March 1st

Dear Parents and Carers,

I wanted to take the time to introduce myself to the Norwood School Community. My name is Elizabeth O’Donahue, and I have been selected to come into your school as the Acting Principal until Week 5 Term 2.  Firstly, I wanted to share a bit of information about myself. I moved to Launceston 14 years ago when I became Principal of Punchbowl Primary School, prior to this I held the position of Principal of Sandy Bay Infant School and Acting Principal of Albuera Street Primary School.

As a leader, I am passionate about students as well as supporting staff and the community to work together to build a culture that is united, safe, and supportive, with students at the centre. I am a visible leader who you will see out and about the playground, classrooms, and school environment. I want to get to know and build my knowledge of the great things that make up Norwood Primary School’s community. One of my first tasks will be to work with the staff to develop the Schools Improvement Plan.

I want to acknowledge the outstanding work of Luke Padgett and the Leadership Team for their tireless work supporting and leading the school. During my hand over meeting with Luke last week if was clear that he and the staff are passionate about this school, and I look forward to working closely with the Leadership Team to continue to move the school in a positive direction.

Lastly, I want to say how excited I am to be joining Norwood Primary School as Acting Principal. I had heard wonderful things about the school before I applied for the position, and I am very much looking forward to meeting families.  I encourage you to please come and introduce yourself.

Elizabeth O'Donahue

Norwood Primary Athletics Carnival

Date: Thursday, 16^th March

Time: 9:30am-2:15pm

Venue: St Leonards Athletic Centre

The Grade 3-6 Athletics Carnival will be held on Thursday 16^th March at the St Leonards Athletic Centre (rain day 20^th March). This is our first carnival of the year and a great opportunity to display house spirit and our school values of Aspiration, Courage, Growth and Respect.  Students have been preparing for the carnival in their PE Lessons. 

Students will need to be at school by 8:55am, to allow prompt departure of buses just after 9:00am.  All students need to ensure they are wearing appropriate clothing to participate in, hats, have plenty of food, bring a large drink bottle and sunscreen. All students will be under the shade of gazebos when not participating in events. Students are also encouraged to support their house by wearing ribbons, tops, zinc cream etc. of their house colours.

Wattle: Blue              Waratah: Red               Banksia: Green

Students with asthma are reminded to bring their puffers for the day.

This year’s carnival is slightly longer than in previous years to allow us to provide more opportunities for students to participate on the day.

Please note: NO RECESS OR LUNCH ORDERS AVAILABLE ON THIS DAY

Spectators are welcome to attend to support students, however they must stay in the designated spectator area.  If you are unwell do not attend. 

Students who are absent may still be selected to represent NPS in the LSSSA Athletics Carnival, based on times/distances recorded at school. This will be held on Wednesday 23^rd March at the St Leonards Athletic Centre. 

Ben Humphrey

I will also be running educational activities and lessons across all grades. Topics will vary but might include: growth and development classes, nutrition, personal hygiene, oral care, sun safety and/or mindfulness. Please feel free to contact me via the school office on a Monday for a chat, or with any health concerns/questions regarding your child’s health or my role here.

Kind regards, Nurse Bri 

All Prep to Grade 2 students have now had their first two Wellbeing lessons with Mrs Fox, Mrs Cummings, Mr Driessen or Mrs Evorall!

So far we have talked about things that might worry us at home or school and what we can do when we feel worried.

We know that we can feel lots of different emotions and that all emotions fit into a Zone. We also know that all Zones are okay and have sorted emotions into Zones.

Next week we will start to look at the Green Zone, which is our zone for learning!

Have a chat with your child about what they know about the Zones!

Please Note: Validation forms must be returned before students participate at the Grade 3-6 Athletics Carnival and excursions. 

Please return signed Validation forms, Major Excursion forms to the school office and ICT Agreements to your class teacher asap. 

If you have a change of address we require evidence of the new address through one of the following documents:

• Bank/Financial statement
• Utility bill (phone, electricity, gas) unable to accept rates notices
• Lease/Rent Agreement
• Australian Tax Office Assessment form from the current or last financial year
• Certificate of Title

If you have a change on your child's immunisation record please provide evidence in the form of one of the following:

• Updated Child Health blue book
• Medicare print out
• Letter from Doctor

Thank you! 

Grade 3 and 5 students will be sitting NAPLAN between 15 and 27 March 2023.

The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance; however, students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.

This is the first year NAPLAN will be held in March, having previously taken place in May. This change was made so school systems would have access to results earlier in the school year, so they can be used to inform teaching and learning plans for the remainder of the year.

Why NAPLAN is conducted online.

NAPLAN online provides a better assessment and more precise results.

One of the main benefits of NAPLAN online is that it uses tailored (or adaptive) testing. This means that students receive questions better suited to their abilities, so they can show what they know and can do.

Online testing also allows us to provide a wide range of accessibility options to support students with disability to access NAPLAN.

Feedback from students is that they find the online test more engaging.

Please note that students in Year 3 complete the Writing Test on paper.

Parent information brochures and other resources

Your questions answered on NAPLAN and what it means for your child:

NAPLAN information brochure for parents and carers

The link will take you to the official National Assessment Program (NAP) website.

Please contact the school if you have any further queries.

School photo day will be held Monday 27th of March, more information will be sent home with students in the coming weeks.  

When:            Tuesday 14^th March 2023

Time:              6:30 pm

Did you know every person with a child at our school is automatically a member of the School Association, we love seeing new faces. You do not need to commit to be a regular member or attendee, you can also just be a volunteer. If you have any questions or want more information  about how you can support our Norwood Primary community please contact us at norwoodpsa@gmail.com We’d love to see some new families come along this year.

Our next meeting will be held on March 14th and will include the AGM.  This year there are five parent Committee Member positions vacant. If you are interested in nominating please complete the attached form and return to the school office by Friday 3rd March 2023.  If you would like more information about what Committee Members do, please contact the School Association via email or Facebook page.  Successful nominations will be announced at the general meeting straight after the AGM. 

https://www.facebook.com/NorwoodPSSA