Dear Families,

Last week was National Science Week and students at Campbell Primary School engaged in a variety of fun, creative and academic scientific endeavours. Below is just a quick snapshot to showcase some of the great work taking place in our classrooms. Unfortunately, due to travel restrictions, we had to postpone our Jollybops incursion, but we are hoping to bring Jollybops and Questacon to the school in October for another delve into all things scientific!!!!

Please take a moment to read what is happening across the school during Science lessons and enjoy a few pictures of some students engaging in their learning.

Preschool

“The Sun shoots electricity into the bin with the sticks, they make fire and heat the water in the pipes.” Finley – Dolphins

Kindergarten

Kindergarten are learning about how things move (physical sciences). They are exploring the push and pull forces used to move objects in ways such as sliding, bouncing and spinning.

Year 1

This term students are learning about Earth and Space. They are investigating observable changes that occur in the sky and landscapes. 

Year 2

Students across Year 2 are learning about Physical Sciences through a unit called ‘Push Pull’. Through investigations, students are observing and gathering evidence about how forces act in air, water, and on the ground.

Year 2 Data collection

Year 3

Year 3 students are exploring the sizes, shapes, positions and movements of the Sun, Earth and Moon. They are investigating how shadows change throughout the day and are linking these changes to the Sun’s apparent movement across the sky.

Year 4     

Students in Year 4 are investigating and describing relationships which assist in the survival of living things. They have been asked to identify when science is used to understand the effect of their actions.

Year 5

Year 5 students are exploring the properties of light and how it enables us to see. Students are using hands-on activies to develop their thinking about light and its role in our lives and our community.

Year 5 are making light boxes as part of their investigations into light

Year 6

Year 6 students have been busy analysing requirements for the transfer of electricity and describing how energy can be transformed from one form to another when generating electricity.  They have also been comparing and classifying different types of observable changes to materials.

Year 6 students completed risk assessments and designed science experiments involving chemical reactions

LEGO Club

Science week saw the launch of our LEGO lunch club!  The students who have signed up were learning about push and pull forces.

Satellite Selfie

Canberrans were encouraged to take part in the world's largest Satellite Selfie as part of National Science Week.  Campbell Primary School students had a few opportunities to go out and be snapped!  Kindergarten took themselves out for some parachute fun earlier in the week and then after a few cancellations, due to bad weather, most of the school went out for a whole school snap.  The students were attempting to recreate the school crest with the letters CPS inside.

Parents school access and communication during COVID-19 Restrictions

It is important to remember that even with the easing of restrictions in the community, the advice from the ACT Education Directorate is for schools to continue to limit the number of parents and volunteers in the school.  We have had a few parents express concerns of other members of our school community not adhering to this advice and ignoring social distancing requirements. I have also noted a gradual increase in the number of parents present inside the buildings and on the decks.  This is making some of our families and staff uncomfortable. 

We are all looking forward to a time where our school can again become a hive of activity and social connection between families, however, now is not that time. I would like to remind families that we encourage a kiss and drop-off and pick up and exit routine before and after school. Communication via email and telephone during this restrictive period are preferred and encouraged.  Alternatively, appointments can be made through the front office when face to face meetings are required.  We thank you for your cooperation on this matter.

Support for Canberrans to Connect During COVID-19

In a year that has tested all aspects of Canberra’s wellbeing, we have been reminded of our responsibilities to each other and the power of community. The Community Services Directorate has developed the Wellbeing Calls Service and Connect in Canberra website to keep the community informed and connected through COVID-19.

The Wellbeing Calls Service is provided by the Australian Red Cross and is available to all ACT residents who would like to register for a free phone call to feel more connected and less isolated. You can call the service on 02 6234 7630 between 8am and 4pm weekdays or register for a call by completing the CSD SmartForm found on the Community Services website.

On the Connect in Canberra website, you can access a range of support services including emergency food relief and visits on Supporting Our Neighbours (including a Know Your Neighbour card), Online Safety, Health and Wellbeing, Activities Hub, Kids Corner, What’s On and a Community Activities Pack.

Satisfaction Survey: Closes 31^st August 2020

We have had an amazing response to our survey with over 90% of our parent body participating.  Please make sure you have your say before the closing date as every parents’ opinion is valued. Please remember:

• The survey and unique link were sent to you via email
• If you did not receive the email, contact EDUSurveys@act.gov.au to request a survey invitation.
• A shortened paper-version of the parent survey is also available upon request
• For additional information, visit: 2020 school satisfaction and climate survey

2021 School Planning

Just a friendly reminder to keep the school up to date with your 2021 intentions.  When assessing the employment of staff, class sizes, straight/multi age structures and room allocations we use our student numbers to make informed decisions. We appreciate some families are awaiting confirmation of changing circumstances and encourage these families to give us an anticipated intention to support our decision-making process.

Lost Property

The mountain is growing!  Today we are returning as many labelled jumpers, jackets and hats to their owners as possible. 

Tomorrow and Friday (27^th and 28^th August) from 8:30am onwards, we will have tables set up outside the front entrance displaying all the remaining lost property.  If possible, please make yourself available to come and have a look for any of your child's missing items. 

Following this, any left-over items will either be disposed of or donated to charity.

BASE- Kindergarten Assessment

The Kindergarten students completed their BASE assessments (baseline data assessments in the areas of English and mathematics) with their contact teacher early in Term 1. I am pleased to advise the 2020 BASE reports are due to be delivered to Campbell Primary early next week and will be sent home in envelopes.

The BASE final assessment will be undertaken in Term 4 and parents will receive their child’s comparison report at the end of the year.

If you have any questions please contact your child’s contact teacher.

Thanks to the generous support of the Australian Government Sporting Schools Grant program our Kindergarten and Year 1 commenced a 4-week gymnastics program this week. With a focus on the gross motor areas of flexibility, strength and balance, students had a wonderful time during their first sessions as they bounced, rolled, balanced and jumped. Supported by their teachers and led by qualified gymnastics coaches, it’s a wonderful opportunity for students to “get their 60 minutes”, improve their health and fitness, learn some new skills and try a new sport. A big thankyou to Canberra City Gymnastics Club for supplying the coaches and some of the equipment to make this program possible.

On Tuesday this week we had Cookie from Menslink visit Campbell Primary to speak to the year 5 and 6 male students and to share ideas and experiences around men’s mental health. Sharing the message “It’s Not Weak to Speak”, the boys spent an hour discussing a variety of issues relevant to them during their senior primary years such as how to be a good mate if a friend is in need and what supports are available to them here at school and in the community. We would like to extend our appreciation to Cookie and the Menslink team for their time.

Not to be outdone, the girls took the opportunity to work on their teamwork, problem solving and cooperation skills while the boys participated in their Menslink workshop. Using board games and challenges as a medium, all year 5 and 6 girls came together to spend some dedicated unstructured time together whilst discussing issues relevant to them. It was great to see some mentoring and peer support during the session. Thank you Miss Ebbage for facilitating this session.

What is National HPE Day?

Since 2012, National Health and Physical Edcucation (HPE) Day has been the annual day on the calendar to raise awareness of and advocate for the value of HPE in Australian schools.

The day aims to highlight the importance of HPE and impact on the learning potential and wellbeing of all children, the benefit to all schools, and the valuable contribution to the wider community.

The 2020 event, to be held on Wednesday 2^nd September 2020, will focus on the theme Good for Children, Good for Schools and Good for Communities.

What is happening at Campbell Primary School?

We value this important part of the curriculum.  We know that being physically active every day can build personal and social capabilities like developing cooperation and teamwork skills, reducing anxiety and stress and improving physical fitness and fundamental movement skills.  We will be organising a range of activities across the school to mark National Health and Physical Education Day next Wednesday!

On the day we encourage students to wear sports clothing such as house shirts, their local sports team uniform or favourite sporting team uniform or colours.

We challenge our Campbell Primary School families to incorporate physical activity into your family routines to improve health and fitness and establish good habits for life.  Have a look at the attached table for some ideas.

We are moving forward with a new Smartphone app service provider – Schoolzine.

As a result, you will need to uninstall your current mobile app and install the new SZapp version.

Please go to the link below for instructions on how to install the app on both apple and android devices.

https://campbellps.schoolzineplus.com/szapp

When you are asked for a secure passcode, please use the code 4972.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any further information.

For further information, please view any of the links below:

Click here to view SZapp FAQs

Click here to view SZapp Installation Guide

Click here for a Printable Installation Guide

Click here to download a customisable PowerPoint Presentation

2020 Voluntary Contributions

A big thank you is extended to families who have made their Voluntary Contribution payments this year. To date we have received $8,360. This represents 16.53% of families that have paid their voluntary contribution so far. A number of families who have also made very generous contributions over the amount requested and on behalf of students and staff we thank you for this.

Making a voluntary contribution to school goes a long way in assisting us add value to our following programs:

• Student enrichment;
• Intervention processes/activities;
• Stem resources;
• Literacy and Numeracy programs/resources;
• Including, community events & the school musical.

The money is well spent on resources for students that we would be unable to purchase without parental support in this way.

The contribution requested is $150 for one student or $280 for a family with two or more children at school.

Payments can be made in full or by instalment at any time to the Front Office.  Payments can be made by using the EFTPOS machine at the Front Office or direct deposit to the school’s bank account, details as follows:

BSB:                    032-777

ACCOUNT NO:       00-1092

Or alternatively, ‘Make a Payment’ link on the website http://www.campbellps.act.edu.au/payment

Or via School’s Smartphone App (online credit/debit card facility)

Scholastic Bookclub Issue 5 orders are expected to be delivered to the school in Weeks 5/6.

Orders for Issue 6 will need to be placed online by 7th September 2020.

All future orders of Scholastic Book Club will now require parents to order online directly with Scholastic.

Paper orders and cash will no longer be accepted at the Front Office.

Distribution of catalogues and delivery of books will continue through class teachers.

Ordering can be done through Book Club LOOP for Parents on www.scholastic.com.au

Scholastic LOOP APP is also available for orders through Google Play or Apple Store

For any queries with registering an account, please contact Scholastic Customer Service on 1800 021 233

This is reminder to help our children understand the importance of stranger safety and the need to report any unusual incidents or approaches to staff immediately.

If you become aware of an incident, or notice anyone acting suspiciously around a school or child, contact police immediately on 131 444 or in the case of an emergency call 000. If you witness incidents or if you have any information that could assist Police, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously.

Please support us to keep our children safe by having conversations about moving safely around the community and what to do if they ever feel unsafe. You may wish to visit the AFP website section on Child Safety for tips. In addition, the Safety4Kids is a nongovernment website that has useful information and links. The Constable Kenny website also has a number of tips for parents.

The school and the Education Directorate will continue to work with ACT Policing on this
issue.

Contact: schooloperations@act.gov.au
Ph: 620 53313