External School Review

Our school will be participating in an External School Review on Wednesday, August 31^st and Thursday, 1^st September. An external panel of three Principals will be coming into our school to meet with teachers, parents and groups of students and will also observe classroom practice. The panel is keen to meet and talk with families of our school community and have arranged meeting times with our School Association members and parents.  If you would like to make an appointment time to speak with a member of the panel between 3.00pm & 3.30pm on Wednesday, 31^st August please ring Janelle at the office before Tuesday, 30^th August to select an available time. We appreciate your support.

Book Week - Dreaming with Eyes open

A big thank you to all our students who dressed up as a character for Book Week it was a fabulous day.

This week is one of my favourite weeks of the year. It was fantastic to see all our studnets embrace book week with extradoinary costumes and ideas. Myself, Gru and my Minions, were very busy throughout the day and enjoyed sharing books at our Readers Picnic with students.  A big thank you to everyone who came to watch the parade. Please take the time, if you haven’t already, to go through the hallway and look at the amazing Book Week artwork on display.

Student online safety

All too often school is being asked to deal with incidents impacting on our students around how they interact online.  We have just had Cyber Safety sessions with Constable Annabel Shegog on Tuesday working with our Grade 5/6 students to support them in being online aware and acting safely online.  It became concerning to see how little awareness the students had about knowing if people they were communicating with online were real and who they say they are, if they weren’t physically known to them.

Susan McLean refers in her book about the need for parents to become aware and responsible for what they allow their child to engage in.  Many of the apps our students were engaging in were for people aged 13+ years.

It is imperative that all parents should know where their children go and what they do online, the same as in their day-to-day life. Communication is the key, rules and boundaries about acceptable online behaviour must be put in place. If you are concerned at all about your child’s safety or if your child has engaged in sharing of inappropriate images, it is important that parents report this to the Safety Commissioner through the Image Based Abuse (IBA). This tool for reporting is for anyone who resides in Australia, regardless of age. You can find it by going to www.esfatey.gov.au

Kinder Enrolments for 2023

A reminder to parents of students who were born in 2018 that they are required to enrol in Kindergarten for 2023. We would ask that any parents who are yet to enrol do so as soon as possible as shortly we will be organising groupings for our Pre-Kinder sessions beginning in Term 4.

Enrolments for 2023

If you know that you will not be attending our school in 2023 can you please let the office or Principal know in writing as soon as possible, as we are beginning to configure our staffing and every number counts.

Save the Date Fundraiser – Trivia Night Friday, 23^rd September

Tickets are now on sale! Please either organise your own table or come along and we will add you to a table.  This event is about getting together as a school community once again.  It feels like it has been a long time since we have been able to do this, and we want to connect again.

Click the link to get your tickets

https://www.trybooking.com/CBYVO

Lots of prizes to be won and proceeds go towards rejuvenating our playground.

Fundraising Meeting

Our next fundraising meeting will be held on Wednesday, 7^th September at 7.00pm in the staffroom.  We would love to see some more helpers come along to support the Trivia Night plans.

Swimming and Water Safety Permission Forms and Swimming Carnival

All students in Grade 3 - 6 should also receive permission forms relating to upcoming water based activities.  These forms need to be completed and returned as soon as possible as the first of these activities is the Swimming and Water Safety Program which commences on Monday, 5th September.

Students should also receive a Gr 3 - 6 Swimming Carnival notice today as the carnival is being held during week 1 of Term 4.  To enable Mrs Bent adequate time to collect all the information well in advance of the carnival we would appreciate your assistance with returning entries to the school office as soon as possible.  

Information regarding the other water based activities will be sent home closer to the dates.

Liz O'Donahue - Principal

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

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

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

TRIVIA NIGHT!

SAVE THE DATE
We are delighted to announce that there will a school Trivia Night, being held by the Fundraising Committee on Friday 23rd September 2022 from 7:00pm.

Tickets are $20 each and available for purchase via https://www.trybooking.com/CBYVO

Tickets can be purchased for any number of single tickets, and the committee will group attendees by year group.

The Trivia Night will be a wonderful opportunity for our parents, teachers and friends to gather socially, meet other parents, both new and old, for a night of fun, prizes, raffles and entertainment while raising important funds.

The funds from the evening will go towards a Playground Redevelopment.

The School Association will run a bar on the evening. Bring along your favourite snacks and treats and enjoy a wonderful night with other Punchbowl Primary families, staff and friends of the School.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

WE NEED YOU!

The school Fundraising Committee are desperately seeking some more volunteers to assist with the organising in the lead up and on the Trivia Night.

• Set up & pack down
• Clean up crew
• Bar staff
• Door staff -meet and greet
• Auctioneer
• Raffle coordinators
• Assisting to sort out donations/prizes

And the most important job …. Buying a ticket, attending and having a great time! 

If you have a couple of hours you can spare, please contact Naomi Will on naomi@eventsphere.com.au or 0439 336 511.

CALL FOR DONATIONS
Do you own or work for a business or organisation that could donate a prize, voucher or even make a financial contribution to the Trivia Night? We are on the lookout for all donations!

If you can assist with anything, large or small, please contact Naomi on naomi@eventsphere.com.au or 0439 336 511. All donations will be acknowledged and receive recognition through various platforms such as newsletters, social media and of course on the night.

Please dig deep – we have an ambitious fundraising target of $10,000, and all contributions to assist to reach this are greatly appreciated!

Upcoming Fundraising and School Association Meetings

Fundraising Meeting - Wednesday 7th September @ 7pm at school

General Meeting - Wednesday 19th October commencing @ 7pm at school

General Meeting - Wednesday 30th November comming @ 7pm and School

Everyone is welcome to attend!

This term students in the Esk Band Program are part of a practice challenge where they are aiming to become the first student in their school to complete 35 days of instrumental practice. “Practice” is completing at least 10mins of playing, focused on improving/mastering a piece from their Tradition of Excellence tutor book or a section of music from a band piece.  The 35 days do not need to be consecutive, but that will help students to be the first to finish! Over the 35 days there should be a visible progression through the tutor book. Parents or carers must initial that the practice has been completed.

The first continuing and first beginning student at each school will be awarded a $35 voucher for Barratts Music!

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

Dear Parents,

As part of our continuous school improvement, we will be involved in an External School Review with a Review Team. The purpose of External School Reviews is to support schools to raise achievement, sustain high performance and provide quality assurance to build public confidence in government schools.

All Tasmanian Government Schools will be externally reviewed every four years. The focus of the Review is to evaluate school performance. The Review Team consists of a Review Chair and trained Principal Peer Reviewers. The review will occur on Wednesday, 31st August 2022.

During the External School Review some students, parents, School Association members and staff will be asked to provide information to the Review Team in a number of ways. These include:

• individual interviews
• group discussions (with students or staff or parents)
• meetings (usually School Association, staff meeting)
• visits into classrooms

We would like to invite parents to participate in the parent group discussion on Wednesday, 31^st August between 3:00pm and 3:30pm. To keep COVID safe unfortunately we only have limited spots available so should you wish to be involved please contact Janelle Shaw on 63 441382.

We appreciate your support and time in helping us with this External School Review process.

Regards

Liz O’Donahue

Principal

SUBWAY NEW ORDERING PLATFORM

Subway have changed to a new ordering platform which is through Canteen Hub

If you wish to order please register via the below link:

app.canteenhub.com.au/register-customer

The 2022 School Satisfaction Surveys are coming!

Every year the Department of Education conducts School Satisfaction Surveys to find out what your child(ren)'s school does well and where it may improve.

We would be grateful if you completed our online survey about Punchbowl Primary School. Your feedback is very important to help us inform our school planning and decision-making.

The survey is open from Monday 29 August 2022 until Friday 23 September 2022 and should take about 5 minutes to complete.

Take the online survey by clicking this link

or pasting it in your browser: https://ncv.microsoft.com/ZfLcuB2lFY

The survey is carried out on a secure website and all responses are anonymous and confidential.

All families in this school received the same survey link and no identifying information is collected. A summary of the survey results will be provided to schools. with Responses from individuals or small groups will NOT be disclosed to any Department of Education staff.

Please contact your school if you require any assistance.

Thank you for taking the time to fill in this survey.

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.

School Beanies

We now have school beanies available from the office to purchase at $15.00 each.

The health and safety of students and staff has, and always will be, our top priority.  Our Term 3 approach to manage COVID-19 is outlined in our COVID-safe schools operational plan. The Plan builds on everything we’ve learnt since the start of the pandemic.

The Department of Education (DoE) has worked closely with Public Health to ensure schools continue to be safe places for learners.  Many COVID-safe measures that you are familiar with continue to be in place to limit the impact of COVID-19 in our schools. 

With increased COVID-19 cases in our community leading into Term 3, our staff and visitors are strongly recommended to wear face masks when indoors, or if they are unable to physically distance. Wearing a face mask is not a requirement for students, however it is strongly recommended by Public Health indoors as well as when they cannot physically distance.  Students will be supported to wear masks by their school when they choose to.

Face masks and Rapid Antigen Tests continue to be readily available for students and staff at all Tasmanian Government schools.

It is common to see increased illness at this time of year, so it remains important that we all continue to practise our COVID safe behaviours, stay at home if unwell and get tested.

As always, when your child is well, the best place for them to be is at school learning with their friends and teachers. 

We will need to continue to be flexible as some elements of our plan may change during the Term. We will continually monitor the situation, make changes as necessary and keep school communities informed.

COVID SYMPTOMS

Thank you to our entire school community for your cooperation this term by practising COVID-safe behaviours.

Please refer to COVID-safe school plan for information as to how we are managing COVID within our school.

As you know, an important COVID-safe behaviour is to stay at home if you’re unwell and get tested for COVID-19 using a rapid antigen test.

Public Health tells us that the number of cases of COVID-19 in children is low, and they’re likely to have milder symptoms.

It’s a good reminder to be mindful of the symptoms of COVID-19 in children. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 in children are cough, fever, runny nose and gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

For more information, please visit the Tasmanian Government Coronavirus website or contact the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738, or Department of Education COVID-19 Support Hotline at COVID19support@education.tas.gov.au or on 1800 816 057.

If you need support translating or interpreting this information, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

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

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 dates for Bookclub orders will be stated in the newsletter. 

• 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. 

We are pleased to offer two occasions for the Kings Meadows High School second Parent Information Evening for parents/guardians of our 2023 Year 7s.

Please following the link to the form to indicate your intended attendance. https://bit.ly/KMHSparentinfo2 (Links to an external site.)

We will be hosting the 2^nd Parent Information evening on:

• Thursday 25^th August at 5:30pm in ‘C’ block at Kings Meadows High School

OR

• Thursday 1^st September at 5:30pm in ‘C’ block at Kings Meadows High School

Our Agenda

1. Welcome and new 3D video about KMHS
2. Principal address
3. Grade Leader Navigating Canvas
4. Feedback and Assessment via Canvas
5. Extra Transition 2022
6. Learning Support
7. Transition Program including Course Selection for 2023
8. Question and Answer session

We look forward to embarking on this journey and strengthening our connection with our parent community.

Every school day counts

Getting kids to school isn’t always easy. But being at school is the best place for our kids.

If your child is unwell, they need to stay home. But if your child is well enough to attend school, they should be at school. Every day, Monday to Friday.

Reality of missing school

Data shows us that regular school attendance is one of the best things a child can do to set them up for success. But if they don’t attend, things get harder for them.

Let’s do the maths:

• If your child misses even just one day a fortnight, that adds up to 20 days of the school year. That’s the same as missing four whole weeks of school!
• If they miss one day a week, that doubles to eight weeks of school they’ll never get back.
• Over the course of their childhood, that equals two and a half years of vital education they’ll never receive…

We mean it, every school day counts. It all adds up.

Bright futures begin at school

The data also tells us something else: the better a child’s attendance rate, the better off they’ll be. Their future will be filled with more opportunities.

School is where they learn and grow alongside their friends, and where they benefit the most. Going to school not only promotes academic success, but also helps build important social skills, relationships and confidence.

Good attendance habits in primary school lead to good attendance habits in high school. This will help expand your child’s options even further as they grow older.

Watch this video to see the benefits of going to school.

It’s ok if you need help

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.

If you need support translating or interpreting this information, contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

The Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) are still open for 2022.  Applications for 2022 close on Wednesday 7th September. Families who are approved for STAS this year will receive written notification regarding their eligibilty (approved or not approved) for 2023. Application forms for 2023 will be available in the near future.

We have a lot of jackets/jumpers etc in our lost property baskets. If your child has misplaced an item of clothing please make sure they check the baskets located out the front of the office and outside 5-6 Frerk/Marshall. 

We also have 2 x watches at the office. If you are missing a watch please see the office and describe the watch so we can return it to it's owner. 

An update on face masks

It’s important to continue to:

• stay at home if unwell, and get tested
• practise COVID-safe behaviours such as frequent handwashing and sanitising
• be up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.

Students, staff and visitors are supported to continue to wear face masks if they choose to. Face masks are still available at our school if you need them.

When face masks are required

If you’re a close contact, you are still required to wear a face mask indoors as per current Public Health advice.

From time-to-time our school might identify activities or situations where masks are required to be worn. We ask for your support when this happens and know that it is in the best interests of our students, staff and our school.

Our staff will continue to wear masks when working closely with students who are vulnerable to COVID-19.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us directly to discuss.

For more information about COVID-19, please visit the Tasmanian Government Coronavirus website or contact the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738, or Department of Education COVID-19 Support Hotline at COVID19support@education.tas.gov.au or on 1800 816 057.

If you need support translating or interpreting this information, contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

During the past few years, we have had many students from Grades 3-6 participate in the annual Primary School Triathlon event at Devonport.  This event is aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle choices to school students, regardless of ability, sporting background or current lifestyle.  Participation and enjoyment are the foundation of this event. Students can participate in a team, an individual or both.

The Primary School’s event will again be held in Devonport on Thursday, 24th November.

This year Punchbowl will not be involved in the event, therefore, will not provide transport or supervision.

Unfortunately, there is a date clash with when our Grade 5-6 students perform in the Dance Fever school performance production. In the past primary classes have gone along to watch our students perform, unfortunately, this means students will need to decide as to which activity they participate in or attend.

Should your child wish to participate in the Schools Triathlon Challenge, spare entry forms are available from the school office or printable via www.schoolstriathlonchallenge.com  and returned to the school office along with payment by Friday, 23^rd  September, 2022.