FPS Newsletter

2023 Term 1 Issue # 2

From the Principal

Dear families & friends, 

We are now over halfway through term 1 and everything is speeding along. It has been a great start to the year and without all the disruptions of the past couple of years we are already seeing the difference in connections across classes and with families which is a great sign of things to come.

NAPLAN

This week and next week year 3 and 5 students will be participating in the NAPLAN assessments for writing, reading, conventions of language and numeracy. It is important to remember that NAPLAN is just one assessment on one day and does not measure all the other amazing things we know each student is capable of. We ensure students know that these assessments are more about giving us information about how we are supporting them in their learning and to help us identify next steps.

Inquiry

We are well and truly into our inquiry unit this term with our central idea ‘The diversity of Australia is expressed through traditions’. Students have been fascinated about learning about and sharing each other’s traditions and cultures. We are working towards an end of term celebration and sharing of traditions and cultures at our learning expo. Make sure you put the date in your diary – afternoon of Thursday 14th April.

Cricket team

We are very excited to have joined forces with some students from Paradise Primary School to create our first cricket team. Thank you to Emma, who has been able to coordinate the two schools as she teaches PE at both. We have a group of year 4/5 boys who will have their first game this weekend. Thank you to Rahgaveer’s Dad who has put his hand up to coach, and 2 parents from Paradise who have volunteered to assist on game day. We wish them luck for their first game!

Volunteers

We have been excited by the surge in interest in volunteering at our school. Thank you to those of you who came along to our first morning tea and induction session with Di, and those of you who attended Tuula’s workshop on supporting reading at school. We are very grateful to have families who are dedicated to their own child and others as well as to the school. We are looking forward to getting some programs and opportunities up and running with the support of our volunteers over the next few months. Look out for opportunities to get involved and speak with Di or Gillian if you would like to volunteer.

Congratulations to India

A big congratulations to our fabulous SSO India who is expecting her first baby next term. It is with mixed feelings that we sadly say goodbye at the end of this term and of course wish her and her husband well in their new role as parents. We know that India has a huge impact on children she works with and equally on staff with her warmth and generous spirit. She will always remain part of the Felixstow family and we hope we see her back in the future. We have a few weeks left before she leaves so make sure you drop by and wish her well. 

Cheers Skye 😊

Felixstow Notices

Acquantaince Night

 Passport Challenge Winners - Braxtan & Anastasia

Thank you to everyone who came along to Acquaintance night. It was wonderful to have everyone back onsite and able to come together to celebrate the beginning of the year, meet up with new and old friends, hear from teachers and spend time exploring the space and learning with each other.  

It was great to see so many also take the time to stay for our AGM at the end of the night with around 40 family members and some staff staying on. 

The commitment to the school and the buzz as we came back together for the first time in  a long time was exciting for us and gives us tremendous hope for our future at Felixstow Primary School. 

Congratulations to Braxtan and Anastasia who won the prize draw after filling in their passport!

School Photos

Volunteering at Our School

A big thank you to those who have already started the process of registering their interest in volunteering at our school! 

Our goal is to start a reading group before school, offering students' the opportunity to get in some extra reading time with an adult improving their speech and language skills as well as building connections.

If you think you might be interested in volunteering with us, there are forms available at the front desk, alternatively you can talk to Di or Gillian 😊 

Road Safety Petition

Recently our Governing Council has put forward a petition to increase the road safety for students' crossing Briar Road. Concerns have been raised about the lack of child visibility paired with higher traffic flow therefore, we are requesting a safe crossing be installed as well as an adjustment to parking regulations.

The petition outlining full details can be found at the front desk, we ask that you please come in and sign it! 

Felixstow Highlights

Primary

News from Primary 2!

Imagine being trapped in a super-small aeroplane bathroom or a two-hour traffic jam in a heatwave, students in Primary 2 have been. These have been just two of the examples we have used to help us ‘tighten the tension’ in stories. We are provided with a topic and then in pairs we brainstorm our ideas using the senses (touch, smell, sound, sight, hear and feel-emotions). This activity has helped us to know the importance of brainstorming, know how to use escalation and be able to use written and verbal descriptive language.

Hi from Primary 1!

In Primary 1 we have been busy introducing the new inquiry topic Celebrations reflect the cultural diversity of Australia. In our first thinking, we looked at a number of traditions observed in Australia and what they mean to us. This resulted in our first thinking’s wall, as seen in the photo. We are now researching traditions that are important to us so we can share our learning in class later in the term.

We are also working hard at establishing our learning routines, including nurture circles in the morning and afternoon, regular brain breaks to keep our brains at ready to learn levels as well our other routine classes such as guided reading, spelling, maths and writing a persuasive text. One of our favourite times of the week is our buddy reading with Tuula’s  class. Everyone enjoys reading with the ‘little’ kids.

Juniors

Hello from Tuula & Emma's Juniors!

The Reception and Year 1 class have been working on recognising, counting and representing numbers 10/20 and 120. We have used numerals, blocks, cards, pictures and paper chains! We are increasing our number fluency through songs, chants and lots of practise!

We are growing our maths brains!!

Nicole's 2s!

Our focus for Inquiry this term is looking at traditions within Australia and how they represent our diversity; Celebrations reflect the cultural diversity of Australia. As a class we brainstormed a list of traditions we have here at Felixstow, having a discussion about what we do and why. Students' have also had the opportunity to share traditions they celebrate within their own families.

Resource Hub

Dear Felixstow students and families,

Resource Hub Student Monitors

Congratulations to the following nine students on their successful application to be this year's Resource hub student monitors; Amelia, Ella, Estheera, Eva, Guru, India, Logan, Stella and Zahra. They are giving up one break time a week to work in the Resource Hub, to carry out a variety of tasks from scanning, sorting and shelving books, as well as other activities as required. We look forward to having them on the Resource Hub team. 


Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC)

2023 is the 20th year of the Premier’s Reading Challenge!

To celebrate, PRC are offering students the opportunity to read 20 books instead of the usual 12 to receive a 20th Anniversary Certificate. This is an optional, voluntary challenge. Students who complete the 20-book challenge will have also completed the usual 12 book challenge hence will receive their usual PRC award.

Both the 20th anniversary and normal PRC forms can be obtained from Kelly or can be downloaded from the PRC website https://premiersreadingchallenge.sa.edu.au/students/student-reading-records/


Scholastic Book Club

Students will receive the Scholastic Book Club 2nd issue catalogue this week. All orders are to be placed using the Book Club Loop platform which is found on the Scholastic website scholastic.com.au/LOOP or you can download the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Your child’s order is delivered directly to our school and the books will be given out in class. Scholastic release 8 catalogues over the school year (2 per term) and for every order placed Scholastic gives back 15% of the order spend to our school to purchase valuable educational resources for the Resource Hub.

Orders for Book Club Issue #2 must be placed by Friday 31st March.

New Resource Hub Student Monitors for 2023

Important Dates

Updated: March

    

WeekTERM 1
7Monday 13th MarchAdelaide Cup (PUBLIC HOLIDAY)
7Wednesday 15th MarchNAPLAN begins
7Thursday 16th MarchPrimary Excursion - Adelaide Festival Theatre
8Friday 24th MarchNAPLAN Ends
9Thursday 30th MarchSchool Photos
10Friday 7th AprilGood Friday (PUBLIC HOLIDAY)
11Monday 10th AprilEaster Monday (PUBLIC HOLIDAY)
11Thursday 14th AprilLearning Expo & Harmony Day
11Friday 15th AprilLAST DAY TERM 1
TERM 2
1Monday 1st MayFIRST DAY TERM 2
7Monday 12th JuneKing's Birthday (PUBLIC HOLIDAY)
10Friday 7th JulyLAST DAY TERM 2

Community Notices

Contact Information

Out of School Hours Care (OSHC)

A reminder that OSHC is available for families for after school care (ASC).

ASC is open 3:10-6:00pm

Bookings are essential.

Hannah Gustard is our OSHC director and can be contacted on

FPS

Felixstow Primary School is truly an extraordinary place of learning. Our talented and dedicated staff provides each student with rigorous care, challenge and support academically, socially and emotionally.

Respect | Responsibility | Compassion