ENewsletter

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

It certainly has been a very busy yet rewarding past few weeks. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our broader school community for their participation and involvement in a variety of day-to-day activities, such as listening to our students read, attending school excursions, assisting with District Athletics Day trials, volunteering in the Uniform Shop, as well as being involved in our various School Committees. These actions, along with the ongoing support offered by many, truly epitomise the strength of our school community and for this our staff are extremely grateful. This issue of our newsletter is a perfect visual reminder of the many exciting and holistic opportunities that our students and families have been privy to.

NAPLAN Congratulations to our year 3 and 5 students who are currently undertaking the testing process this fortnight. The process is running smoothly with time allocated to monitor student wellbeing during the stages of each test. As expected, all students are trying their best and are enjoying using the online platform.

Year 1 Numeracy Check is a state-wide screener for all year 1 students in government schools. The check is currently in progress and is a one-to-one interview designed for teachers to help understand each student’s strengths and areas of improvement in the following 4 number domains: Counting, Place Value, Strategies for Addition and Subtraction, Strategies for Multiplication and Division. Our students are doing a wonderful job and we look forward to using the information to assist with ‘next steps’ teaching points for each child.

Parent Teacher Interviews will be held during Week 10. Staff will provide families with a Student Approach to Learning Snapshot to drive discussion alongside an academic snap shot of their progress thus far. Parents will receive copies of these as a formal guide of their child/ren’s current progress.

The next few weeks will once again be busy with a plethora of learning opportunities for our students and experiences for our community including; Rugby clinics, lunchtime and after school clubs, State Election BBQ, District Athletics Day, Easter Raffle, and fortnightly assemblies hosted by Rooms 5, 12, and 3.

Kind regards

Shaun Barber

Clean Up Australia Day

Our school proudly participated in the National Clean Up Australia Event held on site on Friday 28th February. Our student community worked collaboratively both within our school and surrounding local community to clean up waste, sweep pathways and remove excess dry leaves and bushes. The activity was a spectacular reminder that we are doing a wonderful job in minimising our waste and are using our recycling processes effectively with thanks to our regular clean-up crew and year 3-4 community service leaders.

Peer Mediators

Congratulations to our Year 5 and 6 students for successfully completing their Peer Mediation training in readiness to becoming an active leader in the yard during break times by assisting in the mediation of low-level issues such as turn taking, friendship problems, and buddy bench support.

The Peer Mediation program provides students with the basic skills necessary to enter respectfully enter a conversation, state their purpose for doing so, and work with all parties involved to reach a healthy resolution by using restorative practice questioning techniques.

Farewell Carol

After two decades of superstar service in the front office, Carol's hanging up her hat at the end of this term. Her warmth, professionalism, and dedication have left a mark brighter than a gold star on our school community. While our hearts are heavy with goodbyes, we're beyond thankful for the amazing legacy she leaves behind.

Mark your calendars for the final day of term and join us for a fabulous send-off to celebrate Carol’s incredible journey and cheer her onto her next adventure! Stay tuned for more scoop on the celebration—details will be coming your way soon!

In the meantime, please jump online and leave your farewell wishes here: https://app.grouptogether.com/CarolsRetirement2026

Dream and Lead Conference 2026

Last Monday, twelve Year 6 students participated in the Dream and Lead Conference in the city. This event was designed to support aspiring leaders like us in enhancing our leadership skills and community values. Key highlights included various scenarios and strategies for handling them, along with insightful presentations from speakers around the globe.

Overall, the key takeaways we will apply to our leadership this year are the importance of balance in life, illustrated through a gymnastics display, and strategies for standing up and having a voice.

Iris & Poppy

Nairne Band Tour

On Friday, March 20, our wonderful Crafers School Band embarked on tour to Nairne Primary School for two performances. As a band, as well as in small duos and solos, they wowed everyone with their musical talents.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to the volunteer parents who transported the band to and from the venue.

Additionally, we extend our deepest gratitude to Mark Hudson for providing our students with opportunities to showcase their skills.

Election Day Bake Sale - Donations Needed

We’re calling on our wonderful school community to help stock our Election Day Bake Sale on Saturday 21 March 2026.

We are seeking donations of baked goods to help make the day a success.

We’d love individual servings and for you to include a small note with the item name and any relevant ingredient or dietary information (e.g. contains nuts, gluten-free, vegan).

Please drop baked goods to the Crafers Primary School canteen fridge by Friday 20 March or bring them in the morning to the election stall at Crafers Institute Hall.

Funds raised will directly support playground upgrades, our Pedal Prix team and the CPS Music Program — initiatives that our students actively use and value.

More information:https://forms.gle/6ooQH5wQhrYAdL2a8

Want to volunteer on the day?https://volunteersignup.org/JK9FK

Thank you for helping us create a vibrant and successful community day 🤍

Crafers P&F & Pedal Prix Committees

Bushfire and your child's school

This brochure provides you with important information about our approach to managing bushfire risk in government schools and preschools. We want to ensure parents and caregivers are well prepared for a bushfire emergency.

Download

2026 Open Night Heathfield High School

At Heathfield High School, we invite you to discover what makes our school such a vibrant and inspiring place to learn.

We host our annual Open Night in Term 1, where families can explore our facilities and experience the spirit of our community. Open Night features a showcase of student work, interactive displays and an opportunity to talk to staff and walk around the school to view the multiple learning areas, giving you a full insight into life at Heathfield High School. The 2026 Open Night is scheduled for Tuesday 17 March 2026 starting at 4pm and concluding at 7pm.

Please register your interest in attending the HHS Open Night via the link below. Further information about Open Night will be sent to you closer to the evening.

2026 Oliphant Science Awards

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We are excited to announce that Crafers Primary School will be participating in the 2026 Oliphant Science Awards, South Australia’s largest student science competition! This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to develop their curiosity, problem-solving skills, and creativity through hands-on science projects.

The competition is open to students from Reception to Year 12, offering nine diverse project categories, including:

Crystal Investigations
Games
Models & Inventions
Multimedia
Photography
Posters
Programming, Apps & Robotics (including electronic games)
Science Writing
Science Investigations (formerly Scientific Inquiry)

With such a wide range of categories, there is something for everyone—whether a student enjoys art, technology, problem-solving, creative writing, or hands-on experiments. The Awards provide an inclusive opportunity for students of all skill levels to engage with science in a way that excites and inspires them.

Participating in the Oliphant Science Awards provides numerous benefits for our students, including:

Enhanced Learning Outcomes: Engaging in scientific projects helps students develop essential skills such as observation, prediction, and communication, while expanding their knowledge across various scientific domains.
Fostering Curiosity and Innovation: The competition encourages students to explore their interests, think critically, and apply their creativity to real-world scientific problems.
Building Confidence and Independence: By undertaking and presenting their projects, students gain confidence in their abilities and learn to take ownership of their learning journey setting them up for future success in STEM fields.
School Community Enrichment: Our school's involvement in the Awards showcases our commitment to excellence in science education and provides opportunities for collaboration among students, teachers, and the broader community.

To gain a better understanding of the competition and to view exemplary projects from previous years, we encourage you to explore the Online Project Gallery available on the Oliphant Science Awards website. 2025 Online Project Gallery

We believe that participating in the Oliphant Science Awards will be a rewarding and enriching experience for our students, sparking a lifelong passion for science and learning.

We look forward to embarking on this exciting scientific journey with our students!

Registration paperwork is available via a separate post on Audiri. Please return to the Front Office by 1 May 2026.

Best regards,

John Nielsen

Courier Cup Competition

On Thursday, 26 February 2026, eight of our courageous students represented our school at the annual Courier Cup Competition, held for the first time at the brand-new Mount Barker Aquatics and Leisure Centre.

Participants had the opportunity to compete in a range of swimming events, including the 50m Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly. The day concluded with a thrilling Freestyle Relay, providing an exciting finale for all involved.

Despite some pre-race nerves, our students demonstrated outstanding resilience and performed admirably throughout the day. Their efforts were matched only by the exemplary way they embodied our school values of kindness, respect, courage and community.

Congratulations to all our competitors for their achievements and for representing our school with such pride and honour. Well done!

Support Backpacks 4 SA Kids with Iceblock Sales

The Student Leaders are excited to offer iceblocks for sale each Friday this term during recess and lunch to benefit Backpacks 4 SA Kids.

About Backpacks 4 SA Kids: This organisation is dedicated to providing essential resources that ensure the care, safety, and wellbeing of children and young people during times of displacement from their homes and routine care.

Please Note
Students in Years 3-6 can purchase during recess.
Reception to Year 2 students can buy during lunchtime.
Limit: One zooper dooper per student.
Price: Iceblocks will be available for just 50 cents each.

Children's University 2026

As stated in the last newsletter, we are continuing with Children’s University for Year 2- 6 students in 2026. Here is the link to the forms to sign your child up.

Please be aware ongoing members also need to fill in these forms. They are due by Friday 30th March, which is our cut off date for membership. No forms are able to be submitted after this date.

Children's University Adelaide - Crafers Primary School - 2026 – Fill out form

Once the online registration form has been submitted, please ensure you complete the payment form via Audiri. This will allow the charge to placed on your account. Alternatively you can come into the front office and pay directly. Please note, registration and payment is a two-step process.

The annual fee for 2026 is $38.50 (inc GST) per member. A Passport is included in a member’s first year only with any replacement Passport incurring a fee of $7.70 (inc GST). Please note that membership fees for School Card Holders will remain at $16.50 (inc GST) per member also.

I look forward to working with the children this year.

Kim Atkinson
CU Coordinator

A Friendly Reminder About Late Arrivals

If your child arrives after 8:50 am, they will miss the class roll call. In such cases, please check in at the front office to obtain a late pass, which allows us to accurately record your child’s attendance.

If this step is not taken, your child will be marked absent, and we will need to reach out to you regarding this absence.

Thank you for your understanding.

Thank you from St Vincent De Paul Society

During our last assembly, Paul Somers, a member of the Stirling Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society came to thank the Crafers Primary School Community for our support of the 2025 Christmas Hamper Appeal.

In 2025 they were able to provide Christmas hampers to 80 school families in need, comprising 172 children and 131 adults, who live in our Adelaide Hills area, from Stirling to Birdwood and beyond.

In addition to this, they were also able to assist an additional 23 families in need, comprising 18 children and 27 adults, who live in our Adelaide Hills area and whom they have assisted throughout the year.

They were also able to provide Christmas gifts for all 190 children.

None of this could be achieved were it not for the generosity of people like the Crafers Primary School Community.

We received a Certificate of Appreciation from Paul and we will be supporting this cause again in the future.

Greetings from Room 4

We have had a great start to the year, learning about heat sources, conductors and insulators, about the Winter Olympics, 5 patterns of nature in art, learning a new range of maths games based on place value and working on some STEM projects (some finished, some still going).

Our class mentor text ‘Under the love umbrella’ has seen the class discuss the people they can trust and rely on, as well as given them a platform for creating some interesting black and white art work.

Please enjoy the examples from our class.

Kim

5 Patterns in Nature

Under the Love Umbrella

Winter Olympics

Maths Games

Latest recipients of Principal's Awards

OSHC Enrolments - Online Registration Now Live

OSHC Online Registration is now live. Register your details here OSHC Enrolment

Please contact Rosie Jarvis OSHC Coordinator on dl.0107.oshc@schools.sa.edu.au if you have any questions.

Mt Lofty Joey Scouts are looking for more members!

Joey Scouts is where the adventure begins for young people aged 5 to 8. This section is all about fun, friendship, and discovery, as young people take their first steps in Scouting. Joey Scouts explore their world, develop teamwork, learn outdoor skills, and engage with their community through exciting, hands-on activities.

In Joey Scouts, you will Discover Adventure alongside your Patrol, trying new experiences, playing outdoor games, and tackling creative challenges. You’ll start learning about leadership by making small decisions with your friends and begin to understand what it means to be a Scout. You can join any time after your 5th birthday, provided you attend school full-time.

Head to https://sa.scouts.com.au/joey-scouts/ for more information.

Crafers Primary School

Newsletter 13 March 2026