Remembrance day is an important day that is commemorated around the world, in our local community and also in the school community. Last Sunday Dan Johnson and I attended a commemoration service at the Soldiers Memorial in Blackwood. I would like to thank Nicholas H who proudly lay a wreath on behalf of our school community. Our SRC leaders, Leya, Jackson, Hunter and Mia, conducted a service at our school on Monday which included all students assembling in the amphitheatre to reflect and show their respect. 

We would also like to thank the Fowler family who donated a Military service bear, Private Ernest Harvey, to help share the story of someone who has served their country at war. He has visited many of our classes to help students connect with the importance of Remembrance day.

At our recent Pupil free day we were joined by Krystal Lawrie, who supports our partnership as the learning coordinator, to explore NAPLAN, PAT and school data to determine possible future directions for our school. Through this analysis we will develop three specific directions which will shape what we do over the next three years. Staff were also involved in a thinking protocol called "Back to the Future" were we projected ourselves into the future to imagine what CVPS might be like in five years time.

The second part of our day involved teams of teachers carefully looking at our IBPYP and IBMYP units of inquiry. Reflections gathered from staff and students will help us to consider how effectively we address the Australian curriculum and more importantly engage students in their learning.

After lunch staff were involved in an afternoon of technology where they solved problems with coding and robotics. Thanks to Morgan Chris from "Robokids" who volunteered his time to run one of the sessions with staff and Thyrza Veitch, Sam D and Seb M who supported with robotics exploration.

  

This year we joined the growing number of schools involved in Children's University. Students from Yr 3-6 embarked on a personal learning journey, collecting hours in their passport when they engaged in a wide variety of learning experiences outside school hours. Congratulations to the 21 students who graduated with 30 hours and 65 hours at the Graduation Ceremony held at Bonython Hall on Monday evening. Students were joined by families and friends to help celebrate their dedication to learning. Thanks to Vanessa Hiser and Vicky Humphries who have supported students along the way as well as families who have provided support to enable access to learning experiences.

Congratulations to our Yr 3-7 students who presented an inspiring performance last Wednesday at our Annual Dance extravaganza. It was also great to be entertained by the school choir and our amazing Jump Rope team. The clever script, written by our Yr 7 students, innnovatively tied the dances together in an engaging and thought provoking story.

Thank you to Bianca for teaching dance this year, Stacey for her work with choir, Sue for coachinng our Jump Rope team, Eve for supporting the Yr 7 scriptwriters, staff for their hard work to make this event happen, families for their support and Parents and Friends for organising the raffle. Performing Arts is a colourful part of our school culture which has many benefits for students.

Maths Competition

Last term 28 students from Years 2-7 participated in a Mathematics Competition. This was a national assessment conducted by the University of New South Wales. These students were awarded certificates of achievement as well as information rating their performance with other students of similar levels across South Australia and the Northern Territory. They did our school proud and we congratulate them for their efforts.

Thanks

Chris Gully

Last week some of the Year Ones (1F & 1C) went on an excursion to the Magarey Orchard. The visit was very helpful in supporting our inquiry learning around ‘trade’ as we had Katie, John and Peter Magarey make the time to speak with us.  

When we arrived the students had the opportunity to look around the packing shed and ask lots of questions about the orchard, when and how it began and how they trade their fruit.  After this we were walked through the shed, we got to meet some of the workers and see how they use machines to wash, sort and then classify the pears in to first, seconds and roughs.  

We then got to experience being shut in a giant refrigerated room as though we were a pear after being picked.  We ended our tour with the opportunity to trade some money for a piece of two of fruit and found a lovely sunny spot in the orchard to sit and ask any final questions.  

A wonderful trip overall for the students and a lot of new information about trading which will help guide us in the final weeks of our inquiry.  The children represented our school wonderfully and thanks again to the parents helpers.

Ms Fern & Ms Carpenter

On Tuesday, 13 November Hawthorndene Primary School hosted Indigenous students from Coromandel Valley at a performance by Indigenous artist, Sean Choolburra. Students were supported by Kylie Gardner, Ayu Pamungkas and Yan Liu. Parents of the students were also invited to attend and we thank those who came along. Sean gave an amazing performance including music, dance and stories. Students were invited to participate by exploring artefacts, sharing their stories, dancing and making music.

They even had a go at making fire! We are grateful to Hawthorndene PS for organising this event and providing us with lunch.

The students of Coro would like to thank their families for their support of the school earlier this year by collecting the school vouchers from Coles for us.

From the vouchers received we were able to purchase a quantity of sports equipment which the students use at lunch and recess times from the sports shed.

Tyson and Holly are the leaders of our Sports Student action group and helped choose the equipment.

On Friday 2^nd November, Tyler (Year 2, Mrs Niland) and Jake (Reception, Mrs Mulkerin) proudly represented Coromandel Valley Primary School at the Interschool Gymkhana, held at Urrbrae Agricultural High School.

They competed alongside more than 100 primary and high school students from all over South Australia. Tyler rode Yogi dressed as an excavator to win 1^st place in the fancy dress competition. They also took out 3^rd place in the longest tail class. Jake rode Alfie for two 2^nd placings. One in the longest tail class and another dressed as a quad bike in the fancy dress competition. 

Congratulations to Jack E on being selected for the Southern Heights cricket team and Reeve H on his selection for the Southern Heights soccer team.

Both boys will represent our district in a week long carnival in Week 6 and we wish them the best of luck.

Mr De Lyster

PE Teacher

Late in Term 3, three of our students joined the Southern Heights district team to compete at the State Athletics Championships. They all performed very well and achieved admirable results.

Congratulations to:

* Kody B for winning a gold medal as a member of the 12 y.o. 4x100m relay team.

* Kailan VZ for finishing 5th in the 200m sprint and 4th in the 11 y.o. 4x100m relay.

* Remi G for finishing 4th in the high jump and 6th in the 10 y.o. 4x100m relay.

Junior Blasters – Ages 5-7

Junior Blasters teaches boys and girls of all abilities how to bat, bowl field and catch through exciting game-based activities with friends.

Join the fun at your local centres:

Flagstaff Hill CC, Coromandel Street, Flagstaff Hill

Sunday 21^st October, 9:00am – 10:30am

Coromandel CC, Coromandel Parade, Blackwood

Thursday 8^th November, 4:30pm – 5:30pm

Coromandel Ramblers CC, Main Road, Coromandel Valley

Friday 12^th October, 6:15pm – 7:15pm

For more information and to register, visit www.playcricket.com.au.

Master Blasters – Ages 7-10

Master Blasters is an action-packed program for kids with basic skills, who are ready to play short games of cricket in a fun and social setting.

Join the fun at your local centres:

Flagstaff Hill Oval, Coromandel Street, Flagstaff Hill

Monday 22^nd October, 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Clubs involved: Flagstaff Hill CC, Coromandel CC, Happy Valley CC, Sheidow Park CC

For more information and to register, visit www.playcricket.com.au.