12 October 2015

Newsletter Articles

Principal's Message

Welcome back to a new term of positive learning opportunities at St Ives Park Public School. I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the students and their families who have just joined our school. I'm sure that you will enjoy the friendly and engaging learning community that we have here at SIPPS.

World Teachers' Day

Last Monday, October 5 was World Teachers' Day which is celebrated annually in over 100 countries. SIPPS teachers contribute every day to building a stronger future for our community and Australia through their outstanding commitment and passion towards inspiring and nurturing our students to become successful lifelong learners. Their dedication to achieve this vision means that our teachers truly do touch the future!

Important Parent Forum

This term we will see the official launch of the PBL (Positive Behaviour for Learning) initiative. We are now pleased to announce that the official launch is planned for Assembly on Wednesday 4th November.

To ensure that the parent community has a thorough understanding of how this program of positive behaviour management works, we have invited Jenny Smith, Head Teacher and coach for the implementation at SIPPS, to speak at a parent forum in the library next Monday 19th October from 2pm.

Jeri Apter and Mrs Kathie Anderson will also expand on Jenny's presentation by explaining the implications of the program for St Ives Park. They will also explain how we will transition from our existing merit award system to the new system.

Parent understanding and support of the program will ensure a smooth transition to the full implementation of the program. We are looking forward to your participation in the forum on Monday 19th October.

Your child may have recently received one of our new Merit Awards to recognise their achievement of one or more of the school's PBL expectations Respect, Responsibility or Personal Best.

SIPPS Spectacular

Congratulations to the whole school for putting on such a wonderful SIPPS Spectacular performance to finish off last term. Thank you to the families and friends who attended and also to those who made a donation towards the staging of this event. Thank you also to parents for assisting the committee in the production of costumes, posters and programs. The students produced their very best performances for a most important and appreciative audience. It was a joy to behold.

PSSA Success

Congratulations also to our successful PSSA sporting teams. Our senior netball team won their competition and came away with the Grand Champions Trophy for 2015. Our senior boys' soccer team played valiantly in the grand final to be runners up in their PSSA completion

School Improvements

During the recent holiday period, further school refurbishments have occurred including painting, the replacement of some floor coverings and blinds. The installation of air-conditioning units to all classrooms has also recently been completed. This will optimise our learning and working environments for all SIPPS students and staff.

Staffing News

Currently the school is in the process of filling two classroom teacher vacancies in preparation for the start of the 2016 school year. We are also in the process of recruiting a new Assistant Principal as Mrs Sarah Swift recently applied and accepted a Deputy Principal's position which she will take-up in 2016. The P&C have been invited to nominate a representative for the recruitment panels.

School APP

Soon we will be transitioning to a new school app that is integrated with the production of our newsletter. More information and installation advice will be included in our next edition of The Patter.

Best Wishes

Gillian Tegg

Inspiring & Nurturing Successful Lifelong Learners

Authentic, Connected & Collaborative Learning

Birds in Schools project

In 2014, Year 5 and 6 took part in the Birds in Schools project along with 16 other schools in Sydney. They analysed the school grounds and collected data on the bird life at St Ives Park and then submitted an action plan to create a new bird habitat with native plants and bird baths to improve the diversity of bird life.

At the end of last term, Year 6 students spent the morning implementing this plan by planting over a hundred plants under the guidance of Jocelyn Chenu from Ku-ring-gai Council who has provided advice on the preparation of the ground and bought suitable native plants for the area.

Students are now looking after the new garden to make sure it gets established.

Antarctica

Stage 3 enjoyed many different learning experiences during their HSIE Antarctica unit last term. This included using the Green Screen Movie FX app. Students collaboratively researched and wrote screenplays about the journeys of different Antarctic explorers. They then filmed their stories against a plain background. Students then used the app to replace the background with pictures from Antarctica. Special effects were then added to make their films even more realistic.

International Competitions and Assessments for Schools

Students at St Ives Park Public have achieved excellent results in the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) again this year.

Over one million student entries are accepted from over 6,300 schools in Australia and New Zealand annually. In addition, students from over 20 countries including Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and the USA participate in ICAS each year.

Congratulations to the following students:

Mathematics

High Distinction awarded to Zoe T (5/6S)
Distinction awarded to Jamie (3B) and Annie (3B)
Credit awarded to Amy (3B), Jay (4BJ), Darcy (4BJ), Cherry (4BJ), Milan (4BJ), Aden (4BJ), Iris (5/6G), Irisia (5/6S) and Alex (5/6S)
Merit awarded to Sam (5/6G), Sean (5/6G), Ella (4BJ)

Writing

Distinction awarded to Annie (3B), Aiden (4BJ) and Hisae (5/6S).
Credit awarded to Sam (5/6G).
Merit awarded to Jamie (3B) and Sean (5/6G).

English

Distinction awarded to Sean (5/6G).
Credit awarded to Milan (4BJ), Aiden (4BJ), Iris (5/6G), Zoe (5/6S), Annie (3B), Jamie (3B), and Darcy (4BJ)
Merit awarded to Cherry (4BJ) and Hisae (5/6S)

Congratulations to all other students who participated and achieved their personal best.

I have recently completed training as the school's Anti Racism Contact Officer (ARCO). Please be assured that St Ives Park Public School has a zero tolerance to racism. As your ARCO I will provide a timely and professional response to any complaints of racism and ensure that practices and procedures are consistent with DoE policy. Please speak to me in person or contact me at kathie.anderson@det.nsw.edu.au if you have any concerns.

Mrs Anderson

Notes from Office

Kindergarten Orientation 2015

The school is holding its Kindergarten Information Morning on Tuesday 27th October 9.30am – 11.30am with a school tour to follow for those who have not had the opportunity to take such a tour. An invitation to all enrolment enquiries on our mailing list will be sent out shortly. We look forward to meeting as many of our 2016 Kindy parents and students as possible. Taste of Kindy mornings will follow for the enrolled kindergarten 2016 students on Thursday 29th October and Tuesday 3rd November: 9.10am – 11.10am.

Excursion: Festival of Children's Music Matinee for NON choir children

All students from Year 2, and students in Year 3 and 4 who are not already part of the Junior Choir will be going on an excursion to attend the Matinee performance on Wednesday 21st October. Permission notes for this excursion were due in last Friday 9 October – please return any outstanding notes to the class teachers as soon as possible so tickets can be reserved.

Excursion: Stage 3 (Year 5 & 6) to Macquarie ICT Centre – Coding Boot Camp

Notes for this excursion arranged for Monday 19th October were issued to students last week – please return the permission form and publication consent form, along with payment of $32.00 no later than Thursday 15th October.

Permission to Publish Information and Photographs

A general 'Permission to Publish' student information form has been sent home with the children in Grades 1 to 5. We are seeking a renewal of this general permission – it is the same permission parents and caregivers are now asked to sign at enrolment on the new NSW Department of Education enrolment form and replaces the previous 'General Permission Note' held at the school for students in the upper grades. This data will now be incorporated into the enrolment records for your child. Please complete this form and return to your child's class teacher as soon as convenient.

Korean Language Program

Our last assembly for Term 3 was enhanced by a wonderful performance from Kindergarten. KA and KM students entertained us with their delightful singing. They sang two songs in Korean called "San Toki" and "Gom sa ma ri". Thank you to Mrs Park for preparing Kindergarten for their assembly performance.

Library News

This week we welcome back Mrs Allman back from her extended leave. We would like to thank Miss Muddell for the great job she did managing the library program, events and resources over the last two terms at SIPPS.

Term 4 promises to be a very exciting one as our Library is migrated across to a new Library system called Oliver. This system is being gradually rolled out to all DET schools in NSW.

We are scheduled to "go live" at the end of November.

Oliver is a web based learning, teaching, information and library management tool that delivers digital content such as ebooks and websites to schools. For the students it will mean an interactive experience that allows for greater ability to search and locate resources, reserve resources, write book reviews, rate resources to name a few features. It will certainly engage and motivate all students.

Virginia Allman
Teacher Librarian

PSSA

Term 4 PSSA recommenced on Friday 9th October. The venue for the junior touch football teams is Hassell Park and the senior teams play at St Ives showgrounds. Parents are most welcome to come along to cheer on the teams.

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 21st October, 8.30 am to 9.30 am.

Bare Creek Trail Run

Sunday 1st November 2015

If you want more information contact

Community Notices

BUSH SCHOOL LEARN TO SWIM

Swimming lessons Saturdays Nov – Mar at the Wahroonga Bush School pools.

Cost: 1 child-$100, 2 child-$170, 3+child-$220 plus $18.50 insurance/child.
Enrolments: Saturday 31st October 2015 at 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm at the pool.
Enquiries: Frances Simpson-Lee 9489 1579; Liz Wright bushschoollts@gmail.com

FREE TRIAL FUN MANDARIN CLASS!

Tuesday 13 October & Tuesday 20 October

There is a FREE OPEN Mandarin Class for new students running on Tuesday 13 October and Tuesday 20 October at St Ives Park Public School. This is a great opportunity for your child to give the class a try before deciding to enrol for the term.

Learning Mandarin is challenging and fun! It will help your child be better placed to participate in future opportunity in education and business. Our expert teacher provides the best environment for children to develop their self-confidence and enjoyment in Mandarin.

Mandarin K to Y6 Tuesdays 3.15 – 4.15pm

We have limited spots available for Term 4. It's quick and easy to reserve a place at a FREE Open Trial Class. Simply contact us on (02) 8005 1237 or email enquiries@thelanguagecompany.com.au. Alternatively, visit us at www.thelanguagecompany.com.au to book your spot online.

Xie xie!