 5-6 GIRLS v Deloraine

5:00pm (crt 3) Grade 5-6 GIRLS v Corpus Christi

6:00pm (crt 3) Grade 5-6 BOYS v Stella Maris

Grade 3-6 End of Year Picnic

Most of our classes will be enjoying end of year picnics in the last couple of weeks of school. Students in grades 3-6 will be attending a picnic at the Riverside Pool. Please remember that students attending this picnic are required to wear a rash vest to be able to swim on the day. This is a requirement of our Sun Safe policy. If you don’t have a rash vest, a t-shirt that can be worn in the water will be sufficient.

100 Nights of Reading Final Celebration

Congratulations to the 200 students that made it to ‘100+ Nights of Reading’. We are excited to be heading to Riverbend Park for an afternoon play. Next Friday, students will be accompanied by ten teaching staff while remaining students at school will be in classes for afternoon learning supervised by remaining teachers. We hope to continue these rewards in 2022 for reading. Thank you so much for your support with encouraging reading at home.

Grade 6 Celebration Evening

On Tuesday 7th December, we will be holding our Grade 6 Celebration Evening. This year it will only be open to Grade 6 students and their three invited guests. Parents of Grade 6 students need to RSVP to this event to be able to enter the Newstead College Hall. I would like to thank Newstead College for allowing us to use their Hall, without this, our numbers of parents would have been restricted even further.

Grade 6 Leavers Dinner

On Monday 13th December we will be hosting our Grade 6 Leavers Dinner. This is always a special night for our leavers to get together and have a formal celebration dinner. The cost of this event is fully paid for by the fundraising undertaken by our Student Leadership Board, this ensures that no student misses out on this special opportunity. A big thank you to Mrs Frerk and the Grade 6 staff for all their work to support the many experiences on offer for our school leavers.

Keeping COVID Safe into the New Year

With borders opening on Wednesday, 15th December everyone is encouraged to get fully vaccinated. At this stage students that are 12 years of age or older can be vaccinated and this can be done by ringing 1800 671 738 or going onto Tasmanian Vaccination Booking System.

Please always keep an eye out on the DoE and our school Facebook page for any updates with COVID recommendations to schools over the holidays. This is our best way to keep everyone informed.

As I will be taking some leave on Tuesday 14th November this will be my last newsletter, I would like to thank all our families, staff and students for a wonderful and productive year. I hope that 2022 brings so much joy and positive with it. I wish everyone a safe and relaxing summer holiday break and enjoy time with family and friends.

We wish you all a Christmas and New Year filled with lots of joy and special times with family and friends, and look forward to welcoming most of you back in February, 2022.

Kind regards,

Liz O'Donahue - Principal

6th December	Murat here for STEM Group
7th December	Last School Banking Day Grade 6 Celebration Rehearsal during school time 6.00pm - Grade 6 Celebration Evening Icy Pole Sales @ lunch
8th December	Pre Kinder Sessions (by invitation only) Inside Out 4 Kids Program (P-2)
9th December	Grade 3-6 EOY Picnic @ Riverside Pool
10th December	Riverbend Park for 100 Nights of Reading Reports go home No 5-6 Sport 3.00pm - Strike Soccer School
13th December	6.00pm - Grade 6 Leavers Dinner
14th December	Orientation to 2022 classes Icy Pole Sales @ Lunch
15th December	Inside Out 4 Kids Program (P-2) Grade 5-6 to PCYC
16th December	2.00pm - Final Assembly LAST DAY FOR STUDENTS
9th February	STUDENTS COMMENCE FOR 2022

Term Dates

Term 1: Wednesday, 9^th February to Wednesday, 13^th April

(Tuesday, 8^th February & Thursday, 14^th April) – Student Free Days

Easter: Friday, 15^th April to Tuesday, 19^th April

Term 2: Monday, 2^nd May to Friday, 8^th July

Term 3: Tuesday, 26^th July to Friday, 30^th September

(Monday, 25^th July - Student Free Day)

Term 4: Monday, 17^th October to Wednesday, 21^st December

(Friday, 4^th November – Student Free Day)

Congratulations to the following students that received a Merit Certificate in our Primary Assembly on the 23rd November.

PRIMARY ASSEMBLY

2-3 Stagoll - Hudson I, Xavier W & Billy S

2-3 Peachey - Samara H, Oliver T & Amy F

3-4 Dykman/Skinner - Oliver H, Jorja B, Cale E & Chloe S

3-4 Faulkner - Oliver Q, Alexander S & Jemima S

4 Bodell - Lucia W & Jaidyn K

5-6 Airey - Zeke T, Jedd B & Justin T

5-6 Shephard/Sutton - Jordie R, Viraj A, Haylen C & Callum D

5-6 Frerk/Marshall - Alexander E, Ella F & Jessica C

Hello from Nurse Bri!

I am looking at involving a few students on Thursday, 16th December (the last day of school) to assist in preparing a fruit snack to share at lunchtime, with some basic nutritional information. Fruit and veggies can sometimes be difficult to encourage our children to eat, and I’m hoping this will be a fun and engaging way to learn about the benefits of fruit, and even taste some! Fruit is full of vitamins, fibre, and phytochemicals. These help to support the immune system, lower blood pressure, and help with our gut health – how great is that?! In-season fruit can be inexpensive, and requires little preparation, making them a perfect lunch box addition!

For more information please see: www.eatforhealth.gov.au

On Saturday, December 11th from 2:00pm - 4:00pm a Christmas Festival will be held on the grounds of St Matthias’ Church, 431 Windermere Rd, Windermere. Free informal activities will be available for families to learn about the traditional Christmas story with lots of giveaways to take home. At 3:00pm a group nativity scene will be staged including everyone as massed shepherds, angels, sheep, townsfolk, wise men, or Mary and Joseph, so dressing up in simple costumes is encouraged (limited children’s props will be available). BYO picnic snacks and drinks, as there will not be food for sale. Entry to the Festival is free, though a non-perishable food donation for Anglicare to distribute to those in need would be appreciated. Full details about the activities and ideas for simple costumes can be found on our Facebook page stmatthiaswindermere or website stmw.org.au ( under Activities) or phone Margaret on 0409317806.

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.en tertainment.com.au/orderbooks/2406h04

The Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) is now open for 2022. Applications of 2021 are now closed. Families who were approved for STAS this year will receive written notification regarding their eligibilty (approved or not approved) for 2022 within the coming weeks. Application forms for 2022 are available from the school office.

School Banking will unfortunately cease due to an ASIC decision as of Friday, 10th December. Our last School Bankiong Day will be on Tuesday, 7th December.

School_Banking_Announcement.pdf

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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 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.

We are currently taking Kindergarten enrolments for 2022. If you have a child, (or 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.

We are in the process of organising 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)

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

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.
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.

Check_In_TAS_App.pdf

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