21 August 2017

Newsletter Articles

August PBL Focus

R/Principal’s Message

And the Gold goes to….

Last week at SIPPS we awarded Fin with his SIPPS Gold for his outstanding effort in achieving learning and behaviour consistent with our schools expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Personal Best. Fin will be guest of honour at the Principal’s Gold morning tea hosted by Mrs Hayllar in Week 10. Congratulations Fin!

2017 NAPLAN Reports

In May 2017, 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. Parents of students in Years 3 and 5 received envelopes containing reports last Thursday 17 August.

Year 3 and Year 5 students will be participating in the trial NAPLAN online testing in the week starting 11 September.

School Photos

School photographs are scheduled to be taken by Advanced Life Photography, Monday 4 September.

Envelopes and flyers have been distributed this week; if possible it is our preference that ordering is completed online to reduce administration and potential security issues related to the return of cash and envelopes on photo day.

Orders for packages and sibling photographs can be placed securely online below using our school’s unique 9 digit Online Order Code: PMM 88L 3QG

Portrait and group package orders are due by photography day.

Should you wish to purchase a sibling photograph online, the order must be placed no later than the day before photography day. Sibling photographs will only be taken if an order has been placed. Should you have any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering, please direct them via email to enquiries@advancedlife.com.au

Kindergarten 2018

We are now enrolling for 2018. The first steps into the education system shape your child's love and enthusiasm for learning. St Ives Park Public School’s Kindergarten program encourages children to achieve academically, socially and to become independent and creative learners. Our Kindergarten team are passionate, caring and focused on teaching the school values of Respect, Responsibility and Personal Best. Classrooms are quality learning environments where your child is given the opportunity to learn social and academic skills through active and educational play that integrates the latest technology and teaching practice. If you have a child who is turning 5 before July 31, 2018 and is starting school in 2018, please assist us with our planning by completing an enrolment form as soon as possible.

Partners in Learning Parent Feedback Survey (TTFM)

This survey asks parents and carers questions about different factors that are known to impact on student wellbeing and engagement. Participating in the survey is entirely voluntary however; your responses are very much appreciated. The Tell Them From Me parent survey is open from today until October 13. More information about the survey is available below. To access the survey for our school please go to:

Road Safety

Parents are urged to use the school crossing when bringing children to and from school. There have been a number of near misses when students have been crossing at other points along Acron Road. Please remember waving or beckoning to your child from the opposite side of the road is not a safe thing to do as children are likely to run across to you. Please meet them on the side where they are standing and cross together. It is important that all members of our school community including students, staff and parents observe road safety rules.

Police & Principals Forum

Last week Mrs Tegg met with the Kuring-Gai Local Area Commander, Superintendent Jennifer Scholz. Local crime issues and policing strategies that impact on our school were discussed. We have been fortunate in recent time to have a proactive Hornsby Police Liaison Officer in Snr Constable Stef Murray. Over the years, Snr Con Murray has visited SIPPS to address legal issues for primary school children. Snr Con Murray will be at the school one day this term to discuss social media and young people. SIPPS parents will be invited to attend a parent forum presented by the police on that day. We are waiting for the date to be confirmed and an APP alert will be sent as soon as we know.

Staff News

This week we welcome Mr Dimmers who is teaching 1S this fortnight. After that he will be the 3/4F class teacher for the remainder of 2017. We send our best wishes with Miss Forsyth as she begins her maternity leave.

Warm regards
Jodie Sheehy

Celebrating Student Success

Zone Athletics

Congratulations to these 36 students who represented SIPPS at last week’s Ku-ring-gai Zone Athletics Carnival: Henry, Braedon, Marcus, Daniela, Elizabeth, Eva, Fletcher, Harvey, Toby, Luca, Nienke, Margot, Dan, Max, Fin, Tatijana, Sabrina, Jamie, Louie, Leo, Phoebe, Ella, Mathilde, Michael, Julian, Vaidehi, Meshma, Layla, Lara, Rachael, Declan, Maddie, Darcy, Will, Nathan, Sofia and Claire.

We are pleased to announce that Dan and Louie placed 4th overall in their shot put events. Well done boys!

Premier’s Spelling Bee

Congratulations to all of our junior and senior school finalists in the Premier's Spelling Bee 2017. Best wishes to the following students who will be attending the Regional final at Mona Vale Public School on September 7.

International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)

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 SIPPS students for excellent results in this year’s ICAS Writing competition.

High Distinction

Aiden - Yr. 6
Jamie - Yr. 5

Distinction

Vaidehi - Yr. 6
Talia - Yr. 6
Katherine - Yr. 5

Credit

Amy - Yr. 5
Isabella - Yr. 5
Sabrina – Yr. 4
Milly – Yr. 4
Scarlett – Yr. 4

Inspiring & Nurturing Successful Lifelong Learners

Sustainability Science at SIPPS

The theme of National Science Week is Future Earth. Taking part in the Seed, Harvest, Spoon program shows students how they can take positive actions that will make a direct contribution to the Earth becoming more sustainable. 1S students shared what they enjoyed last week.

Yesterday at Seed, Harvest, Spoon we watered the garden. We planted three potatoes. We observed lots of things. We planted peas and took some cuttings to our own classroom.
By Indy

Yesterday at Seed, Harvest, Spoon we read a book. We planted seeds and then watered them. We also talked about how to attract garden guardians and how to keep pests away. The watering cans were very heavy with water is them but they were light without water.
By Felix

Yesterday at Seed, Harvest, Spoon we put some potatoes in a bag. We put dirt in it and then put water in it. I planted a pea plant. We also read a book called “The Potato People”. The potato people got old and then Grandma buried them. Then something happened! There were lots of potatoes. They knew the potatoes were ready and they dug them up. We will know our potatoes are ready when they have brown leaves.
By Katherine

Robotics

Is it your dream to control a robot? Well we’re already half way there with the help from a little robot called Dash and an i-Pad! We go to the STEAM room for robotics. The new STEAM room is very comfy and the perfect size for groups of people to take turns controlling, holding and telling the robot what to do. I think that the STEAM room is a great improvement and I hope that there might be more amazing things added to the school in the future.
Jack, 3/4F

This term we have been learning about robots. We learned how to make them move with an app called Blockly. In Blockly you put little blocks together to make the robot move, it’s so fun. We are given little missions to solve by correctly coding Dash. We can get Dash to move around, look in different directions, change colour and even speak. I love working with the robots.
Daniel, 3/4F

The Dash Path app is where you have to guide the Dash Robot through the digital dimension and our world. Dash has a checklist and you need to put things on the track that Dash wants. The icons on the checklist change as you complete maps. So let’s get racing.
By Charlie 1/2E

In robotics we play with Dash. We go on the Path app. It is very fun. We don’t only have fun we also learn. I think it is fun because we get to play with Dash and have a fun, amazing time in class. Dash is a fabulous robot to be able to play with at school. It is very fun to play with Dash.
By Eloise 1/2E

Stage Coach 6-7 Transition program

Last week’s high school visit featured an Art lesson and transition forum. Year 10 students shared their wisdom with our Year 6 students about how they should approach life and learning at high school. The main advice Year 6 received was:

Get organised
Get involved
Relax and be yourself

Creative Arts News

Visual Arts

Congratulations to all students who were exhibited in the recent SIPPS Art exhibition at St Ives Shopping Centre. Very positive feedback has been received from all sectors of the local community. This is a great example of how SIPPS students have opportunities to share their learning with authentic audiences. Congratulations and well done to all involved.

Now our students are working on something special to present to Dad for Fathers’ Day. 1S were very focussed on their last lesson when they were using their powers of observation and appreciation to learn more about portraiture.

Library

This Thursday, August 24 will feature two special incursions to celebrate Book Week. K-2 students will attend the Book Week Musical Show and our 3-6 students will attend a session with visiting author Tim Harris. Costs are included in Term 3 invoices.

The NSW Premier's Reading Challenge and The Arts Unit celebrate Book Week 2017!

The NSW Premier's Reading Challenge and The Arts Unit are proud to make available the 20 wonderful author and illustrator videos that first aired as part of Bookfest in June 2017.

Videos feature 20 great local and international authors as including Mem Fox, Aaron Blabey, Jackie French, Lauren Child, Kate diCamillo, Jacqueline Harvey and many more!

Tune into the PRC's Author Video Portal through the link below:

(Website works best on Chrome or Firefox)

Notes From the office

Term Fees: Thank you to those families who have paid the invoice for term 3 fees. Statement of accounts will be sent out this week for outstanding accounts. The preferred method of payment is on the school website. Should you have concerns or difficulties with this method please do not hesitate to contact the office and we will assist you through the process.

Photo Envelopes - were sent home last week. Sibling envelopes are available from the office.

Life Education – note sent home last week for the in school program in weeks 8 and 9

SIPPS Senior Choir – performing in the Arts Alive Primary Choral Concert on Thursday 7th September at the Sydney Opera House. Permission note will be sent out this week.

SIPPS Junior Choir – performing in the Festival of Children’s Music to be held on Tuesday 17th October at the Chatswood Concourse Concert Hall. There will be two rehearsals held at Pymble Public School.

PSSA

Final Winter Round 14 Friday 25th August
St Ives Park Vs Pymble At Mimosa Oval

Parents and Citizens Association

Tennis Courts

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop will be open fortnightly from 8.45 am.

Term 3

Week 7 - August 30
Week 9 - September 13

Helping Hands OOSH & Vacation Care

Community Notices

Kindergarten 2018

Primary Soccer Summer 5-A-Side

Primary Soccer is a not for profit club offering summer 5-a-side competitions for primary school aged children. The local competition will be Monday afternoons, at Koola Oval (opposite Killara High). Cost is $150 for the 16 weeks of games (breaking for school holidays). All games have a qualified referee. We don’t grade players, so you can play with your friends. We do grade teams so you play against equals.

To sign up or find out more go to: