June 5th

Dear NPS Families

Teachers are currently finalising reports and preparing to share these with you as part of the upcoming Parent/Teacher Conversations.  An email was sent out this week with the link to book a conversation time with your child/rens' teachers. This is a wonderful opportunity to work alongside of teachers to support childrens' learning.

Children and the Internet

I am sure that I do not need to go on about the difficulties and complexities of children and the internet, particulary social media.  We certainly see and feel the problems that arise from our current 'internet world' as this can and does often flow over to social difficulties at school. 

I am currently, researching and working with the School Association to provide some timely and high evidence-based research about this area and the impact on primary age students.  Below is a recent article from an expert in this area that I felt may be benefical to support you to support your children. 

Please keep watch for more about this focus area.   

Digital Kids 

Dr Justin Coulson 2023

So much internet ink has been spilled decrying the challenges of raising digital kids. And for a host of reasons, this hand-wringing is justified and reasonable. I’ll outline many of these issues below.

But… our kids are growing up in this digital environment, and frankly, it’s pretty damn awesome in spite of those challenges I’ll describe below. The need for protection is undeniable. Concerns are not just justified; they are mounting. Yet the opportunity that we have in front of us is unparalleled. Never in history has there been so much potential for our children to build and develop amazing digital solutions that can improve our world. The digital opportunities in front of us are incredible.

In the following article you’ll discover:

1. What research says about kids, screens, and wellbeing – and why we have every right to be concerned
2. Why the negatives are happening
3. How to turn anxiety into opportunity
4. Practical solutions for every parent

My articles aren’t typically this long, but be warned… this one is longer than normal. It’s a solid 15 minute read. My hope is that you’ll find it worth it though.

Part 1: What research says about kids, screens, and wellbeing

The way we use screens in our homes and in our families has been evolving for decades – since the beginnings of television. But screens today are more present, ubiquitous, and pervasive than ever before. And there’s a huge amount of hand-wringing about how kids (and parents) today interact with their multitude of devices.

This article is about whether the hand-wringing is justified, and if it is, what we can do about it.

The “screen-time” alarm was first raised a generation ago in 1999, with the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) strongly discouraging electronic media for children under the age of two. (Prior to that, it was always our mums and grandmas who warned us that we would end up with “square eyes” if we kept on staring into those “idiot boxes” in the corner!)

In the 24 years since the AAP said kids under two should not watch screens, the official advice has remained largely unchanged, with the World Health Organization (WHO) releasing its own guidelines in 2019 also discouraging the use of screen time in children under two, and no more than one hour daily for children under the age of five. For those between 5-17, the advice is to have no more than two hours of recreational screen time daily, although less is better.

Parents stopped listening to those guidelines years ago. In fact, more than 80% of Australian children are spending more time on screens than is recommended. I argue that the guidelines are mostly irrelevant, and that we should be focused less on “how much” screen-time our kids are getting, and more on “what type”. (Screens are best used for creativity and connection rather than consumption, for example. And Jocelyn Brewer tells us to be mindful, moderate, and meaningful in the way we use our screens.) I also encourage parents to ensure that screens fit into a healthy, whole, and balanced life.

Please click on this link to read more about the impact of screens on kids at various developmental stages; Digital Kids – Happy Families

Kind regards, 

Karen Monaghan| Principal

STUDENT FREE DAY - FRIDAY 7th JUNE

PUBLIC HOLIDAY - MONDAY 10th JUNE

Mid-year reports are currently being completed. 

These reports will be available at the time of your mid-year Parent / Teacher conversation.  This will allow the teacher to talk through the report with you, and for you to ask any immediate questions that you may have.

We look forward to families taking part in the upcoming Parent / Teacher Conversations. Bookings are made through this link:

https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/sv8v4

If you have difficulty accessing the link please contact the school office on 6344 2533 or norwood.primary@decyp.tas.gov.au and we can make an appointment for you.

Bookings will close Wednesday 12th June 3:00pm.

In 1-2E, during our inquiry unit we have been focusing on our connection to First Nations Australians.  We have attended an excursion to the Cataract Gorge and museum and spent lots of class time gaining new understandings about our country.  During reconciliation week we focused on what it means to be respectful and reconcile our relationships with First Nations Australians.

In 5/6D, we have been looking at solids, liquids and gases. In this experiment, we observed a chemical reaction between citric acid, bi-carb soda and water. The reaction caused gases to rise from the water and inflate the balloon.

On Friday, 24^th May we held our school Cross Country Carnival. The weather from the night before went away and provided some excellent ‘Cross Country weather’. The day was filled with strong support and encouragement from students and spectators as our young athletes tested their endurance running around our school. Congratulations to all of our participating students and to Waratah for taking home the House shield on the day. Check this space for photos to follow.

Good luck to the following Grade 3-6 students who will be representing our school tomorrow at the LSSSA Cross Country Carnival:

Last week we had around 70 Grade 3-6 students participating in the Launceston School Futsal titles at Elphin Sports Centre. It was a great opportunity for our students to play in a fun, encouraging environment. All students were able to showcase their skills, learn a different sport and show their teamwork throughout the event. A big thank you to parents who helped to support our teams throughout the tournament.

All Year 6 students transitioning from Norwood Primary School to Kings Meadows High School in 2025 are invited to attend ‘Challenge Day’ on Friday 21^st June. Students will be travelling by bus to Kings Meadows High School and will experience a sample of the teaching and learning programs being offered at the school. The day is designed around a number of curriculum-based challenges, SWAT (My Education), HaSS, Maths, English, Science, Health & Physical Education, Arts & Technologies. Participating students will experience a typical Year 7 day at High School.

There will be further information coming home early next week around this exciting opportunity.

NORWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL has been nominated for

CHILLI FM'S $10,000 SCHOOL OF THE YEAR!

It’s time where YOU get to vote for OUR school to win $10,000 to spend on whatever we want or may need!