It is hard to believe that we are a third of the way through the final term of the school year. It has been an extremely busy start to the term, with one of the real highlights being all of our students showcasing their fantastic dancing skills over three wonderful performances, beginning with our junior students last Friday, followed by our more senior students last night.

It was terrific to have so many family and friends able to attend and support the students.

A very big thank you to the specialist dance teachers, Jess and Kelly, who did an outstanding job of teaching and preparing our students for their final performances. I’d also like to acknowledge all the hard work of our school staff, who made both events a huge success.

Staffing Update

Congratulations to Mike Shaw, who has won an Assistant Principal role at Plympton International School starting in 2023. Well done, Mike! We’ll farewell and wish Mike all the best later in the term.

An internal application process is currently underway to find a replacement for next year, with a new position externally advertised in Term 2 2023. 

Congratulations also to reception teacher, Alicia Melbourne, who has recently gained status as a permanent teacher at CVPS within the Department for Education. This has been a well-deserved appointment for Alicia, who has been a central part of the early years reception team for many years.

Class Placement 2023

One of the processes we engage in for term 4 is the construction of classes for the following year.  We will select our 2023 classes based on information provided by students and staff. Teachers consider a wide range of information in developing class structures, including special needs, academic achievement, behaviour, and friendships. We aim to develop balanced classes that consider all of these factors.

Teachers have an excellent overview of both student achievement and needs. Students will be asked to indicate friends they would like to be in a class with, supporting the class decision-making process.

Parent requests are not required for this process; however, any major concerns and considerations can be addressed to me (rob.warncken732@schools.sa.edu.au) or shared with your child's classroom teacher.

Please make sure these are communicated in writing before Friday 11th November. These are recorded and discussed during the class placement process. The final decision for class structures will be decided by the school leadership team.

Class Structures 2023

It is highly probable that we will have a number of composite classes in 2023. This is primarily due to the Department for Education’s staffing formula and the number of expected students in Early Years (R-2) and Primary (3-6) classrooms.

Composite or multi-age, classes occur in schools for many reasons. Composite classes provide schools with more flexibility and options to ensure even class sizes and a balance of student social and academic needs within and across year levels.

All classes, whether a single-year level or composite class group, have children with diverse learning needs and abilities. When planning for student learning, teachers take into consideration the strengths, prior knowledge and needs of every student. They use this as a starting point to design the learning and work from where each child is currently at. In any class, there will be teaching and learning that occurs as a whole class, in small groups and at an individual level.

Research tells us that high-quality teaching and learning is the key to a successful learning environment in any classroom, not the structure or makeup of the class. There is no evidence that student learning may be hindered in a composite class.

Bushfire Procedure and Catastrophic Days

It is extremely important as we move into the fire danger season that all school community members are aware of Coromandel Valley Primary School’s Bushfire procedures. Information about this is available on the school website. Please remember that our school and OSHC are closed on days that are classified as catastrophic in the Mt Lofty Ranges fire district.

Last week we undertook our term 4 bushfire evacuation drill in preparation for the upcoming fire season. Staff and students rehearsed what we would do in the case of a bushfire endangering the school.

Student Free Day – Monday 7^th November

A reminder that next Monday, 7^th November is our final Student Free Day. Staff are very much looking forward to working with Bill Hansberry, focusing on ‘Evidence Based Teaching of Reading and Spelling’. This work aligns with our site improvement planning and will further enhance our teaching practice in these important areas over the next few years.

It has been a big week of dance celebrations, with the R-2 Dance Concert last Friday and the 3-6 Dance Extravaganza last night. Coro has a long history of dance lessons and performances; it is firmly embedded in our culture as a school. Both dance teachers, Jess Durski and Kelly Bodger, ensure that all children are included and can participate. The 3-6 students always enjoy performing at the historic Capri Theatre, where they have the opportunity to experience real theatre conditions, including lights, soundtracks and stagecraft.

Each year we are amazed and proud of the students' enthusiasm, creativity, dedication and skill and this year was no exception. The junior primary classes impressed us all with their presentation of Dancing Around the World - we heard music and saw dancing from Cuba, USA, Italy, Brazil, right here in Australia and more! It was fabulous to have so many guests in the Gym to enjoy this performance.

The 3-6 Movin' Through Movies concert was a the culmination of a huge group effort. The script writing team, Grace, Aerin, Brooklyn and Lucy, showed creativity and adaptability as they developed the script and narrative that tied the dances together. The actors showed enormous dedication to learn their lines in a short period of time, giving their all for the performances. Kelly, with support from class teachers, has worked hard all year with students to prepare the dances to performance standard. A special mention to Darbi Moore for his techonological expertise for putting together the photo story with Mrs Mueller and his support in the sound booth during the performances. The Junior and Senior choirs performed beautifully and we all enjoyed a spectacular show by Coro Ice, the jump rope team. I'm sure all those lucky enough to attend would agree: Performing Arts has a special place here at Coro!

Last Wednesday the Year 1 students visited Watchman House and Winns Bakehouse Museum, as part of their Places Change unit of inquiry. They learnt about the history of both buildings, how the local Winns Precinct was established and about the families who lived and worked in the area.

Today we walked to Watchman Cottage and Winns Bakehouse. First we walked to Watchman Cottage and a man called Trevor came and talked to us about the history of Coromandel Valley. Then we looked at the wall and there were bricks that had holes.  Next we went to Winns Bakehouse and sat on big rugs with our clipboards. We looked at a very big oven and lastly we walked back to class.

Eddy - 1T

Today we walked to Winns Bakehouse and Watchman Cottage. First we walked to Watchman Cottage and walked around and found stuff from our list. Then we made our way to Winns Bakehouse and ticked off more old objects from list.  Finally, we went back to school.

Eliza - 1T

Today we went to Watchman Cottage and Winns Bakehouse. First we walked to Watchman Cottage and Trevor talked to us about the people who worked there.Next we went to Winns Bakehouse and looked in the big oven where the people cooked 200 loaves of bread. Finally we went back to school. 

Alexander - 1T

During this semester, both Year 5 classes have been developing leadership skills by facilitating Middle Primary Fitness games and activities for Year 3 and 4 students.

During these experiences, the Year 3 and 4 students have participated in a range of small-sided games and activities facilitated by our Year 5 leaders.

This program aims to provide an understanding that physical activity is an important aspect in the development of well-being.

The beneficial outcome of this program promotes teamwork, co-operation, communication, participation and enjoyment in a safe and supportive environment. 

Year 5 Teachers

Well done to our three students who competed at the State Athletics Carnival in week 10, term 3:

Oliver B in Shot Put and Discus; Millie B in 800m and High Jump; and Brooklyn M in Discus.

A big congratulations to Brooklyn who won a silver medal in her event and has received an invitation to compete at the Nationals in term 4.

Congratulations to Aerin K and Flynn F, who have been selected to play in the Southern Heights Tennis team. They will be playing against the other districts for three days in Week 5 and we wish them luck.

Thank you to the CVPS school community for the generous donations of gifts and money for the Shoeboxes.

With everything that was donated, our Wellbeing Leaders were able to pack 26 boxes to go overseas this Christmas to bless a child in need.

We know that some boxes from Australia are heading to the Ukraine, as well as many other countries around the world.

Thanks also to Lauren Moore who helped the Wellbeing leaders sorting and packing items into the boxes.

Jenni Forder

Pastoral Care Worker

As part of the Primary Schools Festival of Music, several Coro Valley recorder students took part in a performance at a Foyer concert on Tuesday 20^th September at the Festival Theatre. They played for nearly half an hour, a great achievement for all the performers They were supported by a number of parents and friends

Congratulations to: Patrick, Eli, Val, Mack, Charlotte, Gwyneth, Lola and Ava”

Thanks,

Jan Booth

Recorder Teacher

Last term as part of the school sports program, teams are invited to participate in a Soccer Carnival with schools from around the area. Recently the U7s, U8s and Senior Soccer teams participated in their respective carnivals. Lots of fun was had by all.

Due to the continuing wet and muddy conditions our spare clothes are running low.  If your child has borrowed any clothing can you please return them clean to the office.

We are running low on spare pants in particular for both boys and girls in sizes 4-14.  If you have some old ones that you would be willing to donate to the school, please drop them in to the office.