July 24th

A very warm welcome back to all families, and a special welcome to new families starting with us. It’s hard to believe that we are now more than half way through 2019!

I am extremely pleased to be back after a term away studying in the USA with a Tasmanian Department of Education Hardie Fellowship. I gained a great deal of valuable learning during this time and now look forward to this learning helping guide our work here at Norwood Primary School.

It was wonderful to see students returning to school well-prepared for a new term of learning. As always we expect that there will be illness and important appointments that may keep children away from school, however, it is vital that the school is contacted to explain the absence.  Our average daily attendance to date for 2019 is 93%. Hopefully as the winter illnesses disappear we will see this average rise!!

With winter well and truly showing us its strength, it is important that students remember to wear the appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather. A coat is also a good idea as we go out for recess and lunch each day unless it’s raining, as it is important to get as much fresh air and light as we can during the limited day light hours of winter. 

Please also remember that our official opening time for students is 8:30am and students arriving early will need to wait outdoors until this time unless registered for before schoolcare. 

Please note that we are not able to add any more students to the before school care list due to regulations. 

On Monday staff kicked off the term with a day of Reading Professional Learning and Moderation with our Queechy Alliance colleagues. It was wonderful to work with almost 200 educators all dedicated to further extending their learning to best serve the learning of our students.

We look forward to working with all our students and families for another great term of learning. Please contact us if you need to discuss any concerns or provide us with any feedback. 

Karen 

• A firefighter from the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) is visiting our school this week to present a Home Fire Safety Program to our Prep to Grade 6 students.
• Kindergarten students, whilst not receiving a structured lesson, can expect a visit from the firefighter who will leave some free fun activities for the students to complete.
• The age appropriate program is designed to raise fire awareness in children and includes fun in class activities, videos, activity books, giveaways and a new Kids website tfskids.com.au.
• Parents and other family members are also encouraged to participate by reading the information and assisting your child with the after school activities.
• The TFS aims to deliver appropriate fire safety education to every primary school child in Tasmania and is part of the TFS’s ongoing commitment to create a fire safe Tasmania.

Key Fire Safety Messages include,

• Wake up - Install a smoke alarm in every bedroom
• Plan and practice a home fire escape plan with the whole family
• In a fire crawl low and go, go, go to the nearest exit
• In an emergency call triple zero
• Keep flammable material at least two metres from the heater
• If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, rock and roll
• Keep matches and lighters away from children
• Cooking - Turn it off before you turn away
• Cool a burn under cold water for at least 20 minutes
• Most house fires can be avoided. Make your home fire safe
• More information for parents, carers and teachers tfseducation.com.au
• Exciting new website just for kids tfskids.com.au
• SUBSCRIBE to our free bi-monthly newsletter

EARLY CHILDHOOD

TFS receives regular requests from preschools and child care centres asking for firefighters to visit and teach children about home fire safety.

TFS does not deliver structured fire safety programs to children below primary school age. This decision was made based on research carried out by the Mental Health Services of the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Melbourne. This research indicated that:

• Children under the age of five had low retention of the information they had learned; and
• In some children, the information had actually stimulated their curiosity about fire and they had begun to play with fire.

TFS believes that parents and caregivers are the best people to make sure that very young children are safe from fire. To help with this, TFS has a fire safety website for parents, carers and teachers.

TFS has also developed free giveaways for young children that introduce them to the friendly firefighter characters that they will meet when they receive the School Fire Education Program including a colouring book, a money box shaped like a fire truck, and stickers with home fire safety messages for the whole family. Click here for free giveaways for your preschool or child care centre.

On Thursday, August 15th, to celebrate National Science Week and as part of our Science Inquiry, 2-3G will be visiting the QVMAG at Inveresk. We will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the first moon walk at the Planetarium, being inspired and amazed at the space-related experiments in the Crazy Scientist Show, being challenged by interactive activities related to space missions, and learning how the moon may hold the key to the dinosaur extinction on Earth as we explore the Dinosaur rEVOLUTION Exhibition.

• We will leave school by bus at 9:30am and return to school by 2:30pm.
• Students will need to wear school sports uniform and bring a warm jacket, a recess snack, a cut lunch and a drink.

We would love to hear from any parents with a current Working With Vulnerable People Card who would be willing to accompany us and work with a small group of children.

Jacqueline Glen, Class teacher

In Grade 2 Paulsen we have been learning about the phases of the moon and why the moon appears to change shape. We have created posters to show day and night and all 8 phases of the moon, and how it moves around the earth.

Our class will be taking over the airwaves at City Park Radio for the School’s Out program on 22nd August, 4:30pm-5:00pm.  We hope you are able to  tune in and listen!

Scholastic Book Club order forms will be sent home this week. Orders need to be finalised by Thursday 8th August.

Grades 3, 4 & 5 Swimming and Water Safety program will commence on Monday 16th September and concludes on Friday 27th September. Permission forms have been sent home this week. Please return to the school office as promptly as possible. Thank you.

Every year, students from across Australia are invited to put pen to paper and enter their original song in the Australian Children’s Music Foundation National Songwriting Competition. This year there is a category for Students in Grades 4-6. More information can be found at http://acmf.com.au/national-songwriting-competition/ . Entries close August 29th. 

 Mr Lamb

Father’s Day Stall

We are currently preparing and crafting for the upcoming Father’s Day Stall, to be held on Thursday 29th of August and Friday 30th of August (for Kinder Leedham and those who have not purchased on the Thursday). We rely on the support of the school community to ensure the stall is a success and incredibly appreciate any time or donations you can provide. If you would like to volunteer on the stall on either the Thursday or Friday, please contact stall co-ordinator Angela Hawley on 0422 210 527 or register your interest on the sign up sheet, which is available on the parent notice board next to the school office. Younger siblings are welcome and encouraged to come and help out too!

If you would like to make a donation, this year we are needing the following items:

- boxes of coffee/hot chocolate sachets
- bags of individually wrapped lollies
- multi packs of chocolates (no nuts please)
- individually wrapped biscuits
- mini deodorants
- craft paper and buttons
- pens and highlighters
- mini notepads

All items need to be unopened and in their original packaging. Donations can be left at the school office. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Angela on          0422 210 527. Thank you very much for supporting this year’s Father’s Day Stall!

School Association Meeting

When:            Tuesday 13^th August

Time:             7:30pm

Where:          School Library

Agenda:

• Winter Festival
• Grade 6 Fundraising
• Before School Care
• Father's Day Stall
• Entertainment Books
• School Photos
• Fundraising process and policies
• Yellow Lines – near the School Crossing
• End of Year BBQ / Summer Festival
• School Disco
• School Logo and School Polo Tops

Please send all additional agenda items to norwoodpsa@gmail.com

Everyone is welcome to attend!