I would like to welcome our community to the 2021 school year, it is sure to be exciting, packed full of opportunity and learning! As a school we are excited to welcome new families and staff to our community and are confident we will continue to grow and achieve our strategic goals.

During the summer break we have continued to update our school grounds and infrastructure, some improvements you may have noticed include a new path from office area to Brodie Street exit, new smart TVs in several classrooms and new softfall under swings in playground areas.

POD Names

I would like to inform our community of a name change for our 3 learning Pods to reflect Tasmanian Aboriginal language Palawa Kani. We will use 2021 as a transition year to begin to change our thoughts and endeavour to use the new names, it will take a while to get used to and remember!

Pod kuka - Red

Pod truna - Blue

Pod nupitja - Green

Tas check in app

Check in Tas provides a contactless, secure and convenient way for visitors to check into AFPS. The data is stored on a Department of Health platform and is automatically deleted after 28 days. Visitors can be assured that it will only be accessed by authorised Department of Health staff conducting contract tracing if required in the event of an outbreak. We appreciate your cooperation with contact tracing by using Check in Tas.

• Download the Check in TAS App from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
• Open the app, select ‘check in now’ and hover your smartphone camera over the venue’s displayed QR Code.

Meet the Teacher event

As this newsletter goes to print our “Meet the Teacher” event will be in full swing, it is an opportunity for families to visit their children’s classrooms and meet their 2021 class teachers. When families visit they will receive a class brochure outlining structures and routines for the class including information on learning focus areas and tips for home learning.

Values Hook

Each Term our school will focus on 2 values linked with catchy hooks too encourage students to focus on learning while displaying our school values. For the first half of Term 1 we will focus on the following; “New Year, New Me” this hook can link with our 4 values to start the year in the best possible way – Aspiration, Growth, Respect and Courage.

School Association

We have developed a fantastic relationship with our community over recent years and this can be directly linked with our school association and the input they have had with fundraising and strategic direction of our school. As we continue to build our team we encourage more community members to attend our School Association meetings and have input into our school. Our next meeting is Tuesday 16 March at 6:10pm. During the meeting we will provide supper and drinks.

Banjos – Claremont thank you

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Banjos – Claremont for their ongoing support! The McCulloch family who run the bakery have supported our school for a number of years providing us with bread for our breakfast club and other major events. We would like to acknowledge them for their ongoing support!

KISS & DROP

A friendly reminder that the school 'Kiss & Drop' zone is not for car parking - please do not leave your vehicle unattended in this zone.

STUDENT PICK-UP

If you need to collect students throughout the school day for appointments please arrive in time to allow us to locate your child.  We do not call to the classroom until you have arrived.   This limits interruptions to the class and avoids your child missing out on valuable learning time.  Thank you for you co-operation.

UPDATING STUDENT DETAILS

It is vital for the school office to have updated details for all students.  In the event of a medical issue or emergency event this information is crucial in the care and response that we provide for your child/children.  Please ensure to update information with the office staff as required: emergency contact details, phone numbers, address details and any changes to your childs' medical needs eg. asthma, anaphylaxis.

ABSENCES / ATTENDANCE

If your child is absent please notify the school office before 9:30am:

• Leave a message on the answering machine 6275 7272
• Speak to the office staff face to face
• Call the office staff 6275 7222
• Email:  austins.ferry.primary@education.tas.gov.au
• Via the web form:  www.austins.ferry.primary@education.tas.gov.au
• Submit details through the Schoolzine SZapp

We care about your child's safety and will text you if your child is absent unexplained.

CAR PARK SPEED LIMITS

Speed limits throughout the school are restricted to 10km.  Please note that regardless of what time of day, if the gates are open there is someone here! Everyone's safety is important. 

END OF DAY MESSAGES

Please notify the school office as early as possible and prior to 2:25pm if you need to get a message to your child/ren for the end of the day. Class notice bags are collected at 2:30pm and passing on messages after 2:30pm becomes quite difficult.  We cannot guarantee messages will be received effectively after this time.

CANTEEN & QKR!

Please remember to place your canteen lunch orders through Qkr! prior to the 8:45am deadline.

Getting settled into Prep/1 de Boer

We have had a busy first week learning new things about our classroom and routines!

We learned how to slow down and be mindful and this helped us to work calmly at the tables.

In Prep/1B Seymour we have been learning to find, write, paste and make our names out of different objects! We have also enjoyed experiencing Math Play and have practised treating our classroom tools as objects that help us learn!

Hello Austins Ferry Students and Parents                                             

My name is Tayla Wagner and I will be your School Health Nurse for 2021. I am super excited to meet you all. I have come from NSW quite recently so, very new to Tassie, but am absolutely loving it!                                                                                                                                              

So, what does a school nurse do/provide?

School health nurses support schools to create a physical and social environment that promotes health and wellbeing and assists to improve the health and education outcomes for children and young people in Tasmania. The core focus of the School Health Nurse Program is prevention, early detection and health promotion/education. This is achieved by providing free ‘kinder health assessments’ and running health education programs and health promotion activities in line with state and government initiatives. Just remember to return any consent forms sent out for any assessment.

Although, Kinder health assessments are a large part of my position, I am also available for any other students who need hearing and vision assessments as well as any other issues that may be a concern or just general questions and information. I will also be running class programs such as hand hygiene, dental care, sun safe programs and positive mental health later in the term and throughout the year.

If you have any questions about your child or about my role, please feel free to come and see me, I am here every Thursday and my office is located in the ELC building. Alternatively, you can always catch me on email: tayla.wagner@education.tas.gov.au

Looking forward to the year ahead!

Nurse Tayla

Do you want to have some fun one-on-one time with your child at school?

If so, the Parents and Kids Together (PaKT) program is for you!

PaKT is a fun craft-based program for children aged 6-12 years and their parents & carers. Parents & carers work one on one with their child to create something special together, mainly from recycled materials! There is no need to have art or craft experience to succeed in this program – you’ll just need a willingness to have a go and maybe get a little bit messy!

Families also get to have group discussions about personal safety, emotions, communication, and much more.

The PaKT program is free, and healthy snacks are provided!

In Term 1 families with children in Year 1/2 at Austins Ferry Primary School are invited to join the PaKT program. PaKT runs once a week for seven weeks and is held on the school grounds during school time.

If you would like to be in this program, please contact PaKT directly on 6214 1326.                                                           

But be quick as there are only 8 places available!

Hello,

My name is Domonie and I am facilitating a parenting program through Anglicare’s Child & Youth Mental Health Program.  The Program is called Tuning in to Kids and is great for parents and carers of children aged 3-10 years to learn how to understand, connect with, and manage their child’s emotions.

This is a FREE program and will be run over 6 consecutive weeks commencing Friday 19 February.  It will run from 10:00am-12:30pm at our Glenorchy Office – 436 Main Road Glenorchy. 

We still have spaces available so I thought I would spread the word in case you have parents at your school who you think it would benefit.  Please feel free to distribute the attached flyer as we will run the course again in term 3 if people miss out or can’t make the term 1 dates.  Parents can register directly through our website or call our free call number.  All details are on the flyer.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for your time.

Kind Regards,

Domonie Donohoe
PRACTITIONER – FAMILIES, CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Please note I work Wednesday – Friday

Anglicare Tasmania Inc.
18 Watchorn St Hobart
GPO Box 1620, Hobart 7001
P: (03) 6213 3677 | M: 0428 486 530 | Freecall 1800 243 232
domonieg@anglicare-tas.org.au
www.anglicare-tas.org.au