Hallett Cove East Primary School

We would like to acknowledge and pay our respects to the Kaurna people, the traditional custodians whose ancestral lands we gather on. We acknowledge the deep feelings of attachment and relationship of the Kaurna people to country and we respect and value their past, present and ongoing connection to the land and cultural beliefs. 

• Wednesday February 15th - Aquaintance Night
• Thursday February 23rd - Pupil Free Day
• Mon-Fri March 6th-10th - Rec-Yr4 Swimming Week

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

I extend a very warm welcome to all students and families for the start of the 2023 school year. We commence the new school year with 359 students. Day one was a true delight as we welcomed 30 reception children in House 8, starting school for the very first time. Our staff is looking forward to working closely with the school community throughout the year. 

We have had a very settled start after several disrupted school years with COVID. I acknowledge the thorough work of our dedicated staff in preparing classrooms and learning programs for the start of the school year. On a personal note, it has been wonderful to be greeted warmly, with many friendly smiles by children and families in the yard each day, which has made me feel very welcome in the school community. I have been particularly impressed so far, with the settled and calm nature of our classrooms and the engagement by all students in their learning.

New Staff

Welcome to the following staff to Hallett Cove East:

·         Mr James Martin, teaching PE and Science

·         Ms Chelsea Easton who is our Music teacher for term one, whilst Ms Tania Bailey takes long service leave.

·         Mr Paul Besanko who is providing additional classroom teacher support across the school

·         Ms Erin Finch as Pastoral Care Worker. Erin is working with our school Tuesdays and Fridays and has been busy meeting many children and visiting all classrooms in the first couple of weeks.

I know each staff member will add great things to our school.

Acquaintance Night

You will receive a notice via the Skoolbag app about our Acquaintance Night on Wednesday 15 February. Classroom teachers are running two sessions (5:30 and 6:15) to enable as many parents as possible to attend either one of the classroom sessions. We are looking forward to seeing you on the night.

National Assessment Plan – Literacy & Numeracy (NAPLAN)

This year, NAPLAN testing will take place during term one, from Monday 15 March for students in year 3 and 5, which is earlier than normal in the school year, but in line with the national assessment schedule. Students will participate in a practice test, towards the end of this month to help prepare for the test environment with their classes. More information will follow shortly.

Student Free Day

We have an upcoming student free day on Thursday 23 February where staff will be working on Literacy professional learning. For families who require the OSHC service on that day, please arrange your bookings as soon as possible with OSHC.

Student Leadership

Student leaders play an important role at Hallett Cove East Primary School. Each year students in year 6 provide a written application for the variety of leadership roles with interviews undertaken with a panel of staff and students to determine appropriate leadership positions. I have been very impressed with the calibre of applications and the way students have conducted themselves during an interview. Such talented young people! We look forward to announcing all student leadership positions shortly. Students will be recognised at our upcoming school assembly in week 3.

Governing Council – Annual General Meeting

Our Governing Council Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 06 March at 7pm, which is Monday of week 6. Please look out for further information when it becomes available, including information about nominating for a representative role on Governing Council.

Medical Forms

You may have received a reminder from your child’s class teacher about providing a Medical e-form for your child. It is very important that the school has the most current medical information about your child to assist in safe planning for school events and class excursions. Please ensure this is completed at your earliest convenience.

With regards

Matthew Champman

Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

It has been wonderful getting to reconnect with our students and families over the first couple of weeks. 

Just a few reminders for families: 

Swimming is in week 6 and the information forms should have come home by now. The consent forms and payment are due on the Tuesday of week 5. As there are no current COVID restrictions we understand that parents are allowed to visit the pool to observe their child should they wish. This is good news. We would remind you that children are under the care of the teachers, they cannot go home straight from the pool with you and we would ask you not to take any photographs as this may infringe others’ privacy. As you have read in the information all children, except from house 8, will be getting changed back at school. Any questions, please ask your class teacher. 

We are also really pleased that we can resume having parents at our assemblies run by buddy classes. These are generally on Friday afternoons at 2:15pm and your class teacher will provide further information. 

On Wednesday 15th February at 2pm we have traffic monitor training for all our students who have turned 10. If you have a child in year 5 or 6 please encourage them to give their time to help keep our students safe before and after school.  

Speaking of being safe before and after school, could I please remind parents to follow the restricted speeds around the school, even if you are running late? The drop zone, in the morning and after school, works best when parents or caregivers move off straight after dropping their child or picking them up. We have many cars and families going through this section of road, so moving as far in as you can, and moving out promptly but carefully, really helps with the flow.  

Please read the notices about the urgent need for a school soccer coordinator, it would be so disappointing for our families if we were unable to hold school soccer this year. 

Auskick starts on Wednesday 15th February, please see the information in this newsletter or on Skoolbag. 

If you know of any families wishing to enrol their children now or in the future please ask them to contact the front office or email the school as we are resuming daytime school tours. 

Kind Regards,

Andrea Hayden

Deputy Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A big Hello to the Hallett Cove East Primary School community,

I have had a very enjoyable first two weeks of the school year and I hope that all of our students have as well. The majority of my time has been spent getting to know our new students, particularly the littlest members of our school community. As you can imagine, there are lots of little characters running around the school and it has been wonderful getting to know them.

Our teachers have been busy focusing on building positive classroom environments with clear expectations and agreements as well as concentrating on student wellbeing and engagement. At different stages, classes have explored key areas witch include our school values, resilience, mindfulness and social and emotional skills.

Below is an excerpt from the Educator Toolkit that gives a little bit of information about mindfulness.

Mindfulness is “awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally.” Practising mindfulness has been shown to improve memory function and increase children and young peoples’ capacity for metacognition, a strategy recognised for improving self-questioning, problem solving and study skills.

Mindfulness practice involves reconnecting with life in the present moment so we are in the midst of what is happening right now. Regular practice has been shown to increase creativity, and can lead to more successful problem solving and better decisions.

As we are now beginning to settle into our regular routines and school life, please don’t hesitate to reach out if your child needs some additional assistance or guidance.

Regards,

Aaron Charlton

Wellbeing Leader / Year 5/6 Teacher

Hi Everyone,

My name is Erin, I am the new Pastoral Care Worker here at Hallett Cove East Primary School. I have had a fantastic first couple of weeks getting to visit the different classrooms giving me the opportunity to start getting to know the children and staff at the school. I have had such a warm and friendly welcome by everyone, that I feel so blessed to be working here at HCEPS. To share a little about myself, I have previously worked as a PCW in country schools, having only just moved to Adelaide half way through last year when I got married. I previously lived on a small property in the Mid North, which meant I was able to enjoy the scenery of paddocks and hills, I also enjoyed the country community connections of being able to say, “Hi,” down the street to families and staff I worked with. I would spend some of my time playing netball and basketball in my local country areas as well as enjoying board game nights with friends. Well that is enough about me, I look forward to connecting and forming friendships with all of you within the school community. Please feel free to come and say, “Hi,” or have a chat at any time, I am present at the school on Tuesday’s and Friday’s.

Have a great weekend 😊

Erin

Welcome to the 2023 School Year. 

A poll of the school community was conducted at the end of the 2022 school year which overwhelmingly resulted in our families agreeing to the 2023 Materials and Services Charge being set at the core charge of $350 for Reception to Year 7 students, this amount is known as the ‘prescribed sum’.

All families should have received their 2023 materials and services charge invoice of $350 and an incursion/excursion levy invoice for $60 this week. As per the letter from the Minister for Education, Training and Skills, sent via Skoolbag last week, SA families with children attending public school will receive a $100 discount per student on their annual M&S charge.

Please read your STATEMENT CAREFULLY and pay only the balance of your STATEMENT  we will apply your discount (as well as balance of credits from 2022) to your invoices on payment.

To allow us to provide the quality program and resources that we have planned for the students in 2023, we ask for these invoices to be settled within 14 days. We provide several payment options, QKR App (our preferred option), EFTPOS, cash, cheque, or a 24/7 BPOINT payment option via our school website.  We also have an online direct debit payment option which allows our families and caregivers to select regular payment option to be deducted from a selected bank account or credit card on a weekly/ fortnightly or monthly basis. If you would like to take up this option please complete the application online via the school website. Details on how to access the Qkr App are available via the school website www.halcoveeps.sa.edu.au.

If you intend on applying for School Card in 2023 please do so NOW and do not pay your invoice. You will be notified of your eligibility.  The 2023 school card applications can be submitted online, please go to www.sa.gov.au and search school card to complete your application.

Should you have difficulty with settling your account please contact the school finance officer to put a payment plan in place.

Kind Regards

Imelda Jolly

Business Manager

Volunteers are important to our school community. Our canteen relies on help from volunteers to deliver a meal service to our pupils.

To enable us to provide a varied recess and lunch menu offer to our pupils we really do need your help.   

If you have a spare hour or more we would welcome your support.

Not registered with the school as a volunteer?  Volunteer application packs are available from the front office containing all the information you need to submit your registration as a volunteer...... WE NEED YOU

Clearance - ALL shorts, skirts & skorts are just $ 2!

Open every Wednesday 8:30-9am and 3:00-3:30pm in House 1 - first building near the gates at the drop off/pick up point.  The shop is stocked with a variety of second hand uniform items. The money raised is given back to the school and utilised in fundraising projects. Remember that if you have any uniforms that no longer fit or are not being worn and in good clean condition, we'd love to receive them. Thank you.

HCEPS takes part in Saturday morning school soccer, which is played in Terms 2 and 3 (May through September) with training on a weekday after school.  We have teams from Under 6 to Under 12, with over 70 kids taking part.  It is completely run by parent/care giver volunteers, from the Coach, Team Manager etc. with oversight by HCEPS Governing council.

This year we are looking for someone to take the Coordinator role to oversee the running of the 2023 soccer season.  If you think that this is something that you would like to do, please contact Mel Vlachos – hcepssoccer@gmail.com as soon as possible.  Although the season does not start till May, there are meetings, forms etc that are required to do before. 

Qkr App (pronounced quicker) is Hallett Cove East Primary School and Out of School Hours/Vacation Care preferred form of payment. 

Please click for more details Qkr App

Download on the App Store or Get it on Google Play