This is our last full newsletter for 2020 and while many of us are looking forward to seeing a very difficult year out, we have had some amazing moments. Despite many anticipated activities being cancelled due to COVID restrictions, a quick poll of students and staff created a list of favourites - in no particular order:

• Science Week and the big watermelon explosion
• PE Day
• the installation of our Loose parts play shed
• NAIDOC Week and our shared lunch on the oval
• Book Week Art Gallery and having fun dressing up
• the new Zone Room
• growing and eating in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
• the introduction of Auslan as our second language
• fabulous performances by our choir
• STEM challenges
• the use of Seesaw for learning at home
• a performance by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
• School Sports SA (SAPSASA) and in house sports clinics.

The success of this list are a credit to the staff, students and families at Pimpala who have demonstrated resilience, worked together and persisted, despite often not knowing what the next day may bring.   

As the year concludes we still have plenty of tasks and responsibilities to complete. Semester 2 reports are currently being compiled for printing and signing and will be sent home next Wednesday 9 December.  

Our staffing for 2021 is awaiting verification from the Department for Education and is not yet finalised.

Our 2021 class lists are almost complete and students will visit their 2021 classes next Thursday. Information will be sent home with students that afternoon.

There will be a brief, one page bulletin sent out next week to confirm staffing for 2021 and share any other details necessary for families before the year concludes. In the meantime our staff are focussing to ensure that students have as much routine as possible and are working with them to reflect on what they have achieved over the course of the year as a celebration of success. 

We acknowledge that this time of the year can be very difficult for many people for a variety of reasons. Please reach out and connect with staff at school if you need support or advice.

Kind Regards

Penny Wilde

Principal

As previously notified through Schoolzine, our Billy G Cookie Dough delivery was delayed due to the statewide shut down last week.  Our delivery has been rescheduled for December 2.

Don't forget our Special Lunch this Friday - wedges and sour cream.

Classes are having alternative class end of year celebrations on Tuesday December 8 next week, due to COVID restrictions related to the sharing of food.

Students are excited about their Subway lunches and the shared picnic on the oval - weather dependent.

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 November is Gemma from 4/5. She received our Aussie of the Month award for:

exemplary examples of the school values. She walks as a leader and always volunteers for roles of responsibility.

The canteen will be closed during the last week of this term, 7th - 11th December, 2020.  We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

A reminder to all families of our Early Departure on Friday December 11 at 2.10pm.

All library books should have been returned by now.  Stocktake has commenced so please return any books you may still have at home as soon as possible.

 Please note: If any books are not returned by the end of Week 8, Friday, 7^th December or returned in a poor state, families will be invoiced for the cost of the book.

The planning process for classes for next year is continuing and we ask that if you will not be returning to Pimpala in 2021 that you advise the e Administration Office as soon as possible. 

 We appreciate that some students may be on a waiting list for another school or there may be a job in the pipeline that would mean a move to a new suburb or interstate, however, we require this information as we are finalising class configurations and need accurate numbers for each year level to make informed plans.

The Uniform Shop will be open on Tuesday, 19 January, 2020 from 10:00am - 12:00noon for any uniform needs.  Bundles will be available for sale for the first four weeks of term only.

Bundles offer a considerable saving and are available for all sizes.

School Card assistance is available for low income families to help with the costs of materials and services charges.  Families must apply for this every year but to make this process easy in 2021, you can apply online.

If you do not have online access, you are able to apply at school via the Finance Window.  This service will be available on Tuesday, 19 January, 2021 from 10:00am - 12:00 noon - the same time the Uniform Shop is open and then from the beginning of Term 1, Wednesday, 27th January, 2021.

The Governing Council Meeting scheduled for 18 November, 2020 to discuss the Materials and Services Charges for 2021, was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.  However, our community was given the opportunity to comment on the scheduled amount of $246.00pa for 2021, via email.

The proposed amount of $246.00 has been approved for 2021.

Unfortunately due to COVID-19 restrictions only school based staff and students are able to attend this event which will now be held during the day.

Students have been honing their skills and practising their class performances and will now perform for their peers on Thursday, 3 December, 2020.

This event will be recorded and families will be able to access their child's class performance digitally.  Details on the platform to be used will be shared with all families, once this has been finalised. 

Students who do not have permission to be recorded will either not be able to participate in the filmed performance or will need to wear a mask to remain anonymous.

If we have not received your child's permission form, please contact the Administration Office URGENTLY, as the End of Year Celebration is on Thursday this week. 

Year 6 and 7 students going to high school (including private schools) in 2021 will  celebrate their graduation at a ceremony and dinner on Thursday, 10th December.

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

We have a COVID-19 safe plan for the gymnasium and must limit the number of guests in attendance.  Invitations and information about this has been sent home by a note and electronically and families MUST book tickets to the event via Qkr!  There will be no entry without a ticket.

Please contact the Administration Office if you experience any difficulties with this.

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

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

Come along and join Pei, our Social Work student, 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!

As in past years, Pimpala is 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 people in our community.  We are very grateful to The Vines for organising this.

Please bring items including canned or packet food or unwrapped new presents and toys to the Administration Office.

Pimpala's Got Talent has taken a slightly shortened format this year, as the process started later in the term and has also been affected by hot weather.

So far there has been two weeks of heats with the Student Mentors stepping up to be judges.  The depth of talent has meant the scoring has been close with a four-way tie in the R-2 group of students.  Great job everyone!

There have been over 50 students showing their talent and trying out to win this prestigeous event. Big crowds have shown their appreciation at every heat.

This week the finals are being held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for each group: R-2, 3-5 and 6-7.  The winners will get to perform at the in-house End of Year Celebration.

Our End of Year Assembly is on Friday, 11^th December at 10am. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 restrictions, only school based staff and students aree able to attend.  

During the assembly we will say goodbye and good luck to our Year 6 and 7 graduates (all 66 of them), say farewell and thank you to contract and retiring teachers and present Principal Awards and our Aussie of the Month for December.