Filter Content
- PRINCIPALS REPORT
- News from Kindergarten
- Kitchen/Garden News
- News from Prep/1
- News from 1/2
- NAPLAN 2024
- Validation and ICT Forms
- Student Assistance Scheme (STAS)
- School Health Nurse
- Edsmart - New Communication Method
- School Hats
- Launching into Learning News
- Working with Vulnerable People Card (WWVP)
- Safeguarding Training in our Schools
- From the Office
- NAPLAN 2024
- Dates to Remember
- Every School Day Matters
- Move Well Eat Well
- Term Dates for 2024
- Staff Carpark & Student drop/pick-up area
- Community News
Dear Families,
Welcome back to school for 2024. I am so pleased that we have had a super start to the year. All children have settled in well and are currently revisiting our school expectations, rules and routines. We were so pleased to see all students wearing their school uniforms with pride and we thank our families for preparing your children for the beginning of the school year.
Our school has been buzzing with enthusiasm and excitement in these first few weeks, with students reconnecting with their friends and staff.
Before our children commenced on the 8th of February, Staff spent three days, planning, preparing and undertaking training. An important training that I wanted to share with you is around Safegarding our children. All Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) staff, contractors and volunteers are required to be completing mandatory training each year around our responsibilities toward keeping all children safe within our school environments. Along with school volunteers required to have working with vulnerable people cards, it is also a requirement to complete the training before volunteering within our school.
During the first three days we also worked together as a staff to understand our DECYP values: Connection, Courage, Growth, Respect and Responsibility. We would really appreciate our community to contribute to documenting what these values mean to us – through our upcoming School Association meeting and these will also be an informal way during our “meet the teacher" and open classroom afternoon coming up on Wednesday the 28th of February from 2:30 until 4:30 pm.
Communication
We are always looking for opportunities to be connecting with families to ensure that we work together to support our learners. Things always work well when children know that families, teachers and the school are working together to support them. We attempt to provide a number of avenues for this to occur;
Firstly, all classes have a SeeSaw account. This is an App based communication platform that allows teachers to share class and individual learning with families. Teachers can also utilise this to send messages to families such as reminders about excursions etc. This is also a space for messaging on this page, however be mindful that teachers only check these during the day and if there are urgent messages or questions please call the school office.
Our newsletter is sent out once a fortnight, which also shares and celebrates student learning and achievement and whole school information.
We have a Facebook page, which also celebrates learning, whole school events, community connections and can quickly share important whole school information. If you have not yet ‘liked’ our page, please do – we also have a new Launching into Learning page.
Celebration Assemblies – these usually occur once every three weeks on a Thursday and are an opportunity for children to share their classroom learning and achievements to a wider audience and celebrate with our school community.
We will also begin to utilise another communication service this year as all DECYP schools adopt the use of EDSMART. This is a messaging service that among other things will alert families to daily attendance and also permissions for excursions. Please keep an eye out for more information as we transition to this program towards the end of March.
We also have the old fashioned way which is making phone calls or dropping into see your child’s classroom teacher. What ever way is best for you and your family. We want you to know that we value communicating and working with you to support your children in their learning.
Kind Regards,
Jaime Allen
Principal
We have been having so much fun in our first few days of Kinder. Singing nursery rhymes, crafting, painting, gardening, building and so much more.
We have been discussing what it means to belong in our school community and in our kinder class. We have talked about how each of us are unique in our own way, and that we all belong. We've been having fun getting creative while thinking about what it means to be "me". Here are our self portrait collages we created by thinking about what features are unique to each of us.
EYLF outcome 1: children have a strong sense of identity. 1.1 children feel safe, secure and supported. When children feel safe, secure and supported they grow in confidence to explore and learn.
Marcelle Lilley
Kinder Teacher
Garden classes for 2024 have resumed and we have had a great week.
We have used our first lesson to explore the garden and see what's been growing through the holidays. Our apricot tree has had an amazing season, but as this was while our students were not here. To make sure they didn't miss out, I made enough jam for every student to try on rice cakes, and for the breakfast club to use for toast.
For our excess produce we now have a "Goodwood Garden Glut" basket at our front office. For sale we currently have apricot jam, zucchini relish, bread and butter cucumbers and vegetable stock concentrate, for for $4 a jar. All proceeds go towards our kitchen garden. We would greatly appreciate any jar donations, they can be handed in to the front office or given to the class teacher.
Over the holidays I made every single student a garden bag made from donated pillowcases from staff, friends, family and the community. This will be used to keep their drink bottles in coming down to class, and any produce they collect (no more filling pockets with dirt and potatoes).
These can come home but please make sure you bring them back for class on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Laura Stops
Garden Specialist
To begin our year off, Prep/1 students started to get to know each other through creating beautiful "All About Me Flowers"
We look forward to finding out more about each other as the year goes on!
Alex Leggate
Prep/1 Teacher
This week class 1/2 created some amazing artwork inspired by Kandinsky circles. They all look fantastic and have brightened up our classroom. Everyone followed the same instructions but were able to make their artwork unique by using different colours, size of circles and cutting techniques. Well done everyone!
Candice Mullen
1/2 Teacher
Students will be sitting NAPLAN between 13th and 25th March, 2024
The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so.
NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance; however, students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.
Why NAPLAN is conducted online
NAPLAN online provides a better assessment and more precise results.
One of the main benefits of NAPLAN online is that it uses tailored (or adaptive) testing. This means that students receive questions better suited to their abilities, so they can show what they know and can do.
Online testing also allows us to provide a wide range of accessibility options to support students with disability to access NAPLAN.
Feedback from students is that they find the online test more engaging.
Please note that students in Year 3 complete the Writing Test on paper.
Parent information brochures and other resources
Your questions answered on NAPLAN and what it means for your child: NAPLAN information brochure for parents and carers which is available at the official National Assessment Program (NAP) website if you misplace your hard copy.
Please contact the school if you have any further queries.
You will have now received your Validation and ICT permission forms at the beginning of term. The validation form contains the information we have on file for your child/ren.
It is vital for the school office to have updated details for all students. In the event of a medical issue or emergency event this information is crucial in the care and response that we provide for your child/ren. Please ensure to update information with the office staff as required: emergency contact details, phone numbers, address details and any changes to your child's medical needs eg. asthma, or anaphylaxis. If your child does suffer from conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, anaphylaxis etc please also provide up-to-date Medical Action Plans as provided by your medical practitioner.
If you require any help to complete the forms, please do not hesitate to come into the office.
Student Assistance Scheme (STAS)
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 2023 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) (decyp.tas.gov.au)
Once a validated form is completed the Department of Education, Children & Young People 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@decyp.tas.gov.au or phone 1800 827 077.
My name is Nurse Jess and I will be onsite at the school every Tuesday. Starting in Term 2 is health assessments for our Kinder students (with parent/guardian permission) to ensure they can see and hear, and I am happy to assess any other students if there is a concern with vision or hearing.
I am able to provide health promotion education and activities for each grade throughout the year such as dental and body hygiene, sun safety, mindfulness and healthy eating.
Please feel free to ask your child's teacher to contact me with any health concerns you would like to discuss.
A little about me - I have two children myself, Matilda (nearly 4) and Hamish (2), and two little sausage dogs Herbie and Frankie! I am new to this position and have spent the last 13 years nursing children in hospital. I am excited to be part of the school community.
Edsmart - New Communication Method
Our School will be switching over to a new messaging platform for communicating with you.
The new platform, called EdSmart is an Australian platform which is designed to improve communication in school communities by allowing electronic messaging i.e. SMS and emails. For now, it will be used to manage absences messages i.e. you will receive a SMS or email alert if your child is absent from school requesting a response. It will also allow us to send a communication message to all parent/guardians.
You will receive a text message and/or an email with further details. Note, the text message sender will be a shortened version of our school’s name - Please keep an eye out for it!
Further information is available on the Department’s website
Please remember that school hats are required to be worn in Term 1 2024.
Hats can be purchased from the school office for $9.00.
(Don't forget to put your child's name in it)
Working with Vulnerable People Card (WWVP)
Volunteers and visitors are welcomed into the school environment as valued school members and role models.
This includes parents and carers, and friends of the school.
- All Department for Education, Children and Young People employees, volunteers (including the School Association Committee), contractors and external providers are required to maintain a current Tasmanian RWVP.
- You will need proof of a current Tasmanian RWVP to be a volunteer at your child’s school or school activities.
- If you are simply visiting your child’s school (i.e. are invited to attend particular school events or activities at your child’s school) you will not require a RWVP.
- You do NOT require a RWVP to:
- Drop off or collect your child, including a short period of settling your child in class where the teacher is present.
- Attend school events such as assemblies, school sports carnivals, plays and concerts, whole-school events (where you are not a direct participant and/or do not assist in the organisation or operation of the event).
- Attend school activities for parents or public events such as a parent information evening, parent/teacher meetings, school fairs, opening of new school facilities or programs, or to hear a guest speaker (where you do not assist in the organisation or operation of the activity).
Safeguarding Training in our Schools
To all our volunteers – have you completed your safeguarding training yet?
You will need to finish it before working with any children or young people this year.
If you are a parent and are thinking about volunteering for us, you can also do the training. You will need this to work with children and young people. Make sure you save the certificate to show you have completed it.
The training is compulsory under new laws designed to better safeguard children and young people in Tasmania. It will help you understand what to do if you believe a child or young person is or may be being harmed, and to make sure you are doing all you can to prevent this from happening. The training will also tell you what you must report under the new laws.
To complete your training, visit Safeguarding Training. Or ask at the school front office
Thank you for leading the way in caring for our children and young people safe so that they can focus on living bright lives with positive futures.
Safeguarding Lead/AST
Hugo Luttmer
Jamie Allen
Principal
Students moving to another school in 2024
Please contact the school office if your child will be leaving Goodwood Primary School at any time during 2024. It is now the responsibility of the parent/guardian to notify the school in writing when their child is leaving to attend another school. This is a Department of Education requirement and verbal confirmation is not enough. Once the school has received this notification in writing the enrolment can be closed so the student can then be enrolled at the new school.
Levies 2024
There will be no increase in Levies for 2024.
Kinder | $150.00 |
Prep - Grade 6 | $180.00 |
Payment of levies can be made in full in Term 1 2024 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) if you require a payment plan.
Levies can be paid using the following options:
- 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 for Education, Children & Young People).
- 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 can be provided at the school office.
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@decyp.tas.gov.au
Did you know if your child has 10 days off school per year, that by Grade 4 they are 1 year behind?
The best thing for your child's future is to come to school every day.
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.
School and Office Hours
A reminder that our gates open at 8:30am. Students are not to be left unsupervised by parents until 8:30am when staff are on duty. The office also opens at 8:30am. Students are to be collected promptly at 2:50pm. If you will be late collecting your child at the end of the day you will need to notify the office on 6272 9100.
Late Arrivals
If your child arrives at school after 8:50am unaccompanied by a parent/guardian the office will be marking their attendance as unexplained other. The procedure for late arrivals will be as is for unexplained absences in that office staff will be calling the parent/guardian to clarify the reason the student was late arriving to school.
Student Long Absence in 2024
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.
Students will be sitting NAPLAN between 13 and 25 March 2024.
The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so.
NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance; however, students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.
This is the second year NAPLAN has been held in March, having previously taken place in May. This change was made so school systems would have access to results earlier in the school year. These can then be used to inform teaching and learning plans for the remainder of the year.
Why NAPLAN is conducted online
NAPLAN online provides a better assessment and more precise results.
One of the main benefits of NAPLAN online is that it uses tailored (or adaptive) testing. The questions a student receives depends on their answers to previous questions. This means that students answer questions better suited to their abilities, so they can show what they know and can do.
Online testing also allows us to provide a wide range of accessibility options to support students with disability to access NAPLAN.
Feedback from students is that they find the online test more engaging. Please note that students in Year 3 complete the Writing Test on paper.
Parent information brochures and other resources
A parent information brochure and questions answered on NAPLAN and what it means for your child can be found at: NAPLAN information brochure for parents and carers
The link will take you to the official National Assessment Program (NAP) website and covers a variety of topics such as the timing of the tests and how results from the assessments should be understood.
It also allows access to a Public Demonstration Site which shows the types of questions students will answer and the functionalities that are available in NAPLAN tests.
Please contact the school if you have any further queries.
Date |
Event |
Friday 23 February |
Book Club Orders due back |
Tuesday 5 March |
School Athletics Carnival |
Wednesday 6 March |
24 Carrot Mona Festival |
Monday 11 March |
Eight Hour Day Public Holiday |
Monday 25 March |
Interschool Athletics Carnival Div G |
Friday 29 March - Tuesday 2 April |
Easter Holiday break |
Friday 12 March |
End of Term 1 |
Welcome back! Let’s make every day count.
Here we go, another exciting school year ahead! We hope you enjoyed your holidays.
By showing up to school every day, your child will have the best opportunity at a bright future. It gives them every chance to be around friends, learn new things, and find interests.
Good attendance habits can sometimes be hard to stick. But creating a solid routine, from the start of Term 1, can set your child up for success for the year ahead.
If you’re looking for tips on how to create better attendance habits, visit the Anything can happen website.
Please always talk to us if you’re having trouble getting your child to school. We’re here to help.
DON'T WAIT, HYDRATE
Our bodies are made up of about 70% water - it's what makes up the majority of our blood, digestive juices and sweat, and it's found in our organs and muscle cells.
The amount of water a child needs is influenced by the amount of activity they do, the weather temperature, and their diet and health. It's always important to remind children to drink, but as a general guide, children up to 8 years of age should have a minimum of 4-5 cups of water a day. Children above 8 years old require at least 6-8 cups of water a day.
Term 1 | Thursday 8 February to Friday 12 April |
Term 2 | Monday 29 April to Friday 5 July |
Term 3 | Monday 22 July to Friday 27 September |
Term 4 | Monday 14 October to Thursday 19 December |
Staff Carpark & Student drop/pick-up area
REMINDER
Our carpark has become quite congested due to increased staff at both Goodwood Primary School and Tas eSchool. We are again asking parents/carers to not enter the staff carpark when dropping off and collecting students. The carpark is for school staff of Goodwood Primary School and Tas eSchool and can be dangerous for students. The exception is for those parents whose child/children have a disabled parking permit.
To ensure the safety of our students and staff please follow the information below:
Students are to be dropped off and collected via the Elmsleigh Road carpark.
We thank you in advance for keeping our students safe!
This exhibition features young and emerging artists, aged 25 and under who live, attend school, or have a strong connection to the City of Glenorchy.
This is the third time we’ve presented the Glenorchy Youth Open and this year we had over 50 artists featured, a record number that we hope to keep growing.
Artists are invited to enter one work in any medium to be exhibited in the gallery.
Artwork to be delivered to Moonah Arts Centre with a completed entry form between Tuesday 2nd - Friday 5th April 2024.
Exhibition Dates 12th April - 4th May 2024.
Download and print out an entry form here.
If you have any questions before submitting your application please contact:
Takani Clark, MAC Visual Arts Program Officer:
takani.clark@gcc.tas.gov.au
03 6216 6316