6 September 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Families,

This week we have had a lovey burst of Spring weather which has been most welcome after a couple of dreary weeks. Students are now expected to wear hats during outside activities, as per our School Sun Smart policy which follows the Cancer Council guidelines. Students are respectfully following this expectation and are enjoying outside learning and play. We are fortunate at Snug to be able to provide a range of outdoor learning experiences, such as Gardening, our Bush Classroom and Daily P.E., as well as Pop-Up activities at break times and a variety of sporting activities.

We have a roof! The construction of our new Gym is progressing rapidly with the roof being completed this week, framing well underway and cladding beginning soon. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for regular updates.

Planning for 2020 is beginning soon. In considering possible class structures and staffing for next year, it is vital that we have up to date information on student enrolments. If your child/ren are currently in Kinder to Year 5 and they will not be attending Snug Primary School in 2020, please contact our office as soon as possible so that we can update our records. Also, if you have a child starting Kindergarten in 2020, please make sure your enrolment form is submitted before the end of Term 3.

The annual Swimming and Water Safety Program for students in Years 3, 4 and 5 will take place throughout the last weeks of Term 3. This is an essential part of our Health and P.E program, giving students vital life skills. It is expected that every student will attend. The progress made over the course of the program is always exceptional, in terms of skills and confidence, and the students always have a great time.

This week we say goodbye to Mrs Fran Hewitt, who has been our P.E. teacher for the last few months. Fran has been a wonderful addition to our staff, providing all classes with a range of targeted skill lessons and many additional sporting opportunities. Fran has been valued for her enthusiasm in working as part of the wider Snug Primary community and contributing in many ways to school life. We wish Fran all the best in her future endeavours and we are sure to see Fran again at Snug in a teaching capacity. We welcome Russ Miller as our P.E. teacher for the last 3 weeks of term, with our P.E. teacher for Term 4 to be announced before the end of this term.

Finally this week, a reminder that regular attendance at school is mandatory and is essential in enabling future success for our students. Please contact our school office if your child is absent for any reason. Family holidays during school time are recorded as “unauthorised absences.” Please contact your child’s teacher if you are going on a holiday so that appropriate learning experiences can be negotiated for the time your child is away from school.

Kind regards,

Ms Susan Jeffery
Principal

Kath’s Spot

Community is something here at Snug that we value dearly, and it is seen through the choices we make and the integration of all different blended groups within our communities. We support those in our midst, who are suffering from grief or going through a hard time, and we celebrate the joys, the births and the wins that individuals, families and community members are a part of.

I was recently watching an episode of “Old People’s Homes for 4 Year Olds” on iView which tells of an elderly nursing home hosting 10 kinder aged children, as part of an experiment. They are documenting the success of these relationships, and the benefits to both the elderly and the little people. I was reminded of my father, who had been in a nursing home for the last few years of his life, and the ups and downs of life for him. By watching this show, I was struck by the benefits that there had been for not only my father having visitors and enjoying time with my children, but also the benefits to each of my boys. The gift of having seen my boys climb all over Dad’s walker and want to take his scooter for a ride, them laughing at his jokes and sharing fish and chips out on the deck together, they are all special memories I will hold dear to me. We have a precious interview recorded by one of my boys Ben, who had asked Dad all about his life as a young person, and had gained knowledge that not even I had known at the time.

We are so fortunate here at Snug Primary, to have such a wonderful relationship with Snug Village where the older people there continue to bless our students with new experiences and teach empathy for another person. Not only do we visit the elderly home, but we also invite other volunteer mentors to come to our school and be a part of the kitchen and garden program. These are all opportunities for your child to learn how to communicate with a different age range, and learn practical skills and social skills in the process.

What a reward to each and every person it is, to invest into other peoples lives. In all things, the energy and effort required, is far outweighed by the benefits of living life together as a community.

So let’s continue to have the chat at the supermarket, or visit our neighbors or Snug Village for a cuppa, and let’s get behind each other with support. That’s where we show our Snug CARES Value of Community, and how important it is to us all. Now go do something right now to be Kind to another, because you don’t ever want to feel like you missed that moment for great things to happen.

Many Blessings

Kath Dolliver
Chaplain

Class in Focus – Prep A

Prep A have been enjoying some new learning experiences this term.

We have been getting our bodies and minds ready for learning most days by participating in Daily PE followed by Let’s Go when we get back to our classroom. We have three activities for the week in Let’s Go – Handwriting, Reading Eggs, and Whiteboards. These tasks help us to develop our fine-motor and literacy skills.

‘Daily PE’ in Prep A

‘Let’s Go’ in Prep A

Earlier in the term we investigated how things move in our Science Unit ‘On The Move’. We explored different types of motion, focussing in particular on how objects roll, slide and spin. We have learnt that the shape of an object influences the way it moves. For example, we know that objects with curved surfaces (such as spheres) roll well, and that a flat surface helps objects to slide. Students have developed their understanding through a variety of hands-on experiences including using ramps, marble runs, spinning tops, playing with cars and moving toys, as well as making some vehicles of our own. There has certainly been lots of exciting learning while we have been ‘on the move’!

‘On The Move’

Recently we have been learning about measuring length using informal units (blocks, icy-pole sticks, counters etc.). We have measured objects in our room as well as each other. Perhaps you could find some things to measure with your child at home. I’m sure they can tell you some of the important ‘rules’ we need to remember when measuring.

‘Measuring’

Assembly Awards

P.E. Report

At the beginning of Term 2, in Physical Education, all classes did a unit on fitness, to learn and understand the importance of being healthy and active throughout our lives. The unit culminated in a Fitness Test for Years 3-6, which measured cardiovascular fitness, balance, strength, power and coordination.

We maintained our focus on fitness throughout the second and current terms, then undertook the same fitness tests again. The results clearly showed an overall improvement. My analysis of the results indicate over 75% of students in Years 3-6 improved their levels of fitness, which is an awesome outcome. Well done everyone!

Ms Hewitt
(P.E. Specialist)

Drama News

The Year 6 Team will be presenting Roald Dahl’s “Matilda” on Wednesday 18th September, 11.00am and 6.30pm. Tickets available for sale in the office on Monday.

Under 10 Channel United Serpents

The team has had a fabulous year and always displays the Snug CARES values. They are a wonderful bunch! Jess Crowley – Team Manager.

Snug Car Boot Sale

Children’s Artwork Fundraiser

Our annual fundraiser is on again! Order forms were sent home on Monday with your child.

Please return your order to the Office with the correct money by Friday 13th September.

A reminder that this is a CASH ONLY order, there are no EFTPOS facilities.

Outside School Hours Care

Registrations being taken now for Term 3 Holiday Care Program.

Little Sprouts

Registration to Work with Vulnerable People

If you volunteer at Snug, you are required to register for “Registration to Work with Vulnerable People”. Please see information below.

Kids Matter eNewsletter

Coming Events

For more information please see our school calendar by clicking the link below:

Community Notices

Kettering Cricket Club – Junior Registration Day

Term Dates for 2019