Hallett Cove East Primary School

• 25/3/21 - NAPLAN Practice Test
• 2/4/21 Good Friday Public Holiday
• 5/4/21 Easter Monday Public Holiday
• 11/5/21 - 21/5/21 - NAPLAN testing program
• Pupil Free Day - Friday June 11th (Term 2)
  
• Pupil Free Day - Monday July 19th (Term 3)

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

 PUPIL FREE DAYS

GOVERNING COUNCIL HAS ENDORSED 2 PUPIL FREE DAYS

FOR CURRICULUM DESIGNING AND PLANNING.

DATES OF PUPIL FREE DAYS ARE:

FRIDAY JUNE 11TH (FRIDAY BEFORE LONG WEEKEND IN TERM 2)

AND

MONDAY 19TH JULY (FIRST DAY OF TERM 3).

GOVERNING COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP

Congratulations to our new Governing Council for 2021. The new Governing Council met for the first time this week. All the office bearers and sub-committee representatives were chosen.

Congratulations and a big thank you to the following office bearers and representatives:

Chairperson – Amber Pellerin

Deputy Chairperson – Rachel Peake

Secretary – Yvette Eglinton

Treasurer/Finance – Melissa Vlachos

Assets and Grounds – Sally Matthews

Canteen – Gaylene Clark

Education – Nikki Dopson

Fundraising – Melissa Vlachos

OSHC – Aimie O'Brien and Yvette Eglinton

Sport – Melissa Vlachos

Uniform – Rachel Peake

Other reps – Claire Boardman, Jessica Chaplin, Tracey Dettmer, and Leanne Craig.

Any items, issues or queries for Governing Council can be raised either through the front office or the school’s email address marked ATTENTION GOVERNING COUNCIL. 

EXTERNAL SCHOOL REVIEW

Last week we participated in a two day External School Review. A review panel came into the school and looked at how we manage our learning programs, how we create and implement learning improvement processes and how the school learning culture is developed and nurtured. Almost all staff and some of our students and parents were also involved in conversations with the panel about these processes. We received very positive feedback about all aspects of our work and our personnel at all levels were commended for their knowledge and articulate conversations showing a strong and supportive understanding of our work. This is a big thank you to all students, staff and parents who participated. The official report should be available on the website early next term. It will include some directions for our next 3 years. This is an expectation of all schools at the conclusion of their reviews. Our next review is expected to be in 2024. 

NAPLAN

In Term 2 in Weeks 3 and 4, (starting May 11th), we will be participating in the NAPLAN testing program. All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN tests. NAPLAN tests give you information on how your child is progressing against national standards. This information can be used to identify areas in which your child may benefit from additional assistance. NAPLAN does not replace, but rather complements assessments run by your child's classroom teacher throughout the year. NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students have already learnt through the school curriculum. Teachers will ensure that students are familiar with the test formats and will provide appropriate support and guidance. Excessive preparation is not useful and can lead to unnecessary anxiety.

NAPLAN tests are constructed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learnt over time through the school curriculum, and NAPLAN test days should be treated as just another routine event on the school calendar. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program, and to advise them to simply do the best they can on the day. A nutritious breakfast each day and a good night’s sleep will also help them do their best.

ACARA does not recommend the use of commercial products, such as booklets and practice tests, to help your child prepare for NAPLAN tests. None of the commercial products currently on the market were endorsed by ACARA. The use of services by coaching providers is not recommended.

This year, we will again be participating in NAPLAN online and there will be a national practice test next Thursday. This practice is not to test student learning, but rather to test that our electronic devices and the online platform are ready and capable both across Australia and within our site.

If you have any questions about your child's preparation for NAPLAN, please make a time to speak with your child's teacher. Further information can also be found at www.nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support. 

IRISH DANCING PERFORMANCE

It was St Patrick’s Day on Wednesday this week and we were very lucky to have a free performance by the students of the Newry Studio of Irish Dancing. They were excellent and our students and staff all enjoyed it. Special congratulations to Grace from 3N who was part of the performing group.

With regards,

Anne Rathjen

Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

The term seems to be flying by but so much has been happening.

We have had the year 5/6/7 cricket team, lead by Ellie Burford and assisted by Aaron Charlton, have an enjoyable and successful game last week against Coromandel Valley. The weather was wonderful for cricket and the team displayed all our school values throughout the morning.  Good luck to the team for next week against All Saints Primary School.

This week we all thoroughly enjoyed the Irish dancing from Grace and her dance troupe on Saint Patrick’s Day.

Today we have enjoyed working with Joey on the Harmony Day and Bullying No Way activity. It has also been a chance for us to wear a splash of orange and reflect on the themes of Harmony Day. It has been wonderful to see the buddy classes working together.

Year 6/7 leaders have begun meeting with their mentors and preparing activities and happenings for our students. Genki Kids have been meeting in preparation for student activities on Tuesday lunchtimes.

Classrooms have been a hive of learning. It is such a buzz to visit!

Advance Notice

This year “Walk Safely to School Day” is Friday May 14th. It seems like a long way off but you might like to organise how you can do this.

This national initiative aims to encourage children to lead a healthier, more active lifestyle by simply including a walk at the beginning, at lunch time and at the end of each day. The event also promotes reduced car-dependency, greater use of public transport, cleaner air, improved diets and road safety to primary school children throughout Australia. An important message is;

"Until they are 10, children must always hold the hand of an adult when crossing the road".

Maybe you and your children might be able to walk to school one day this term too. You might choose to park a little further away in the morning or after school, and walk some of the way.

Kind Regards,

Andrea

Andrea Hayden
Deputy Principal

Planning and preparation is being carried out for Class Excursions with two excursions happening next Wednesday.  A timely reminder that incursions/excursions/camps etc must be paid prior to students attending and participating.

Please make sure you have cleared your accounts to allow your child to attend and participate in all planned activities.

Please call the Business Manager if you are having difficulty settling your school accounts.

MATERIALS AND SERVICES FEES/INCURSION EXCURSION LEVY/SCHOOL CARD

 Materials and services fees together with the 2021 incursion/excursion levy invoices of $60 should now be cleared,

 if you have overlooked settling your account we urge

 you to pay the $60 incursion/excursion levy as soon as possible. 

We provide our community with several payment options, cash, cheque, EFTPOS, a 24/7 BPOINT payment option via our school website, alternatively

fees can be paid via the Qkr App which is our preferred form of payment.

We also have an online direct debit payment option which allows our families and caregivers to select a 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.

Please note this year school card applications should be submitted online, please read the attached information and click this link for step by step instructions to lodge your application online

If you do not qualify for the 2021  School Card but you are experiencing financial difficulty with settling your account please contact the school finance officer to arrange a payment plan.

Volunteers Wanted !!

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!

• Available via Qkr!
• Counter sales are available at recess and lunch
  
• Limited Lunch menu 
• Orders by 9.15
• We thank you for your continued understanding and support.
  

Our limited menu will be: 

• Seasoned Wedges $4.50
• Hot dogs $4.00
• Pizza $5.00
• Mac and Cheese $5.00
• Lasagne  $5.00
• Chicken Nuggets $4.00
• Meat Pie $5.00
• Sausage Rolls  $3.50
• Muffins $1.00
• Cookies $1.00

available until further notice.  

If you have any uniform items in good condition that are now surplus to your needs our volunteers would appreciate donations.  

Donations can be left at the administration office.  Thank you.

Opening hours :- House 1, through the carport - facing Forresters Rd

Wednesday morning 8.30-9.00

Wednesday afternoon 3.00-3.30

Soccer at HCEPS is very popular with over 100 children each year participating in the school competition each Saturday morning May through September. Before the 2021 school soccer season can go ahead, there are a number of volunteering positions that will need to be filled due to the current COVID requirements.

Each team will require a Coach, Team Manager & COVID Marshal (cannot be either coach or team manager).  All volunteers need to have completed the Working with Children Check and have completed Volunteer training requirements.  Contact front office to start the easy process.

If you are interested in doing any of these roles or have any questions – please contact Mel Vlachos via hcepssoccer@gmail.com

The more volunteers, the more likely the season will go ahead.  After last year was cancelled – I am sure all the kids are eager to get back on the pitch.

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