Clapham Primary School

We are now beginning to prepare for 2021. If you have a child who is leaving at the end of the year or would like to start at Clapham Primary, please let the Front Office know as soon as possible. This information will be extremely helpful for us to make informed decisions about class structures and staffing requirements.

The Australian Girls Choir (AGC) will be visiting Clapham Primary on Friday, 4th September (Week 7) to run a 30-minute workshop for any interested girls in Reception – Year 7. If you think your child may be interested in participating then please collect a flyer from the Front Office during Week 6 and return the completed consent form to Mrs Fasoli or the Front Office before the 4th September. On the day, interested girls will participate in a workshop with one of the AGC’s experienced tutors, involving simple rhythm, pitch and movement activities and games. Following the workshop, the AGC will send a personalised written report to the parents of each girl who participated. If you would like more information then please contact Linda Fasoli.

A reminder that if your child is wearing the blue and white check school dress (previous style) they can continue to wear this dress until the end of Term 1, 2021.   From Term 2, 2021 the only dress that can be worn will be the blue and green check dress.

Sofia B has been selected in the SAPSASA Hockey team which is a wonderful achievement at her age. Congratulations Sofia!

It is with much pleasure that I can announce that Cassie Kopias has been successful in winning the Assistant Principal position (2021-2024). Cassie has only been with us for a short while, however the positive impact she has had at Clapham in this time has been outstanding.  I look forward to working with Cassie and Justine as the leadership team in 2021 and beyond – very exciting.

Jodie Kingham, Principal

‘Support Staff – Essential for Learning’ is the theme for the 2020 Support Staff Week, 24 - 28 August, which acknowledges School Services Officers (SSOs), Early Childhood Workers (ECWs) and Aboriginal Education Workers (AEWs). Thank you for your contributions Fiona, Rosary, Maria, Helen, Karen, Melissa, Marie, Gail, Tracy and Samantha. Clapham Primary could not function without you and everything you do to support our students to achieve their potential.

Hi I am Genevieve and I am in Year 6. At the end of August I will be donating 35cm of my hair to Variety-Hair with Heart to make wigs for people who have lost their hair. I have done this already two years ago and I am really keen to do it again. It costs over $6,000 to just make one wig. Every little bit counts. Thank you!

If you wish to support Genevieve's fundraising efforts please consider donating by following this link:

https://hairwithheart.variety.org.au/fundraisers/genevievepeet/hair-with-heart

Strong, positive relationships with our families help us to feel supported. Having people around us to encourage us can help us manage stress and maintain our wellbeing, especially during these difficult times. With social distancing and isolation, it’s easy to feel disconnected from your family. Unless they are isolating with you, which can bring its own stresses. Supporting children through this time can also be challenging. Family is the place where we share the load, in good times and bad ones.

Nurture your family in a time of change by:

• Staying connected with family online or by phone

• Spending time with children talking about what is happening

• Maintaining family routines as much as possible

• Having fun together and building positive memories

• Being patient with each other as changes unfold

• Allowing family members to have quiet time and/or time for work

• Embracing opportunities to do things differently

• Encouraging and supporting each other

• Actively listening to each other

Read more on family support and access other resources. Do you need some extra support? We can help. Go to https://www.rasa.org.au/locations/

The eSafety Commissioner has a range of helpful advice and resources for parents and carers, including managing screen time and online gaming. How much is too much? There is no magic figure. The right amount of screen time can depend on a range of factors like your child’s age and maturity, the kind of content they are consuming, their learning needs and your family routine.

Find out more https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/big-issues/time-online

The following is a brief update of each sub-committee:

Facilities: The facilities subcommittee has planned a Community Action Day for tomorrow.  The facilities sub-committee has also planned for further planting in some areas of the school.  the Bread Tag initiative was raised at the Facilities meeting and shared with SRC and is now underway!  Highlights are that the security upgrade is complete.  The roof upgrade should be completed in the October holidays.  The Nature Play additions are being purchased from fundraising funds from 2019.  The new additions are proving to be very popular.  

After School Sports:  Our

Clapham Primary’s Yr 3/4 netball team are enjoying some exciting even games and are now on a winning streak with two wins in a row. It’s been wonderful to watch their perseverance, improvement and teamwork this year. Well done team! Please see photo below

Following SA Health advice all adult spectators must practice appropriate physical distancing (1.5 metres physical distance) when attending games. No limit as to how many spectators attend outdoor venues BUT adults attending games in the gym/hall must follow the ‘venue density rule’ of no more than 1 person per 2 square metres.

Unfortunately due to COVID-19 restrictions players are unable to have shared fruit and/or lollies. Parents may choose to provide a healthy snack/refreshment ie: oranges, for their own child at half time. Please remember no dogs are permitted on school grounds at any time, even on a lead/leash. Thank you in advance for your support in ensuring everyone adheres to these rules whilst attending Clapham Primary for sports. Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 10 September @ 2:45pm.

OSHC Advisory Sub-Committee:  Happy Haven had a successful vacation care program.  The review was carried out by the Subcommittee and a recommendation of extending the contract for a further three years was approved.

Events (Fundraising): Wine sale fundraiser order forms have been distributed. Please return order form to Finance Office by Monday 7 September.   Payment is available by Qkr! App, credit card or cash at time of ordering. Your wine will be available for collection at the school from Monday 21st September, 2020. Wine must be collected by an adult.                          

Finance:  The schools budget is tracking well.  School fee reminder letters were sent early in Term 3.

This term our students have been involved in daily mindfulness activities using the program Smiling Mind. During these sessions’ students have been paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity and without judgement. Mindfulness mediation has been shown to help manage stress, resilience, anxiety, depression and improve general health and wellbeing. If you wish to continue using this program with your children during the school holidays it is a free app that can be downloaded. Programs that can be accessed are suitable for adults, kids and families.

The Material & Services fee approved for 2020 is $410.00 and now overdue.

Payments can be made via Qkr, EFTPOS or cash.

Payment plans are available by contacting the finance office, either in person or via email at dl.0952.finance@schools.sa.edu.au

School Card applications are able to be completed online at www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/financial-help-scholarships-and-grants/school-card-scheme.

Click on the Applications button and select School Card A, alternatively you can come into the front office and see Tracy or Gail to complete an application.  You will need your Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.  Applications for School Card need to be completed annually.

Thank you,

Tracy and Gail

Finance Team