Hallett Cove East Primary School

• 1/3/21 - AGM
  
• 1/3/21 - 5/3/21 - R-5 Swimming
• 5/3/21 - Schools Clean up Day
• 19/3/21 - Harmony Day / Bullying No Way Day
• 19/3/21 - Ride Safely to School Day
• 25/3/21 - NAPLAN Practice Test

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

THERE HAS BEEN A SLIGHT UPDATE TO COVID EXPECTATIONS. YOU NO LONGER NEED TO SCAN QR CODES IF ONLY DROPPING AND PICKING UP CHILDREN INSIDE THE SCHOOL GROUNDS. IF YOU ARE COMING INTO THE OFFICE OR VOLUNTEERING AND NEED TO ENTER ANY BUILDINGS, HOWEVER, YOU WILL NEED TO SCAN THE QR CODE AND ALSO SIGN IN AT THE FRONT OFFICE.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

This year, we have 70 Yr 6 and 7 students who are in their final year of primary schooling, as this is the transition year for Year 7 moving into secondary schools in 2022.

Given the size of this group, we have decided on a 2 part model of student leadership where students have an opportunity to be in at least one leadership position for the year and all will also support an in-class program.  Firstly, we will have key leadership roles as we have had in the last few years. All Yr 6/7 students will apply for these positions and have begun with a meeting about this today. Secondly, all these students will lead our important work in stretch thinking in all classrooms to further develop the work of the SVIL team for all students. Once our Yr 6/7 student leadership processes are finalised we will let you know more information about their work. We will also be continuing the Student Voice in Learning (SVIL) and Genki Kids programs this year. Members of these groups will not only include selected Yr 6 and 7 students but also students in other year levels. More information will be out about the work of these leaders in coming newsletters.

ACQUAINTANCE MEETINGS

Thank you to those of you who were able to attend Acquaintance Meetings last Wednesday. The meetings were well attended. I hope parents found them valuable, firstly to meet teachers and secondly, to clarify your understanding of how your child’s classroom will operate during the year.

STAFFING NEWS

We welcome Kate Hunt and Kelly Thomas, 2 new SSOs to our school team. These SSOs will be working in our learning support programs.

NOMINATIONS FOR GOVERNING COUNCIL (2021/2022)

Membership of the Governing Council provides an opportunity to participate in discussions around a variety of school issues as a representative of the parent community and is a great way to learn how schools operate. The Hallett Cove East Primary School Governing Council Constitution states that the Governing Council will consist of 17 Councillors. This is comprised of the Principal, 2 Staff of the School and 14 elected Parents.  Currently there are still vacancies that are required to be filled. We are still accepting applications for the new Governing Council. Information has been sent out in Skoolbag about membership of Governing Council.

Don’t forget that nominations close on Friday next week, 26th February. 

SCHOOL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The School AGM will be held on Monday March 1st at 7:00pm.

The AGM is a very important event because it gives us an opportunity to share our work and successes of the previous year with the school community.

After the presentations the Governing Council will hold its annual elections. Membership of the Governing Council provides an opportunity to participate in discussions around a variety of school issues as a representative of the parent community and is a great way to learn how schools operate. Please nominate for Governing Council this week!

UNIFORM

It is fantastic to see all students dressed in their school uniform. Apart from looking smart, wearing our correct uniform helps increase a sense of pride and belonging. If you are unclear about any information regarding our uniform expectation, the policy is in the school website. 

OTHER COMING EVENTS

R-5 SWIMMING

R-5 Swimming will be held in Week 6 (March 1st – 5th).

EXTERNAL REVIEW

Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 11th March 

With regards,

Anne Rathjen

Principal

Hi Everyone,

We have had another very busy two weeks. The challenges never stop  and now our year six and seven students are applying for the school leadership positions. Good luck to our future leaders!

Last Friday, after lunch, we had a very enjoyable activity on the oval with nearly the entire school. The sun was shining, but it wasn't too hot, and everyone learnt the value of listening to your classmates and the importance of cooperation.

It is not long until Swimming Week. Our Reception to Year 5 students will be having lessons at The Noarlunga Pool each day from March 1st to March 5th. Please pay and send back both the school consent and the Swimming health form by Thursday 25th February. Students can wear their bathers under their school clothes to school and will get changed back here at school, except for the final group of our younger students, who can go home in their bathers.

We appreciate the positive comments which we receive from our teachers who come in to the school when our regular staff are sick or unavailable. We have been told that the way in which our students engage in their learning is commendable. The student’s positive attitude, together with resilience, independence and confidence, will ensure that they can continue to flourish. Well done to all our staff and families for all the work that is done to ensure we are developing well rounded young people.

Kind Regards,

Andrea Hayden

Deputy Principal

Reminder it is only one week until swimming starts for Reception to year 5 students.  Consent  forms must be completed and returned to class teachers.

 Full payment must be received prior to allowing students to attend and participate. 

If you have not settled your account please forward your remittance as a matter of urgency.   Please call the Business Manager if you are having difficulty settling this account.

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. 

Teachers are starting  to plan excursions and we do not want students to be excluded from activities so please make payment as soon as possible. Please note we provide 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.

Routines 

For those families that are new to the school this year, and as a refresher for everyone else, let me share a little bit of information. My role is about providing support to students, families, and staff. This support ranges all the way from chatting in the yard at recess and lunch, to running groups focusing on social and emotional learning and wellbeing, to providing individual personal assistance when major life events or crises occur.

People can be referred to me by their parents, their teacher, or even themselves. You can contact me by phoning the front office or by sending me an email. I am at school on Wednesdays and Fridays.

How are you going getting into the routine of school? For some families stepping back into last year’s habits is easy. For other families (and I include myself here) during the holidays weekends and weekdays look very similar and the school day routine is a bit of a shock to the system. Other families are new to the school, or have a new house or jobs and therefore need to develop different routines to last year. I hope that things are settling down for you and you are starting to feel quite comfortable.

There is so much evidence to show that routines benefit our wellbeing. This is particularly true for children:

• A regular bedtime (and wake time) helps us to have a healthy amount of sleep
• A good bedtime routine helps us to fall asleep quickly
• A morning routine helps us to ensure that we are ready for the day and don’t forget anything
• Regular times for exercise, homework and chores helps to ensure that they are done, and can lessen arguments about needing to do them

In the hectic morning rush, or at the end of the day when everyone is exhausted, patience can be hard to show. If you find yourself repeating the same request over and over each day then maybe it is time to try another way of communicating.

Parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson talks about success with using theme songs for the daily routine. For example, each time the child hears song A they know that it is time to put on their shoes and take their school bag to the car ready to go, and each time they hear song B they know that it is time to brush their teeth and get into bed. The most important part of the song choice is that the child needs to make the decision, so that they have ownership over the process. As part of a routine, even an upbeat song can have a calming effect.

Another hint that Dr Coulson makes is to give the child a choice about a small matter rather than the large matter. For example saying, ‘It is time for bed, would you like to brush your teeth or put on your pyjamas first?’ distracts with the small choice, leaving less choice about whether or not to get ready for bed.  

For young children a pictorial list of morning tasks on the fridge can be a great reminder of everything that needs doing. Some children also benefit from a picture of a clock showing the deadline for each task.   

Some children (and adults) are very slow to get going in the morning. It can help speed things up and make things more fun if everyday tasks are turned into races. Who can get dressed first, you or your brother? Who can finish their breakfast first, you or mum?

Routines help us to feel safe and to be healthier. I encourage you to continue with any routine that is working well, and to develop new routines as required. It can take some time to adjust to a routine, so be patient and caring. The rewards are well worth the effort.

Joey Traeger,

PASTORAL CARE WORKER

at HCEPS on Wednesdays and Fridays  

Joey.Traeger704@schools.sa.edu.au

The Premier’s Be Active Challenge is a physical activity program introduced by the Premier in 2007 to: 

• Encourage students to be more active more often. 
• Improve the health and wellbeing of South Australian students.   The Challenge requires students to do at least 60 minutes of physical activity on at least 5 days of the week. Students generally complete the majority of their physical activity at school but are encouraged to participate in some form of activity at home and over the weekend.   Every year Hallett Cove East PS students aim to complete the 10-week challenge and teachers keep a progress chart in their class. As a school we have been greatly successful with 446 students completing the challenge last year. Every student who completes the Premier’s Be Active Challenge receives a medal. This year we are starting the challenge in week 4 and continuing into term 2. 

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