1 February 2021

Newsletter Articles

February PBL Focus

PBL @ SIPPS

Welcome back to all our wonderful SIPPS students.

The PBL focus for the next fortnight is
Respect and Responsibility in all settings.

Students are learning how to show Respect and Responsibility within our school. Students are listening to each other and their teacher, putting their hand up, moving respectfully throughout the school and always putting their rubbish in the bin.

Principal’s Message

2021 Welcome to St Ives Park Public school

A warm welcome to new and returning families.

It was lovely to see all our students who looked so enthusiastic and very happy on their first day back to school last Friday. It was wonderful to see and chat with so many of our parents at the gate before school. Renewing friendships and catching up on news after a delightful holiday break can be lots of fun for everyone!

To the families who have joined our school for the very first time in 2021, I offer you a very warm welcome. I’m delighted that you have chosen to send your son or daughter to St Ives Park Public School. To all those who are returning to SIPPS, welcome back.

Departmental research shows that there are eight keys to successful students who thrive in NSW schools. Our teaching staff have high expectations of students for both learning and behavior. Teachers explicitly teach the core curriculum to all our students. Teachers provide feedback to students regarding their learning progress. All staff use the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) processes across the school to manage student behavior. The new Behaviour Strategy which will be released by the Department in 2021 has PBL as it’s foundation.

Our new school plan is well underway. In 2020 students, staff and parents were involved in reflection regarding programs and future directions for the new plan. All parents were surveyed in 2020 and as reported in the newsletter late in 2020, our families indicated they value the school as it has a balanced focus on both academic outcomes for students and their wellbeing.

Our students have started in their classes for 2021 and have met their new teachers. In 2021 we welcome back Mrs Shanahan who will return one day per week. Mrs Shanahan is a permanent member of staff returning to SIPPS after taking leave. Ms Husband and Mrs Jacobs are also joining SIPPS in 2021. Sadly Mr T and Mrs Sheehy have resigned from their positions. These positions will need to be filled in 2021.

Staff and students in 2021 will focus on reading and mathematics, with significant professional learning and external mentors working with the staff throughout the year. Other areas of continued focus will include:

• Assessment ‘for’, ‘as’ and ‘of’ learning – Evidence-based approach
• Learning intentions & success criteria
• Quality teacher feedback including student self-assessment
• Learning goals clearly articulated and developed with students

Welcome to our Kindergarten students and families in 2021:

Our Kindergarten students begin school tomorrow. They have all visited school and participated in their ‘Best Start’ interviews which offers their teachers and parents a snapshot of their learning when they start school. The Kindergarten teachers Mrs Follows and Mrs Underhill have been enthusiastically welcoming our Kindergarten students last Friday and today. Tomorrow will be very exciting for all our Kindergarten families.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our Kindergarten parents, some of whom are experienced members of the school community and some of whom are joining the school for the first time. Welcome one and all!

General Department of Education information about starting school can be found at the following locations:

https://my.education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/back-to-school/primary

#FirstDay2021

#LoveWhereYouLearn

Classes and staff in 2021

Students have been placed into classes for 202. We have 7 classes this year. As parents it is important that you are positive and excited about your child’s new teacher and class. Help them to understand the importance of positivity and resilience. With your help, your child/ren can settle very quickly in to new routines and very quickly understand that friendships can continue with students who are in a different class. We are very lucky at SIPPS to have a wonderful teaching staff who have the best interests of the students at heart.

In our Administration we will again be supported by Mrs Fazzolari each week and by Mrs Aylmer. Mrs Millar is joining our Administration team, although her regional responsibilities mean she is on site but not available to complete SIPPS administration requirements.

Mrs Hayllar is our Assistant Principal (substantive). As Mrs Sheehy has resigned a new Assistant Principal will be appointed.

Our staff this year will include:

Medical Advice regarding Novel Coronavirus

Advice has been provided to SIPPS families as provided by the Department of Education. An email was sent to all families on Thursday 28th January to advise the current regulations.

Key Covid-19 guidelines to begin 2021

General information for all parents and carers:

• Schools are operating full time while actively following health advice.
• The DET is working closely with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), NSW Health and other agencies to ensure DET schools continue to operate in the safest ways possible in the COVID-19 environment.
• Physical distancing of students in schools is not required under the AHPPC guidelines.
• All teachers, support staff and parents must maintain physical distance from each other (1.5m).
• Parents are only to access the office and not to attend classrooms or other locations on the school site.
• Parents are required to scan and complete the QR code upon entry to school site.
• Parents will be required to complete BOTH the Covid 19 QR code via the Service NSW app AND the DET documentation when accessing school grounds. These are the DET requirements as the information goes to different NSW government departments.
• Parents should ensure school pick up and drop off arrangements enable them to physically distance from one another and from staff.
• Staff and students are not required to wear a face mask while at school. Students travelling to school must comply with public health orders if on public transport and wear masks.
• Wearing a face mask is not mandatory for parents and carers visiting schools, provided they are visiting only for the explicit reasons within this advice and maintain physical distancing and hygiene practices while at school.
• Parents are required to follow physical distancing and hygiene measures implemented by the school and the department.
• Where possible, students will stay within their relevant cohort group (i.e. K-2 and 3-6) for all learning activities within their school in order to limit close contacts to the relevant student cohort.
• Interschool activities can continue to take place.
• External providers delivering educational services can proceed with a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place.
• Parents and carers can attend parent orientation meetings and ‘meet the teacher’ meetings with school staff for all year/stage groups. Meetings should be limited to 1 hour where possible. A COVID-19 Safety Plan must be in place.

Parent access to school site

Parents and carers are not allowed on school sites or at off-site school events held during school hours except for the following purposes only:

• Essential parent and carer meetings with teachers and/or school executives, with a scheduled appointment. This includes scheduled meetings with parents and carers of prospective students.
• Parents and carers who attend a school administration building or another defined location for the purpose of picking up their child if they are unwell or where they have been asked to arrange for a COVID-19 test after their child has displayed flu-like symptoms while at school.

K, 1 & 2 Parents – short term access

o Parents are required to follow physical distancing and hygiene measures implemented by the school and the department.

o Parents and carers for Kindergarten and Years 1 and 2 students will be allowed on the school site to drop off their children for the first few days of school (weeks 1 & 2). Parents at SIPPS are able to bring their K, 1 and 2 students to the main quadrangle for lines during Weeks 1 & 2 and leave promptly to ensure physical distancing is maintained. The access to classrooms is too restricted for adults on the verandas to ensure safe physical distancing.

o Staff will bring all classes to the gates each afternoon to dismiss students.
  -   Gate 1: Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2.
  -   Gate 2: Stage 3 (Years 5 & 6)
  -   Gate 3: Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4)

Meet the Teacher Evening – Partnering in your child’s learning

Parents/carers are partners in their child/ren’s education. Our staff would like to share their teaching and learning expectations, the curriculum requirements and advise you how you can assist in the learning process.

Meet the teacher evening is on Tuesday 23rd February.

This is a fabulous opportunity for you to meet your child/ren’s new class teacher and learn about NSW curriculum, important school/class routines, opportunities and expectations.

Meet the Teacher Evening –

5:00 – 5:45 pm K-2 classrooms
6:00 – 6:45 pm 3- 6 classrooms

The Meet the teacher sessions are not suitable for students to attend. Parents are responsible for the care of any children on site.

Parents and Citizens (P&C)

Being an active member of the SIPPS Parents and Citizens Association (P&C) is also a great way to contribute to our school in a positive way. I am looking forward to the P&C’s first meeting on Wednesday evening 17th February from 7:15 pm in the school library. New Kindergarten parents are most welcome to come along to listen or join the P&C.

Swimming Carnival

Our school swimming carnival is scheduled for Monday 15 February at Kuring-gai Aquatic Centre, West Pymble. The swimming carnival note will be sent out to parents/carers of grades 3-6 and eligible students in grade 2. Miss Emerson is co-ordinating the event on behalf of SIPPS.

Key dates to start 2021

• 29/1/21 Students in Years 1 to 6 attend school.
• 29/1 and 1/ 2 Kindergarten Best Start interviews
• 2/2 Kindergarten students begin their first day at SIPPS
• 2/2 New Kindergarten Parents Connections Morning Tea
• 9/2/21 Stage Information Flyers sent home to parents – key curriculum planning
• P&C Meeting February 17th. Please see school newsletter for further information. Looking forward to meeting new parents at the meeting!

GENERAL INFORMATION

Following is a lot of important information about school for 2021. Please take the time to read through it so that you are aware of how you can help make 2021 a successful year at SIPPS!

Communication

The school’s newsletter (The Patter) is the main form of communication to parents. Please read it regularly. It will be emailed to each family every alternate Monday. You will also be able to access it on the school website

Please also download the Schoolzine mobile app. Click the link for instructions:

Approaching the school

Please find attached the St Ives Park Public School Community Code of Conduct and the Department’s School Community Charter. These documents will advise parents and community members regarding how to approach members of staff in all Departmental schools.

It is important that we are all proactive in ensuring that our students and staff enjoy a safe and harmonious school environment. It is up to all of us to model behaviour that is consistent with the school’s expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Personal Best.

Please click here to see the SIPPS

Notes from the school office

Please label all of your child/children’s belongings such as lunch boxes, lids and containers, hats, jumpers and bags.

Please advise the office of any changes to your phone number, address and/or child’s medical condition as soon as possible.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the school office on 02 91444085.

Schoolzine app – Please download the schoolzine app. The school uses this app for payment of fees, viewing of school newsletters, absentee notes, school alerts

Qkr! app – Please download the Qkr! app – this app is used by the P & C for the ordering and payment of school uniform items and for Canteen ordering and payment of items.

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop will open every second Friday starting in Week 2 from 8.30 am to 9.30 am approx.

If you are ordering online please have your uniform orders in by the Wednesday evening of even weeks ie Week 2, 4 etc of the school term.

Goods will be handed out to your child just before the end of school on the following friday afternoon. If you have any questions please call the school office or send an email to the uniform email address below.

School Uniform items can be purchased every week by using the QKr! App.

sippsuniform@gmail.com

Community