29 May 2017

Newsletter Articles

PBL Focus

Principal’s Message

Public Speaking Success

Students at SIPPS participate in a wide range of Public Speaking competitions. Programs in public speaking, debating and spelling teach students to develop oracy, teamwork, research, the ability to engage in contemporary issues, and the ability to respond to arguments and approach topics from unfamiliar perspectives.

Congratulations to our Stage 3 debating team, coached by Miss Forsyth who has won their first two debates in this year’s interschool competition.

Today we held the school finals of the Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition. Two winners from Stage 2 and two winners from Stage 3 will now go on to represent our school at the local finals. Later this year all students will take part in The Premier’s Spelling Bee.

Other public speaking and performance opportunities are provided to students during formal occasions such as our regular K-6 assemblies.

Kindy Open Morning

Thank you to teachers, parents and our current Kindergarten students for hosting last week’s Kindergarten Open Morning. There has been excellent feedback from the morning and we have already received a good number of enrolments for 2018.

National Reconciliation Week 27/5 to 3/6

Each year at SIPPS, we acknowledge National Reconciliation Week (NRW). NRW celebrates and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.

This year’s theme is ‘Let’s take the next steps’. As we reflect and commemorate two significant anniversaries of reconciliation in Australia, we look to take the next steps together in our national reconciliation story.

50 Year Anniversary of 1967 Referendum

This significant anniversary commemorates 50 years since the vote to end discrimination to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian constitution by allowing the government the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. With the result being overwhelmingly yes (97.77%) this was a significant step towards reconciliation in Australia.

25 Year Anniversary of the Mabo Decision This significant step in reconciliation saw Eddie Mabo challenge the Australian legal system in recognising the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners of their land. The result of this case saw the high court pass down the fact that Terra Nullius (Land belonging to no one) should never have been applied to Australia.

STEAMING ahead at SIPPS

Our futures-focused learning priority aims to give students at SIPPS the necessary skills for the economy and society of the future. That’s why we are focusing on developing a comprehensive strategy to integrate quality teaching and learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).

We continue to grow improvements in STEAM learning across the school curriculum. This year all students are having specialist instruction in Visual Arts with Mrs Stobo and robotics lessons with their classroom teacher. As part of their science unit, Stage 1 students are making stop motion animations as way to demonstrate their understanding of life cycles.

This is in addition to other initiatives including Primary Connections Science, Spectra Science Challenge, iMaths program and Maths Olympiad.

This fortnight will also see the much anticipated completion of our new STEAM learning studio which has been created in partnership with the SIPPS Parents and Citizen’s Association.

Toilet Upgrade

Over the last week both junior and senior toilet blocks have been painted throughout. Other new fittings have been replaced and plans are in place to improve lighting inside these buildings.

Students will be expected to use these improved facilities in line with our school’s expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Personal Best. Parents and carers are reminded that these facilities are for students use only. Adults are not permitted to enter the school’s student toilet facilities.

Please no dogs at school

Many people are surprised to know that in New South Wales it is illegal to bring dogs and other animals into any school grounds. In fact, you can be fined up to $1,100 (ten penalty units) for doing so. This is in accordance with Section 14 of the Companion Animals Act (1998).

Dogs are not allowed on school grounds for many reasons; most are common sense today, but to list a few:

• A dog’s behaviour can be unpredictable,
• People have allergies to dog hair; and
• People have fears of dogs.

The only dogs that are allowed on school grounds are police dogs, assistance animals (guide dog, reading dog, etc.) or a corrective services dog.

As a Government school, we are bound by the legislation of the Animal Welfare Policy to enforce and report on any violations.

We understand that there are moments when you want to take your dog for a walk and the beginning, or end, of the school day works out to be an ideal time. But please, organise another time to take your dog for a walk that won’t bring them onto school grounds.

We are fortunate to be close to Acron Oval which is a sanctioned ‘off leash’ area for dogs. Our school grounds are not to be used for this purpose after school hours or on weekends. Please also refrain from tying your dog inside the school fence whilst you are visiting the school or collecting your children.

Thank you for your understanding and observance of this matter.

Best Wishes
Gillian Tegg

Inspiring & Nurturing Successful Lifelong Learners

‘Positive Playmates’ – Student Wellbeing Initiative

At recess on Thursdays students in Kindergarten and Year 6 participate in the Positive Playmates program. During this time students play games that develop skills in fair play, cooperation and team work. Year 6 students also develop their leadership skills though this experience.

It has been wonderful to see all students be actively engaged in the program and enjoying all the games we have played. It has been particularly wonderful to see the Kindergarten students form such wonderful relationships with their buddies who are excellent role models.

-Mrs Sarah Henman

Peer Support

Our Peer Support program at SIPPS has begun! Peer support is a 30 minute lesson that the Year 6 students teach. In each group, there is one student from every class. It is important because students learn about assertiveness, teamwork, respecting each other, being responsible and trying your best. Kids also get the chance to meet new people and make more friends across the school. The year 6 team are the leaders of the program. While we teach we also learn about responsibility, personal best, leadership, confidence and speaking skills. In Peer Support this year we hope to demonstrate to students our school values (respect, responsibility and personal best).

By
Meshma and Rachael

Cross Country

On the 16 of May, all students from St Ives Park Public School participated in the cross country carnival at Acron Oval. The carnival is always a very challenging event for all ages. Although it is a tough event everyone enjoys the thrill and excitement. On the day, many students tried their hardest and everyone succeeded in meeting a personal goal. The course was extremely difficult but we all did very well to finish and our team houses were very supportive. We all cheered really loud for the runner of each race. Lucky for us the weather was perfect and the condition of the track was phenomenal. Well done to all participants and good luck to our Zone Carnival competitors.

Sport Leaders Marit & William

Maths OLYMPIAD

Last week we participated in our first Maths Olympiad of the year. Maths Olympiad is a challenging maths competition for Stage 3 students. On the day we felt confident because in our maths classes we have been learning all the skills we need to solve complex problems. It was a great experience that we really enjoyed. We can’t wait for the next challenge in a few weeks!

By Jamie & Mathilde

Year 6 Debating Team

This term our Year 6 debating team is in participating in the Ryde District Debating Competition. Our first debate was against St Ives North Public School on the topic of 'Australia is the greatest country to live in'. We were the negative team. Darcy was our first speaker and led our arguments against Australia being the greatest country due to our dangerous animals, skin cancer rates and the expense of living in our cities. Alex was our second speaker and continued our arguments with the over population of our cities and the impacts this has on housing affordability and strains on our hospital and school systems. As third speaker Will summarised the arguments. It was a close debate with St Ives Park winning.

Lindfield Public School was the opposition for our second debate. Again we were the negative team arguing against the topic, "Books are becoming outdated". Aden opened our case with excellent points about the power of imagination and creativity that books generate in readers. As second speaker Rachael reinforced the importance of books in education and the limitations of technology. Sarah eloquently summarised the team's case. Again St Ives Park was victorious.

Congratulations to Louie and Nathan who were the team advisers and to Jess for acting as timekeeper. A big thank you to the parents who have assisted with transport and who acted as sounding boards during the preparation for the debates.

Amanda Forsyth
Debating Co-ordinator

Creative Arts News

Congratulations to our dancers – we have been successful in our audition to perform at the Sydney North Dance Festival at Glen Street Theatre, Belrose.

Notes have come home today Monday 29th May . Please sign forms and return to school by Thursday June 8th. Thank you

Visual Arts

'From the Bush to the Beach' is the title of a small but impressive display of some of our 5/6 students' designs at the St Ives Village Gallery. This exhibition of Places and Spaces showcases the work of students in years 5 to 12 from local schools.

Students in 1S and 1/2E have enjoyed the quirky sense of humour of artist Leon Pericles, through his paintings of nonsensical phrases and idioms. Here are some of their creative responses to his illustration of Storm in a Teacup.

Ann Stobo
Visual Arts

Music

All students enjoyed OZ Opera’s performance of El Kid last week. Mrs Cronin will use the program resource that is produced by Opera Australia to enhance the teaching and learning of music in her upcoming music lessons.

Notes From the office

Term 2 invoices will be sent home this week. This Invoice includes: Got Game Athletics Sports Program for all students K-6; Oz Opera’s El Kid Performance K-6; School Athletics Carnival K-6; Stage 1 (Grades 1 & 2) Movie Bugs Incursion; Kindergarten Animal Farm Incursion and an annual School Voluntary Contribution 2017.

To enable us to provide your children with the resources essential for effective learning we ask parents to make this voluntary contribution. The contribution is set at $47 for the first child, $42 for the second child, $37 for the third child and $32 for the fourth child. In the past this contribution has been included in the Term 1 invoice but due to moving to a new finance system it was postponed until Term 2.

These funds help in the purchase of additional key learning area resources (English, maths, crafts etc). If you do not wish to make this payment please make a note on your statement and deduct the amount involved from the total of your account.

Instructions on the various payment methods will be attached to the Invoice.

A REMINDER: The online Parent Portal through the school’s webpage is ONLY for school invoice payments – do not make payments for P&C contributions or uniform shop.

Lost Property

There are a large number of school jumpers, jackets, drink bottles, containers and various non school items in lost property. Lost property is located outside the school office.

Parents and Citizens Association

P&C Working Bee

This Sunday 4 June.

P&C Parents Survey

Thank you to those parents who completed our survey in the last Patter newsletter. A reminder for anyone who hasn't, it takes only a few minutes to complete and the findings will help us prioritise our fundraising and social activities. HERE

Entertainment Book

A reminder that you can buy the new 2017/2018 Entertainment Book through us and a portion will go towards the school - while you can you can save $ thousands on great restaurants and activities. Available as either hard copy book, or online App, please email gwarn@rgare.com to arrange your copy.

Seeking Canteen Coordinator

We are still hoping to get the Canteen up and running again, even if just a day or two a week. Please get in touch with Vera at dedijer@hotmail.com if you're interested in co-ordinating this much loved service, days are flexible.

P&C Contribution Letter

You should have received your contribution ask letter last week and hopefully you have enjoyed your free coffee. This funding is vital for the P&C to support the school in all the over and above facilities and programs not funded by the Department of Education including: additional support teaching staff, reading resources, educational equipment and social functions. Please see your letter for payment options or email Vera at dedijer@hotmail.com. Thank you for your support.

Tennis Courts

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop opens fortnightly – the next date being Wednesday 31 May 2017.

Helping Hands OOSH & Vacation Care

We hope all of the St Ives Park families have settled back into Term 2! During the April holidays we operated our first Helping Hands vacation care program from our OOSH room. The children and educators had a fantastic time, we went on excursions to the movies to see Lego Batman and to the Sydney Sea Life Aquarium! The children amazed us with how much they knew about the fish and other sea creatures we encountered during our day, the sharks and penguins were particular favourites!

We will be running a holiday program from our space during the July school holidays, including the Term 3 Pupil Free Day (July 3rd – July17th 2017). We will send program information out to families as soon as it’s available! Children from other schools are welcome to enrol for the holiday program, during the April program our kindy children invited friends they used to go to day care with it was a great opportunity to catch up and have some fun together.

If you’re interested in using the service during the term or during the holidays please pop in and ask for enrolment forms so we can get you started. It’s a good idea to be enrolled so that if you ever need last minute care you only need to make a call to book your children in.

Virginia and the St Ives Park team