Term 3 Week 2 29 July 2020

Newsletter Articles

Calendar of Key Events

From the Principal…..

Congratulations to all members of our school community who have returned after the holiday break ready for learning and willing to do their best. We make far better progress towards enhancing student learning outcomes when children arrive at school ready to focus on their learning, play happily and get along well with everyone.

Professor Lea Waters – Positive Psychology

Recently I’ve had cause to re-read some of the work of notable Australian author and researcher, Professor Lea Waters. She says,

“Tough times don’t last but tough people do” – Lea Waters

Professor Waters is referring to the character qualities and values which help to build resilience and positivity in us all.

We know that children are strongly influenced by the modelling they observe from their parents and care-givers as well as others in their ‘circle of influence’. The way we adapt and manage change and times of uncertainly have a deep impact on the way children will learn to deal with stressful times. The current times of Covid 19 pandemic provides plenty of opportunities for us to model being flexible, offering a calm and systematic approach to the strict routines required and holding an optimistic view that everything will be okay after a period of time.

Values at PPS – COURAGE

We have a strong focus on values and character qualities as these are so important for success both at school and into the future. This term we will be focusing on the value of COURAGE, which is listed as a value for both PPS and DoE.

Acting with courage means:

• accepting challenges and embracing opportunities
• thinking creatively and being brave
• being prepared to stand up for what’s important
• not giving up

• having difficult conversations, such as when people’s behaviour does not align with our values
• being innovative and taking calculated risks in some situations.

Courage is not necessarily loud, but is sometimes quiet and thoughtful. It can help affect change.

Break times – Staying in the Green Zone

Last term we ‘tested out’ some minor changes to our daily schedule to better support children’s ability to learn, play and get along well with everyone. After considerable consultation and collaboration, we have settled on the following daily structure for the remainder of Term 3. We will review the daily structure towards the end of the term.

8.45 – 8.48 Daily PE (Tuesdays – Friday)
9.00 – 11.00 Morning learning block
11.00 – 11.20 Play break 1
11.20 – 11.35 Supervised eat, chat and calm (moving into the green zone for learning)
11.35 – 1.00 Middle learning block
12.55 – 1.00 Supervised eating
1.00 – 1.30 Play break 2
1.30 – 2.50 Afternoon learning session.

Observations and feedback from our trial of these times shows that students are far more settled and focused on their learning following the Eat, Chat, Calm time. We are using the language of both MYTERN and Zones of Regulation to help children understand the strategies which help them to be focused and attentive during learning time.

Return to Sport

Last week our senior students were very excited to participate in the first round of sports exchange for this year. It was wonderful to see students enjoying their participation and involvement and showing sports attitudes and team spirit. Sport has resumed within strict Covid safety planning and this means parents have been asked not to attend. Many thanks to family members for their co-operation and assistance.

Professional Learning

On day 1 of this term our teaching staff worked together during the professional learning day to continue our focus on writing as a priority at PPS. We also spent some time continuing our work on learning protocols and participated in online sessions about Inquiry and Vocabulary Development. Professional learning plays an important part in helping our PPS team to work towards whole-school priorities and becoming an expert teaching team.

Reporting to Parents

Earlier this year the Department of Education released statements in response to Covid 19 which included the cancellation of mid-year reports. In line with current DoE guidelines and to ensure we continue to build upon our close partnerships established with parents and families, we have completed a snapshot of learning for students. This will be sent home on Friday.

Covid 19 – Update and the Tasmanian Borders

You are no doubt aware that the Premier has announced some changes to our border security which will begin from Friday 7th August. We know that our borders cannot stay closed indefinitely, so we understand that passengers arriving from other states will place Tasmanians at some greater risk. Every Tasmanian is asked to accept personal responsibility for keeping our community safe and reducing possible harm. Please ensure you are following the steps below to reduce the risk of outbreaks. It is up to all of us to follow the rules:

• maintain physical distancing;
• practise good hygiene and wash your hands;
• get tested if you have even the mildest of symptoms;
• stay at home if you are unwell;
• download the COVIDSafe app; and
• adhere to your Agency’s COVID Safety Plan including the instruction to complete a Visitor – Health Screening Form if you are on-site for longer than a quick pick up or drop off.

For more information please visit the Tasmanian Government’s coronavirus website at the link below or call the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on: 1800 671 738.

Welcomes and Farewells

Welcome to Vallie and her family who return to us. Vallie has joined Prep B.

Welcome also to Angus and his family who joins Prep A. We hope students and their families have an enjoyable and successful time at PPS.

At the end of Term 2 we farewelled Hollie Flaherty our Speech and Language Pathologist and wish her in her new endeavours. We welcome Maddi Burke to our school who commenced last week our as new Speech and Language Pathologist. Maddi will continue to work on a Thursday at PPS.

Lee Craw
Principal

School Nurse Growth and Development Program

Excursion Permissions

Launching into Learning

Bunnings Sport Donation

End of Term 2 Classroom Awards

Thank you to Bunnings for donating our student prize packs.

Student Cabinet and Parliament Fundraiser

A total of $348.55 was raised in our End of Term 2 Free Dress Day supporting WIRES. Thanks to everyone for your support.

Perth Primary School Student Attendance Data

Canteen News…..

Canteen day is Thursday

Placing canteen orders is completed online via our Qkr. Parents need to update their child/ren’s class every year. Please look further in the newsletter for instructions to download the Qkr app.

Raspberry Muffins (Week 2)

Chocolate Cake (Week 3 & 4)

Plastic Free/Recycle

In our canteen we are trying our best to be as Plastic Free and recycle as much as possible.

1. We don’t use any plastic wrap anymore at all, we place our pre made toasted sandwiches into large Sistema tubs before they are toasted.
2. We use metal spoons for our frozen yoghurt
3. We use block cheese which we slice and grate which are placed in Sistema containers
4. We use reusable bowls for our popcorn and cheese and biscuits
5. Any items that can or need to be frozen (Ham, Chicken, Pineapple or Baked Beans) we freeze in Sistema reusable containers
6. Our Cheese and Biscuits and Popcorn are sold in reusable bowls which are returned to the canteen
7. We wash and dry yoghurt containers and lids to recycle
8. We only use paper bags for our lunch orders
9. We use a piece of foil to cover our pizza muffins before placing into a paper bag
10. We place 4 Black Tubs in our eating areas so all our return items, bowls, spoons, yoghurt containers. They are returned after lunch to the canteen washed and put in appropriate places
11. We have 4 Soft Plastic Bins around the eating areas, only soft plastic is placed in these bins. Our Waste Warriors empty the bins on Wednesdays and the soft plastic it taken to the appropriate deposit areas, Coles or Woolworths. The bins are washed and placed back in the playground eating areas
12. We recycle everything that are one use items in the correct way
13. We also compost our food waste in the school compost area
14. We only offer wholemeal bread, rolls and wraps also wholemeal fruit loaf when available

Weekly Camp Fundraiser

Warm drinking chocolates commence on Tuesday 4 August. Your child may order in their classroom on Tuesday morning. All money raised goes towards the 5/6 biannual camp.

On behalf of all 2021 5/6 families we thank Tara Henderson and Lana Davie who have volunteered their time to allow this fundraiser to happen.

Cost: $1.70

2020 Student Cabinet / Student Parliament / House Captains Photos

Parents can order these photos using their unique online order code to access the group their child was involved in to order directly from Leading Image website.

School Association Fundraising Committee

Pizza Day

A reminder Pizza Day is on Friday.

Appreciation Stall

Donations for our Appreciation Stall are welcome and can be placed in the red bins in your child’s classroom. The Appreciation Stall is being held in place of separate Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day stalls later this year. It is provided to allow children to show their appreciation and gratitude to the special people in their lives such as parent, carers and grandparents. Gifts range in price from 50c to $5. A total spend of $15 per student is available.

Thursday 6 August

Kinder (Kinder Blue Group will purchase on Wednesday 5 August) Prep A, Prep B, 1-2CH and 1-2B

Friday 7 August

2-3C, 3-4JL, 3-4D, 5-6LJ and 5-6 W

Before School Care Hours

Outside School Care Hours (OSHC)

Early Birds and After School Care
Early Birds 7:45am - 8:30am Monday - Friday
please contact the school office 6398 2302 ($3 per child)

Please Note: Payments and bookings can be made via cash or the Qkr app
(our preferred payment method).

Please Note: Parents are required to personally drop off children to BSC.

After School Care – Midlands Kids Club (Northern Midlands Council)
please contact Kate Lee – 0438 911 303

Student Banking - Thursday

Happy Birthday

Micah, Mikayla, Miles, Amelia, Oliver, Liam, Michael and Miss Richardson.

Community News……

2020 Professional Learning Days/Moderation Days

Friday 30th October 2020 – Professional Learning Day 3

2020 Term Dates

Term 3

Finish date: Friday 25 September

Term 4

Start date: Monday 12 October
Finish date: Thursday 17 December (students)
Friday 18 December (teachers)

2020 PPS Support Staff

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