Principal's Message

Principal's Message

Welcome to Week 3 of the term. Staff and students are settling into the groove and we are really pleased with how things are running along. We have a significant fortnight coming up with the Grades 3 and 5 students undertaking NAPLAN online for the first time in our history. We have, of course, done NAPLAN before, but the online version is quite a different beast. I wish all involved in the process the best and hope the students can demonstrate their potential. Thanks especially to any parents who supported their child with special 'booster' efforts - we hope they pay off. Remember, NAPLAN does not define a child by any stretch - but any endeavour we commit to is worth doing properly and that has always been our goal. 

Every week I get reminded of how important it is for home and school relations to be positive. I had one parent this week say to me, "You know, now and then things happen in school that might be negative for our child. He may have a disagreement or bump into a friend in a way that could be considered rough play. If that happens once, I would really like my child to find a way to work it out without me coming to the rescue. If it keeps happening, I would expect support from the school to work through the issue. We can't solve every problem for our kid - he must learn to support himself sometimes through these little life issues."

I have paraphrased the exchange, but that was the essence of our chat. I could have hugged this man! Figuratively, of course.  He was mature enough to realise that things happen at school that must be worked through but he was a big supporter and a 'positive talker' about the school in a broader sense. He did not see every child issue/disagreement as bullying (which it isn't), but rather saw it as a chance for his son to grow and learn.

This man's view represents the absolute vast majority of our parents. We are so lucky because this is not always the case in schools. In some schools, parents just get angry with every problem that occurs. This sours the home-school relationship and can really affect the child negatively as they see the gap between their parents and teachers. It makes kids sad and anxious. In my experience, when the parent-school relationship turns sour in a big way - the only way out is for a change of school unless perspectives change. 

Any school that says the world is perfect and there are never any problems is lying. It boils down to the maturity of the parent-school relationship so things are kept on the constructive side. Thank you to all parents who see the home-school relationship as important and who realise that part of working through issues is a learning process for their child.

I want to wish our FABULOUS mothers/carers a Happy Mothers' Day. If I was to list the love, care and attention you give to your children, this newsletter would go on for days. How can we ever thank you enough for what you do. You are nurturing the future of our world - literally. Thank you!!

ANNOUNCEMENT! School Production 2022

We are very excited to announce that we will be having a school production Monday, 5th September 2022. Our last productions was in 2019. Due to COVID restrictions, it has been a long wait to host our second and much anticipated performing arts show.

The School Production is considered part of our curriculum and all students are expected to attend and participate. It is a fantastic opportunity to build performing arts skills and an amazing experience for all students to cherish. 

With community being one of our core values at SMPS, we welcome and appreciate family involvement. We couldn't do this without you. If you would like to be involved in making costumes, please register your support at reception. The family support team will work on costumes at school during school hours. No experience is necessary. 

There will be a meeting to discuss lead acting roles this coming Monday at recess in the Music room. These special roles are open to Grade 5/6 student only at this stage.

Auditions will take place the following Monday, 18th June at recess in the Music room. A small number of students will be selected to play main roles in the show.

More information about the production, including ticket arrangements will be shared in the coming weeks and a WhatsApp Group set up to clarify information as it comes to hand. 

Multicultural Student Committee

The SMPS Multicultural Committee is very excited announce about a new club starting up this term at SMPS. The club is called the Multicultural Club.

This club is for students in Grades 3-6. In this club, we will celebrate the many cultures at SMPS. We will prepare for special days and assemblies. Finally, we will make displays to teach our school community about different cultures

The club will meet once a month in the library on Wednesdays at lunch

If your child is interested in joining this club, please ask them to write a one-page letter about why they would like to join. Students can give this letter to Miss Megan or their classroom teacher by the end of Week 5 (Friday, June 27th)

RAT Kits

We handed out another RAT kit to all students (check bags) on Friday. Theoretically, this is the last of the RAT kits to come home from school, but we await further instruction from the Department of Education as it may change. We seem to have enough kits to do another batch in two weeks' time so I will keep you alerted. Please do the right thing by following the guidelines and keeping kids home if they have any flu-like symptoms and testing them twice per week as a precaution to protect others. Staff are still on this system so we are all working together to keep each other safe.

More Air Purifiers Coming

In the next few weeks, we expect to receive more air purifiers from the Department of Education. As soon as we can, we will deploy these extra units to fortify us for the upcoming winter season where bugs spread through the air more readily. Where appropriate, we are also reminding staff to keep outside doors open and overhead fans on to increase ventilation. Please do your bit by keeping snuffly kids home till they are asymptomatic. 

Dates for Your Diary - PENCIL IN

• Tuesday, May 24: Celebration of Learning and BBQ - Current Families Visit School
• Wednesday, May 25: SMPS Open Day - New Families Visit School
• Monday, June 13: Queen's Birthday Holiday
• Tuesday, June 14: PROPOSED Pupil Free Day for Teacher Professional Development (Decreed by Department of Education and to be confirmed)
• Thursday, June 23: Parent-Teacher-Student Interview Day - No Classes
• Friday, June 24 - Last Day of Term 2 (2:30pm finish)