15 May 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message

Mothers’ Day

Congratulations to the P&C for a successful event last Friday to celebrate Mothers’ Day. It was great to see so many SIPPS mums join their children to share a morning social whilst enjoying a special Devonshire Tea and student artworks.

SIPPS Cross Country

Tomorrow 16 May, students will participate in our annual cross country carnival. After walking the short distance to Acron Oval, students will run in their respective age groups on a circuit which takes in some of the bush reserve. Thank you to Miss Forsyth for organising this event and parent volunteers who will be stationed on key positions around the course. This activity can be logged for activity towards achievement of Premier’s Sporting Challenge.

Class lessons in athletics have begun with Coach Louie who will also be assisting at our cross country carnival tomorrow.

OZ Opera Performance

Our music program this term is enhanced with the upcoming OZ Opera’s performance of El Kid. The classic tale of Billy Goats Gruff meets the popular music of Carmen in this opera/fairy-tale mash-up for school children. Thank you to Mrs Cronin for organising this incursion and the educational program that will feature in weekly music lessons at SIPPS. Please see the following link for more information.

Kindergarten Open Morning

Enrolments are now being accepted for Kindergarten 2018. We look forward to welcoming families who are planning to join our wonderful school community in 2018. An information morning for new and current SIPPS parents will be held from 9:30 to 11:10am on Thursday 25 May.

School Uniform

I would like to thank parents for their efforts to ensure that our students are coming to school in the correct school winter uniform. The school believes that the wearing of a school uniform promotes positive community perception of our school and public education. It is also a way that students demonstrate the school expectation of Respect as it is a reflection on how they value themselves and others. Below is a list of the elements in our girls and boys winter school uniform.

Please be advised that students should change into black school shoes after sports training or dance rehearsals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday and those students who play PSSA soccer must not wear soccer boots during recess or lunchtime play on Fridays. Thank you for your assistance.

General Uniform Items

• St Ives Park school bag;
• Dark green weatherproof jackets; and
• Red soccer socks.
• Official school wide-brimmed hat or legionnaires cap

Winter Uniform - Girls

• Red and green tartan princess-line tunic
• White blouse with peter pan collar
• Dark green underpants
• Dark green jumper v-neck
• Dark green long socks or tights
• Black school shoes
• School hat
• Green or red ribbons; and
• Red scarf.

Winter Uniform - Boys

• Grey long trousers
• Green long-sleeved school shirt
• Red and green tartan tie
• Dark green jumper v-neck
• Grey school socks with red band
• Black school shoes and
• School hat.

Sports Uniform - Girls

• Bottle green netball skirt or unisex shorts;
• Dark green sports pants;
• Red t-shirt with collar and school emblem high on left front;
• White socks and joggers; and
• School hat.

Sports Uniform - Boys

• Bottle green shorts;
• Red t-shirt with collar and school emblem high on left front;
• White socks and joggers; and
• School hat.

Tell them From Me Survey

Recently Years 4 to 6 survey participated in the Tell Them from Me survey. This survey measures 20 indicators based on the most recent research on school and classroom effectiveness. 2017 comparisons with the same time last year show good growth in following ways:

• 94% of students believe their behaviour is positive at school. This is an increase of 12% and takes the school from below the state norm to well above.
• 15% increase on average in students with a positive sense of belonging.
• 96% of students value the outcomes of the schooling their receive at SIPPS
• Student voice also indicates anti-bullying initiatives put in place at the school have proven to be successful

The data collected from students, parents and teachers over the last 12 months overwhelmingly state that our school supports positive behaviour, learning and safety. More detailed school evaluation can be found in the 2016 Annual School Report which will be available on our school website.

Best wishes
Gillian Tegg

Inspiring & Nurturing Successful Lifelong Learners

Visible Learning

Teachers are continuing to develop research-based practice to make learning more ‘visible’ to students. Key learning intentions and success criteria are made explicit to students so they can better understand they ways they can progress with their learning. Kindergarten students recently shared their success in literacy learning with me which was very exciting.

Movie Bugs

On Thursday, Stage 1 classes experienced their first incursion from the Field of Mars, Environmental Education Centre. The students were thoroughly engaged searching for and sampling invertebrates around the school grounds. They found a range of creatures such as centipedes, ladybirds, native cockroaches, mole crickets and flower spiders. This incursion links in with the Science unit, Schoolyard Safari that the students have been investigating. The second incursion will involve students creating their own stop motion animation of their chosen invertebrate using iPads.

Learning to Lead

All Year 6 students at SIPPS enjoy the opportunity to experience leadership roles that enhance learning and engagement for K-6 students.

Our environmental leadership team known as the Waste Free Warriors recently designed a unique logo which has been printed on bespoke t-shirts. They will be wearing these each Wednesday to promote the positive initiatives in place at SIPPS.

Year 6 students under the guidance of Mrs Hayllar undertook training last week in preparation for the commencement of the 2017 Peer Support program. This is a powerful peer led format that helps students create their own environment in which to thrive. Positive psychology principles such as fostering strengths, gratitude and kindness in students will once again be this year’s focus to promote the anti-bullying message. All students will learn that we can be Stronger Together.

National Walk Safely To School Day – Friday 19 May

Now in its 18th year, National Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is an annual event when all Primary School children will be encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. It is a Community Event seeking to promote Road Safety, Health, Public Transport and the Environment.

The objectives of WSTSD are:

• To encourage parents and carers to walk to school with primary school age children and reinforce safe pedestrian behaviour.
• To promote the health benefits of walking and help create regular walking habits at an early age.
• To ensure that children up to 10 years old hold an adult's hand when crossing the road.
• To help children develop the vital road-crossing skills they will need as they become mature pedestrians.
• To reduce the car dependency habits that are being created at an early age and which will be difficult to change as children become adults.
• To promote the use of Public Transport.
• To reduce the level of air pollution created by motor vehicles.
• To reduce the level of traffic congestion.

Please see the following flyer or go to the link below.

Creative Arts News

Visual Arts

Here are some of the completed 5/6H 'Seedpod' designs created by: Mathilde, Linus, Alex, Scott, Marit and Gabi. I am absolutely delighted with these. This is one of my favourite art teaching rewards ......every design is different and gives a little window into the individual style of each artist.

These designs are the second stage of a three part art assignment. Some students have started on their third stage, where oil pastel is used on a coloured paper background. This week I am looking forward to seeing the completion of some of the 5/6S second stage 'Sea-shell' designs.

Other student artworks were inspired by ‘Sunday’. a work by Western Australian artist Leon Pericles. The following gallery displays beautiful watercolour paintings by Bella, Eva, Matthew, Max R, Meredith, Rachael, Ruben and Smriti.

Ann Stobo
Visual Arts Teacher

Library

Scholastic Book Fair

Thanks to the support and generosity of the SIPPS school community, this fundraising event was a great success. We sold over $5000 worth of books and product on the day. The commission we earned from this amazing sales result has allowed me to purchase some much needed books that the students have been requesting to read.

A very special thankyou to Sony Robson and her band of helpers who made the day such a success.

National Simultaneous Storytime

On Wednesday May 24th, students in K-2 will be participating in this fun literacy event.

National Simultaneous Storytime is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.

NSW Premier's Reading Challenge: Years 3-6

Students in Years 3-6 have the opportunity to independently complete this reading challenge. Students need to read a total of 20 books, 15 must be from the extensive PRC reading lists and 5 can be free choice. The students need to use their school username and password to access the PRC website and enter books they have read. The Challenge closes for students on Friday 25th August, 2017.

Please see me if you have any questions or concerns.

Virginia Allman
Teacher Librarian
Kambora P.S & St Ives Park P.S

Notes From the office

Soccer Draw and Playing Fields Term 2 2017

Week 4 Round 3
Friday 19 May
St Ives Park vs West Pymble at Warrimoo Oval

Week 5 Round 4
Friday 26 May
St Ives Park vs Beaumont Rd at Barra Brui Oval

Week 6 Round 5
Friday 2 June
St Ives Park vs St Ives North at Hassell Park

Week 7
Friday 9 June No PSSA

Week 8 Round 6
Friday 16 June
St Ives Park vs St Ives at Barra Brui Oval

Week 9 Round 7
Friday 23 June
St Ives Park vs Chatswood C at Roseville Park

Week 10 Round 8 Friday 30 June
St Ives Park vs Gordon West at Hassell Park

Student Invoices

We are currently collating information for the Term 2 Student Invoice which will be sent home shortly. There are a number of Term 1 invoices are still outstanding and would we ask that these be paid before the Term 2 Invoice is distributed.

In Memoriam – Audrey Hart

It is with sadness that I learned of the recent passing of Audrey Hart. Mrs Hart was the first School Secretary at St Ives Park, (previously known as Davidson Park) and she retired in 1997 after more than 20 years at the school. I was fortunate to work with Mrs Hart in the office as a casual assistant and inherited her position after her retirement. She will be remembered for her great sense of humour, her strong spirit and her love of life – I have enjoyed hearing of her travels and adventures after her retirement. Trudi Morris

Kindergarten 2018

Kindy Open Morning is on Thursday 25th May 9.30 – 11.10 am

Pre Schoolers Teddy Bears Picnic is on Thursday 31st August 9.30 to 11.10 am

Kindy Parent Information Morning is on Tuesday 31st October 9.30 to 11.30 + Tour

Taste Of Kindy Mornings are on Thursday 2 November and Tuesday 7 November 9.10 to 11.10 am.

Parents and Citizens Association

Mother’s Day Devonshire Tea

Thank you to all the Mum’s who attended our Mother’s Day Devonshire Tea and Dads who helped bake and serve for us to enjoy. We hope you enjoyed spending time with your child and the other Mums at this relaxed event. Also thank you to the teachers for coordinating the special hand-painted gifts from the kids!

Telstra Kids Grant Success

We are delighted to announce our success in applying for a $1,200 grant from Telstra. Telstra Kids helps kids thrive in their connected world. Our Telstra Kids grant will contribute towards our Seed, Harvest, Spoon program to resume later this year. Huge thanks to Anh Lien, SIPPS Dad from Telstra and Sarah for applying for the funding for us. We are very excited to share in the million dollars the Telstra Foundation provides each year to help kids across Australia.

Next P&C Meeting 17 May

The next P&C meeting is on Wednesday 17th May from 7:15pm in the staff room. Please feel free to join us and share your ideas.

Tennis Courts

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop will be open fortnightly – the next date being May 24th 2017.

Community Notices

The Health Department is asking people to be aware of a recent measles outbreak in Sydney. All schools have been asked to share the following information with their school community.