Don't forget your hat next term. Students are required to wear a hat while out-doors in Fourth Term. Hats are available to purchase from Corporate Wearwear and Solutions and from the School Office for $12.50 each.

 Please make sure to name your hat clearly.

It’s been a joy to catch up with everyone and welcome you all to the 2019 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 we have had students settled into their new classes and focussed on their learning from week one. I would like to welcome our significant number of new families to the 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, Mrs Clare Smith (Prep), Mrs Cathryn Parke (Grade 2), Mrs Megan Naylor (Grade 5) and Mrs Sue Smith (Grade 6). We also welcome back Mr Andrew Woodard into his Assistant Principal role, and Mr Stephen Dome into his new role in PE/AST.  

In our professional learning sessions before school last week, teachers and teacher aides undertook training in the RULER approach which explores emotional intelligence and provides tools for students and adults to be able to Recognise, Understand, Label, Express and Regulate emotions. This evidence based approach has been developed by Yale University, and has been provided to the Burnie Primary School community through a strategic partnership with Rural Health Tasmania. Personal and social capabilities and wellbeing will be a focus for our 2019 school year as we move into year 3 of our 4 year strategic plan.

We really value parent and community involvement within the Burnie Primary School community! The upcoming ‘Welcome BBQ’ on Wednesday 27^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 children to show parents and carers their classrooms and to meet and chat 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 4:30 – 5:30 with the idea that students will be able to guide you around their classroom to explain their learning; teachers will be there to continue the conversation about learning for the year. The Parents and Friends Association is providing a free BBQ with sausages, hamburgers and vegie burgers until 6:30pm. I look forward to catching up with as many of you as possible.

The School Association and Parents and Friends are two groups that meet only once or twice a term but provide valuable feedback, support and guidance as to how the school runs, and how our school community as a whole can support all students, to achieve to their ultimate potential here at Burnie Primary School. I encourage as many parents and friends of the school to come along to the next open meeting on Thursday 28th March. The School Association Meeting will start at 6pm and the Parents and Friends at 7pm. You are welcome to attend both. We are also in need of some parents and community members to be part of our committee. Please consider taking on a position either on the P&F or School Association. It is a valuable learning experience for you as parents or community members in having a say in how we can make Burnie Primary School the best possible place to learn! Nomination forms are included in this week’s newsletter. Nominate yourself or someone you know who would be great in this role on our School Association.  

 Andrew Starick.

Sue Smith - Grade 6S

Hello , I have transferred from Romaine Park Primary school. I have 4 adult children. I enjoy travelling, reading, cooking, gardening and spending time with my 2 little grandsons.  I'm looking forward to working with the grade 6 students this year and getting to know others in the school community.

Clare Smith - Prep SJ

Hi, my name is Clare Smith and I’m happy and excited to be joining the staff here at Burnie Primary after 13 years at Somerset Primary. I also had 2 years before that at Waratah Primary. I have taught in the early childhood area, mostly in Prep and Kinder. I live in Burnie with my husband and 2 children. Max, who is almost 4, and Molly, who is almost 1. I look forward to being part of a wonderful school community at Burnie Primary.

Meg Nayler - Grade 5N

I have been teaching for ten years and this is my third school. I attended Burnie Primary myself until 1998 and was a very proud House Captain for Curraghmore. I live with my husband, Klay and my two cats, Peppa and Sarah. I love anything that sparkles and will be seen quite often carrying/wearing something with glitter on it. 

Cathryn Parke - Grade 2P

Hi, my name is Cathryn Parke and I have transfrred from Montello Primary. I have two grown up children. reading is one of my favourite things to do. I love spending time with family and playing hockey and tennis. I'm really excited to be at Burnie Primary School.

Student Attendance Requirements

The school days starts at 9am (doors open 8.30am) and finishes at 2.45pm.  Please make every effort to have your child here for the start of the school day. Students should not be picked up early from school unless it is for a specific appointment and, the school has had prior notification.

Students who are not walking home or catching a bus need to be picked up by 3.15pm.  Students who are to be picked up later than 3.15 should be booked into the After School Care facility on school grounds.

Students are required to attend school every day unless they are unwell or there are exceptional circumstances.  Students should not miss days of school for reasons such as birthdays, shopping days etc.  If a student is going to be absent from school the Parent/Carer must contact the front office so that the reason for non-attendance can be recorded.  Messages can be left via text, through the Schoolzine app, with a phone call or email to school after 8:15am or face-to-face at the school office.

Should your child arrive at school later than 9:00am please ensure they are signed in at the front office.

Please be aware that we have a legal obligation to record absenteeism and to follow up on absenteeism that is impacting on a student’s capacity to learn.  If you have any difficulty in having your child get ready for and attend school please contact Mr Woodard for support.

Visiting school 

When entering the school buildings, people must do so through the front of the school and report to the front office to sign in.  If you are arriving at school early to pick up your child you need to see the staff at the front office and they will contact the classroom teacher who will organise for the student to go to the front office.  Parents, Carers and Family are to wait at the front office.

Mobile Phones

It is recognised that some students carry mobile devices so that they are able to contact parents/carers before and after school for reasons such as safety and knowing and identifying whereabouts.  However, mobile devices are not required during the school day and must not be used during the school day.   Only those students who require the mobile device for before and after school contact should bring them to school.

Students will be required to take their mobile device to the front office in the morning and sign in the device and place in the provided box.  At the end of the day the student is to   return to the front office to pick up their phone from the box and sign the device out.

The school takes no responsibility for the safety of a device that is left in a student’s bag or carried on their person.  If a student refuses to take their device to the office and/or uses a device through the day their parent/carer will be contacted.

Hats

During First and Fourth Terms wearing a hat is compulsory while students are outside at Recess and Lunch.  Hats may be purchased from the School office for $12:50 each.

Please remember to name your hat clearly.

Canteen

Canteen  will re-open next Thursday 21st Feb and will be available every Thursday and Friday.

Orders can be placed online by registering at www.QuickCliq.com.au 

An up-to-date menu is available at this site.

The first issue of Scholastic Bookclub was sent home last week.

The cut-off day for on-line orders is Feb 25th.