Wednesday 6 March 2024
- Principal News
- TPSA News
- Calendar
- Classroom News
- TPS House Athletics Carnival
- eSafety Webinar
- NAPLAN Testing 13 – 25 March
- Welcome back! Let’s make every day count
- Empowered Kids - Resilience Workshop
- Story Dog Needed!
- Wellbeing
- Update on proposed Nature Play project at TPS!
- Taking Medication at School
- Working with Vulnerable People card
- Bambini Bites - Lunch Ordering
- School Information
- Lady Gowrie Taroona
- Move Well Eat Well
Principal News
Dear Parents and Carers,
Over the last few weeks, teachers have been working hard to establish a solid foundation in their classrooms regarding knowing our students and how best to cater for their needs. This has involved using literacy and numeracy benchmark testing with all students to gain an accurate picture of their skills (NB: not all Yr3-6 classes have completed the numeracy testing). Meanwhile, we have been establishing effective classroom environments by examining the school values, particularly respect and connection, writing class acknowledgements of country, running our athletics carnival, participating in the Growing Up Program* and even having our school photos this week. It’s been busy!
Growing Up Program: https://fpt.org.au/programs/schools-educators/growing-up-program-gup/
DIBELS
The literacy testing, focusing on reading, matches a key priority of the Department for Children, Education and Young People and, like, many schools, we are using the highly recognised and renowned DIBELS* assessment package. As their website describes, Schools choose DIBELS, “because they trust scientific evidence, research-based practices, and decades of experience in teaching and learning on which DIBELS is based.”
DIBELS: https://dibels.uoregon.edu/
Collaborative Inquiry Teams
For several months now, Taroona Primary School has been undergoing a teaching and learning transformation by working in Collaborative Inquiry Teams. The key driver of this transformation is the concept of a Professional Learning Community (PLC). This is a world-renowned process, based on decades of research, that requires teams of teachers to work and plan closely together and to improve teaching and learning. Our school calls teams of teachers Collaborative Inquiry Teams (CITs) and they are committed to the “Three Big Ideas” of a PLC:
- A focus on learning – that the fundamental purpose of the school and all planning is to ensure that all students learning at high levels
- A collaborative culture and collective responsibility – in order to ensure learning for all educators must take collective responsibility and work together on achieving this goal
- A results orientation – to assess the effectiveness of the collaborative work, members of the PLC use evidence of student learning from assessments to improve teaching
Yesterday afternoon, we were able to begin our CIT work in earnest by closely examining the DIBELS data described above. Regularly meeting in this way will result in common planning of units and assessments, evidence-based review and improved teaching practices. The Professional Learning Community process is a long journey and there are many areas we are still seeking to improve, but we are committed to achieving our goals of providing the best quality teaching to enable high levels of learning for all students.
Best wishes
Jared Richardson
PRINCIPAL
TPSA News
Click on the link below to join the TPSA!https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx...
Calendar
Upcoming Events
| 11 March | Public Holiday - 8 Hour Day |
| 18 - 20 March | Year 6 Camp to Blue Lagoon |
| 21 March | Harmony Day |
| 29 March - 2 April | Easter Holiday Break |
| 5 April | Div A Interschool Athletics |
| 12 April | Last Day of Term 1 |
Classroom News
Prep Bolzonello/ Vincent
In Prep Bolzonello Vincent, we created beautiful self-portraits using tissue paper and sharpie. We paid close attention to the details we added and colours we incorporated.
6 Tubb/Bell
We have had a fabulous start to the year in 6A. The final year of Primary School is shaping up to be the best yet! We have shared goals for this year, embraced new challenges and our classroom is starting to reflect the personalities and interests of this years cohort. Each student has stepped up to lead a Daily Fitness Group and has shown great courage and commitment to the task. The anticipation for camp is growing as we look forward to the biggest event on the Year 6 calendar, only a few short weeks away!
TPS House Athletics Carnival
Tuesday 5 March was the 2024 TPS House Athletics carnival. Students from Years 3-6 competed in a range of exciting events. On the day, the weather was absolutely superb; perfect conditions. All the students were cheering on their houses enjoying the atmosphere of a carnival. The behaviour and manner of all students was such a delight to observe. Teachers and volunteering parents on the day were a wonderful help, as well as the Taroona High School students who were a huge assistance.
Some of the students who competed on the day will now be lucky enough to compete in the Interschool Athletics Carnival on Friday 5 April at the Domain Athletics Centre. All parents and carers are welcome to attend this event and cheer on their children. Good luck to all those students heading off to Interschool. GO TPS!
Thanks,
Adrian Stepnell
HPE Teacher
eSafety Webinar
NAPLAN Testing 13 – 25 March
NAPLAN testing of students in Years 3 and 5, at Taroona Primary School, will be held again in March. Testing will be conducted from the 13 March until 25 March.
Detailed information for parents and carers can be found at https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/for-parents-carers
Parents and carers information sheets can be accessed at the following links:
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.
Empowered Kids - Resilience Workshop
Story Dog Needed!
Since Kathryn and Maisie retired, our school would love to continue this unique reading support program helping our students to become life-long readers.
The teachers love this program, the students can’t wait to read and the program works!
Do you have a dog that is well behaved, gentle and is happy around children?
Can you spare a couple of hours a week?
Call or email Story Dogs so you can start helping children to become better readers.
sarahj@storydogs.org.au
Phone: 0419 671394
Web Site:
www.storydogs.org.au
Wellbeing
Positive Partnerships are offering a FREE parent/carer workshop on 7 March in Bridgewater.
Positive Partnerships work in partnership with families, educators and communities to strengthen positive outcomes for young people on the autism spectrum. They create connections and opportunities for an inclusive culture where autistic students belong and thrive.
This workshop is for parents, full time carers and grandparents. Join other local families to learn more about autism and ways to strengthen the home-school partnership. For more information please see: Positive Partnerships | Registrations
Update on proposed Nature Play project at TPS!
Late last year, a form was circulated to gather feedback from our wonderful school community regarding the development of a nature play area adjacent to the blue courts. Thank you so much to everyone who filled in the form and offered such positive and supportive feedback of the proposed development.
We are currently in the design phase of the project.
We are seeking large rocks, large logs and hardwood donations for the area. If you have materials to donate, can you please fill in the very brief form (link below) which asks for specific size/quantity info. We need this info asap so we can plan for your donations to be included in the design (if they are suitable).
https://forms.office.com/r/jpheTnyBBf
Thank you so much!
Keep an eye out for further updates and working bee dates for your calendar!
From the TPSA Grounds Committee
Taking Medication at School
If your child requires medication whilst at school, parents/carers must complete an Authorisation for Administration of Student Medication form. In accordance with DECYP policy, schools CANNOT administer ANY medication without these forms. FORM A is for non-prescribed medications (i.e. anti-histamines, paracetamol) and FORM B is for prescribed medications (i.e. Ritalin). Please ensure the correct form is completed. Forms can be found here.
Schools only accept prescribed medication in the dispensed, labelled container. They accept non-prescribed medication in the original over-the-counter packaging. Medications must be in date (not expired).
For more information about student medication is Tasmanian schools, please see here.
Thank you
Working with Vulnerable People card
To volunteer at this school, you will be required to hold “Registration to Work with Vulnerable People”. This is mandatory.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR RWVP?
- Complete the online application form. This is available from the website below.
- Choose Department of Education from the organisation drop down box. Select Taroona Primary School from the location drop-down box.
- Print the ‘application receipt’ which is generated when the application has been completed in full (if you do not have access to a printer, record the reference number and take that to a Service Tasmania Shop).
- Take the ‘application receipt’ to a Service Tasmania Shop, have your photo taken and have your identity confirmed. You will need to satisfy the identity requirements. A driver’s licence will do this if it displays your correct name and address. The cost is $20.40.
- The Tasmanian Department of Justice will assess and process applications and issue the Assessment Notice and Working with Vulnerable People Registration card directly to the applicant. You will receive an email advising of your approval. Please print this and use until your card arrives.
Generally, applicants will receive their results within six weeks of completing the application process. There may be delays, however, depending on the applicant’s personal information.
Bambini Bites - Lunch Ordering
Please note that orders close at 9PM Monday night for service on Tuesday.
Qkr! - Online Canteen Lunch Orders - How to Order
Step 1. Download Qkr! On your Android phone or iPhone.
iPad users must download iPhone app. (you can also access via a laptop or desktop computer by accessing the Qkr! Website.)
Step 2. Register
Select your Country of Residence as ‘Australia’ and follow the steps to register.
Step 3. Find your school, your school will appear in ‘Nearby Locations’ if you’re within 10km’s of our school, or search for your school by name.
Step 4. Register your child. When first accessing your child’s school you will be prompted to add a student profile for your child/children. This allows you to make orders and payments for them.
Qkr! – How to cancel an order placed
Orders can be cancelled PRIOR to your school order cut off time by following the steps below via the Qkr! system. A credit to your Qkr! account will be applied to use in the future.
To cancel an order (complete or part of), please follow these steps via Qkr!:
Go into your ‘My Receipts’ in the top left menu.
Click on the order you wish to cancel.
Select the red ‘cancel’ circle/icon (indicated with arrow on Image 1)
Check which item or order you’d like to cancel
Confirm by clicking ‘OK’
Qkr! will then add the credit to your Qkr! account for the amount of the order/items you have cancelled (Image 2)
The credit amount will then be deducted from your next order.
Qkr! – What if my child is sick and not attending school
If your child is sick on the day of canteen service and your school order cut off has past you will need to follow the steps below prior to 7:45am.
Send a text message ONLY to 0400 948 649
Please note messages receive after this time are unable to have a credit applied.
A screen shot of your receipt showing the receipt number and items ordered.
Childs school, name and class. We will then endeavour to apply a credit to your Qkr! Account within 5 working days.
Lunch Orders can be collected from the school office at lunchtime or alternatively you are welcome to pass the order onto another family member or child at the school.
Orders for sushi are unable to be refunded once the order is placed as we purchase this from a third party and order in advance.
School Information
Duty of Care
School staff have duty of care from 8:30am—3:10pm. If you need to drop your child at school earlier than 8.30am or collect after 3.10pm please contact Lady Gowrie to book them into Before or After School Care. Ph 6230 6800.
Teachers use the time from 8:00am till 8:30am for meetings, preparation and planning their days ready to warmly greet their students and parents from 8:30am. They appreciate this uninterrupted time to ensure they set up a positive learning day.
Signing Students in/out
If your child/ren arrive late or need to be collected early for an appointment, please make sure that they are signed in/out on the Kiosk system at the school office for accurate attendance records.
Messages to Students
If you need to get a message to your child, please contact the school before 2:15pm by phone only to ensure enough time for us to pass the message on.
Please make sure your child knows what to do at the end of their school day.
Are they going to:
- After School Care?
- Walking home?
- Turning Circle?
- What do they do if they usually walk but it is raining?
Allergy Aware Reminder
Taroona Primary is a nut aware school. Several of our students have severe reactions to nuts. We ask you to avoid sending any nuts or nut products (e.g. peanut butter or Nutella) in the food children bring to school.
Administration of Medications
The school is not authorised to administer Panadol/pain relief unless specific forms are completed. Any medications needing to be administered, such as antibiotics, will need an Administration of Medication Authorisation form completed.
Form A (non-prescription) – completed by parent
Form B (prescription) – must be completed by a Doctor/Pharmacist/Practise Nurse
Copies of these forms are below and can be accessed from the Schoolzine App under the Forms and Documents tab at any time.
Click here to download the Authorisation Forms to administer medication
Medical Action Plans
Every child at Taroona with a medical condition needs to supply an updated medical plan to the school each year, especially those with Anaphylaxis and Asthma. Staff from Taroona 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.
Click here to download the Anaphylaxis Red EpiPen Action Plan flyer
Click here to download the Allergic Reactions Action Plan flyer
Click here to download the Drug Allergy Action Plan flyer
Click here to download the Asthma Action Plan flyer
Lost Property
Please make sure all clothing items, drink bottles, lunch boxes and small food containers are clearly marked/labelled with your child’s name. If named, all items can be easily returned to your child.
There is a lost property area near the admin block, through the doors to the blue stairwell. All unnamed lost school clothing items are periodically washed and donated back to the TPSA and all other items are donated to charity.
Lady Gowrie Taroona
Lady Gowrie Tasmania Outside School Hours Education and Care Services offer before school and after school care during school term time for children (4 to 12 years of age) at Taroona Primary School. These programs provide a relaxing transition between home and school and provide children with the opportunity to engage in meaningful recreation and learning experiences.
For more information, or to request an enrolment form, phone 6230 6806 or email clusteradmin@gowrie-tas.com.au.
Please see below for a copy of the upcoming Vacation Care Program for 2023-24 holiday period.
Move Well Eat Well
