October 20th

Firstly, I would like to extend my congratulations to all our year 5-6 basketballers on their commitment and strong sportsmanship throughout last weekend’s School Basketball Tournament. We all extend a huge thank you to our family members who gave their time to coach the teams. We understand that this is a big commitment on top of each person’s work and family commitments. Simply put...we would not be able to support so many teams to participate in this event without the volunteer coaches. 

I am looking forward to the year 3-4 games this weekend. Thank you also to Norwood PS staff who were able to attend some of the games as we understand that staff also have their own family commitments during the weekend.  

Staff News

Mrs Lynn Wyllie-Watson has taken up the opportunity for an Assistant Principal's position at West Launceston PS to back fill an unexpected vacancy. We wish Lynn all the best for this new role. We are aiming to fill Lynn's AP position here internally, and will be able to announce this by the end of this week. 

We all extend a big thank you to Lynn for her high-level of dedication to her AP role at NPS over the 2+ years and wish her well within her new role. 

2022 Class Placements - reminder

We are in the process of organising staff and classes for 2022. Thank you to the families who have let us know that your children will be moving on from NPS next year. If you haven't done so, and are moving on, please let us know, and if you are aware of anyone moving into the area or a 4 year old ready for 2022 kinder please encourage them to give us a call. 

I welcome families to send any information for class placement via the school email. Please be aware that requests for particular teachers will not be considered, rather this is required to be aligned to what might best suit the educational needs of your child. Families are also welcome to make a time to come and speak with me if that is a preferred option. All requests will need to be in by the end of week 4.

Please send requests to: norwood.primary@education.tas.gov.au

Kind regards, Karen

Principal Awards

Congratulations to the following students who last week received a Principal Award for their ongoing dedication to learning.

Aspiration Awards 

These awards were given to students who consistently display and model the value of Aspiration throughout our school. Congratulations on a being a positive role model to your peers.

Prep Green/Gale	Arlo K
Prep Taylor	Hassan I
Prep-1 Paulsen	Jade G
1 Andrew	Edward Q
1-2 Roberts	Ryan S
1-2 Walker	Chloe A
2 Garwood	Elise P
2 Hayes/McArthur	Zoe W
3 Glen	Indiana U
3-4 Farran/Holt	Larnie B
3-4 Hill	Olivia S
3-4 Maconachie	Amari L
4-5 Faulkner	Matilda S
5-6 Driessen	Annabel C
5-6 Finnigan	Zoe R
5-6 Marshall	Laura H
5-6 Poke/Walker	Halle R
5-6 Richards	Giaan P

Our classes throughout our school are working incredibly hard to unpack our value of Courage and what it means for them. This will continue to be an explicit focus for us during Term 4.

Why Courage?

Courage is not a common value for schools and can mean many different things to different people. We show courage at Norwood Primary School by:

• Accepting challenges and embracing opportunities
• Taking responsibility for our own learning and behaviour
• Being brave and not giving up
• Asking for help when we need it
• Having difficult conversations (including when people’s behaviour does not reflect with our values)
• Including others

Courage is not necessarily loud, but is sometimes quiet and thoughtful and can relate to any area of life. By embedding this value in the culture of our school, we model the behaviours we encourage in our learners.

As part of our celebration of our Values, we will be awarding those students who have consistently displayed and modelled the Courage behaviours of our Expected Student Behaviour. Students who are recognised for displaying Courage, will be presented with a Courage badge, which they can wear every day. These badges will be presented to students in a whole school assembly later this Term. For parents/guardians of these students, please keep an eye out for an invitation to be a part of this assembly to recognise those students who go above and beyond.

Our 5-6 Swimming Carnival is next week!

Spectators are capped at 2 per family. There will be a designated area for spectators to watch the swimming events from.

Where: Riverside Pool

When: Wednesday 27^th October

Time: 9.45am – 12.50pm

Estimated times for events:

The Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) provides assistance to low-income families towards the cost of levies for students enrolled in a school from kindergarten through to year 12.

STAS is provided through school and college resourcing rather than payment direct to families.

Eligibility

Parents who have a current concession card as listed below can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS:

• Services Australia – Centrelink Health Care Card
• Services Australia – Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
• Services Australia – Pensioner Concession Card or
• Department of Veteran Affairs – Pensioner Concession Card.

To apply for STAS please complete a Student Assistance application form. Parents/guardians will be able to apply online via this link Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) (education.tas.gov.au),

2022 Eligibility for Previous STAS Recipients

Parents who received STAS in 2021 do not need to re-apply for next year, families will be contacted directly by the Department in regard to STAS 2022. Parents who received STAS during 2020 who do not hold a concession card outlined will be approved using the 2020 process where evidence is provided to support their claim. The Department will contact parents in relation to this.

Further information regarding STAS is available on the Department’s web page at Levies and Charges - The Department of Education Tasmania

Last week, Sam C. from Grade 5 travelled to Hobart as a part of the Youth Speakout Event by Reconciliation Tasmania, which allowed youth to share their thoughts on how best to bring reconciliation between Aboriginal people and white Australia. 

Sam visited Parliament House, where he presented his speech on “the destruction of the Juukan Gorges by Mining Expansion and the destruction of Aboriginal Heritage Sites” to various members of parliament, including Premier Peter Gutwein, Labor leader Rebecca White and Greens leader Cassie O’Connor.  During his visit he also got to observe a sitting of the House of Assemblies.

After finishing at Parliament House Sam travelled to Government House, where he got to meet the Tasmanian Governor, Barbara Baker and have afternoon tea. As the only representative of our school, Sam demonstrated our school values of Courage and Aspiration through his willingness to challenge himself and follow his passion for politics. We are very proud of you Sam!

Oscar Letchford is Riding to Fight Kids Cancer by undertaking the Great Cycle Challenge for the 2nd year which requires him to ride 150km for the month of October. He is aiming to raise $1000+.

Great Cycle Challenge Australia - Riders - Oscar Letchford

Transitioning from primary to high school is a time full of fun, excitement and new experiences, but it can also be challenging or worrying for many students and their families. Norwood Primary School are fortunate to be able to collaborate with local high schools in order to make this process a smooth one. Coming up on Wednesday the 24^th of November is an all-day Orientation Day being held at all Government schools. This day is structured to follow a normal high school timetable, enabling students to have an experience of what this will be like in 2022. Information for this day has already been sent home.

Our local schools are aiming to assist students and their families by making sure every child is prepared and feels supported in their choice for high school learning in 2022. Over the coming weeks before Orientation Day, identified students will be taking part in some extra transition activities. The purpose of these experiences is to expose students to high school life and the opportunity to visit the campus and be introduced to both staff and students at the school. The goal of a successful transition program is to increase student's connectedness to their Year 7 high school, whilst fostering engagement through introductory experiences.

If you have any questions or concerns with transition, please contact the NPS office.

Luke Padgett

On the last day of Term 3 our school comunity raised $641.40 for The Shepherd Centre.

In the interest of student safety all parking of cars by parents before and after school should be in Norwood Avenue or nearby streets. 

The bus layby is reserved for buses and taxis only and the car park at the front of the school is reserved for staff only. 

The childcare centre adjacent to the school has parking only for their clients. 

There are two disabled parking spots at the front of the school. These are available for holders of a disabled parking permit between the hours of 8:30am - 9:15am and 2:30pm - 3:15pm. Short term and visitor parking is available for parent use after 9:15am and before 2:00pm. There is a drop off/pick up zone at the front of the school.

In 2 Garwood we have created postcards about our recent school holidays.

POSTCARD text:

Lucy - I went to Queensland and visited Wet'n' Wild, Seaworld and Movie World.

Amelia-I had a birthday on the holidays.  Now I am 8.

Laketa - I went to Grindlewald and had a turn on the bouncing castle.

Ryan - I went to Lulworth and stayed for 2 nights.

Charlotte H. - I went to the Village of Lower Crack Pot.

Zoe - I went to the pool with Macey.

Finn - I went to Hobart and stayed at the Grand Chancellor.

Harrison - I went on lots of walks and we went to Coles Bay for my mum's birthday.

Emma - I went Go carting for my brother's birthday and had a sleepover at Maggies.

Evelyn - I went in some dancing competitions and I won 3 times and came a 2nd and a 3rd.

Charlotte S - I went to Lilydale falls and to the raspberry farm.  

Oliver - I went to bowling with my nan and cousins. The chips there are the best!

Frederick - I went to the Aquatic Centre and saw Maggie.

Ruby - My Aunty had a baby in the holidays. Her name is Isabelle or nick name is Izzy. I got a new basketball.

Marcus - I watched a Godzilla movie. It was great.

What's happening in Term 4?

• Coffee and Climb (0-4 year olds) - re-commences in the school hall Monday 11^th October 9:15-10:00am
• Music Mates (0-4 year olds) - starting Monday 11th October 2:00-2:30pm in the school library.
• Gumnuts (for babies under 12 months) - starting Tuesday 12^th October 12:00-12:45pm in the Breezeway.
• Little Joeys and Chatterbox (for 2-3 year olds)- starting Wednesday 13^th October in the Kinder building from 9-10am.
• Forest Fun (for 2-4 year olds) - starting Wednesday 13^th October.  Meet at the Kinder building 1:45-2:45pm.
• Pre-Kinder (children born in 2017) - starts Wednesday 13^th October in the Kinder building. Please contact Tania Fankhauser or the school office if you are not sure what your child’s new Pre-Kinder time is for this term.

Issue 7 of Scholastic Book Club will go home this week, all orders must be placed ON LINE, and will close on Wednesday 27^th October 3pm. Thank you!

School Association Meeting

When:           Tuesday 9th November 2021

Time:             7:00pm

Where:          Staff room

Everyone is welcome to attend!

End of Year Family Picnic

End of year family picnic, save the date (9th December). Please watch out for more information via Facebook.

Thank you!

A big thank you to Rachel Kerrison, Sue Hayward, the organising committee and all the volunteers for the School Disco. A fabulous evening of dancing was had by students and staff and was a fantastic way to end the term.

School Fair

Planning for the 2022 school fair is commencing soon, please contact us if you can assist in any way.