Gillard West's Term Highlights

G9 aka Tassie Devils Highlight “Off to a Great Start” Weeks 1 and 2

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We can’t believe that the term is nearly over! Some of us think that the term has gone super-fast, others think that the important learning we did at the beginning of the term seems likes years ago! We all agree that it has been a positive and productive time.

The first two weeks we spent setting up our class, getting to know each other, working as a team to develop our identity, code of conduct and goals, as well as looking at our school values and character strengths. We really appreciated the time to set up who we are, how we want to learn together and what we want to achieve.

G6 Highlight STEM Weeks 3 onwards

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With G7 and G8, we are investigating the problems with plastics. We are in explore and define stages of the Design Thinking Process.

Some things we found out…

  • 40% of plastic produced every year is single-use plastic.
  • In 2016, over 320 million tons of plastic were produced. As the population increases, so does plastic production.
  • 8 million tons of plastic pollution ends up in our oceans annually.
  • Plastic is an extremely durable material, when containing additives, they are even stronger and can take at least 400 years to degrade.
  • By 2050 it is estimated there will be more plastic than fish by weight in the world’s oceans?
  • Plastic pollution can be found on every beach in the world.

We are shocked and want to find solutions to help solve this plastic pollution problem. Watch this space….

G7 Highlight Harmony Day Week 7

On Harmony Day we learnt a dance with our Buddy classes and practised the song ‘We Are Australian’ for the whole school assembly. We found out about other cultures in our school and how you say “Good morning!” in many languages. G7 also did an activity with their Buddies in M2 when they decorated people chains to display around the school.

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G8 Highlight Swimming Carnival Week 9

Last Friday we had Swimming Carnival, it was EXCITING!! We bussed there (singing along to the radio), we cheered with pride and enthusiasm and we swam our legs off! The sun came out and there was a lot of laughter and smiles. Excitement was in the air and everyone had a blast. We really appreciate all the hard work that was put into swimming carnival, We would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to Mr Rowland and all the fantastic house captains for all their hard work. It was also awesome to have many parents there to enjoy the day. Overall, it was an incredible day, congratulations Dunks, Devonshire, Mellor and Selth for outstanding team work.

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Canteen News

Please be advised that we have changed some of our products due to supply issues. These include Mac cheese, butter chicken and a few others. Thank you for your understanding! We are always looking to improve our products sold in the canteen.
Reminder that there are still many outstanding emergency payments. Could you please pay for these promptly through the Qkr! App. Thank you in anticipation.
Have a great Easter break.
Anita, Ann and Kerry

Uniform and Dress Code

Our uniform helps to create a sense of community and belonging in all students and proudly identifies our students at all times. It ensures that students are well presented and dressed appropriately for a wide variety of school activities.

We ask for your support in ensuring that students wear the correct school uniform at all times.

Dress Code

The colours of the uniform are royal blue with gold trim, and navy and gold for Year 6 students.  The uniform consists of:

  • Navy blue long pants for both boys and girls
  • Knee to mid-thigh length navy shorts for boys and girls
  • Knee to mid-thigh length navy skort
  • Royal blue polo t-shirt and jumper with MPS logo - Year R-5
  • Navy blue polo shirts and jumper - Year 6 only
  • School summer dress (Term 1-4), skirt or pinafore in MPS plaid
  • Navy blue hat with a wide brim

Jewellery

  • One set of studs or sleeper earrings only
  • Coloured nail polish and makeup are not to be worn
  • Hair should be a natural colour and neatly tied back if shoulder length or more (boys and girls)
  • Hair accessories may be worn in school colours only

Footwear

  • Supportive and comfortable closed shoe or sandal in plain colours. Black, white or navy blue is preferred for shoes and socks, which should be short in style.
  • Navy tights may be worn under the winter pinafore.

Please be aware that leggings and short sports shorts are not part of the uniform and should not be worn. Long sleeve MPS polo shirts may be worn in cooler weather, however skivvies and long sleeves should not be visible underneath short sleeve polo shirts or summer dresses.

 

Sapsasa Term 1

District Swimming

Nine Mitcham students competed at our City South District Swimming Carnival at Marion Outdoor Pool on Wednesday 1st of March. Well done to all swimmers and a special congratulations to Elijah K, Louis T, Sophie L and Thomas P for placing high or winning their events and now going on to represent the district at the Metropolitan State Championships on Thursday May 4th.

District Athletics

On Thursday 30th March, 34 Mitcham students travelled to SA Athletics Stadium to compete at our City South District Athletics Carnival. Many of our students placed high in their events with several collecting 1st-4th place ribbons. We are still awaiting the official results to find out which of our students made it into the district team to head to the State Championships.

Cricket

At the start of Week 10 of our boys travelled to Stradbroke School and played two matches over two days against Burnside PS and Stradbroke School. Coming up against Burnside first the boys kept the opposition to a reasonable score but unfortunately couldn’t match their batting performance and fell short of Burnside’s total.

In our second match against Stradbroke we showed improvement with the bat setting a higher score than Monday’s match. We bowled and fielded extremely well pushing Stradbroke to their final wicket but regrettably coming away with a loss. Well done boys over the two days, you never dropped your heads and kept pushing all the way to the final ball bowled.

Clint Rowland - PE Teacher/Sapsasa

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Science News - Oliphant Science Awards

The annual Oliphant Science Awards are now open. Students should submit an entry form to Mrs Doull. The projects themselves are due later in the year. Interested students can check out the categories on the website here:

Registrations are open until Week 3 of Term 2, so there's plenty of time to come up with creative projects! See Mrs Doull for more information. 

Finance News Term 1 2023

Materials & Services Payment Now Due

Thank you to the families that have paid their Materials & Services invoices, applied for School Card or arranged Direct Debits/Payment Plans. Materials & Services invoices are due to be paid by the end of Term 1.

Any extension on this time can be arranged by setting up a Direct Debit or Payment Plan. Please email dl.0270.finance@schools.sa.edu.au for the authorization form.

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The School Card Scheme offers financial assistance with school fees (Materials & Services charges). To check your eligibility and to apply online go to the SA.GOV website via the link:  www.sa.gov.au/education/schoolcard

If you are eligible for the School Card Scheme and have not yet applied, please do so as soon as possible. Eligible Families need to complete a new School Card application each school year.

If you need help completing the form please contact the School Card section on 1800 672 758 (free call).

You will be notified by the School Card Section of the outcome of your application, please do not pay any money towards your Materials and Services charge until you know the outcome.

Community News

SA Police have noticed an increase in antisocial behaviour in the vicinity of the Belair mountain biking trails, surrounding streets, and on trains and train platforms. There have been incidents of objects being thrown at cars on Belair Road and Old Belair Road.

Throwing objects on roads and at cars can cause serious injury and even death. Police have also received reports about dangerous bike riding on the roads leading to the trails around the Mitcham and Lower Mitcham areas. With Easter and School Holidays approaching SA Police support young people being involved in healthy, physical activities including mountain bike riding, however we need to consider the safety of the whole community. Police encourage parents and caregivers to discuss safe and responsible riding.

Autism Inclusion Teacher

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Dear Parents and Carers

I would like to introduce myself as the Autism Inclusion Teacher (AIT) for Mitcham Primary School. I currently teach Year 2 and have taken on this exciting new role for 2023.

Autism Inclusion Teachers are a new, nation-leading, initiative which aims to build teacher understanding and knowledge around supporting children and young people with autism. Each public primary school in South Australia has appointed an Autism Inclusion Teacher who will guide and support their staff in developing best practice whilst teaching and engaging with students who are on the autism spectrum. I have a wealth of experience of teaching students diagnosed with autism. I also have a deep interest in supporting our teachers and school support officers to develop their skills and abilities with an aim in improving the learning outcomes for our students on the autism spectrum.

The intended role of an Autism Inclusion Teacher, is to build the skills, knowledge and understanding of autism amongst our teachers and school services officers (SSOs) by engaging them in formal learning sessions. The expected outcomes are that teachers and SSOs will then apply this new knowledge when teaching and supporting children with autism in their own classrooms. The AIT role does not include working directly with students with autism, nor are they involved in student or parent conferences.

I am currently working with other AITs, from a variety of school sites across Adelaide, to develop and build upon my current knowledge of working with students with autism. Recently, I participated in a two-day where Professor Barry Carpenter engaged us in developing our understanding of wellbeing and neurodiversity. This intensive three day conference highlighted the importance of using a strength-based approach whilst working with students with autism. This included research linked to incorporating a student on the autism spectrum’s particular interest into daily teaching routines as a means to motivate and further engage in their learning. For more information, please visit the Department for Education’s website to find out more about improving support for children and students with autism.

Kind Regards,

Anne Thomas

Diary Dates Term 1

Please see below the upcoming important dates and school events for the remainder of Term 1 2023

15 March to 24 March  NAPLAN
Tuesday 21 March  Harmony Day
27 March to 31 March    Parent Teacher Interviews
Friday 7 April Good Friday
Monday 10 April Easter Monday
Wednesday 12 April Grandparents and Special Friends Day
Friday 14 April End Term 1 - Early Dismissal 2.15pm
   

Cubby Building excursion

 The Reception classes were lucky to have perfect weather for their recent Cubby Building excursion to Belair National Park.

Students from T5, M1, M2 and M3 displayed great teamwork and problem solving skills while they were set the task of designing and building their large cubbies. They also learnt about caring for the natural environment. It was a fantastic learning experience for all of our Reception students. 

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