March 25th
Dear Families.
Once again I would like to send my sincere appreciation for the support and gratitude that the school community is giving to our school during this difficult time. I am sure that everyone appreciates that our staff have their own families and, for some, there are health concerns that result in an added layer of stress on top of planning and delivering ongoing learning to the children still at school.
Our team is working very hard to organise home learning provisions so please be patient as we work through this. Although teachers currently have reduced class numbers, they are still required to plan and deliver a normal learning programs within their class. There is no urgency for you to be setting up a strict home learning schedule at present. Please remember that children are also feeling the stress of the current situation.
In order for us to organise the delivery of home learning provision, please complete the survey below.....
Home Technology Survey
Reading to and with your children and asking questions about what they read or writing | drawing about something that was interesing in the text, cooking, watching age appropriate documentaries of interest and writing | drawing a response, conducting safe science experiments from everyday home ingredients, making shopping lists and calculating average costs etc. are all valid and enjoyable ways for children to learn.
I would recommend, particulary for younger children, that they are not subjected to constant media coverage of COVID-19. It is hard enough for an adult brain to rationalise this; a child's brain is certainly not ready to take in all the information and work out what they should and shoudn't take from it. Below are a couple of resources that are valuable for talking with your child about this.
We are also re-arranging lots of current activities so that we can continue to celebrate each others learning and share some common messages; , for example today Mr Driessen is hosting a 'virtual assembly' to three of our primary classes. Although we have lots of space and children are generally very spread out, Mr Jones is working on a plan to ensure social distancing measures within our playground.
Please find below a joint letter from the Minister & Secretary of Education & Training.
Karen
Thanks to Vanessa Abernethy for organising her first NPS Athletics Carnival on March 10th.
Close, friendly competition was the order of the day. We even had a dead heat in a relay!!
The final results were -
1st - Banksia 1291
2nd - Wattle 1243
3rd - Waratah 1058
Please note the LSSSA Carnival is postponed to Term 4.
The School Canteen will be providing lunch & recess order via the canteen app only. NO cash please. Recess & lunch over the counter sales will NOT be available.
Last week I had the honour in presenting our 2020 Library Leaders with their certificates and badges. Each Grade 6 student produced a written application and were carefully selected by a panel of teachers. I have no doubt that these 10 students will rise to my expectations and shine in their own individual ways.
Congratulations -
Senior Library Leaders: Alex C and Archie M
Library Leaders: Shade S, Jorja B, Ethen R, Grace W, Pixie S, Dottie M, Levi S
Mrs Marshall
In 4/5 F we are very proud of Kasper. Kasper decided to embark on a journey of participating in the World's Greatest Shave to help raise money for people suffering from blood cancer. Kasper's target was $300 and he has exceeded this and raised over $600! Well done Kasper!
3R Merit Certificates
| Prep G/G | Ivy S, Hunter A |
| Prep T | Imogen R, Eden B, Ava W |
| Prep-1 P | Emma H, Harrison W |
| 1 B/H-D | Oscar K, Ruby L |
| 1-2 W | Alanis C, Evie F, Briah M |
| 2-3 Y | Cora S, Chase I, Stella H |
| 3 G | Jackson M, Bella W |
| 3-4 B | Ella F, Rhys W |
| 4 H | Cruz D, Amalie H, Makayla Y, Tyler L |
| 4-5 H | Layla I, Ashton B |
| 5 F | Lilah S, Ava E, Lotty T |
| 5-6 M | Ruby S, Isabella A |
| 5-6 P/W | Tahlia S, Flynn G, Nate H |
| 6 D | Leigh C, Caitlin R, Taiya M |
| 6 R | Matilda D, Amy B, Pixie S |
Two weeks ago, 6D, 5-6M and 5F departed for Camp Banksia. After a stop at Exeter and getting lost at Glengarry Maze, we made it to camp enjoying the beach and the challenge of building sand castles.
After a late night for some, Day 2 saw us rotate around 5 different activities. Pancake cooking, mapping, puppet making, team challenges and the favourite Survival game. Students enjoyed the days activities and performed well in the famous camp talent show which saw juggling, dancing, singing and comedy.
Day 3, we packed up camp in the rain, headed for Ashgrove where we learnt about how micro-organisms can help in the production of cheese.
Special thanks goes to the parents that generously gave up their time to support the students. Mr Manshanden, Mr Letchford, and Mr Kerrison.
Students were responsible, resilient and respectful and we all thoroughly enjoyed our time on camp.
| March | |
| 27th | Prep-2 Athletics Carnival - postponed |
| April | |
| 6th-9th | Student Free Days |
| 10th | Good Friday - End of Term 1 |
| 27th | Term 2 begins |
This upcoming event has been cancelled, sadly. Mrs Abernethy will ensure that the activities and friendly competition and cooperation will occur in her upcoming physical education lessons. Your child is likely to bring home a certificate of participation in the near future.
Gary Jones
Notice from CommBank School Banking
The health, safety and wellbeing of our communities and our people is our first priority. Due to the rapidly developing situation with coronavirus, School Banking has been temporarily paused from 20 March 2020 until the start of Term 2. Please don’t bring your deposit book with your weekly banking into school and we will notify you when banking will recommence.
Dear families of Norwood Primary School,
All future School Associations meetings for the Norwood Primary School Association have been cancelled for the foreseeable future. I have been speaking with Karen Hampton and we both agree at the moment the current agenda can be put on hold.
We all need to make sure we are not meeting unnecessarily and by doing so we can help stop the curve. I realise there is a constitutional requirement to hold a certain number of meetings a year but given the current climate I am sure common sense will prevail. For the time being the current committee and executive will remain the same until such time that we can resume normal meetings.
I will keep in close contact with the school and lets hope we can resume meetings soon. If you have any concerns please let myself &/or Karen know so we can help, we are all in unchartered waters so please don't hesitate to ask questions as we might all be thinking the same thing!
Yours sincerely, Ben Cunningham
School Association Chair
The Norwood School Fair Committee would like to say a huge thank you, to all those who came to support our School Fair. It goes without saying that such great events can't be held without donations from local businesses and we were so blessed this year to have such great support, please be sure to thank them and support them when you have the chance!
To our school community, the many families who donated cakes & slices, cans of cordial, chocolate eggs, etc, etc thank you so much. To our staff and students you have worked so hard to make your fair the best it could be and you should be so proud.
To the School Association and especially the Fair Committee your hard work has paid off with another successful fair that has been thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. We have not only raised much needed money for our school but we have showcased how great our school is to the local community. Can I personally thank Kirsty Crawford, Sarah Merritt, Chantal Innes, Fiona Baker, Corrine Leale, Savanna Moore and Jonathan Hart for providing our school with one of its greatest fairs. You have worked tirelessly and it was a great day enjoyed by all. I loved seeing the smiles on the children (and adults) faces, great memories for all.
Yours Sincerely, Ben Cunningham
School Association Chair
Total amount raised for 2020 Fair - $14, 461 profit.
To go towards the school!
Support Links from our Social Worker
Government Financial Support Options
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/affected-coronavirus-covid-19
Crisis support for Families and Individuals
Red Cross – 1800 733 276
https://www.redcross.org.au/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq6rD3oq06AIVF7eWCh02GAJqEAAYASAAEgLv-fD_BwE
Salvation Army – 13 72 58
https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/need-help/
City Mission Australia – 63 35 3000
https://www.citymission.org.au/
Anglicare – 1800 243 232
https://www.anglicare-tas.org.au/when-life-is-difficult/
Mental Health Support
Life Line – 13 11 14
Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
Kids Help Line – 1800 555 000
Mental Health Help Line – 1800 332 388
Message from a school parent - Sharyn White
I am cutting/shaving/colouring my hair for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation because I believe a world without cancer is possible. But, I can’t do it alone.
Will you help sponsor me and help me reach my goal?
https://shave.acrf.com.au/fundraisers/sharynwhite
ACRF partners with research institutes to fund the technology, equipment and infrastructure needed to develop better prevention, earlier detection and more effective treatment across all cancer types. They invest in the brightest minds and boldest ideas in cancer research. Help me be bold too. Together we can outsmart cancer.