What's happening at CHPS
Sports News
Inter-school Sports:
Welcome back to Sport in 2021 and yes, we have hit the ground running.
Inter-school Sports this year will kick off next Friday 12th February. Thank you to the parents and volunteers who have already offered to assist with supervision of our teams. We are still looking for an adult to assist with supervising one of the Tennis Teams, Girls' Teeball and also for now the Girls' Cricket. If you are able to give up a couple of hours on a Friday morning, we would really appreciate this as the teams cannot play unless there is supervision.
Because Covid rules are still in place, unfortunately parents are not able to come along and watch their child play. No adults are allowed on the school grounds whilst inter-school sport is underway, unless you are a supervising parent in charge of a team or assisting with scoring.
If you are able to assist, please let me know via email or ring the office and let them know that you can help and I will contact you.
District Swimming Sports
The annual swimming sports are being conducted on Monday February 22nd at the Tintern Grammar Pool. If your child is aged 9 years to 13 years, and they can confidently swim 50 metres, please take them to Aquanation and time them. Once this is done, please let me know your time and I will tell you whether this is within the qualifying times.
Noreen McMenaman - Sports / PE
Performing Arts News
Welcome back CHPS families!
We are in for a Spectacular year! Literally! 25 lucky students have been selected to participate in the Mass Choir in this year’s Victorian State School Spectacular! These students will have the opportunity to be a part of a made for TV special, showcasing their singing talents. With easing Covid-19 restrictions, there is hope for a return to the original Arena performance format, in which case our students would be involved in a large-scale arena production. For the first time ever, Middle School students are also allowed to be involved in the Spectacular! Students who were selected need to submit their media release form and behaviour agreement no later than February 10th! Due to the large scale of the Spectacular numbers, names must be confirmed early therefore no late submission will be accepted.
Choir
Our School Choir for year levels 3-6 is resuming as normal this term, with rehearsal re-commencing next week. Rehearsals are Monday lunchtime and Thursday mornings before school at 8:15am. With a return to somewhat normal we are looking to expand the Choir and offer high quality singing tuition to create wonderful harmonic performances. With easing restrictions we are also hoping to expand our performance opportunities and get back out into the community. If your child is interested in being a part of this amazing extra-curricular program, remind them to come to choir in the PAC Monday lunchtime and Thursday before school.
Dance Club
In an effort to increase our Performing Arts extra-curricular program we are also continuing dance club this year, Tuesday lunchtimes in the PAC. If your child is interested in pursuing dance and fitness through music, encourage them to join Dance Club.
CHAMP Music
CHAMP, our instrumental music program at CHPS and is back with us in 2021, beginning this term. If your child would like to learn an instrument they offer lessons in guitar, drums, singing and piano and you can choose private or shared lessons. If you are interested, head to www.champlessons.com where you can find more information and the form for enrolment enquiries.
Brodie Douma-King - Performing Arts
Library News
Welcome back and to all those who have just joined our community – welcome. I hope you all found time to read some great books over the break.
Just a few reminders as we settle into the new school year. All children are expected to have a library bag before they can borrow from our library. It does not need to be anything fancy – a plastic bag is ideal and I am even prepared to accept the blue satchels that some students have (as long as the book fits inside). Some students are using the bags that their school supplies came in. If your child has a cloth library bag it is a good idea to put a plastic bag inside. Most of the damage done to our library books is caused by leaking drink bottles or squashed food (the natural enemies of the book).
We have a great selection of books in our Library and we are constantly adding new titles to try and keep the Library as exciting and fresh as possible. Relaxing with a good book, either reading it yourself, or reading to someone special, seems to be overlooked sometimes in our busy lives but with reading comes so many opportunities. For those of you with students in the Junior level – please remember that library books are meant to be shared – your child will probably not be able to read these books on their own. Remember that reading is more than being able to recognise the words on a page. Comprehension is vital! It is often a good idea to ask your child about the book they have just read or that you have just read to them. If they can’t tell you much about it the book may be above their level. If they enjoyed it, and was a book they read on their own, you may like to read it yourself! I have read some great books that were recommended by students! The reading books that they take home from the classroom are aimed at their reading level. These children – and those in the Middle level (and higher) still enjoy having books read to them and this is an important part of learning to read and comprehend. It also has other proven benefits such as improving speech, grammar and vocabulary and providing shared times between children and adults.
Students can borrow the books for two weeks; Seniors now have four weeks. Overdue notices are first sent home when a book is overdue for 2 – 3 weeks. Follow up letters and emails are also sent home fortnightly after this. If you receive a notice and are sure that the book has been returned, please ask your child to see me in the Library. A book is not considered returned until it is in the Library. Sometimes books seem to make it as far as the classroom and get stuck there. Please encourage your child to do a thorough check at home and in the classroom if they receive an overdue notice.
Please work with us to keep reading a priority in our children’s busy lives. This includes reading to them and discussing the books that they are reading.
If you notice that a book is damaged, please do not attempt to repair it yourself. I have better equipment here for repairs.
Also, please note that if your child had an overdue book at the end of last year and they have not yet returned it this year, it will still be out in their name – it does not magically disappear over the holidays.
Happy reading.
Sue Offer - Library Technician
From Sophie in Sickbay....
Parents, please be aware that there are a number of children in our school community with severe allergies and we would ask all parents to be mindful of what is brought to school in lunch boxes. If your child is in a class with an at-risk student, you will have received the below letter, but I would ask all parents to take a look and be aware of the dangers of nuts and nut products in schools.
Anaphylaxis / High Risk to nuts
Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction that is potentially life threatening. The most common allergens in school aged children are peanuts, eggs, tree nuts (e.g. cashews), cow’s milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame, latex, certain insect stings and medications.
The key to prevention of anaphylaxis in schools is knowledge of those students who are at risk, awareness of triggers (allergens) and prevention of exposure to these.
One of your child’s classmates has a severe nut allergy and other food allergy which can trigger an anaphylactic reaction. The allergy is so severe that even touching an item that has had contact with nuts or nut products can cause an anaphylactic reaction (even being touched by someone who has had contact with nuts or nut products).
In accordance with the Croydon Hills Anaphylaxis Policy, we are requesting that all children from this class refrain from bringing any food items that have nuts or traces of nuts to school in particular peanut butter and Nutella.
I am sure that all parents will consider this request and act accordingly. However, if your child does bring a peanut butter or Nutella sandwich etc, to school they will be requested to:
a) inform the teacher on the day for safety purposes.
b) wash their hands immediately after eating the product and to wipe down their table.
c) requested to eat their food at a distance from the anaphylactic child.
Please be advised that the child is aware of their condition and is well schooled in taking all necessary precautions as a matter of routine. Combined with the safeguards outlined above, we believe this to be the best course of action in dealing with anaphylaxis at our school.
If you have any concerns please contact me on 97251206.
Sunsmart at CHPS
Our Sunsmart policy dictates that all children wear wide-brimmed hats during Terms 1 and 4, and we also ask that parents apply sunscreen to exposed areas before school if UV levels are predicted to be high. Each classroom also has sunscreen for student use during high UV days: the brand we use is Ego Sunsense Ultra or Sport, SPF50. If your child may be sensitive to this brand, please send him/her with a suitable alternative.
Sophie Turnham - First Aid Officer