From the Principal

Welcome to IPS

I don't like beginning the newsletter with a negative but … this is serious! We are a school that caters to families where most live close to the school. Not everyone, but most, could walk or ride to school. Yet almost every day there is a near miss in terms of road accidents. 

Drivers turn in neighbours driveways reversing into traffic, park and leave their cars in KISS & GO zones, parking in no standing zones, double park, park illegally in the few disabled spots. A neighbour phoned to complain a car had been left parted across their driveway. If  you do the right thing then you have as much right as anyone to be really cranky about this sort of behaviour. It's dangerous, it's not fair and it sets a really poor example to those we hold most dear - your children and our students.

Last night I received an email from a parent of one of our students who had been the victim of adult driver stupidity when crossing a road on his bike. If you witness this sort of dangerous and disrespectful behaviour photograph it and send it to the local police.

This morning I had occasion to speak with a couple of drivers about using the turning circle at the end of  Ailsa Grove. My prime concern is the safety of your children and I get no joy from banging on about traffic issues and do not enjoy confrontation. Please do the right thing and if nothing else obey the traffic bylaws. 

It's all more positive from here. Please read on.

Last week I set the Year 5 and Year 6 students a simple writing task. 

Their task was to write a sentence or two about what they value about IPS.

Why? 

Because our students have attended school through a pandemic. They are the first in an age to have experienced lock downs, lock ins and restricted movement since war time. Because we don't want to take for granted what they are feeling, what they are concerned about - and how we, as adults, might step up to the plate and advocate and seize this opportunity to improve our education system and support every child.

Let's listen... 

I think IPS is a great school and really welcoming. I am really excited for our new building although, I love the old building. This year was my first year peer-leading and that was really fun. IPS is also really funny like how the other day we had sport and Mrs. Wright came in and measured herself. I love going down to the bottom of the school and hanging out with my friends. Also my teacher is Ms. Romeo and she’s so cool! IPS has the best teachers!

Jessie.

Improvements for the school – May be there should be more space to run around, less rubbish everywhere. Maybe cleaner environments, a big playground. 15 minutes inside eating should be better. Don’t have to play outside, e.g. Hall or library (because hot days being outside is like in the oven). More excursions for bigger grades, no upset students who have been teased at.

Eddy Y.

I think that IPS is a kind and caring school, where children come to learn, make friends and have fun. IPS makes sure that kids feel safe and at home, and they are not dreading the day ahead of them.

Imogen H

My favourite part about I.P.S is that it is always making nice new buildings. I also like that IPS cares about its student education. I also like how all of the I.P.S teachers are really helpful.

David.

I think that IPS is a safe place where you can believe in yourself to do better and grow as a learner and have a great future. In my opinion IPS is the biggest reason I get up in the morning I couldn’t think of a better place to learn because in the morning I get up, get dressed, go to school, put my thinking cap on, take a deep breath and start a new amazing day.

Amelia.

I think that IPS is find right now. But what I would say that it can still improve because we could add more playground equipment for the foundations, maybe.

Mina Y

My favourite part of IPS is having awesome friends, nice teachers and fun classes.

Anon.

Read more on the : Students: What We Value page

IPS Welcome Picnic - Tomorrow Night!!

Friday 12 February, 5pm-8pm

Enter via Ailsa Grove

As 2021 begins, we are super excited to be able to get together (safely) and celebrate the beginning of a bright new year. (Chinese New Year also).

Every year, IPS hosts a picnic to welcome our students and their families back for the new school year.  This year will look a little different as there are a few new restrictions in place to ensure we keep everyone safe.

If you are attending the Picnic, please enter via the gate between the Treehouse and the Gym on Ailsa Grove.  QR codes will be available so you can sign in on arrival and we ask that you have your mask handy in case you are unable to maintain a 1.5m distance from other attendees.

In order to assist our Foundation and Grade 1 families to find each other, we will have some stick on labels at the entrance gate.  We encourage you to write your child's class on the label (and your name too if you're feeling bold!), which will then help you identify and get to know other parents and families from your class cohort.

What's not changing is the availability of food trucks to make the evening as easy and enjoyable for you as possible.  While you are welcome to pack a picnic or bring in food from elsewhere, we will have three food vans selling a range of foods, from delicious pizzas, dumplings, burgers, fries and the canteen will also have some icy treats for dessert!  

The Parent Band will perform during the evening, so please come along, bring a blanket or a camp chair and have an entertaining and enjoyable evening getting to know our school community!

Please see the attached site map and menu lists for more details and we look forward to seeing you tomorrow night!

Note: A COVIDSafe Plan has been developed and approved for the Welcome Picnic. A copy of the full plan is available on the IPS website.  

Please adhere to current social distancing guidelines. Wear a mask when moving through a crowd but if you are able to socially distance yourself when sitting on the oval feel free to take it off. Common sense will prevail.

We have three great food trucks coming to feed your deliciousness. 

All three have a variety of options for any fussy eater!  From pulled jackfruit with chips, to tasty mushroom dumplings for the vegans and vegetarians.   Tasty pizzas to suit all types of tastes, including gluten free bases being available! Plenty of options for the carnivores too – including pulled pork burgers, brisket loaded fries, prawn dumplings, and much more!!   Bring your appetite!!

www.facebook.com/Dumanddumpling

www.facebook.com/trexbarbque

http://www.travelnpizza.com.au/

Annette, in the canteen, will be selling desserts and drinks!!

BYO picnic blanket, chairs, (and grown up drinks if you wish).

 Use the QR Code that will be on the gate to sign in.

See you there!

PS: If you are able to help set up, please meet us on the oval after school on Friday. 

Sign in through the school office.

Year Two’s Giving Up Their Lunch And Recess To Pick Up Rubbish – What Litterbugs!

Written by Olivia W and Georgie S, Interviews by Georgia L, Pippa H, Georgie S, Olivia W, Chloe W and Audrey P from 6K.

They knew the environment’s safety was in their hands – soon enough, they will be planting palm trees! A few students from 6K went to interview the Year two’s who were giving up their playtime to pick up rubbish, to keep our schoolyard clean. We asked them some questions about what inspired them – here is what they said:

What makes you want to do this?

“We want to take care of the environment.” – Salma, 2R.

“To make the world a better place.” – Alex, 2R.

How important is the environment to you?

“Very, I want the world to be nice.” – Levi, 2R.

What message would you want to give to the kids of Ivanhoe?

“Nobody littering!” – Amelia, 2R.

“To keep the environment safe.” - Simon, 2R.

“To stop people from littering.” – Abbie, 2B.

If you could change one thing about the school environment, what would it be?

“Working as a team, saving (the) environment.” – Ella, 2R.

We would like to say thank you for putting in so much effort, we speak for everyone when we say you have done such a good job, keeping our schoolyard clean and safe.

NUDE food is back

It is exciting to announce that the Nude Food program will once again be active in all IPS classrooms in 2021.

The program is aimed at raising awareness of potentially-harmful packaging of daily food and suggesting greener alternatives, ultimately promoting a more sustainable outcome for our environment: an imperative for our students.

The program will officially begin in a few weeks, however it never hurts to start getting into the habit straight away.

Please take a minute to read over the image below with your child/children. More information can be found at http://www.wow.sa.gov.au/nude-food.html  and gives suggestions for easily becoming a 'nude food' family.

Thanks in advance for your support of this school-wide initiative.

Jeremy Tottenham

(Nude Food Coordinator: 2021)

PFA meeting this Tuesday 16th Feb

Here is our agenda for the Term 1 PFA meeting.  This will be held next Tuesday 16th February at 7pm, in the staffroom. All welcome. Enter through the front gate.

I look forward to seeing/meeting those of you who are able to attend the wonderful Welcome Picnic this Friday evening. I'm definitely very pleased to not have to cook on the BBQ (but will miss the humble sausage) and instead partake in the offerings of the food vans!

Communications

You should have received a personal communication from your child's teacher last week and a term outline from the year level team this week. At IPS we pride ourselves on building positive relationships with parents and carers in the best interest of every student. The closer we work together the better the educational outcomes.

Parent Information Evenings

While we still struggle with social distancing and space we have developed a hybrid approach to the Information evening that occurs in Term 1. Before, or on Friday the 19th of February you will receive access to a video and information from your child's year level and access to a tool to record questions you may have. The following week you will receive a link to a year level video conference for a more personalised experience. The times for these Information evening link ups are as follows.

Meet the Teacher

Meet the teacher will be held Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th of March for parents of students in Grades 1-6 and bookings can be made through COMPASS from 15/02/2021. 

Bookings from Wednesday will begin at 1.40pm. 

Bookings from Thursday will be after school.

This is an opportunity for each individual family to meet with the class teacher to help them better understand your child and convey any additional information that may assist in helping them settle in and maximise learning opportunities.

Parent Reps

The role of the Parent Representative is to maintain good communication links with our community and to provide support for the classroom teacher. Ideally there is a representative linked with each class. Can you help? Check out the Parent Rep page.

Canteen

Welcome back.  The Ivanhoe primary canteen is open and ready to serve all your children .

If you are not already on my school connect you can easily make an account by going into the app and following the prompts . 

Note: If you're unable to click on any of the apps (Tuckshop, Uniform, etc) because they are greyed-out it's likely because you haven't set a class for your student.

From your Dashboard:

- Click on My Students

- Click "edit" on the student you want to set a class for

- Select the class for that student

- Click "save"

You should then be able to place an order. 

For any one who is already connected with my school connect you do need to go in and update the new class for your child before you can order .

It is wonderful to see all the happy faces coming down to say hello and enjoying a refreshing icy pole .

If anyone has any problems please call me on 0413 047 049 

Thank you 

Annette 

Finally

Next week, Year 5 and Year 6 students will  move into their new learning spaces. 

On Monday morning they should line up where they usually do. Here are some textures from the new space.

We are constantly looking to improve our school and I am so pleased to be on this improvement journey with you all. Here is  photo Leo repairing an old garden bed and adding some new timbers to it.

Soon another coat of varnish will be added to the boards on the side of the Treehouse as a parting gift from our builders and landscapers. 

For me one of the nicer aspects of being on gate patrol before school is welcoming everyone and seeing their smiling faces. Thank you for supporting our great school.

Mark Kent

Principal