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It’s been lovely catching up with our existing students and families and hearing tales of relaxing, fun-packed holidays. We extend a warm welcome to our 473 learners and their families to our wonderful school community. We also extend a very warm welcome to our 60 new Reception students, and 7 new Year 1 to 6 students and their families. Congratulations to all our students for the way they have settled back into school routines and learning this week.
Acquaintance Night – Tuesday 13th February
We invite all students and families to join us for our annual Acquaintance Night –Tuesday 14th February.
The evening will commence at 5.30pm with information booths available to visit in the gym, with classrooms open between 6.00pm and 7.00pm.
This year we will be conducting a more informal student-led style evening. We believe it is important for each student to participate in the evening, serving as an opportunity for them to lead and play a major role in acquainting their parents with their learning environment for 2024 and of course meeting their teachers, specialist teachers and other staff.
In preparing for, and participating in the evening, students will practise skills in communication, organisation, problem solving, critical and creative thinking – as well as developing self-confidence.
This strongly aligns with Our vision "Developing Global Learners in a Caring Community", facilitated through strong community support, active participation and a sense of belonging for all learners.
At the beginning of, and throughout the school year, teachers use a variety of media to share information and student learning – including newsletters, emails, Seesaw and more.
The evening also serves as a purpose for families to mingle and of course to chat with other community members and teachers.
Further information will be provided to families next week.
Annual General Meeting
Our school Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Tuesday, 13 February 2024 at 7.15pm in the Library. If you would like to join the Governing Council for a two year term you can nominate yourself via the nomination form by emailing to the school prior to the AGM. Please visit the school website for more details:
https://www.coromandps.sa.edu.au/governing-council
Bushfire Response Plan
The bushfire response plan ensures what action we need to take on days of increased fire danger or in the event of a potential or actual bushfire threat. The bushfire response plan also assists the Department’s Security and Emergency Management (SEM) unit in providing emergency services key information regarding the location of students and staff during a bushfire emergency.
It is important that families are familiar with our school’s response in preparation of a bushfire emergency. You can help us prepare for the fire danger season by:
- familiarising yourself with the following information relevant to our school, which is rated as a R2 site.
- talking to your child/ren about what will happen if a bushfire occurs when they are at school.
- making sure your emergency contact details are updated and made available to us before the start of the fire danger season.
- having your own bushfire survival plan in place for days of catastrophic fire danger or in the event of a bushfire threat.
Our school’s procedures for Fire Danger Days rated as Catastrophic and Extreme
‘Catastrophic’ Fire Danger Days – declared in advance
In the event of the Country Fire Service (CFS) declaring in advance (the day before), a ‘Catastrophic’ fire danger rating for the Mt Lofty Ranges, the school will receive confirmation from relevant department personnel (Education Director / Department’s Emergency Management team) regarding the closure of the School and Out of School Hours Care Service.
If and when this situation arises, no staff, students, volunteers or contractors will be able to attend Coromandel Valley Primary School or OSHC service.
Parents and carers will be informed via SMS and email – as listed on our school’s database.The following forms of communication will also be used, and can be accessed:
- Letters handed out to all students on the days if the alert is received prior to school dismissal
- Information posted on the school website www.coromandps.sa.edu.au / Schoolzine email, Seesaw notification and the Coromandel Valley PS Facebook Page
- Department for Education – Emergency Information Hotline on 1800 000 279
- CFS Website: http://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/
- Radio: tune into ABC Radio 89.7
- Information provided by the evening television and radio news services
****Reminder this is for the Mt Lofty Ranges District****
Parents / carers should make provision for the care of their child/ren on days declared in advance, as per their family’s bushfire survival plan.
Invoices for the 2024 Materials and Services fee, excursion levy and dance will be sent home this week with your eldest child in a window faced envelope.
At the front of the paperwork will be a school account statement which will also show the government rebate of $100 which will be deducted from the materials and services fee.
If you have a carry forward balance on your statement then you have outstanding fees from last year, would you please address this payment as a matter of urgency. Any payments made by you will be deducted from those fees first.
A “-“ next to the carry forward amount means that you have a credit from last year and this will be deducted from your current fees.
Payments can be made using QKR, by EFT, by telephone using a credit card or in person at the office. Payment plans are available from the office.
If you have any questions please email me at sue.matthews799@schools.sa.edu.au, I would be happy to assist you.
School Card scheme
If you're a low-income family with children attending government schools, you can get financial help with school materials and services charge, through the School Card scheme.
Who can apply
School Card is available to:
- families with children aged four years and over who attend a school full-time
- independent full-time students studying year 10, 11 or 12
- adult re-entry students who are completing their SACE
How to apply
Applications for the 2024 school year are now open. Fill in the correct application form based on your circumstances.
Reassessment (School Card R) will be available later in the year until the end of term 4.
Copy and paste the link below to apply for School Card or to find out if you are eligible.
Sue Matthews
Business Manager
Welcome to a new school year, from your friendly school Canteen staff! A special welcome to new Reception families and those of students who are new in other year levels. We hope families and students have had a positive start to the year.
Some important information about the canteen:
- New this year – the canteen will be open on Wednesdays! This means students can access yummy lunches, tasty snacks and drinks 4 days a week: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
- The first Wednesday opening will be February 14th.
- Matthew Robinson is our Canteen Manager. Matthew works Monday, Thursday and Friday. Michelle Krause will manage the canteen on Wednesdays.
- We have a few regular canteen helpers including the wonderful Sonia, Anna, Kirsty; if you would like to volunteer, either regularly or just sometimes, please get in touch via the front office (82783693) or contact Sue Matthews (Business manager): sue.matthews799@schools.sa.edu.au
We’d love to see you, and so would your kids!
- Please see the school website for an updated menu for 2024
- Orders are best placed through the app QKR!
Thank you for supporting our school canteen!
Welcome to 2024! For those new to the school community, my name is Jenni Forder and I am the Pastoral Care Worker (PCW) at Coromandel Valley PS. This is my ninth year at Coro and this year I am in the school on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and can be contacted via the front office or email: jenni.forder365@schools.sa.edu.au.
My role is to support and care for the whole school community, as well as be an additional resource for the school, so please don’t hesitate to contact me with a question, or if you just need to chat about something. There is also a brochure about me and the role of the PCW in the front office which you can pick up from Karen.
You may also see me around with our wonderful school therapy dog Murphy. If you do, please come and say hello and give Murphy a pat – she’s very friendly!
If your child has just begun in Reception, you may also hear about my friend Archie, who we will be learning about in the social skills program called What’s the Buzz.
I look forward to meeting you, or for those not new, to seeing you again soon!
Jenni Forder
Pastoral Care Worker
Get to know Murphy!
As you may be aware, we are fortunate to have our own Therapy dog here at Coromandel Valley PS. But why do we have a dog in the school?
Studies show that being around a pet is scientifically proven to have both physical and mental health benefits across the board. Everything from improved sleep, to a reduction in anxiety and depression, improved motivation and mood, and bringing families and communities closer together. She is also a very calming and soothing presence for anyone who is feeling anxious or upset. And she brings lots of joy when she plays “Doggy Doggy who’s got your bone?” in the classroom!
Since we have many new families to our school community this year, we thought it was time to once again introduce Murphy, and answer some common questions that we get about her!
How old is Murphy?
Murphy turned 3 in November last year
What type of dog is she?
Murphy is a Labrador cross Golden Retriever
Can I pat Murphy when she has her coat on?
Yes, absolutely. Murphy is not a one-on-one assistance dog and when she is working, her job is to bring comfort and support, so patting her with her coat on is encouraged. However, if you do see her on the oval or around the school without her coat on, she is having a break and this is the time to leave her alone – this means not patting her, calling her name, or running up to her. It’s very important for her wellbeing for her to be allowed to have some play time and be a normal dog.
Are there rules about Murphy when she is in the school?
Yes, we have Murphy’s Law and these are important to make sure that Murphy feels happy and relaxed to come to school and do her job well:
- Please say hello to the adult with Murphy before greeting Murphy
- Never feed Murphy anything
- Be gentle when patting Murphy
- Only 2 people patting Murphy at a time
- Don’t crowd around Murphy
- No screaming or shouting when you see Murphy, and don’t run up to her, just approach her calmly
The Performing Arts have always been held in high regard at Coromandel Valley Primary School. As well as a strong Performing Arts curriculum, we are proud to offer two separate Dance programs for R-2 and 3-6 and opportunities for students to learn to play an instrument as an extra-curricular activity.
We would like to introduce the team of instrumental music providers for 2024 and give you an idea of what instruments are available for your child to learn.
- Jan Booth– recorder (available from Year 2. This is the only instrument available for students to learn from Year 2)
- Alison Hansen– acoustic and electric guitar, ukulele
- Lisi McGowan– Lisi runs the IM Strings program. This is funded through the department; families pay only a hire fee for either violin, viola or cello but there are no fees for lessons
- Tammy Methofer– piano, keyboard, acoustic and electric guitar, drums, voice
- Ruth Galpin– piano, including opportunities for students to follow an AMEB pathway (exams) which can be helpful for scholarships.
- Catherine Armitage – saxophone, clarinet
Tammy and Ruth are new to the team this year. Tammy owns and runs a music school in Christies Beach. The mission of Tamwell Arts is ‘to impart music education as a means of mentoring and fostering social and emotional learning’ which is what Tammy plans to bring to our Coro community as well. She has a team of tutors who will be available to take some lessons; however, Tammy herself will conduct most lessons for students, on site.
Ruth taught piano lessons at Coro a few years ago – we are very pleased to welcome her back!
Tammy and Ruth each have an extensive background working with students who are neuro-diverse and/or have specified needs and disabilities. We are excited to welcome these highly experienced teachers to the instrumental music program.
To enroll your child: Go to the school website www.coromandps.sa.edu.au Click on the Parent Information tab, then Extracurricular Activities. There is some information and a menu of instruments to choose from. Once you have made your selection, the private provider will contact you with details for lessons. Recorder lessons and IMS commence in Week 2; all other lessons are due to start in Week 4.
Those who have already submitted registrations (either last year or earlier this year) do not have to do so again. However, if you have not heard from one of the above-named providers by the end of Week 2, please contact Karen on 82783693.
Once again, we extend our warm thanks to our parent community, led by Sally Woolford, for decorating the school grounds during the Santos Tour Down Under. Many families enjoyed watching the race from our car park and we won the "Best Dressed Commercial or Community Property" for one of the two stages that came through.
Support CVPS by purchasing a Membership to The Entertainment App & receive a bonus Membership extension of up to 4 months!
Please consider buying an Entertainment Membership today as 20% of the proceeds go directly to our school.
Your Entertainment Membership not only unlocks exclusive access to unbeatable discounts at the best fine dining and family restaurants plus attractions and more, but also supports our community’s fundraising goals.
And there’s no better time to buy a Membership – for a limited time only, you will score up to 4 Bonus Months on your Membership. So, what are you waiting for?
https://subscribe.entertainment.com.au/fundraiser/162w043
