It is hard to believe that we are nearly at the end of Term 1.  As with every other newsletter (or so it seems) we have a multitude of activities occurring and events coming up.  This week we have our Colour Fun Run on Thursday in support of our Nature Play fundraiser, before a short Easter break starting on Good Friday.  

Last week we were privileged to have Rob Vingerhoets work with out students and staff in their classrooms, as a specialist Mathematics Consultant.  Rob worked with our staff at the beginning of 2020 but unfortunately was unable to return for the planned classroom sessions due to COVID.  His philosophy is 'Maths doesn't have to hurt' and that mantra was very evident in the lessons he took with all of our students and staff.  There were lots of fun but also plenty of 'aha' moments all round as he shared ideas and activities and dispelled some misconceptions that continue to persist in the subject of Mathematics, in particular what makes someone competent or good at Maths.

If you have not yet spoken with your child about what they learned in their session with Rob, we would be very keen to hear if anything was shared at home. This is always a great measure of impact and reach.  We have been investigating the idea of hosting some Mathematics sessions for our families where we can share new ideas (teaching pedagogies) and approaches so please send your ideas through to the school's email address: dl.1059.info@schools.sa.edu.au

As a school we are on our a Mathematics journey and looking for every opportunity to engage with and see where our students can reach and achieve in their learning.

Kind Regards

Penny Wilde               Belinda Finlay-Smith               Richard Kemp

Principal                     Deputy Principal                     Wellbeing Leader

How exciting!  The Colour Fun Run is this Thursday, 1st April!

We’re holding this event for two reasons: one is to raise much needed money for our second stage of Nature Play and the second is because it is loads of fun for everyone!  Thank you for helping us!

Students will participate in some fun events in the morning, culminating in the Colour Fun Run itself, after lunch.  Parents and onlookers can arrive at 1:40pm, after the students have finished lunch play.

If you would like to volunteer to assist with the colour and water dousing, please let the Administration Office staff know.  This is a one-off event in an open setting so clearances to work with children are not required.

 Are you Fundraising?

Currently we’re still a long way from our goal, so we need everyone to pull together to help.  The easiest way to help your child raise money is through online fundraising, where students raise an average of $120. Go to schoolfunrun.com.au, create a student profile page and share your online fundraising link via SMS, Email and Social Media.

 If you are currently fundraising, THANK YOU! We hope you will continue to share your link and fundraising for the school.

 Competition Time!

Get ready to colour bomb Mr Kemp our Student Wellbeing Leader! Any student that has created an online profile and raised at least $100 by the day of the event will go in a draw to colour bomb Mr Kemp at our colour day. We’ll be drawing out 5 names, so make sure you’re sharing your link!

 About the Day

The Colour Fun Run is all about Fun! It will be a huge colourful mess and is undoubtably one of the most exciting days on our school’s calendar, with everyone’s participation the aim, so please make sure your students attend of the day and cheer the other kids on!

 Fundraising donation

Students will be able to fundraise until the 1^st April.  Remember that we prefer online donations.  

Prizes

On top of raising more money for the school, students who raise just $10 will be able to choose a prize! They can start ordering from the 1^st April right through until the end of the school holidays. Remember, ordering online is the best way to ensure you get what you’d like, so please get online – even if all your money raised is cash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some FAQ’s relating to your Colour Fun Run Event:

What should my child wear to the event?

Students who wish to participate can wear a white or light colour tshirt for the day if they want to be doused in colour.  Bring a towel and change of clothes for after the event for when the students are wet, dripping with colour and about to get in your car! 

If your child doesn’t want colour on them, they should dress up in very colourful clothes, so they stand out in the sea of white. This way colour throwers and classmates will know that these students aren’t to be touched with the powder.

The school uniform is not required to be worn for this fun day!

 What should my child bring to the event?

A few things you should pack are:

• A Water Bottle
• Hat
• A Change of Clothes
• A Towel

 What if my child has a medical condition? (e.g. Asthma etc.)

If any students have asthma, we would already have their plans,  puffers and spacers available in the Administration Office if required.

As this is a running event, please notify the teachers on the day of any relevant medical conditions and any potential treatments they may need to know about.

If you would like to know what is in the colour, ask the school for a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet.

Thank you, good luck, happy fundraising and most importantly get ready to have FUN!

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

Pimpala will be hosting the SAPSASA Cross Country Championships this year for the first time next week, 8th April.  Only those involved in the event and their families, will have the opportunity to watch.  

Fifty five of our students will be competing  - what an awesome turn out!  Well done everyone who is particating, it is a great opportunity to see what you can do and to have fun.  

Practice sessions on Tuesday mornings at 8:20am are continuing for students who have registered interested in competing in the event.    These sessions are being supervised by Mr Henry Carey. 

Please note: attendance does not guarantee selection for the event.

Please note:  As with all schools events, they are subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The last day to pay school fees is the last day of Term 1, Friday, 9th April.  If you are unable to pay by that date and would like an extension, please see Helen Clark at the Finance Window for a payment plan.

We would like to thank everyone for supporting our BBQ & Drink stall on Sports Day. We raised over $1500 for the school. We would like to acknowledge the Rotary Club of Morphett Vale for their kind support in allowing us to use their Trailer BBQ on the day.

Coming up we have the Easter Raffle and Mother’s Day Stall. We would appreciate any assistance you may be able to give us, with donations and/or time to assist in running our Mother’s Day Stall.

If you can assist,  please email Rick Mart at Rick.Mart978@schools.sa.edu.au, we always appreciate your support.

Haiku for a BBQ

Sports day sparks much joy

Fragrance of onions and snags

Bunnings would be proud

By Alex Baker

The Easter long weekend is coming up this weekend - Good Friday is on 2nd April and Easter Monday is on  5th April.  We hope you enjoy the extended break.  

School will be dismissed at 2:10pm on the last day of term, Friday, 9th April.  Have a great holiday everyone!

There will be a Student Free Day on Tuesday, 27th April, the day after the Anzac Day public holiday, so school will recommence for Term 2 on Wednesday, 28th April, 2021.

Staff will be undertaking training and development in Managing Agression both Perceived and Actual.

Limited places are available in POSHC.  If you would like more information or to book please email Hazel.Godfrey850@schools.sa.edu.au or phone 0413 482 521.

The library is always a busy place in the school and this term has been no exception. Students come in before school, after school and during school time to borrow, return, browse or chat about books.

We have hundreds of new resources currently being processed and new books are being bought frequently. Every week students enjoy finding out what new books are on display and put them on reserve. Currently Graphic Novels are proving to be extremely popular and we are building up this section of the library to keep up with demand.

The library has a request box which students can use to suggest books for the library. We try to order as many of them as we can, if appropriate, to ensure they have a student voice in the library.

This term every student in the school has started the Premier’s Reading Challenge.

What is the Challenge?

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is a literacy engagement program that was introduced by the Premier in 2004 to:

•     Encourage students to read more books and enjoy reading
•     Improve literacy levels.

The Challenge requires students to read 12 books between the beginning of the school year and early September.

We have already had many students complete their challenge.

If you would like to learn more please go to: https://premiersreadingchallenge.sa.edu.au/the-challenge/

The library is open every lunch time for students to come and read, play games or do some art and crafts, and it is a very popular place to be. 

We have library monitors who volunteer to help one lunchtime a week for a whole term. This term our library monitors were Penny, Charli, Ruby, Sophie , Paige, Dawn, Hunter, Ilah, Kyanah, Chelsea, Avah, Jessie and Jenna. They have all done an amazing job and have not only helped students at lunch time and with pack up, but also with processing new library books, reservations and displays.  Becoming a library monitor has become very popular and there are always lots of applications to read and choose from. Students who are in grades 3-7 can apply and can see Karen in the library for an application form.

This term we have had several new displays in the library. These include  ‘Spotlight on Book Care’, ‘Where does your book go? Can you crack the spine label code?’, ‘Reading gives you all the feels’ and ‘2021 The International year of fruit and vegetables’. Did you know that Lemons contain more sugar than strawberries? Carrots were originally purple? Potatoes were the first food to be grown in space? These and many other fruity facts can be seen on display.

Parents and caregivers are more than welcome to visit the library before and after school, except Wednesday afternoons.

Next term the whole school will be involved with the National Simultaneous Storytime. This year NSS will take place on Wednesday 19 May 2021 at 11:00am.  The book ‘Give Me Some Space’, written and illustrated by Philip Bunting will be read from the International Space Station.

For more information about this please go to: https://www.alia.org.au/nss

This year, families of both year 6 and year 7 students will be applying to start secondary school in 2022.

Priority enrolment is generally given to those who live in the secondary school zone.  The secondary school you are zoned to is determined by where the student lives.  In split custody situations either parents’ address can be used but that address has to be the stipulated address recorded at school. 

Please make sure that we have up to date email addresses for each parent and your child’s residential address is accurate and current with the school, to limit processing issues.  Emails with access information and how to use the online registration of interest, will be sent to both parents, where applicable.   These instructions will also be available on the department's website.  

You will be able to access your online registration of interest form in the first week of Term 2, which you must complete by Friday, 21 May, 2021.   

While families are able to nominate to attend any secondary school, the increase in enrolment demand from in-zone students may mean there is limited space available. It is recommended that families consider alternative secondary schools.

Families are encouraged to read their parent brochure when distributed, or the register your child's interest for starting high school page on the department’s website.

It’s not far away now! Mother’s Day is on Sunday, 9^th May. If you would still like to contribute donations to sell on our stall, please bring them to the Administration Office by Wednesday, 5^th May. Thank you for all the wonderful Mother’s Day Stall donations we have already received.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated. 

Thank you to everyone who has generously donated to our Easter Raffle.  We really appreciate your support. 

The Easter Raffle will be drawn at a Special Assembly on Wednesday, 31 March, 2021 at 2:20pm.  Parents and families are welcome to attend.

Thank you also to our Governing Council members who have worked tirelessly to sort and wrap the prizes for the Easter Raffle.

Fundraising will go towards the next part of our Nature Play playground.

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

In Weeks 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.

There will be a Casual Day on Friday, 9th April, 2021.  Please see the flyer for details.

We need your help!

We need more players and coaches for our After School Sports teams.  The basketball teams are settled.  However, we are still looking for players for both soccer and netball.

Please consider coaching or playing -specifically:

SOCCER

U6's (YOB 2015 4-a-side)

We need 2 more players and  a coach and team manager. 

 U7's (DOB 2014 4-a-side)

This team is ready to go but a couple more players would make it more comfortable.

U8's (DOB 2013 7-a-side)

We are looking for around 4-6 more players to be able to make 2 teams.   

U9/10's (DOB 2012/2011 9-a-side)

We are looking for extra players to make a combined side as well.

U11's (DOB 2010 11-a-side)

We are looking for extra players in this age as well.

U12/13's (DOB 2008/2009 11-a-side)

We are also looking for extra players in this age too.

We currently have six teams ready but need more players in each to ensure we are not short on gameday, due to illness or other commitments. We would like a few extra players in all age groups. We still need a coach and team manager for our U6's, no prior experience is necessary and our soccer delegates, Graham and Adam can help you get started with training and match days if you wish. If you would like to coach then please contact the Administration Office staff.

NETBALL

We are still looking for players and a coach.  This year SUNA is having work done at their home grounds,so there will be a home and away series at different schools/venues.  

We want to give the students the opportunity of playing After School Sports but it is completely dependent on registrations and those who offer to coach.  So please, students,  consider being part of the netball team and parents, please consider being a coach or team manager.  

Thank you.