We have some really exciting events coming up in the calendar in the next few weeks, starting with the Years 3-5 camp to Mylor next Monday, 16 August. If the energy and excitement within the school is anything to go by, it will be an amazing three days for everyone!  The Years 5-7 camp will follow the next week from Monday 23rd and on their return should be a fabulous opportunity for students across Years 3-7 to compare and constrast notes over their favourite parts.  School camps can be a daunting experience for students, particularly their first ocassion but it provides learning incredible experiences and is something students always remember in years to come. A huge thank you to all staff involved in making camp this year a reality and an extended thank you to your families for their support.  Many of our staff have made extra plans to ensure their own families are supported while they join their classes on camp and this does not go unnoticed.

Next week is National Science Week with the theme, Food: Different by design and our school will be celebrating Science Week on Friday, 27 August. More details about Science Week will be shared closer to this date.

This year the Children's Book Council Awards Book Week is 21-27 August and our school will be celebrating throughout this week with a range of activities and a dress up day on Friday, 3 September. You can read see the article in this newsletter for more details.  This year's theme is Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds.

This is the last newsletter with Mrs. Wilde as the Principal. After moving to South Australia and starting at Pimpala Primary School in 2017, she is returning to live in Hobart where she has family.  Mrs. Belinda Finlay-Smith will be principal for the remainder of the year and there is a process in place to replace her vacancy as Deputy Principal.  Her replacement will be announced as soon as it has been filled.  

We appreciate the ongoing support from our community in adapting to staff changes. While it is not always easy to say farewell, it brings opportunities for new people to join a wonderful team of educators working within a respected and caring school environment.

Kind Regards

Penny Wilde          Belinda Finlay-Smith          Christine MacLean

Principal               Deputy Principal                 Wellbeing Leader

We have a new start date for JUMPSTART AT PIMPALA, our new, free playgroup program for 3-5 year olds with parents/caregivers on Friday, 13 August, 2021. Younger siblings are also welcome to attend. 

More information is available by following the link https://pimpalaps.sa.edu.au/jumpstart-at-pimpala or to book in, please phone Pimpala Primary School on 8326 0900, or email dl.1059.info@schools.sa.edu.au or come into the Administration Office and see Barb or Kylie.

Please note: A completed Form O preschool enrolment form is required for attendance.

As with all school events, this is subject to change or cancellation due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Families will be advised about high school offers on Friday, 13 August.  If you have any questions, or if you have not received an offer on Friday, please see Barb in the first instance.

On Friday we celebrated Principal's Day with a morning tea and bunch of flowers for our Principal, Penny Wilde.

Primary Principals' Day is a day to recognise the work that principals do throughout  Australia's primary schools. 

The aim of the day is to acknowledge the value and contribution that principals from all around Australia bring every day to their respective schools and the impact they have on children. And now, more than ever, we have seen principals step up to leadership challenges faced by COVID-19. The day celebrates how schools, staff members, students and families can benefit from strong leadership.  

Planning is continuing for 2022.  We are looking at class configurations and need accurate numbers for each year level to plan the best possible scenarios.  Consequently we would like to know if you are planning to leave the school. 

We will seek your feedback early in Term 4 regarding your child’s placement.  If there are any issues you would like considered, please email the leadership team so that this information can be referred to when class placements are made later in the year.  If there are any matters requiring more urgent attention, please speak to the teacher in the first instance.   

We also want to make sure we have all siblings listed.  If you have had a child recently, or if you are not sure whether you have lodged an enrolment form or registration of interest for any siblings, please check with the Administration Office.  We don’t want to miss anyone!

Principal Tours have been scheduled for the following dates and times:  

• 23 August, 2021 at 4:30pm
• 30 August, 2021 at 9:30am
• 13 September, 2021 at 9:30am and at 4:30pm
• 18 October, 2021 at 9:30am and at 4:30pm

Please book in with the Administration Office if you plan to attend by phoning 8326 0900.

Please note: as will all school events, the Principal Tours are subject to change/cancellation due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Term 3 Canteen Menu is attached.

Please note that some items in this menu have been paused in the Qkr app.

Canteen_Menu_Term_3_2021.pdf

The students from Ms Wickham, Ms Yates, Ms Stanley and Ms Power’s classes will be attending camp on the 16, 17, 18 of August.

The students from Ms Rigney, Mr Burns, Ms MacLean and Mr Branson’s classes will be attending camp on the 23, 24, 25 of August.

Subject any new COVID-19 restrictions, the school camps will go ahead.  

PACKING LIST FOR CAMP

 For student safety and enjoyment, we ask that they pack all of the equipment listed below, and that they don’t take things that they are asked not to bring. Please  pack all of their gear into ONE MEDIUM SIZED duffel bag (or similar), plus a sleeping bag. Do not bring excess gear as luggage space is limited. Consider warmth, sun protection and comfort when packing (avoid short shorts or clothes that you do not want to get dirty). Please note that wearing footwear is required at all times around the campsite at Mylor Adventure Camp.

 PERSONAL CLOTHES & EQUIPMENT

• Bring a change of clothes you are comfortable wearing on the bus to and from camp.
• Refillable Water bottle (labelled)
• Rain jacket (if rain is forecast)
• Thick jacket for night time activities
• Sunscreen
• First Day Morning Tea and Lunch
• 3 sets of day clothes (We suggest you put them in a labelled bag for each day)
• 2 set of night/bed clothes
• 2 pairs of comfortable enclosed shoes
• A change of socks and underwear for each day of camp
• Old clothes that can get wet and muddy
• Bathers, board shorts and a rash vest or t-shirt (no singlets) for one activity
• Plastic bag for wet clothes
• 2 Towels
• Sleeping Bag
• Pillow
• Toiletries – toothpaste and toothbrush, body wash, shampoo, hair brush
• Torch (if desired)
• Beanie and gloves

PLEASE DO NOT BRING

• Electronic equipment (including mobile phones, iPads) – if you bring any electronic equipment it will be confiscated and not returned until you return to school
• Foods containing whole Nuts or nut products (traces of nuts OK)
• Aerosol sprays (eg deodorant, perfume, repellent, etc…roll-on only)
• Any items against school rules.

Woo hoo!  We're having a disco!

Students get your dancing shoes ready!  Are you working on some new moves?  Here is your chance to impress at The Amazing Magic Mike Disco which will be held on Thursday night, 9 September, 2021, the day before the School Closure Day for the Royal Adelaide Show. 

What to expect:

• AMAZING DJ LIGHT SHOW
• THE LATEST FUN MUSIC
• ENGAGING INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT

 Session Times:

• Reception - Year 2        5:30pm – 6:30pm
• Years 3-7                     6:45pm – 8.15pm 

Tickets are $5.00 and include a pop-top drink, packet of chips (gluten free option is available) and a glow stick.  Forms will be sent home soon. 

Please pay and complete the form on the Qkr! app or at the Finance Window before 9:00am on Wednesday, 8 September for catering purposes. 

Please note:  this event is for the students only!

There is a School Closure Day on Friday, 10 September, 2021 to celebrate Adelaide Show Week.

OSHC will be closed on the School Closure Day to provide an opportunity for staff to complete professional development.

Pimpala Primary School's Sun Smart Policy states that hats must be worn throughout the school year except for Winter months, 1 June to 31 August. 

Students will require hats at school from Thursday, 1 September. Hats are for sale from the Uniform Shop and also Qkr! and cost $15.00.

It is School Service Officers Week from the 16 – 20 August. At Pimpala Primary School we appreciate the skill and expertise of our SSOs during . We are very fortunate to have a fantastic team of support staff helping to care for and educate our students, and help run our school efficiently.  They always go above and beyond the call of duty for the benefit of our students, staff and school and we look forward to celebrating with them during Week 5.

Our heartfelt thanks to:

Science Day will be held on Friday, 27 August this year.  As in the past, students will participate in a number of specially prepared experiments during the day and generally have a great time.  

This is an excellent opportunity to talk to your child about all things Science and to find out the highlights of the day.

Don’t forget, Father’s Day is on Sunday 5 September.

We will have some wonderful gifts for sale at the Father’s Day Stall. Gifts will be avaliable to be purchased from Friday, 27 August to Wednesday, 1 September. Gifts will start from $0.50 and go up to $15.00. 

Gift vouchers can also be purchased on QKR! for students to select gifts without the need to bring in cash.

Children will have the opportunity to buy gifts at the Father’s Day Stall on Thursday, 2 September with their class during the day.

Families can also buy gifts from the stall after school on Thursday, 2 September and also before and after school on Friday, 3 September. 

We are still accepting donations of new items for the stall.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

This year's Book Week theme is Old Worlds, New Words, Other Worlds.

During Week 7 we will celebrate Book Week by having an Art Gallery in the Hall.  Students will create art work based on a 2021 Children's Book Week nominated book, read by their class.

Families will have the opportunity to see the Art Gallery before school from 8:30am to 9:00am and after school from 3:10 to 3:45pm during Book Week. Entry numbers will be limited at the door to ensure we are following COVID regulations. 

Students will be able to come to school dressed as their favourite book character on Friday, 3 September, 2021.

The Junior Primary classes will be taking part in an educational learning experience at Adelaide Zoo this Term. This excursion complements the curriculum along with providing students a valuable opportunity to interact in a social capacity with their peers.

On Monday, 13 September Ms Lang, Ms Currer and Ms Abbott's classes and on Tuesday, 14 September, Ms Howlett, Ms Pullman and Ms Whitbread's classes will travel by bus to the Adelaide Zoo.

The total cost will be $21 per student, which includes their entry fee to the zoo, an educator led session and transport costs. If you have any queries regarding payment, or need to organise a payment plan, please see Helen in the Finance Office.  Payment is due by Wednesday, 8 September at the latest.

Information and invoices will be sent home later this week.

Aussie of the Month recognise 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.

It 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.

Aussie of the Month reflects school 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, staff nominate students as candidates Aussie of the Month and then a student is elected to receive this special award to celebrate their commitment to the values we embrace at our school. The student to receive this award for the month of July is Lilianna from 1/2 Howlett.

Lilianna received our Aussie of the Month award for: always striving to be her best and work for the best in others. She shows dedication, respect and care at all times and is a loyal friend.

At the Pimpala Primary School Assembly on Friday, 6th August the following merit certificates were awarded.  Congratulations to all of the recipients.  You are great role models for your peers.  Well done!