IPECS INFORMER
From our Principal
Dear Families,
Over the last few days, our preschool service has been reviewed as part of an assessment and rating process. This has involved a trained assessor visiting our preschool, observing practice and interviewing our staff. Following this, we will receive a report outlining the findings which will include an overall rating and a rating against each of the seven quality areas of the National Quality Standards. I would like to say a big thank you to our preschool team and the leadership of Michele Foley for the incredible amount of hard work in preparing for the A&R. I am so immensely proud of the the commitment and dedication of the preschool team who have shared with passion and professionalism the high-quality preschool program that children and families at IPECS benefit from each day!
What exciting opportunities are coming up for children at IPECS?
The community calendar that was sent with the Term 3 Week 1 newsletter contained lots of key dates for events across this term. This week, three important notes were sent out home to families. As part of Science Week we will be hosting a special Science Week workshop for K-2 children. This will be a free event for children supported by the GEMS P&C. You will have also received a permission note for our excursion to Canberra Theatre to see a production of the popular children's book "Possum Magic" by Mem Fox. Permission notes and payment are not due until 15 September. We know that our community is feeling the pinch from increases of costs of living and it important to us that no child misses out on this exciting opportunity. The school has subsidised the cost of this excursion however if you do require support please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. Finally, our year two families have received an order form the the commemorative Year Two T-Shirt. Please ensure you return the order form by Friday 16 August. Again, please reach out to me if we can offer financial support.
Have you let us know your intentions for 2024?
A couple of weeks ago, all families received an email inviting you to let us know about your intentions for the 2024 school year. This information assist us with our planning. Even if you will be staying at IPECS, we ask that you complete the short survey (click here). If you have enrolled your child at an ACT Public School for 2024, you should have by now received a letter of offer. Please be sure to let us know where you child will be going to school in 2024 so that we can ensure we work with the new school on a successful transition. This is particularly important for our year two children.
Have you had a yarn with your child's teacher?
Over the last two weeks, our teachers have been meeting with parents/carers for valuable conversations around children's learning. While you are always welcome to make a time to meet with your child's teacher, these Learning Yarns provide the opportunity for teachers to share with you how children are progressing with both academic and social and emotional learning and to discuss strategies to support and extend learning. If you haven't yet been able to make an appointment time, I encourage you to reach out to your child's teacher to organise a time.
How do we communicate?
Early in the year, I invited families to provide us with important feedback regarding our Communication Guidelines. Thank you to all families who provided feedback about these guidelines or general feedback about communication. Our staff have also been involved in reviewing our Communication Guidelines and our guidelines have now been updated and ratified by our School Board. You can read our updated Communication Guidelines by clicking here. The document provides clear expectations of both staff and parents and carers regarding communication as well as providing an overview of the various school and community communication protocols and includes a Reporting and Information Schedule. This document positions our philosophy of building strong partnerships between home and school at the heart of what we do and always with children's learning and wellbeing central to our thinking.
What will our new preschool playground look like?
Very soon our preschool playground will undergo an upgrade. The new preschool playground will include the removal of the exciting equipment and soft fall, replacement of the swings and the installation of a new sandstone climbing structure with stairs, slide and timber supports. The upgrade will also include an amphitheatre with logs and boulders, sandstone blocks for seating and climbing, granite footpaths and soft fall mulch. Thank you to the preschool families and children who have provided their feedback on the new design (pictured below). This upgrade will ensure that our preschool children have access to modern outdoor facilities that are nature-based and provide our children with a new and exciting play space that supports their physical development.
Take care,
Simon Barker
From our Deputy Principal
This term I have shifted into the role of the K-2 Team leader and am delighted to share with you an exciting and enriching journey that our K-2 Team are embarking on, a shared Arts Inquiry. Our key question are:
Kinder: What does it mean to be an artist?
Year 1/2 : How are feelings and art connected?
As an early childhood school our philosophy strongly believe in fostering creativity and curiosity. We will be collaborating with the children to explore visual arts, sculpting, music, dance, drama, and storytelling. Through shared artistic experiences, children learn to communicate, empathise, and build strong connections with one another. This not only enhances their social skills but also fosters a positive and inclusive learning environment where every voice is valued. It also provides children with the opportunity to nurture their creativity and self-confidence. We will be sharing out learning and experiences with the IPECS community in Week 10. Please reach out if you have any expertise in this space.
How can I support my child if they might be feeling anxious?
We know at times children feel anxious, and these feeling can be displayed differently for each child. This anxiety can be caused by one small change or a range of things. The Education Directorate has produced a short video series to help families support their child if they are feeling anxious. The three videos are presented by one of our senior psychologists. They cover understanding and responding to a child’s anxiety and tips about supporting a child when they’re feeling anxious.
How can I support my child's early literacy skills?
We understanding how time poor families can be, so fitting in time to support our children at key transition moments or at other moments during the day. The Australian Literacy Educators Association has produced a resource named, "Early literacy Skills for Working Parents"- although I disagree with the title, I think it's a valuable resource for parent/s carers of all little people.
Annie McAppion
LPLL Module 19 - Working Parents (1).pdfImportant Calendar Updates
School Photos
School photos will now happen in term four, week three on Tuesday 24, Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 October. Ordering and payment envelopes will be sent out later this term.
Book Week Parade
The book week dress up parade has been moved to Wednesday 23 August, starting at 9:15am.