I am beginning the newsletter with a desperate call out to all parents who have not yet completed the 2024 Parents / caregivers / guardians survey. As of today, we have only had 16% of our families respond. Tomorrow I will resend the link to the survey to all our families. It is important that we receive a high rate of returns on the survey, so that we have a broad sample of ideas and opinions, to inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.

Decathlon Playgrounds to Podiums Initiative

The ‘Decathlon’ company based their Playgrounds to Podium initiative on two questions (this was their advertising pitch):

Did you know? Whilst one in three primary kids dream of becoming an elite athlete, new research shows that Aussie kids only play 2 of the 40 medal winning sports!

So, what are we doing? We are going to give away $100,000 of sporting equipment to primary schools across the country, to ensure that the next generation of athletes are prepared to win big in Brisbane and beyond.

How does it work? Simply, craft a compelling reason why your primary school should win?

And that’s what Mr Riley, Scarlett, Adria, Imogen, Harris, Lewis, Elise, Eddie, Floria, Edward and Serena did.

The result, I received a fabulous email, one that I am excited to share with you.

‘Thank you for submitting your nomination for Syndal South Primary School. We are thrilled to announce that your primary school is one of eight schools selected as a Silver winner in the Decathlon Playgrounds to Podiums initiative across Australia! As part of this initiative, Syndal South Primary School will be awarded the Silver package, which includes a fantastic range of Decathlon sports equipment for kids valued at $10,000. In addition, Syndal South Primary School will also receive a Bronze package, offering a 10% discount on all Decathlon sports equipment, valid until 31st December 2024. The Playgrounds to Podiums initiative was designed to increase children's access to sports and the benefits they bring. With this prize, we hope to further enhance your school’s sports programs and complement the outstanding efforts you’re already making to introduce students to a range of sports.’

A huge thank you to Mr Riley for supporting the students to put the video together. Thank you to the students and their parents for being available on the pupil free day to put the production together and of course for their valuable input. A super effort by all.

Mini Olympics

The whole school enjoyed a fabulous day, participating in all the events. It was so rewarding to see the multi age teams representing 15 countries working and supporting each other throughout the day.

The athletes drew on a number of the school values: resilience through learning new skills, moving outside their comfort zone, accepting that not all teams win and how we manage the feelings associated with not winning, responsibility through the team leaders leading their team, respect through following directions and complying with the rules and care through caring for each other in the team.

It was wonderful to see so many parents and grandparents cheering throughout the day.

Special thanks to Mr Riley who organised the day for us.

Book Week

Moving onto Book Week, the students all enjoyed an informative and interactive presentation by author Adrian Beck. Adrian writes funny, action-packed stories for kids including the Furball series, the Derek Dool series and the Little Legends series with Nicole Hayes, plus the Fox Kid series. Adrian has also written the much-loved picture books Stop The Dad Jokes! and Bears in Flares. Adrian is passionate about fostering a love of reading amongst the next generation and lives with his small football-loving family in Melbourne.

On Friday we all enjoyed a fabulous way to end Book Week with our Book Character Parade Thank you to the parents who attended our Book Week parade and for your enthusiasm in preparing the wonderful costumes that our children were wearing. It never ceases to amaze me the creativity that is displayed at this special occasion.

Working Bee

We have a ‘Working Bee’ planned for Saturday 9th September from 9.00 to 11.00am. Some of the tasks we have planned are sweeping, raking, spreading mulch and lots more. The more people we have attend the more work will get done. A light morning tea will be provided. Students that attend the working bee can go into the draw to win a prize.

Aerobics

The excitement continues to build as final preparations are being made for the upcoming FISAF National Championships at the Gold Coast this Saturday. Our Aerobics teams have been training hard, we wish them all the very best for the competition ahead. Go Syndal!!

Father's Day Stall and Raffle

Finally, thank you to our PA for selling the gifts at our recent Father’s Day stall. Thank you also to Michelle and Julie in the Office for ordering the gifts and their help in preparing them for sale. I would like to wish all our dads and grandads a very special Father’s Day for this Sunday.

Have a great fortnight.

Helen

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