It’s been a joy to catch up with everyone and welcome you all to the 2020 school year. This time of year brings great excitement and anticipation and it’s been a pleasure to share this with students and families. All students look fantastic in their school uniforms and have settled quickly into their new classes, focussed on their learning. I would like to welcome our significant number of new families to our school community, and I am looking forward to working with you as partners in your children’s learning, and in enacting our vision of a collaborative, creative and innovative learning community.

We welcome to our Burnie Primary School learning community, Mr Thomas Mansfield (Grade 5) Mr Richard Van Raay (Grade 5H on Friday’s) and Mrs Olivia Meldrum who is completing her Internship with Grade 6 this year. We also welcome back Miss Meaghan Hosking who will be working with Grade 4 students.

We really value parent and community involvement within the Burnie Primary School community! The upcoming ‘Welcome BBQ’ on next Wednesday 12^th February will be a great way to continue the learning partnership we have with you as parents / carers. The main aim of the Welcome BBQ is to provide an opportunity for parents and carers to join their children in showing their classrooms and meeting and chatting informally with their class teachers about any aspects of school life or things that may affect their learning this year. Classrooms will be open from 4:00 – 5:00 with the idea that teachers are available to continue the discussion about your child’s learning. Once you have spoken with your child’s teacher, you will receive a voucher for a free item at the BBQ. The Parents and Friends Association are providing a free BBQ with sausages, hamburgers and vegie burgers until 6:00pm. I look forward to catching up with as many of you as possible next Wednesday, and I encourage you to come along and catch up with new and existing members of our wonderful Burnie Primary School community.

Next week sees the start of another important aspect of your child’s learning with the Swimming and Water Safety program. Although compulsory for all Grade 3-5 and some Grade 6 students, Burnie Primary school provides the opportunity to learn to swim and be safe in the water for all students Kinder – Grade 6, and is one only a few schools state-wide who offer such a comprehensive whole school approach to swimming and water safety. The life benefits of being able to enjoy and recreate in and around the vast fresh and salt water environments here in Tasmania are tremendous and the learning could one day potentially save lives. Information for Grade 3 – 6 students will be sent home today.

We have been excited to see students engage in the new play space outside Grade 1. All materials have been recycled from a eucalyptus tree we had to fall on the bank, and the old play equipment that was previously there. The playing space was designed with our vision in mind, as a collaborative, creative and innovative learning community.   

A notice went out to all families yesterday informing you of the sad and sudden passing of Mrs Gayle Groom. Mrs Groom’s association with Burnie Primary has been a long one, and her contribution to the Burnie Primary School community has been outstanding. We have been determined to celebrate the significance of Mrs Gayle Groom’s contribution to the Burnie Primary School community and are saddened by her loss, but we all have been blessed and enriched by her presence. Our thoughts are with her Family, friends, colleagues and all from the Burnie Primary School community.     

Welcome back to Meaghan Hosking, welcome also to our staff members, Olivia Meldrum, Richard Van Raay and Thomas Mansfield. 

Tunes for Tots starting  Friday 21st Feb

There will be some new faces in the office this term as Paula Mance is relocating to a new position for Terms 1 &2 at eSchool in Launceston and Jacki Johnstone will be working in Kinder. Anne Elliott will be filling the role in Term 1 from Monday 17th February with assistance from Ella Gardner on some days. 

Cheryl King is still about, albeit in a new office.

We will be participating in the annual required Swimming & Water Safety Program. The Grade 3, 4, 5 & 6 programme will commence on Monday 10^th February through to Friday 21st February. The program will take place at the Burnie Aquatic Centre.

In acknowledgement of the importance that water safety and swimming capabilities play throughout our lives, the Department of Education mandates that all students learn to be safe and competent in water environments, as a component of the primary curriculum. 

The Education Department require a medical certificate/note to be provided for non-participation or any absence from the program.

 The Swimming and Water Safety Program runs for two weeks for each grade group. This will mean that your child will need to bring along the following items every day throughout their program.

• Swimming gear – including bathers and swimming cap.
• Towel and plastic bag to put wet clothes in.
• Any medication (e.g. asthma medication) that may be needed at the poolside.

Swimming times are as follows.

We are a sun safe school and hats are required for all outside play during Terms 1 and 4. Please remember to bring your hat to school everyday.

If you require a new hat, we sell these at the school office for $12.50 each, or can be purchased from Todd Rogers Signs.

Our school canteen has not re-opened as yet, we will keep the school community advised as to when this will be available.

Following our book sales day we have a few pieces of surplus uniform available for sale at very discouted prices. these include shorts, skorts, zip leg pants, double knee pants (sz10 only), straight skirts & flexi waist skirt ( in large sizes )and long sleeve polos in sz 12 only. Please pop into schoool for a look or call the office for sizes and prices.

Long sleeve polos will be available  in all sizes by order only.

Prices to be confirmed soon, please see the school office if you're interested.