NEWSLETTER 2 1 6 - 2 2 0 A D A M S R O A D , C R A I G M O R E 5 1 1 4

E : d l . 1 8 7 9 _ i n f o @ s c h o o l s . s a . e d u . a u

W E B : w w w . p l a y f o r d r 7 . s a . e d u . a u

Dear Parents/Carers,

ACQUAINTANCE NIGHT

This important night will be held on Tuesday 20th of February.

All teachers and classes will be involved. The night will commence at 6.00pm and go through until 7.00pm. The format of the night will be similar to previous years. Reception teachers are meeting with their parents at 5.45pm in the Multi-Purpose Room. In most instances there will be no actual set class times when teachers will speak to parents/caregivers as a whole. Instead, much of this information has been provided in an introduction letter each class teacher has already sent home or they will provide on the night. Individual teachers will send home an invitation.

Any further information will be provided in written form as required. Students will act as tour guides and show their parents/caregivers around. You can arrive at the time that suits you, between 6.00pm - 7.00pm, and move around the school at leisure with your children. The evening will involve students introducing parents to the teacher(s) along with showing and explaining to them important sections / information / their books within their classroom. Students will also then show parents/caregivers other areas in the school they use and introduce them to other teachers they work with during the week. Parents will have the opportunity to ask questions as they move around the school.

We urge parents / caregivers to attend this night with their child/ren; to meet the classroom teacher(s) and to develop that important school/home link, vital for success. Importantly it will allow you to increase your knowledge of the practices that teachers employ, expectations for the year and to see first hand what children are learning. The back gate will be open to allow access to the site from Somerset Grove as well as the front gates on Adams Road.

Information about Governing Council will be available in the Resource Centre on Acquaintance Night.

GOVERNING COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

Tuesday 27th March, 7.00pm

A number of vacancies exist for 2018 — 2019. If you would like to know more about how the school operates and have input into the directions and decisions we make for the school, then please consider becoming a member of the council.

As a member you attend two evening meetings a term that go for approximately 1.0 – 1.5 hours. Please complete the nomination form included in this newsletter if you wish to nominate. If you would like to find out more about the role of the council, please contact the school and we can give you the name of a council member to speak to. You can also visit the Governing Council Information Stand in the Resource Centre on Acquaintance Night.

8 t h F e b r u a r y , 2 0 1 8 I S S U E 0 2 T E R M 1 , W E E K 2

Diary Dates 13th February Governing Council Mtg. 7.00pm 20th February Acquaintance Night 6.00pm-7.00pm 16th February

Playgroup Starts

9.00am-11.00am

Volunteer Workshop

9.15am - 10.30am

Assembly 12.15pm, Gym

Group 4: A07, B07, C02,

D02, E05, E08, H03 with

C02 Coordinating

26th February to 2nd

March or 5th March to

9th March

Rec. - Yr 5 Swimming

5th & 6th March

Yr 7 Aquatics & Yr 6

Leadership Days

12th March

Adelaide Cup Holiday

16th March

Assembly 12.15pm, Gym

Group 2: A02, B02, C01,

D06, G01, E02, E07, H04

with G01 Coordinating

27th March

Governing Council AGM

7.00pm

EXEMPTION FROM ATTENDANCE

Often we have parents/guardians approach teachers during the year regarding taking their children out of school for a period of time for such things as a family holiday or family commitments. The process for such a request is as follows:

Parents/guardians must complete an application form for periods of exemption of 3 days or longer which is forwarded to the Principal. Within two days of receiving the application, the Principal, Dean Clark, will advise if the request needs to be discussed further.

Application forms are available from the Front Office. These need to be returned to the school a fortnight before the intended exemption, or even earlier if possible, to enable them to be processed. These processes are all departmental requirements that schools are required to have in place as part of the Attendance Policy.

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION SESSION

Volunteers who have not attended an information session are invited to attend our next session on Friday 16th February at 9.15am. This session is applicable to you if you listen to reading, are a class helper, intend to assist on excursions / SAPSASA / in the Resource Centre / fundraising activities or Governing Council. Roles and responsibilities of volunteers, Responding to Abuse and Neglect (RAN) Training, school procedures and expectations, Work, Health and Safety (WHS) and the requirements regarding National Criminal History Checks (DCSI) for volunteers will be shared. Parents/carers are unable to start volunteering without attending a session or having a DCSI clearance. Please notify the Front Office or email the school before the session if you can attend. Additional sessions will be held at different times throughout the year and will be advertised in the newsletter.

CAR PARKS

A reminder that both Playford Primary car parks at the front of the school on Adams Road are not drop off or pick up areas for students in the mornings and afternoons. This information is shown on large signs outside both sets of gates. There are disability parks at the front and back gates and two parks within the site. Please note also that the driveway adjacent to the Gym is not to be used for either parking and/or drop offs and pick ups.

GUIDE DOG:

Please be aware we have a family with a guide dog which has permission to be on school grounds. Students and adults are not to pat the dog as it is a working dog.

Kind Regards, Dean, Phillipa, Lorraine, Michelle and Matt ~ Playford Primary Leadership Team

PAGE 2

SCOOTERS & BIKES ARE TO BE WALKED ON SCHOOL GROUNDS.

Playford Primary Playgroup is back next week. Our first session will be on Friday 16th February. Our Playgroup is open to all families with children aged 0-5 years and we focus on preparing your preschool aged child/ren for their

impending education while having fun. Everyone is made to feel very welcome, so please come along! WHEN: Fridays (School term only. ) 9. 00am - 11.00am

WHERE: Art/Design Room, Playford Primary School COST: $2. 00 per family per session

WHAT TO BRING: Hat, piece of fruit and your session fee. For further information please contact the Front Office on 8284 3065.

NO HAT NO PLAY All children are required to wear a school navy blue hat (wide broad brimmed or bucket without strings) in the playground during recess and lunch. Baseball caps without neck and ear protection are not acceptable. Hats are available at the Payment Office, $7.00 each. Children without an appropriate hat will be confined to designated shaded areas during breaks.

The students have participated in Launching into Learning lessons

throughout the past two weeks to support their understanding of school

rules, class expectations and having positive mindsets when it comes to

learning.

“In our class we are brave because when

something is hard we give it a shot.”

“In Launching into Learning we have

been learning about having a growth

mindset in our learning.”

“In our class if we get it wrong

we will keep trying.”

PAGE 3

Why do I hear so much about attendance?

Regular attendance at school is important to the learning and wellbeing of students. Of course, students sometimes cannot attend school due to a variety of reasons including illness, but did you know these facts about attendance?

10 days per term is considered by DECD as chronic absence

5 days per term is considered by DECD as habitual absence

What does this mean for my child?

Students who do not attend school on a regular basis;

Miss important information and instructions Tend to worry and stress about school and are more likely to fall behind Spend more time catching up Miss out on learning opportunities and fun events Are less likely to feel like they belong and have a place in the school community Lose friendships Find school increasingly difficult

I think my child may be missing too much school. How can I check?

1 day per fortnight = 1 ½ years of missed school across R-12

1 day per week = More than 2 ½ years of missed school across R-12

2 days per week = 5 years of missed school across R-12

What about being late?

10 minutes late per day = ½ school year missed across R-12

20 minutes later per day = 1 year of school missed across R-12

Reminder – Lessons begins at 9am and students can arrive at school from 8.40am

How can I get support?

If you feel that you would like to talk to someone about getting your child to school on time and regularly, please contact the school counsellor for a meeting.

PAGE 4

Last week all families would have received their Material

and Services Invoice. Some families are eligible for

financial assistance from the Government for the payment

of this fee. Eligibility for School Card is not based on

whether the applicant has a Centrelink Health Care card,

Pensioner Concession Card or receives Family Tax benefits,

but is based on the 2016/2017 financial year and whether

the applicant’s family gross income falls within the School

Card income limits. Applicants who fall outside the income limits may be eligible under hardship and should lodge a

Hardship Income Assessment Form. Applications are available from the school Front Office or you can apply online at:

http://www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/financial-help-scholarships-and-grants/school-card-scheme

Dependent

Children

Gross annual School

Card income limit

Gross weekly School

Card income limit

1 $57,870 $1,113

2 $58,903 $1,133

3 $59,936 $1,153

4 $60,969 $1,173

5 $62,002 $1,193

My name is Jacqui Langstreth, I am the Defence School Transition Aide here at our Playford/McAuley Campus.

I am employed by our school to support and encourage the smooth transition of Defence families into and out of our school environments. My aim is to assist children and their parents to quickly become part of our Playford McAuley Campus and our community. In addition to this, I also offer support to the families of Defence members who may be absent from the family home due to a deployment, exercise or course. I also act as a link between Defence families and the Defence and Community Resources that are available to them.

During the year I am available at school Tuesday to Thursday 8.30am - 3.30pm. You can contact me on 8284 3065 during these hours or via email: jacqui.langstreth279@schools.sa.edu.au

I am looking forward to catching up with you all at our Acquaintance Night or at our Morning Tea on Wednesday 21st Feb. 0900. Kind regards, Jacqui Langstreth

PLAYFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL GOVERNING COUNCIL

NOMINATION FOR ELECTION FORM

I………………………………………………………..………….……….(full name)

of…………………………………………………………...……………….(address)

Nominate

……………………………………………….………………………………(full name)

of………………………………………………….………………………….(Address)

To be elected as a Governing Council member.

I……………………………………………………………………….…….(full name)

accept the nomination and hereby declare that:

I have not been declared bankrupt and do not receive a benefit of

a law for the relief of insolvent debtors.

I have not been convicted of any offence of dishonesty, or of a

sexual nature involving a minor, or of violence against a person.

I understand that should I be declared bankrupt, receive a benefit

of law for the relief of insolvent debtors or be convicted of any of

the offences listed my membership of Playford Primary School

Governing Council will cease.

Signed…………………………………….………………..…Date………………

PAGE 5

GOVERNING COUNCIL SUB COMMITTEES

You do not have to be on Governing Council to participate in these committees. If interested please complete the slip below

and return to the Front Office. Contact the Front Office if you require any further information.

Canteen:

Canteen committee consists of parents, canteen manager, council representatives and student

representatives from each school along with Campus leadership members.

Committee meets once per term to discuss and look at the Canteen operation, make decisions about

food and beverage suggestions and new initiatives.

Meetings are normally held during the day at 2.00p.m. on a day that suits members.

Finance:

Committee consists of Principal, staff rep, Governing Council Treasurer, School Finance Officer and interested parents.

Committee meets twice per term to review the school budget. The meeting times are determined by the

residing committee.

Oversees financial decisions and the development of the annual school budget and provides support,

making suggestions to the Principal and Finance Officer on budget issues.

Fundraising:

Assist the school to raise funds for resources and curriculum materials.

Coordinate a fundraising activity for each term.

The committee meets on needs basis at times that suit members.

Campus OSHC / Vacation Care: Our site has members who represent the Governing Council on this committee that meets twice a term

during the evening.

OSHC Committee consists of OSHC director, leadership members from both sites, Governing Council

representative and interested parents.

The aim of this group is to oversee the management of the service as well as discuss and raise issues

from Governing Council and the wider community. It also makes decisions about new initiatives and

makes recommendations to the Catherine McAuley School Board which manages the service.

Please consider becoming involved in one of these committees as they play an important role in providing resources and

facilities, enabling the students and staff to achieve success in a positive learning environment at Playford Primary.

PLAYFORD PRIMARY

GOVERNING COUNCIL

SUB COMMITTEES

I would like to join the following sub committee.

o Canteen

o Finance

o Fundraising

o Campus OSHC / Vacation Care

Name:

…………………………………………………………..…………….

Signature:……………………………….……… Date: ………..………

If you would like more information please contact the school

on 8284 3065. Return this slip to the front office or via

email at dl.1879_info@schools.sa.edu.au

PAGE 6

Our library had an exciting transformation over the holidays with the new design giving the children

easier access to their favourite books. The classes have enjoyed treasure hunt activities looking for

their favourites and discovering comfortable places to settle in for a read. The Premier’s Reading

Challenge has begun again so we encourage all children to select at least one PRC labelled book each

week. Teachers have the reading record forms and we invite you to take a look at the PRC website

www.prc.sa.edu.au for book lists and more information.

We suggest that your child spends at least 10 minutes every day reading and

that you read or talk with your child about the books they choose. Non-

fiction (information) books are ideal for readers who prefer to dip in and out of a book, to learn about

a particular topic, or discover how things work in our world. They encompass myths, legends and fairy

tales as well as Australian and classic literature and biographies. As adults, some of our most common

non-fiction reading includes newspapers, magazines, recipes and manuals. Our Campus Resource

Centre has an extensive range of fiction books from picture books to novels, as well as many popular

series. We encourage all our children to choose a variety of books for library borrowing. Please feel

free to visit our Resource Centre before or after school to see what your children are interested in

reading. We look forward to meeting you on Acquaintance Night.

Thank you to everyone who returned their books at the end of the year. We still have a number of overdue books that can be

brought back at any time. We would much rather have our books returned than have to spend time and money ordering and

covering them all over again!

Scholastic Book Club is an all year round fundraiser for our Resource Centre with affordable

books for all ages. There are 8 issues throughout the year distributed by our volunteer

parents who generously give their time to process and deliver orders. You are under no

obligation to make a purchase but the opportunity is there each time. Orders with payment

can be sent to school with your child or we recommend that you use the very simple online

LOOP ordering system shown on the catalogue. Thank you for your support.

Playford Primary School participates in a number of SAPSASA events, most of them involving students in Years 5, 6 and 7. In these events students are given the opportunity to represent their school in different sports at a District Carnival. The events Playford will be involved in this year are:-

* District Swimming (Friday 23rd February) – Only students who swim in competitions. * District Cross Country (Friday 4th May) – Students chosen from Trials held at school. * Winter Carnival (Friday 25th May) - Open to all students in Years 5, 6 and 7. Sports that are usually offered are Football, Netball,

Soccer and Volleyball. * District Athletics Carnival (Friday, 24th August) - Students involved in this Carnival will be selected on ability from PE lessons

and trials. * Summer Carnival (Friday, 16th November) - Open to all students in Years 5, 6 and 7. Sports that are usually offered are

Netball, Tee Ball, Volleyball and Cricket.

Information regarding the above Carnivals will be distributed to those students interested approximately 2 weeks before each event. Please return forms by the due date as large numbers of students need to be organised into teams.

DISTRICT TRIALS: During the year students from Years 6 and 7 who are of above average ability in the following Sports – Football (Boys), Netball (Girls), Soccer (Boys and Girls), Cricket (Boys and Girls) and Tennis (Girls and Boys), will have an opportunity to trial for District Sports Teams involved in SAPSASA State Championships. Students will be notified when information and nomination forms become available and they will be able to collect them from the Gym.

STATE TRIALS: SAPSASA coordinates State teams for 14 different Sports. If students are of exceptional ability in any of these sports they have the opportunity to nominate to trial. If you wish to trial for a team an online nomination form must be completed and submitted by the due date. Click on the sport which you wish to nominate on the SAPSASA Website www.decd.sa.gov.au/sport. This will give you the selection information and nomination form that you will need to fill. If you have any problems, contact the SAPSASA office on 8416 5900 or email them.

John Barlow ~ SAPSASA Coordinator, Playford Primary