Dear Greenwith Primary School Community,

As we approach the midway mark of term 1, it is great to be able to again communicate with you via our school newsletter. It has been a very positive start to the school year and we are now well and truly into the ‘swing’ of term 1.

As you continue reading the newsletter you will see that there is lots happening and even more to look forward to as we move further on into term 1.

Our teaching staff are currently preparing to meet with families next week at Parent and Teacher Connection Meetings. This is a valuable opportunity for families and teachers to build strong connections between school and home and gain insight into how their children have settled into the new school year. Building these strong and open lines of communication early in the year will ensure that we set all of our learners up for success as the year progresses.

I also have enjoyed building strong connections with the community during my initial weeks at Greenwith Primary School. As a primary school community, it is vital that school and home work together at all times with the learning and wellbeing of children always at the forefront of our thinking. If ever you wish to discuss a matter with me or other members of the leadership team, please don’t hesitate to pop in for a chat so we can work in partnership to ensure timely resolutions and plans are put in place to ensure the best possible outcomes for all of our children.

Kind regards,

Darren

Staff News

We take this opportunity to formally thank and farewell Kate Armitage who has been a much loved and valued member of the GPS community since 2010.

Kate started at GPS as a parent and volunteer before being employed as a School Support Officer in 2010. Kate has worked across many areas of the school supporting teachers and students on their learning journey. Kate was highly successful at building strong relationships and provided high-quality support to students through our intervention programs such as MiniLit, MacLit and QuickSmart Maths.

We thank Kate for all she has given to GPS staff, students and the community over the past 14 years. Her kind, supportive, caring, positive and happy nature was with her whether working in classrooms, 1:1, with small groups or in the front office. Kate was loved by both staff and students and will be greatly missed by all.

Kate has now moved on to the private school sector and we wish her well on her new learning journey.

In other staff news, Cathy Dale has taken up an opportunity to work at another school this year. We hope to welcome Cathy back to Greenwith Primary S next year.

Baby Announcement

A big congratulations to Amanda Mermelengas and her partner Andrew on the safe arrival of their little boy, Billy! We wish Amanda all the best while she is on maternity leave and look forward to welcoming her back in the future!

NAPLAN

NAPLAN 2024 will be held from 13–25 March (weeks 7 and 8 in term 1).

All schools participated in the National Coordinated Practice Test (CPT) earlier this week.

The NAPLAN privacy collection notice for parents and families is attached below:

2024 Materials & Services Charge (school fees)

All invoices have now been sent home via Australia Post. If you have not received your invoice, please let us know and we will print another copy. Payments can still be made without the paper invoices via the Qkr! app or in person at the front office.

The standard sum minus the Government rebate will leave just $187.00 compulsory to pay. All voluntary contributions received are greatly appreciated.

Fees are required to be paid in full by 12 April 2024 (end of term 1)

If you have applied for School Card and await an outcome, we will put your school fees on hold until we are notified of the outcome. School Card Information and applications can be found at www.sa.gov.au/education/schoolcard

If you have completed a payment plan, the due date is the end of term 2, 5th July.

The payment plan form is available on our website or from the Front Office.

Paying via the QKR app

Step 1: Download Qkr!

Step 2: Register

Step 3: Find our School. Search for Greenwith Primary School

Step 4: Register your children.

Cash payments can be made by completing a payment envelope available at the Front Office.

Credit Card payments can be made directly to the Finance Officer in person or phone during school hours. Due to new DfE procedures, writing down client credit card details is now disallowed in line with card industry expectations.

Office Hours

A friendly reminder that our front office is open for parent queries on school days from 08:00 am until 3:30 pm.

Mobile Phone & Personal Device Policy

Please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the GPS mobile phone and personal device policy, available via the link below. This policy was ratified by Governing Council in May 2023 to provide direction to students, staff, and families about managing the personal devices students choose to bring to school.

Parent & Teacher Connection Meetings