9 November 2015

Newsletter Articles

Principal's Message

Bare Creek Trail Run

Thank you to our P&C and in particular the Bare Creek Trail Run committee for another successful event last Sunday. Andrew and a magnificent team of SIPPS parents and local community members ensured that all contingencies were covered to make the day one where the local and wider community could promote and celebrate the benefits of fitness and the natural environment.

Congratulations to all those who participated in the event and especially our students who achieved their Personal Best in completing the 6Km run. In total 36.16% of our student population entered the event and the class that had the largest percentage of participation was KM with 59% of students taking part. They will be awarded a special morning tea from the P&C for this great achievement. Coming a close second was 1C with 50% participation rate and 2FD was in third place with 41% of that class involved.

The school would also like to acknowledge and thank the great contribution from Mildren Events, the SES, St John's Ambulance and the sponsors of the Bare Creek Trail Run.

Student Leaders visit State Parliament House

Last Monday, I had the pleasure of accompanying our school Captains and Vice Captains to State Parliament House. We enjoyed a guided tour of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. Iris, Josh, Joanna and Sam joined other student leaders from schools across the Davidson electorate and were presented with a certificate from the local Member of Parliament, Jonathan O'Dea.

PBL Launch

At last Wednesday's assembly we officially launched the Positive Behaviour for Learning initiative to students and visiting parents/carers. The PBL team led by Mrs Anderson explained the features of our positive rewards to promote student achievement of the school's expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Personal Best. The first bronze and silver certificates were also presented to those students who had achieved these levels. Mrs Field, Miss Black and Mrs Apter explained other aspects of the program including the process for managing behaviour that is not consistent with our school expectations. Finally the students were given a special souvenir of the launch to promote positive outcomes in behaviour and learning. Please see additional information later in this bulletin.

Catch card winners

Congratulations to all the students who have been awarded catch cards so far this term. They have earned a point for their house by demonstrating the schools expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Personal Best. The total house point tally at the end of Term 3 was:

Waratah 778
Banksia 717
Grevillia 713

Selective High School 2017

Applications for entry to selective high schools in 2017 opened on 13 October 2015 and will close on 16 November 2015.

Applications can only be made online through the following website during this time. Interested parents should read the application information and the parents' overview at the following link.

Best Wishes

Gillian Tegg

Inspiring & Nurturing Successful Lifelong Learners

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) at St Ives Park Public School was launched at last week's assembly.

The children were presented with a brief presentation to remind them of the school's expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Personal Best.

The new award system was also explained to the students. In an effort to provide each student with the opportunity to earn a SIPPS Gold before they complete Year 6, the award system has been simplified as follows:

3 x Merit Awards = a Bronze Award
3 MORE Merit Awards = a Silver Award
3 MORE Merit Awards = a SIPPS Gold

The process is repeated to earn a prestigious second medal!

The focus of the presentation was very positive and well received by the students. The process for managing inappropriate behaviour was reiterated briefly and will continue to be explained explicitly by individual classroom teachers.

All students received a tangible reminder of the school's expectations in the form of a set of markers displaying the words Respect, Responsibility and Personal Best.

Teachers will be responsible for the data entry of all awards earned by their students. Please send awards directly to your class teacher when the next level is achieved. We will continue to present the awards at assembly. Please note that the SIPPS Gold will now be presented on the day that it is announced at assembly. Parents will be invited to attend the assembly and will also be invited to a Principal's morning tea at the end of the semester.

Thank you to the PBL committee, Jeri Apter, Melissa Field, Lara Cipollone and Brittany Black who have worked consistently throughout the year to ensure a smooth transition to PBL.

Thank you to parents for working with staff to ensure the successful implementation of PBL at SIPPS.

Regards

Kathie Anderson
PBL Leader

Notes from Office

Planning for 2016

The school has commenced the process of planning staff and class needs for 2016. Could you please notify the office, if you have not already done so, if your child is not returning to SIPPS in 2016. If you are aware you may be returning late for the commencement of Term 1, please contact the office for an Application for Extended Travel Leave.

SRC Movie Afternoon – Thursday 12 November

Please see the information above – notes and money must be back at school by Tuesday 10th November.

Kindergarten Excursion

Kindergarten classes are going on an excursion to Kimbriki Eco House and Garden on Tuesday 1st December. Information and permission note will be sent home shortly.

Permission to Publish Information and Photographs

Please return the general 'Permission to Publish' student information form which has been sent home with all students. This is the same permission parents and caregivers are now asked to sign at enrolment on the new NSW Department of Education enrolment form and will update our data base and school records.

Lost property

Please could all parents check the name on your child's hat and jacket/jumper.

Health and Safety

Whooping cough information for schools

There is an outbreak of whooping cough (pertussis) in NSW, mainly affecting school-aged children.

Coughing spreads the infection to others nearby. Whooping cough can spread to anyone at home, including younger brothers and sisters. Whooping cough can be especially dangerous for babies.

Whooping cough starts like a cold and progresses to bouts of coughing that can last for many weeks. The infection can occur even in fully-vaccinated children. Older children may just have a cough that is persistent and may be worse at night.

• Children with these symptoms should see a doctor.
• If your doctor diagnoses whooping cough in your school-aged child, please let the school know and keep your child at home until they have taken 5 days of antibiotics. Keep coughing children away from babies.
• Whooping cough vaccines give good protection against infection but immunity fades with time. Check that all your children are up to date with their vaccines, due at 6 weeks, 4 months, 6 months, 4 years and 12 years of age (offered to all Year 7 students through the NSW school-based vaccination program). A booster is also recommended at 18 months of age.

A booster dose of vaccine is also recommended for adults that are in contact with young children, such as school staff and parents. Pregnant women are recommended to have a booster dose during each pregnancy and this is funded by NSW Health. Those who are new parents or carers of babies should consult their general practitioner about appropriate immunisation.

Your local public health unit can provide advice about whooping cough on 1300 066 055 or visit the NSW Health website for information for childcare and schools about whooping cough.

Music News

I want to congratulate the Junior Choir on a wonderful performance at the Chatswood Concourse on Wednesday the 21st October. If you attended, I'm sure you will agree that it was an excellent concert which showcased the high standard of Creative Arts learning which happens in our local public schools. Year's 2, 3 and 4 enjoyed attending the matinee performance and were inspired by the choir, instrumental and dance groups which performed.

Our school music groups continue to prepare for the end of year performances including the Gold Assembly and Presentation Day. During rehearsal times, we will also be preparing audition recordings to apply to participate in the 2016 Music Festivals. Thank you for allowing your child to participate in these groups and for providing opportunities for them to explore and extend their abilities and interest in Music.

If you are looking for a Music program for your child during the upcoming school holidays, the Sydney Youth Orchestra is running a Summer School from 11th-15th January 2016. This opportunity is for children aged 6-18 and runs from 9am-3pm (Monday-Thursday) and 9am-5pm (Friday). For further details and bookings go to:

Mrs Cipollone

PSSA

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

Dates for the remainder of the year:

Wednesday 18 November
Wednesday 2 December
Wednesday 16 December