Pimpala Primary School eNewsletter

Welcome to our last term of 2019 and the last few months of this decade!

Our school's NAPLAN results have been distributed and individual student reports are being sent home to families today. Please follow up with classroom teachers if you have any questions about your child's report. Our school based data indicated great growth in our focus area of reading, particularly within our Year 5 cohort where there was 100% student participation and 92% achievement above the National Minimum Standard (NMS). Our Year 3 cohort also achieved 100% participation with 80% achievement above the NMS and our Year 7 cohort also had 100% participation and 76% achievement above the NMS. While there are always areas for improvement, all of our cohorts are performing on par or better than the Australian average in reading. This is positive feedback for our teaching and learning and gives encouragement to everyone to continue in striving to achieve.

Our Class Placement process will begin within the next few weeks and is always a very complex task. As expressed in this newsletter, if you have any special considerations for your child, please read through our guidelines and ensure your request is put into writing and sent by the date provided. Our staffing will be particularly complicated next year due to the large number of students transitioning to high school as Year 7s. This does mean we, along with many other schools will be reducing our class numbers by one, so we will have 16 classes in 2020.

We have received some feedback about the details of schools events not being received by everyone. On checking our newsletter statistics, it appears that almost half of our recipients do not open this each fortnight, which prevents clear communication. If you are experiencing difficulties with the link, or have changed email addresses please make sure you update these in order to receive timely communication about our school. Along with many other sites, we are actively working to decrease our paper usage and will only send home paper copies for items which are of an urgent or unexpected nature, which require a signature or when technology fails. Your support with this in ensuring your contact details are up to date is most appreciated.

Kind Regards

Penny Wilde

Principal

We will be holding the School Colour Fun Run as a major fundraising event to raise money for our proposed Nature Play area, 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! (Participants please wear a white or light coloured old t-shirt for this activity as the colour may stain). Please also bring a towel and change back in to school clothes.

PROGRAM FOR THE DAY

TIME	PROGRAM
9am – 12pm	Students will participate in rostered fun activities including a jumpy castle and inflatable obstacle course
12pm-12:50pm	Morning activities conclude – students in class
12:50 – 1:30pm	Students at lunch
1:30pm	Students start preparing for the run
1:45pm	Parents and friends arrive at school for the run

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 who raise just $10 will 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. 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, caregivers 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 sprayed 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 8^th 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. The prizes you can order are dependent on the amount of money you raise.

Please put this date in your diary. We look forward to seeing you at this fun-filled afternoon!

Our new Reception students for 2020 will get to experience 3 sessions of school on Wednesday, 6^th November, from 9:00am - 10:40am, and then on Wednesday, 13^th & 20th November from 9:00am to 11:15am. This will be their first real experience of school as a student. How exciting!

Information has been sent home to all our new families. Please call the Administration Office if you have any queries.

Planning is proceeding for our annual End of Year Celebration Concert which will be held on Thursday, 5^th December at 5:00pm. After last year’s successful event, this is sure to be popular.

Students will be able to showcase and celebrate the end of year with a variety of performances. Some classes will perform on their own, while others will join together for a fusion of talent.

Please put this date in your diary, and come along so you don’t miss seeing your child and their classmates’ performance. More information will be sent home as it becomes available.

The Year 6/7 Aquatics Program will be conducted on Tuesday 12^th & Wednesday 13^th November. The Aquatics Program is a very popular part of the compulsory curriculum and provides important skills in the ocean environments. All students in Years 6 and 7 are expected to undertake the program. Information and consent forms will be sent home soon.

Please ensure all Health Care Plans are up to date and that medications are within their use-by date. Students will take their school-based medications with them to Port Noarlunga

World Teachers' Day is celebrated on Friday, 25^th October, this year. It is important to acknowledge the efforts of teachers in an increasingly complex, multicultural and technological society.

World Teachers' Day symbolises a day on which students, parents and community members can demonstrate their appreciation for the contributions that teachers make and have made to their community.

This year to celebrate World Teachers' Day and to acknowledge our own teachers, non-teaching staff will provide morning tea.

We are trying to get an accurate idea of numbers for next year. If you are planning to change schools next year or know of someone who plans to enrol, can please let the class teacher or the Front Office staff know.

We also need enrolment forms for each child who will come to Pimpala PS in the future. If there are any siblings, please complete a form and bring it to the Front Office. It is never too early to lodge the form.

As in past years, Pimpala will be co-ordinating donations of canned and non-perishable food and presents for the Vines Uniting Church to distribute to needy families. These items are used to make hampers for the less fortunate in our community. We are very grateful to The Vines for organising this.

Let’s make it a great time for everyone this Christmas by bringing something to help struggling families. Please bring items including canned food, packet food or unwrapped new presents and toys to the Front Office.

As we indicated in our last newsletter we are planning to support the "It's in the Bag" charity this year. We would like to make this a community event run by Skye Keller, the Pastoral Support Worker. Please come along for a cuppa and help make up the handbags and backpacks from the donations on Friday, 22nd November at 9:00am.

Bunnings is co-ordinating a collection of the bags between Friday, 22nd November to Saturday, 7th December.

Fill a handbag with a Christmas gift for women and girls in need or bring a child's backpack with items they need.

We are already seeking donations of empty or completed bags to give to this charity. We are also collecting backpacks with children's items to help support children in domestic violence shelters.

If you would like to help, you can either make up a bag yourself, and fill it with useful items, or bring a bag and/or some items in to the school and we will put the bags together at our community event on Friday, 22nd November.

Most of us know at least one person affected by domestic violence or mental health issues so this is a good way to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

To help women and girls, choose a handbag in good condition that you no longer use or buy a new one. Then, either fill it with items that would make a them feel special, or bring some items along for the community event and pack them on the day. It would be lovely to pop in a thoughtful note or Christmas card and show them someone cares. Show her that she matters because everyone deserves to feel that way. This can also be done at the community event.

To help the children, choose a backpack in good condition that you no longer use and fill it with items that would make a child feel special, pop in a note or message and make their circumstances feel a bit better.

Next time you’re at the shops, collect a few items for your Christmas handbag or backpack. No matter how you celebrate Christmas with your family, this will be the most meaningful and appreciated gift you give this year.

What goes in the bag?

Ask yourself what would a homeless woman need? Chances are, she needs the same personal care and sanitary items you do. Your handbag can be packed full of useful things and little luxuries. Especially relevant items are those little things you need every day, from your toothbrush to your hairbrush. Because nobody should go without life’s little essentials!

What goes into the backpack? Think about what a child would like to have with them. Something to play with, something to cuddle, something to read, a snack. Next time you are out at the shops just have a look around and decide to make a difference.

We will set up a donations tub in the Front Office so if you would like to get involved please bring something along or speak to the Front Office staff.

Pimpala Primary School is committed to meeting the educational needs of all students and a great deal of thought, planning and time goes into placing children into classes each year. Every effort is made to place each child in an environment that is supportive, productive and successful.

As in previous years we will not take requests for students to be in particular classes or with specific teachers but would like to receive information beyond what the current class teacher is aware of from parents and caregivers, relating to their child. This year we have sent home a Passport to 2019, asking for information from home regarding individual students, which will be passed to their 2019 teachers.

Parents and caregivers wishing to forward additional information are asked to contact the following people by Friday 25^th October (end of Week 3). Please put the name of the person your email is directed to in the subject line with your child’s name.

R - 2 Erin Anear –
dl.1059.info@schools.sa.edu.au
3 - 7 Richard Kemp –
dl.1059.info@schools.sa.edu.au

Additional information may include social (self-esteem, confidence and attitudes), academic or physical needs.

Please be mindful that any information provided outside this time frame may not be considered as the class placement process is a defined timeframe. Requests in relation to choice of teacher will not be considered as a placement factor.

Factors influencing class structures are:

The projected number of students in each year level
The number of teachers employed at the school and available facilities

Factors which are considered in the placement of students include:

the education needs of the students
work habits eg. ability to work independently, within groups
behaviour
gender
social networks
students with additional needs eg. required learning adjustments, SSO allocations, IEPs and One Plans.

What is the process for placing students into classes?

Teachers will meet in Weeks 4 and 5 to establish class groupings for the following year. Teachers of the current year and school leaders meet with other staff (including Specialist teachers and SSOs) to create the class lists (eg. Year 2 teachers and leaders decide Year 3 placements).

Throughout the process, changes and adjustments are made and each change triggers a reaction of other changes. It is acknowledged that friendships are important, however, to ensure balanced classes (as outlined above), friendship groups are not the primary determining factor in class placement and social friendships are not always successful as learning friendships.

We will endeavour to place every child with a friend of their choosing. Please note: classroom teachers will facilitate this.

Proposed class lists are submitted to the Leadership Team for final input and endorsement.

Pimpala’s Got Talent (PGT) is a well-known, yearly talent show held under the COLA during lunch times. Students from Reception to Year 7 are encouraged to participate and showcase their special talents.

The Grand Final winners will be announced and perform at the End of Year Celebration on Thursday, 5^th December.

Week	PROGRAM Monday – Friday in the COLA
3	Come and Try!
4	Auditions
5	Auditions
6	Top 10 Finalists R-2, 3-4, 5-7
7	Top 10 Finalists R-2, 3-4, 5-7
8	Top 3 Finals - Winner performs at End of Year Celebration
9	Winners presented with a certificate at Week 9 Assembly

Pimpala will be hosting Principal Tours on two occasions each term for anyone interested in enrolling at our school. The tours will be held at 10:00am and 4:30pm on the following dates, two tours per term.

Zoning will be discussed as part of the tour. Please ring the school on 8326 0900 to book in for one of the tours. We look forward to meeting you.

TERM

DATE

TIME

Term 4

Monday 11^th November,2019

Wednesday, 13^th November, 2019

4:30pm

10:00am

Reception to Year 2 students will participate in swimming lessons at the Noarlunga Leisure Centre during Week 7 of this term, Monday, 25^th November, to 29^th November.

All students in Reception to Year 2 are expected to undertake this program. Forms will be sent home soon.

Please ensure all Health Care Plans are up to date and that medications are within their use by date.

Do you have a favourite colour and does it remind you of anything important?

Purple, I don’t know why I like purple but I’ve always liked the colour.

If you got the money given to you to buy your dream car what car would you purchase?

Clubsport HSV Holden, because I’m a Holden person and I like fast cars.

What type of music would you choose out of jazz or heavy metal?

I would go with jazz because my cousin is a jazz singer in America.

If you didn’t have a job at a school what would you want to do as a job and would you want to do it with another person?

I would love to be a nurse, but my cousin stole my spot as a nurse so I’m stuck with teaching.

If you could only eat one more meal in your life, and you had to choose between a Mexican meal or an Italian meal?

Italian because I love making pasta and pizza.

What is the most entertaining subject to teach in your opinion?

Growth and Development because it is fun.

By Josh and Nick

Mrs Hampton's Hot Read is "Hello Mr World" written by Michael Foreman.

The book is about two children who pretend they are doctors and find out what is making the world sick and waht needs to happen to make it feel better.

She chose this book because it is about looking after our world.

The reason she first read it is because she wanted to share with children what is happening to the world and what they can do to care for it.

Her favourite part is when the chidlren say "We are the future Mr World and we will look after you".

Mrs Hampton recommends this book to anyone between the age of 3 and 100.

It is not a Premier's Reading Challenge book.

By Jasmine and Grace

Do you know everything your child is accessing online? Would you like to know more about keeping them safe in a digital environment? Are you aware of the latest information about cybersafety and security?

On Tuesday October 29^th, we will be hosting the Carly Ryan Foundation to speak about Online Safety with our Upper Primary (6/7) students. A parent/carer session will also be offered for all parents/carers within our school community. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about how we can work together to empower students to make wise choices, to look after their digital reputation and keep themselves and others safe while navigating the internet, apps and forming their own relationships both online and offline.

If your child has, or is likely to access a mobile phone, computer, laptop or gaming device this session is highly recommended.

The parent session will be held at 6pm in the STEM room. Tea/Coffee and refreshments provided. All welcome. Please RSVP via the note coming home or let our Front Office staff know if you would like to attend.

Year 6 and 7 students going to high school (including private schools) next year will have the opportunity to attend the Graduation Ceremony and dinner on Thursday, 12th December.

The ceremony will be held at the Wirreanda High School gymnasium. Staff and students will attend a dinner after the ceremony at the Southern District Working Man's Club. (Students will walk a short distance with staff, from the school to the venue for dinner).

More information will be sent home soon. In the meantime please put this date in your diary.

This time of the year is a great time to walk or ride to school (all or part of the way) hence this October the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure’s Way2Go program, Walking SA and the Heart Foundation are promoting active travel for school journeys. Not only is it fun but it means less cars on our roads, and at school drop-off points.

To encourage students to walk to and from school during October, Walking SA are running a photo competition where families can enter to win prizes. https://www.walkingsa.org.au/news/walktobersa2019-competition-2-of-2-school-kids-walk-to-school/

Competition Details:

School kids/families: Take a photo of something you love or find interesting as you walk to or from school.

Use the hashtags #walktoberSA and #way2go to enter the competition for a chance to win a weekly prize (parents/family adults will need to post the photo to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter).

Thanks to Scout Outdoor Centre there are two $50 vouchers up for grabs for each school week.

Enter via:

Walking SA Facebook https://www.facebook.com/walkingsa
Walking SA Instagram https://www.instagram.com/WalkingSA_au/
Walking Sa Twitter https://twitter.com/Walking_SA

The competition will run for the first 3 weeks of Term 4.

Prizes will be announced weekly on Monday 21 October, Monday 28 October and Thursday 31 October. View the full Competition Terms & Conditions.

More walking = more fun = less cars = safer children.

Looking for some tips to help you plan your family’s active travel to and from school? Visit the Way2Go website at https://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/Way2Go/families/home

Thanks to the beautiful Spring weather, the Stephanie Alexander vegetable garden is starting to flourish. Students have noticed many visible changes since last term. The fruit trees are covered with new leaves and many of them are starting to bear fruit, the seeds planted last term are ready for transplanting into garden beds and everything is green and lush.

Our vegetable garden was once again entered into the annual City of Onkaparinga Mayor’s Garden Competition. Wednesday, 16th October Mayor Erin Thompson, a panel of judges and a photographer arrived to view our beautiful garden. Year 4/5 students hosted the visit which included a tour of the garden as well as answering lots of in-depth questions about the garden and our kitchen-garden program. Stay tuned for the results.

The kitchen garden program is gratefully accepting any Woolworths Discovery Garden seedling kits. If you have any doubles or left overs our Wednesday lunch time garden club students have been enthusiastically caring for them ready for planting out later in the term.

The Year 3/4 classes will be participating in the kitchen garden program this term. We are still in need of helpers!! If you have completed the RAN-EC training and have a current DCSI/DHS clearance to work with children, we would love your help. Please ring or message me of your availability.

Michele Smith

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program Coordinator

Volunteer Mobile 0408 637 850

22 Nov	Aquatics and Water Safety Year 5/6 All day

4 Dec	End of Year Celebration All day

9 Dec	Colour Fun Run All day

12 Dec	Year 6 Graduation All day

13 Dec	Assembly All day