13 March 2024

Principals Report

NAPLAN

NAPLAN begins today with a writing test. These assessments are important as they give us useful information about how our students are doing as individuals as well as how we are doing as a school. It is important to remember that they are a snapshot of learning for that day, and we use many more assessments and observations to know what and how your child is doing both academically and personally.

Thank you to Mr Jeffrey for all your planning for the running of NAPLAN and the teachers for their support in the rollout of the assessments.

Harmony Day Breakfast Celebration -

Wednesday 20^th March 8-9am

Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.​

Bring a plate of finger food related to your culture or country of origin, to share. (no nuts and please include a list of ingredients to keep our students and families safe).

We encourage students to wear orange (Harmony week’s colour), a cultural outfit or the colours of your country’s flag.

Parents are encouraged to stay to enjoy the food as well as wandering the school to visit different classes and chat with the teachers and students.

There will be a coffee van in the school grounds from 8.00am to 9.00am for anyone wishing to purchase a hot drink on the way in.

More information about the event and particulars for your child’s class will be forthcoming.

Cricket Clinic –

The other week our P-Y4 students were treated to a free cricket clinic in the lunchtime by Cricket Tasmania.    

Orienteering –

For the past few weeks our Year 3-6 students have been learning about orienteering, learning how to use a map, follow directions and find waypoints around the school. This is another sport students have been able to experience though the Sporting Schools Grants from the Federal Government.

Footsteps –

Last week we welcomed our Footsteps instructor to teach us dances. The students get a physical work out as well as learning to follow instructions, building body and spatial awareness, coordination, and musicality. This is PE and Music rolled into one and culminates with the disco when the students get to perform the dances together along with the pleasure of a social dance. We look forward to next year’s dances already.

Wellbeing Workshop –

Every year the students in years 4-6 participate in the Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey. This year we had members of DECYP’s Student Wellbeing Team meet with 12 Y5/6 students to unpack the survey from a state level as well as from our school’s perspective. They spoke about why we do the survey and our students suggested what we might do to make a difference. Our students were articulate and discerning with their suggestions. Next, we need to begin to implement their ideas.

Reminders –

• Sharing of Food – students are to be reminded that due to allergies, parent preferences and hygiene that the sharing of food at school is not to occur. When celebrating a birthday, if you wish to bring something to share, check about food allergies or intolerances with your child’s teacher then give the food to the teacher so it can be distributed to the students.
• Lollypops – we would prefer if you did not send your children to school with lollypops as they take a long time to eat and playing games while eating a lollypop is unsafe.
• Chewing Gum – this is another product we would prefer not to be at school as it often ends up on the ground or in children’s hair.

Parent Tip – Tolerance Cups -

Jo Waldon
Principal

School Association

Tuesday 26^th March – 6pm at school

All parents and carers are members of the School Association by default, and all are welcome to attend the AGM, where the 2024 committee will be elected.

The Association plays an important role in representing families' perspectives to the School and relies on volunteers to join the committee in order to continue to function. General committee membership entails a commitment to attend an online meeting once per term, and occasionally to respond to an out-of-session vote by email. There is always scope to contribute more time through volunteering for additional roles and responsibilities, but the basic commitment is not particularly time consuming.

Anyone interested in nominating but wanting to learn more would be very welcome to attend our March 5th final regular meeting before the AGM just to get a feel for what's involved. Please contact joanne.waldon@decyp.tas.gov.au  for a link to attend.

"On March 31st the School Association will host a family fun day at the school with free food and coffee from 12. Bring a picnic blanket, and if you'd like to bring additional food, games, or music to share, all would be welcome. Please email albuerastreetpssa@gmail.com if you're able to volunteer to help out on the day. This event is in partnership with Relationships Australia Tasmania, and is funded by the Tasmanian Government through the Healthy Tasmania Fund." 

Student Voice

Prep/1C

Introducing to you – the Prep/1 Snakes!

Baby snakes s-s-s-s-s-s…

At our recent assembly you may have seen the Prep/1 Snakes singing and showing their snake art work. We have also made some dough snakes and decorated them.

The students chose our class name because snakes are fascinating. Here are some facts we have learned about snakes.

Caroline, Miri and the Prep/1 Snakes

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Grade 3/4W 

3/4W Term 1 Science – Labelled Scientific Diagrams

Students had their first go at creating a labelled diagram. Diagrams are a useful and important visual communication piece that can be employed in nearly all areas of learning. I spoke to the class about the features and conventions of diagrams, as well as looking at a number of examples, before Mr Williams came in to talk to us about ukuleles and their parts. I think they’ve done a pretty good job for their first try.

Darren Watkins

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March in Garden Club

Our exciting news is that at the end of February we harvested our potatoes that were planted last year! Photos show harvesting happening, our produce and then the chips we turned them into and ate! Yummo. We think that this year we’ll plant lots more potatoes and share them with the canteen.

Each week we check our first compost bins started early last year. They are a bit wet so we are adding lots of dry carbon sources like dry leaves and shredded newspaper. We hope to use our first compost to nourish the veggie beds ready for Autumn planting of winter crops.

And lastly, 2 recent Garden Club Wednesdays were over 30 degrees. 

Caroline and Garden Club

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Canteen

Canteen Specials

15^th  March

Recess:   Sweet Special: Apple Crumble
               Savour Special: Margherita Pizza
               Fruit Muffin: Raspberry

Lunch:    Gnocchi in a light tomato and vegetable sauce (vegetarian)

22^nd  March

Recess:  Sweet Special: Humming bird cake
               Savour Special: Cheese Muffin
               Fruit Muffin: Strawberry

Lunch:   Chicken Pasta bake

Volunteers Term 2

Thanks to all those people who have volunteered in the canteen during term 1. It’s not too early to put your name down for term 2. Contact he office or me directly on 0417 559 920. Thanks.

Caron Summers
Canteen Manager

Canteen Helper

Please remember to choose the correct order date on the Qkr! App.

Nut Allergy – Reminder

We have a number of students in our school who are allergic to nuts and nut products. Exposure to nuts can trigger an allergic reaction and be life-threatening for these students, so please avoid sending nuts or nut based products to school. We aim to keep our school as nut-free as possible to keep our students safe.

New online information hub for families

Some exciting news! The Department for Education, Children and Young People has recently launched a new online information hub for families with school-aged children in Tasmania. Our new website has information to help you navigate your child's education, from birth all the way up to 18 years of age.

Visit our new webpage at Welcome to your child's Tasmanian education - The Department for Education, Children and Young People Tasmania (decyp.tas.gov.au)

Some of the things you’ll find include

• tips on how to support your child’s learning at home
• information to help you keep your child safe and well
• a guide to explore courses for the career they want
• school holiday and term dates.

We hope this website will be a valuable tool for you as you help your child navigate their education journey. We would love to know what you think of our new information hub for families. You can tell us by completing a quick survey on the webpage.

Launching into Learning 2024

Uniform Times

This year as we are setting times available for the purchase of uniforms.

Tuesdays:  2.30pm to 3.00pm
Thursdays: 8.30 am to 9.15am

Orders can be made and paid for over the phone and be ready to pick up at an arranged time if the above times do not suit you.

LEVIES REMINDER

Thank you to parents who have paid levies and to those who are making regular payments. Levies are now overdue, if you are experiencing difficulties with making payments, please contact Annette and discuss a payment plan.  Payments can be made weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

Payment Options

• BPay, Service Tasmania, Eftpos
• Credit Card over the phone (6223 2268)
• Cheque payable to Albuera Street Primary School
• Levy Instalment Plan (Please contact reggett@education.tas.gov.au or 6223 2268)

Student Medications

It is a Department of Education requirement that all medications to be taken by students during the school day are to be passed into the office or teacher in charge of an excursion or camp. The medications require a signed doctor/pharmacist as well as parent permission form (these forms are available in the Forms and Documents panel in the newsletter or at the office). The medication is also to be in the original packaging so that staff know what they are administering. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Medical Action Plans

Every child at Albuera Street Primary with a medical condition needs to supply an updated medical plan to the school each year, especially those with Anaphylaxis and Asthma. Staff from Albuera have been trained in Anaphylaxis using EpiPens and also in Ventolin administration for Asthma. If you are new to the school and your child has a medical condition please come into the office and collect an appropriate action plan form, or if you just have questions please don’t hesitate to phone the school.

WWVP Card & Mandatory Reporting

The Department requirement is that you must present your RWVP card EVERY time you sign in.

Information for those who need to apply for WWVP card

To volunteer at this school, you will be required to hold a “Registration to Work with Vulnerable People”. It is extremely important that parent helpers and volunteers are registered and Albuera Street Primary School is recorded in your application.

How to apply for a WWVP Card

Complete the online application form.  This is available from the website at 

Chose Department of Education from the organisation drop-down box and also select Albuera Street Primary School from the location drop-down box. Please remember each time to volunteer at the school you need to bring your card each time.

Mandatory Reporting

Our Department now requires all volunteers to do a short online course (short 13 min video) about Mandatory reporting. This is one of the ways we are working to keep all our students safe. Please use the link below or see the flyer.

Sickness

Parents/carers are reminded to advise the school office if their child is unable to attend school due to illness or any other reason.

• By phone (62232268) leave a message anytime on the answering machine.
• Email street.primary@education.tas.gov.au
• Schoolzine – click on the absentee tab

A medical certificate is required if a child is absent due to illness for 5 days or more

After School Care & Before School Care

ASC & BSC is provided on site by Lady Gowrie Child Care Services (Ph: 6230 6806).
BSC is available from 7 am to 8.30 am.
ASC is available from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm each school day and 1.00pm – 3.00pm Wednesday for Kinder.

Assembly Dates for Term 1

Fri 22^nd March – presenting – 4/5W, 2/3B and P/1W
Fri 12^th April - presenting – 5/6S,3/4W and 1/2P

Term Dates for 2024

Community Notices