From our Assistant Principal
On April 3rd, three months ago, the school was closed to students amid the COVID 19 pandemic. Our government and health advisors, whilst working to ensure the safety of all Tasmanians, have made significant memories for our community. The recent events will be spoken of forever. Schools, along with all aspects of our society have most certainly been abnormal.
The start of term two seems so long ago. Much has happened in this time. Change and challenge have been the norm in recent times as parents and families have needed to adjust to changing circumstances and teachers and students have had to adopt an alternative way of learning.
While teachers have necessarily increased their collaboration in presenting the curriculum, students in the main have had to learn without the typical supports. Norwood has benefitted from the Department of Education directions and we take this opportunity to thank parents, teachers and students for the way in which they listened to the advice and supported the on-line learning environment, as well as playing their part in keeping adults safe.
I publicly congratulate the staff on their ability to support one another in acquiring new skills, and enable students at home, at school and a combination of both, to maintain learning habits and provide opportunities for families to gain greater insight into the 2020 learning. It has not always been easy. The return of all children, too, has come with some challenge as we appreciate that homes are under pressure and such feelings can present themselves behaviourally in a variety of ways.
A big thank you to parents for keeping your distance, and employing alternative means of communication. The partnership with parents is essential, but it has been a little more difficult in recent times.
As we move forwards in to the new term, we are currently seeing some normal school practices return, such as larger gatherings and resource sharing, yet we will retain hygienic protocols and health screening for adults who will be on site for an extended period of time.
The adaptations required by schools have been tiring and I trust that all members of the community are able to enjoy a restful term break.
Staffing
Friday is the final day at Norwood for PE teacher Vanessa Abernethy. We wish her well in her upcoming role of motherhood – exciting times. Norwood is fortunate to have Ben Humphrey return into the role of PE teacher. While Ben has been doing some relief teaching here in recent times he will enter term three in a full time capacity. Ylonda Turmine (music) will also increase her days with us. All classes will now have 3 specialist lessons per week, up from the current 2.
Everybody
Every second year a personal development program is held to support families in educating children with age appropriate information in an interactive and relaxed setting. Wendy Gregory, of Island Health Learning will return to our school, commencing August 3rd. All grades will participate, with some grades requiring more time than others. A parent letter will be sent home on the first day of next term, and a brochure of the content for different grades is available for collection from the school office if you would like one.
If you would like to gain more information re the program, we are looking to have a parent information session in the early evening of Thursday July 30th. Please let the office know if you are interested – we are not sure if this will be an on-line presentation or a library gathering at this stage.
Assemblies
Term 3 assemblies will be a little different and whole school assemblies are not possible at this time. Wednesday afternoons will continue to be the time and parents will be invited in the near future. More details will be provided early in term three.
Community Liaison Police Officer Annabel Shegog will be joining the grade 5s and 6s at an assembly in week 2 of next term. Her brief will be to inform our students of the perils of the internet and e-safety, including mobile phone usage.
At our ‘virtual’ assembly this afternoon, we had Daniel S sharing his prowess on the violin, just like many musicians during the time of isolation. We also had Abby S and Jack M trying to convince us with a persuasive text, and 5 Poke Walker shared some art work. Again some individual students were identified as being respectful, consistently, during recent times.
The assembly will be attached to class Canvas pages should you like to tune in. Thanks to Duncan Walker for his skill in this space.
Mobile Phone Policy
Here is a draft copy of the school and departments thinking. The Parent Association will need to consider and ratify this policy. Until then the draft version is to be adhered to. Phone users please take note.
Gary Jones