14 December 2020

Newsletter Articles

December PBL Focus

Principal’s Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

Farewell to the 2020 school year

What a year it has been! What changes we’ve seen!

Students started the year fresh and ready for their new learning. In March students and families embraced learning from home and successfully navigated the Google Classroom platform, with daily check-ins, tasks and submitting work. In May students returned to school part of the week, with full return to school on the 25th May. Although many activities were cancelled throughout the year, by Semester 2 activities and incursions have restarted.

Behind the scenes and in between all these challenges, our P&C have been working tirelessly to support our students and the school. The P&C meetings have continued on Zoom. Most importantly, our P&C were able to install the shade sail over the play equipment, perfectly timed for the Summer term. An enormous thank must go out to all members of the P&C. I would also like to especially thank Mrs Emmy Druce, as our outgoing P&C President for her enormous contribution over several years, especially throughout this challenging year.

Last Wednesday we celebrated the learning journey that our students, staff and school community have made together during 2020. We were very pleased that invited parents were able to attend the different celebration assemblies to conclude the school year.

Thank you Year 5 parents

The Year 6 end of year celebration and dinner was a great success due to the wonderful Year 5 team of parents led by Mrs Robson and Ms Potts who have been creatively preparing options throughout the year to ensure that the year 6 students would not leave without a celebration.

It was a lovely evening. Thank you to Mrs Robson, Mrs Potts, Mrs Mulae, Mrs Gardiner, Mrs Croft and Mr Lipari for such a successful evening.

2021 School Leaders

At the Leadership assembly the 2021 Year 6 Leadership team for 2021 were formally announced:

Fond Farewell

It is with sadness that I inform you that three of our temporary staff are leaving at the end of this year. 2020 has been a year of change and many people have re-evaluated their own personal and professional priorities.

Mr Nick Dimmers has chosen to work closer to his home in Newcastle.

Ms Narelle Mills is joining Metella Road Public School in 2021.

Mrs Megan Cronin is expanding the music program at Balgowlah Heights PS, where she has also been working in recent years.

I hope you will join me in wishing Nick, Narelle and Megan a wonderful year in 2021 and into the future. In the new year I will announce class teachers and introduce new and returning members of staff to the community.

Year 6 Arch Wednesday 16th December 2020

On Wednesday our Year 3, 4 and 5 students will create an arch at 2:30 pm from the hall to the front of the school, near Gate 2. This way parents will be able to observe from outside the grounds as Year 6 exit SIPPS for the last time. Photos with friends can be taken on the lawn with the hall in the background. This plan will enable parents to take end of school photos within the current guidelines.

2021 Draft Guidelines for Parent and Community access

- Covid Guidelines – Department schools

The NSW DoE have draft guidelines for parent access to schools to start 2021. When these are confirmed by NSW Health at the end of January, parents will be informed by SIPPS of how the guidelines apply in our school setting.

Draft changes:

Parents drop off and pick up students, may walk students to or from class but not remain on site.

Parents may have meetings with teachers by appointment only (eg. not at the classroom door).

Parents may attend meetings with up to 30 parents present (eg. parent information evenings).

Parents may attend outdoor events with up to 50 adults present.

P&C meeting may take place with a limit of 50 adults in the meeting.

Opportunity Class Placement timeline

For families of students who sat the 2020 test, please check the fact sheet link below for further details. The timeline does continue throughout the January holidays.

2021-2024 School Plan and Parent Focus Groups

Parents recently participated in three focus group sessions to share their ideas and thoughts in guiding the next school plan. Thank you to the parents who joined me in these deeper conversations guiding and reinforcing the school plans for 2021 – 2024. The community consultation process has followed these three steps:

1. Whole school parent survey
2. Focus Groups
3. P&C informed of the three directions

This information is part of the process to guide the School Vision and School Context for our new planning cycle. Continuous information will be shared with our community in 2021.

2020 P&C Thank you

Staff have really cherished the kindness and hospitality shared with us throughout such a challenging year. What a lovely surprise delivery to end Week 9.

The P&C support is very much appreciated by staff.

Happy holidays

Helping Hands vacation care will recommence in early January for bookings. Please check their recent newsletter for details. Robots lessons will be conducted in C Block in January. There are no other community use agreements in place for people to be on site in the holidays. During the vacation, should you see intruders on site please call the police or school security on 1300 880 021.

In 2021 students in Years 1 – 6 return on 29th January 2021. Staff return for two days of professional learning on 27th and 28th January. Our Kindergarten students commence school on 2nd February, 2021.

Wishing all our families a happy and fun-filled holiday season and we look forward to a wonderful year in 2021.

Stay safe and well,
Caroline English

Stay safe and well,
Caroline English
Principal

Notes From the Office

Stationery Packs for all Stages 2021

Stationery packs are available for all parents to purchase through the SIPPS P&C using the Qkr! App. Please see below for each stage.

P & C

Uniform shop

The UNIFORM SHOP will be open  Wednesday 27th January 2021 from 9.30 am. This is a Pupil free day, however staff will be on site.

The uniform shop need one more volunteer for 2021. Next year the shop will open one day each fortnight to process orders usually from around 9.30am - details will be finalised next year in regard to which day this will be.

If you are interested in being part of the Uniform shop team please email Mercy and Yi-Feng at sippsuniform@gmail.com.

We are very much looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you year 6 farewell committee

Extending our utmost gratitude to our small but dedicated year 6 farewell organising committee 2020!

Thank you to Steph, Hendra, Linda, Anthony, Melinda, Claire M, Sarah W and Paul

It was a challenging year to organise this special year 6 event but with all your help the year 6’s have been farewelled in style. Thanks again everyone. Without you all it would not have been possible!

Sony Robson
0410465508

PRIMARY ETHICS AT ST. IVES PARK PS

Despite the uncertainties of the year, 2020 has been another successful year for Primary Ethics volunteer teachers and their students at SIPPS. We have 3 groups for years 1 /2, 3 / 4, and 5 / 6. Unfortunately a shortage of volunteer teachers meant we were unable to offer Ethics at the Kindy level in 2020. During the lockdown, online Ethics was available. If your child is in non-scripture and you are interested in them attending Ethics classes in 2021, please do look at the website. Details are below.

Here is what one teacher has to say about teaching the classes:

Taking part in the Ethics programme has been very fulfilling. The training was succinct but the real learning happens in the classroom. The topics (which vary from animal rights to friendships) and class plans are brilliantly constructed and easy to follow. It is a small weekly commitment but with huge reward.

The purpose of ethics is to encourage the students to challenge their thinking and reasoning but also be respectful of other views. Students are encouraged and supported to make their own judgments about whether something is right or wrong, good or bad and to explain why, using evidence and reason. In the time that I have been involved I can really see how it will also help children gain confidence in themselves.

We will be looking for a new teacher, or possibly two new teachers to meet demand in 2021. Classes are from 11.30 on Wednesday for 40 minutes. Class content is provided by Primary Ethics – see primaryethics.com.au

Training to teach is provided free, can be done online and is offered at a range of times to suit individual needs.

Ethics teaching is also an opportunity to become involved in the school community in an interesting and unique way while also giving you the chance to develop new skills that are useful in work and home life.

If you are interested in becoming involved in Primary Ethics at SIPPS, please contact cindysasmith@optusnet.com.au. Cindy is the Volunteer Primary Ethics Coordinator for the school. For more information go to primaryethics.com.au/volunteer

Helping Hands OOSH & Vacation Care

Helping Hands Network are the company who provide before and after school care at St Ives Park Public School.

All information about before and after school care and vacation care can be located on their website. Please click on the link below.