Dear Families,

We have had another successful week of learning.

It has been a delight to see students really focussing on their positive behaviour and learning in the classrooms. A positive start to the year is vital and this is a reflection of the work undertaken so far by all in our learning community around our Department of Education values of Aspiration, Growth, Courage and Respect . These  Department of Education values help us to align our work across the agency and also give us guidelines around what behaviours are acceptable from all of our school community. Respect is the value we are focussing on this term and all staff at Goodwood Primary School embed these values into their daily interactions and practices with our students. We are unpacking what Respect looks like, sounds like and feels like as part of Goodwood Primary School’s expectations, as Learners, in being safe and caring towards others. All interactions in our school need to be respectful and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all of our community. It is vital that our school environment is conducive to learning and supports achievement for all students.  

Athletics Carnival

This week students in Years P-6 participated in our school running carnival on Wednesday. Some children thrive at carnivals and others find them daunting but as adults we need to give consistent messages that trying your best is what really matters, and effort is its own reward not the place you gain in a running event.  

School Uniform  

We encourage all students to take pride in our school and in their appearance by wearing our school uniform. Wearing the school uniform sends an important message to our community about what a great school we have.

Uniform is also a convenient and cost effective way of dressing students for school. It is designed to be suitable for all of the activities that we undertake and it reinforces that we are here at school to learn and be the best that we possibly can.

We have recently noticed an increase in the number of students wearing clothing items that are not approved school uniform. We look forward to your ongoing support in ensuring that your child wears school uniform, and particularly ask that you purchase black footwear when you next replace your child’s school shoes and/or plain black shorts or pants without trims.  

NUT AND EGG ALLERGY AWARE

We have a number of students who have an anaphylactic reaction to nuts and eggs. As this anaphylaxis can be life threatening, we request your help in ensuring no nut or egg products are brought to school. Items not to be brought to school include; all nut products, peanut butter, Nutella, peanut oil in margarines and all egg products such as egg sandwiches and hard boiled eggs. It is important that all classes observe this allergy awareness policy due to the danger of a child at risk of anaphylaxis coming into contact with residue left by other classes. The parents/carers involved and staff greatly appreciate your assistance in this serious matter.

Attendance – every minute of every school day counts

It is absolutely critical for your child’s educational success that they attend every day for the whole day and that they be here for a 8:50am start. This means they will need to be here slightly earlier to organise their bag, belongings and to get ready for the school day. It is an enormous disadvantage to them to arrive late or be asked to leave early or to have large periods of absence from school.

Time away from school is time away from learning and this will invariably affect their learning progress. The best support you can give your children is to be positive about their school day and have them here on time and here every day.

If your child is unwell please phone the school office on 6272 9100 by 9:30am to advise us of their absence. The school office is open from 8:30am – 4:00pm. 

Please refrain from collecting children early – even ten minutes early, unless there is a medical appointment which is unavoidable.

The Tasmanian Education Department takes attendance very seriously – attendance is now considered a legal matter and is discussed in the Education Act.  In addition, this is a polite reminder that there is no supervision or access to any classrooms before 8:30am.

Kind Regards

Catherine Grace

A/Principal

Students in year 1-2  focus on talking and listening.  Opportunities for students to share thoughts enables them to plan and organise ideas to begin their writing.   Attentive and respectful listening is a skill we all continue to practise.   

Validations - URGENT (forms need to be returned by 16 March 2022)

A reminder that all outstanding validation forms need to be returned to the school office by 16 March 2022. If no details have changed, please still complete the new student permissions for 2022, sign the last page, and return the whole form. 

Your child's doctor information is not required unless you would like the school to have this for the management of a specific medical condition. This means that when a medical service is required the school will contact the parent/guardian, listed emergency contacts or other medical service, doctor or ambulance - whichever is appropriate at the time.

These forms need to be completed as it is a Department of Education requirement that they are updated each year.

Levies 2022

Payment of levies can be made in full in Term 1 2022 or by instalments using a payment plan. Payment plans are flexible and can continue throughout the school year.

Families can request a payment option.  Please contact Ros Ackerley (School Business Manager) is you require a payment plan.

Levies can be paid using the following:

• At the school (by EFTPOS, cash or cheque)
• At Service Tasmania (by EFTPOS, cash or cheque)
• Through BPAY (using the Biller Code and Reference on your invoice)
• By mail, forward your cheque, money order or credit card details to the school, with the payment slip from your invoice attached (payable to the Department of Education)
• Using Centrepay, a service provided by Centrelink.

Families who are supported through the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) do not need to pay levies. Applications for the Student Assistance Scheme may be made online, or paper forms collected from the front office at the school.

School Hats

The wearing of hats during break times and outside lessons is compulsory from the beginning of Term 1.  Students must wear a school hat and these are available from the uniform shop for $8.00.  Please clearly name your child’s hat.

Student Absences

A reminder that if your child is absent from school for any reason that you notify the school office by 9:30 am of that day.  You can either contact the school office on 6272 9100 or email goodwood.primary@education.tas.gov.au

Lost Property

We have a number of school items in our lost property bin.  All items left in the lost property bin at the end of term will be donated as second hand uniform items.

Registration to Work with Vulnerable People

All people wishing to volunteer at Goodwood Primary must hold a “Working with Vulnerable People” card. Please see office staff for information on how to register for a card.

School & Office Hours

A reminder that our gates open at 8:30 am. Students are not to be left unsupervised by parents until 8:30 am when staff are on duty. The office also opens at 8:30 am. Students are to be collected promptly at 2:50 pm. If you will be late collecting your child at the end of the day you will need to notify the office.

Late Arrivals

If your child arrives at school after 8:50am unaccompanied by a parent/guardian the office will be marking attendances as unexplained other. The procedure for late arrivals will be as is for unexplained absences that office staff will be calling the parent/guardian to clarify the reason the student was late arriving to school.

Student Medication

Please advise office staff and your child’s class teacher if your child needs to take medication during school hours so arrangements can be made for the medication to be administered.

It is a Department of Education requirement that the following forms must be completed and signed before the commencement of dispensing medication to students: ‘Administration of Routine Medication Authorisation Form for Parent/ Guardian’; and ‘Administration of Prescribed Medication Authorisation Form for Doctors’. The administration of medication to students is undertaken by Admin staff who will ensure it is taken correctly, details (e.g. date, time, dose etc) entered on the student’s personal medication sheet, and signed by a staff member and witness.

Medication is kept locked in the school safe or safe room. Students should not have any types of medication in their school bags.

Student Long Absence

If your child is going to be absent from school for longer than a few days a Student Absence Approval Form must be completed by the parent/carer and approved by the Principal. The form is available from the school office or it is attached below for your convenience.

Important Notice: Goodwood Primary is committed to continuing our online canteen ordering system, but as there was only a small number of orders last week for the Bambini Bites school lunches, we may lose the service as it is not viable for the company when they only have a small number of orders.  

If you are interested in keeping this service, please place your next order by Monday 14 March for delivery on Tuesday 15 March.  Before ordering could you please make sure that you update your child's class name in the APP when prompted, otherwise their lunch may be delivered to the wrong classroom.

Please click on the links below for information about Bambini Bites, how to install the QKR ordering APP and current menu. A Hard copy of the menu has already been sent home.

NOTE: When ordering online please be mindful of selecting the correct day/date that you would like the lunch ordered delivered as orders can be ordered two weeks in advance. When ordering please check receipts for the correct date below the "Order Summary" to ensure that the date is correct for the order. 

Please contact the office if you require additional information.

Do you have a Health Care Card?

You may be eligible for a school levy exemption

STAS provides financial assistance to families. Families who are eligible do not need to pay school levies. Levies contribute towards costs of your child's education program and includes items such as learning materials and school excursions.  

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

• Services Australia - Centrelink Health Care Card
• Services Australia - Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
• Services Australia - Pensioner Concession Card
• Department of Veteran Affairs - Pensioner Concession Card

Please note that if you received student assistance in 2021 you do not need to reapply.

A new online form is available to assist with processing applications for new applicants. The online form can be completed here:

Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) (education.tas.gov.au)

Once a validated form is completed the Department of Education will confirm the outcome of your application in writing, this process takes approximately 14 days.

We understand that the online option may not be possible for all families, so if you require a hard copy form please contact the school office or the Financial Assistance Unit on stas@education.tas.gov.au or phone 1800 827 077.

How much water do children need to drink each day?

• about 5 glasses (1.2 litres) for 4 - 8 years olds
• about 6 glasses (1.6 litres) for 9 - 13 year olds - a glass is 250mls
• more water is needed if children are very active or if it's a hot day 

Water is the best drink for children.  It is cheap and easy to get. Water is essential for many body functions.  We need to replace the water we lose every day from breathing, sweating and going to the toilet. Children lose fluid faster than adults, which makes it important to offer them plenty of fluids to drink during the day.

As you can see from the list below, there is a lot of added sugar in many other drinks.

To celebrate Chaplaincy Week the Scripture Union are running an Art & Media Competition for Primary and High Schools.  Entries need to be sent to the Scripture Union, 23 Clarence Street, Bellerive 7018 by Thursday 14 April, 2022.

Christine Knight

School Chaplain

Website: https://www.hockeytasmania.com.au/participate/get-into-hockey/

Hockey Tasmania offers all primary school children aged 6-12 years the opportunity to learn the skills of hockey through our 5 week “Get into Hockey” programs at our Hobart,Launceston, Devonport and Burnie facilities.

All sessions are conducted by trained coaches who use fun and exciting activities and games to introduce participants to the sport. Sessions are aimed at beginners and school hockey players are also encouraged to attend to further develop their skills.

Hockey stick and shin pads can be provided for beginners.

All players must wear a mouthguard.

All kids who sign up for our Get Into Hockey program in Term 1, 2022 will receive a FREE kit which includes a back pack, hat, reversible training singlet, pencil case, lunch cooler bag and drinking pouch.

Hobart - Tasmanian Hockey Centre, New Town

• Term 1: March 2 - March 30
• Wednesdays 5:00 - 6:00 pm
• Cost: $40.00

Contact Person
Tania Barry - Hockey Tasmania
Phone: 03 6228 0780
Email: tania.barry@hockeytasmania.com.au