Principal Team's Report

The term is certainly flying by, it is great to see all students onsite and plans for events coming to life.  Staff and students (parents too) are beginning to enjoy some normality. 

Springers' Scoop

At Pakenham Springs we've been improving the way in which we communicate with our students.  As part of our focus on Student Voice and Agency we have worked with our student leaders to bring news and important information to our student community through a weekly live WebEx bulletin. 

The 'Springers' Scoop' has just begun and has so far been a great success with positive feedback from students and teachers alike.  News has included our School Wide Positive Behavior foci, Matific and Gold Award winners, Year 5 leadership speech information, upcoming events and of course a shout out to all of our students celebrating birthdays. 

We look forward to continuing to develop and refine the program, to ensure that our Scoop keeps our troops in the loop.  

Lightning Prem

On Friday the 19th of November over 60 selected Year 5 and 6 students were finally able to compete in Lightning Prem against several surrounding schools. Students participated in soccer, football, netball and t-ball at Toomuc Reserve and Cardinia Life. All students did a wonderful job of representing our school, and both our mixed and all girls netball teams were lucky enough to both finish runners up respectively. 

Well done to all of those involved and a big thank you to our wonderful P.E teacher Scott Holmes for all of his work behind the scenes to allow this event to occur. 

Olden Days at the Springs

On Tuesday the 23rd of November, Year 1 students dressed up and participated in a range of activities as part of a focus on history.  They certainly did a wonderful job and it was great to see so many families getting into the spirit to add a bit of extra sparkle to their learning.  Check out just some of the amazing outfits that were on display. 

Twosville Camp-In

In lieu of our regular Year 2 sleepover not occurring this year, our wonderful teachers put together a day of activities, fun and pyjamas for our Year 2 cohort.  The Twosville Camp-In day on Wednesday the 24th of November was a huge success, with students participating in a range of activities including robot coding, popcorn and cone making, mug decorating, a karaoke/dance party and a photo booth. Students dressed in their pj's and also brought along sleeping bags for a movie. 

They were even lucky enough

to have pizza and ice-cream for lunch!  It was great to see so many happy faces and thanks is given to our fantastic Year 2 team for all of the additional time, thought and effort they have put in to still make a special day for our students.  

Vouchers available to help students to get active

Eligible families can now apply for a voucher that helps subsidise organised sport and recreation activities.

Financial support is now available to help Victorian families get children back into community sport and recreation activities.

The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions’ Get Active Kids Vouchers Program, along with the Active Schools Initiative, helps to ensure Victorian children become more active.

The Get Active Kids Vouchers program can cover up to $200 per child in costs associated with organised sport and recreation activities, including:

• membership and registration fees
• uniforms
• equipment.

ELIGIBILITY and HOW TO APPLY

To be eligible for a voucher, children must be:

• aged 18 years or younger
• a Victorian resident
• named on a valid and issued Australian Government Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card (at the time of applying)
• named on a valid Australian Government Medicare card (at the time of applying).

The program includes a special consideration stream to support children living in care services and children who are provisional visa holders, undocumented migrants, and international students.

Parents and carers can apply for a voucher by completing the form on 

the Get Active Victoria website.

The voucher will cover expenses that have already been incurred by eligible families.

To be eligible to apply for a voucher, the membership, uniform and equipment costs must have been paid for between Saturday 1 January 2021 and Tuesday 30 November 2021.

Applications close 5pm Tuesday 30 November 2021.

FIND OUT MORE

For more information about the Get Active Kids Voucher Program, refer to 

the Get Active Victoria website.

For further enquiries about the Active Schools initiative, contact the Active Schools Team by email: active.schools@education.vic.gov.au

Class Splits During a Busy Term

During Term 4, many schools have been caught short staffed as the children of staff are identified as primary close contacts and/or schools close for contract tracing and cleaning.  To manage the shortage at Pakenham Springs PS,  we use a combination of strategies including casual relief teaching agencies, local payroll options and class splits. Splitting a class means that other teachers in that year level take on 4-5 extra students and maintain the learning program.  Whilst not ideal, our focus remains on student wellbeing and learning. 

We are very much looking forward to a busy and productive fortnight ahead, take care.

The PSPS Leadership Team