Dear Parents/Caregivers,
DON’T FORGET EARLY DISMISSAL
2:05pm ON FRIDAY 11th DECEMBER
NAIDOC WEEK AND THANK YOU TO 2S
From 8th November to 15th November it was NAIDOC Week across Australia.
The theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week: Always Was, Always Will Be, helped us to recognise that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent and understand their spiritual and cultural connection to it for over 65,000 years. It was about seeing, hearing and learning about the First Nations’ history and stories. This term classes have spent time working on Australian Indigenous cultural studies as well as participating in the Bedtime Stories. Students got to hear Aboriginal stories told by Aboriginal people. (See the article about PJ dress up day in the section below the Principal's report.)
I would like to particularly acknowledge and thank students from 2S and Ms Burgess for a beautiful art piece that they created using Aboriginal style painting on gum leaves with the Kaurna Acknowledgement of Country in the centre. This art piece is now hanging in the front office.
VOLUNTEERS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 2020
Well, we have certainly experienced a very different year this year with many of our volunteering programs affected significantly by COVID. Unfortunately, we are also unable to have our annual thank you celebration as well. Volunteers have continued to support the school in a number of ways when they could and for that I would like to say a big thank you on behalf of students and teachers for the difference you have made through the support you have provided. Given we can’t meet for breakfast, please accept this as a small acknowledgement of your work this year.
You may or may not be aware that the school has a Volunteer of the Year perpetual trophy that hangs in the front office. Each year we present the award to a volunteer who has given significant and positive support across a number of years, and whose last child is finishing in the school.
This year we would like to present the award to Simone Green.
Aside from general volunteer support for her children’s classroom activities over the years, Simone has been in Governing Council for almost all the years she has been here and has repeatedly held the position of Secretary. She has also been the parent advisor and liaison working with Evie Donoghue over several years, working on developing parent participation processes, through the Wellbeing work. Simone also made the beautiful costumes for the Wakakirri Chinese fable item last year. These were acknowledged specifically by the judges.
Congratulations Simone, a well-deserved award!
END OF YEAR CELEBRATION ASSEMBLY
On Monday we had a special end of year assembly celebration in place of a concert. It actually took us a long time to finalise details due to the lockdown and other COVID factors, but finally confirmed the simple, low key, sharing event we had on Monday. Students shared work they had made or produced, danced, sang or presented a poem. It was a most enjoyable assembly.
I have received feedback that there was not enough communication about “Concert” this year. Earlier in the year we notified families that Concert in either way we have done previously, would not go ahead due to COVID restrictions. Staff made a commitment to run an assembly and share student items instead. Each teacher was responsible for contacting families if any costumes or specific props were required. (Please remember that official notifications to the school community will be made through Skoolbag – Newsletter or direct Notice, or Dojo. Please check these apps regularly.)
2021 CLASS PLACEMENT PROCESS
Class placement information for 2021 will be sent out to families and students will visit 2021 classrooms by the end of next week.
STUDENT AND STAFF ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND FAREWELLS
This is our final Newsletter for the year and is therefore a time to recognise and acknowledge the hard work and achievements of students and staff over the year.
Firstly I would like to thank all students for showing our Values throughout the year and working to be the best they can through developing skills in growth mindset, problem solving and hard thinking, showing resilience and perseverance and using their voice more effectively in their learning, and, showing behaviours to a high standard. This year more than ever before students have needed to show resilience in their schooling, and they most certainly have! These skills will hold our students in good stead in the future.
I would like to thank our Year 7s for their commitment to our student leadership program throughout year and working as positive role models for all other students in the school. This group of students, more than any before, have faced a number of disappointments with various programs and events this year with COVID restrictions, but have continued to be resilient and move forward. I wish our Yr 7s the best of luck for a successful future as they move on to various secondary schools. I would also like to wish those students who are moving to other primary and middle schools all the best in your new schools.
Kath Milne will be retiring at the end of the year. Kath has made a significant contribution to HCEPS over many years. On behalf of the school community I would like to thank her for all her work for the school. We wish Kath all the very best as she starts a new chapter in her life with grandchildren and hobbies.
As you already know, Evie Donoghue is not returning in 2021. Evie has made a significant contribution to HCEPS through her Wellbeing role, working with Joey and students in both classroom and targeted Wellbeing groups, working with parents in a range of initiatives in Kids Matter, Be You and Parents in Education processes and working with staff in training programs. Evie’s skills in the Performing Arts have also been excellent and she has certainly made a huge impact on the Arts programs in the school. On behalf of the school community, I would like to thank Evie for all her work and wish her all the very best as she moves out into a different area of work.
Jonathon Warren-White has been the school’s IT and e-Learning Coordinator for 4 years. In that time he has trained staff in a range of IT programs, processes and policies, and led the online testing initiatives. The coordinator position is being discontinued in 2021 so I would like to thank Jonathon for his valuable contribution throughout his time as coordinator.
We have just been advised that most of our contract staff will be placed in positions again next year. We sincerely thank Krista Goodman, Lea Billerwell and Emma Belshaw for their contributions to our school this year. At this stage we are unable to offer contract work for these teachers. At this stage all our SSOs will continue in some capacity next year.
I would like to thank all staff for their hard work and commitment to the academic and social learning and development of your children.
I would also like to thank our parent community for your ongoing support of school programs, events, staff and this year, restrictions. Parent support is high at our school and I wish to acknowledge the level of cooperation we enjoy as we work together towards the learning and social development of your children.
TERM 4 HIGHLIGHTS
Despite the big interruptions throughout the year, a very busy and productive year is quickly coming to a close. Aside from the daily routines in each classroom, there have been a number of highlights during Term 4 that again reflect the commitment and planning by staff to make programs interesting and engaging for students. Some of the key highlights include:
- Living Safely with Pets visit
- Book Week activities, parade and Splash Theatre performance
- Wakakirri
- Drama Club – Aladdin
- Class Drama performances – Wizard of Oz
- Cubby building excursion
- Student Voice in Learning team workshop
- Year 7 Student leadership and Genki Kids programs
- Indigenous Artist incursions
- Remembrance Day commemoration ceremony
- K-R Transition visits
- Year 7 Japanese Lunch
- Genki Kids lunch
- Year 6/7 Aquatics
- Year 7 Transition days
- World Teachers Day
- End of Year Celebration Assembly
- Staff working together to plan, assess and moderate student work
- Premier’s Challenges awards
- Excursion to Noarlunga Cinema and Jubilee Playground
- Yr 6/7 excursion to Wirraway
- Yr 7 sleepover
- Excursion to South Australian Aquatic Centre
- Year 7 Graduation celebration
- South Australian Aquatic Centre excursion
SCHOOL SECURITY IN THE HOLIDAYS
To help prevent vandalism and other crime in the school during the holidays, we seek your support to please report any suspicious behaviour you may observe in and around the school to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or direct to Police on 131 444. I thank you in advance for doing so.
EARLY DISMISSAL ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 11th
Students will be dismissed at 2:05pm on Friday for the Christmas holidays.
AND FINALLY…..
The Front Office will reopen on Monday 18th January, 2021.
Please enjoy a safe and happy Christmas and holiday season with your children. We look forward to seeing students return safely for the commencement of school on Wednesday January 27th 2021 (after the holiday on Tuesday for Australia Day).
Anne Rathjen
Principal
SHINING LIGHT AWARDS FOR WEEK 8 TERM 2
9W - Marley M & Evie D 9N - Lacey-Jay, Catherine, Evie J-W, & Amaya F 9S - Amelia, Aarohan, Connor W & All the students of 9 South 4W - Oliver K & Eli 4E - Jacques-Louis & Asher 2N - Alice D, Chase K, Ivy O & Pippa 2S - All students in 2S 3N - Lachy A, Leo P & Tyler O 3S - Cham & Jacob H-G & All of 3 South 6W - Jamie, Gabrielle R, Aaron H & Alex G-C 6E - Violet & Billy 7E - Ava Z & Jaxon 8E - Dylan B & Willow 8W - Ella & Liam M 7W - Max G & Isla 6AS - Seb & Grace K 6AN - Kade, Robbie & Ashton Music - Classes 6W & 6E Japanese - Grace, Emad, Ava Z & Lily C. Hiragana Karate Black Belt - Evie B, Noah J, Ashlee, Mitchell S, Connor W & Marley M, Alex P PE/Science - Team 1 - 9S (Touch Football) - Addy, Emily, Presley, Michel, Leila, Roshelle & Griffin Team 2 - 9S Finn, Gabby, Alannah, Nadia, Zane, Lochlan & Evie D. Team 5 - House 4 - Jacob K, Lewis, Oliver K, Ethan P, Lyla B, Georgia O & Asher M Team 4 - 9W / 9N - Kody, Kobie, Blake A, Ashley J, Rosie & Brandy.
Congratulations to all recipients for showing our school values!!