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Welcome to our 2022 school year
It was fantastic to see everyone back at school on Wednesday 7 February. The majority of students seemed excited to be back, eager to reconnect with their friends and meet their new teacher. I chatted to one student who was a bit reluctant on the first day and then in the pick-up zone on Thursday she ran up to me with a big smile and said “2022 is going to be the best year”. It is moments like these that reinforce my love for the role.
I appreciate that parents are feeling a little bit apprehensive about the start of the school year. I can reassure you that we are very proactive in keeping informed and updated in implementing any COVID protocols. We will also inform you of any changes via our Facebook Page and Schoolzine App. Thank you once again to all parents who are wearing masks during pick up and drop off times. This is not a school-based decision, it is in accordance with Public Health COVID 19 guidelines. Please be respectful of these guidelines when moving outside and inside our school site to keep students and staff safe. Remember, the pick-up and drop off zone is your option if you do not have a mask.
In the information pamphlet contained in your rapid antigen test, under section 6.0 there is an instruction stating ‘you must take a laboratory PCR test immediately’ if your RAT test is positive. Public Health assures us that school staff and students do not need to do a PCR test if their RAT test is positive. If you have any concerns, please contact the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
Similar to previous years - Cooking from home cannot be shared. If you would like to bring shared food to celebrate birthdays, the food must be purchased and in the original un-opened package.
We have welcomed 11 new students to our school, and we hope they and their families soon feel a part of our wonderful school community.
Classes and staffing 2022
Teaching Staff |
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KA/LIL – Julia Hill |
3/4A – Sarah Elliott/Kellie Lohrey |
KB/LIL – Susan Archer |
3/4B – Diane Edmistone |
K/Prep – Melinda Hyland |
3/4C –Claire Gale |
Prep – Katie Miller & Louise Lowe |
4/5 – Janine Brealey |
1A – Sam Burr |
5A – Di Kalweit Hayes |
1B – Michelle Cooke |
5B - Sherrie Jaffray |
2A– Laura Richardson |
6A – Jessie Barker & Ben Jones |
2B – Maddison Burgess |
6B – Claire Shenton and Amy Gibbons |
Music – Kathleen Matthews |
Digital Technologies – Brett Mullins |
Flying Start/LIFT – Katie Fisher |
PE – Lorraine Evans |
Flying Start/Gifted – Erin McGaffin |
Flying Start/Literacy Coach -Tracey Ross |
Student Support/Wellbeing – Amanda Lloyd |
Numeracy Coach – Ben Jones |
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Office Staff |
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Cindy Tatlow, Alison Dallas and Nicole Norton |
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Education Facility Attendants |
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Margaret Grieve, Bec Evans, Julie Ellis and Stephen Haines |
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Teacher Assistants |
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Kathryn Hubbard, Jo Phillips, Lecia Cooper, Lynne Goninon, Cindy Mathewson, Cass Schwebel, Penny Carroll, Carolyn Groom, Mandy McNamara, Melissa Street and Alana Alderson |
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Leadership Team |
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Paula Pearce - Principal |
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Amanda Lloyd – Assistant Principal and Grade 3/4 Team Leader |
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Katie Fisher – AST and LIL-Prep Team Leader |
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Erin McGaffin – AST and Grade 1-2 Team Leader |
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Ben Jones – AST and Grade 5-6 Team Leader |
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Support Staff
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Carmen Guterres – School Psychologist |
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Susan Hutton – Social Worker |
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Lyndsay Norton – School Nurse
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ICT Support
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Zac Spinks |
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Ian Bessell |
Parking and traffic flow
The beginning of the year is a good time to revisit our rules in regard to parking and traffic flow.
- Parking or standing in the pick-up/drop-off zone is not permitted between 8:45-9:15 and 2:45-3:30.
- On entering the pick up/drop off zone, move your car to the front of the line to allow other cars access into the area
- Do another lap or find a park in a designated area if your child is late to the pick-up zone
- Avoid double parking in the pick-up area as it becomes very dangerous when students attempt to walk between the cars
- Delay arriving to school before 3:00pm as teachers do not dismiss students before this time. It may be best to alter your family’s pick-up time to 3:10 as this allows your child time to move to the pick-up area (and avoids the rush).
When in a parking bay it is important to note that if you try to reverse out of your space in peak times, it causes a traffic congestion by holding up the flow of cars entering and leaving. To help us improve traffic flow it is important that you respect the following:
- Moving traffic has the right of way
- If you are attempting to reverse out of parking spaces, please be patient and wait until the flow of traffic has cleared – do not reverse out and stop the flow of traffic
- If possible, reverse into the parking spaces so it is easier to move out.
Members of the Leadership Team are always on duty in this area to keep all members of our school community safe and to ensure the efficiency of the area. Unfortunately, members of our school community can be disrespectful and, in some cases, verbally abusive to staff when reminded of the rules. Please note, that all staff have the authority to request parents/visitors to move their vehicle and follow the rules above (please see point 3.2 of the Respectful School Volunteer and Visitor Behaviour Policy).
3.2 Roads on Somerset Primary campus
The control of traffic at a school campus is a school matter, and the principal and delegates have the right to instruct anyone operating a vehicle to follow the conditions under which vehicles may be driven, ridden, parked and removed from the school campus.
All drivers on campus are expected to observe the speed limit of 10 km per hour and abide by road traffic signs including parking conditions (time limited parking, drop off and pick-up zones, and staff parking).
All bicycles should be stored in designated areas.
If the rules are not observed, a member of staff has the authority to ask drivers to abide by the rules and move their car. The school may also withdraw permission to enter the school campus, remove a vehicle parked contrary to the signage at the owner’s expense or any other response the school deems necessary to maintain a safe and functional space for others at the school.
We would really appreciate your support and extra care within our car parks and pick up zone, so we have safe and efficient collection and drop off times.
Hats
Due to our Sun Smart Policy, all students need to wear a school hat when outdoors this Term. These can be purchased at our School Office for $8. Students without a hat will be asked to play under shade. Remember to clearly name each hat.
Canteen
Canteen will commence soon. Please check school bags for notices and social media for further information over the coming week.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club will commence next week on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
This year SPS is trialling the Student Wellbeing Check-in survey a couple of times per term for students in Grades 3-6. This links well with the overall survey the DOE administer later in the year. We firmly believe that positive student wellbeing is an essential part of student’s learning and time at school. We aim to help all students and this is one way we can ‘check-in’ to ensure we are on target with this. Please read the document and contact Amanda Lloyd for further information if required.
We are wondering about parent preferences in how they receive the school newsletter and have decided to do a poll. We are asking “would you be more likely to read the newsletter if you received a paper copy?” It would be great to get as many replies as possible. Either click on the link below or type the url into your browser to answer. Alternatively you can click on the link on our facebook page.
Medications at School - Parent/Guardian's Responsibilities
Often school staff are asked to administer medications to children.
They can be non- prescribed, (over the counter medicine such as Panadol) or prescribed, (by a doctor, such as antibiotics).
Parents/guardians must complete and sign Administration of Medication Authorisation Form A (Parent/Guardian) for non-prescription medication. This allows parents to authorise school staff to give medication to their children and tells the staff about the medication, when it should be given and if the child can take it themselves.
For prescription medication we require parents to supply an Administration of Prescribed Medication Authorisation Form B (Doctor/Pharmacist/Practice Nurse). This form must be signed by either, the doctor, the pharmacist where you bought the medication or a practice nurse from your doctor’s surgery. This form tells staff about the dose, when the medication is to be given and any possible side effects of the medication. Parents must also sign this form.
It is parents/guardian’s responsibility to inform the school of any changes to their children’s medications and to supply the correct forms.
If a student is required to bring medication to school because they will be staying at an alternative residence, it is required that the medication is handed in at the office to be stored for the day and be collected after school.
Under no circumstances is medication to be left in a child’s school bag.
Without the above paperwork, school staff are not able to administer any medication to students.
Medical Action Plans - Reminder
Just a reminder to parents/carers of students who require a Medical Action Plan (anaphylaxis and asthma for example) to ensure we have an updated copy at school. We require these to be updated each year. Please ask for one at your child’s next medical appointment and send a copy to school.
Levies
Levies for 2022 have now been issued. Levies can be paid at Service TAS, via bPay, via the QKR app, over the phone with credit card or in person cash or EFTPOS. Payment plans are available, please contact Cindy in the office to set up a payment plan. Levies can also be paid via Centrepay. Centrepay deducts your chosen amount from your Centrelink payment and pays it directly to the school until fully paid. Centrepay forms are available from the office.
STAS
Parents who have a current concession card as listed below can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS:
- Service Australia – Centrelink Health Care Card
- Service Australia – Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
- Service Australia – Pensioner Concession Card or
- Department of Veteran Affairs – Pensioner Concession Card
Please note that if you are already receiving student assistance you do not need to complete a form.
For 2022 a new online form has been developed to assist with processing applications for new applicants.
The online form can be completed here: https://stasonlinesubmission.education.tas.gov.au
We understand the online option may not be possible for all families, so if you require a hard copy form please contact the school or the Financial Assistance Unit on stas@education.tas.gov.au or 1800 827 077.
Validation forms
Thank you to those families that have returned Validation forms already. It would be greatly appreciated if those that haven't could do so as soon as possible, so that we can make sure that permissions and any changes are recorded promptly.
School Association AGM & AGM Committee Nominations
The Annual General Meeting of the Somerset Primary School Association will be held on Tuesday 8th March starting at 6pm. This will be followed by a general meeting.
Somerset Primary School Association are calling for nominations for the following vacant committee positions:
Parent members x 4
Staff members x 2
Nominations must be made by current committee members and given to the Returning Officer (Cindy Tatlow) by Thursday 3rd March. Nomination forms are available from the school office.
Please see the included fact sheets about the role of School Associations and Association Committees.
For more information please contact Cindy Tatlow on 6435 1114, cindy.tatlow@education.tas.gov.au or in person at the school office.
Attendance
If your child is absent from school please notify us by one of the following methods.
- Schoolzine app (preferred option)- Absentee tile (instructions on how to download the app are below)
- School Mobile - 0419 583 998 (only before 9.10)
- or by phoning 6435 1114