Humanity has always faced challenges. In the past 100 years, Australia has persevered in the face of world wars, economic depressions, global and domestic terrorism, natural disasters, climate change and at times, divisive social policy. The outbreak of the Covid-19 Corona Virus has caused uncertainty, however, it is another opportunity for us to reflect in order to create a better society for our children to grow and become resilient, global citizens. Australians are known for resilience when times are tough and a willingness to ‘have a go’. It is important that during this time, we follow the lead of Health practitioners so that we can continue to be ‘The Lucky Country’.

The Department for Education has clear guidelines on what to do if there is a confirmed case of Covid-19 of a child or teacher attending Pimpala Primary School.

If there is a case, parents will be contacted to collect children immediately and the site would be closed for a minimum of 24 hours.

One thing that the conversation around Covid-19 has reaffirmed, as with any other time, if a child becomes unwell while in your care, infection control practices should be enacted and the student referred to a medical practitioner. The importance of practicing good hygiene isn’t just necessary during a global pandemic, these are hygienic routines we should be practicing every day.

We have taken preventative measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 in our school community by cancelling camps, excursions and assemblies. This is not a decision we have taken lightly, however, the health and safety of each individual is always our greatest priority. The Department for Education and Pimpala Primary School take advice from The Health Department. We will communicate each time information changes. At this point in time, as far as teaching and learning is concerned, it is business as usual. We are very excited about teaching and learning at Pimpala. Our teachers and SSOs do an amazing job of teaching the Australian Curriculum to all children. Literacy and Numeracy intervention programs have commenced and are helping students to gain a deeper understanding what sounds, patterns and rules underpin English and our base-10 number system.

It is also important that I communicate with you that our Principal, Penny Wilde has been on bereavement leave and will be taking leave until the end of the term. Penny is coping with a difficult situation with her family and is in the thoughts of the entire Pimpala community.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus. Symptoms include fever, coughing, sore throat and shortness of breath. The virus can spread from person to person, but good hygiene can prevent infection.The Department of Health has listed some recommendations to limit the chance of infection.  

Everyone must practise good hygiene to protect against infection and prevent the virus spreading.

Good hygiene includes:

• covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
• disposing of tissues properly
• washing your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet
• using alcohol-based hand sanitisers
• cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
• if you are sick, avoiding contact with others
• social distancing - staying more than 1.5 metres away from people

Additional measures have also been introduced.  Travellers entering Australia since midnight on Sunday night, 15th March, 2020 must self isolate for 14 days.    

Due to the situation with COVID-19 virus, and the rapidly changing and sometimes urgent information we need to give you, from this point forward we will only be communicating with you via electronic media- email, SZapp and Facebook.  This is the quickest and most efficient way.

 Consequently, we need to make sure that everyone is contactable through at least one of these modes of communication:

Email – please make sure we have your current email. If there are two parents, we need an email for each parent.

SZapp – please make sure you have the school app – Szapp - to receive notifications. Instructions to install the SZapp follow.

If you require assistance with any of these methods of communication, please ask at the Administration Office.

Please make an appointment to see Helen Clark, the Finance Officer if you require help to lodge your School Card application online.  

Three Way Conferences (Parent Teacher interviews) are scheduled for Week 9, 24th - 26th March. We encourage all parents/caregivers to arrange a time and bring your child to find out how they are doing at school.

To make a booking you must be registered with Schoolzine, so if you haven't already done so, please download the SZapp to gain access. 

Here are the instructions to download the SZapp.

https://pimpalaps.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/4

Parent Booking Guide:

https://pimpalaps.schoolzineplus.com/sk-booking-guide

Please speak to the Front Office staff if you would like more information.

In Week 3 and 4 of next term, the Year 3, 5 & 7 students will participate in the National Literacy and Numeracy tests.  It is expected that all students participate, however, if you have any concerns about this can you please see your child’s teacher as soon as possible.  The timetable will be sent home early next term.

The Starting Secondary School process for 2021 will commence in the first week of Term 2.  Parents of Year 7 students will be sent an email which links to the application form, which must be completed by 22nd May, 2020.

If you are not sure which high school you would like to send your child to next year or are intending to apply for enrolment for a Special Interest Course, please contact the high school directly.  There has been changes to some Open Nights and Principal Tours at a number of schools.  

If you would like more information about the process, please speak to Barb in the Administration Office.

The process for Year 6 students who plan to attend Wirreanda Secondary School in 2021 is separate from this process and families will be contacted directly.

Due to the situation with COVID-19 we have postponed our Trivia Night which was planned for Saturday, 20th June. 

As this event is usually a major fundraiser for the school, we would like to continue the momentum of seeking donations for the silent auction and for prizes for the winning tables.  If you, or anyone you know is able to make a donation of an item, a service or a monetary donation we will include their name or business name on our list of sponsors which will be listed at the Trivia Night when it is rescheduled, as well as mention them in our fortnightly newsletter.

All fundraising from the Trivia Night when it proceeds will go to extending our new Nature Play area which will be installed in the April school holidays.

A letter to business owners which notes the postponement is attached for you to use to ask for donations.

On Wednesday, 8th April there will be an Easter Special Lunch.  For only $6.00 you will receive a toasted ham, cheese and tomato roll, and 100% juice pop top and a hot cross bun.

Order forms have been sent home this week.  Payment and order forms are required by Wednesday, 1st April.

Pimpala Primary School is conducting its annual Easter Raffle as part of our major fundraising for the year.  To make this a huge success can you please send donations of Easter Eggs or any other Easter goodies to the school. 

Please help and bring your donations as soon as possible. Good Friday falls on 10th April, the day after school finishes this term.  

The raffle will be drawn on Friday, 3rd April and winners will be notified by phone.

Raffle tickets have been sent home today so please support the raffle by selling as many tickets as you can.  Tickets are $1 each and a book of 10 tickets has been sent home with each student.  We really appreciate your support with donations and in buying the tickets.

The Easter Raffle will be drawn on Friday, 3rd April and all prize winners will be notified by phone.  The Easter Raffle Special Assembly has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 as a safety precaution.

Pimpala will be hosting Principal Tours on two days each term for anyone interested in enrolling at our school.  They will be held at 4:30pm and 10:00am on the following dates, two tours per term.  Please ring the Administration Office on 8326 0900 to book into one of the tours this year.

Congratulations to Callum W and Jasmine W, who have been selected to represent Onkaparinga North in the SAPSASA State Tennis Tournament. They get to play tennis between the 16^th of March to the 19^th of March (Week 7) during school time, which means no school for them. Callum and Jasmine will play tennis against some of the best young talents in the State. Good luck guys! We know you will represent Pimpala very well.

Congratulations to Lilly B who will represent Onkaparinga North at the SAPSASA State Swimming Day, held on the 26^th of March.

Lilly qualified for the SAPSASA State Swimming Day by winning the 50m Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke and Butterfly at the Onkaparinga North district day.

We wish you all the best Lilly. Have fun and represent Pimpala well.

Congratulations to Emily B and Hudson B who has made the SAPSASA Cricket teams. Emily and Hudson get to play cricket for 4 days this week (Week 8) during school time, which means no school for them. Hudson and Emily will play cricket against some of the best young cricketers in the State. Good luck Emily and Hudson! We know you will represent Pimpala very well.