Newsletter - 16 February 2024

Principal's Welcome

Dear Families,

Welcome to the start of the school year and our learning journey for 2024!
I hope that you had a lovely summer and a chance to relax and have time with family and friends.

To all new families, welcome to the Mount Nelson Primary School community.  I look forward to meeting you all.

It was lovely to greet so many happy and smiling faces as students (and parents/carers) made their way down the corridor into classrooms.  It has been a delight to see students really focusing on their positive behaviour and learning in the classrooms.  This is a reflection of the stimulating programs teachers have put in place to ensure that all students are engaged and motivated from day one.  A positive start to the new school year is vital: your role as parents/carers has also been valuable in this positive beginning.  Well done to all!

There have been a number of improvements made to our school campus over the holidays including improvements inside the buildings.  Thank you to Sandy, our School Business Manager, office staff, cleaners, grounds staff, teachers and teacher assistants for their dedication and enthusiasm to make everything ready for a great start to the year. 

A huge thank you must go to Mary and our wonderful members of the School Association Committee and sub-committees also.  Our Welcome Back BBQ to celebrate the beginning of the school year will be held on Wednesday, 21 February.  Please see the flyer featured later on in this newsletter.  We are grateful to all our volunteers who help at events like this to enrich our School Community. 

Our Association has been the driving force behind our oval re-development, the purchasing of resources such as our  wonderful reading resources that support our learners.  And of course, they foster many opportunities to celebrate and socialise within our school community.  Our School Association will have representatives at our Meet the Teacher sessions next week (please see flyer in newsletter) and will be sharing ways in which our families can further connect with our vibrant community.  Special thanks to Ruth for giving up her busy time to support parents with uniforms.  Our students look so wonderful in their uniform, we are very proud of them!

We welcome Georgie Field to our team in 2024.  Georgie has been an AST at Herdsmans Cove for a number of years.  She has taught from Kinder to Grade 6.  As well as running Launching into Learning (LiL) and Pre-Kinder, she has also held various literacy roles.  She has implemented Nature play at HPS as part of her leadership in the early years program.

As part of her AST role, Georgie will be leading our early years team as well as teaching 3 days on our Prep-1FT class with Jamie. 

Safeguarding Lead 2024

Rachel Viney is again appointed as our first Safeguarding Lead in 2024.

Safeguarding Leads have been appointed in all Tasmanian state schools to help ensure all children and young people in Tasmania are known, safe, well and learning.

Rachel will support the wellbeing of all our students and help us all understand that keeping children and young people safe is everyone’s responsibility.

For further information on Safeguarding in Schools please click here

Communication

Communication often arises as an issue in schools, with Schoolzine (SZapp) and newsletters being the main form of school to home communication.  I would also like to remind our school community about our Facebook page which also provides information about what is happening in the school.   Teachers will also be using Seesaw as a form of classsroom communication.  Please keep an eye out for 2024 permission forms. 

Should you have any concerns or information about your child that you think the teachers should be aware of, please feel free to contact us to arrange an opportunity to talk mount.nelson.primary@decyp.tas.gov.au.  In the first instance, the classroom teacher is usually the best person to contact due to their closer connection to your child, but Senior Staff are also available should the classroom teacher not be available. 

I look forward to meeting with as many of you as possible over the coming weeks.

'Meet the Teacher' Sessions

We invite all our parents/carers to join their child’s classroom teacher in Week 3 for our ‘Meet the Teacher’ session.  This is an opportunity to find out about the organisation of your child’s weekly program and classroom routines.

Handouts shared will be sent home via SZapp at the end of the day the class meeting is held, as we understand that the times may not suit all families.  Just a reminder, you are always welcome to contact your child’s teacher by dropping into the classroom from 8.30 - 9 am, sending an email, or using our Seesaw app.

See you at our morning information sessions!

Oval Update

Take a look at our oval - it is looking fantastic
The machinery has been going all holidays.  They are running a little behind schedule but we look forward to seeing the grass sprouting soon!

Class Spotlight - 4/5/6S

Before/After School Hours - Duty of Care

Mount Nelson Primary School staff have duty of care from 8.30 am with school finishing at 3.00 pm.

Mount Nelson Primary School's hours are 8.30 am through to 3.00 pm.  It is important that parents/carers do not bring children to school before school hours because there is no supervision of students at that time.  Prior to 8.30 is also an important preparation time for our teachers.  Similarly, it is important parents/carers either collect their children at the end of the school day, arrange for them to catch the bus home or make other collection arrangements so students are not left unsupervised at the end of the school day. 

Unsupervised students may engage in dangerous play or put themselves in dangerous locations.  Parents/carers are responsible for their child outside school hours unless they have accessed school based child care during these times.

Nut and Egg Allergy Aware

We have a number of students who have an anaphylactic reaction to nuts and eggs.  As this anaphylaxis can be life threatening, we request your help in ensuring no nut or egg products are brought to school. 

Items not to be brought to school include; all nut products, peanut butter, Nutella, peanut oil in margarines and all egg products such as egg sandwiches and hard boiled eggs. 

It is important that all classes observe this allergy awareness policy due to the danger of a child at risk of anaphylaxis coming into contact with residue left by other classes. The parents/carers involved and staff greatly appreciate your assistance in this serious matter. 

Front Car Park Reminder

To improve safety and traffic flow at school pickup time in Tangara Road and the front carpark, we 
introduced a new “Park and Sit, Pick Up” strategy.

Reminders for parents/carers when picking your child or children up:

• Please do not park in the 15-minute parking spot during the rush period (2.50 - 3.10 pm). 
  Unless, you need to park there for a reason which extends beyond the rush period time. 
• Please do not leave your vehicle while in the “park and sit” lane.  If a car in front of you exits 
  the carpark or moves forward, please drive shuffle forward so other cars behind can fit in. 
• If the “park and sit” lane is full, please use the right-hand lane to do a block until a spot becomes available. 
• We encourage parents/carers not to park on the right-hand side of Tangara Rd (indicated on 
  the diagram)
• If you are the first car in the carpark for pick up, please drive right through the carpark and 
  begin lining up from the top (indicated as spot number 1 on the diagram) to avoid congestion. 

Reminders to students when arriving or leaving school:

• In order to keep everyone safe, you need to walk your bike through school and only begin 
  riding once you are off school grounds. Parents/carers, please remind your child of this if they ride their bike to school.
• Please do not wait on the corner of Tangara Road and the front carpark as this blocks traffic 
  going up and down Tangara Road (including for residents). We encourage students to wait 
  outside the office so you can see your parent/carer drive past, wait for them to stop, and 
  then you can head up to your car.

Green markers are “park and sit” spots in the left lane.  Please wait in your car for your child/children to meet you there. 
Yellow lane is a no stopping lane from 2.50 pm - 3.10 pm to help cars flow easier. 
We have a staff member on duty at these times in high vis vests - please follow their instructions.

Understanding Anxiety in Children - Lisa Ford Parent/Carer Seminar

Medication Forms and Action Plans

If your child has a medical condition, it is important that we receive all relevant information, medications, 2024 authorisation for administration of medication forms and updated Action Plans.

Please note that we require all Action Plans and Authorisation of Administration of Medication Forms to be updated on an annual basis at the start of each new school year.  Staff cannot administer medication to your child unless all of the relevant paperwork has been returned.  We appreciate that it can be difficult to get in to see specialists annually, so if the current Action Plan is less than two years old we can accept a letter from your GP to say that the Action Plan is still valid.

Authorisation of administration of medication forms need to be filled out for both prescription and non-prescription medications.  Blank copies of these forms are attached below and can always be accessed from the Schoolzine App (SZapp) under the Forms and Documents tab at any time.  Copies can also be requested from the School Office.

Form A is for non-prescription medication and can be completed by a parent; Form B is for prescription medication and must be completed by a GP or pharmacist.

Students requiring short-term medication through the year such as antibiotics or panadol must also have these forms completed before staff are allowed to administer.

Administration_of_Medication_Authorisation_Forms_A_B_2020.pdf

Every School Day Matters

Make sure your child goes to school, every day!
Going to school every day gives your child every chance to learn and grow, and connect with their mates and teachers. It’s where bright futures start and where they’ll benefit the most.

Get them excited for school
If you show a positive attitude and excitement towards school, your child will pick up on that. The most common thing we hear from students, of all ages, is that school is where they can:

» spend time with their friends and teachers
» create new and fun experiences
» find their interests
» learn new things
» open up their options – for whatever future they want (whether that’s their dream job or to travel around the world).

Share these positives with your child.

Talk to your child about school
Open up a conversation with your child about what’s happening at school. It will help you to better support their interests and confidence in learning. If you show an interest in school, they’ll know that getting an education is important and valued.

Celebrate the milestones
Big and small! Celebrate milestones such as making it through the first day or week of school. And remember: all milestones look different. If it’s a big achievement for your child, it’s important to recognise it.

Set up a time to talk to your child’s teacher or principal
If you’re struggling to get your child to school, help is available. Please talk to us at school about your situation. We’ll support you, in whatever way we can.

Know when to seek help
There is no weakness in admitting you need help. If your child has completely disengaged with school, and not attending at all, there is support to help you. In the first instance, talk to us at school.

For more helpful tips, please check out the Anything can happen websit:
Anything can happen - Department of Education, Tasmania.

YEAR 3 & 5 NAPLAN 2024 - starts Wednesday, 13 March

Students in Year 3 and Year 5 will be sitting NAPLAN between 13 and 25 March 2024.

The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance; however, students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.

Why NAPLAN is conducted online

NAPLAN online provides a better assessment and more precise results.

One of the main benefits of NAPLAN online is that it uses tailored (or adaptive) testing. This means that students receive questions better suited to their abilities, so they can show what they know and can do.

Online testing also allows us to provide a wide range of accessibility options to support students with disability to access NAPLAN.

Feedback from students is that they find the online test more engaging.

Please note that students in Year 3 complete the Writing Test on paper.

2024 Parent information brochures and other resources

Your questions answered on NAPLAN and what it means for your child: 2024 information for parent and carers brochure.

Please visit the NAPLAN website from the link below or contact the school if you have any further queries.

Launching into Learning 2024

Welcome to Launching into Learning for 2024!  I can't wait to welcome you and your little ones into our school.  We have an exciting year ahead of us and I look forward to getting to know old and new families this year!  If you have any questions, please message the Facebook page (3) Launching into Learning - Mount Nelson Primary | Facebook
Please note, our sessions will commence this Thursday, 15 February, 9.15 am in the Kinder space.

Georgie Field
LiL Teacher

Student Achievements - Let us know!

If your child has been selected to be part of a representative team, has won a prize in performing arts, has a part in a major stage production or any other significant achievement outside of school, let us know via the webform below so that we can share the news and celebrate the achievement in our school newsletter.  Let's Celebrate!!

School Uniform Update and Reminder

At Mount Nelson Primary, we have a very flexible, practical and identifiable school uniform.  We encourage all our students to wear uniform so that they are dressed safely and appropriately for school activities.  Wearing a uniform helps our students have a sense of belonging and take pride in being part of our school.

In the photo below, you can see the range of clothing that can be worn to school.  There are specific school leggings with the school colours and shorts, skorts or dresses for when the weather is warmer.  There are tracksuit pants and polo tops along with warmer fleece jackets.  Our bucket hats have a great brim and elastic to keep them in place.

We appreciate your help in encouraging your child to wear their school uniform to school.

The Uniform Shop is open every Tuesday from 2.45 pm - 3.15 pm and orders placed on Qkr! are delivered to students on that day. 
We are out of some items which are reflected on Qkr!  The stock will be updated when available so keep checking back in!

Volunteering at Mount Nelson Primary School

Volunteers at Mount Nelson Primary are required to hold a Registered to Work with Vulnerable People (RWVP) card.  Unless volunteers have a RWVP card they will not be able to work/volunteer at the school.

Examples of Activities that would require a RWVP:

• An off school campus excursion with parent/carer/s attending;
• Parent/carer/s reading with children in the classroom;
• Parent/carer/s actively engaging in supervisory aspects of a walkathon/swimming event/sports days; and
• Parents/carers cooking with a small group of children or helping out at the canteen.

Examples of Activities that would NOT require a RWVP:

• Parents/carers attending a whole school assembly;
• Parents/carers attending a walkathon/swimming event/sports day as spectators only; and
• Parents/carers attending to watch a school play.

Did you know that as a DECYP employee, volunteer, or external service provider for the department, you must complete Safeguarding Training?

The compulsory training is designed to help us better safeguard kids in Tasmania. Throughout the training, you’ll learn what to do if you believe a child or young person is being harmed. You will also learn what your reporting requirements are.

For more information on our Safeguarding Training, visit: https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/.../safeguarding-training/

To find out how the Office of Safeguarding Children and Young People is working to safeguard and protect children in the Department’s care, visit: https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/safe.../safeguarding-children/

Chess Club

Chess Club has started for 2024!

To book in, please use this link.
Mt Nelson Chess – Black Square Chess

From the School Association

Clean Up Australia Day
All families are invited to help 'clean up' our community on Sunday 3 March from 2:00pm. Hosted by the Mount Nelson Community Association, everyone is welcome! Meet in the car park at the Mount Nelson oval to get bags, gloves, etc and then you can clean up your favourite spot.
Register and find out more information here: https://register.cleanup.org.au/fundraisers/maryblake/mount-nelson-bush

Keen to get involved? Let us know on Qrk!
Volunteering is a great way to connect with our school. There are opportunities to engage in a single activity for an hour or two, to make an ongoing commitment throughout the year, or anything in between. Just complete the short Volunteer at Mt Nelson Primary School form available on Qkr! and a member of the school association committee will be in touch. 

Nominations open for the 2024-25 School Association Committee
The School Association is an important part of the school, working with the Principal to achieve shared outcomes for learners attending the school and for the benefit of the whole school community. Membership of the School Association provides a forum for the sharing of knowledge and skills. 

Nominations are now open, and we invite all parents, carers, and community members to consider nominating. The nomination form can be found below:

Welcome Back to School BBQ

Canteen in 2024

Our much loved and very popular school canteen will look a little different this year as we have not yet been able to secure the services of a canteen coordinator.

While we investigate options for term one, we encourage you to consider if you, or someone you know, might be interested in the role.  Please contact Mary (MNPS Association Chair) at mnpsassociation@gmail.com

SunSmart

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