2020

Information

for

families

Geeveston Primary School Photo supplied by crew of “Rosehaven” June 2016

About our school 4

Introductory Information 8

Term dates 8

Student Free Days 8

School hours 8

Duty of Care 8

Communication 9

Fees/Levies 10

School Uniform 10

Educational Programs 11

PE/Sport/Aquatic and Water Safety Programs 11

Art 12

Library 12

Early Learning (0-4 Years) “Launching into Learning” 12

Growing Up Program 12

Ditto’s Staying Safe 12

Student Welfare 14

Financial Assistance 14

Collection of students and road safety 14

Messages for students 14

School Medical Service / Medication 15

Dental Service 15

Immunisation 15

Head Lice 16

Healthy Eating 16

Hats 16

What to bring to school 16

Attendance 17

Absences from school – Every Day Counts! 17

Late Arrivals / Early Leavers 17

Out-of-School hours care 17

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School life 18

Playground management 18

Safety in the Playground 18

Our policy on Behaviour Management 18 & 19

Transport 19

Bus Behaviour 19

Parental involvement 20

School Association - Fundraising committee 20

Parent help 21

Other information 22

Banking 22

Book Club 22

Excursions 22

Mobile phones 23

Lost property 23

Contact Details 24

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ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

The staff, students, parents and community associated with the Geeveston

Primary School welcome you into the school community.

Geeveston Primary School offers an exemplary Early Years Program, and

exciting, innovative learning throughout the school.

We place a strong emphasis on the education of the whole child – we seek to

equip our students not only with the skills of literacy and numeracy, but also an

awareness of the earth and a desire to care for themselves and their

environment. We aim to positively affect how our children live as individuals

and as members of the local and global communities.

STEPHANIE ALEXANDER KITCHEN GARDEN FOUNDATION.

We are a Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation School; meaning

that we have a fully functioning kitchen where whole classes cook and prepare

healthy, nourishing food on a weekly basis.

The students have also prepared food for school events, and community events

that catered for up to 150 people.

All students from Kinder to Grade 6 visit the garden each week to water, plant,

weed, care for and harvest organic food that is used in the kitchen for their

cooking. This means that every class prepares, cooks and shares a meal every

week in our school kitchen.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All of our staff; teachers, teacher assistants, support staff and office staff, adhere

to the highest level of confidentiality and trust in the information and

knowledge that they may become aware of. They are not allowed to, by law,

remove, share or discuss a child’s progress outside of the school or with those

who are not employed by the school.

We expect the same behaviour and professionalism from all of the adults that

enter the school in any capacity, including relief teachers and relief teacher

assistants.

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RELIEF TEACHERS

Whilst we recognise that the permanent class teachers are the best people to

educate your child, sometimes through illness or professional learning they may

be absent. If this occurs then we attempt to source the best quality relief

teachers who model the values and expectations that we have at Geeveston

Primary.

All teachers who are employed for any period of time or in any capacity are

registered with the Tasmanian Teacher Registration Board and have a current

Working With Vulnerable People Card.

SUPPORT STAFF AND SERVICES

At Geeveston Primary School we are lucky to have a dedicated, experienced

and committed group of support staff whose job it is to support and improve

the learning outcomes for students with an identified need.

Kim Erickson is our School Psychologist. Kim is here every second

Wednesday and sees students by consent from parents according to a specific

need as identified by the teacher or parent. Kim works in a strictly confidential

environment and her work is usually of an ongoing nature.

Ann-Marie Anderson is our School Speech and Language Pathologist. She is

here every second Monday and works with students who have parental

consent to attend. Anne-Maree usually works in a one on one situation to

improve speech and/or language difficulties with identified students and

develops home programs so that parents can continue to assist their child at

home.

Ange Spooner is our School Social Worker. Ange is at school for half a day

every second Thursday. She is able to support students and families in getting

to school, accessing uniform, getting outside support and most importantly with

social interactions and developing social skills.

Rebecca Gould is our support teacher. Rebecca works with teachers and

specific students or groups to allow for the most individualised learning

programs to be developed and taught. She does a lot of work with and for

students who have a disability or need a learning plan.

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FIRE/EMERGENCY EVACUATION

In the event of a fire or emergency, a siren will sound continuously and all

students and staff will evacuate the building via the safest route. They will meet

at the emergency assembly point, which for Geeveston Primary School is on

the netball courts.

In the event of a bushfire, ratings will be supplied by the Tasmanian Fire Service

and an Action Plan is in place for such an event. In this instance the school may

be housed in the Gym as the safest place for protection. The School Bushfire

Policy and Plan will be communicated to parents at the commencement of

Term 1 and Term 4 each year.

LOCKDOWN/INTRUDER

In the event of a lockdown being initiated, all staff will lock their doors and

students will stay in their classroom until notified by a PA announcement.

VISITORS TO SCHOOL

All visitors must sign in at the school office so that a formal record is kept of

who is on the school grounds at any given time. We have a Respectful Schools

Volunteer and Visitor Behaviour policy available at the office should you wish

to view it.

SHARPS/NEEDLES/GLASS

All Geeveston Primary School Community members are to be made aware of

the dangers of any syringes, needles, glass or other sharp implements that may

be found in or around the school. It is Geeveston Primary School policy that all

objects of this nature that are found are reported to a teacher and/or Mrs

Goodwin so that they can be disposed of safely and properly.

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BULLYING AND CYBER BULLYING

Bulling of any kind is not tolerated and will be dealt with firmly and fairly.

We are committed to making sure that Geeveston Primary School is a safe,

caring and responsible work, learning and community space. It is everyone’s

responsibility to make sure that each child is safe and supported at school and

online.

Geeveston Primary School works within the National Safe Schools Framework

to ensure that all teachers, teacher aides and parents understand and develop

knowledge around how to empower students not to be victims or to be

bullied.

We teach responsible computer use and social skills along with emotional and

mental health approaches using the Zones of Regulation.

DUTY TEACHERS

Each day during times when students are not in class, there are designated play

areas and teachers who are assigned the job of being on “duty”. Teachers are

on duty before school (8:25-8:55), recess time (11:00-11:30), lunch time (1:00 -

1:40) and after school bus duty (2:55 until last bus has departed).

All playground duty teachers are in high visibility vests, carry a first aid bum bag

and a mobile phone.

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INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION.

TERM DATES FOR STUDENTS

Term Dates for 2020 are:

Term 1: Wednesday 5th February—Wednesday 8th April

Term 2: Monday 27th April—Friday 3rd July

Term 3: Monday 20th July—Friday 25th September

Term 4: Monday 12th October—Thursday 17th December

Term dates are notified in the newsletter throughout the school year. They are

also published under the school’s section in the telephone book and on the

Department of Education Tasmania web site: www.education.tas.gov.au

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS & STUDENT FREE DAYS 2020

Monday 3rd February and Tuesday 4th February

Monday 10th February (Hobart Regatta)

Monday 9th March (Eight Hour Day)

Thursday 9th April (Staff Development Day)

Monday 8th June (Queen’s Birthday)

Monday 20th July (Staff Development Day)

Thursday 22nd October (Hobart Show Day)

Friday 23th October (Day after Hobart Show Day)

SCHOOL HOURS

Kindergarten

In 2020 our Kindergarten will operate 3 days per week. Monday, Tuesday and

Wednesday (8:55am—2:55pm).

Prep through to Year 6

Monday to Friday, 8.55am to 2:55pm

LiL

Tuesday and Thursday

DUTY OF CARE

Teachers are on duty from 8:25am before school and until 3:25pm at the end of

the day. Should exceptional circumstances require your child to be at school

outside these hours, please discuss this with the Principal

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LESSON AND BREAK TIMES

8:55am - 11am Teaching Session 1

11:00am - 11:10am Student Recess Eating Period

11:10am - 11:30am Recess Break

11:30am - 1:00pm Teaching Session 2

1:00pm - 1:10pm Student Lunch Eating Period

1:10pm - 1:40pm Lunch Break

1:40pm - 2:55pm Teaching Session 3

COMMUNICATION

Newsletter

A newsletter is published fortnightly on a Tuesday and will be circulated on See

Saw, or emailed to families by prior arrangement. Please ensure that your email

details are up-to-date with the office. If you require a hard copy of the

newsletter, please see the school office staff.

Facebook We have a Facebook page that keeps you up to date on special

events, great work or daily news .

Facebook - www.facebook.com/geevestonprimaryschool

Website: will be available soon.

Reporting student progress

Parents and carers are welcome at any time to discuss their child’s

progress with the class teacher or with the Principal.

The following reporting time lines are intended to provide the most

beneficial feedback to parents/carers:

Term 1 - Progress report

Term 2 - Detailed report and parent/teacher interview

Term 3 - Summary report and optional discussion.

Term 4 - Final report

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LEVIES

A levy is charged for each child. We endeavour to keep levies to a

minimum. The levy provides for performances and classroom excursions, the

issue of stationery and for those items which are best bought and supplied in

bulk, such as art materials, paper, reading and maths texts, and equipment. This

levy is payable during the first week of school, early in first term, or by

instalments at the beginning of each term. For parents/carers who have applied

and been approved for financial assistance there will be no fee charged for

levies. Our school levies and charges policy is available from our front office.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Wearing the school uniform is encouraged at Geeveston Primary. The uniform

engenders a sense of pride and unity in the school.

Wearing a uniform will:

Help your child to feel like they belong in their school

Place all students on the same level in terms of clothing

Give your child a sense of pride in their school.

It is important to note that sensible shoes such as sneakers or school shoes are

part of the uniform policy.

Full details of the uniform dress code and our uniform policy document can be

obtained from the school office. Most uniform items and sizes are kept in stock;

however, items can be ordered on request.

If available, second-hand uniforms may also be purchased through the op shop,

which is located behind the school.

At the beginning of the year, school uniform sales will be coordinated to

coincide with levy payments

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EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Curriculum areas

The Education Department is currently in transition between the Tasmanian

Curriculum and the Australian Curriculum. The curriculum from Kindergarten

to Year 6 is aimed at equipping today’s learners to live and work productively in

the 21st century, giving students the confidence and fundamental skills to take

on new learning throughout their lives. These curriculums are organised into

the following areas:

Literacy/English

Numeracy/Maths

Science

HASS

Health and P.E

Technologies

The Arts

Teachers plan integrated units together in teams to cater for the individual

needs and interests of students.

Geeveston Primary School works in partnership with parents/carers in helping

students successfully master the developmental learning vital to the primary

school child.

P.E./SPORT/AQUATIC AND WATER SAFETY PROGRAMS

All Prep – Year 6 students participate in weekly Physical Education (P.E.) lessons

conducted by a specialist PE teacher.

Students are expected to wear appropriate sports footwear for P.E.

Each student also participates in a daily P.E. program which is run by class

teachers.

Our school participates in major school sport events including swimming, cross

country and athletic carnivals, with other Huon and Channel schools.

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ART

Class teachers plan and implement whole class lessons.

LIBRARY

Students are encouraged to borrow library books for their enjoyment at home.

Every student is supplied with a Geeveston Primary School Library bag on

enrolment. Please help us by encouraging your children to take care of our

books by using the library bag supplied. Please ask your child, or your child’s

teacher, which day of the week is rostered library day for their class and assist

them in being organised.

EARLY LEARNING (0-4 YEARS PROGRAM) - Launching into

Learning

Two sessions are held each week catering for birth to 4 years.

One session will be at Geeveston Primary School and the other session will

take place at wayraparattee, the CFC. All parents and carers are welcome.

The focus is on getting to know our community and supporting your children’s

early learning prior to Kindergarten.

There is a brochure available at the school office specifically related to our

program. Please contact the school if you would like more information. These

sessions are free.

GROWING UP PROGRAM

Every 2 years Geeveston Primary School engages the Growing Up Team from

Family Planning Tasmania. This program is grade appropriate and only teaches

what is relevant and needed to be known. Generally the facilitators focus on

whole class lessons, with some breaking up of the boys and girls in the older

primary classes.

DITTO’S STAYING SAFE

Similar to the Growing Up Program, Ditto’s program is aimed at keeping

students safe in their normal environments. It covers such scenarios as walking

to and from school, feeling uncomfortable around someone or something,

personal space and general wellbeing.

The Ditto program is run by Bravehearts and is an annual event

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STUDENT WELFARE

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - LEVIES

Financial Assistance is available to families who have difficulty meeting

education costs. First-time applicants and those whose circumstances have

changed from previous years may collect a form from the school office. If in

past years you have filled in this form, you will be contacted directly by the

Department.

COLLECTION OF STUDENTS AND ROAD SAFETY

If students are to be collected during the school day, their teacher must be

notified via the office. Upon leaving the school the students need to be signed

out.

At drop-off and pick-up times the roadways and parking areas become very

congested. Please comply with the road rules, traffic flow and parking signs,

and please leave the area in front of the bus shelter free for buses at all times.

MESSAGES FOR STUDENTS

Messages from parents/carers will be conveyed to students if there are

unexpected circumstances, such as changed travel arrangements. It is

requested that parents/carers advise the office of such circumstances as soon

as possible because it is sometimes difficult to convey messages received late

in the day. Your cooperation in these circumstances would be appreciated by

office staff.

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SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE

In case of illness

For minor illness or injury your child will be cared for at school. Every effort

will be made to contact parents/carers or nominated medical emergency

contacts if it is felt necessary. It is important that medical emergency forms,

which are held in the office, are kept up to date. Please notify us of any

changed circumstances.

MEDICATION

The school is under no legal obligation to administer medication, but may

accept responsibility to do so. Before we are able to do this however, written

and signed authorisation both by the parent and the GP prescribing the

medication must be sent to the school. Forms are available from the office.

Pharmacist’s instructions must be visible. All medication that is to be

administered must be provided in secured, labelled containers, which will be

kept in a locked cupboard. A written report of medication to be administered

is kept. Asthma puffers may be kept in a class by students in Years 3 – 6,

however younger students need to give these to their class teacher. We are an

accredited asthma-friendly school.

DENTAL SERVICE

The school Dental Health Service operates at the Huonville Community

Health Centre, 5 Sale Street, Huonville. It is an excellent service, which is

subsidised by the Government. If you wish to take advantage of this service,

phone 6264 8857 for an appointment. All examinations are free.

IMMUNISATION

When you fill out your child’s enrolment you will be asked to provide

immunisation information plus supporting documentation. If your child has not

been immunised, please see our office staff who will provide you with an

Immunisation Medical Exemption form. This needs to be completed by a

medical practitioner and returned to the school office.

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HEAD LICE/NITS

Unfortunately head lice are part of school life, which can be passed on by

children and adults alike. If head lice are noticed on your child at school you will

be contacted and asked to take your child home and treat them. The Geeveston

Primary School Association have purchased head lice treatment which is

available at the school office. Your child can return to school after they have

been treated and all lice and eggs have been removed. Department policy

requires the school to send a generic note home to all families in the class.

HEALTHY EATING

Geeveston Primary School is a Move Well, Eat Well School, which means that

we encourage some simple messages:

We ask that you supply only water in drink bottles

We have a daily fruit break each morning,

We do not have inside “play” at recess and lunch time unless it is wet

We have “Daily Fitness” sessions every day

We have PE lessons every week

We try to use fresh fruit and vegetables in our cooking lessons

We have an organic focus on the food that we produce

HATS

We are a ‘Sun Smart’ school, which means that hats must be worn when

students are outside between the hours of 9.00am and 3.00pm in Term 1, and

in Term 4. Wide brimmed, bucket and legionnaire hats may be purchased at the

school office.

WHAT TO BRING TO SCHOOL

Your child should bring:

A hat

Lunch and morning tea

Water bottle

Smock or old shirt. A smock is desirable for the protection of clothes

during activity periods, but an old shirt is quite suitable.

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ATTENDANCE

It is a legal requirement for all children aged 5 or older to attend school

every day. Your child may attend kindergarten if they are turning 5 in that

year. It is very important that students arrive in time for the start of the day at

8.55am. If your child is sick, absent for an appointment or away for any other

reason, please contact the office on 6297 1336 to let us know. If your child has

“unexplained” absences (where we don’t know why) you may receive a phone

call or letter requesting further information. Please discuss with your child’s

teacher or the office if there are other circumstances that we need to be aware

of.

ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL—EVERY DAY COUNTS!

A brief note or telephone call is all that is necessary. It is important that

students are punctual each day ready to commence lessons. If your child is 15

minutes late every day, this adds up to a whole Term of learning lost by Year 4!

It is important that you let us know why your child is absent from school as we

are required to record this information for the Department of Education.

LATE ARRIVALS / EARLY LEAVERS

If your child arrives late they need to sign in at the office and receive a slip to

take to their class teacher indicating that they have been to the office and

signed in.

OUT-OF-SCHOOL HOURS CARE

Geeveston Early Learning and Care provide out-of-school hours care between

the hours of 7.30am to 6pm, situated at Memorial Drive (behind

Wayraparattee), Geeveston. Telephone 6264 0350.

GeCo/Geeveston Community Centre situated at 9b School Road, Geeveston,

provide a range of programs including a School Holiday Program. Telephone

6297 1616.

Huon Valley Children’s Services situated at 91-93 Main Street, Huonville.

telephone 6264 0333. Child care is offered between 7:30am and 6:00pm. They

also provide an early-morning service of delivering children to the bus, and an

after-school service delivering and caring for children after school. A holiday

care program is also available

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SCHOOL LIFE.

PLAYGROUND MANAGEMENT.

(HAZARDS) SAFETY IN THE PLAYGROUND

We do regular checks of the playground to make sure that it is safe and the

potential for accidents is reduced or limited as much as possible. We have a

large playground and this is fantastic for our students to have so much room;

however it can be difficult if students leave the playground area. We have a

clearly defined area for play and an “out of bounds area” that we enforce. We

have light blue boundaries for the play areas that keep the mandated “softfall”

to the correct levels and make sure that the area is as safe as possible. We

check these levels of “softfall” each term so that they meet the requirements.

BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT

Geeveston Primary School is inclusive, caring and nurturing. Our aim is for all

of our students to learn knowledge and skills to help them achieve their best.

We have a positive behaviour support system that is centred around the core

values of the Department of Education (Aspiration, Respect, Courage and

Growth), and school values of Be Safe, Be Kind and Be Your Best.

Students earn PB (Positive Behaviour or Personal Best) tickets for

demonstrating these values. When they have ten tickets they can be traded

for a voucher that entitles them to a high-interest activity with a teacher, such

as face painting, creative games, movie etc. These activities are changed or

added to as needed.

We are a school that prides itself on positive, supportive and caring

behaviours by those who are entrusted the job of educating and teaching your

children. We expect behaviour that is aligned with the Department of

Education’s Respectful Schools—Respectful Behaviours policy.

Page 18

We need each child to act in a responsible, safe manner so that everyone is

safe. If your child does not act in an acceptable way then they may be spoken

to by the teacher, have their work space moved, be asked to sit on a time-

out desk, be relocated to another classroom or relocated with Mrs

Goodwin. If unacceptable behaviour continues parents or guardians will be

contacted. We use restorative practice to repair relationships that have been

damaged by bringing about a sense of remorse and restorative action on the

part of the offender and forgiveness by the victim.

The behaviours policy document is available on request from the office. TRANSPORT

Evans and Sacred Heart bus services provide transport to and from school

daily. Please notify the school as soon as possible if there is any change to

travel arrangements for your child, particularly at the end of the day. Should

you have any concerns about bus safety please telephone the school.

BUS BEHAVIOUR

Students and parents are expected to agree to specific bus behaviours.

Students will agree to:

Be seated while buses are in motion

Place no objects through windows

Do nothing which endangers the safety of another person or the

vehicle

Refrain from threatening, harassing or intimidating another person

Should this agreement be infringed, a written notification will be issued to

parents by the bus company. Should a second incident occur, the student will

be suspended from bus travel for a period of five days.

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PARENT INVOLVEMENT.

SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

The School Association executive is an elected body and is guided by the

School Association Constitution. The main role of the Association is to work

with the Principal to achieve shared outcomes for learners and the whole

school. The purpose of the association is to provide members with a way to

participate and be involved in supporting the school. They would like to hear

your concerns and ideas, so please feel free to approach the Principal or a

parent representative on the committee with any issues of concern to you.

The Association committee meets once a term or may call extraordinary

meetings if required. These meetings include a wide range of topics and issues

affecting the school, including presentation of reports from the Principal,

Finance Reports, a report from the fundraising committee and any issues that

have been raised by parents or other parties that can potentially affect the

school.

All parents are welcome to raise issues or make suggestions, and are

encouraged to attend meetings.

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PARENT HELP

Parent help is always appreciated in areas such as:

Library (covering books)

Grounds (school vegetable patch)

Cooking (assisting classes)

Classroom (helping with Art, Literacy, Science and Numeracy)

Excursions and camps

A Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) card is required before

volunteers can help in any area of the school on a regular basis. Please see the

office staff regarding the application process.

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OTHER INFORMATION.

BANKING

At Geeveston Primary School students can bring deposit books and money to

school any day. They can either be handed to office staff or to the class teacher.

Deposit books will be returned to students as soon as they have been

processed. Packs for opening new student accounts are available at the school

office.

BOOK CLUB

At various times throughout the year students have an opportunity to order

books from Ashton Scholastic Book Club. All orders should be sealed in an

envelope, clearly named, with the correct amount of money enclosed. There is

an approximate waiting period of four weeks until the books arrive.

EXCURSIONS

Class excursions are conducted by teachers throughout the year as an

important part of the teaching and learning program. Notification will be given

for out-of-area excursions via the newsletter. Parents who attend excursions as

volunteer helpers must have a ‘Working With Vulnerable People’ card and sign

the register at the office. All minor excursions are covered by the permission

previously signed by parents on the Enrolment or Annual Validation Form. For

camps and any other excursion involving an activity in or around water etc.

another permission and consent form must be signed.

MOBILE PHONES

Mobile phones are discouraged at the school. If your child needs to

bring a phone, it is to be left at the office at the beginning of the day and

collected at the end of the day. All phone messages on the school landline will

be conveyed to students in classrooms.

LOST PROPERTY

We encourage students to take responsibility for the care of personal

property. Teachers cannot accept responsibility for items belonging to

students, so we ask that valuables and toys not be brought to school.

You are strongly urged to name all articles of clothing and other personal

property so that they can be returned promptly to their owner.

Any items of clothing that are unclaimed at the end of term are recycled

through the office or donated to the Geeveston School and Community Op

Shop.

**********************************

Once again, we welcome parents and carers into the school and we value your

interest, participation and support. If you have any queries or concerns, please feel

free to contact the Principal.

We trust that the time you spend at Geeveston Primary School will be satisfying and

rewarding for both you and your child. We look forward to working with you to help

your child reach their full potential.

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CONTACT DETAILS

Geeveston Primary School

63 Arve Road

Geeveston Tasmania 7116

Phone: +61 3 6297 1336

Fax: +61 3 6297 1886

Produced by Geeveston Primary School

December2019