31 August 2015

Newsletter Articles

Principal's Message

Thank you P&C and parents who through the P&C voluntary contribution scheme have generously donated $12, 000 so all our classrooms can be air-conditioned by the end of this year. 4BJ and 3B classrooms will be the first to have air conditioners installed followed by KM, 1C and 2FD classrooms. This will greatly enhance the learning environment of all SIPPS students and staff.

Last week we were very fortunate to have onsite the skill and expertise of a team of SIPPS dads to help construct our new eco-garden beds. This great team of volunteers put their power tools to excellent use so that all students at SIPPS will soon be able to sow and harvest a crop of nutritious and delicious produce. I would like to thank the eco-garden committee members who have successfully funded and coordinated this project.

Recently Liz Kilpatrick, Director of our former OOSH provider, Acron Road Out Of School Hours Care, presented their closing account balance to our school. This substantial amount will fund the installation of air-conditioning to the rooms used by OOSH students as well as the enhancement of the garden and playground outside the OOSH building.

Preparations for the Fathers' Day breakfast are going splendidly thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of our 1C class parents. Thank you to Daniella O'Leary and Kerry Cameron who are also coordinating the auction of class artworks. The students under the guidance of their talented teachers have prepared unique and beautiful artworks to sell to the highest bidders. These artworks will be on display on a rotating basis in the office foyer and will be in the hall for public viewing next Tuesday afternoon, and Wednesday 2 September. Please see the following flyer for details.

I was very pleased and proud to be present at the regional final of the Multicultural Public Speaking Competition in which 4BJ's Aiden competed with nine other finalists from schools across northern Sydney. He is one of the top 70 students from an original pool of 2000 who participated in this competition at The Arts Unit in Lewisham. He presented a prepared speech entitled 'Multiculturalism at School' and an impromptu speech on the topic 'Making Choices'. Congratulations and well-done Aiden!

Congratulations to all of our junior and senior school finalists in the Premier's Spelling Bee 2015. Best wishes to the following students who will be attending the Regional final at Lindfield Public School on 15 September.

Junior (Stage 2) Competition Winners:

Annie
Rachael

Senior Competition (Stage 3) Winners:

Iris
Talia

A special commendation to Sean Simunovic and Julian Box who won their division but are unable to attend the regional final and will be replaced with reserve winners. Thank you to Mr Guzman for coordinating our school's involvement in this competition.

In May 2015, more than a million Australian school students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 undertook common tests across the country in Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation and Numeracy. The NAPLAN tests provide a 'point in time' account of how each student is performing compared to children of the same age across Australia, with the overall school results valuable for planning future directions in our curriculum. Individual results, once received, should not be viewed in isolation, but should be considered with the various forms of assessment provided by class teachers throughout the year.

Congratulations to students in Year 3 and Year 5 whose personal best efforts in learning were reflected in their results which once again show that St Ives Park PS students are performing above state average in all Literacy and Numeracy components. I would also like to thank and acknowledge our teachers for their hard work and dedication in preparing our students well. Should you have any questions about your child's results please see their teacher.

Inspiring & Nurturing Successful Lifelong Learners

Positive Partnerships & Connected Learning

SIPPS Year 5 students recently participated in a collaborative 9 x 5 Art Project with St Ives High School students along with students from other nearby primary schools. As part of the program, Year 9 students from St Ives High School guided and informed Year 5 students about the work of the Australian Impressionists; both in a historical and practical sense. At this time, students created artworks that responded to their local area and incorporated Impressionist techniques in 9" by 5" landscape paintings.

The following year 5 students were selected by their peers as the top 9 entrants for the final exhibition of the 9 x 5 Project at St Ives High School on Tuesday 25th August. These students will receive a prize pack to celebrate their inclusion in the finals exhibition.

Zoe T
Zoe Y
Jessica
Lua
Hisae
Tyler F
Patrick
Sam
Owen

The aim of the project was multi layered and incorporated a desire to foster a love for the Visual Arts as well to provide students with wider possibilities in the creation of art works, along with providing opportunities for older students to embrace a leadership and nurturing role, as they became 'art teachers' to the younger students.

In all, over 100 primary students and 24 high school students participated in the project. The artworks from the finals exhibition will be displayed at St Ives Shopping Centre from 31 August to 18 September. A senior and junior winner will be announced and awarded the grand prize of a Canon camera.

Mr Guzman

SIPPS students recently enjoyed a special Aboriginal performance called Wurunui.

The performance was presented by Matthew Doyle, well known Didgeridoo player, dancer, musician and cultural educator. The students engaged with Matthew in a range of authentic activities including music making and singing and some were invited on to the stage to enact a story through dance. SIPPS plans to build knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and traditions through their enrolment in MGoals.

MGoals is a website building project that encourages schools to collaborate with their local Aboriginal community in building a local community website resource. This will provide our students with an opportunity to discover more about Aboriginal heritage and identity, building self-esteem and confidence.

Another aspect of the project allows students to interact with teachers, parents and mentors to set goals for living and learning.

Mrs Anderson

Stage 3 Science - 2nd Antarctica Video Conference 20 August

In order to further enhance this term's Stage 3s scientific investigation of 'Light' coinciding with our Science Week theme of "Making waves – the science of light" from an Antarctic perspective, Year 5 valuably participated in a second live and interactive video conference with Casey Station. In this 'International Year of Light', the students took a look at how light affects, and is used in research in Antarctica. Our Year 5s were able to ask a question to Casey Station's Pete (station leader), Cathryn (doctor) and Will (diesel mechanic) about the ways in which light is used in different Antarctic research and exploration. The three researchers gave further information about their life on the highest, driest, windiest and coldest continent on earth, and explained more about the work they do. The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience making their own digital diary of the event using their BYODD devices. Below are some photos of this video conference.

Mr Guzman

Stage One has enjoyed the opportunity to make Movie Bug animations. This has been a fantastic unit which integrated English, Science, Technology and Creative Arts creating many opportunities for in-depth learning.

First, the students enjoyed hands on experience exploring our school for a range of insects and other creatures. Then they examined them closely on the interactive whiteboard using the iPad's zoom function. Next they got into small teams and used the internet to research their chosen bug. This information was then used to prepare information reports. Student's then decided which information they wanted to include in their storyboard and prepared a script to accompany their animation. They enjoyed some creative construction time inventing a "movie bug" to star in their animation. Finally, they prepared the scene and filmed their stop animations.

We hope you enjoy our movies!

Melissa Field and Stage One

Notes from Office

If you have a child starting school in 2016 please assist us with our planning by completing an enrolment form as soon as possible. If you know of any children who will be starting school next year and have not yet completed a form, please ask them to collect a form from the office or to simply telephone and we will post one to them. Thank you for your assistance.

School Photo Day

This is scheduled for Thursday 3rd September. Photo order envelopes have been sent home for each child. Please follow the instructions on the outside of the envelope if you wish to order photos. All photo envelopes must be returned to the school prior to Photo Day.

Woolworths Earn and Learn Sticker Collection

Our school has a collection box outside Woolworths at St Ives Shopping Village. Stickers can be dropped in the box there, or brought into the school office for collection. The sticker sheets can be downloaded from the website woolworths.com.au/earnandlearn. This program finishes on Tuesday 8th September.

Library News

K-2 enjoyed the musical performance entitled 'Shine a Light!' on Friday August 21st. They enjoyed seeing the Children's Book Council of Australia short listed books 'My two blankets', 'The Duck and the Darklings' and 'Scary Night' come to life in a tale exploring self-esteem. Learning to love who you are and using light to face your inner darkness were important themes in the performance.

Students enjoyed watching, singing, acting, dancing and wearing their masks to celebrate that books light up our world.

It was a wonderful show!

Miss Muddell

PSSA

Below is the draw for this week's PSSA Matches

Friday 4 September Senior Netball Semi Final - Canoon Road
Friday 4 September Senior Soccer Semi Final – to be advised

Parents & Citizens Association

Tennis Courts

SIPPS Tennis Courts available for permanent and casual hire. To arrange a booking please call Vera Dedijer 0403 500 301 or sippstennis@gmail.com

Uniform Shop

The UNIFORM SHOP is open every Wednesday in the odd weeks of term – the next date being Wednesday 9th September 8.30 am to 9.30 am.

Bare Creek Trail Run

Sunday 1st November 2015
BCTR Call For Immediate Action!

The BCTR may be 2 months away BUT to give the event every chance of success we need your immediate action:

1. Enter you and your family to participate or volunteer www.barecreektrailrun.com
2. Encourage as many of your friends and family as possible to enter the event now

Here is a link to our facebook page BCTR event https://www.facebook.com/events/401434973378467/ This is a great and simple way to encourage people you know to join us on race day please 'invite' people you know to attend the event.

If you want more information contact info@barecreektrailrun.com

Community Notices

Mona Vale Nippers

Mona Vale Nippers - a great way to learn surf safety and awareness and have a load of fun with your friends!

Meeting at Mona Vale Beach at 8.45am on a Sunday morning, come and explore the beach life while learning valuable skills and making long-lasting friendships along the way.

Registrations are Sunday 6 and 13 September, 9am - 12pm at the clubhouse - please see our website for more information: http://monavaleslsc.org.au/#/home/4550052266, or call us on 9999 3614.

Fiona Gow
Nippers Registrar - Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club
0419 693751