SKiPPS Newsletter

Important Notices

Dads' Camp 2024

I want to wish all of the dads and students heading off to Dads' Camp this weekend an amazing time and to make one request from our staff.

Early Collection times  

We know that many dads are probably keen to pick your children up early from school on Friday to beat the traffic and get the equipment and tents in place. We are really happy for you to do this.

 

For children in Years F-2 and 5/6, please collect from school either at 10:40am or 1:05pm. Doing this would line up with our break times and would make things far easier for us as we can then make one announcement and the children can come up to the office to be signed out for the weekend.

 

In previous years, we have had a steady stream of dads collecting children from their classrooms throughout the day which caused disruption to the front office, to the lessons that teachers have planned, and the learning of other children.  

In addition, teachers reported that, for those children not attending camp, the sight of their classmates being whisked away for the weekend caused some serious FOMO. If we limit the departures to a couple of occasions at the start of our break times, this is minimised.

 

Our Year 3/4 students will be offsite for most of the day enjoying a sports gala day against other schools at Fawkner Park. 

 

To minimise disruption to the teams and their games we ask that the earliest time you pick up from Fawkner park is at 1:30pm (the end of the gala day).    At this time, please ensure you speak to Joe Gardiner (the Year 3/4 team leader) at the park when you are collecting your child, so we know they have left early and can sign them out of our systems. 

 

In terms of picking up, it is best to park near South Yarra Primary School (off Punt Road) and enter the park from the east as this is the closest entrance to where the students will be. If your child is not going to be attending the gala day due to travelling to Dads Camp, we ask that you contact their class teacher in advance, so we can arrange the teams for the day.

 

A reminder that Dads Camp is not a school event and no staff are involved in the organisation or running of the camp. Supervision and liability for the camp is entirely up to the parents attending.

2024 Parent Payments

As mentioned last week, our requested parent payments for 2024 have now been approved by School Council and these can be found on our website athttps://www.skipps.vic.edu.au/community/school-documents/ 

 

Our requested Parent Payments for 2024 are;

  • Foundation $760
  • Year 1/2 $765
  • Year 3/4 $860
  • Year 5/6 $760

We appreciate the support of our families in making this payment to ensure that our school can offer the best possible education and support for our students. 

 

Whilst we try to keep these parent payments as low as possible and affordable for most, the income received is a large and important part of our school budget. 

The payments are used to cover expenditure not covered by Government funding and allow us to provide the resources, materials and experiences to our students that would otherwise be impossible. 

 

Without parent payments, we would only be able to provide a very basic 'bare minimum' education and so we really appreciate families making the payment to allow us to add so much to your child's time at the school.

If your family has not yet paid your child's 2023 payment, it is not too late and we request that you do this prior to the end of the year.

 

Doing this is easy - you can login to Compass and, if you have not yet made payment, you will see the below icon on your homepage. By clicking on the icon, you can make an online payment in a couple of easy steps. 

If you would prefer to make payment in person or over the phone, please contact the school office who are happy to facilitate a cash or card payment.

2024 Curriculum Days

At School Council last week we also approved the student-free and curriculum days that the school will take in 2024.

 

The following days will be student-free and we will work with Team Kids to ensure that a full day program is offered.

  • Monday 29th January (students will commence school Tuesday Jan 30th)
  • Friday 22nd March (Grand Prix Friday)
  • Wednesday 1st May
  • Tuesday 11th June (day after Kings Birthday PH)
  • Friday 19th July
  • Monday 4th November (Melbourne Cup Eve)
  • Term end 3:30pm Thursday 19th December (Friday 20th student-free for time in lieu)

Lost Property

As always as we head towards the end of term, our SKiPPS lost property is overflowing with lots of discarded jumpers, jackets and other belongings. Below are some photos of a fraction of the items currently missing in action.

Please come and visit the lost property  - this is located by the piano just inside the door from the quadrangle towards the Year 3/4 classrooms.

Any items not claimed by the end of the final day of term will be donated to charity.

Sushi reminder - adjusted delivery dates

For those students who have ordered sushi on Fridays for Term 4, please note the following regarding delivery dates: 

This week, sushi will be delivered tomorrow, Thursday 30th November instead of Friday 1st December.  

Next week is the final delivery for the term, which will be delivered on Friday 8th December.  

Please pack school lunches accordingly.

End of term arrangements & assemblies

We wish to update parents on arrangements for the end of this term as we finish the school year.

 

Our final day of term for students will now be Tuesday 19th December and we will finish at the normal time of 3:30pm. This is instead of the original plan to finish at 1:30pm on December 20th.

 

Team Kids will now be offering a full day program for students on Wednesday 20th December. This can be booked at https://www.teamkids.com.au/venues/st-kilda-park-primary-oshc-5/ 

 

Our big end of term celebration assembly will be on Friday 15th December at 9am. This will be a wonderful sign-off for the school year with musical performances, Year 6 awards and perhaps a surprise or two.

 

We will have a short final assembly at 3:15pm on Tuesday 19th to say a final farewell to our graduating Year 6 students and to hear them sing their graduation song.

A request from the school library

 

It is now time for all library books to be returned to school.   Please search your homes and ensure books are back before Wednesday 13th December.   

Your help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.    

 

Parent-run Yoga classes @ SKiPPS

We are excited to announce a new opportunity for our SKiPPS parents and carers to look after their wellbeing in the busy run-up to Christmas and the end of the year.

 

The wonderful Sara Strell (parent of Ava 1/2B and Leo 5/6H) is a certified yoga teacher and will be running a vinyasa flow class in the Performing Arts room at SKiPPS at 9:05am (straight after drop-off) on Tuesday 5th and Tuesday 12th December.

 

All parents and carers are welcome to come along, although numbers will be capped at 10 for space reasons.

 

What: vinyasa flow yoga class

When: Tuesday 5th and Tuesday 12th December 

Time: 9.05 (right after drop off) (60min)

Registration: none, First in best dressed

Bring: mat (and any props, water bottles, etc that you might want) 

Cost: none (all donations will be given to SKiPPS; recommended donation $10)

Foundation & Year 1/2 Parent - End of Year Party! 

Get your babysitters locked in and your dancing shoes on! It’s celebration time  💃🏼 💃🏼 💃🏼 Tickets include 2 drinks and light food plus an awesome guaranteed dance floor.  

Get in quick as the first 20 tickets purchased will receive a BONUS drink voucher.  

Click here to purchase your tickets now!