Although we are in the last term of the year, it is in no way quiet.  School Sports SA events, Book Week, Aquatics, Learn to Swim, end of year preparations, World Teachers' Day, student reports, class placements, transition to 2021, fundraising and Christmas are all on the schedule for the next 8 weeks.

Last week I had the privilege of attending District Athletics with our school team of 32 students who represented Pimpala in Division 1 for Onkaparinga North. Competing in Division 1 is quite hard as the competition is with other much larger schools than ours. It was so impressive to see our students not only being incredibly supportive of their team mates but also encouraging students from other schools and divisions.  A number of our students competed in age divisions which were above their chronological age to ensure we had representation in each event and demonstrated great pride and responsibility. 

As a result of such incredible team work Pimpala came second in the division with many places in first, second and third and this is the best result we have had in close to a decade. Eight of our students (who either won their individual event or placed across a number of events) are invited to represent Onkaparinga North at State Day on November 17th at Santos Stadium: Paige S. and Mahia T. - shotput, Taya M. - discus, Lily B. and Isaac E. - relay, Jada W. and Noah E. - long jump and Zemes H - 800m. Congratulations to the team and thank you to Mr. Henry Carey, Mrs. Deb Kemp and Ms. Elira Dixon for your work in preparing and supporting the team.

It is Book Week and due to COVID-19, it has a slightly different look this year. During the later part of Term 3, the Library began slowly being overtaken by a jungle in preparation for this year's theme of 'Curious Creatures, Wild Minds' and students can be involved in a Book Character Silhouette Hunt' around the school, making clothes pin puppets, curious creatures and a jungle hunt in the library under the leadership of the Library Monitors.

This year we introduced Aussie of the Month at Pimpala Primary School which recognises personal endeavour, achievement and contribution to the community and reflects some of the values we share as Australians, such as fair go, mateship, respect and inclusion.

Aussie of the Month is a primary school recognition program, that's been running for more than 20 years and is delivered by the same network that presents the Australian of the Year Awards.

The Australian of the Year Awards profile leading citizens who:

• are role models
• inspire us through their achievements and community participation
• challenge us to make our own contribution to the community

Aussie of the Month reflects similar values, and encourages:

• an appreciation of the diversity and depth of personal contribution
• achievement possible within your school
• concern and consideration for all members of the school community

Each month, the school staff will nominate students for Aussie of the Month and then one student will be selected by the Personnel Advisory Committee (PAC) to receive this special award and celebrate their commitment to the Australian values we embrace at our school.

The recipient of this award for the month of September was actually two students who were both nominated for the same reason - Wyatt and Phrasswell from 5/6. The boys received our Aussie of the Month award for:consistently demonstrating generosity and respect, and for concentrated efforts to always include others in all aspects of school life.

They received a certificate, a special badge and a great pencil pack as recognition of their award.  Congratulations to Phrasswell and Wyatt!

We had our Sports Day on Friday the 18th September.

It was a fantastic day and the students demonstrated all of our school values.

Our House Captains did a wonderful job and we would like to thank them for all of their hard work. Madison T, Hudson B, Shaylee H, Madelyn C, Jasmine W, Kaelin H, Emma D, Zemes H, Phrasswell M, Tegan B, Isla D and Noah E.

The final scores were: Anderson - 7930 Bain - 8260 Morphett - 7060 O'Sullivan - 8920

Our new Reception students for 2021 will get to experience 3 sessions of school on Wednesday, 4^th November, from 9:00am - 10:40am, and then on Wednesday, 11^th and 18th November from 9:00am to 11:30am. This will be their first real experience of primary school as a student which is very exciting.

Further information will be sent home to our new families this week.  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, 3rd December at 5:00pm - Covid 19 restrictions permitting. As the time gets closer we will be able to provide more information about how this will look and we are really hoping to allow parents and caregivers to share this amazing event in person.  

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 keep an eye out for updates from the Celebration of Learning Committee who will send home final details within the week.  We may need to make the event a ticketed entry with allocations for each family, as COVID-19 guidelines require a Management Plan for any outdoor events with more than 1000 attendees. 

Please make sure you check school emails and notifications regularly for any updates.

Please note:  This event, like all school events, is subject to change/cancellation due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

The Year 6/7 Aquatics Program will be conducted on Wednesday 11^th November. This year is a one day event instead of the regular two days, so that it complies with the COVID-19 restrictions. 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 were sent home last week.  The cost of the program is $15.00 and all forms are available on the Qkr! app.

Please note: A paper copy of the Aquatics Consent Form must be returned to school for students to participate.

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.

It is important to acknowledge the efforts of teachers in an increasingly complex, multicultural and technological society particularly with the added complexity of COVID-19 this year. 

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 Administration Office staff know.

We also need a registration of interest / enrolment form 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 Administration Office.  It is never too early to lodge the form.

As part of the class placement process for next year, students took home a Student Passport to 2021 at the end of last term. 

This enables the students to let the teachers know about their likes, dislikes and what they are good at.  It also lets them share what they would like their teachers to know about them, and what their learning goals are for 2021.

On the back page is an opportunity for parents/caregivers to provide information for the 2021 class teachers.  

These passports must be returned by Friday, 23 October, 2020 to enable the class placement process to commence.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Please note: spare forms are available (without photos) from the Administration Office.

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 Administration Office.

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 productive and successful.

Outlined below is the process we use at PPS to place students in their respective classes for the start of the year. Also included are frequently asked questions that families have asked about class placement. PPS staff are committed to meeting the educational needs of all students. A great deal of thought, planning and time goes into placing children into classes each year.

When placing students in classes, the school will consider a range of information in order to form educationally and socially balanced classes. Classes will be formed to best meet the needs of the students within the constraints of the resources provided. Class structures, class compositions and the allocation of students to classes, are all developed through consultation with staff and the Leadership Team.

Criteria that we use to make class lists

Factors influencing class structure are:

• the educational needs of the students
• the projected number of students in each year level
• the ratio of girls to boys
• projected enrolments during the year based on past trends
• the number of teachers employed at the school
• resources, funding and facilities.

Factors which are considered in the placement of students include:

• learning needs
• behaviour
• gender
• learning and social networks
• social and emotional maturity
• family situations eg. twins, siblings.

The leadership team and teaching staff decide the placement of individual students. Family input regarding their child’s educational needs will be considered when it aligns with the placement criteria.

Process for placing students into classes

Based on the criteria listed, Pimpala Primary School staff meet early Term 4 to establish classes for the following school year. During this process, changes and adjustments are made. Each change may trigger a chain reaction of other changes. Proposed class lists are then submitted to the leadership team for final ratification. Student class placements will be communicated to families by the end of the term.

The successful implementation of these guidelines ensures smooth transition from year to year with the learning and wellbeing of every student in the school being paramount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the school have some composite classes instead of having all straight year level classes?

Staffing is dependent upon the enrolment in each grade and the Department provides clear directions to school in relation to this. The class distribution is considered on the basis of student numbers. The distribution of classes may change each year according to enrolments in the school and the effects of different numbers in each class or year group.

My child is in a composite class, will they be disadvantaged?

No, within any classroom setting there is a diverse range of abilities where the teacher is required to differentiate. In accordance with the Australian Curriculum, all students are assessed according to their assigned year level.

Why do some classes operate as an open unit?

There are particular learning environments within the school that lend themselves to a more collaborative type of teaching and learning. Highly collaborative practices and continuity of learning is an expectation of all classes at PPS. The more collaborative learning environments are a fantastic opportunity for students to be exposed to a range of different teaching and learning styles.

My child has not been placed with one of their four nominated friends:

All children are placed with one of their four nominated friends – this may differ from the requests of families. Students are asked to nominate 4 people in their year level that they work well with and support them with their learning. Unpredicted family movement and change over the end of year break can affect these placements.

Can I request a particular teacher for my child either in writing or through discussion with my child’s present teacher?

No, this is not part of the class placement process.

Can I provide information to support the informed placement of my child?

Yes, as long as the information aligns with the placement criteria stated.

Why haven’t my requests been actioned?

All family requests are seriously considered and recorded. At times, family requests can be conflicting (to another family’s request, to the student’s requests, from the professional opinion of the teacher).

Do teachers request certain student placements into their classes?

No, as teachers are not generally assigned to a class until after the class placement process. Teachers focus on class balance to ensure a successful year for all classes.

When I get my child’s class placement, can I request that it be changed?

The class placements are considered final. Changes to placements are rare due to the fact they cause a chain reaction and impact on the class balance. We consider the learning and wellbeing of each individual during the placement process and families must acknowledge their child is part of a complex equation in school placements.

How can I help my child during this process?

Families can help by supporting the informed decisions of the staff and ensuring all conversations with their children are positive and encouraging.

Parents and caregivers wishing to forward information are asked to do so in writing to the following people by Friday 30th October (end of Week 3, Term 4):

R- 2 Richard Kemp – dl.1059.info@schools.sa.edu.au

3 – 7 Belinda Finlay – Smith – dl.1059.info@schools.sa.edu.au

Please be mindful that any information provided outside this time frame will 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.

Swimming for Reception - Year 2 students will be held in Week 7 of this term, 23 - 27 November, 2020.  Further information will be sent home later this term.

Please note:  This event, like all school events, is subject to change/cancellation due to COVID-19 restrictions.

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, 10th 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.

Please note: This event, like all school events, is subject to change/cancellation due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Term 4 will see the Year 3/4 classes participate in the kitchen garden program during Weeks 2-5 and the Reception classes will participate in Weeks 6 and 7. We will be requiring lots of helpers for our kitchen classes. If you have completed the online RAN-EC Training for volunteers and have a current DHS working with children clearance we would love your help. Covid-19 restrictions apply. Please ring or message me of your availability.

On Wednesday, 14^th October the City of Onkaparinga Deputy Mayor, Geoff Eaton as well as Rinus Bouwer and James Dott from the Natural Resources Department visited our Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden to judge the 2020 City of Onkaparinga Mayor’s Garden Competition.  A big thank you to all the students, staff and volunteers who have assisted so far this year in making our garden such an amazing space. Not only is our garden beautiful but very productive, producing enough fruits, vegetables and herbs to sustain our cooking lessons throughout the year....Watch this space for the competition results!

Michele Smith

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program Coordinator

Volunteer Mobile 0408637850

We are holding a Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie Dough drive as a major fundraiser this term and we ask for your support.  All the funds raised will go to our nature play spaces. This fundraiser will be online ONLY – no cash sales.

 Billy G’s is an Australian family owned and operated business.  There are ten (10) delicious flavours including their NEW Mint Choc and NESTLE® SMARTIES® cookie dough.  There is even a cheese flavoured Doggie Dough for your special furry family members!  The delicious cookie dough is only available through fundraising and is not sold in stores, so stock up! 

 Final Online Orders Due 6 November 2020

Online Prize Ordering Closes on 10 November 2020

Delivery Date 25 November 2020

 How Do We Fundraise?

Students have now received a Billy G’s Fundraiser order form with instructions on how to collect orders from family, friends and neighbours.

Students who sell 1 tub or more are entitled to an incentive prize for their efforts. But why not aim higher? You have the option to choose up to five (5) prizes and this will set your fundraising goal. Family and friends are your greatest supporters, so ask them first for support. You will reach your fundraising goal in no time!

How do we create an Online Fundraising Page?

Creating a fundraising page is easy as 1,2,3.

1, Head to www.cookiedough.com.au to create your Online Fundraising Page by clicking the “Register Now” button and fill in your information as a parent/guardian.

2. Choose your child’s prize goals and create their avatar!
3. Share your child’s online fundraising page with your family and friends via the “Share” section so they can start buying some Cookie Dough as well, How Easy!

There are great features in the online portal like creating your own avatar and selecting your prize goal.

Win a Dream Holiday worth $10,000! Create an Online Fundraising Page at www.cookiedough.com.au, sell or purchase one tub or more of Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie Dough and you will automatically go into the draw to win a $10,000 Dream Holiday.

The Leaderboard Challenge – If you become the highest fundraiser in our schools leaderboard you will automatically go in the draw for the chance to win a Cruise worth $5,000. How exciting! Let’s get fundraising!

 How to Order Prizes?

To reward your child for their efforts, they can choose incentive prizes based on the total amount of tubs

1. Login to your Online Fundraising Page at www.cookiedough.com.au. Once the fundraiser has finished, click the ‘ORDER MY PRIZE’ button via the dashboard. Select up to five (5) prizes to the amount of tubs you have sold.

Thank you in advance for your participation. Happy fundraising!   

On Thursday September 24, a team of Pimpala students accompanied by Mr. Henry Carey and Mrs. Trish Mart travelled to Priceline Stadium to compete in the SAPSASA Knock Out Netball Finals.  To reach this stage in the tournament, they won two previous rounds of netball against teams from across the state.

On the day, they played four matches against other schools who had successfully reached that stage of the tournament.  The first match they play against McAuley Community School  where they drew 19 each.  Their second match was against Angaston Primary School where they won convincingly 22 - 13.  Their third match they played Maitland Primary School and lost by one goal 12 - 13.

In their final match they played for third place in the tournament against McAuley Community School which resulted in a draw again.  This went in to overtime to decide the overall places and the final score was 18 -13 in favour of Pimpala.

Our girls were in an initial tournament involving more than 50 schools and playing against teams with state players.This is the first time in the school's history that a team representing Pimpala Primary School has reached this level of tournament, so achieving third place is outstanding.  

Congratulations to Ayrlia, Shaylee, Jasmine, Chelsea, Madelyn, Madison, Abby, Emma, Lily and Cejay on their sporting spirit, team work and persistence.  A huge thank you to Mr. Henry Carey, Mrs. Trish Mart and to Ms. Rachel Pullman for their support and preparation in the girls' success. 

Principal Tours will be held on the following dates subject to COVID-19 restrictions:

Monday, 19 October, 2020

Monday, 2 November, 2020

Please contact the Administration Office on 8326 0900 to book in for a tour. 

We look forward to meeting you.

Nicole Gerrard from The Smith Family will be at school on odd week Mondays. Nicole will be situated in the Junior Primary meeting room and is available for any family who wish to discuss ways to support their child's education.

Pimpala students are welcome to come and have brekky at Breakfast Club!

Come along and join Quyen and Pei, our Social Work students, in the kitchen for breakfast. The kitchen is open from 8:30am to 8:45am, Monday to Friday on regular school days.

There are a number of food options including weetbix, canned fruit, fresh fruit, toast and yoghurt. It's great way to start the day!