St Leonards Primary School

St Leonards Primary School Building a community that inspires curious, creative and innovative thinkers

Casual Day Friday 15 December No sleeveless clothing Appropriate footwear must be worn

Reminder Last Day of School Early Dismissal 2:05pm OSHC available. Please call 8294 1990 or see OSHC staff.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday break

Term 1 starts 29 January 2017 Week 1 2018

Learning Together Respect

Resilience

Readiness

From the Leadership Term 4 has been a whirlwind of exciting learning experiences for us and looking back over the year; we have had many successes that continue to make St Leonards the fabulous school that it is. The Celebration Night was an outstanding success and how good was that last item :) Our learners were absolutely brilliant on the night. A big thank you to Nikki and Ian. Once again you were fabulous. Staffing Update This is an exciting, yet sad, time of year as we welcome and farewell staff, as we know that they are our greatest assets. Congratulations to the following:  Amanda Drinkwater has been appointed as a 4/5 Teacher for 2018  Jess Ogilvie has been appointed as a Year R-1 Teacher for 2018  Kathy Baker has been appointed as our STEM Coordinator for 2018 We are still waiting on appointments for Arts teacher and another class position. We hope to have these in place shortly. Farewell  Liz Condous, thank you for your work in the Arts and of course, the fantastic teacher performance last Friday.  Kathleen Rollings, thanks for your brilliant work throughout the school and all the best for 2018  Ellie Treacy, thanks for your excellent work in PE earlier this year and in Room 5A. On behalf of staff, parents and students, I would like to thank and acknowledge the outstanding work of staff that are moving on due to career opportunities and wish them all the best for the future. I would like wish our amazing community a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you all in 2018. Dave Henty Smith, Principal Barry Stewart, Deputy Principal Kathy Baker, STEM Coordinator

Monday 29 January

New Receptions early dismissal 12:00pm all week

St Leonards Primary School Jervois Street, Glenelg North 5045 Principal: Dave Henty-Smith Deputy: Barry Stewart Website: www.sleonrdsps.sa.edu.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Leonards-Primary-School/643629105782299

Our wonderful, fun loving staff joining in with a surprise item for Celebration Night

Telephone: 8294 9811 Fax: 8295 2568 SMS Absences: 0427 016 460 Canteen: 8294 7893 OSHC: 8294 1990 Email: [email protected] Next Newsletter: Friday 2 February 2018 Newsletter 21 Term 4 Thursday, 14 December, 2017

Finance The Governing Council approved the 2018 Materials and Services charges of $345 (an increase of $5.00 from 2017) at the meeting held on Tuesday 31 October 2017. An early bird discount of 5% will be given for fees paid by the end of the third week of Term 1 2018, Friday 16 February. The Governing Council also reviewed the $50 Excursion/Incursion Levy at the meeting held on Tuesday 5 December 2017 and agreed to continue the levy in 2018. Where classes have unused 2017 levy monies, a credit will be placed on the system for parents to apply against next year’s levy.

Library News Premier’s Reading The Challenge was created to foster a lifelong love of reading and this year St Leonards had 274 students complete the Premier’s Reading Challenge. This is a fantastic effort and is 24 more students than in 2016. Eight of our students, Lewis B, Jayden L, Lucy M, Taylee H, Ethan G, Hayley L, Isaac P and Mia T were presented with their eight year Reader for Life certificate by Mr Henty-Smith and myself. Medals and certificates were given out in class to everyone who participated in 2017. I’m looking forward to seeing even more students complete the challenge in 2018.

Materials and Services Charge 2018 Parent Poll Thank you to all parents who responded to the polling letter and returned their voting slips by Friday 24 November 2017. Seventy two families responded and the results are as follows: 63 agreed 9 disagreed Therefore, as per DECD requirements, due to the majority of families who responded voting in favour of the higher amount, the Materials and Services charge of $345 will become the legally recoverable amount in the event of nonpayment. School Card School card application forms will be sent home early next year to families who were eligible this year. If you believe that you are eligible for school card, please request a form from the Office.

Library Volunteers I wish to thank everyone who helped with book covering throughout 2017. Kelly Peterson, Library SSO

Victoria Sierros, Finance Officer

Choir

Children’s University

Earlier this week, the Senior and Junior Choirs combined to share their love of music and singing with the residents of Estia Aged Care at Daw Park. It was a wonderful afternoon of connection with the wider community. Both young and old thoroughly enjoyed the happiness that singing together brings. The choir performed some of their own songs and then the residents and staff joined us in singing some well known Christmas songs.

Joining Children's University is a fun way to get involved and be rewarded for taking part in extra-curricular activities. If you wish to join up for 2018 please see Mel or Heather in the Office. For more information, have a look at the Children's University Australia website: www.childrensuniversity.com.au

Liz Condous, Music Teacher

We would like to thank all parents and families for their continuing support and especially those parents who have helped with running workshops. A big thank you to Nicola Ross and Heather Pronk for their support, enthusiasm and time. Wishing you all a terrific break and I look forward to bigger and better things in 2018. For school holiday ideas, please check the Children’s University website. Natalie Baggio and Heather Pronk, Children’s University Coordinators

Year 7 Graduation

Karen’s Corner

Congratulations to all our Year 7 students for their achievements during their time at St Leonards. We wish them well as they enter high school.

As I sit here at my computer, contemplating the last newsletter article I will write this year, I am in awe of this school community, this place where I belong, both as a parent and as a Pastoral Care Worker.

Emily B Charli C Ethan G Azrya H Kate J Bellkiss L Lily M Saksham P Ethan T Christopher T Clarissa W

Abby B Kiera F Dylan G Lachlan J Jazmine K Hayley L Erin M Isaac P Jonathan T Janik V Tom W

Ryan B Kayla F Taylee H Sean J Shakirra K-R Meg L Icra O Marney R Mia T Mika V Aiden W

It’s been a year since I started working at St Leonards. Thank you to each and every one of the students, parents, families and teaching staff, all of whom have been so incredibly welcoming and supportive as I’ve embarked on the role of PCW. I have made so many new friends, enjoyed getting to know each and everyone of you and have especially loved watching the learners grow, flourish and blossom! What an amazing privilege. I am grateful each and every day I spend time at our school What a wonderful school community we are a part of. On two occasions most recently I was reminded of just how great it is, the first one was the Celebration Night last week. WOW is the only word to describe the wonderful spectacle, watching our children thoroughly engaged, performing their special items with such energy, enthusiasm and delight! And how good was Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers! I’ve watched many a wonderful presentation, but 2017, the bar has been raised well and truly! Secondly, just today, I watched an amazing group representing our school, perform a selection of songs including Christmas carols, at a local Café. I was truly blown away by their talent, their professionalism and energy and to watch the joy that the group led by Liz Condous provided for the patrons of the Café. I can assure you that each and every one of those kids did our school proud.

OSHC The OSHC and Vacation Care team would like to wish all the families of St Leonards a wonderful Christmas and hope you enjoy the holiday break. You can still book into the Summer Vacation Care Program. It is proving popular, with several excursion days already fully booked and others nearing capacity. Program details are available from OSHC and the School website or call on 8294 1990 The OSHC team

To all the people who have offered their help at our school this year, in whatever capacity, large or small, we extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to you. We look forward to an ongoing association with you in 2018.

In my humble opinion, community is everything. It epitomises everything that is good in our world, people supporting others, people lifting one another up, people loving, caring, looking out for those around, helping where possible. This is our school community, but also the community in which we live, work and play. Our community, where kindness matters, where caring for others is crucial to the success of our little part of the world. Kindness causes a ripple effect wherever it is spread. This season, when we are able to pause for a moment to reflect on the year that was, where we have the opportunity to come together with those that we love and care about to celebrate the goodness that is Christmas. I hope that this year, you too may have the chance to spread kindness, love and care to those you meet and spend time with each one of us can be the change we wish to see in our world may you look around your community and promote positive change, peace and harmony to all you meet. Let’s throw Kindness around like confetti and celebrate the good that is all around! Please take care on the roads if you’re travelling over the holiday period. If you need help or someone you care about or someone within your community, please reach out, you don’t have to struggle alone. Over the holidays organisations are well situated to offer assistance (Salvos, Vinnies, Lifeline, Beyond Blue etc) each one willing and able to offer practical help. Thanks 2017, it’s been an amazing year!! Can’t wait to see what next year will bring for us all, I look forward to seeing you all again soon! Merry Christmas and a very Happy and safe New Year to you and your family! Karen Thorogood, PCW

Summer Fun School Holiday Program Registrations are open for our Summer Fun School Holiday Program running from Monday 18 December 2017 to Friday 26 January 2018. We have partnered with the Holdfast Bay Community Centre and Arts By The Sea (St Andrews by the Sea Uniting Church) to co-promote the great activities on offer across Holdfast Bay over the Summer break. Information on all of the activities on offer can we found at: www.holdfast.sa.gov.au/summerfun