Week 7 Term 1 2021

Dear Parents and Friends,

Welcome to Week 7! We are well and truly into the routines of school now and as usual there is a lot happening which makes for fun and full days.

Wine and Cheese Parent Forum/AGM

The evening was a great night of information, laughter, great wine and connection, where parents and staff discussed future directions and matters involved with high quality learning, wellbeing and heart spirituality. Everyone at the evening contributed to a terrific atmosphere and it was great to hear so many positive comments about our school, as well as some new ideas.   

Building Project

We have great news that we have finally received council approval for our building project! All going well, the program should begin in the April school holidays and will continue through Terms 2 and 3. Our office area and the upstairs classrooms will be relocated within other spaces in the school. Entrances to the school will be different, as will the drop off and pick up zone, so that the building works can go ahead. The office area will be located in the cottages and the Years 3-6 will move to the resource centre, STEM room and the previous computer room (above Year 2 classroom). More Information will be distributed to families, once I have more details from the architects and builders.

Special events coming up in the next fortnight:

Harmony Day and National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence

Our school is proud of its 22 cultural backgrounds represented and we welcome and honour all cultures at IHM. Children’s understandings of their own families cultural background is an important part of shaping their positive identity. Next Friday is also the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence - highlighting that bullying and violence is never okay. So, as a school community we will celebrate these two events, at assembly as they both contribute to inclusivity, safety and harmony.

On Friday 19th March students are encouraged to dress in national costume or wear orange clothes or an orange ribbon, representing Harmony Day.  Please bring a Gold coin donation, as all funds will go to Project Compassion.

Twilight Sports Evening Friday 26^th March

At IHM we promote a healthy lifestyle and attitude towards physical exercise, participation and competition and our Twilight Sports day reinforces this.

The event is an opportunity for the children to participate in a variety of athletic activities and try their best. It is also great chance for families to gather as community, to watch their children participate and cheer on their favourite team!

A program of the afternoon will be distributed later this week.

COVID Safe

Safety protocols will need to be adhered to in accordance with SA Health Covid-19 safe regulations and advice.  We will have COVID Marshalls in attendance, and we remind everyone to keep 1.5m distance. I look forward to seeing you at the Sports Day.

Until then, stay safe and go in peace.

Warm regards,
Pauline Kinsman
PRINCIPAL

Lent

“Aspire not to have more but to Be More” Oscar Romero.

We are well and truly into the season of lent.  During this season of Lent students have been learning about the three traditional pillars of Lent which are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

This year we are encouraging students to follow the 2021 Project Compassion theme ‘Be More’ by  letting their light shine throughout Lent. Your child would have received a small Project Compassion box to fill at home; it’s tricky, because we do not have many coins anymore but we can all Be More: kind, patient, prayerful, generous, helpful. Often we do this by reaching out to others, but have you considered what you might need this Lent? Perhaps you need to be more understanding of yourself – slow down, take time to have a coffee, don’t sweat the small stuff. Give yourself 5 minutes a day, go on, do it, and see what happens. Do one small thing that brings you joy. 

SRC IHM Fringe Show

The SRC’s are running an IHM Fringe show at lunch time on Wednesday and Thursday the 17^th-18^th of March.  Lots of students are excited to participate and have asked to bring in props and items from home. We are happy for this to occur, but please encourage your child to look after their items as we can’t take responsibility for any damaged or broken items.  Thanks in advance. 

Have a happy and blessed fortnight.

Annette Diassinas
APRIM

Clean Up Australia Day

On Friday 5^th March the whole school took part in Clean Up Australia Day.  It was a wonderful day with the students getting out into the community and collecting rubbish.  For many of the students it was an eye opening experience to realise just how much rubbish can be found even though an area was looking clean on the surface.  Lots of places had small pieces of rubbish such as cigarette butts, bottle tops and small bits of plastic.  The teachers and volunteers used this opportunity to talk to students about where this rubbish will eventually end up if it wasn’t collected and the importance of ensuring we are trying to care for our common home and be stewards of the earth. 

During Clean up Australia Day in 2021,  15.5 thousand tonnes of rubbish was removed from parks, beaches, bushland, suburban streets and waterways across Australia.  That is an amazing effort.   Thanks to all our students, staff and volunteers on the day for supporting such a great cause. 

Discover the World of Reading

Our school has had a longstanding commitment to the Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC). As in previous years at IHM, we integrate the PRC into the class literature and literacy focus. The class teachers manage students’ participation and reading activity. We encourage families to continue their support and involvement through the school and our magnificent community libraries. Additional Student Reading Records can be accessed via IHM or the PRC website.

EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT REMINDER

Families are reminded that a 5% discount will apply to school fees paid in full by next FRIDAY 19th MARCH.

SCHOOL CARD

If you think you may be eligible for School Card, please see Julie or Kristina for a form or apply online at:  

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/financial-help-scholarships-and-grants/school-card-scheme

School Card is a South Australian Government initiative to assist low to middle income earners with education costs and must be applied for each year.

BOOK FAIR THANK YOU

During last week's Scholastic Book Fair we sold $2,400 worth of books. In turn, we were able to purchase 55 new books for our Library! A big thank you to everyone that supported our book fair. We hope to have another one later this year in Term 4.

Thank you also to all the families that have donated their pre-loved books to the Library; they are very much appreciated.

Carmel Johnston

LIBRARY CO-ORDINATOR