Important Notices
Hats and Sun Smart
As we are now into September and UV levels will regularly be over 3, all students need to wear a wide-brimmed hat when outside during the school day (break times and sports lessons), in line with our school Sun Smart Policy.
Children without hats will need to stay in the shade. Please dig out their school hat and put this into their school bag. If you require a new hat, these can be purchased from the office for $10.
On sunny days with predicted high UV levels, we also ask that families ensure that their child applies sunscreen each morning prior to coming to school to further protect against sun damage. Sunscreen will also be made available in classrooms for students to reapply prior to going outside during the warmer months.
We also ask that students wear clothing that provide protection from the sun. Please ensure that your child's shoulders are covered at all times and we also recommend collars and long sleeves for the added protection they provide to necks and arms.
Basketball coordinator
As you would be aware, basketball plays a huge role at SKiPPS and the Playball teams and before and after school training are a great way for our students to stay active, have fun with competitive sport and for our families to connect.
There is a key person who keeps the system going - our Basketball Coordinator. Currently Nikita Jain has been doing this role but she will soon need to step back.
This means we are looking for a willing volunteer to take this job on.
This coordinator manages the distribution of the SKiPPS basketball kits, oversees the training roster and acts as a first point of call for families with questions about basketball at SKiPPS.
Whilst this sounds complicated, it is only a few hours work each month and Nikita is happy to provide a full handover to the new coordinator and walk them through each part of the role.
If you think you can help the school and enable basketball to continue to be such a big part of SKiPPS life, please reach out to Nikita on nikitajain86@gmail.com
Sushi - Thursday this week
Our sushi orders will be delivered to classrooms on Thursday this week (as Friday is a curriculum day).
These will be the final sushi deliveries of this term as there is no sushi in the final week.
Online orders for Term 4 sushi will open soon and we will share the link with families.
Dad's Footy Champions
Saturday saw our SKiPPS dads take part in the annual Bayside 'Dads' Footy' carnival - teaming up with dads from Middle Park to pit our wits against the team from Port Melbourne Primary School.
With spring very much in the air, our dads did us proud yet again and brought home the trophy with a storming victory at J L Murphy Reserve.
As well as tasting success, the event was a great family day out with food, drink and music on offer.
I would like to thank the entire team for putting their bodies on the line for the glory of SKiPPS and getting involved in this great tradition.
A special thank you to Ed Waters for organising our team and the regular training to put us in a position for such a great victory.
We also want to pass our best wishes on to Grant Gillies, a veteran of many years of Dad's Footy who suffered a nasty injury on Saturday and we hope that he makes a speedy recovery.
Fathers Day breakfast
Last Friday's before school Fathers' (and Special Persons) day breakfast was a great success and we would like to thank the parents of SKiPPA for making this happen.
The delicious croissants from Little Sister Bakery and the Roadshow Coffee made for a great start to the morning and it was lovely to see so many SKiPPS students and dads getting involved in the various games and sports set up at the school.
We hope that all of our SKiPPS dads had a lovely sunday.
Celebration of the Arts - artwork
Talking of Celebration of the Arts (COTA), we are now working hard in the lead up to this event early next term. The theme this year is 'Luminoso' (Italian for light) and the night will be based around visual art and performance on the theme of light, illumination, glowing and sparkling.
The event is the high point of our school year and is an amazing community event.
The work comes together on the evening (5pm on Thursday 2nd November) and the school becomes a combined art show, performance space and community party. All classes, orchestras and choirs perform to the audience, all students display their artwork and there is food and drink for sale.
As has become tradition in recent years, the wonderfully talented SKiPPS parent Bianca Loiacono has designed the poster for COTA 2023 in her wonderful style. We thank for her donating her time and talent for the school.
Put the date in your diary now and get ready for the highpoint of the school year.
Connor's Run - Sunday 10 September - seeking volunteers
The Robert Connor Dawes Foundation is battling paediatric brain tumours and supporting brain matters in the areas of research, care and development – to fund the science to end brain cancer and support patients in the meantime.
Everyone who registers for Connor’s Run Melbourne, Sunday September 10, will also get access to Your Way Any Day, so make sure you share your month of Connor’s Run with us on socials #connorsrun @rcdfoundation
Volunteer opportunity - Connor's Run is seeking volunteers this Sunday to help at a 'breakout/rest area' located in St Kilda. If you would like to support this wonderful event, please contact Liz on 0419 311 506 for further information.
Reminder - Overdue Library Books
As the end of term is nearing, all library books must be returned as soon as possible, and prior to Wednesday 13th September.
Every book not returned means that other students do not have the opportunity to borrow.
Notices have been sent home for students who have overdue books prior to Term 3.
If you believe your child/ren have returned book/s, please contact our librarian, Carloyn via email at carolyn.hill2@education.vic.gov.au.
Occasionally books may not have been scanned into system upon their return. Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Lost Property
Please remember to check the collection of winter clothing and other items in the Lost Property area - located near the piano in the Quadrangle. All items that remain in Week 10, will be donated to a local charity.
Let us know if you are leaving
As we are now at the end of term 3, we have started the process of employing teachers and setting budgets for 2024.
It is really important that we have an accurate idea of student numbers so we can plan ahead with confidence.
If you know that your child will not be attending SKiPPS in 2024 we would really appreciate you letting us know as soon as possible.
Please email the school on st.kilda.park.ps@education.vic.gov.au to let us know.