Class library Sessions

Over the last 12 months we have spent a lot of time and money at SKiPPS on creating 'classroom libraries' - wonderful and welcoming spaces within each classroom which are full of rich and engaging books to inspire our students' love of reading and writing.

We are also very lucky to have an incredibly well-stocked school library in our BER building which contains thousands more fiction and non-fiction books and is many childrens' favourite part of our school.

In previous years students visited the library once a week with our specialist teacher librarian Louise as part of the specialist program. In 2022 however, budget constraints have meant we have changed how the Library operates.

Classes will now visit the Library with their own class teachers each week and will spend time enjoying the books and then borrowing a book each week of their choice. This book can then be taken home and enjoyed and returned 7 days later.

We ask parents to support our library program by encouraging your children to look after the books they have chosen and to ensuring that all library books are put back in school bags on your child's 'Library day' each week to allow them to be returned and a new title borrowed.

Details of each classes library day can be found below;

Class	Library Day
Foundation J	Monday
Foundation M	Monday
Foundation B	Monday
1/2A	Tuesday
1/2M	Tuesday
1/2L	Tuesday
1/2N	Tuesday
3/4J	Friday
3/4L	Friday
3/4A	Tuesday
3/4PC	Friday
5/6L	Monday
5/6S	Monday
5/6H	Tuesday
5/6M	Monday

Pop-up vaccination clinic at SKiPPS

Earlier in the term the school worked with Star Health to provide a covid-19 vaccination clinic for students at school.

We are excited to announce that they will be returning this week to provide second doses (or first doses if there are any children still unvaccinated). This is open to all students, whether they had their first dose here or elsewhere.

The Star Health team will be in at 3:30pm on Thursday 31st March and then again on the first day of next term on Tuesday 26th April.

There is no need to book - you can just come along to the Performing Arts room and receive the vaccination. Please bring proof of your first dose if you have it.

Please note, the current recommendation is for an 8-week interval between doses, but it can be safely administered as early as 3 weeks after the first dose, so there is some flexibility for children who have not quite reached the 8 week milestone.

Tax-Deductable contributions to SKiPPS

For the first time in 2022, SKiPPS is operating two Deductable Gift Recipient (DGR) funds which allow parents and community members to make donations that are tax deductible.

As we approach the end of the tax year, we ask parents to bear us in mind if they are looking to receive the tax benefits that charitable donations can bring.

We have two funds - a School Building Fund (which is then used to maintain and upgrade our school buildings) and also a School Library Fund (which is used to build and maintain our school library). All donations would be gratefully received.

if you wish to make a donation please contact Nova, our Business Manager on nova.whitehead@education.vic.gov.au . To find out more about the tax benefits of donating to a DGR fund, please speak to your accountant.

Rapid Antigen Test distribution

Later this week your child will be given a further pack of five Rapid Antigen Tests to bring home in their school bag to last them until the end of term.

We ask that you continue to test them at home twice each week to help us identify any covid cases that may be asymptomatic. If your child does display any symptoms, we ask that you complete a RAT immediately.

If your child returns a positive result, please refer to our previous communications on Compass for the steps that you need to follow.

We have no word yet on whether RATs will continue to be provided in term 2 but the 5 tests should allow for each student to complete a RAT at the end of the holidays, before students return to school on Tuesday 26th April.

2023 School Tours

Even though it feels like the school year has just begun, we have set dates for school tours for prospective parents who are interested in enrolling their children at SKiPPS in 2023.

If you know of any parents of students starting school next year, please encourage them to contact the office.

Smile Squad

Next term St Kilda Park will be taking part in 'Smile Squad' - the Victorian Government’s free school dental program. Smile Squad will offer free annual dental care for all children attending Victorian government schools.

Before 2020, around a quarter of school-aged children had untreated tooth decay. Due to missed dental checks over the past two years, dentists are now seeing higher numbers of children with serious decay and other oral health issues.

A visit from Smile Squad can ensure the oral health of children by treating problems before they worsen and preventing future issues.

Smile Squad will see all students at no cost, even if they do not have a healthcare card or Medicare card, or if they are ineligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

Further details can be found below and we will let you know more, including our Smile Squad visit date next term.

End of term arrangements

It seems ridiculous that we are talking about the end of term already but Easter is almost upon us and we finish Term 1 in just over a week on Friday April 8th.

As usual, the day will start with a whole-school assembly and, as it is the final day of term, school will finish at 2:30pm - please make arrangements for your child to be collected at this time or make a booking with Team Kids. Team Kids will also be running a full-day program at the school over the upcoming easter holidays, further details on the program and how to book follow later in this newsletter.

Chess and Coding are back!