Department for Education and Child Development T/A South Australian Government Schools CRICOS Provider Number: 00018A

NEWSLETTER Week 10 Term 3 2021

An IB school valuing, supporting and inspiring a community of lifelong learners

At Blackwood Primary School our IB Program develops students who respect and value others as well as take action to make a difference in the world. So, how are Blackwood Primary School students making a difference to others and our community? Our Year 6/7 students are currently working really hard on their Unit of Inquiry under the theme of “Who We Are.” This unit has been central to learning over the past two terms and students have had the opportunity to focus on one of the UN Sustainable Development goals. The over-arching central idea, “Thinking beyond ourselves can empower us to act,” has assisted the student to research and understand an individual area of interest and to take action to make a difference. Initially students unpacked their roles and responsibilities as a self-directed learner, each class developed their own version of the central idea, classes investigated the UN goals and then students began formulating questions and developing their own lines of inquiry. During the process students have worked collaboratively across classes to share resources and support each other. Some students have combined groups to undertake their action and shared research about their issue. Reflection has also been a big part of the process with students identifying their use of time and regularly setting goals, all important skills as they move to High School. We were fortunate to have many teachers across R-7 volunteer to mentor our students and help them achieve their goals. The students have the opportunity to continue with their learning and action throughout the holidays ready for their exhibition next term. Some exciting action is taking place so watch this space for further information on how you can become involved. Thank you also to those of you who have supported some of our student action so far. We look forward to sharing more about the exhibition process and action early next term. Recently we received our NALAN results for Year 3, 5 and 7 with some pleasing results. Parent packs will be distributed to students tomorrow. Teachers also have copies of each student’s results. Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday ready to come back to school refreshed for an exciting and busy term ahead.

Principal: Kris Robson 4 Seymour Street, Eden Hills 5050 Phone: 8278 5355 www.blackwoodps.sa.edu.au Deputy Principal: Amanda Gulliver

Important Diary

Dates

Friday 24 September

Last day Term 3 2.20pm finish

Monday 11 October

Student Free Day

Tuesday 12 October

Start of Term 4

Tuesday 19 October

P&F Meeting 6pm Staff Room

Tuesday 26 October

OSHC Advisory Committee 5pm

6/7 Exhibition Presentation Evening

Governing Council Meeting 6pm

Wednesday 27 Sept

RAA Incursion Rec-3/4

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2.20pm Early Dismissal Last Day of Term

To secure a space in OSHC for after school on Friday 24 September, please book using the My Family Lounge APP, booking under the ‘After School Care Roll’.

Enrolments 2022

We are currently looking at class structure for the 2022 year and need assistance from our school community to ensure that we are accounting for everyone in our budget as well as these structures. If you know of anyone who is planning on enrolling in Blackwood Primary for the 2022 year and has not filled in an enrolment form, please encourage them to do so ASAP. Likewise, if you know you will not be returning to Blackwood Primary School in 2022, please let the Front Office know ASAP. Thank you for your assistance in this important forward planning.

Lost Property

Our lost property cupboard is bursting at the seams!

During Week 10, a table will be placed at the front of the Reception Office with items of uniform, lunch boxes and drink bottles. Please look through to claim any lost items.

Any unclaimed/unnamed items will be sold as second hand, or donated at the end of the term. Don’t forget to name all uniform clothing (hats, shirts, jackets/windcheaters) as well as drink bottles and lunch boxes.

No Lunch Orders on Tuesday 12 October. Blackwood High School Canteen closed.

SAPSASA Soccer Carnival

Congratulations to Eden who was in the SAPSASA Soccer carnival. He was the only Year 5 that represented Southern Heights.

School Information

Student Absence If your child will be absent

from school, please send a txt through the

School Star App

or

SMS Text to 0427 016 460

*** Banking Day Banking day is Wednesday

In recess until further notice

*** Term Uniform Shop

Opening Hours Closed until further notice

Available at Devon Shop 84 Daws Rd Edwardstown

*** KickStart Breakfast Tuesday, Wednesday

& Friday 8:30am

Outside the Canteen In recess until further

notice ***

Lost and Found Ensure all items are clearly labelled so we can return

them to you and check the lost and found cupboard

for missing items. ***

BPS Playgroup Thursdays

0 – 4 year olds 9am to 11am OSHC Room

*** School Tour Days

We offer school tours for new families & new

students. Contact Reception on

8278 5355 for the next tour date and to book.

*** To join, search for

Blackwood PS Scene in Facebook and click on

the Join button.

Student Free Day

Monday 11 October

OSHC is open 7.00am to 6.00pm.

Book now on the My Family Lounge app under Pupil Free Day roll.

*December/January VACATION CARE PROGRAM will be from December 13th to 24th, 2021 and January 10th to 28th, 2022 (closed

from 27th December to 7th January).

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Governing Council Report

I wrote my first Governing Council a few months ago, looking back on how fortunate we have been this

year and that we are almost back to “normal”, after a challenging year in 2020. It was only a few weeks

after that when SA went into a snap lockdown and things started to get a little more serious. I joked at

the GC meeting that I will never write another GC article again, to avoid further jinxing.

On a more serious note, the events of the last 3 months remind us that we have to remain vigilant,

adaptable and be prepared for future challenges. We dipped into and out of the lock down quite quickly.

We are a lot more fortunate than other states.

The Governing Council has been busy, with the last meeting held over Zoom. It was a pleasure to meet

face to face again this week.

It has been a busy week at school with Virtual Student Led Conferences, NAPLAN results due out soon and

a very successful and fun Movie Night. Another great event organised by the Parents and Friends

Committee.

Recently, the season for winter sports wound up. It was my son’s first season of school soccer and my

first as a coach. It was a great season with the team improving through the season. Again a big thanks

for all volunteers who made it all possible.

The year seems to have gone very quickly. I can’t believe it is the end of Term 3. I am looking forward to

summer, sunshine and putting away the jumpers and jackets. This might also help to clear and reduce the

Lost and Found items at school.

Sebastian Pawelski

Governing Council Chairperson

Debating 2021

Throughout this year two teams of Year 6/7 students were involved in a Debating Competition with Debating SA. We started our 5 round season at Pulteney Grammar School, but moved to Nazareth Catholic College as the season progressed. Our two teams improved their debating skills throughout the year, and we came away with a few wins, very close losses and Best Speaker awards. Our Blue 6/7 team consisted of Channelle, Maia, Chrishella, Leonora and Annika. Our Green 6/7 team consisted of Isabel, Davina, Lexi, Andy M and Naomi.

The students improved and learnt many different skills such as:

Team work when brainstorming, writing rebuttals and writing cohesive and connected speeches.

Writing convincing speeches using a variety of persuasive techniques and complex ideas.

Oral presentation skills and confidence speaking in front of an audience.

Listening to the opposition’s points to write rebuttals on the spot.

We finished the year with a delicious sushi and pizza celebration lunch together in Week 8, where we reflected on the season. Thank you to all parents/caregivers for their support and flexibility throughout the season.

In 2022, we look forward to having numerous teams in the Year 5 and 6 divisions representing Blackwood Primary School. We wish our debaters all the best for their future!

Lucy Sherwell & Jen Herbert Debating Coaches

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Festival Choir

What a night it was, “Stars in the Arena” celebrating 130 years of the Primary Schools Music Festival at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

On Tuesday, 7th September, 30 students from Blackwood Primary school performed as part of the choir. Our school was also represented by Imogen who was part of the dance troupe. The Primary Schools Festival of Music is the custodian of an iconic South Australian tradition, we engage our students in artistic excellence, cultural diversity and social inclusion through performance in Music and the Arts.

The commissioned work was entitled “Water is Life” which was a series of songs composed by local musician Glyn Lehman. Glyn sang in the festival himself nearly 50 years ago. The songs took us on a journey of our waterways through the eyes of a pelican.

During the concert there were a number of guest artists from public primary and secondary schools, other choir items that presented different musical genres, and two pieces that specifically showcased the talents of the orchestra.

The concert ended with a spectacular sea of colour.

An amazing event that our students were privileged and proud to be a part of.

Thank you to all students for the work and dedication they put in throughout the year.

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Mitcham Hills Mini Eisteddfod 2021

On Sunday 29th August, a total of 78 students from Blackwood and Eden Hills Primary Schools and Prescott College Southern took part in the Mitcham Hills Mini Eisteddfod. This was the 15th year for the Eisteddfod, an in-house musical festival which aims to give children an element of competition for all ages and levels in a safe and fun environment. It has been a wonderful learning experience for the children over the past ten weeks, as many of them learnt to play duets and trios together for the first time. It has fostered care and consideration for each other, perseverance, cooperation, teamwork, patience and tolerance. Although not all the results were perfect on the day, every child gave their best effort and there were many personal success stories. We encourage all children learning an instrument to practice regularly and achieve their best, but it is very important that they enjoy making music, feel comfortable performing and having a go. Music has been found to enrich the lives of all who participate in its creation or enjoyment, and the Eisteddfod allows our children to have a lot of fun sharing this amazing musical experience. Many thanks to all the children, parents and teachers who supported this day, and to Winston Music for the winners’ music vouchers. $465 was raised for Australian Rotary Health, Lifting the Lid on Mental Illness. Sarah Walsh – piano teacher and Eisteddfod co-ordinator.

The winners from Blackwood Primary School were:

Piano solos: Fox, Charvi, Aimee, Catherine, Reuben, Billy, Nicholas

Woodwind solo: Isabel

Piano duets & trios: Nicholas, Annabelle, Miranda, Fox, Charlotte

Food Drive For our Exhibition, which is a major unit of inquiry, we are doing a food drive. We have put a box in every class room, and asked the students to donate food that we can give to Foodbank in Edwardstown.

The foods that we would like you to donate are nonperishable foods, which means food that does not expire within a short amount of time. These foods include cereal, long life milk, granola bars, canned food, pasta, pasta sauce etc. Thank you.

Lucas, Andy P, Hugh Megan, Jessica, Oliver, Will

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Parents & Friends Committee Unfortunately, COVID-19 restrictions disrupted Parents & Friends Committee’s plans for this term, and we had to cancel the bi-annual Quiz Night. We are hoping to be able to run it next year instead! On Friday, September 17, we organised the movie night for BPS students and were delighted to see many kids rock up with their bean bags, cushions and huge smiles on their faces. Next term will bring even more exciting events for the kids! Year 4/5 students are currently preparing the Colour Run. They’ve been hard at work researching where to buy the coloured powder, calculating how much of powder is required per child and determining the total cost and amount of it. The Colour Run is expected to be the coolest event of the year! So don’t forget to get a white or light-coloured t-shirt to run in.

We wish everyone to enjoy the holiday break! P&F Committee

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Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service

The Women’s and Children’s Hospital’s new virtual assessment and referral service, Child and

Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service, allows children aged 1 to 18 years with non-life threatening

conditions to receive advice and coordinated care over a video platform.

Run by a highly skilled team of emergency consultants, nurses and administration staff, the service will

allow children who are well enough to avoid hospital and receive expert advice virtually, no matter

where they are.

Information about the service is available at www.wch.sa.gov.au/virtualurgentcare, including materials

you can print and distribute and a series of frequently asked questions.

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An invite for families to view our free online performance of Circus Quirkus 2021. This has been a specially recorded show in front of a live audience, to spread some much-needed happiness and laughter during these difficult times of Covid-19 and ever-changing regulations. It will be available throughout October and can be viewed multiple times from all platforms.