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- Penguin District School Calendar
- Principal's Report
- Clever Penguins
- Gold Cards
- Prep - 1 G - PE
- Meet the Teacher Afternoon
- Year 6 Canberra Trip On Hold
- Launching into Learning Postponed
- School Banking Postponed
- School Production Update
- Story Box Library
- Book Club
- Fairy Godmothers Fundraiser
- School Calendar
Penguin District School Calendar
For all upcoming events please see the Penguin District School Calendar
Whilst the Coronavirus (COVid19) and health alerts are rightfully occupying much of the community’s thinking, please know that our staff value the normality that we can provide our young people through school, even in uncertain times like this. This has been made much easier as our parent community have been very supportive and understanding of measures in place thus far. I have been heartened to hear positive feedback from families in our school, and in the community about public education and trusting that schools are well placed to respond to the advice and direction of the Tasmanian Government.
The school is open and it is safe for students to come to school. If your child is healthy they should attend and continue their learning. We are continuously receiving updates from the Department of Education and will advise parents if there is a need to change any of our practices or routines. If you have opted to keep your children at home at this time, or have questions in relation to what educational provision may occur should schools close, please refer to the Department’s Advice to parents and carers to support learning at home document Learning_at_Home_Infosheet_for_Parents
Personal hygiene is important for students and washing their hands with soap and water is the most effective way to keep hands clean. We have hand sanitisers located in a number of positions around the school for students to access.
The Department of Education has advised schools regarding social distancing and not to have large gatherings to minimise the risk of spreading infections. As a result, the following measures will be in place from Monday 23March until further notice.
- Parents are asked to remain outside school buildings during peak times of 8:20-8:50 and 2:20-3pm. This will ensure that we comply with directives on minimising static groups and to support the strict hygiene measures we have in place for your children and our staff. Please check the see school map with some suggestions that enable parents to walk children to any of our external doors. Please discuss pick up/drop off arrangements with your child before Monday. We will have additional senior staff available from Monday to support any students/parents that may need it at these peak times of the day.
- On Departmental advice, our canteen will remain open on Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays. Students can order from the lunch menu only. Counter sales will be available to secondary students, however please note snack items from will not be available until further notice.
- Students will be encouraged to borrow up to 8 books from our school library – these will not need to be returned until further notice
- School photos were scheduled for April 2 and 3 – these have been rescheduled for September 3 and 4. MSP have advised that families that have made payment can either request a refund or carry their payment forward for Term 3
- Breakfast Club is postponed until further notice due to advice from the service groups that support our program
We are very satisfied that we have the sufficient cleaning supplies and sanitiser to maintain high levels of cleanliness during this time. Our cleaners are doing a terrific job, as all of our staff are during these extra-ordinary times.
The impact on schools has been time consuming but we are striving to ensure that the school is a safe and clean environment in the current climate. If you have any concerns regarding your child or your own health in this situation please consult your general practitioner or the public health hotline for further information. As we receive further updates that we need to share with families, we will do so via all of our typical methods.
It is important that we have the correct mobile phone number for you on file. If you have had a change of details, please contact the school office. Thank you for your cooperation and help in this difficult time as we work through this experience. I am happy for you to contact myself or a member of the school leadership team through the school office if you have any queries or concerns. I have been communicating daily with our staff and the Department of Education. We will continue to provide information to our families as it comes to hand, and seek clarification from the Department of Education if needed.
At any stage, please know that you can contact the school within business hours on 6434 2222. We also do our best to monitor the school Facebook page for any queries that come in outside of these times.
Thank you so much for the calm and measured way you are currently supporting your children to ‘keep things normal’. Students at school have been terrific so far!
Warm regards
Mat Grining
Principal
Due to the frequent updates to important documents please refer to the Department of Health and Department of Education websites, our SZapp and Newsletter.
Key Messages:
- Schools at this point in time will remain open and we encourage all students who are well to come to school
- If you are unwell it is advised that you stay home until better
- If a person is in self-isolation, those living with them only need to self-isolate if that person becomes sick or becomes a confirmed case. Information about self-isolation can be found via the following link https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-information-about-home-isolation-when-unwell-suspected-or-confirmed-cases
Other Messages:
- Here at school we will be taking extra measures to make sure everyone can wash their hands regularly, clean surfaces often and know what the best things to do are and what the things to avoid are
- Ask your children every night when they come home if they were given a letter from school (these will also be sent via the SZapp)
- While we will be doing lots of normal things at school such as playing outside together, we will be continually making decisions about where classes go and for what reason.
Links to some facts sheets current as at Friday 20 March 2020
Coronavirus_Talking_to_your_Child_Parent_Fact Sheet
Learning_at_Home_Infosheet_for_Parents
Hand_Washing_Procedure_COVID_19_Fact_Sheet
Self_Assessment_Tool_COVID_19_Fact_Sheet
Mat Grining
Email: mathew.grining@education.tas.gov.au
Penguin District School values the contribution that students make within the community, please keep us informed of significant student achievements by emailing penguin.district.school@education.tas.gov.au or send a message via the Penguin District School Facebook page.
It was lovely to see so many families attend our Prep to Year 6, Meet the Teacher afternoon and join our students in classroom learning activities. This was the first time we have run these sessions and welcome feedback as to what you liked or would like to see different for next year.
Please email penguin.district.school@education.tas.gov.au or send us a message on Facebook.
Following advice from the Secretary of Education, it is uncertain whether the 2020
Year 6 Canberra Trip will go ahead as planned. Due to the current uncertainty and potential flow-on effects around the impact of COVID - 19 (Novel Coronavirus), at this stage there is no guarantee that we will be able to travel.
For this reason, we will postpone any further deposits until we have some clearer direction regarding the likelihood of the trip.
For those families who have already paid a deposit you will receive a cheque to your home address within the next 10 days.
In the interim we will explore state based options in the event that Canberra does not proceed. Any alternate travel plans will be in line with Education Department advice and guidelines.
We will continue to keep you updated with changes and information as soon as we receive it. Up to date information can be accessed via The Department of Education Facebook (FB) site and by regular PDS means such as the SZApp, FB, texts and letters.
Matthew Perry
Phone: 6434 2222
Email: matthew.perry@education.tas.gova.u
Our 2020 production, Phantom of the Talent Factor for 2020 is still going ahead and all small group rehearsals are following our Term 1 rehearsal schedule. The whole cast rehearsals are postponed until Term 2 and we will advertise these for students and families. Characters, dancers and band will continue.
Please be aware that our performances are scheduled for the last 2 weeks in October with closing night being the Saturday of the November long weekend. Please keep this weekend free and be ready to book lots of tickets!
Please make sure under manage on the SZpp you have School Production selected. Please contact the office if you need assistance.
Book Club – Issue 2
Issue 2 went home this week.
Method to order and pay in 2020 is LOOP (Linked Online Ordering & Payment) closing date for orders is Tuesday 24th March.
Any orders that are presents (e.g. birthday, Christmas) please tick the GIFT box on LOOP order.
If you have any queries please see Sonya at the Primary Campus Library on Tuesdays and Fridays.