Last week was Reconciliation Week and the theme was Grounded in Truth - Walk Together in Courage. We were very fortunate to be joined by Uncle Tamaru Kartineri, who gave the Acknowledgement of Country and lead a smoking ceremony for the whole school.

Students from across the school shared their conversations and learning about Reconciliation Week in relation to our shared histories, cultures and achievements and our Festival Choir performed 'Colour of Your Jumper' by Archie Roach. I am very proud of how our school and community comes together to acknowledge significant events in the calendar and the interest shown by all, and last week for no exception.  Uncle Tamaru was incredibly impressed with our efforts and spoke about the Kaurna word for respect - 'ngaitalya'. I look forward to more opportunities like this throughout the year, where we can celebrate, share and learn together - our whole school Indonesian Day this Wednesday will a great example!

Uncle Tamaru, Ms Yates and Tore Z. Photo: Cooper H

Last week our entire Junior School were fortunate to attend 'The Gruffalo' at Festival Theatre.  This was a huge group of students to coordinate and manage and our staff (particularly Mrs Stanley) are to be commended and, our students need recognition for their excellent behaviour and manners. As representatives of our school they were responsible, friendly and respecful; they communicated clearly and with excellence. Our school was the largest group in attendance and our students stood out by demonstrating these values which is wonderful feedback to receive. 

Regards

Penny Wilde

Principal

Stronger, more effective and transparent screening laws for people working or volunteering with children have been introduced in South Australia. The new screening laws were recommended as part of federal and South Australian royal commissions, to help keep children safe in our communities. The new laws mean that from 1 July 2019 everyone working or volunteering with children must have a valid child-related check.

Also changing from 1 July 2019 is the state’s current system for child-related employment screenings, which will be replaced with a working with children check (WWCC). This new check is coming in to better protect your children and make sure that people working or volunteering with children are suitable. It does this through a monitored and more robust assessment of a person’s eligibility to work or volunteer with children. Because the check is monitored, immediate action can be taken if a person is charged with a concerning offence. The new check covers off on a person’s national criminal history including all spent convictions, pending and non-conviction charges, and other disciplinary and child protection information.

A WWCC is valid for five years and is portable across roles and organisations throughout South Australia.

Current, valid child-related employment screening checks done by DHS/DCSI will be recognised as a WWCC until they expire. There is also a 12 month transition period for anyone with a National Police Certificate assessed by their organisation, with the certificate valid till 1 July 2020.

For most people, this means they don’t need to do anything to be ready for the new law starting on 1 July 2019.

For more information about the new check visit the DHS website.

We are planning a fun and interesting Indonesian Day on Wednesday, 5th June for students to participate in traditional Indonesian crafts, games and shadow puppets. 

Thanks to Aaron Collier for organising the activities.

Reminder: There will be a Student Free Day on Tuesday, 11th June, the day after the Queen's Birthday Public Holiday to enable staff to undertake Professional Development.

POSHC will be open.  Bookings are available by contacting Hazel Godfrey on 0413 482 521or by email at Hazel.Godfrey850@schools.sa.edu.au

Don't forget Pimpala Primary School is having a Quiz Night on Saturday, 22nd June to raise money for a school Nature Play area.

Pleas put this date in your diary!

It will be loads of fun with silent auctions, coin toss and a few interesting questions thrown in, as well as other activities on the night.  It is all for a great cause so make up your own table of 10 or join a table. $10 per person.

Please speak to Kylie in the Front Office for more information.

Mrs Maclean 

Do you have a favourite colour and why?

Purple because it’s not pink.

 If you could have any car in the world what would it be?

A new 4wd because it can tow stuff.

If you didn’t have a job at a school what would you want to do?

I would like to be a police officer or a doctor.

Do you have a favourite year level of students to teach at school?

Year 6/7s because I can talk to them like I would to another staff member.

Do you have a hobby outside of school?

Gardening because it’s relaxing and pretty easy.

Do you have a favourite movie?

Captain Marvel and Heart Land.

Do you have a favourite drink?

Cinnamon latte.

Miss Tegan Files' Hot Read is Dragonkeeper by Carole Wilkinson.  Miss Files likes this books because when she was in Year 5 her teacher read it to her and she loved it.  She has the whole series and has read it over ten times.

The book is about an orphan girl who is forced to be a slave and look after one of the last dragons.  She helps it out of a big, dark hole.  She realises she can understand it and speaks to it.  They go on a big adventure to the ocean.

Miss Files' favourite part of the book is that she learns things about dragons that the Chinese people believed.

Miss Files recommends this book for Year 3s and up.  It is a Premier's Reading Challenge book.

By Jasmine Whyatt & Grace Henderson