4 February 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message

2022 Welcome to St Ives Park Public school

A warm welcome to new and returning families.

It was lovely to see all of our students who looked so very happy on their first day back to school on Tuesday. It was wonderful to see many of our parents at the gate before school. For those parents I have not seen as yet, I hope you have had a delightful holiday break.

To the families who have joined our school for the very first time this year, I extend to you a very warm welcome. I’m delighted that you have chosen to send your child 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 behaviour. Teachers explicitly teach the core curriculum to all of our students. They provide feedback to students regarding their learning progress. All staff use the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) processes across the school to manage student behaviour. The new Behaviour Strategy which will be released by the Department has PBL as its foundation.

COVID Guidelines in schools 2022

On Friday 28th January, we hosted a webinar to share the Department of Education and Health guidelines for schools for 2022. If you were unable to join us or wish to access the links provided, please check the school website as the information is located there to support all SIPPS families.

Key points for our families:

• Masks for K-6 students are strongly recommended. Masks for staff are required indoors.
• Parents of students in Years 1 to 6 are not permitted on site under the current guidelines.
• Kindergarten parents are permitted during Week 2 for transitional purposes.
• Schools no longer facilitate contact tracing. Positive cases within the school will mean a general alert to families will be provided to monitor for symptoms.
• Key school settings are available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/advice-for-parents-students
• Department of Education and Health information is available on the school website.
• Please note that the NSW School Updates app sends parents and carers notifications about school closures.
• The NSW government has advised that schools will not be able to guarantee particular staff for any cohort and students may not have their regular teacher for a class. Please discuss this with your child.
• Schools may be in three modes: Operational (normal school day), minimal supervision (if significant numbers of staff are absent with covid) or Learning From Home (if there are health or safety reasons to close the school).

If your child is sick or has symptoms: -

• If children have any symptoms, they should take a PCR (nose and throat swab) test or rapid antigen test (RAT).
• If symptoms continue your child should stay home and take another RAT or PCR test in 24 hours.
• If that test is also negative, your child may return to school if another diagnosis is confirmed such as hay fever.

Welcome to our Kindergarten students and families in 2022:

Our Kindergarten students began school today and they were full of excitement. They participated in their ‘Best Start’ interviews prior to starting school which offers their teachers and parents a snapshot of their learning as they enter school. Mrs Follows was enthusiastically welcoming our Kindergarten students for their first day. Exciting times 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:

Classes and staff in 2022

Students have been placed into classes for 2022 and we have formed 6 classes. 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 into 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 school administration we will again be supported by Mrs Fazzolari each week and by Mrs Littlewood. Mrs Aylmer has chosen to resign from her position, as she has moved to rural NSW with her family. This position will be advertised according to policy and Mrs Littlewood will continue to support our community until the position is filled.

Mrs Hayllar and Mrs Wright are our Assistant Principals at SIPPS. These ladies are part of the executive team of the school and lead staff in professional learning and support students, staff and parents across the school.

Our staff this year will include:

Information Evening – Partnering in your child’s learning – ZOOMs in 2022

Information Evening is on Tuesday 22nd February, Week 5.

After consultation with staff and the P&C executive, considering the current Covid climate we will be conducting these meetings via a Webinar format in 2022. We need to ensure that our staff remain well and teaching their classes wherever possible.

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 on how you can assist in the learning process. This is an opportunity for you to hear from your child/ren’s new class teacher/s and learn about NSW curriculum, important school/class routines, opportunities and expectations.

We will share the timetable for Zooms in our next newsletter on Monday 14/2/22.

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 16th February from 7:15 pm via Zoom. New Kindergarten parents are most welcome to come along to listen or join the P&C. Please check further in the newsletter for P&C links.

Swimming Carnival

Our school swimming carnival is scheduled for Monday 14 February at Ku-ring-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. Mrs Took and Mrs Taylor are co-ordinating the event on behalf of SIPPS.

Under the current guidelines parents are not permitted to be in attendance. We will have five invited parents who will time races at the event, however, they will not mingle with the students.

Teacher Professional Learning 2022

• SIPPS staff have focussed our two staff development days on the new DoE Learning From Home Expectations for learning in 2022.

• Next Tuesday staff will undertake their annual Anaphylaxis and CPR training.
• We will continue to work with the Mathematics Association of NSW Primary Curriculum Consultant to implement Number Talks and Rich Tasks into all classes.
• Reading and Mathematics continue to be areas of focus in staff training and professional learning.

Key dates to start 2022

• 1/2/22 Students in Years 1 to 6 attend school.
• 1/2 - 3/2 Kindergarten Best Start interviews.
• 3/2 Classes formed with current enrolment numbers.
• 4/2 Kindergarten students begin their first day at SIPPS.
• 11/2/22 Stage Information Flyers sent home to parents – key curriculum planning and Google Classroom logins sent home
• P&C Meeting February 16th. Please see school newsletter for further information. Looking forward to meeting new parents at the St Ives Bowling Club.
• 22/2 Zoom Parent Information Evenings
• 7-18/3 Learning Plans
• 21/3 – 1/4 Parent Teacher Interviews – format to be advised (DoE has not advised as yet).
• 8/4 2pm – 3pm Festive and Easter hat parade

GENERAL INFORMATION

Following is important information about school for 2022. Please take the time to read through it so that you are aware of how you can help make 2022 a successful year at SIPPS!

Attendance Matters

Education in New South Wales is compulsory for all children between the ages of six years and below the minimum school leaving age. The Education Act 1990 requires that parents ensure their children of compulsory school age are enrolled at, and regularly attend school, or are registered with the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards for home schooling. Once enrolled, children are required to attend school each day it is open for students.

Education for your child is important and regular attendance at school is essential for your child to achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options. NSW public schools work in partnership with parents to encourage and support regular attendance of children and young people. When your child attends school every day, learning becomes easier and your child will build and maintain friendships with other children.

Student absences from school

Parents of children from Kindergarten to Year 12 must ensure their children attend school every day. On occasion, your child may need to be absent from school. Justified reasons for student absences may include:

• being sick or having an infectious disease
• having an unavoidable medical appointment
• being required to attend a recognised religious holiday
• exceptional or urgent family circumstances e.g. attending a funeral.

Parents must provide a written explanation for absences to the school within 2 days from the first day of any period of absence. SIPPS parents can complete the SchoolZine App to notify of a student’s absence. Where an explanation has not been received within the 7-day timeframe, the school will record the absence as unjustified on the student's record.

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 via the link below:

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

Contacting your child’s class teacher

Please contact your child’s teacher via email through the office or directly, if you have questions or information your child’s teacher needs to know about your child. Contact details for your child’s teacher will be provided during the information evening presentations and on the Stage Information Flyers sent home to commence the year.

Teachers have very busy days with their core teaching duties, mandatory meetings and playground duties. Please be aware you will not get an instantaneous response. There is an expectation that teachers will reply within 3 days of your email. If your matter is urgent, please contact the office. Teachers are not required to respond to emails outside their work hours (e.g. evenings or weekends or holidays).

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 Community Code of Conduct and School Community Charter:

SIPPS Gates

Students in K-2 enter and exit via Gate 1 each day. Gate 1 is located closest to the school office. Students in 3-6 enter and exit via Gate 2 each day. Gate 2 is located closest to the hall.

Gates are open until 9:10 each morning when all students should have arrived at school.

Students arriving late to school should be accompanied by an adult and have a valid reason for their late arrival. Please attend Gate 1 should your child be arriving late to school. Ring the school office / ring the doorbell to access the school grounds.

Social Media / School App updates

As stated in the recent information to all families. The DET Covid guidelines are available using this link below:

Parents are also able to download the DET app ‘NSW School Updates App’

Social Media:

SIPPS has a Facebook page (St Ives Park Public School),

Please join us on the Facebook pages to keep informed about all the wonderful things happening at SIPPS. This is not a formal communication platform as it is open to the public.

SchoolZine App and SIPPS School Calendar

While the school Newsletter is the formal means of communication each fortnight with our community, The SchoolZine App is an additional important communication tool. It is strongly recommended for parents to download the app. Short communication messages are communicated through this app to our families. For example, if changes to an anticipated event need to occur, the school may send brief messages through the SchoolZine App to inform parents.

The school calendar is available via the SchoolZine ‘SZapp’. The calendar provides parents with the key events scheduled for students at the school.

School Times

8:40am – Students may arrive at school. Teacher on duty from 8:45am.
9:10am – Lessons begin
11:10am – Recess begins (30 min break)
1:10pm – Eating break
1:20pm - Lunch break (30min break)
3:10pm – School concludes

Supervision of students commences at 8:45am. Parents are asked to ensure that their children arrive at school between 8:45 and 9:05 am. Staff are required on site by 8:40 am each morning. School commences at 9:10am. School concludes at 3:10pm for all students. All children must be collected by 3.10pm as staff supervision ceases at this time.

Due to cohort requirements and staffing, we have two 30 min breaks in the day. 30mins at recess and 30 mins at lunchtime. At recess, students sit and eat for 10 mins and play for 20mins. There is 10 mins supervised eating at lunchtime and 30 mins of playtime. Crunch ‘n Sip is a healthy fruit and vegetable break during the morning session.

Our ‘Helping Hands’ OOSH facility can take students on a casual basis who are not collected after 3:10pm if they have been registered. Registration is free and we encourage all parents to register their child.

For safety reasons, students are not permitted to be on the premises prior to 8:40am unless they are booked into OOSH or have school-based training or practice.

Playground Equipment

The playground equipment cannot be used by students before school or after the 3:10 pm bell on school days, or on weekends or during school vacation periods. This is a Department of Education safety regulation.

Update to Parent Contact Information and Court Orders

The office needs to be notified of any changes to your personal details and or court documents immediately so that prompt contact can be made in emergencies. Please let the office know if you have changed any contact details. Parents are kindly requested to send all correspondence for students through the school office during school hours. Students are not permitted to use mobile phones during school hours and while on site at school. Further information will be provided to parents as the Department of Education is currently updating this information for schools.

School Crossing and Road Safety

Please familiarise yourself with the parking rules around the Acron Road pedestrian crossing to prevent parking infringement notices. The council rangers do patrol the area intermittently.

If your child needs to cross Acron Road, they must go via the school pedestrian crossing. Children have been hit by cars when responding to parents who have called them across the road. Please park your car, come to school and walk with your child across the road via the school pedestrian crossing rather than taking the risk.

Please remember that our main priority is to ensure our students are safe coming to and leaving school. Taking an extra couple of minutes to wait, to slow down, or to drive around the block instead of performing a dangerous manoeuvre is much better than the potential disaster that could occur to one of our precious students.

Staff Car Park

This is strictly a no parking area for parents and the community. Please park outside the school grounds where there is plenty of street parking in Acron Rd and Woodbury Rd. Please observe ‘no stopping’ and bus zones to ensure that you are not fined when the police or rangers make their patrols. There is no pedestrian access to the school via the staff car park. We have two school gates on Acron Road that provide safe access for students and parents.

Medical Plans and Conditions

If your child is on a medical plan these need to be updated annually and signed by your doctor. Please make an appointment with your doctor to update your plan and provide the signed and dated copy to the school during February.

The Department of Education requires all students diagnosed with asthma to have a current Asthma Management Plan lodged with the school on an annual basis. Students with asthma should always carry or have available at Sick Bay appropriate medication, for example, reliever puffers. The same applies for Anaphylaxis and other Medical Conditions.

Anaphylaxis

This is a severe and sudden allergic reaction to foods, insect bites, medications and or latex products, which is life threatening. We have students at SIPPS who are allergic to peanuts and / or nuts. To assist us to manage their environment as safely as possible, we ask that you do not send your child to school with Peanut butter or Nutella and refrain from supplying snack bars or foods with nuts. Please reinforce our school policy about not sharing food with friends at school as there are a number of students with health care conditions across the school.

At SIPPS, we have some students who have allergies which are severe enough to warrant the use of an EpiPen (the emergency response) if they come into contact with the wrong foods. The safety of all St Ives Park Public School students is paramount and we ask that you please follow our request to not send nut-based products to school with your child.

Sun smart

It is so very important that we have 100% of students wearing their hat each day. All school students are required to bring and wear a school hat during outdoor activities including sport and playtime. No hat, play in the shade! All students need to protect themselves from UV radiation. Until around May UV levels in NSW are high. Protecting skin and eyes from UV in the first 15 years of life significantly reduces skin cancer risk in later years. For more info about UV and protecting your skin, visit the link below:

Uniforms

SIPPS students proudly wear the red and green. Our Uniform Shop is run by the SIPPS P&C and is staffed by parent volunteers. Please be sure to contact the Uniform shop website for enquiries Further details about the school uniform are available from the school’s website.

Students are requested to wear full school uniform at all times which includes black leather school shoes and school hat. Days for sports uniform attire will be advised in each Stage’s Term 1 Information Fact Sheet to parents released later this week.

Out Of School Hours (OOSH) Care

St Ives Park Public School has ‘Helping Hands’ which is an external service which provides a before and after school service to the SIPPS families. This important service is offered to you. If you require this service, please contact them on:

Phone: 0475 838 226 or Email: stivespark@helpinghandsnetwork.com.au

Parent Volunteers

We welcome assistance from parent volunteers for various activities and events during the year. If you wish to be involved in this way you must ensure that you have lodged a completed Declaration for Volunteers form with the school office. Please contact the office if you need assistance with this.

Kind regards,
Caroline English

Band

Wonderful news for all band musicians BAND IS BACK.

Welcome back!

A huge welcome back to Senior band musicians and congratulations to all the new beginner band students you have decided to take up and amazing opportunity to learn an instrument this year.

Band Rehearsal and sectionals commence in Tuesday Week 4 – 15/2/2022

Training Band - It’s still not too late to join.

No experience, lots of experience, we don’t mind, and all are WELCOME!

But before you decide on joining or continuing to play, we wanted to take the opportunity to introduce you to the type of instruments you can learn in the Band Program.

We will do this in 3 easy steps:

Step 1: Watch this YouTube video to learn about the different instruments in a band.

Step 2: Follow the link to our survey where you can let us know which 2 instruments you would most like to play

Step 3: Let our Conductors work through your preferences so they can create band groups that will make you sound amazing!

Step 4: If you would like to come and try an instrument from 9am this Monday please email kate@actionmusic.com.au and I will arrange a time or call 0419630511.

Creative Kids Vouchers -

You can now use your Creative Kids Voucher off the term 1 band invoice from Action Music. Please complete the google Doc before 12/2/22

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Kate Habkouk – Action Music – 0419630511

Community

St Ives Football Club

SIFC (Soccer) Registrations are now open for 2022, open to boys and girls.

Register your interest for SIFC Come and Try Day - 13th February, U6 - 3pm and U7 - 4pm.