14 November, 2017

Newsletter Articles

Key Events

More information and events may be found on the school app (please see details at the end of the newsletter).

Principal’s Report

We started this week with a dignified Remembrance Day Ceremony organised by members of our Student Cabinet and Student Parliament. The ceremony reminds children of the qualities of courage and sacrifice which have been displayed by generations of Australians in the Armed Forces to protect and preserve our Australian way of life.

Our work on character development and our strong focus on social development fits well with the values and qualities which are celebrated in formal ceremonies such as Remembrance Day.

Organization for 2018

During the past few weeks we have been working hard to progress the organisation which will serve our students very well as we move into next year. All decisions are based firmly on what works best for student learning outcomes and consideration around whole school needs, early in the decision making process. We are excited to continue to offer exciting and enriching learning programs in 2018 that consider learning the needs of all students at PPS.

Swimming Carnival

Last week years 3-6 children travelled to Hagley Primary School to participate in our annual swimming carnival. Participation and enjoyment were the key focus of the day and we were delighted with the level of involvement from all children. Once again our students continue to show high levels of sportsmanship, Strive for Five behaviour and inclusive support for other team members. Congratulations to Hirst House for their win in a very tight competition.

ESK Band Performance

On Sunday morning I had the pleasure of spending several hours with a number of parents at the first combined rehearsal for ESK Band members, practicing with musicians from other schools. This was the first combined rehearsal for our players, joining with children from other local schools. Our children showed their trademark resilience and determination, working hard to preserve and show the growth mindset that we have worked hard to understand and master. Congratulations!

The band sounded amazing and children should be broadly congratulated for their efforts in learning to play an instrument in just 3 terms. Music provides opportunities for children to persevere and excel in areas outside the classroom as well as developing social and friendship networks with others. Well done everyone. Information about ticket sales for the ESK Band Extravaganza Concert are detailed later in this newsletter.

Expressions of interest for ESK Band 2018 are also available later in this newsletter. Small group tuition for students next year will be available to first and second year band players. Please ask for further details at the office if you have any questions.

NAPLAN Literacy and Numeracy Awards

This afternoon Jenny Clements and I will be very proud to attend the 2017 NAPLAN Literacy and Numeracy Award Presentations along with two students and their families from our school. Watch our Facebook page for information about this very exciting news.

DoE Strategic Plan

During the first week of Term I attend a Statewide Leaders Conference called ‘Together We Inspire’ where the latest Department of Education Strategic Plan was released. On Friday last week our teaching team worked together using information already gathered from work with the broader staff and groups of current and former students. We have aligned our draft Strategic Plan for 2018 – 2021 to the new DoE plan. The draft PPS Strategic Plan will be presented at a parent forum on Monday 20 November at 3:00pm and at the next School Association meeting on Wednesday 22 November, starting at 7:30pm. We would greatly value parents’ ideas and suggestions so would warmly welcome your attendance at either of these sessions.

Annual Report and Improvement Plan

We are currently working to complete our Annual Report and Improvement Plan which details our work as a whole school for this year and the directions we will take as a whole school into 2018 to further improve student learning. This plan guides decision making and sets directions for all our work into the future. Student improvement is our highest priority so every decision we take and every action we make should be aligned clearly to the best possible improvements in student learning. These draft documents will be available to share with interested parents once they are completed.

School Satisfaction Surveys

Results from these surveys which were completed at the end of term three have arrived and we have considered the reports carefully, trying to interpret the messages conveyed. The data is anonymous so there is no opportunity to follow up or request further information. Our data shows that we continue to perform very well on many of the questions asked and have some areas where we can improve our performance. We continue to invite parents to join with us to improve the educational opportunities we provide at PPS. Please talk with us about your concerns, questions and suggestions.

5 – 6 Camp

The audience at last week’s assembly were informed and entertained with a detailed account of the 5 – 6 camp highlights as well as some anecdotes from students who worked in groups to retell each section of the trip. It is clear that students not only had a wonderful time, but also a most worthwhile learning experience. Many thanks again to the six adults who accompanied the group, giving up their personal and family time to be with the students. Thank you to Jodie Whyman, Karen Dick, Ben Johnson, Jenny Clements, Jacob Hill and Zoe Bolch. Congratulations to our students for their outstanding behaviour. I understand that once again, strangers gave compliments to our staff about the way your exemplary standards of conduct were noticed by others.

Cautionary Note:

The cost of this year’s camp has been subsidized heavily by fundraising held at school during the past 2 years. This has raised a considerable amount which allowed the cost to be reduced for each family. For this fundraising to continue, it is essential that parent volunteers from this year’s grade 3-4 student group are available to help. Without parent helpers, the milkshake/milo fundraising will not go towards the cost of camp but towards other projects within the school such as playground projects or STEM equipment rather than towards the cost of camp.

Early Childhood Sports Fun

Next week our early childhood children will have their turn to participate in a number of sporting events on our beautiful oval as part of a fun activity session planned for Monday 27 November - 11:20am.

While the grade 3-6 athletic carnival is held in Term 1 to fit in with Northern Midlands scheduling, our fun activity sessions can be held at a more appropriate time when children are ready to understand concepts like running within lanes. Goals for the session are around participation, co-operation, teamwork and support for each other. Winning and competition are not the main focus. Parents and family members are welcome to attend. Georgia Bear will be awarded to the class group which is the most respectful and enthusiastic supporters of their fellow participants.

Lee

School Attendance Rate for the previous 2 weeks

Perth Primary School Swimming Carnival

Congratulations and well done to all students for great participation levels and support of one another. Thank you to all friends and families for attending and support students to do their best. Congratulations to HIRST house on a very tight overall win!

Perth Primary School Association General Meeting Invitation

In July 2017 the new Education Act commenced, and as such we are obliged to review many areas of school practice and update policies.

The School Association constitution is one such area and at the meeting on November 22nd we will be holding a vote to adopt the proposed new PPS School Association constitution.

This is an open invitation to all members of our School Association (parents and staff) to attend this meeting to cast a vote if you so choose.

If you require a copy of the new proposed constitution please contact the school office to arrange.

Meeting: Wednesday November 22nd
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: School Hall

Class Awards

Happy Birthday

Celebrating birthday’s this newsletter are:

Patrick, Ava, Toby, Jett, Amelia, Alexia, Sebastian, Danika, Henry, Sommah, Mrs Chandler and Ms Rodgers.

Around the school

Kinder News

Kinder visiting Hagley Farm School. We had an amazing time….

As a class reward, on Friday 22 September, Kinder had their very own Teddy Bear’s Picnic! We made special biscuits to share with our teddies and enjoyed our picnic together in the sun. Later we played games and sang songs with our teddies.

Foundation - 1A

Teddy Bears Picnic Fun!

1-2R and 1-2L

Excursion to UTas and the Museum.

3/4 Excursion to Cressy Farm

On Wednesday 1 November 3-4CC and 3-4LH were invited to CDHS to participate in a farm fun day. All students spent time watching sheep being shorn and they also learnt how to lead sheep when presenting them in an agricultural event. Students also made pots from newspaper and potted tomato and lettuce seeds. We also enjoyed a barbeque lunch alongside some farm animals!

It was a great day!

Kids 4 Kids Sustainability Conference

On Friday 10 November 3-4LH and 3-4CC were invited to participate in the Kids 4 Kids Sustainability Conference at Riverside Primary School. Peter Gutwein opened the conference, then a class recited a poem and another man spoke about birdlife in trouble - plastic!

Each class took part in three workshops, one we ran ourselves speaking and teaching other students about our STEM project on recycling at PPS. On the day we:

3-4LH - recycling sorting in bins, Kitten Maths Madness about feral cats and de-sexing cats, our workshop on recycling - Riverside Primary School
3-4CC - recycling sorting in bins, Indigenous art and our workshop on recycling - West Launceston Primary School

Some students also took part in other STEM activities such as making land yachts and doing climate change experiments.

Pretty cool day!

4 - JL Excursion to Automobile Centre

Grand Prix Science

5/6 Camp

The grade 5/6 camp for 2017 was an absolute success!

Students were given excellent opportunities to improve their scientific understanding at the UTas Radio Telescope and at the Grote Reber Museum, their history knowledge at Port Arthur and Mawson's Hut and their Civics learning at Parliament House. In addition to these academic achievements they also became foosball, ping pong, air hockey, pool and archery experts!

Students demonstrated great grit and determination in eating everything offered on the menu at every meal and demonstrated just how much giggling, gossip and general rambunctiousness can be carried out after lights- out!!!!!

Members of the public approached staff on more than one occasion to compliment us on our students- their excellent behaviour and attention to learning were mentioned more than once making us very proud of them.

Launching into Learning

2018 Kindergarten Information Session

Wednesday 15 November is our 2018 Kinder Parent Information Session 9:00am - 9.30am

Parents and carers of 2018 Kinder children are invited to attend our Kinder Parent Information Session. Parents will meet in the Kinder building (children will be supervised at LiL little learners) between 9:00am and 9:30am.

Please note if you are unavailable to attend, an information pack is available for you to collect from the school office.

2018 Kinder Enrolments

Kindergarten enrolments and enrolments for other grades are now being accepted. We would also appreciate hearing from families whose enrolment status will change for 2018. Forms may be collected at the office. Please return as soon as possible to the office.

2016 Education Act Implementation

When can my child be authorised not to attend school?

Reasons your child can be authorised to be absent include:

• sickness/incapacity
• medical, legal or related appointments
• natural disaster or extreme weather preventing your child from safely attending their enrolled school
• terminal illness of an immediate family member
• bereavement of a person your child had a close, significant or family relationship with
• having witnessed or been subjected to family violence
• being a participant or official at a recognised State, National or International event
• participation in a recognised learning experience
• an application for home education being received by the Education Registrar and provisional registration being granted

2018 Student Assistance Scheme Application (STAS)

STAS is one of the forms of financial assistance available to assist with the cost of school levies. The scheme provides assistance for low-income families towards the cost of levies for students enrolled from kindergarten through to year 12.

Application forms are now available from the school office.

To be eligible you and your partner’s gross taxable income must be no more than the figures shown in the income test table below.

You must have a minimum 50% care of a child for them to be considered your dependent.

Grandparents raising children are also eligible to apply for and receive STAS.

For specific enquiries regarding assistance completing the application or application procedures please contact: Financial Assistance Services on 1800 816 057 or via email at stas@education.tas.gov.au.

Uniform Orders for 2018

2018 Uniform Pre-Orders

Perth Primary School Uniform shop is offering Pre-Orders of uniforms for 2018.

Payment is not required until collection.

Orders can be placed electronically below or by printing the attached order below and returning to the school office.

Please have your orders completed by Thursday 30 December 2017.

These orders will be available for pick up from the Uniform Shop on Friday 15th December 2017 from 2:00pm - 3:00pm and on Levy Payment Days at the end of January 2018 (dates to be advised).

Cake Stall Fundraiser

Caitlin Lyons and Jayden Eldershaw have been selected to attend the 2017 Pan Pacific All Schools Games (track and field) representing Tasmania in Adelaide 2 – 6 December.

We are fundraising to help with the cost of accommodation and transport for Caitlin and Jayden. If families would like to donate cooked items (cake, biscuits etc) we would be most grateful. Please label your item and contact us on 0438 981 935 to drop off cooking.

We appreciate you support.

Kim Eldershaw and Jenny Lyons

When: Thursday 16 November
Where: Perth IGA
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am

Fundraising Group Update

Thank you to students and parents for supporting our Pizza Day. A very special thank you to parents for donated your time to help on the day.

Jacqui Dalton

Outside School Care Hours (OSHC)

Vacancies available for Early Birds and After School Care

Early Birds 7:45am - 8:30 am Monday - Friday

Please contact the school office 6398 2302 ($3 per child or $5 for family per day)

After School Care – Midlands Kids Club (Northern Midlands Council)

please contact Kate Lee – 0438 911 303

Uniform Shop Hours

Open

Tuesday 2:45 pm – 3:00 pm
Friday 8:45 am – 9:00 am
Friday 2:45 pm – 3:00 pm

Uniform price lists are available via the school app.

EFTPOS is available at the school office.

PPS Support Staff

2017 Term Dates

2018 Term Dates

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