2 June 2023
Midway Term 2
We are at the half way point of the term already and it has been wonderful to see the variety of wonderful learning experiences, excursions and achievements thus far. This week we have been participating in a variety of Reconciliation Week activities to collectively build relationships and a community that values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures. A big thank you to Kat Woznicki and Jo McIntyre who planned and organized the opportunities for our students to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. It was fantastic to welcome families on Wednesday morning into our classrooms, our staff and students thoroughly enjoyed sharing this experience with you.
Our teachers have also been busy working in their Literacy and Numeracy Professional Learning Community release time to develop and plan intensive teaching sprints, designed to best support student improvement through meaningful use of data and evidence-based practices. The teaching sprints process consists of three phases: Prepare, Sprint and Review. During ‘Prepare’, teams engage in rich dialogue about their practice and consider relevant research to identify a precise focus for improvement work. They then go into the ‘Sprint’ phase, where they test out their new learning through short, manageable cycles of teaching in the classroom. A teaching sprint ends with explicit ‘Review’, involving the analysis of impact evidence and consideration of how to transfer new pedagogical knowledge and skills into future practice. It has been wonderful to witness the strong collegiality and collaborative work of our staff to intentionally design tasks that will make a real impact on our students’ learning.
We look forward to a successful remainder of the term.
Kind regards,
Andrew Dowling
Jam Band
What a fabulous concert we were a part of when the JAM Band visited us in week 2!
The popular rock and funk songs engaged the children from start to finish, with excitement erupting with awesome dress-ups, props and special effects. We were treated to 16 classics and latest releases, with over 80 children actively participating.
All the year 5/6s in room 11 choreographed dance moves for ‘Rip Up The Recipe’ (by Shawn Mendes from the 2022 movie, ‘Lyle, Lyle Crocodile’). They delighted and impressed the Band and audience alike.
Lenny Kravitz’s hit, ‘Fly Away’ was accompanied by five birds, who excited the crowd when they appeared.
We played human UNO, danced the Madison…
were entertained by a Mario game, square shapes to ‘Hip to be Square’, and some penguins appeared to ‘Do the Funky Penguin’ (Rufus Thomas).
All-in-all 90 minutes of fun-filled music and dance entertainment.
Josie Whitehead
Music Teacher
Escape Room
Last week we did an escape room with our big buddies. We had to find the king crown. It was located in the jungle. It was stolen by a criminal. There were heaps of locks. There were codes for the locks. There was a fake leaf wall that had a sign that said, 'Keep Out', but there was another sign that said, 'Go in the cave', so we took the wall down. There was a key in a bottle with green sheets around the bottle and there was a magnet on a string, we got it. My favourite thing was getting the key out of the bottle. - Harry Ramsey
My favourite thing was finding keys. - Zara
We only had half an hour. My favourite thing was when we got the crown. - Arthur
We did an escape room with our buddies and had to find different things. It was fun. - Finn
Steph’s (Room 8) and Rowan’s (Room 6) mum, Jazz, set up an Escape Room for our classes in the library. The theme was that someone had stolen the King’s crown and hidden it in the forest. There were lots of locks and codes in a box. There was another box with a different code. We worked in groups with our buddies. Our group escaped with 8 minutes to spare. I hope Jazz comes back to run another Escape Room. Thank you, Jazz, for coming. - Lucy
Why I think you should do an Escape Room
- You can figure out codes and puzzles with your friends.
- You can be very investigative with finding solutions.
- You can figure out technologies.
- You can explore.
- There is a balance of hard, easy and fun tasks.
- It is unique. - Tristan
House Captains
Congratulations to our 2023 House Captains who were presented with their badges at assembly recently!
Unfortunately, Isaac and Piper were at SAPSASA AFL so were presented their badges at another time.
Team | Captain | Vice-Captain |
|---|---|---|
Watiparinga | Halle & Mika | Thomas & Neli |
Karinya | Evie & Summer | Hannah & Wilfred |
Shepherd | Isaac & Poppy | Abby & Chelsea |
SAPSASA
Netball
On Monday 8 May, Eden Hills PS took a boys and girls team to State-wide Schools (Knockout) Netball Carnival at Netball SA Stadium. Thanks to Mel G who coached the girls’ team. They had a ball and played very well up against some tough competition. They won 1 out of 4 games.
Our boys team managed to win 4 out of 4 of the State-wide Competition and go through to round 2 which will be played early in term 3.
Cross Country
On Tuesday 16 May, 43 Eden Hills students braved, played and ran in the rain at Belair National Park in the Southern Heights Cross Country event.
A very big thank you to our parents who assisted on the day with supervision and support of the students, marshalling and timing races.
A very special thank you to all the parents who also supported with transporting students too. This helps to keep costs down…. drastically.
Congratulations to Jess, Alice & Felix who all ran quick enough to secure places in the Southern Heights team at the State Championships at Oakbank Racecourse in June.
Some top results from our students who all gave everything to do their best in their own race and then stand and cheer on their peers. Congratulations everyone!!
Mountain Bike
On Thursday 13 May, my friends and I went to a SAPSASA Mountain Biking Competition to see who could do the most laps in a time limit of 2 hours.
It was really good to see other kids' skill level because if I do it next year, then I have an idea of who I'm up against.
It was really fun just to ride a mountain biking trail along with some friends.
Hugh, Adam, Wilfred, and I came 21st out of approximately 70 teams, and the year six team did really well to end up 10th which is a super good result. From Owen
A big thank you to the all the parents who supported the boys on the day, especially Craig H and Jodie H. Events like this are not possible without you!!
Australian Football League
Late last term students from all over the Southern Height District trialled for the Boys and Girls AFL teams. Isaac and Piper were both successful and participated in the State Carnival in week 3. Both teams finished in third position! An awesome result!
State Swimming Carnival
After attending the Southern Heights District Swimming carnival and achieving some amazing results, Jess was selected as part of the district team to swim in the State Carnival. As expected, the competition was next level but Jess personally did well with her times. Definitely a great experience for her! Her individual results were:
- 50 Back (7th/13)
- 50 Free (11th/14)
- 50 Breast (5th/11)
Congratulations Jess!!
Public Holiday
Reminder that there is a Public Holiday Monday 12th June
Are You Missing Notes?
Pre-loved Children’s Books
We are running a Pre-loved Children’s Book Sale in Week 9 of this Term. We will use the money we raise to choose new books for the Resource Centre. We will send out details of the opening times etc closer to the time.
We would love donations of books that your family have outgrown. Donations can be dropped at the Resource Centre. Thank you so much to the families who have already sent books in.
From the Year 6 Resource Centre Team
Adult’s Little Free Library
While you are checking the shelves for pre-loved children’s books, we are desperately in need of some books to refresh Our Adult Little Free Library. Many thanks.
Jo Mc
School Uniform Donations
Donate outgrown school clothes
Kids grow out of clothes way too quickly! If you have any outgrown kids’ clothes in school colours or school uniform, please donate them for our stall. Just put them on the bottom shelf of the lost property trolley at the entrance of reception.
The school sustainability group are holding a preloved school clothes stall before and after school in week 9 - starting 26 June. It's at the library with the pre-loved book sale. Each clothing item will be sold for $5 or less.
Please let Adey Stoker or Sophie Rogers know if you'd like to join the School Sustainability Group.
Is Your Child Due to Start School in 2023?
We have had a lot of inquiries about student enrolment at our school and some of our existing families have completed Registration of Interest forms already.
To support us with this process we are asking families who have a child starting school in 2024 or know of a family who lives in the community with a child starting in 2024, to complete a Registration of Interest form by the end of term 2 or alternatively book a School Tour via our school website.
Registration of interest forms are available by clicking the link below or contacting the front office.
Parents and Friends News
Drinks at the Belair Hotel are not far away - we hope to see you there!
Date: Thursday 8 June
Time: 7.00-8.30pm
Save the Date:
Mon 24 July (pupil free day) for a catch up after school holidays
High School
Positive Partnerships
Positive Partnerships works together with parents, carers and educators of school-aged children on the autism spectrum to provide current, relevant and evidence informed information through workshops and online resources.
This workshop will be held on the 14th & 15th June 2023. It is for parents, full time carers and grandparents.
The Positive Partnership website also has some very helpful information that you may be interested in.
Learn about:
What is autism?
Diversity of autism
Understanding Behaviour
Understanding Sensory Processing
Visual supports
Working Together
Who can help?
Please also see below registration details for an online introduction to regulation course developed for parents and caregivers by the Department for Education.
Parking Around School Zones
Mitcham Council continually monitors schools to enforce parking zones and restrictions to ensure the safety of students. By parking appropriately when you drop your children off to school, you can help to ensure there is no danger to students and avoid traffic congestion around schools.
Please be aware that any breaches of the Australian Road Rules 1999 observed by Community Safety Officers may result in the issue of an expiation notice.
Please click the link below to the ‘Children Schools & Traffic’ brochure which has information to inform drivers about public safety and provide for student safety around roadways at schools’ drop off and pick up times.
Community Notices
