Welcome to the second last newsletter of 2022! I am still amazed at how quickly this year has gone. Last night we held our annual Year 6 Presentation Evening and it was fantastic to celebrate the achievements of our Year 6’s. The cohort will be missed by us all at Norwood Primary School and once again, we wish them well in their future endeavours.

Staffing for 2023

In conjunction with Learnings Services Human Resources our planning for staffing in 2023 is almost complete. This is an ongoing and dynamic process up until the start of the school year 2023 but I can advise we will have some further changes to staffing.

I can confirm that two Flexible Teaching Pool members of staff will be leaving NPS through this process:

• Laine Paulsen
• Tamsin Walker

I would like to take this opportunity to wish these members of staff all the best for the next stage in their careers. I thank them for their time and devotion to Norwood Primary School over the years. You will be greatly missed by us all.

In other staff news it is with sadness that we will be farewelling Sarah Green at the end of 2022. Sarah was successful in gaining a teaching position at the Tamar Valley Steiner School. Sarah, your kind, caring nature alongside your professionalism will be greatly missed by us all and we wish you all the best. Angela Bertram will also be leaving us at the end of 2022 to seek further opportunities outside of the Department. We thank Ange for your commitment and dedication to Norwood Primary School. Shelley Sutton will be leaving us at the end of 2022 to further her teaching experience. We thank Shelley for her work this year and wish her all the best for the future. Mr Rich Talbot will unfortunately also be leaving us at the end of 2022 and is heading to Longford Primary School. We thank Mr Talbot for his expertise in picking up this class, continuing the good work already established and making some necessary changes. Longford Primary School are very lucky to be gaining your services!

Sue Hayward has come to the end of her career and will be retiring at the end of 2022. Sue has been involved with Norwood Primary School for 36 years, as a parent, an active member of the School Association, managing our canteen and recently as a Teaching Assistant. From all of us, past and present we truly wish you all the best in your retirement.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the following new staff to Norwood Primary School in 2023.

I can also confirm our Teaching Teams for 2023 below:

We are already excited about getting stuck into 2023 with these teams, after a rest of course.

State Basketball Championships

Over the weekend two of our outstanding basketball teams took part in the State Primary Championships at Elphin Sports Centre. Both teams demonstrated and played with high levels of respect for opposition schools, officials, team-mates, coaches and supporters. Each individual within these teams demonstrated tremendous courage and growth throughout the tournament, all playing with high level skill and determination. They represented Norwood Primary School with pride and should be congratulated on their accomplishments and efforts. 

The 5/6 boys team had a great weekend finishing in 5^th place after a very tough schedule. This team only lost one game over the two days, beating the Southern champions and narrowly losing against the North West champions. This team missed out a semi final game by percentage. Congratulations to the boys and a big thank you to Rick Wyllie for all of your work coaching the boys, we all really appreciate it.

Our 3/4 boys team went into the State Championships undefeated in the Northern event. The boys played sensationally making it all the way to the grand final game, where they won a tight contest against Our Lady of Lourdes from Devonport. This team went through both tournaments undefeated and claimed the State Championship which is a phenomenal performance. Congratulations to Wyl, Seb, Zach, Baxter, Henry, Campbell, Chase and Ned for playing at such a high level over the weekend. This is a great reward for all the weeks put in to training and preparing. A big thank you to Nigel Bent, for coaching the boys over the weekend in my absence. Finally a big thank you to Denita Garwood for all of your organisation of both teams in the lead up to and over the weekend. The boys and the school can’t thank you enough!

A huge thanks to all the families and school staff who came along to support our teams!

Over the next fortnight things certainly won’t stop at Norwood Primary School. We have one final Newsletter which will be out on the last day of the year for students.

Kind regards,

Luke Padgett

A/Principal

A huge congratulations to all Year 6 students on their participation in the 2022 Presentation Evening. All students displayed enormous mutual respect to each other, their teachers, family members and the school community as a whole. The genuine nature of interactions between staff and students on stage was an element that makes NPS a fantastic place.

Congratulations to all our award recipients

Many of our classes are going on End of Year Celebrations to the Riverside Pool. As per the school and Department for Education, Children and Young People's Sun Protection Polices all students must wear a rash vest or t-shirt or other appropriate clothing when swimming. Students who are not wearing appropriate cover will have to remain in the shade and will not be able to swim. When your child's class is participating in these exciting events, please apply sunscreen before sending them to school. The school will have sunscreen available so that students can reapply, however if your child has sensitivities please pack their own sunscreen for them to use.

Kindergarten Classes

Who: Kinder Leedham and Kinder Williams

Where: Heritage Forest

When: Thursday 15th December. Leave school at 9:30am and return by 2:45pm

Students will need a big drink, recess and lunch. No lunch orders available on this day. Don’t forget your jumper, hat and sunscreen. 

Rebecca Leedham and Melinda Williams

Prep Classes

Who: Prep Dahl, Prep Green/Tyers and Prep Paulsen

Where: Riverside Swimming Pool 

When: Monday 12th December. Leave school at 9:05am and return by 11:30am

Students should wear their PE uniform and bring their hat. They will also need bathers, towel, sunscreen, plastic bag for wet bathers, morning tea and a large drink. Sun tops (rashies) are essential. Don’t forget to pack underwear. Students will be fully supervised by staff and pool lifeguards.

Kelly Dahl, Sarah Green, Lizzie Tyers and Laine Paulsen

Grades 1 and 2 

Who: 1 Andrew/Bertram, 1 Roberts & 1-2 Walker, 2 Garwood, 2's from2-3 Glen and 2's from 2-3 Hayes

Where: Riverside Swimming Pool  

When: Monday 12th December. Leave school at 10:45am return by 2:00pm

Students should wear their PE uniform and bring their hat. They will also need bathers, towel, sunscreen, plastic bag for wet bathers, morning tea and a large drink. Sun tops (rashies) are essential. Don’t forget to pack underwear. Students will be fully supervised by staff and pool lifeguards.

Kate Andrew, Ange Bertram, Carol Roberts, Tamsin Walker Nicole Garwood, Jacqueline Glen & Allira Hayes

Grades 3 and 4

Who: 3's from 2-3 Hayes, 3's from 2-3 Glen, 3-4 Cummings, 3-4 Gibbons, 3-4 Farran/Holt and 4 Poke/Skinner

Where: Riverside Swimming Pool 

When: Monday 19th December. Leave school at 9:05am and return by 12:00pm

Students can wear plain clothes (no singlets or bare shoulders) and bring their school hat. They will also need bathers, towel, sunscreen, plastic bag for wet bathers, morning tea and a large drink. Sun tops (rashies) are essential. Don’t forget to pack underwear. The pool kiosk will be open for students to access. Please limit money to an appropriate amount. Students will be fully supervised by staff and pool lifeguards.

Jacqueline Glen, Allira Hayes, Nita Cummings, Terri Gibbons, Kayla Farran, Lauren Holt, Megan Poke and Susan Skinner

Grades 5 and 6 

Who: All Grade 5-6 Classes

Where: Riverside Swimming Pool 

When: Monday 19th December. Leave school at 11:30am and return by 3:00pm

Students can wear plain clothes (no singlets or bare shoulders) and bring their school hat. They will also need bathers, towel, sunscreen, plastic bag for wet bathers, morning tea, lunch and a large drink. Sun tops (rashies) are essential. Don’t forget to pack underwear. The pool kiosk will be open for students to access. Please limit money to an appropriate amount. Students will be fully supervised by staff and pool lifeguards.

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected as Student Leaders and House Captains for 2023.

Senior Student Leaders

House Captains 

Value Certificate Recipients

It was fantastic to acknowledge students from our Prep to Grade 6 classes during a recent lunchtime line-up. These certificates highlighted those students who have displayed exceptional behaviour, an outstanding approach to learning and academic excellence. Congratulations to all recipients.

Recently, 32 grade 5/6 students were lucky enough to be involved in Launceston College's Dance Fever Impact! Dance Fever provides a fantastic opportunity for students from Norwood Primary to work with peers from other Launceston primary schools and perform to a large live audience. Students committed to spending one lunch time a week over two terms learning three dances and participating in after school and weekend rehearsals. They then had the opportunity to perform in front of their classmates, families and the general public on Friday November 25^th at the Door of Hope.

Huge thanks go to Chelsea Hibbs for the countless hours she devoted to ensuring we were so well prepared.

We are incredibly proud of the way that all students involved embraced this opportunity and represented NPS displaying our values of Respect, Courage, Aspiration and Growth throughout the entire experience.

Grace Evorall- Assistant Principal

COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses (like the flu) are still circulating in Tasmania. The official COVID-19 risk level has been raised to ‘Moderate’.

Together, we need to keep practising our COVID-safe behaviours to manage the risk.

Simple things we can do:

• do not come to school if unwell – stay home and test
• stay at home while you have symptoms, regardless of the result of a rapid antigen test (RAT)
• cover coughs and sneezes and wash your hands with soap and water, or alcohol-based sanitiser
• try to stay a reasonable distance away from others when you can
• consider wearing a face mask if you wish to – they are readily available for use at the school.

All students should ensure they have access to a quantity of RATs. If you need RATs, please ask for them at the school office so they are in your home ready for use if symptoms develop.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

For any COVID-19 enquiries, please 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.

Twice a year, ArtStart takes place for all primary aged students at the QVMAG with a particular theme. This time the theme was 'A Place to Call Home'. Our clever Prep Green/ Tyers students used sharpies and watercolour to express what home means to them. Four of our amazing artists were selected to have their very special work hung in the art gallery at QVMAG. The incredible artists were Milla L, Oliver P, Meika C and Ava B. 

We are so proud of these Prep artists!

Celebration Dinner

Date: Tuesday 20^th December

Time: Commencing at 6.00pm - 8.15pm

Venue: Launceston Golf Club

Students are asked to dress smartly for this occasion. Arriving at the venue is not public, so normal transport is expected. Student will gather at the back of the venue for photo opportunities. Norwood Primary School has made a contribution in order to limit the impact on families. The cost of the dinner for 2022 will be $35. Payments for this dinner can be made at the school office. If you had any questions around this payment please discuss this with our School Business Manager, Nicole Moir. 

Transitioning to a new school year can be challenging at times.  We have been working for some time to support students both formally and informally to experience success in their transition into 2023.  Here are some quick ideas for families to support you in this process.  For further ideas, please visit the website below. Please talk to your child’s teacher for more information about transition.

www.positivepartnerships.com.au

The Year 3-6 Student Parliament are wanting to support those families who may be going without this Christmas.

Through the Salvation Army’s Hamper of Hope the students are hoping to gather non-perishable food items that can be left in the bags near the front office. 

See below for suggested items.

Tip of the Week

https://www.facebook.com/NorwoodPSSA

We can be contacted at norwoodpsa@gmail.com