2023 - March 10

From the Principal

It has been wonderful to see the way our students have adjusted to developing positive relationships and working with their new teachers. Our attendance has been very good.  It is so important students attend school every day. 

Our goal has been to establish predicable routines to support calm orderly learning environments.  Teachers have been working with their class to create a set of expectations for learning behaviours.  Over the next few weeks teachers will support students to develop a toolbox of strategies to assist regulation.  We will continue to use the Zones of Regulation as our framework for this work. 

Regulation is our ability to regulate or manage behaviour allowing us to focus when there are distractions, take turns, wait, stop, follow the rules and adapt to new situations.  To do what is socially expected of use, to control outbursts of anger and to accept challenges are skills we need to learn.  The Zones of Regulation together with Positive Behaviour Learning lessons will support us to develop our understandings and to regulate our emotions. 

School Times

Term Dates 

Term 1   Wednesday 8 February to Wednesday, 5 April 

Term 2   Wednesday 26 April to Friday 7 July 

Term 3   Tuesday 25 July to Friday 29 September 

Term 4   Monday, 16 October to Thursday, 21 December 

          Intranet link: SCHOOL TERMS AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAYS  

Allergy Aware  

We are an allergy aware school.  We discourage the use and consumption of nuts and nut products as well as eggs and egg products. 

Assembly 

Assembly is held in the hall each fortnight (even weeks) on Wednesdays from 2:15-2:45pm, with children proceeding to line-up at 2:10pm.  On Wednesday 15^th March we will present the Year 6 Leaders with their badges and they will sign their commitment to office contract.  Student Leaders will bring home an invitation this week to share with their families. 

Attendance 

Attendance must be completed by 9:15am each day.  Students who arrive after attendance has been taken, must sign in using Kiosk and take their ticket to the teacher. When the system is not working for any reason students will need to visit the office to be issued a blue ‘late sign in’ card.  If a student arrives to class after attendance, without a late sign in card, they must return to the office for their attendance to be recorded. Parents are sent an SMS for unexplained absences. 

Bikes/Scooters 

Students are permitted to ride bikes and scooters to and from school.  These must be walked through the school gate and are to be kept in the bike racks on the front lawn area. 

Breakfast Program 

The Breakfast Program runs each morning in the hall between 8:30am – 8:57am and is co-ordinated by our EFA and the Chaplain, supported by senior staff and student volunteers.  Breakfast consists of cereal, toast and a drink. 

Children are expected to line up to be served, say please and thank you, sit and eat sensibly and have respectful and appropriate conversations. 

Interim Reports

Interim Reports will go home with students on Friday 10^th March.  On Tuesday 14^th March we have a Meet the Teachers afternoon from 3.15-4.30pm.  There will be a free BBQ for families to enjoy as we meet staff and chat about all the good things we are noticing about your student.  As always, parents are encouraged to make an appointment to discuss matters relating to your student that you may wish to discuss in private. 

Learning Plans

Over the next few weeks, Mrs Towns, Mrs Webster and our class teachers will be contacting our families of students who require learning plans to support adjustments for their learning.  We will be inviting parents/carers to attend a Learning Plan meeting to develop goals. We look forward to continuing to work with you to support students to achieve their Learning Plan goals. 

Medical Action Plans

Reminder: If your child has a medical condition which may require special treatment (for example asthma, allergies) your child will need a Medical Action Plan. The office can provide you with the required forms.

The plan provided by the Doctor and information from you is required so that we can ensure we have current and correct information. Please make sure your child's class teacher is aware of your child's condition as a priority.

Please contact Anita Price (Assistant Principal) on 6326 1892 to formalise the Medical Action Plan. 

School Lunch Pilot

We have employed a canteen supervisor, Mrs Toni Bland. The 2023 Lunch Pilot Program initiative begins this week for prep/1, 1/2 and 2/3 and next week for 3/4, 5/6A and 5/6B.  Parents, please complete the survey below before the program starts. 

Parent/Caregiver survey

As part of the School Lunch Project, children are receiving free cooked lunches on either a Thursday or Friday each week. To help better understand the benefits and challenges of providing cooked school lunches, researchers from the University of Tasmania are interested in hearing feedback from parents.

You are invited to complete a short survey. Every parent who completes a survey will go in the draw to win a $20 Visa/Mastercard voucher. If more than 20% of eligible parents complete the survey, your school will receive a $500 voucher that can go towards improving school food facilities. If you would like to participate, please follow this link: https://redcap.utas.edu.au/surveys/?s=7KTYJLDXDRW3R3P4

We thank you in advance for your participation!

Merit Certificates and Principal's Awards

The following students are congratulated for being presented with Merit Certificates in our last assembly :

• Evie L
• Mia R
• Jayda R
• Domanic F
• Lorenzo C
• Jaydan T
• Carter F
• Maggie B
• Ryder T
• Penelope B
• Mason W
• Kacie M
• Martin C

And congratulations to students and teachers who received the Principal's awards:

• Rikki M
• Bradley F
• Miss Siobhan Matuska 

Brixhibition

Please return completed Brixhibition entry forms by tomorrow.

The Smith Family

WHO WE ARE

"At The Smith Family, we believe that education is one of the world’s most powerful change agents. That’s why we focus on helping young Australians to overcome educational inequality caused by poverty.

As a national, independent charity, every day we work with thousands of children and their families to help them unlock better futures for themselves."

School Health Nurse

Information on World Sleep Day (17th March) shared with us by our School Health Nurse - Jordan de Hoog.

Community Noticeboard

JackJumpers Clinics

JackJumpers basketball clinics are coming to Launceston! Join Tasmania's cheekiest ant, Jack the Jumper, for basketball fun and games. Learn fundamental basketball skills and rules of the game in a supportive atmosphere.

Weekend sessions of 1 hr for $50 which includes a basketball!

Saturday 25 March – Newnham, UTAS Campus

Ages 5-8- click here

Ages 9-12- click here

Saturday 6 May – Elphin Sports Centre, Launceston
Ages 5-8- click here
Ages 9-12- click here

And school holiday fun! A full day (9-3pm) session for $120, which includes a basketball!

Tuesday 11 April – Elphin Sports Centre

9.00-3.00pm - click here

More sessions available in Scottsdale and Longford + all the info available on the JackJumpers website

Launceston BMX

Hello Launceston Schools,

My name Harrison, I am the Community Development Coordinator for AusCycling in Tasmania. I am reaching out on behalf the Launceston BMX Club, who will be running free Come & Try sessions across March open to the public as they kick off their 2023 racing season. Hosted at the club track located at St Leonards Rd, St Leonards, the club will run a free 2-hour session on March 4 and 25th.

No experience required, no commitment, no pressure, just come and have some fun riding with the guidance of our coaches. Places are limited so get in quick to register.

Open to all ages, male and female, our come & try sessions are a great opportunity to try BMX for free and see what this wonderful sport has to offer. Open to all ages and all skill levels, our coaches and volunteers will help you out on the track and having fun!

Follow this link to register for the event:

https://www.ridenation.com.au/a/come-and-try/other/tas/saint-leonards/launceston-bmx-club-come-and-try-series/100001454?fbclid=IwAR0YNoyikk6wSNnisemlCuMusw_oyAJS9AQ1KAlsHPsuneu2tmRBqZQzKUs

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