7 April 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message

The holidays are nearly upon us and I think you’ll agree the break has been well earned by our hardworking students. There has been much to keep them busy this term: student elections, a swimming carnival, camp and a lapathon are just some examples. Harmony Week, our most recent event, allowed our students to consider the ways in which they accept differences and include others. At the end of the week, we gathered in the Undercover Area and listened to the story, ‘The Invisible Boy.’ The message is simple, but powerful. Because of this, I have attached a link so that you can revisit this with your children at home.

Winners of the week’s poetry competition were also announced at this assembly - see names later on in the newsletter. Their poems, based on the theme, Everyone Belongs, showed true consideration of the values that underpin inclusivity. Each one is currently displayed in the Admin area, so next time you pay the office a visit, take the opportunity to have a read. You will be moved! Our shared lunch was a fantastic representation of cultural diversity and a chance for the school community to get together. I would like to thank all parents for their hard work and creativity in preparing food for this picnic. You prepared a major banquet and it was great to see the students experimenting with the many different flavours on offer. Your hard work and creativity was wholeheartedly enjoyed by all partaking in the treats - students, staff and parents! Thank you as always for your active support for our whole school events. It is this commitment that makes our school such a great place. I would also like to give special mention to all the parents who gave their time to help set up the lunch and clear away at the end. Thank you!

I hope you all manage to enjoy a break from your busy schedules over the next fortnight and enjoy this time with your children. Have a happy and safe holiday and we will see you on Wednesday 26th April.

Caroline Booth
Principal

Dates to remember

BOARD NOMINATIONS

We are currently seeking nominations from parents to join our School Board. The School Board plays a major role in setting the school’s long-term future and maintaining an oversight of its operations. Below is an overview of what this may entail:

Boards take part in:

• Establishing and reviewing the school’s objectives and general policy directions
• Planning of financial arrangements to fund those directions
• Evaluation of school’s performance in achieving these
• Formulating codes of conduct for students at school

Boards determine:

• In consultation with students, parents and staff a dress code for students when attending school

Boards promote:

• The school in the local community

Boards do not:

• Intervene in the educational instruction of students
• Manage the day to day running of the school (for example, managing staff or assigning students to class)
• Intervene in the management of a school fund
• Represent any specific interest groups or dominate the agenda by special interests

If you are interested in joining our Board, please email an expression of interest (EOI) to Caroline.Booth@education.wa.edu.au by 3:00pm, Wednesday 26th April. The EOI should include 3 short paragraphs (100 words or less) about yourself under the following headings: personal background, professional background and motivation for board membership. I also encourage you to have a chat with our Board Chair, Vicki Rasmussen, in order to gain an accurate picture of what being a member of the Board entails. Please let the school know if you require her contact details. If the number of nominees exceeds the number of vacant positions, we will run an election in which the parent body can vote for their preferred representatives. The information in your EOI will be given to the parent community as part of this process. Once all nominations are in, we will let you know whether an election is required.

Memories of Harmony Week

During Harmony Week, we considered our differences and how they contribute to an interesting and diverse society. We loved taking part in the Scavenger Hunt and working together to create the Harmony Week banner in the Undercover Area. Enjoy looking at our memories in the picture gallery below.

Harmony Week Poetry Competition Winners

Poetry competition winners

Lapathon

Students arrived at this event clad in rainbow brights and with lots of enthusiasm. After completing countless laps of the Oval, students were rewarded with a refreshing icy pole, thanks to our generous P&C. So far over $3 000 has been raised. This will be used to purchase seating outside Tern Block and for our sensory garden, as well as sporting equipment. Thank you for your support and generosity in this fundraiser. Enjoy the photos.

Assembly - Room 5

Room 5 used their assembly to remind us that we don’t need to wear a special costume in order to be a hero. Their presentation, Homework Heroes, showed us numerous ways to demonstrate heroism. Well done Room 5 for presenting an entertaining assembly with an important message.

Merit Certificates

Reading: 200 Club Members

The following students have achieved 100 points in reading so far this term

I’ve achieved 200 points in Literacy Pro

Aussie of the Month

Congratulations, Riley

Riley was awarded Aussie of the month because she can be relied upon to work well with everyone in the class. She looks to support her peers where she can and is a wonderful leader and role model. Riley approaches all tasks with enthusiasm and a willingness to do her best. Her friendly, positive attitude makes her an asset to our school.

Aussie of the Month

Out and About at Mullaloo Heights!

This week, the roving camera paid a visit to the Environmental Garden where there was plenty of action. Now that the cooler weather has arrived, classes have begun to prepare the garden beds for planting. If their hard work is anything to go by, there will be plenty of vegetables to purchase in forthcoming assemblies.

Teaming Maths with English in Year 5/6!

Miss Southworth presented us with this line graph.

Enjoy reading our quirky tales as to just how this bath water fluctuated in depth! What story could you create from this? The options are endless.

Thanks to Sancha, Sophie, Charlie and Zara for your contributions.

Parent Information

Sporting Stars

Bouncers Under 10’s runners up for the summer soccer season.
Congratulations Heights Hero’s.

Chaplain’s Corner

Dear Parents,

As we come to the end of term 1 (I can’t believe it!) I would like to reflect on the exciting things that have happened in the area of Chaplaincy!

This term I have been able to support the whole school’s health program: “Friendly families and schools” in a few classrooms. The BUZ Together program with the year 5’s and 6’s in room 11 has also seen the students develop their skills in self-confidence and working cooperatively. The students have recently been learning about their strengths and how their strengths not only help them, but can be used to help other members of their team whenever they’re working in a group.

Next term I will be running the BUZ Friends Program in some of the year 3 and 4 classes and I am excited to see more students develop their skills in making friends, resolving conflicts, bully-proofing themselves, building their self-confidence and managing their feelings. To build upon these skills, I have also facilitated some small group activities and mentoring for students this term. The students have been able to develop life skills such as conflict resolution, friendship, goal setting and responsibility.

Lastly, each week I have continued to see more students join the lunchtime “Cooking club” which has definitely been a highlight for them. Here is a photo below of some year 4-6 students during Cooking Club:

I want to wish you all a Happy Easter and I hope you enjoy your school holidays!

Kind regards,
Jess Smith

P&C News

By the time you read this, the office bearer positions for the coming year should all be finalised. Just as important as being an office bearer is your support of the P and C. Anyone is welcome to attend meetings. It's a great way to meet other parents and if you become a financial member by contributing $1 you can vote on how the money raised is spent.

At the meeting on 22 February, 2017, the P and C agreed to fund books for Literacy Pro, iPads for Pre Primary, STEM resources, the new netball posts, prizes for reading and maths milestones and supplies for the environmental garden. The grand total being in excess of $10,000!

Well done everyone for your support, for helping with the fundraising activities, and a big thank you to the wonderful mums who run the school canteen.

Community News