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Excursions – click for more information
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PRINCIPAL NEWS
Dear Families,
We are nearing the end of a most extraordinary year, with many exciting activities happening in these last few weeks of term. This week all of our classes will be attending the Taroona High School Production of ‘The Little Mermaid’ on either Wednesday or Friday. I do hope you have a chance to head along for one of the evening sessions as the reviews have been fantastic!
Next Wednesday children and staff will enjoy our student-only End of Year Celebration Assembly. Teachers may have already contacted you in regards to what the children will be sharing at this event, and of course how they will share photos or videos of class items. Please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions or would like to review your child’s media permissions.
Thank you to those families who have recently contacted the office to advise that their family situation has changed and their child will no longer be attending school here at TPS in 2021. This information is vital as we are now in the final stages of confirming class groupings in preparation for our Step-Up Day session on Monday 14th December. Please contact the office ASAP on 6227 8325 / taroona.primary@education.tas.gov.au if your child will not continue with us in 2021.
End of Year & 2021 Staffing Arrangements
As with the end of any school year, we will be saying goodbye to a number of staff members who complete fixed-term teaching contracts at the end of the year. Thank you to Kirsten Hartel (1-2B), Peggy Cato (2A / 5-6B), Linda Hicks (3-4D) and Sophia Vasili (3-4D) for all of your efforts in supporting our children throughout 2020, across a variety of roles.
We will also farewell Janelle Stowe (Music) at the end of the school year. Janelle has accepted additional hours at Ogilvie High School where she currently teaches Music one day per week and will not be able to divide her time across both schools. Thank you to Janelle for your high level of commitment to our Music, Band and Choir programs, and for the variety of creative opportunities you have provided our students over the past 18 months. I am currently working with Learning Services to secure a Music teacher and will provide more information as soon as it is available.
I am excited to announce that Clare Russell, currently teaching a Grade 3-6 class at Kempton Primary School, will join our team from the start of 2021. Clare will visit the school prior to the end of the school year to meet staff and students.
The staffing arrangements for 2021 classes is as follows:
- 1 x Kindergarten & Launching into Learning – Sarah Wilson (0.7FTE)
- 1 x Prep – Kylie Frost (0.4FTE) & Mel Vincent (0.6FTE)
- 3 x 1-2 classes – Angela Oldfield, Karen Gregson and Frances Thorp (0.6FTE) / Tania Glover (0.4FTE)
- 4 x 3-4 classes – Liz Parry, Jos Pullen, Clare Russell and Jane Graham-Smith (0.9FTE) / Anita Wood (0.1FTE)
- 4 x 5-6 classes – Alanna Carne, Debbie Clark, Philly Hughes and Megan Tubb (0.6FTE) and Emma Nuttall (0.4FTE)
Upcoming events
A few dates to put into your calendar for this busy time of year:
- Volunteers Afternoon Tea – Friday 4 December, 2pm in GP Room – bookings essential
- P- 6 Reports sent home – Friday 11 December 2020
- Step Up Day (students meet 2021 teacher & class) – Monday 14 December, 9:20 – 9:40am
- Beach Day – Tuesday 15 December
- TPSA Surprise Activity for Students – Wednesday 16 December
- Leavers’ Assembly – Thursday 17 December, 1:30pm GP Room – guest restrictions & bookings essential
Best wishes
Danielle Bresnehan
Principal
Zones of Regulation & Social Emotional Learning
This week we provide an overview of the five core social and emotional competencies that are developed through our K-6 Zones of Regulation Curriculum.
- Self-awareness: To understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behaviour across contexts. Learning includes: Identifying the four zones in self and others; Zones in Me; Zones Check In.
- Self-management: To manage one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviours effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations. Learning includes: My Zones across the Day; Exploring tools for calming; Exploring thinking strategies.
- Responsible decision-making: To make caring and constructive choices about personal behaviour and social interactions across diverse situations. Learning includes: Size of the problem, size of the reaction; Inner Coach, Inner Critic; When to use my zones toolbox.
- Relationship skills: To establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups. Learning includes: Understanding different perspectives; Good Thoughts Vs Uncomfortable Thoughts; Our behaviour impacts others.
- Social awareness: The abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts. Learning includes: The Zones in me. What zone should I be in?; Stop, Opt and Go; Me in my zones.
For more information and resources click on this link
e-Safety Kids: https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids
e-Safety Kids provides a range of online videos and resources for kids to explore how to be e-safe and access tips and advice on a range of topics including:
- Someone is being mean to me online
- I saw something online I didn’t like
- How do i know something is fake?
- Someone is contacting me and i don’t want them to
- How do i know if I have been mean to others online?
CLASSROOM NEWS
PE
What a fabulous day at our Early Childhood Sports Carnival. Students participated in 6 activities across the morning. Our Year 6 leaders did a fantastic job of leading the activities for the students. All students and their soft toy had loads of fun across the day! Thank you Paul for providing the lines for carnival day. Please click here for photos.
MUSIC
Please click on here to see what has been happening in Music!
TPSA NEWS
Please find below links to documents from the most recent TPSA Meetings
Principal Report TPSA Meeting 3 November 2020
Please send all enquiries / correspondence to TPSAenquiry@gmail.com
Student Bus Travel in 2021
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR FREE TRAVEL?
Eligible students can receive free travel to and from school with Tasmanian bus services. To see if you are eligible, apply for a student bus pass for free travel, or renew your expired free travel entitlement, visit www.transport.tas.gov.au/buspass/apply
Apply before 8 January 2021 and, if approved, you will receive your student bus pass for free travel before the start of Term 1.
If you already have a student bus pass for free travel and you’re still eligible for free travel in 2021, you will be able to access your free travel entitlement with your existing card.
TELL ME MORE!
For more information on student fares and free travel, visit www.transport.tas.gov.au/student
UNIFORM SHOP NEWS
Good News! After months of delay, our Size 10 and 12 Short Sleeve polo tops are back in stock. Orders can be made via QKR or in person at the Uniform Shop (Thursdays 2:45pm – 3:15pm).
Uniform Ordering
We encourage all parents to order their children’s uniforms online via the QKR! App. Click here for instructions.
All orders received via QKR by 11am on Thursdays will have their order ready for collection at the School Office on Friday mornings. QKR is the preferred method to order uniforms at this time. Please note, no cash will be accepted in the Uniform Shop – only EFTPOS payments until further notice.
Uniform Shop
The TPS Uniform Shop is open on Thursdays from 2:45pm – 3:15pm. The Uniform Shop is located directly underneath the staffroom, accessible via the Early Childhood Playground and the Quadrangle.
Please note: The Uniform Shop will be closed for the remainder of Term 4 from the 4th December to allow for stocktake. If you require any urgent items after this date, please contact Katie Ferguson directly.
Volunteers
A call for volunteers is now out for the 2021 Back to School Sales days which will be held on Wednesday 27 January (PM), Thursday 28 January (AM) and Tuesday 2nd February (AM). If you are able to assist in helping with the sales days, please contact Katie to register your interest. We very much appreciate the support of the volunteers during these busy days.
Second-Hand Clothing
The second-hand clothing racks will be on display inside the uniform shop for purchasing. Second hand uniform purchases are very popular so please be mindful of the time spent viewing the racks. We will do our best to serve everyone.
Second-hand clothing donations are very welcome, these can be dropped into the School Office during office hours.
Uniform Item and Price Lists
Please click here for the current list of uniform items.
Please click here for the order form (manual processing) and price list.
Covid-19 Rules for the Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop is small with limited room to move around, so it is important we adhere to the current Covid-19 advice and ask that visitors follow the social distancing and hygiene measures in place at the school for visitors, parents and carers. ONLY two customers at a time are allowed in the shop, maintaining a physical distancing of 1.5 metres. A hand-sanitising station will be placed at the entrance of the shop and all customers must use this prior to entering. We kindly ask that customers be considerate of others waiting outside so please keep browsing time to a minimum. The shop doors will close at 3:15pm sharp.
If you have questions about school uniforms, please contact the Uniform Shop Coordinator, Katie Ferguson via email katieferguson@netspace.net.au
Changes to STAS Eligibility
A set of Frequently Asked Questions has been developed to assist with any questions you may have.
Further questions about STAS or Levies and Charges in general can be sent to the Department of Education’s Financial Services Unit at stas@education.tas.gov.au or by calling 1800 827 055
SCHOOL INFORMATION
Student Absences
A reminder to parents/carers to advise the school office if their child is unable to attend school due to illness or any other reason.
- By phone (6227 8325)
- Email taroona.primary@education.tas.gov.au
A medical certificate is required if a child is absent due to illness for 5 days or more.
Signing Students in/out
To ensure we have an accurate record of student attendance, we ask that any student arriving at school later than 9:00am, or leaving for any reason during the school day, be signed in or out at the school office.
Messages to Students
If you need to get a message to your child, please contact the school before 2:15pm to ensure enough time for us to pass the message on.
Duty of Care
Please note that students are not to arrive before 8:30am. This is for the students’ protection and safety as there are no teachers on duty prior to 8:30am and classrooms remain locked until this time. Supervision is provided before and after school:
- Playground (EXCLUDING PLAY WEST & OVAL) 8:30 to 8:55am
- Car park & bus area 2:50 to 3:05pm
LADY GOWRIE
Lady Gowrie Taroona Before and After School Care operates from the hall each school day from 7:00-8:30 am (Before School Care) and 3:00-6:00 pm (After School Care), catering for children aged 4-12 years. We offer a safe and stimulating environment based on the children’s interests incorporating both indoor and outdoor play. We employ trained Educators and provide a nutritious breakfast and afternoon tea each day. Please contact the Lady Gowrie Outside School Hours Care Office on 6230 6806 or email us at oshc@gowrie-tas.com.au for more information.
To ensure the safety of our school property, please ring Crime Stoppers if you see anyone acting suspiciously in our school grounds.
