28 May 2020

Newsletter Articles

Term 2 Update

It has been wonderful to see so many happy, engaged students across the school and to see a return to our regular high attendance figures. I would like to commend all our staff on the innovative, flexible and creative ways they have managed student learning over the last few months. I feel incredibly privileged to work with such an impressive team of educators. I’d also like to thank our school community for your support in managing these challenging times. It has really been a collective effort by everyone and as a result Eden Hills Primary continues to be such an amazing place to be a part of.

As mentioned in our recent update The Education Department now expect all public school students who are well and not considered vulnerable to COVID-19 to attend school or preschool.

Students are required to attend school unless they are:

• Feeling unwell
• Have a chronic medical condition or compromised immune system and are not able to attend school on advice from their medical practitioner
• Live in a household with others that are deemed vulnerable to COVID-19 and are not able to attend school on advice of their medical practitioner
• Have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have been required to self-isolate by SA Health

We ask those families that are intending to keep students at home under medical advice for COVID-19 vulnerability, to contact the school to discuss your situation so that we can continue to provide support.

We are really looking forward to many elements of our school returning but we are very mindful of remaining vigilant and so will continue to follow the current recommendations:

• Social Distancing: We continue to ask that parents / carers adhere to Social Distancing guidelines (1.5m spacing) when dropping off or picking up children outside of classrooms and not enter the Resource Centre. To support everyone’s safety we ask that you minimize your time onsite if you have to accompany your child to their class. Leaving the school grounds promptly and before 3.30pm is greatly appreciated.
• Communication / Teacher contact: We are not holding face to face interviews or meetings with families at this point in time but we encourage the use of email, phone and Seesaw.
• Cleaning: There continues to be an extra 3 hours per day: daily clean of playground, shared areas, classrooms, high touch surfaces and table tops.
• Volunteers: Unfortunately our volunteer programs remain inactive until further notice. It is timely though for volunteers, or those wishing to volunteer, to ensure that they have all the necessary approvals and permissions to do so.
• Interviews & Reports: A modified report format will be going home at the end of term 2. We are aiming to hold parent teacher interviews at the beginning of term 3, COVID-19 conditions allowing.
• School Sport: From Monday 1 June restrictions for school related sport will be eased to allow:
• Non-contact sport competition can commence from 1 June 2020 (indoor and outdoor).
• Contact sport training activities can commence from 1 June 2020 (indoor and outdoor).
• Contact competition activities can commence from 25 June 2020 (indoor and outdoor).

Please continue to keep gatherings of adults to an absolute minimum. Spectators aren’t permitted except for 1 parent/carer per student. All adults must practice appropriate physical distancing.

Once competitions start, fixtures must reduce the number of teams in contact with each other. For example competitions within the same school or club between similar level of players.

• School camps and excursions: These will continue to be deferred for now. SA Health believes it presents an unnecessary risk due to the transport and logistics involved, the need for extra supervisors / parent involvement and sharing of equipment.
• Outside providers: We are beginning a staged recommencement of private providers of some music. The NDIS providers have returned to school and worked with students this week.

In the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 our school will be temporarily closed. We will then follow our protocol in line with SA Health and the Department for Education.

Music

The music programme for the middle and upper primary students this term features songs from this year's Festival of Music programme, and lots of experience with our new glockenspiels. These 14 good quality, tuned instruments are a great boost to our music programme.

This week the classes focused on a few riffs from the well-known song, "I'm a train". The students first sang them in soprano and alto parts, and then sang them together. They then had time to rehearse them on the glockenspiels. The two main riffs were both simple, using 3-5 notes, which the students were able to read. The rhythms were learned by ear. Students with more piano experience chose a second extension riff. The classes then had a go at playing these riffs each time they featured in the song. Quite a complex, but achievable challenge.

Music 2020 Term 2

Propagation Shed

A Big Thank You to Charlie’s family for their generous donation of two wheelbarrows for our propagation adventures. The students are going to have a productive experience with these!

Drink Bottles

It’s really important that students bring their water bottles to school. We are discouraging students from using the drinking fountains, to prevent direct contact by mouth. The drink bottles can be refilled at a tap, therefore reducing the risk of cross contamination. Thank you for your continued understanding.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

A reminder that the rules for the Premier’s Reading Challenge have been changed this year to allow any book to be included on the form. If you need a new form they are available on line, from your teacher or from the Resource Centre.

The closing date remains the same - Friday September 4 (the end of Week 7 Term 3).

Congratulations to the 52 students who have already completed the challenge and added to our mystery mosaic poster in the Resource Centre.

Scholastic Book Orders

Winter Time Increase In Sickness

During winter children at school are more likely to get sick. We encourage you to keep your children at home to prevent the spread of colds, flu and any other contagious illnesses. If you do decide to keep your child home, do not forget to notify us. Please see your General Practitioner for all health information.

Change Of Contact Details

A reminder to please let the front office know of any changes to family contact details. Email addresses and mobile phone numbers are particularly important as we have whole school contact lists for both forms of communication, allowing us to contact families in case of an emergency or for important reminders.

Entertainment Book

It is time to purchase your 2020/2021 Entertainment Book. This year it is a little different with the book being a digital copy. It is still excellent value and has lots of vouchers for you to use, an example is the discount you get from eGift Cards.

To purchase a copy and support our fundraising at EHPS click on the below link

Or use a QR Code Reader and scan the code below to access the link for EHPS

In-School Psychology

In-school Psychology counselling service is onsite, at the child’s school, during school hours. The Psychologists see children with a range of difficulties, from simple problems such as difficulty making friends to more complex mental health issues.

The service is provided FREE of charge, their service is bulk billed to Medicare for eligible clients. The psychologists at In-School Psychology see children who have a referral from their GP, which allows the psychologist to provide 10 sessions per calendar year.

If you would like more information please click the link below. If you feel that you want to access this service please see your school’s office staff for the documentation you need to take to the GP.

Head lice – Nits…… They Are About!!!!!

This is a perennial problem in schools and we have had several cases across the school lately. It is recommended that you check all members of your household carefully. Treating the hair is no guarantee that the problem has been eradicated. Success is more likely if treatment is thorough, checking daily for at least three weeks and children are reminded to avoid head to head contact with others. If your child has head lice, please let school know.

School Card

The School Card scheme offers financial assistance with school fees (materials and services charges).

Eligibility

School Card is available to:

• families with children aged four years and over who attend a school full time
• independent full-time year students studying year 10, 11 or 12
• adult re-entry students undertaking subjects to complete their SACE.

To qualify for School Card, your family's gross income must be below a certain limit. This limit depends on how many dependent children you have and whether your child attends a government, independent, or Catholic school.

You will need to provide proof of income e.g. payslips or Centrelink information.

All types of school card applications are available on line. Please click the link below for further information.

QKR Tip

Do you have the QKR App?

Qkr allows parents and carers of students at EHPS to use their smartphones to place canteen orders, pay for OSHC, or make uniform and excursion payments, saving time and alleviating the hassle of having to give your child money to carry to school.

For those who may need some extra guidance and help with the setting up of your Qkr account and understanding its features, please click and download the guide below.

Meet Some Of Our Amazing Volunteers On The Governing Council

Name: Eric
Volunteer Role: Governing Council Member
Why You Volunteer at Eden Hills Primary School:
I just want to contribute actively in the ongoing successful operation of Eden Hills PS
Favourite Colour: Red, Blue and Green
Favourite Food: Roast chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy
Favourite Thing to Do: Puttering around the garden dreaming of extravagant gardening/landscaping plans.

Name: Katrina
Volunteer Role: Vice Chair of the Governing Council
Why You Volunteer at Eden Hills Primary School:
I love being of service and contributing to building a connected and caring community.
Favourite Colour: Blue
Favourite Food: Sushi
Favourite Thing to Do: Yoga, walk in nature and visit Nepal.

Community Notices