How was your day?

How frequently do you get a shrug, a grunt or hear the response of 'boring' when you ask 'how was your day?'  We can help our children to give an answer with more detail by asking a question with more detail. Some of my favourites are:  

Classrooms are very busy places throughout the entire year and this term is no exception.  Apart from our routine curriculum, there is currently a focus on the Child Protection Curriculum and students in classes from Years 1 - 7 are being supported in completing Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) which are assessments in areas of Reading Comprehension and Mathematics. Like NAPLAN, these assessments are designed to provide information about students' skills and understandings in key areas. Unlike NAPLAN, these results are not published or sent home to families. Rather, they are used to moderate data and provide more information about student strength and areas of need.  All teachers were recently involved in a moderation process with colleagues from Coorara and Reynella South primaries on the Student Free Day, and PAT was one data set used to support and inform this process.

Our Senior Choir is performing in the Festival of Music this Thursday evening at the Festival Theatre in Adelaide. For those families who have purchased tickets, prepare yourself for an evening of colour, joy and a spectacle of talent as our students taek centre stage.  We are very proud to have a soloist, Krissa, leading one of the featured songs.

Thank you to our Governing Council for their work in preparing the Father's Day Stall and the School Disco. There was a wide range of pyjamas on display plenty of teddy bears and other furry friends in tow on the night, including the staff.  A great time was had by all! 

Regards

Penny Wilde

Principal

Pimpala Primary School wil not be impacted by the industrial action being taken by memers of he Australian Education Union on Thursday, 12th September, 2019.

Pimpala Primary School will be open and education programs will be provided as normal.

Please contact the school office if you have any questions.

From the beginning of Term 4 Pimpala PS will be cashless (except for lunchtime canteen counter sales).  We strongly encourage all payments to be made through the Qkr! app.  Any forms including lunch orders, uniforms, excursions and fees can all be paid through the app.

You can even complete any consent forms online when you make payments.

This move is to relieve congestion at the Finance Window and reduce workloads.

We appreciate your co-operation.

For instructions to load the Qkr! app please click on the link below.

The Year 1/2 classes will have the opportunity to attend the Hahndorf Farm Barn on Thursday, 19th September and Friday, 20th September.  This coincides with their learning focus for Term 3 which is farm animals. They will be exploring what uses different farm animals have.  All children are expected to take part.

Children will have the opportunity to participate in the following:

• Bottle-feed the baby goats and lambs.
• Feed the rabbits and guinea pigs.
• Hold the chicks.
• Learn about where milk comes from and try milking Daisy the cow, and then learn about how the milking machines work.
• Visit the wildlife park to hand feed ostriches, emus, kangaroos, deer, miniature ponies, donkeys and camels.
• Attend the Reptile show and learn about snake safety.  

Cost:            $22 per student (includes transport by bus and admission to the farm).

Payment is due by FRIDAY, 13th SEPTEMBER, 2019.  Please pay using the Qkr! app.

Date of excursion:   Thursday 19^th September 2019 - Currer and Pullman

                                 Friday 20th September 2019 - Howlett, Birss and Thomas.

Time:                           Departure at 9 a.m. and returning at approximately 2.30 p.m.

Clothing:                    All children will need to wear school uniform including sensible enclosed shoes. Please make sure that your child is dressed for the weather.

Food: The students will have breaks for a healthy snack, Recess and Lunch. Please send your child’s healthy snack, Recess and Lunch in a small backpack along with fresh water in a clearly named bottle.

On Wednesday, 25th September the canteen will be holding a Pasta Day special lunch.  For just $7.00 you will receive a napolitana macaroni pasta, chocolate muffin and a fruit box - all served at lunchtime.  A gluten free option is also available.

Notes will go home this week.  

Payment of $7.00 is due by Wednesday, 18th September.

Payment Options available from Wednesday, 28th August

• Qkr! app and complete the lunch order form online
• Finance Window - Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 9:15am
• Phone payments from 9:15am to 3:00pm.

Please note there will be no counter sales or lunch orders available on this day.  No late orders will be accepted.  No refunds.

We need volunteers to help with the Pasta Day special Lunch on Wednesday, 25th September.  If you have your DCSI/DHS clearance to work with children and have completed the RAN-EC training we would love to hear from you.

Please assist Kylie, our new Canteen Manager with her first special lunch.  Even if you can only help for an hour, we would really appreciate your time.

Students in the Year 4/5 classes have been enjoying their Garden lessons this term and here are some more reflections about the beauty of the garden.

The garden is beautiful and the air is nice and fresh. I really enjoy gardening because there are many different things to discover. Kaitlin, Year 4/5, Mr Branson

My favourite activity is composting  because it’s good for the earth. My favourite plants are the native plants because they are of Australian origin.  Jasmine, Year 4/5, Mrs Rigney

I love the garden because it has great places to take photos and we get to spend time outside while we are learning. Lola, Year 4/5, Mr Burns

The garden is a fun co-operative learning space and our school is very privileged to have Michele to help us. Ella G, Mrs Cole's class.

The POSHC Vacation Care program is attached.  Please contact Hazel Godfrey on 0413 482 521 or by email Hazel.Godfrey850@schools.sa.edu.au for more information and bookings.

There is a Student Free Day on the first day of Term 4,  Monday, 14th October, 2019 to enable staff to undertake Professional Learning.

POSHC will be available.  Please contact Hazel Godfrey to make a booking on 0413482521 or Hazel.Godfrey850@schools.sa.edu.au.

We will be holding the School Colour Fun Run as a major fundraising event to raise money for our proposed Nature Play space, on Friday, 1st November, 2019.  Come along at 1:45pm on the day to join in or watch as the students participate in the Colour Fun Run and get doused with water and sprayed with masses of colour! (Please wear a white or light coloured old t-shirt for this activity as the colour may stain). Please also bring a towel and a change of clothes.

PROGRAM FOR THE DAY

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The School Fun Run promotes healthy and active lifestyles while helping us raise funds!  It’s all about participation, with students treated to a great day as a reward for their efforts.  Family support is the key to our fundraising success and we encourage everyone to get involved.

HOW DOES MY CHILD FUNDRAISE?

Firstly, go to schoolfundraising.com.au and create a student profile page.  Everything to do with your fundraising revolves around this page.  Once you have completed this, read through your Sponsorship form, which has instructions on how to raise money and order prizes.

Students just need to raise $10 to receive a reward for their effort.  The more they raise, the better their reward- don’t forget to check these out in the sponsorship form!  Please be aware of the risks of door knocking without adult supervision.  The best people to ask for sponsorship are people you know (eg friends, family, work colleagues and neighbours).

ONLINE FUNDRAISING

The easiest way to help your child raise money is through online fundraising, where students raise an average of $120.  On top of raising more money, it’s also safer and easier than doorknocking and you don’t have to worry about handling money!  To start fundraising online, go to your student profile page at schoolfundraising.com.au and share your online fundraising link.  Payments can also be made on the Qkr! App.

If you don’t have access to the internet, please bring your fundraising money to school and a staff member will assist you.

GETTING INVOLVED

Not only can you support the school and students with your sponsorship – but you can join in on the fun! We would love to welcome parents and family members to attend the School Colour Fun Run from 1:45pm on the day.  You can join in on the run but will only be sprayed with colour at the end if there is any left over after the students are doused in colour.  If you would like to volunteer to help on the day, please let the Front Office staff know.

ORDERING PRIZES – ALL PRIZES MUST BE ORDERED ONLINE

Prizes must be ordered between 1st November and 15^th November.  Simply visit schoolfundraising.com.au to create / log into your Profile Page between these dates.  Then click on the “CLAIM YOUR PRIZE” button and follow the prompts. 

More information will be sent home soon.  We look forward to seeing you at this fun-filled afternoon!

At this time of year there are many illnesses around.  We ask that if your child is sick, please keep them home.  You know your child best and if you believe they may be ill, even if it is inconvenient, please be considerate. Infection can spread easily in a classroom environment and a number of teachers and other staff have been affected this year. 

If your child is constantly coughing, keeping them home is an easy way contain the illness.  Perhaps check with their doctor to see if they require any further medication or even a puffer.  Please remind your children to cover their mouths when they cough and to wash their hands regularly.

We ask that if your child vomits or has loose bowel motions, that you keep them home for 24 hours after the last episode, before sending them to school.  Even if the child says they feel ok or wants to come to school, it is a requirement so others do not catch anything if it is contagious.

Some children complain of illness so they don’t have to go to school.  We know that, and if there are issues other than illness affecting your child that the school can assist with, please let us know.