Term 4 has continued to be a busy time with lots of events and opportunities for our students. Our Year 6 & 7 students were able to embrace an opportunity to attend the Flinders University for a campus experience day fully funded by The Smith Family. 

The students were able to explore and engage in STEM and Team Building challenges and got to experience a day in the life of a uni-student - well one with limited commitments in their student diary for the day.

Students were impressed with the faciilities and programs on offer and demonstrated this by their exemplary behaviour on the day.  Well done Year 6 & 7s.

The Year 5/6/7s had a wonderful, if not a bit cool, time at the Port Noarlunga Aquatics and Beach Safety Program on Wednesday.  We received feedback from the program staff who were impressed with our students' great attitudes and behaviour on the day.  It makes us really proud when we get this kind of feed back.  Great work everyone.

Bike Ed is continuing for our Year 4 students. This week they are leaving the school for short bursts. I am amazed at how their skills have developed over the last few lessons. 

Great news! Our Library is back in action and looks wonderful with a new coat of paint and carpet.  We are planning on new Library office furniture to be installed during the Christmas holidays and I am sure Karen will decorate the Library to an amazing WOW standard!

As the Student Wellbeing Leader I have had the privilege of engaging with many parents and most students to support the wellbeing and engagement of our children. I am constantly pleased and surprised at the adaptability of our students and their courage in rising to expectations and coping with change.

What is Wellbeing? Wellbeing is about feeling good and doing (or functioning) well.

Feeling good

Feelings of happiness, contentment, enjoyment, curiosity and engagement are characteristic of someone who has a positive experience of their life.

Functioning well

Experiencing positive relationships, having some control over one’s life and having a sense of purpose are all important attributes of wellbeing. Wellbeing is important for everyone – including you!

As this busy time of year approaches it is easy to miss the opportunity to take time to chat to everyone in your family, especially the children about how they are feeling. What are their thoughts about holidays approaching, transitions to new classes, new teachers or new schools next year? What are they feeling about the upcoming break away from school and perhaps missing friends? What are the times you are able to set aside for connection with each other to build happy memories over the holiday break?  All these chats give children a sense of connection and purpose and make them and their families stronger when the busy-ness of life impacts our routines.

Don’t forget you can always make a time to come and see me if there is anything you need to discuss or let me know about to support your child.

The last of our transition visits for our 2022 Reception students will take place on Tuesday, 16 November from 9:00am – 12:00 noon.

Parents are invited to an information session at 11:30am for half an hour prior to the transition visit finishing.

The Uniform Shop is open before the session at 8:45am for our new Reception families for 2022.

Recently families were emailed information and a link to the Poll about the Material and Services Fee for 2022. If you have not already done so, please vote.  Voting closes on Friday, 19 November, 2021.

Governing Council has approved a proposed materials and services charge amount of $265 per student for 2022, which is an increase of $12 per student from the regulated amount recoverable. 

The increase is to assist with funding the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program.

If the majority of parents support the Governing Council’s proposal that the materials and services charge of $265 be compulsory, then all parents, caregivers and independent students (excluding approved School Card holders) are liable for this charge.

Each family is entitled to one vote per student per poll, with a majority based on the number of respondents. 

We encourage you to consider the benefits of this increase across the school as you decide which way to vote.

The poll closes on Friday, 19 November, 2021.

Week 7 Monday, 22 November to Friday 26 November 2021

Location: Noarlunga Aquatic and Recreation Centre

During Week 7 students in Reception - Years 4 will be attending swimming lessons at the Noarlunga Aquatic and Recreation Centre. These lessons are part of the Education Department Swimming and Aquatics program which provides swimming and water safety lessons to all students in Government primary schools.

Reception to Year 2 students are entitled to 3.45 hours per year of free swimming instruction, equating to 5 x 45 minute lessons.

Year 3- Year 4 students are entitled to 7.5 hours per year of free swimming instruction, equating to 5 x 90 minute lessons.

Please note that the swimming instruction provided by the Education Department Swimming and Aquatics program is free. The fees cover the cost of transport of students to and from the Noarlunga Aquatic and Recreation Centre and the pool entry fees.

Swimming fees must be paid in full prior to the program commencing. The total cost of the program for 2021 is $40.00 per student and is payable by Monday, 15 November.  

You must complete the paper water safety consent form for Swimming as this form must be given to the Noarlunga Aquatic and Recreation Centre.

As swimming and water safety are included as part of the Australian Curriculum, all students are required to participate. If for financial reasons this timeline proves difficult, please speak to Helen, the Finance Officer as soon as possible to arrange a payment plan.

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 the Noarlunga Aquatic and Recreation Centre. Failure to have a valid Health Care Plan signed by a doctor and appropriate medication could result in your child not being able to undertake the swimming program.

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS PARENTS ARE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND ANY SESSIONS.  

Now is a great time to start looking for any Library books you may have borrowed during the year but haven’t yet returned.  We will be commencing stock-take in Week 8 - the week commencing Monday, 29 Novmeber so please return any/all books by Friday, 26 November or earlier if possible.

Thank you for your assistance.

The Art Gallery of South Australia

Year 3-5 Excursion

On Thursday 2 December, students from the Year 3/4 and Year 4/5 classes will be travelling to the Art Gallery of South Australia to view the Taranathi Exhibition. The excursion will conclude with a workshop for the students in the Kids Studio.

We will be travelling by chartered bus and will depart school at 9:00 am. Students will need to be at school by 8:50 am on the day of the excursion to ensure we depart on time. We will return to school by 3:00 pm.

 Student will need to:

• Be in full Pimpala Primary School uniform and wear enclosed shoes.
• Bring their school hat.
• Bring a packed recess, lunch and fruit.
• Bring a drink bottle filled with water.
• Have all of their things in a bag that they are able to carry themselves.
• Please ensure that all belongings are named.

There is no cost for this excursion.

 Please sign and return the permission slip or complete permission form via the Qkr! app by Thursday 25^th November, (you do not need to return the form if you complete it on Qkr!)

On Wednesday, 1 December there will be a Special Lunch - $7.50 Hot Dog Meal Deal.  Please see the attached for details.

We need your help!  We are planning a Christmas Special Lunch on Wednesday, 1 December and we need more hands on deck in the canteen.

If you have your DHS or DCSI Working With Children Clearance and have completed your Volunteer RAN-EC training, we would love your assistance on the day.  Even if you can spare just an hour we would really appreciate it.  

A snack will be provided for volunteers.

Our End of Year Celebration will be held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, 5:00pm – 7:00pm in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines.  

Please be aware that, should restrictions change, you will be notified as soon as possible.

All visitors to our school must follow all current restrictions including wearing masks, QR Code Check In on arrival, practise social distancing and use of hand sanitiser. Please ensure that you use the entrance point between the library and the COLA.

Each family will be able have two guests not including current school students. Please book on our website (link below) by Friday, November 26. If you require additional tickets please call the Administration Office to be added to a wait list. After November 26, we will allocate all remaining tickets to the families on the wait list.

https://pimpalaps.schoolzineplus.com/event/225

Students will be expected to be at school from 4.45pm in order to meet their teachers and make sure they are organised.

We encourage families to purchase food and drinks which are available on the night or to bring a picnic dinner. We also encourage families to bring along their rugs and chairs, as seating will not be provided. This is a strictly no alcohol event.

Class teachers will contact families on Seesaw to discuss costumes/clothing.

We cannot wait to celebrate 2021 with you all and are excited for our students to entertain us with their performances!

Please note: this event may be changed or cancelled due to COVID-19 regulations.

Excitement is building for the Year 6 &7 Graduation which will be held on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at the Wirreanda Secondary School Theatre commencing at 5:00pm. 

Students and staff will then travel by chartered bus to attend a dinner at St Francis Winery. Parents/carers will need to collect students from St Francis Winery at 10:00pm sharp.

The cost is $42.00 which includes transport, food, drinks and a graduation gift.  Payment is due by Thursday, December 2, 2021.  Payment can be made on the Qkr! App.  An online consent form is available when you make the payment.  Payments can also be made at the Finance Office. 

Due to current COVID-19 restrictions we have to limit the amount of tickets that are available for each family. Each graduate will be able to have four guests. Families are able to call the school to be put on a wait list if they require more than four tickets.

 Please book your tickets on the website (link below) by Thursday, December 2, 2021. After this date the remaining tickets will be allocated to those on the wait list.

 https://www.pimpalaps.sa.edu.au/event/206

Please note:  this event may be changed or cancelled subject to COVID-19 regulations.

If you know of anyone who is planning to enrol at our school or if you are  planning to move schools next year can you please let us know.  This not only helps with planning the number and year levels of classes for next year, it also enables us to make sure every student has a least one friend in their class.  

Each fortnight teachers identify students who have demonstrated the school values of Responsibility, Respect and Resilience to a high standard and nominate them to receive an award - usually at the Assembly.  Awards are only awarded when the values are observed and deserved so some weeks there may be more and some weeks less awards.

Congratulations to the students who received an award at the assembly held on Thursday, 11 November, 2021. Great work!

Silvia Lang - Reception - Caitlyn G, Aidan Q

Rachel Pullman - Reception - Phoebe H, Tait J

Katy Abbott - Year 1/2 - William F, Nevaeh B

Nicole Currer - Year 1/2 - Mira S-M, Ethan S

Sandra Howlett - Year 1/2 - Vincent O, Mekhi D

Lauren Whitbread - Year 1/2 - Selina M, Jessica B

Rachel Wickham/Elira Dixon - Dakota B, Emily P

Mel Yates - Year 3/4 - Harrison K, Max N

Jo Power - Year 4/5 -  Seth R, Emmanuella O, Lucas Z, Owen R

Lauren Stanley - Year 4/5 - Robert M, Saoirse S

Chris Burns - Year 5/6 - No awards given

Alyssa Rigney - Year 5/6 - Tobi R, Jada W

Nigel Branson - Year 6/7 - Izak W, Isaac E, Jet W

Troy Martinsen - Year 6/7 - Thayne N, Emily B, Bailey E

Rose Knight - Auslan - Nathan S, Ayaan A

Henry Carey - William M, Jack C

In recent past years, Pimpala has co-ordinated donations of canned and non-perishable food, decorations and presents for distribution to families in need. These items are used to make hampers for the less fortunate in our community.  We are very grateful to be able to organise this.

If you are aware of anyone in our community who is doing it tough and who would benefit from a hamper, can you please let leadership or administration staff know

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, decorations or unwrapped new presents and toys to the Administration Office.

This term the Year 4/5 classes have been participating in the kitchen garden program. Students have been extremely productive, harvesting, mulching, weeding, seed saving, planting, preparing garden beds for summer planting, building structures for climbing plants, constructing protective covers for our fruit trees as well as giving our scare-crows a makeover. Our 'MasterChef’s' have also been cooking up a storm in the kitchen and cooking dishes using beautiful fresh seasonal produce from the garden.

Some of the student’s favourite dishes so far have been, Herb Pinwheels, Vegetarian Fried Rice, Chocolate and Beetroot Muffins and Deconstructed Fruit Crumble. Students are looking forward to making the Lemon, Leek and Herb Risotto, Fruit Sorbet and Tropical punch (just to name a few) over the coming weeks.

During our first week of cooking we watched knife skills demonstration videos and have since been perfecting our knife skills. Students also learnt about chopstick etiquette and also got to use chopsticks when eating the fried rice that we made.

Many changes have been happening in the garden this year. The old blue broken garden beds are gone and have been replaced with brightly painted recycled pipping off cuts. The new beds have been filled with soil and compost ready for our summer crops be planted out. Many new varieties of bush tucker plants have been planted in the Indigenous Garden.  The timber garden beds from the back section of the garden have moved to a different area to make way for another small orchard, so exciting times ahead!

A big thank you to all the students, staff and volunteers who have assisted so far this year with making these big changes and making our garden such an amazing space. Even with these changes the garden was still very productive producing enough fruits, vegetables and herbs to sustain our cooking lessons throughout the year.

Michele Smith

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program Coordinator

Volunteer Mobile 0408637850

Thanks to our partnership with Credit Union SA School Community Rewards, our school community could save money for their families whilst raising money for our school! Please check out their post to find out more”