Welcome back to everyone and a special welcome to our new students and families to Pimpala Primary School.

The return to school and the routines which go with it can be a welcome change for some whilst others can struggle.  The routine of packing my lunches every day is one that I struggle with!  My goal is to be prepared and arrange my food for each day, the night before to reduce the number of jobs I need to do before leaving for school. 

Having a nutritious lunch box is one of the best strategies to support your child's learning and ensure they are fuelled adequately to learn.  There are some great ideas for healthy lunches available at https://kidgredients.com.au/lunchbox-recipes-and-lunchbox-reviews-everything-lunchbox/ and they have a lot of FAQs about how much to pack for children of different ages.  

What routines do you have and rely on? What routines could do with a revamp or some support?

If you are struggling with timing or getting your children organised you are definitely not alone!  Please speak with your child's classroom teacher or contact our Student Wellbeing Leader through the Front Office for support, as they have plenty of knowledge and great ideas for engaging children.  To quote High School Musical "We're all in this together."

Kind regards

Penny Wilde

Principal

There will be a Student Free Day on Friday, 21st February, 2020 to enable staff to attend Professional Learning with Kath Murdoch "Thninking About Inquiry". 

POSHC will be open. Please contact Hazel Godfrey for bookings on 0413 482 521 or email at Hazel.Godfrey850@schools.sa.edu.au

Parents and caregivers are able to access classrooms before school once the classrooms are open in the mornings at 8:40am (8:30 when it is raining) but are required to leave by the bell at 8:50pm.  

In the afternoons parents can access the classrooms, if necessary, once the bell has sounded at 3:10pm.  Please do not come onto school grounds before 3:00pm for pick up.  Parents and siblings can often be seen through the windows and this can be distracting for the students who may be getting final instructions for the day.  We ask that siblings do not play in the sandpit or on the playgrounds while you are waiting.

If your child is late, (meaning they are not in class when the bell sounds), they must come to the Administration Office and sign in before they go to class.  Any parents accompanying the student must not go to the classroom with their child as this causes disruption to the class.

If you need to drop off something, or your child is late to school, or you need to pick your child up your early, please come to the Administration Office and do not go to the classroom directly. 

We appreciate your co-operation in these matters.

We use the following systems to communicate with families:

1. direct email - please make sure we have your current email address.

2. push notifications on the SZapp - please make sure you have enabled this app.

3. messages on Facebook. - If you are on Facebook please add Pimpala Primary School - the one with our school logo, to your friends list.

Some teachers are using other platforms (such as Seesaw) to communicate with families and they will notify you of these directly.

We are using these methods of communication and limiting our use of hard copy messages where possible.  As this type of messaging is instant it meant last week when the kiss and drop zone was not in use we could advise parents before they came to school to collect their children that afternoon, to everyone's advantage.  If you require any support in accessing or learning these systems, please do not hesitate to contact our Administration Office staff.

Welcome and welcome back to the following staff members this year:

                     ROSE KNIGHT

We are very excited to welcome Rose Knight to our school. Rose is teaching Auslan (sign language) across the school and is also sharing a Year 3/4 class with Alyssa Rigney, working in that class on a Friday. 

Rose is an accomplished teacher who has come to us from O'Sulliivan Beach Primary School and also taught in the UK for a time. 

Please say hello to Rose if you see her about.

                   SARAH PEARCE

Welcome back to Sarah Pearce who has just returned from Maternity Leave.  Sarah will be teaching Music on Thursday and Fridays. It's great to have her back.

                   LAUREN ROBINS

Welcome back to Lauren Robins who will be teaching Performing Arts on Tuesday and Wednesdays and working alongside Sarah Pearce.  It's lovely to have Lauren back.

Acquaintance Night will be held on Wednesday, 19th February, 2020 at 5:30pm – 6:30pm.   

This is a great opportunity to meet and listen to valuable information from the teachers, visit the classrooms and find out more about our school.  You will be able to seek clarification on any questions you may have.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

 The school garden will be open and you are welcome to come and admire/ learn about it. The Library will be open and everyone is encouraged to visit.  Please come along and read a book with your family members.

More details of Acquaintance Night will be provided within the next week.

Would you like to have your say? 

Do you have ideas and or suggestions you would like to share?  Would you like to be involved in your child’s education? 

Do you have 2 Wednesday nights free per term?  And can you make yourself available to help with events during the year?  If so, please come along to the Governing Council Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 19th February, 2020 immediately after the Acquaintance Night activities. 

The Governing Council AGM is scheduled to commence at 6.45pm in the Library.  No children please.

 Please let Leadership or Administration Office staff know if you would like to nominate for a position on Governing Council. The email address for all correspondence is dl.1059.info@schools.sa.edu.au

Principal                                 Penny Wilde

Deputy Principal                      Richard Kemp

Wellbeing Leader                     Michael Sboro

Reception                                Silvia Lang

Reception                                Rachel Pullman

Year 1/2                                  Alena Birss

Year 1/2                                  Carol Thomas

Year 1/2                                  Joanna Idzikowski

Year 1/2                                  Sandra Howlett

Year 3/4                                  Rachel Wickham & Elira Dixon

Year 3/4                                  Lauren Stanley

Year 3/4                                  Mel Yates

Year 3/4                                  Alyssa Rigney & Rose Knight

Year 4/5                                  Christine MacLean

Year 4/5                                  Nigel Branson

Year 5/6                                  Chris Burns

Year 5/6                                  Nicole Currer

Year 6/7                                  Jo Power

Year 6/7                                  Gerry Lewis & Henry Carey

AUSLAN                                  Rose Knight

Music/Performing Arts              Sarah Pearce/ Lauren Robins

Science                                   Vance Smith

Physical Education                   Henry Carey

Library/                                  Karen Campbell    

Aboriginal Education Teacher   Deb Hampton                         

Student Learning Support       Elira Dixon

ANCILLARY STAFF

SSOs

Barb West

Kylie Gatter

Helen Clark

Trish Mart

Karen Campbell

Michele Smith

Deb Kemp

Deb Vatsinaris

Sue Renfrey

Kyal Bacon

Kate Turner

Marli Stanley

Jenny Jackson

Rob Rodgers

Faye Yeomans

Natasha Howard-Glover

Nathan Adams

ACEO

Erin Douglas

PASTORAL CARE WORKER

Skye Keller

GROUNDSMAN

Harrie Thyssen

School Starts:               8:50 am
                                    Students must be in class
                                    when the bell sounds

Recess Eating Time:     10:40 am

Recess Play Time:         10:50 am – 11:10 am

Lunch Eating Time:       12:40 pm – 12:50 pm

Lunch Play Time:          12:50 pm – 1:30 pm

Dismissal:                     3:10 pm

Whole School Assemblies will take place on the first and last week of each term and on Special Occasions.  At other times the assemblies will either be a Junior Primary Assembly – Years Reception –Year 2 or a Primary Assembly – Years 3 - 7. 

Below is the program for Term 1.

Student Permission Forms will be sent home this week.  Please complete the form and return it to the school as soon as possible - no later than Friday, 14^th February, 2020.  This form enables your child to participate in school activities including Library Borrowing, local excursions and having photos taken.

 The permission form now has a section on the reverse side regarding images.  Please ensure you complete this section too.

Student Permission forms will no longer be required to be completed each year.  Any permission you agree to will continue until you revoke the permission in writing to the principal of the school.

Year 4 students are requested to complete the Information Technology – Cyber Safety Policy. The Cyber Safety Policy is divided into three parts with the first part providing general information, the second part relevant for Reception to Year 3 students and the third part for Years 4 – 7.  The parent approvals are also signed by the students as a contract of use and are valid for the years the students are in the relevant year range.  Consequently, only those students going from Year 3 in 2019 to Year 4 in 2020 need to complete this form and agreement of use.  These forms will also be sent home this week.

Please return this form (Year 4 students only) by Friday, 14^th February, 2020 so students can access our IT facilities.

Governing Council ratified the new Uniform Policy on 6th Novemeber, 2019.  Please find attached a copy of the policy for your information and compliance. There are changes to the wearing of SAPSASA/representative jumpers. 

A number of our students have severe allergies to foods, including nuts, so please abide by the school Allergy and Nut Awareness Policy. 

The policy is included with this newsletter.  Please refrain from bringing any nuts and products containing nuts (including Nutella) to school.  Thank you.

Invoices for school fees of $244.00 were sent home with students last week along with School Card forms.  If you are eligible for School Card we would appreciate it if you could return School Card forms as soon as possible.  If you are having financial difficulties paying your school fees, please do not hesitate to contact Helen Clark at the Administration Office.

Payments can be made via the following methods:

Qkr! App

If you do not already have the Qkr! app, please visit the Google Play or Apple App store to download the Qkr! app to pay any school payment on-line on any device. This app is the quickest and easiest way to make all your payments to the school and we highly recommend you use it.

In person

The Finance Window is open in the Courtyard each morning from 8:30am - 9:15am. 

By Phone

The Finance Office will take over the phone EFTPOS payments from 9:15am – 3:00pm daily.

 School fees must be paid in full by no later than Thursday, 9th April, 2020 (unless paying by instalments)

Payment by Instalment

School fees can be paid by instalments, please fill in a Direct Debit By Instalment Request Form which is available on the website, app or Finance Window and return it to the Finance Office by Friday 13th March.  Please note: payments by instalments must be finalised by the end of Term 2, (Friday, 3rd July), unless alternate arrangements are made with the school.

Lunch orders and counter sales will commence on Wednesday, 5th  February. The canteen will be open every Wednesday and Friday.

A new menu is included. See below for the link.   

Payments options are:

Qkr! app before 9:00am on the day of the lunch order, or

cash and card payments to the Finance Window.    

If you are available to help in the canteen on Wednesday and / or Fridays, please see Kylie in the Canteen, or the Administration Office staff.  Fridays and Special Lunch days are our busiest days, but if you can help on any of the days the canteen is open, that would be wonderful.  All help is greatly appreciated.

Canteen_Menu_T1_2020.pdf

Public parking is not available on school grounds. Disabled Parking spaces are available but these parks are only for those people who have been issued a Disabled Parking Permit, and need to exit their vehicle onto school grounds.  It is not an area to sit and wait in a car, or to drop off students.  These parks are monitored by the Onkaparinga Council and fines are issued to anyone misusing them.

The Kiss and Drop Zone on Vanstone Avenue allows traffic to flow while students are entering and exiting the vehicles.  PLEASE do not park in the Kiss and Drop Zone. For safety, we also request that you ensure your children use only the footpath side of the car in this zone. We have had near misses where students have opened doors into oncoming traffic or race to try to get into the car while other cars are trying to pass. Please be patient while waiting for your turn for your children to enter or exit the vehicle.

If you park incorrectly, whether by accident or design, you may be asked to move your vehicle. In the interests of the safety of our students and school community we request that you comply with any and all reasonable direction from any staff member.  

We thank you for your cooperation.

Please advise the school EVERY time you change any of your details including phone numbers, mobiles, address, and emergency contacts.

This information is critical if we need to contact you in an emergency.

The Uniform Shop is open on Wednesday mornings from 8:30am – 9:15am during term time.  We also take phone orders and payments, for your convenience. 

Alternatively you can order and pay for uniform items using the Qkr! app and your order will be filled and given to your child at school during the day. 

For the first 4 weeks of term, the Uniform Shop will be selling Uniform Bundles.  If you purchase a jumper, 2 polos and a hat there is a significant discount. 

Bundles will only be available for a limited time, after which the cost of the items will return to the regular price.

It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure any medication kept at school for your child is in date and that there are adequate supplies.  Please note: this includes puffers.

Any medication sent to school for administration must be accompanied by written instructions provided by a medical professional (doctor or a chemist) and a medical plan. We are legally unable to administer any medication without these. 

With lots of hard work and frequent watering over the Christmas holidays the vegetable garden is flourishing...I would say one of our most productive growing seasons yet!!  As well as watering and maintaining the garden I have also been busy baking/cooking, testing and formatting some scrumptious new recipes ready for the term ahead.

We have a fantastic amount of stone fruit on the trees as well as kilos of produce already snap frozen in the freezer....they include cherries, apricots, peaches and blackberries. Just this week we harvested almost 8 kg of Japanese plums. We have an abundance of fresh herbs and colourful marigolds.  Silver beet, zucchinis, cherry tomatoes and eggplants are also doing well and we have lots of pumpkin and melon seedlings popping up.  Composted soil from last year has resulted in seedlings of all different varieties popping up in all areas of the garden. We have a few lemons, limes and figs on our young trees so hopefully we can look forward to more productive crops from them in the future. Unfortunately no koalas were spotted in or around the garden over the break.     

The Kitchen Garden Program will once again run as a whole school program this year. Each year level will participate in a block of both kitchen and garden lessons. We will be needing lots of helpers throughout the year!! If you have completed the RAN-EC training and have a current DCSI/DHS clearance we would love your help. Please ring or message me of your availability.

Term 1 - 6/7 Power, 6/7 Lewis/Carey, 5/6 Burns

Term 2 - 5/6 Currer, 4/5 Branson, 4/5 MacLean

Term 3 - 1/2 Birss, 1/2 Howlett, 1/2 Idzikowski, 1/2 Thomas, Rec Lang, Rec Pullman

Term 4 - 3/4 Rigney/Knight, 3/4 Stanley, 3/4 Wickham/Dixon, 3/4 Yates

Do you have excess fruit or vegetables from your own home garden? The kitchen garden program is always happy to accept donations of produce which we incorporate into our weekly lessons. Donations can be dropped into the office or the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen, Monday – Thursdays.

If you have any questions regarding the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program please don’t hesitate to ring or message me or you can often find me in either the school garden or the SAKGP kitchen.

Michele Smith

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program Coordinator

Volunteer Mobile 0408 637 850

Did you know Pimpala Primary School has been part of Credit Union SA’s School Community Rewards program since 2018.

 The program brings a direct financial benefit to our school and is available for you to participate in at any time.

 How does School Community Rewards work?

 The School Community Rewards program allows you to nominate our school to receive a financial benefit for every product you have with Credit Union SA. Credit Union SA is South Australia's third largest credit union, with over 50,000 members, and unlike the major banks, Credit Union SA’s profits go back to their members and the communities they live in.

So every home loan, car loan, insurance or savings account held by a person linked to the college will generate an ongoing annual benefit for our school.

 So not only will you get the benefits of Credit Union SA’s great rates and products, you’ll also be raising funds for our school without having to donate your time or money!

How will it help our school?

 Funds generated through the School Community Rewards program will help us develop and upgrade our facilities, allowing us to further create a fantastic learning environment for your child.

 Pimpala Primary  has been able to raise over  $3500 through the program. We have put the extra money towards a nature play area. So just imagine what we could achieve with greater involvement from our School community.

 Where can I find more information?

 To find out more about how School Community Rewards benefits our school please talk to Barb West, our Office Manager in the Adminstration Office.

 To find out how you can participate in School Community Rewards, please contact our representative, Lucy Brooks on 0428 787 230.