IN THE LOOP 6 March 2019

Term 1 Week 6 6 March 2019 Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

Parent Information Sessions

I would like to extend a big thank you to all the parents and carers who were able to attend the Parent

Information Sessions presented by our teaching staff last week. The rates of attendance were very high

with most classes having more that 80% of the students represented by parents or carers. This event has

enhanced the smooth transition of students into 2019 routines and the school values the opportunity to

foster positive partnerships between home and school. Later this term parents and carers will be invited to

book an interview with their child’s teacher to discuss individual progress and set up goals for the year.

These interviews will be through an online booking system with more information to follow in coming weeks.

Year 6 High School Information Sessions

I would like to thank the Stage 3 teachers who are hosting afternoon and morning High School Information

sessions this week. These sessions are important to clarify the high school application process and I’m

sure parents and carers are appreciative of the teachers’ time.

Classroom Levies and Voluntary Contributions

I would like to thank families that have already paid their child’s 2019 classroom levies and voluntary

contribution. The parent Online Payment option has been a popular option and I encourage those families

who are yet to finalise their school levy payments to do so by the end of next week, either by the preferred

online payments or by the traditional cash or cheque options. The beginning of the school year can bring

about additional financial demands for families from optional school activities such as sport, music and

dance activities. It is however important that families prioritise classroom levy payments to ensure that

students have access to learning resources. Families that are experiencing financial hardship are

encouraged to contact the school.

Sporting Achievements

Congratulations to Joachim E, Noah C and Taj N who were selected in the Botany Bay/Georges River AFL

Team and to Rio C, Komiti E and Zach A. Joachim E was also successful in selection in the Botany Bay

Tennis Team. All students will now progress to represent at the Sydney East level of Competition in these

sports later this month.

Finally, good luck to our team of 28 swimmers who will represent the school at this Friday’s Botany Bay

Zone swimming carnival at Bexley Aquatic Centre.

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Supervision of Students Before and After School

Morning

There have been a number of students who have been arriving at school prior to commencement of the

school's staff supervision roster which begins at 8.45am. There are no adult staff members available to

ensure the safety of children in the playground prior to that time.

I understand that many parents have commitments at work which require them to leave before 8:45 am.

However, there is available within the school an Out of School Hours (OOSH) Child Care Centre within

the school which operates from 7:30-9am every school morning. Alternatively, you may be able to make

arrangements with friends or neighbours for the supervision of your children. Some families in the school

with working parents take turns to take each other's children to school. As well, many employers will be

sympathetic to parents with responsibilities for caring for children and will allow some flexibility in parents'

working hours. By law, employers are restricted from treating an employee detrimentally on the grounds

of their status as a carer.

Whatever arrangements you make, you need to understand that you remain legally responsible for the

child prior to 8.45 am when supervision begins. Staff members on duty from 8:45am-9:15am wear highly

visible pink vests with ‘SSPS Staff’ emblazed on the back. This is to ensure students in need of

assistance within this time readily identify a staff member. Please note that the Kindergarten lunch

platforms and playground and Infants COLA area are not part of the supervised playground in the

morning session. All students in the playground between 8:45-9:15am should be somewhere in the area

from the canteen COLA up to the K-6 Assembly area and not on the other side of the demountable

buildings.

Afternoon

The school day ends at 3:15pm and parents and carers are responsible for the supervision of students as

they travel home. This may vary from family to family and according to the age and independence of

individual children within the family. The school has a well-developed handover system for students in

Kindergarten and Year 1 and older students are dismissed with more independence. If your child is

expecting you to pick them up at a predetermined location within the school please be on time. On

occasions where you may be running late it is encouraged that you contact the school office by phone by

3pm so that a message can be relayed to your child’s supervising teacher.

Thursday Afternoon Band Tutorials

All band tutorials are held between 3:15-5:15pm on Thursday afternoons. Parents and carers are

responsible for the supervision of their children before and after tutorial sessions. Alternatively, parents

may be able to make arrangements with other parents for the supervision of their children. Whilst children

are waiting for their tutorial to begin, they may play handball under the primary COLA but no other ball

games are permitted.

School Community Charter

I strongly encourage all parents and carers to read the attached School Community Charter which

outlines guidelines regarding respectful relationships and communication within our school community;

enhancing the wellbeing of students, teachers, office staff and members of the community.

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James Cook Technology High School Science and Technology Incursion

Attached to this newsletter is a copy of the information regarding registration for the Year 7, 2018 Extension Class test at Endeavour Sports High School.

Introducing the Sentral Education Parent Portal

In the next few days detailed information will be communicated to parents and carers regarding the launch

of the Sentral Education Parent Portal. The school has been using Sentral Education for nearly 10 years

and manages the student reports, attendance and wellbeing through the platform. The school aims to

have 100% of parents subscribed to the portal by the end of March. Importantly this year, parents will only

be able to book a Term 1 parent/teacher interview via the online booking system available through the

portal.

Last week our Year Six classes were fortunate to be involved in a STEMS experiment with two science teachers from James Cook HS. We were given the challenge of generating electricity using wires and a speed recorder. The end product resembled a miniature windmill. We assembled the parts and recorded the amount of electricity produced. The record amount of volts created during the day was 5.00 volts. We really enjoyed the lesson from the two teachers and found the experience challenging but also a lot of fun. This has made us look forward to high school even more. Xavier M and Noah C

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SRC Update

Griciela and Omega

Over the least 7 years SSPS has sponsored two children from Malawi. In this time we have funded many

fundraising activities and social awareness events to assist Omega, Griciela and their community.

We are extremely proud to say that now:

Griciela and Omega have successfully completed their schooling.

Their community is now self-sufficient (self-supporting) meaning that they are no longer reliant on

World Vision support.

Through our sponsorship the following has happened. Every child has access to:

Clean water- We have built water bore holes and installed village pumps. Also community members

have received knowledge and training to do this and maintenance training to ensure ongoing

operational success.

Education- Schools have been built, teachers have been trained and classroom, educational

supplies have been purchased.

Healthcare- Provided funds to train community members and purchase healthcare supplies.

Families- All families have been taught means of making a living leading to ongoing self-sufficiency

and general wellbeing.

Well done SSPS! You can all feel proud of your efforts and contributions over the years.

Mrs Holmes, Ms Graham and Mrs Hancock

SRC 2019

Congratulations to our new SRC Reps! Looking forward to a great year ahead!

Mrs Holmes, Ms Greeshaw and Ms Graham

Matilda Teiotu Will Smith 2G

Lily Ricketts Fabio Di Paolo 2T

Rose Selimiotis Andres Zurita 2P

Zoe Lunn Ethan Milionis 2D

Kyra Crawford Christopher Mougios 3G

Ava Sinclair Denzel Hunter 3T

Lauren Manastrovski Samuel Johnston 3/4C

Felicity Kerameas Ben Wilson 3L

Maya Hyasatt Harry Lunn 4K

Chloe Belmar Daniel Boulton 4W

Jasmine Mostapha David Kless 4P

Isabella Negro Anthony Sidirourgos 5T

Emmely Metirtikas Nikash Terry 5W

Theodora Arseniou Bryce Walker 5/6V

Zara Hawthorn Harvey Tunstall 5/6H

Ava Petrovski Jayden Pham 6K

Chantelle Ibrahim Hugh Somers 6R

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Canteen Roster

Thursday 7th March Annette, Christine S. Thursday 14 March Kirstie, Christine S.

Friday 8th March Nicolle, Angela Friday 15 March Angela

Monday 11 March Help Needed Monday 18 March Help Needed

Tuesday 12 March Help Needed Tuesday 19 March Help Needed

Wednesday 13 March Bernice, Erin Wednesday 20 March Help Needed

Dates:

7th March – Year 6 parent HS information session (8:30am)

8th Mar – St 3 Digital Citizenship incursion

8th Mar – Zone Swimming Carnival

11th Mar - Year 6 receive HS enrolment form

14th Mar – Selective HS Test

Next Newsletter’s spotlight feature:

Jnr Hip Hop dance group

In the Spotlight…

This week’s feature – School Captains and Prefects

This week we interviewed the members of the Student Leadership Team and enquired about their roles and responsibilities.

Felicia (Prefect) – I’ve enjoyed supporting this year’s new kindergarten students in becoming familiar with our school’s facilities.

Marcus (Prefect) – I’m looking forward to the ‘Leadership by the River’ program and hope to make a difference to the school.

Noah (Captain) – I enjoy leading assemblies and making important speeches. Ella (Vice-Captain) – I enjoy speaking at the 3-6 Assembly as it has made a difference to my public

speaking skills and confidence.

- Spotlight journalist: Ethan C

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