Week 7 Term 4 2021

Dear Parents,

I hope you are all well and maintaining an attitude of gratitude, even for the smallest of things, so important in times like these. Thank you for your understanding and support of all the changes and little frustrations in relation to the building project and the COVID 19 restrictions.  The staff and children have also been amazing at managing the changes and ensuring we all pull together and support one another so that all can flourish.

Building Project Update

The Year 3-6 children and staff are loving the new learning spaces upstairs and I am so happy that the Year 6 children in particular at least got to be in them for a term. As you would be aware there have been a number of delays with the Admin, the Hall/music area, OSHC and works around the boundary. It is finally starting to take shape and we hope that the inclement weather won’t interfere too much as we see the new roofing, canopy and footpaths go in.

At the site meeting with the builders and architect last week the completion date given was 17^th December. Fingers, toes and everything crossed that this will be the case!

COVID Update

A reminder that if you are volunteering in any capacity at school in 2022, you will need to show evidence that you are vaccinated to Julie Hansen. This includes School Board, Parents and Friends, helping with reading, camps or excursions, LAP volunteers etc.

We will be continuing to require mask wearing whilst you are on the school grounds, particularly now that borders are open as I am doing all I can to keep everyone safe, particularly the children. Please let me know if you have any queries.

School Staff in 2022

I am very pleased that the majority of our staff are remaining next year, as I’m sure you will agree that they are all excellent, high-quality teachers and education support officers. 

We are sad however to be saying farewell to Ms Nadia Morris. Nadia has been at IHM since 2008 - thirteen years! She is well known to many and well respected by colleagues, students and families. Over these years Nadia has held a variety of roles from classroom teacher to specialist teacher in PE and STEM, and also taken on leadership roles as APRIM and Acting Principal. I take this opportunity to thank Nadia for her amazing work and contribution to our school community. She will be missed, but we wish her every blessing as she takes on a new leadership role at St Paul’s College as Leader of Learning.

I also take this opportunity to sincerely thank Ms Jane Hidson for her great contribution to IHM whilst teaching and coordinating the PE program here. Jane will be taking a PE teaching role at Our Lady Queen of Peace School Albert Park for 2 days a week.

I am currently in the process of appointing Nadia and Jane’s replacements and this will be announced at the beginning of next year.

We will have an opportunity to farewell Jane and Nadia in the final week of term but if you happen to see them I’m sure they’d appreciate you passing on your thanks and best wishes. 

Class Structures

The class structures and teaching staff for next year are outlined below for your information. You will notice that the class structures are different again this year. This occurs due to the number of students in each year level and how we believe the children will learn best. Having composite classes is our preference for a number of educational, social and wellbeing reasons.

IHM Staffing 2022

Class Teachers

Year R/1:          Ms Sophie Mihelios

Year R/1:          Ms Kelsey Thompson

Year 1/2:           Ms Catherine Hulley

Year 2/3:           Mrs Sonia Bianco (0.4) and Ms Antonia Papazaharoudakis (0.6)

Year 4/5:           Mrs Suzie Wallace (0.4) and Mr Alex Ferrier (0.6)

Year 5/6:           Mr Ryan Campbell

Specialist Teachers:

Music, Choir, Ukulele:            Ms Kristine Rebeiro (0.3)

Physical Education:               TBA (0.2)

STEM:                                      TBA (0.2)

Inclusive Educ Coordinator: Ms Annette Diassinas (0.2)

Chaplain:                                Mrs Suzie Wallace (0.1)

Well Being Coordinator:       Mr Ryan Campbell

EAL Coordinator:                  Ms Catherine Hulley

Education Support Officer Team:

Administration: Office Manager: Julie Hansen, Finance Officer: Kristina Neumann, Resource Centre: Carmel Johnston, WHS: Doris Patini

Classroom/Student Support: Angela Vagionas, Rachel Belperio, Doris Patini, Carmel Johnston

Leadership Team: Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission: Ms Annette Diassinas (0.3), Leader of Learning: Annette Diassinas (0.2) Literacy/Numeracy support and Data Coordinator: Mrs Mary Sapio (0.3) Principal: Ms Pauline Kinsman.

School Reports and Meet the Teacher

Children’s class allocations will be in their school report envelope, which you will receive on Monday 6^th December. The children will have a chance to meet their new class and teacher on Tuesday 7^th December.

End of Year and Graduation Mass - Monday 6^th December at 6.30pm

Due to the COVID restrictions, disappointingly, we will not have our usual whole school end of year mass and graduation. It will still be at Sacred Heart Church but only the Year 4, 5 and 6 students will be involved, and the Year 6 families invited to attend. A separate note with RSVP has been distributed with further details. We are looking forward to formally farewelling our Year 6 graduates and celebrating all the love, life and learning that has been part of our community’s journey together this year.

Procedures for End of Year Concert – Friday 26^th November

CONCERT 1:    Reception – Year 2 Concert (5:15 – 6:15pm)

                          Please note, children meet teacher at 5:15pm for a 5:30pm start.

CONCERT 2:    Years 3 – 6 Concert (6:45 – 7:45pm)

                          Please note, children meet teacher at 6:45pm for a 7:00pm start.

Please ensure you adhere to the safety precautions we have put in place this Friday. It is an exciting evening and we are pleased to put it on. Please make sure of the following:

Safety Requirements

• Only those who have RSVP’d will be permitted to enter
• All adults must check in using the QR Code
• All adults must wear masks
• Social distance
• Hand hygiene.

Traffic and Entry

• PARKING:   Please park in appropriate parking zones, with respect to our   neighbours

• ENTRY:       Entry will be at the East Street gates, open at 5:00pm for Concert 1 and 6:30pm for Concert 2​​

• EXIT:          Must be via the Drayton Street single side gate and double oval gates.

Best wishes to all, see you Friday, keep safe and God Bless!

Pauline Kinsman
PRINCIPAL

Year 6 Reflection Day

On Friday our Year 6 students participated in a Reflection Day focusing on our 5 school pillars and taking some time to look forward towards high school and the exciting times ahead.   As part of this day, students had to purchase an ethical recess from the Central Markets, spent time acknowledging the First Nations People and the significance of Victoria Square to them and attended Mass in St Francis Xavier Cathedral.  They finished off the day in the Himeji Gardens. 

The students represented our school beautifully and had a fantastic day and a beautiful way to connect together as a group before they embark on their next journey.

Advent

Advent begins this coming Sunday 28^th November.  The word Advent means ‘coming’. As part of Advent we have an Advent wreath.  Each week of Advent we light a candle on the wreath.  This symbolises the coming of light (Jesus) into the world.   Below is what each candle represents during Advent.

1^st Sunday of Advent (violet) represents hope. 

2^nd Sunday of Advent (violet): represents peace

3^rd Sunday of Advent (rose): represents joy

4^th Sunday of Advent (violet): represents love

Christmas Day (white): The central white candle is lit and represents Christ.

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Christmas can be a very difficult time for families, particularly those who are experiencing poverty and disadvantage.  The support from our IHM families helps assist St Vincent DePaul to support the people who turn to them for help over the festive season. Together as a community we can make a real difference to their lives.

IHM will support the Vinnies Christmas Appeal in 2021 and ask families to help by sending donations to contribute to your child’s class Christmas hamper.

R/1’s - Toys

Puzzles, games, dolls, blocks, science kits, action figures, baby toys, toys for the beach

Year 2’s - Christmas Theme

Decorations, puddings, cakes, Christmas bon bons, tinned ham

Year 3’s - Food

Pre-packed foods - e.g. pasta, rice, noodles, tinned vegies, soups, baked beans

Years 4/5 and 5/6 - Food

Baby food, formula, tea, coffee, milo, jam, juices, honey, long life milk

A member of the St Vincent De Paul Society will collect donations during the final week of school. 

You can also make your own online $ donation: https://donate.vinnies.org.au/christmas-appeal

Our SRC Reps and house Leaders will oversee the Vinnies Christmas Appeal .

Have a happy and safe fortnight.

Annette Diassinas
APRIM

Family Picnic

It was lovely to be able to get together again for our Family Picnic which was held last Sunday. We had wonderful sunshine and it was a relaxing way to catch up before the full swing of the festive season. We look forward to sharing more events like this next year.

P & F Christmas Stall

We are holding a Christmas Stall at lunch time for the children to purchase a little something next Monday 29th, Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 1st December. Items will be priced between 50cents - $5.00. This stall is in lieu of our usual Christmas raffle due to Covid restrictions, so please send your children with some spare change if you can. 

End of Year Celebration and Farewells

We also have our Annual P & F dinner coming up on Friday, where we will be saying farewell to some valued Parents who have helped build the P & F over the last 6 years.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Bridget O'Brien, Nicole Butler, Kim Grantham and Rebecca Lane. Your contributions have had a lasting impact on our school community and we wish you and your children all the best for next year.

Many thanks from the P & F Committee 

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone that suported our recent Scholastic Book Fair. We were able to purchase over $1,000 worth of books for our Library. Our best Book Fair ever! See you all at our next Book Fair in 2022.

Carmel Johnston
LIBRARY CO-ORDINATOR

There are still a number of families that have not returned their children's Soccer Tops and Choir Uniforms. Please return hired soccer tops and choir uniforms to the school Office before the end of term. Thank you.

Electronics Day

At our last SRC meeting, we decided to have an Electronics Day at IHM to continue the safe practice of ICT and how ICT can continue to help our learning.

When: Friday 3rd December 2021

Bring: Gold Coin Donation

Students can: 

• Bring an electronic device without data  
• They are responsible for their device, and it must be given to the teacher for safe keeping until required
• Make sure devices are charged  
• Electronics devices are only to be used after lunch on that day.

Last week, the Year 3 and 4 classes embarked upon an overnight school camp to the Adelaide Zoo for the Zoo Snooze! On the first day, a very insightful guide named Mak took students on a guided tour of the Botanic Gardens. The students learnt many new, interesting facts about the plants and trees we have in Adelaide and their connections with Aboriginal culture.

Our students shared some of their highlights from the Botanic Gardens:

• Hannah – “The Wisteria Passage was my favourite. I liked this because it looked really cool!”
• Isla N – “I liked the Bottle Tree because when you put your ear to the tree trunk, Mak came along and tapped on the tree, you could hear water inside! This is something that Aboriginal people used for clean, fresh water where it would be stored for a long time.”
• Fun fact: It took 19 Year 3 students and 16 Year 4 students to stand around the diameter of the Bottle Tree

Later in the day, we ventured back to the Zoo and explored some of the animals including Pandas, Lions, Giraffes and Meerkats. By this time, the students were exhausted and excited to set up their beds! We enjoyed a BBQ dinner cooked by our helpful parent volunteers, before embarking upon an exhilarating night walk! During the night walk, it was important to stay as quiet as a mouse so we did not scare any of the animals! When we got back to our sleeping area, everyone was excited to change into their pyjamas and watch a movie!

Our highlights from the Zoo Snooze:

• Night walk – The Zoo was closed to the public. We had to remain silent and it was very dark! It was exciting to see the animals at this time, especially the penguins!
• Morning walk – The Zoo wasn’t open to the general public yet and it was interesting to see
• Eating dinner, dessert and breakfast altogether as a class
• Seeing the Tiger having an operation!
• Sleeping with friends and watching a movie together.