I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge that this year has been another challenging year. It got off to a rocky start. We had to make changes quickly to meet the evolving world of online and remote learning. While this was an unconventional start to the year it provided opportunities for collaboration, improved ICT skills and communication and importantly kept our students and community as safe as possible.

Throughout the year the focus of student improvement has always remained. At Pimpala we are committed to supporting students to achieve and improve academically, socially and emotionally. This would not be possible without our community and families. Thank you, as always, we could not have has such a successful year without your ongoing support.

The resilience and responsibility which our students have consistently demonstrated has been exceptional. Their willingness to try new things and challenge themselves to improve is commendable.

I would like to personally thank all of the staff for their dedication to the students and their education this year. Their passion for the education of our students has never wavered and we are all very proud of the growth in our students this year.

We had a very exciting final two weeks of the term with our End of Year Celebration in Week 8 and Graduation and Final Assembly in Week 9.

The End of Year Celebration was absolutely amazing, it was fantastic to see all of the students perform and to have our community together to celebrate the end of the year. I loved the enthusiasm of the students and the audience.

The Graduation was fabulous, our graduates spoken very eloquently and exemplified all of the qualities we would expect of our students. I was incredibly proud to present each of them with their graduation certificates. We had a delicious dinner at St Francis Winery and after the students got an opportunity to let their hair down and have lots of fun dancing, we had some very tired people at the end of the night.

I would like to welcome Elise Nankivell who will be joining Pimpala as our Student Wellbeing Leader. Elise is a very experienced educator with a strong focus and commitment to supporting students and families. She is very excited to meet with you all in 2023.

We are farewelling some of our staff this year.

Emma Shillum will be teaching at Noarlunga Downs Primary School.

Lauren Whitbread will be teaching at Paringa Park Primary School.

Kate Viney will be teaching at Flagstaff Primary School.

Heidi Kudler will be back in 2023 as a Temporary Relief Teacher and we cannot wait to have her back.

Susan Banks (Kaye) will also be returning in 2023 as a Temporary Relief Teacher as she loves us far too much to actually leave us.

Thank you to all of the staff that have positions at other schools next year, it has been wonderful to have you teach our students this year. We wish you all the best for 2023 and beyond.

Richard Kemp will be moving to Ascot Park as their Deputy Principal. We truly appreciate all that Mr Kemp has done for us over many years and in many roles. He will be missed and we wish him all the best in his new role. We know he will do an amazing job.

If you need to get in contact with the school over the holidays email is the quickest way. There will be administration staff onsite from 9 January 2023 if you need to call.

I wish you all a safe and happy holiday break. I am looking forward to summer finally starting and getting to enjoy the sunshine with my family.

I cannot wait to see you all in 2023. It is going to be another great year.

Kind Regards

Belinda Finlay-Smith

Principal

Principal                              Belinda Finlay-Smith
Deputy Principal                   Kingsley Heard
Student Wellbeing                Elise Nankivell

Reception                            Silvia Lang
Reception                            Rachel Pullman

Year 1/2                              Lauren Stanley
Year 1/2                              Nicole Currer
Year 1/2                              Tim Scott 

Year 3/4                              Jo Power
Year 3/4                              Emily Mooney-Doe/Rose Knight
Year 3/4                              Mel Scott

Year 5/6                              Nigel Branson
Year 5/6                              Chris Burns
Year 5/6                              Christine MacLean


AUSLAN                                Rose Knight
Performing Arts                     Sarah Pearce
Science                                Vance Smith
Physical Education                 Emily Mooney-Doe
AET                                      Deb Hampton
Student Learning Support       Elira Dixon

Please note this is subject to change.

Students visited their 2023 classes last week and met their teachers and classmates for next year.  This can be a very overwhelming experience for many students (and staff) and it is very important we talk with young people positively, to encourage resilience and a growth mindset when facing change. New experiences, new teachers and ways of working, all create challenges but also strengths, and realise their potential.

The allocation of students to classes is taken very seriously and a range of factors are taken into consideration as part of the class placement process; this includes individual learning, student relationships and other needs. We have a process early in Term 4 for communicating the learning needs of students but are not always able to meet requests due to restraints, and, even other requests. We maintain confidentiality in the request process and cannot elaborate on the details regarding other students. 

If you would like to speak to Leadership about your child’s class placement, please contact the Administration Office staff who will make a time for you.  

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 seedlings, building structures for climbing plants and constructing protective covers for our fruit trees.

Our MasterChef’s have also been cooking up a storm in the kitchen using beautiful fresh seasonal produce from the garden. Some of the student’s favourite dishes this term were; Kale and Parsley Dip, Herb and Garlic Rice, Pasta with Sage and Burnt Butter Sauce, Saltbush and Muntrie Soda Bread, Lemonade Scones with Homemade Apricot Jam, Peach and Coconut Ice cream, Deconstructed Fruit Crumble and Lavender Lemonade.

Even with the unseasonal weather the garden this year was still very productive producing enough fruit, vegetables and herbs to sustain our cooking lessons throughout the year. We had an abundance of apples, stone fruits, carrots, silver beet, figs and we even had our very first (small) crop of oranges! Our summer seedlings have now been planted and we look forward more productive crops next year.

Once again, we would not be able to run this amazing, educational and beneficial program without the ongoing support of wonderful volunteers who give up their time to assist students in both garden and cooking lessons. From students, staff and myself we cannot thank you enough for the valuable help you have been able to provide the program throughout the year. Merry Christmas and I look forward to seeing you all in the new year.

Michele Smith

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program Coordinator

Volunteer Mobile 0408637850

 All Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 students from Mr Scott, Ms Whitbread/Ms Lang, Ms Shillum, Ms Currer and Ms Stanley's classes attended swiming in Week 5 of this term.

Whilst it was wild and wet outside, the students enjoyed learning water safety skills in the heated pools of the Noarlunga Aquatic Centre.

It was a great, albeit exhausting week, enjoyed  by all students and a fantastic end to the year.

What an amazing performance by all of our classes on Thursday, 8 December at End of Year Concert.  We had a fantastic turn out with a large number of family and friends watching the students shine.

Although the weather was threatening, the quality and diversity of performances kept everyone enthralled.

Congratulations to the End Of Year Celebration committee for such a fabulous event. 

At the Graduation Ceremony on Thursday night, 15 December a number of awards were presented to the following Year 6 students.  Congratulations to all of our graduating students, and specifically to the students who received special awards.

Award - Outstanding Academic Achievement Highest Aggregate Academic Achievement Dux of the School

Sponsored by - Pimpala Primary School

Winner - Caitlyn B

Award - Outstanding Academic Endeavour

Sponsored by - Pimpala Primary School

Winner - Vanessa M

Award - Initiative and Excellence

Sponsored by -  Amanda Rishworth Member for Kingston

Winner - Jada W

Award - Upholding our School Values through Resilience

Sponsored by -  Rotary Club Morphett Vale

Winner - Emma L

Award - Upholding our School Values through Responsibility

Sponsored by -  Rotary Club Morphett Vale

Winner - Chelsea W

Award - School Commitment and Diligence

Sponsored by -  Governing Council

Winner - Catie W

Award - Recognition and Encouragement

Sponsored by -  Noarlunga Morphett Vale Lions Club

Winners - Azaleah S & Ellaa L

Award - Compassion and Leadership

Sponsored by -  Nat Cook Member for Fisher

Winner - Grace B

Award - Respect and Pride

Sponsored by - Rick's Motors

Winner - Mark D

Award - Integrity through Leadership

Sponsored by -  Senator Don Farrell (Deputy Leader of the Opposition)

Winner - Nicholas F

Award - Kaye Wilde Memorial Award for Passion and Commitment to the Arts

Sponsored by -  Wilde Family

Winner - Amelia T

Award - Passion and Commitment to Sport

Sponsored by -  Desma & Esma Eldridge

Winner - James B

If you would like a tour of our school, please ring to make an appointment with the Principal, Belinda Finlay-Smith.  This enables any interested families the chance to ask individual questions and to provide specific information about your child/ren in a confidential setting.

If you or anyone you know is looking to enrol at Pimpala or find out more about what our school offers, please contact the Adminstration Office on 8326 0900 in the first instance to make an appointment.

The following school events/dates are scheduled during Term 1, 2023.   Please make sure you put these dates in your diary.

Assemblies - 10:00am on Friday mornings

Week 1 -    3 February

Week 4 -    24 February

Week 7 -    17 March

Acquaintance Night/Annual General Meeting

Week 3 - 15 February - Wednesday evening

School Photos

Week 6 - 8 March - Wednesday

Governing Council Meetings

Week 3 -   15 February - AGM

Week 8  - 22 March - regular meeting

NAPLAN

Week 7+8 - 16 to 24 March

Three Way Conferences - Parent Teacher Meetings

Week 10  - 3-6 April - Monday to Thursday

Public Holidays

Week 7 -    13 March - Adelaide Cup Day

Week 10 -   7 April - Good Friday

Week 11 -   10 April - Easter Monday

Colour Fun Run

Week 11 -    14 April

Please note:  All school events are subject to change or cancellation due to any COVID/SA Health restrictions at that time.

School Starts:               8:50 am
                                    Students must be in class
                                    when the bell sounds

Recess Eating Time:     10:40 am

Recess Play Time:        10:50 am – 11:10 am

Lunch Eating Time:      12:40 pm – 12:50 pm

Lunch Play Time:         12:50 pm – 1:30 pm

Dismissal:                     3:10 pm

The Uniform Shop will be open Wednesday 25 January, 2023 from 1:30pm – 3:00pm for your convenience.  Uniform bundles will be available from this day for the first 4 weeks of term.

Qkr! will be closed from 28 December, 2022 until 2 January, 2023.  We apologise for any inconvenience.

Preliminary Notice:  School fees for 2023 will be $285 per student. 

Invoices will be raised early next year. Please only make payment when you receive your invoice.

School Card forms will be available at that time. 

The canteen will be open from Week 2 next year, to allow time for stock to arrive.  Lunch orders and counter sales will commence on Monday, 6 February.  A new menu/price list will be sent home early in Term 1.

The school holidays can be a challenging time for children, parents and caregivers.

 If you, your child, or someone you know is doing it tough and you are unsure of how to help, the kids helpline is a great starting point. You can make a freecall 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 55 1800 or visit their website www.kidshelpline.com.au

 This service is not only for kids. Adolescents, parents and caregivers can access this great resource.