28 March 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message

Happy Ride to School Day

24+ students rode or scootered to school on Friday to celebrate National Ride2School Day. Our SRC were there at gate 2 to congratulate all those who rode to school. If you missed the day, please be aware that the SRC will be monitoring students riding and scootering to school between now and the end of this term.

Parent – Teacher meetings

Staff have enjoyed the many and varied conversations with our SIPPS parents. Mathematics and English are key discussion points with teachers sharing specific information which is a ‘snapshot’ of student progress to this point in time.

We will again request that parents provide their reflections on the Parent-Teacher Interview process to guide our planning. This survey will be accessible via SchoolZine from today and will close before the April school holidays.

Vocabulary influences success in learning

Last fortnight I shared information about reading and it’s importance in learning and types of reading. Dr Deslea Konza includes vocabulary as one of the essential components in her framework for reading: The Big Six. Each of the elements in the Big Six are interconnected and accomplished reading requires mastery of them all.

Vocabulary and how it enhances student learning

Perhaps the greatest tools we can give students for succeeding, not only in their education but more generally in life, is a large, rich vocabulary and the skills for using those words. (Pikulski & Templeton, 2004, p. 1)

Perhaps you take vocabulary for granted? Perhaps you have never thought about the vocabulary you use or the extent to which vocabulary can play in your child’s life. Please keep reading to see just how important all your conversations with your child/ren really are and the depth and how the variety of vocabulary can really enhance your child’s educational outcomes.

Vocabulary is shown to be the greatest predictor of success in literacy. Students with strong vocabulary skills can use a range of words to communicate similar concepts.

Oral vocabulary refers to words that we understand and use when we communicate through speaking and listening. It can be thought of in terms of two categories:

Receptive – the words we understand when listening
Expressive – the words we use when speaking.

There is a relationship between oral vocabulary (expressive and receptive) and the vocabulary we use and understand in reading and writing. However, it is important to recognise that this is not necessarily a direct one-to-one relationship.

Reading vocabulary is the words we can recognise and understand in print. This is a sub-set of our receptive vocabulary. We use our receptive vocabulary to make sense of the words we are reading.

Written vocabulary is the set of words we use to communicate through writing. This is a sub-set of our expressive vocabulary. Some students may have sophisticated words that they can use in speaking, however, difficulties with spelling may be a barrier for using these words in writing. Written vocabulary needs to grow and mature as students progress through their learning at school. Reading and writing require a more sophisticated and often more abstract vocabulary than that used in everyday conversations.

Vocabulary grows with age, but does not simply unfold with age. As children grow older, they come across more and more words which are added to their vocabulary, and this continues throughout life.

A rich vocabulary supports learning about the world, encountering new ideas, and enjoying the beauty of language. (Beck et al., 2013, p.1)

With this in mind, please keep reading to your child and with your child. Talk and discuss ideas, themes, inferences in stories, non-fiction, films and documentaries. All communication has the potential to enhance vocabulary. Children need a high receptive vocabulary in order to expand their expressive vocabulary. Students who have had many books read to them or who have read many books themselves will usually have been exposed to a much broader and richer vocabulary than that contained in everyday conversations.

Staying Covid Smart – More RATS for families this week

Another bundle of RATs will come home with students this week. You will receive a SchoolZine alert on the day they come home. We cannot confirm the day as yet as we need to complete our bundling process.

Remaining aware of symptoms and using RAT tests to check for Covid infections will be really important according to the latest advice with the new strain which is becoming dominant in the community. Parents are reminded that symptomatic students are to remain home for 24hrs and can only return after negative RAT or PCR testing. Please be aware that there can be changes to the guidelines in schools.

People who are post Covid will not need to test for at least 28 days after first date of infection, as they often have a false positive using RAT testing.

Although community guidelines change frequently, school guidelines from the Department of Health and Education do not always change in line with the general community. As I am advised of changes I will continue to keep the community informed via email and via the Newsletter.

Current expectations in schools include:

• Masks are not mandatory for staff, students or visiting parents.
• Parents at SIPPS are welcome on site. Please listen for the 9:05 am bell and leave the grounds before gates are locked each morning.
• All staff and volunteers must be double vaccinated.

Engaging with positive behaviour at school

All teachers are implementing the PBL expectations with their students and actively teach the expected behaviours for each location to enable students to demonstrate the expected positive behaviours. Students who require reteaching moments do participate in either whole class, small group or individual reteaching moments to support positive behaviour choices.

The NSW DoE has the Behaviour code for students which sets out the expectations for all students in NSW Public Schools.

P&C

Next meeting will be held in the School Library on Wednesday 18th May from 7:15 pm and I look forward greeting our community members at Gate 2 from 7pm.

Updates and Upgrades of school facilities

Bubblers and Refill stations

In 2021 the SIPPS P&C were successful in obtaining a grant to install bubblers and refill stations for our students. We are working with the company to arrange the installation. Soon all our students will be able to easily refill their water bottles with tap water throughout the day and access the new bubblers.

COLA Drainage

It is anticipated that the COLA drainage redesign and upgrade will go ahead these April school holidays with the expectation of completion before Term 2. Once this project is completed we anticipate students will have greater access and use of the COLA during wet weather. This project was delayed due to the 2021 Covid Lockdown.

Festive and Easter Hat Parade

We look forward to inviting our parents and friends to the Festive and Easter Hat Parade on Friday 8th April, 2022. All guests will need to use the QR code to check in when they visit the site. Guests are reminded to continue to keep a safe distance from other household groups wherever possible.

Access to SIPPS: Gate 2 will be open between 1:30pm and 1:40pm.
Guests arriving need to time their arrival for this timeframe.

Keep an eye on the P&C section of the newsletter and upcoming information regarding the Festive food options for guests visiting the parade. All items must be pre-ordered via the Qkr! app.

We will advise if there are wet weather arrangements required.

Happy Holidays

Wishing all our students and families a happy holiday starting on 9th April. Our term has included many ebbs and flows, considering RAT testing, interviews and rain. Thank you again for all your support throughout our entertaining term.

Looking forward to welcoming our students and parents at school on April 27th in Winter school uniforms.

Dates for your diary

28th March – Earth Hour at SIPPS.
31st March – Selective High School Test date (rescheduled due to flooding in NSW).
4th April – Crazy Sock Day.
8th April – Festive and Easter Hat Parade 1.40pm. Gates open 1.30pm.
9th – 25th April – School Holidays – Book in for Vacation Care if needed through Helping Hands.

Term 2

26th April – Staff return for Staff Development Day – Mathematics Association of NSW Primary Consultant working with staff on Mathematical strategy development and assessment.
27th April – ANZAC Ceremony at 10.30am.
29th April – Cross Country at SIPPS 1pm to 3pm
2nd May – First newsletter for Term 2
May: Week 2 SIPPS P&C Mother’s Day Stall and events … very exciting for our Mums!
8th May – Mother’s Day
13th May – National Walk Safely to School Day.
18th May – P&C Meeting in the school Library at 7:15pm. Enter via Gate 2.
3 – 12 May – NAPLAN online 2022 for Years 3 and 5.
10th June – Action Music Event: Band organised Eisteddford.

Kind regards
Caroline English

Did you know?

We have two successful State Athletics competitors at SIPPS. Congratulations go to Mitch H who achieved a bronze medal in High jump and came 5th in shot put and Finn W who achieved first place in the shot put at state level.

Assistant Principal’s Message

Parent Teacher Interviews

Teachers have been excited to welcome parents and carers into classrooms for parent/teacher interviews. Interviews will continue throughout Week 10. Online bookings through the Schoolzine App have closed. If you have not booked, please email your child’s teacher to secure an interview.

Selective High School Test

An email has been sent home to the parents of students who will be sitting the test this week. Participating students will need to be at school by 8.50am on Thursday morning (31st March).

Stage 3 Highlights

Stage Three have been working incredibly hard during Term One. They have challenged themselves through a variety of Maths problem solving tasks that aim at developing their flexible thinking skills and their ability to solve problems using mental strategies. Both classes have loved the game Shikarku in which they use their knowledge of factors, area and logic to solve problems against the clock (their teachers have also loved playing the game too!).

This term, Stage Three have been studying Natural Disasters and the effect they have on the Earth's surface, in Science. The students have been working on an assignment, as part of their homework, classwork and in library lessons. The classes will present their assignments and models of their Natural Disasters to their peers during Week 11.

Unfortunately, due to the rain our PSSA teams were not able to play any League Tag games this term, but they did manage to have a few training sessions and they are looking forward to Term Four when the competition will commence. The rest of the students have developed their tennis skills, as we have been fortunate to have the Tennis Australia Coach, come and run tennis lessons for our primary classes even during the terrible weather! Let's hope the weather is a little more sunny for our Winter PSSA Sports soccer and netball.

Our classes have been thrilled for the end of cohort restrictions, meaning our classes and students are able to interact with one another in class and on the playground. Our Year 6 and Kindy buddies have been able to do a writing lesson together based on a story that Kindergarten had read. Year Six were able to model writing for our Kindergarten students, showing them left to right directionality, spacing between words and how to sound out words for spelling. We spent the last 30 minutes of Friday afternoon with Kindergarten Rainbow and Six Aquamarine reading stories sitting outside under the shade sails. We loved seeing how happy and engaged all our students were and the lovely friendships they are developing.

SRC News

When and what is Earth Hour?

Earth Hour is on Saturday the 26th of March, but since it's on a Saturday we will be recognising it on Monday the 28th of March. Now you might be wondering what we do during Earth Hour? During Earth Hour we turn off all our electronics, lights and power in our classroom. This helps us to reduce electricity for an hour of the school day. By reducing the amount of electricity we use, we can make a positive impact on global warming and climate change.

How Crazy Can You Get?

You’re probably wondering why we are asking this question? The reason is on Monday 4th, April it is Crazy Sock Day. We would love it if you could wear crazy socks to school on that day. You can wear silly/funny socks or even just mismatched socks. Please DO NOT bring in a gold coin as there is no donation needed. We just want you to have a bit of a crazy day wearing your most crazy socks.

Thank you,
The SRC team

Harmony Day

It was wonderful seeing so much diversity on Harmony Day and we raised $152.00. Thank you!

Band

This Week’s Tutorial Highlights and Band Highlights

Updates:

Senior Band will be performing in the Sydney Eisteddfod on Monday 10th June 2022.

Venue: The Concourse in Chatswood

This venue has one of the most incredible theatres and a wonderful opportunity for the senior band.

Band Intensive Days

SAVE THE DATE

Band Intensive: Tuesday 26th April 2022.

These intensive learning opportunities are such a wonderful way for your children to learn together at an accelerated rate and we have always found positive results as a consequence. We won’t forget to add a little fun into the mix as well.

ANZAC DAY – the Senior band will be performing on Wednesday 27th. Please have your child practicing Remember the ANZACS.

STILL INTERESTED IN JOINING…

If your child is interested, please contact Kate on kate@actionmusic.com.au

Band Conveynor
Kate Habkouk - Action Music – kate@actionmusic.com.au Mobile 0419 630 511

Notes from the school office

Term Fees and Whole School Contribution

The Term 1 fees and Whole School contribution was emailed to parents and carers. Please check your email and let the office know if this has not been received. Only 1 parent/carer from each family will receive the email. A detailed explanation of the fees is attached to the statement.

A reminder statement was sent out today. Please finalise your payment as soon as possible. If you would like to pay the fees with a payment plan or if you have any concerns regarding the statement, please contact the office. Any financial conversations will be treated in a confidential manner.

Rhonda Fazzolari
School Administrative Manager

P & C

Festive and Easter Hat Parade – Friday 8 April, 1.40pm – 3pm Homemade afternoon tea treats, tea and coffee are available for purchase on Qkr! to share with your family at the parade. Orders close 8:30am on Tue 5 April, don’t miss out.

We are also running an Easter chocolate lucky draw. Purchase your tickets on Qkr!.

Mother’s Day Stall - Wed 4 May

Opportunity for the kids to treat mum. More details to come.

Mother’s Day Breakfast – Friday 6 May, 7:30-8:30am

Detail below:

Uniform Shop – Get your Winter Uniforms!

Uniform prices have remained the same for at least 5 years despite several supplier price increases. As such, from term 2, the P&C committee will need to increase uniform prices.

A reminder that winter uniforms are expected to be worn from week 2 of term 2. So, get your order in now (before the price rise takes effect). The last day to order uniforms for delivery this term is Thu 7 April.

2022 SIPPS P&C Voluntary Contribution

The SIPPS P&C is passionate about supporting our school to improve the infrastructure and resources for our children. We have made significant contributions in recent years to bathroom renovations, water bubbler refill stations, library books, class readers and more. Now we need to rebuild our bank balance to support 2022 wish list initiatives including an electronic smartboard for the library, school gate intercom, canteen upgrade and further bathroom upgrades.

We have made it simple to help, by splitting contributions into instalments by Term, via the school's quarterly invoice. Whilst the school voluntary contribution supports resources in the classroom, the P&C voluntary contribution supports additional resources and facilities around the school, as outlined in the below flyer. Thanks in advance for your support

Next P&C Meeting

Wed 18 May 2022, 7:15pm, in the school library

Community