Principal's Message

Headlines - Please Note

We encourage you to read this entire newsletter as lots of effort has been put into its production.  Here are the most urgent and important details to read in this edition (not just on this first page):

1. JSC Movie Day on Monday (this page)
2. Footy Colours Day on Friday (this page)
3. Final Term 3 Assembly on Friday (this page)
4. Early Finish Friday at 2:30pm (this page)
5. Call for House Sports Day Volunteers for Oct 31 (this page)
6. First Day Back Term 4 = Tuesday, October 8 (this page)
7. End of Life Devices Year 3 and 6 (School Leaders Page)
8. Camp Payments Due Years 5/6 (School Leaders Page)

Principal's Message

Welcome to Week 9 of a 9 week term. Well, you made it folks! The term must have felt quick for most families as a 9-week term is a bit of an anomaly. From my perspective, it has been a highly successful term of learning and care. The students and staff are really tuned into the learning and they are showing signs of wonderful success. Our teachers teach well and our learners are very clever. I am proud of both stakeholders. I am also proud of the parents who really respond when we ask for extra help.

You will be accessing your child's Student Dashboards this week as the results of Term 3 testing come in. I say this every term, but please read these reports very carefully as they are the running benchmarks of progress. Don't panic if you see a red entry (we use a traffic light system), but please get in touch with your child's teacher as a red entry is an early warning sign that extra support is required to reach the standard. Above all - pay attention! Not accessing the Student Dashboard in Compass is a big mistake. They are there for a reason so please take notice. 

Remember, if you child has progressed since the Term 2 Student Dashboard, that is our measure of success. If your child is red and has stagnated - then a small alarm bell should be ringing as a call to action. 

Year 3/4 Camp

A huge well done to all of the Year 3/4 campers who returned happy and tired on Friday afternoon. It was another great success and kudos to the staff, students and parents who attended. It is a big effort to attend camp so hats off the the group.

We are currently working to see if future Year 3/4 camps continue as the funding we receive from the government is a bit short. We will keep you posted on developments. In the meantime, take a bow campers for a job well done!

JSC Movie Day (Monday 15th September)

Here are the details regarding the Junior School Council organised Movie Day - please support it:

• Students can bring a pillow to use when watching the movie.
• Students will watch a movie with popcorn to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund Australia (WWF)
• Donations are going towards a symbolic ‘adoption’ of an Eastern Quoll through this charity. An Eastern Quoll is a native animal that went extinct to the mainland 60 years ago, and though still in Tasmania, their numbers are declining. The WWF are helping to reintroduce the species to reclaim their natural homeland.
• All donations are optional. Coins on the day are ok this time! We may also accept donations via EFTPOS in the morning out the front if we have enough volunteers.
• Miss Sam would like some volunteers to help with the EFTPOS machines in the morning for donations and for dividing up popcorn into bags and helping to deliver them to students when the movie starts. Then preparing popcorn for the next movie. 
• Please email Miss Sam at Samantha.McGee@smps.vic.edu.au for more details.

Footy Colours Day - No Donation (Friday 19th September)

• Students to wear their favourite sports gear - preferably AFL if they have it - to celebrate the finals.
• Don't buy anything extra, just support where you can with some sports gear on the day.
• No donations are required as we are not supporting any cause with this one - it is purely for the fun!

Assembly at 1:30pm (Friday 19th September)

• The final Term 3 Assembly will occur at 1:30pm on Friday with performances from:
  • All Year 1 Students
  • Kelly Sports Dance Club Students
  • Student Rock Band

It would be lovely to see as many parents at our final assembly as possible.

2:30pm Early Finish (Friday 19th September)

• Remember to book your child into OSHClub if you cannot make the 2:30pm commitment
• Please arrive on time - staff have that precious extra time to pack up their rooms ready for holiday cleaning. Babysitting for lateness is not part of that plan.

House Sports Day Volunteers for Term 4 (Friday 31st October)

• Mr Ryder is organising House Sports Day at Murphy Reserve in Port Melbourne.
• If any volunteers are available to help out on the day it would be greatly appreciated. Jobs include:
  • Supporting the specialist teacher with running games/activities.
  • Handing out ribbons to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers.
  • Moving equipment.
  • Adding house points throughout the day.
  • and more!
• All families are welcome to come and watch the event and bring a picnic rug and some snacks should you wish.
• More details will become available closer to the time.
• Please email Mr Ryder at Ryder.Smith@smps.vic.edu.au if you would like to volunteer on the day.

Reminder - Term 4 First Day Back is Tuesday, October 7

• We have a Staff Curriculum Day on Monday, October 6
• Students first day back is Tuesday, October 7
• OSHClub is available to book if you require child care.