From the Assistant Principal

Norwood Primary has been fortunate in what we have been able to achieve across what we recognise is an exceptional year. We were able to conduct our school camps for the grade 5-6 students, and the Parent Association had a successful school fair just prior to the state of Tasmania responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. While in many ways, we have been able to avoid many of the educational challenges confronting other states of the nation we are now seeing some more regular school events occurring here at Norwood. We appreciate and recognise that there is parent frustration with many restrictions that have needed to continue, as we maintain Tasmanian Health Service recommendations, which are designed to keep us all safe. As our borders open this is an on-going requirement, which again is about providing experiences for learners, whilst making accommodations.

In recent weeks, the book week celebrations and Cross Country carnivals have had Covid tweaks. In upcoming days, we continue to explore ways in which we can progress both old and new events while complying with regulations and making such events manageable. Tomorrow the Peace Pole will be unveiled in Passive Park. Principal Karen Hampton and Russell Brownlie of the Rotary Club of Launceston have collaborated to make Norwood, one of only a small number of schools to have a Peace Pole installed. The languages represented on the Peace Pole are : English, Japanese, Palawa kani and Farsi. The event organiser is Zoe Marshall and a small number of guests will be on-site with some student reps, supported by the following classes only: 3 Glen, 4 Horkings and 5-6 Poke Walker. Thanks Zoe – and I am sure there will be images posted on our Facebook page.

Basketball Tournaments

May I take this opportunity to thank parent Corinne Leale who has taken on the challenge of co-ordinating the Norwood contingent who will participate in the Northern Primary Basketball Championships, which are to be held over the next two weekends. I am personally surprised that the event is proceeding in 2020, but recognise that many children look forward to this event. It is a logistical challenge for all schools involved and the school wishes all participants, coaches and the socially distanced spectators the best of times for the event. A good game is a close game and we hope for many of these where children can demonstrate their skills in a friendly, challenging environment.

Extraordinary Celebration of Collaboration

This Thursday the Department of Education is hosting an ‘Extraordinary Celebration of Collaboration’ on-line, state-wide, staff forum. Duncan Walker is coordinating our staff event - thanks Duncan. During the event five members of our ancillary and teaching staff will be recognised for 25 years of dedication and service to the Education Department. We congratulate and celebrate with Alison Taylor, Deb Moore, Kate Andrew, Caroline Gale and Helen Birch. We hope that they will allow us to share some of their memories of 25 years of service in the next couple of newlsetters. The department will recognise the extraordinary teacher response to on-line learning, dual provision and remarkable collaboration that allowed children to continue to learn in highly unusual circumstances. Well done staff, parents and students. Recently Roslyn Faulkner, our long serving, brilliant teacher and wonderful promoter of learning habits was recognised for 40 years’ service. In her typical unassuming and humble manner, Roslyn attended an event discreetly. Roslyn's association with our school as a parent first and then quality teacher has been a long and effective one. As Roslyn tranfers at the end of this year, we recognise Punchbowl is a very lucky school community, and our loss is their gain.

Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT)

During the past two weeks more than 1000 assessments have occurred across the school. A team of teachers have juggled the laptops and the timetables to allow students the opportunity to demonstrate their improvement across reading comprehension, vocabulary awareness and mathematics. The online assessments are grade appropriate. I congratulate all students for their focus during the testing sessions. The results of student performances are kept by the department, and are diagnostic in nature, which supports teacher planning.

Gary Jones