September 23rd

Here we are at the end of term 3!

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the entire school community for the high-level of support and understanding in regards to the unprecedented year that we are having. It certainly hasn't been the year that any of us could have predicted this time last year, but we have pulled together and pushed through, teachers are teaching and students are learning...although a little differently for a while!

At this stage we are preparing for our end of year and hopeful that each of our annual events will be able to take place with just a few tweeks. Stay tuned for further information early next term. 

Principal Awards

This Friday, I will be presenting four students from each class with a Principal Award Certificate. The teachers have chosen four students from their class who continually focus hard on their learning, meet learning challenges with determination and resilience and focus on learning in a way that stretches their own learning and contributes to a classroom environment that supports all learners. This has certainly been a hard choice for our teachers! More to come next term as well!

2021 Organisation

As we move into the final term for 2020, I would like to give families the opportunity to provide any information that may support placement of students into classes for 2021.  If you wish to provide any information, please either put this in an email or letter with the title "2021 Student Information".  

Please be aware that requests for particular teachers are not taken into account, rather the focus should be on educational and\or social emotional information.  If you have something that you would like to talk with me personally about, please contact the school office for an appointment.

Looking forward to a wonderful term 4!

Karen

Last Tuesday was the LSSSA Cross Country event for 2020, this year held at Riverside Primary/High Schools. In a year of cancelled sporting events it was great from the LSSSA to be able to provide a inter-school competition for our best endurance runners to represent Norwood in.

After our Norwood Primary Cross Country event a couple of weeks ago, the team was picked and training started for our 48 runners from Grades 3-6. This year, to allow for a smooth day for the organisers, Division A and B carnivals were run simultaneously. This meant that there were 8 schools competing against each other at the same time but were separated at the finish line for scoring purposes. After winning last years Division B carnival, Norwood’s goal was to complete the same feat and win back to back Division B carnivals.

Throughout the day there were plenty of excellent performances around what was an unknown track. The following students are to be congratulated on finishing in the top 3 in their race: Eddie S (3^rd), Gabi L (1^st), Charlie B (1^st), Ava E (2^nd) and Tom M (3^rd). Special mention must also go to the Grade 4 boys who pushed themselves and each other throughout the race so well that all 6 boys finished in the top 11 runners! This great team running was a feature of our day with the Grade 3 boys & girls, Grade 4 boys and the Grade 6 boys all winning their team events.

Throughout the carnival, it was looking as though Norwood and Punchbowl Primary Schools would be very close come the finish for who would take home the shield for Division B. So it proved with Norwood just scraping over the line by 13 points to win another LSSSA Division B Cross Country. Congratulations to all runners who helped us achieve such great success!

Ben Humphrey

Queechy Alliance Middle Years Literacy Project 2018-2020

Interactive Read-Alouds

“By Interactive Read Aloud we mean that the teacher reads aloud to the students, but both the teacher and the student think aloud, talk aloud and respond to the text. Both the reader and the listeners are active.” (2006, Fountas and Pinnell).

All Queechy Alliance (QA) schools have completed two professional learning (PL) sessions on Interactive Read Alouds this term. Agreed key messages are always at the forefront of our minds when developing PL to ensure shared understanding across the schools. Staff had the opportunity to plan for and trial their own interactive read aloud in their classroom, with time to reflect on their practice for future teaching and learning purposes. Staff were prompted to identify the differences between Interactive Read Alouds and Shared Reading before considering possible strategies to deepen and extend student thinking and understanding. Two of our staff, Angela Dykman (Literacy Coach/ AST at Punchbowl Primary) and Ann-Marie McKendrick (AST at Queechy High School) volunteered to be filmed completing an Interactive Read-Aloud in authentic classroom contexts. These became examples of practice for our PLs and we thank them very much for their openness and courage.

Instructional Model

The Instructional Model (IM) will be a continual focus for the QA to improve teacher practice and student learning. Although individual schools are at varying points on the journey of implementation and practice, we all aspire to be using the QA IM during lessons as a framework to ensure consistency in teaching across our seven schools. High leverage reading strategies will be used as the content to allow teachers opportunities to embed the IM into their practice.

Beyond 2020

Next term will see the end of the funding for the Middle Years Literacy Project. The Board of Principals acknowledge the importance of working collectively, our achievements so far and opportunities for growth into the future. Priorities for sustainability have started, including the documentation of shared commitments and a draft Strategic Plan beyond 2020.  More information will be shared as it becomes available.

If you have any questions or queries about the MYLP please contact your In-School Leader.

Norwood – Zoe Marshall

Belinda Simpson

QA MYLP Coordinator

Yesterday our Early Childhood students had the great opportunity to watch some grade 5/6 students from Glen Dhu Primary School demonstrate their excellent skipping skills. These Glen Dhu 'super skippers' practise their tricks constantly and perform for primary schools around Launceston. Norwood students were in awe of their abilities and have since started practising their skipping as well! Here are a couple of photos from the performance.

Ben Humphrey

When it has been cold and wet outside this term, it's so nice to be inside the library listening to a library leader, or a friend, read a story.

Watch this space for more library events in Term Four.

Zoe Marshall

A reminder to parents of QHS 2021 students that there are 30 minute parent information sessions for which parents are required to book attendance. The final 2 sessions are Thursday evening (tomorrow) at 5 pm and 5:50pm. Bookings can be made on-line at  https://queechyhigh.education.tas.edu.au/event/231

Both Kings Meadows and Queechy High schools have recently held successful transition events, in conjunction with other primary schools, which our students enjoyed.

Date for your diary: Wednesday November 25th - Transition Day for High Schools

Gary Jones

Good luck to Oscar L from 5 Faulkner.

“This October, I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer! Because right now, cancer is the largest single killer of children from disease in Australia – over 600 children are diagnosed with cancer every year and sadly, 3 die every week.” 

Oscar has set himself the goal of riding 100km during October and is raising money for cancer research. To find out more click on

https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/Oscar L

This programme has seen many changes during this year.

The latest news is that our grade 3+4 students are going to have the full programme, using the Hagley Primary School Pool (Glen Dhu closed for maintenance) during the fifth and sixth week of next term, November 9^th – 20^th. Our grade 5 students will have five lessons during this fortnight.

Please Note: Due to the closure of the Glen Dhu Pool (for maintenance). There will be no Grade 2 Swimming Programme this year.

Gary Jones

Dates:

Reminder - please complete payment of $40 (or $50 if not regeistered with Basketball Tas) to the office by Friday 25th September. Cash Only.

Thank you. 

Corinne Leale 

Music for 1-3 year olds

Next term, we are excited to be able to offer our 1-3 year olds a music session with Mrs Turmine. This will be held every Friday in the music room from 1:00pm - 1:30pm, starting 16^th October.

If you would like to attend the 8 week block you will need to RSVP to the office on 63442533. We can only have 20 children at the session so get in quick to reserve your spot!

This year as part of our CBCA Book Week celebrations we will once again be having a Dress Up day based around this year's theme of CURIOUS CREATURES, WILD MINES. 

When: Tuesday 20th October    

Just a reminder that we are now taking enrolments for Kindergarten 2021 if you live in Norwood Primary School's area.

If you have not already done so, could you please ensure that you have completed your enrolment forms and supplied all documentation (see below). Please pass this information on to all families living in our area who have children born in 2016.

Documentation required:

• your child’s birth certificate,
• immunisation record
• documentation of child’s medical conditions (if required)
• proof of parent identity eg. Driver licence,
• proof of residence

Norwood Primary is now classified as being at capacity and therefore no Out of Area requests can be considered.

Lynn Wyllie-Watson

Forward planning for the 2021 school year has begun. In order for us to make the best decisions possible, it is important to let us know if your child/ren will NOT be returning to NPS next year so please either call (6344 2533)or email norwood.primary@education.tas.gov.au if this is the case. 

Thank you!

Have you lost a jumper, coat, container or even a bag? Our Lost Property Basket is overflowing with unnamed items. Please check to see if anything belongs to you! If you have lost any of our new clothing items ask at the office. PLEASE name all your uniform items as it helps us to return them to their owners! Thank you!