9 February 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Welcome to Hampton Park Primary School for 2022. We trust that school will be an enjoyable experience for your child/children this year and for your family as a whole. We do know that life often presents us with some interesting challenges and I wonder what wonderful challenging times we have waiting for us this year? I read a quote from Benjamin Franklin last week “Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.” Benjamin Franklin 1706 – 1790. It certainly made me think that these words from over 250 years ago are still appropriate today as we aim to keep in the sunlight.

COVID Update

As I was preparing this newsletter on Monday we were issued with new directives from the Education Department for schools. I have sent out a Connect notice but for those of you who missed it, I have added the information here.

Firstly I want to say thank you to everyone. All parents on school sites are wearing masks even when outdoors, thank you for that.

As of yesterday, Tuesday 8th February, parents and care givers will no longer be allowed inside classrooms. You may walk your child to the classroom or collect from the door but the Chief Health Officer has stated not inside the room.

As much as possible parents and carers are to avoid gathering in groups outside classrooms. We are that you respect social distancing and wear a mask at all times.

If you need to come into the office that is still permissible. Vaccinated volunteers are allowed to assist in the canteen but must wear a mask at all times. Therapists are still allowed on school sites.

We are trying as much as possible to avoid the mingling of students from different class groups. We have set up different play areas around the school for the different aged children. Staff are being separated at recess and lunch times.

Interschool sport at this stage is allowed as are school balls, as people are still allowed to mix in the community. Unfortunately though the Year Six camp will be cancelled at this stage, hopefully only deferred. We will get more information to the Year Six families as soon as possible.

Face to face P&C meetings and School Board meetings have been cancelled.

The main aim is to limit the number of students or staff that are exposed to a person that is positive with COVID with the aim to close some classrooms but keep as many others open as possible. Isolation has been reduced to seven days.

Staff Changes

We have had some staff changes this year. One that is significant to the whole school is that after ten years of working here Mr Warren Barnard has resigned. Mr Barnard was farewelled by the staff last Friday. Warren is going back into office work for an independent company and we wish him well, he will be greatly missed. I am sorry that members of the school community did not have time to say goodbye. It all happened quite quickly.

Two teachers that changed location from the Early Childhood are Ms Rhian Schirripa who accepted a full time position at Wattle Grove Primary School and Mrs Samantha Cottee has gone to Mount Lawley Primary School. Consequently, Mrs Michelle Avichzer is now working in K2 until Mrs Erin McLaren returns and we have welcomed back Mrs Ellie Richards who was Miss Ellie Smith when she last worked here.

Mrs Charlotte Falcone has returned in a part time capacity sharing a Year One class with Mrs Michelle Avichzer. Ms Carrick was married during the holidays so she is now Mrs Sandosham. Ms Keryl Firby is continuing leave from here and her replacement this term is Mrs Marine Sargsyan. Mrs Kay Sirichoti who has previously been working in the Kindergarten is now working in the older classrooms. Mrs Rebecca Speldewinde is on Maternity leave for 2022 as she is now celebrating the birth of her third boy, congratulations to her and her family.

School Board Vacancies

The School Board is part of the governance of the school. It is comprised of parents, staff and community members. The parents are voted in on a three year tenure and every year there are one or two positions where the tenure has expired. The parent can renominated but is subject to the same voting process as everyone else.

This year there are two positions open and parents are asked to consider nominating for the vacancies. Nomination forms are available from the front office and need to be returned to Mrs Janice Clamp by Wednesday 23rd February.

The next school Board meeting will be online using Microsoft teams on Monday 28th February at 5:30pm.

Random Acts Of Kindness

We have always advocated random acts of kindness to the children and encourage them to do as many as they can. This year we are being sponsored by a company called ‘MonsterSmiles’ to assist with that encouragement. MonsterSmiles was developed by a young boy, Joe, who used to attend Camboon Primary School. Joe was very sick with Crohn’s disease and was hospitalised for a long period of time. During that time he thought about what he could do to help others. He designed a pillowcase full of smiling characters. The business has developed to a point where they now donate pillowcases to over 30 hospitals around Australia and 30 schools in WA. We are now one of those 30 schools. A pillowcase will be given to one child once a fortnight who displays a random act of kindness. The pillowcases can be bought online and for every pillowcase purchased the family donate one pillowcase to a school or hospital. If you would like to know more or purchase your own, visit the link below.

Dogs on School Grounds

We have had reports about dogs being bought onto the school grounds. While I love dogs as much as anyone this is the directive from the Education Department of Western Australia.

“Animals, including pets, are not allowed on school grounds unless they are a part of a school event, or are authorised assistance animals.” Please keep you dogs or other animals at home.

Yvonne Arnott
Principal

School Communication

There are a number of ways you can keep up to date with important information about what is happening at Hampton Park Primary School.

School Website

Our school website will keep you up to date with events on our Term Planner, newsletters, student requirements, New Year class lists and much more.

School App - SZapp

Our school newsletter, canteen orders, notification of absence and other important correspondence can also be accessed on the school app. Instructions on how to download the app are detailed below.

Once downloaded search for Hampton Park Primary School.

Has your contact information changed?

Please notify the office if any of your contact details have changed. It is important that we have the correct contact information for Parents/Carer’s and Students for general correspondence and in the case of an emergency.

Voluntary Contributions

As we start the school year we would like to remind you of the importance of paying your Voluntary Contribution to the school office. Whilst this is a voluntary contribution, this money goes towards much needed student resources.

Helping Hands

Hello from Helping Hands Network,

We are looking forward to welcoming new families and reconnecting with our friends at Hampton Park Primary School. We are bringing the FUN back in 2022, with your chance to WIN a term for FREE.

We’re reimagining FUN with enriching, exciting new programs created by children for children. Exciting clubs, activities and incursions await.

The world outside of school may be changing every day, but we will always be here to provide a consistent, high-quality Outside School Hours Care to your school community.

Simply secure your permanent Before and After School Care bookings for 2022 and you could WIN a term for FREE.

To be in the draw, you need to make your bookings between 9:00am (AEST) 1st February 2022 - 12:00pm (AEST) 7th April 2022.

One of three prizes to be won in Western Australia. Each winner will receive free Before and/or After School care for Term 2, 2022 (up to the value of $1,000) according to the permanent bookings made before 12:00pm (AEST) 7th April 2022.

Community Notices

Aces Netball Club