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NAIDOC Week Always Was, Always Will Be
Yesterday all people arriving at Glen Huon were greeted with a smoking ceremony and welcomed to country. Bron used Ochre with the students to also welcome them to country. The whole school gathered together around a fire at the front of the school overlooking our beautiful valley and we were welcomed by Bron and Tanya. Bron used the melukerdee language. It was very poignant and meaningful. Today Tom continued in his mothers footsteps and welcomed us to country. Throughout the week there are classroom activities planned and stories to be read culminating in all classes participating in a Yarning Circle in the bush on Friday.
Pin Oak Tree
We have postponed the planting of the Pin Oak tree until Tuesday the 17th of November. As mentioned previously if you would like to attend the planting please let the office know so we can plan to be COVID safe. If you let us know beforehand we will be able to send you a COVID screening form so you can bring it along already filled out. If you don't receive one please get one from the office on the day and complete it.
End of Year Assembly
This is another reminder that our end of year assembly will be held on 14th December at 12.00 o'clock at the Huonville Primary Multipurpose Room. By using this venue we can have more members of family attending however it is important that you let us know if you intend to come as seating will be arranged to meet COVID guidelines.
SYDNEY --One Giant Leap Australia Foundation is sending native golden wattle seeds to the International Space Station in early December, 2020.
In collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) the seeds will live in space for six months, returning to Australia in time for Science Week 2021.
Supported by the Australian Space Agency, the "What’ll happen with the wattle??!" programme was offered to more than 150 schools, scout groups and Australian Air Force Cadets across Australia.
A community panel judged the applications that included 200 words and a short video, explaining what the schools would do with the wattle once it had grown.
One of the panel members said, “We have spent 5 days watching videos. Entries from all over Australia. From a single teacher in a face mask in a school in Victoria to a small school in remote Northern Territory. It has been an amazing opportunity to laugh and cry our way through them.”
Glen Huon Primary School has been identified as one of the pilot schools for the program. Staff and students are looking forward to being part of the whole experience. Heather Hay, from Grade 5 said, “It will be fun to observe and record data for the program.” Neve Watson, also from Grade 5 said, “I can’t wait to see the SpaceX rocket launch with our seeds on board.”
Once selected, the chosen schools around Australia will receive wattle seeds that have flown to space, plus seeds that have not. The seeds are from the same seed lot. Students are asked to germinate and grow their seeds, recording data about the germination and seed growth. Data will be uploaded to the ‘What’ll happen to the wattle??!’ app.
Throughout the programme, One Giant Leap Australia Foundation will run teleconferences and provide educational support to participating groups.
The 12-month to 2 year project will result in the creation of a nationwide map identifying the location of Australia‘s 'space wattle’ trees.
The project is an historic opportunity for Australian schools and students. Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) media announcement:
https://iss.jaxa.jp/en/kuoa/news/200901.html
For further information, please contact:
Jackie Carpenter
Director
One Giant Leap Australia Foundation
041 232 6509
THE PEACE CHILD
We are excited to announce the drama/musical performance dates will be:
TUESDAY 8TH DECEMBER
WEDNESDAY 9TH DECEMBER
THURSDAY 10TH DECEMBER
Seated by 6.15pm with a start time of 7pm.
There is an $3 entry fee
The children have been frantically rehearsing trying to make up for lost time due to Covid restrictions.
This year we will be performing the musical ‘THE PEACE CHILD’ .
So come along to the mystical land of MAMBICA! Where we will take you on a surprising Journey.
Cheryle Page
Grade Three would like to share with you one of the activities we have been doing this week.
We began by sitting around the fire pot at school and listening to the story about how the Tasmanian Tiger got its stripes. Grade 1/2 joined us as we listened to the adventure of a boy named Polana and how a small puppy saved him from a kangaroo. That kangaroo was Tarner. The puppy had been chasing Lenira the bandicoot when he came across poor Polana who was the target of Tarner’s bad mood. The puppy chased Tarner away and in return from rescuing Polana, he gave the puppy stripes across his back and down tail. Those stripes turned the puppy into the first Tassie Tiger.
We encourage you to listen to the old stories, learn about the Indigenous cultures of Australia and join with us in celebrating NAIDOC Week 2020.
Tanya Munro
Grade 3 Teacher
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS)?
STAS provides financial assistance for eligible families, by waiving the cost of school levies. It is provided through school and college resourcing, rather than direct to families.
What will the expansion of STAS mean for my family?
From Term 1, 2021 all families that are eligible for a Centrelink Health Care Card, Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card will be eligible for STAS. It is estimated that more than 9,000 additional students will not incur school levies as a result of this change.
What if my family is currently eligible for STAS?
Your eligibility for STAS will be assessed based on whether you hold a Centrelink Health Care Card, Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card. Parents who received STAS during 2020 who do not hold a concession card outlined will be approved using the 2020 process where evidence is provided to support their claim. The Department will contact parents in relation to this.
What does STAS cover?
Families who are eligible for STAS do not need to pay levies. Levies include costs for items and services that are required to complete the normal educational instruction at the school. Families eligible for STAS are also eligible for the Spectacles Assistance Scheme, which provides financial assistance towards the purchase of spectacles for students who require them from participating optometrists. STAS does not cover the cost of uniforms. The Department of Education has a School Uniform Exceptional Assistance Scheme for students in exceptional or extenuating family circumstances. For more information on this please contact the social worker at your child’s school.
I am currently receiving STAS. Do I need to reapply?
Most parents who currently receive STAS will not need to provide any additional information. If further information is required, we will make contact with you during Term 4, 2020.
Are students with their own Health Care Card eligible for STAS?
If a student holds their own Health Care Card, is recognised as independent by Centrelink, and is enrolled as an independent student, they are eligible for STAS. Students holding their own Health Care Card without independent status are not automatically eligible for STAS. Eligibility is based on their parents’ holding a Centrelink Health Care Card, Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card in their own name. This is because parents are responsible for paying school levies.
What support will be provided to schools to assist with the expansion of STAS?
Schools’ 2021 budgets are not affected by the expansion of STAS, with additional funding provided to schools to offset families no longer paying levies.
How do I apply for the expanded STAS?
Detailed information about eligibility for STAS can be found in the Student Financial Assistance Guidelines. Online applications will open for the 2021 school year early in Term 4, 2020. If you would prefer a paper-based application, you can request a form from your school office.
Who do I contact if I have a question in relation to STAS?
Questions about STAS can be forwarded to the Department of Education’s Financial Services Unit at stas@education.tas.gov.au or by calling 1800 827 055.
14th-21st November is Australian Food Safety Week.
Now that the weather is warming up, here are some tips for a healthy and safe lunchbox that is not going to upset those little tummies!
- When shopping for school lunches, head towards lower-risk options such as well cooked meats and poultry, hard cheese, well-washed fruit and vegetables, and spreads like Vegemite or honey.
- Avoid high-risk foods like soft cheese, deli meats and home-made (raw egg) mayonnaise.
- Being prepared can help. It’s perfectly safe to make sandwiches, slices, muffins, etc the night before or earlier and pop them in the freezer. Transfer to the lunchbox right before leaving home. Freezing the food will help it stay colder for longer.
- Make sure your bench, cutting board and utensils are clean and dry before prepping food. Use separate boards for ready to eat or cooked foods and raw foods to avoid cross-contamination.
- Use frosty water bottles and freezer packs in lunchboxes to keep things chilled.
- Encourage your children to discard all leftover food after eating, including disposable food packagings like cling wrap or paper bags. Don’t reuse these items.
- When choosing a lunchbox, look for one that is easy to clean and dry. An insulated lunchbox is also a great idea.
- Before packing them, wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
- Encourage good hand washing technique with your children. Teach them to wash their hands before handling and eating food.
For more information visit www.safefood.qld.gov.au
Emma Middleton, Primary School Health Nurse - Cygnet, Huonville & Glen Huon Primary School
