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- Mr Gorton’s Gossip
- Mrs Sparks' Office Remarks
- Miss Ramsden’s Report
- Mrs MacLean's Memo's
- Mr Chrimes' Comments
- Mrs Papadopoff's Ponderings
- Chaplain’s Chatter
- The BRAVE Program by Mrs Rees
- Protective Behaviours by Mrs Rowe
- Alkimos Adopts.......
- Anzac Day Dawn Service
- Term Dates 2024
- Attendance
- Story Dog Volunteers for 2024
- Community News
Since our last newsletter, our school enjoyed the first assembly of the year; a wonderfully entertaining and lively occasion hosted by CRs 6 and 7. Our community was reminded about the all-important Zones of Regulation that Alkimos PS has used since its inception and showed us the range of tools and strategies we can use to help manage us through the four zones. An amazing morning!
Tomorrow, CRs 5 and 8 present the assembly for us. I am excited about what these superstars have planned for us!
Families of the students that are awarded Merit Certificates should soon receive a nice photo showing this. Thanks, Mr Hood for introducing the photos for every assembly.
For families of students in Years 3 and 5, you’ll be aware that NAPLAN commences next week. This week, students have participated in practice assessments.
Student Events In the next three weeks leading up to the end of term, our senior students have several events planned. The annual Year 6 Graduation Bake Sale takes place on Wednesday 20 March. On Tuesday 26 March, I am delighted that our Years 5 and 6 girls will field teams in the AFL Dockers Cup; we re-join this carnival after an absence of several year. The next day, 27 March, is the Summer Carnival for Years 5 and 6 students. Families will receive information through Connect.
Alkimos PS P. & C. Association Our school is very fortunate to have a hard-working and supportive P. & C. Association, led by President, Nicole Page. This parent body has successfully completed many projects in our school, through find-raising activities that both students and our community can enjoy. Today’s popular Subway lunch is a perfect example.
Next Thursday evening, the Association holds its Annual General Meeting. This commences at 6.30pm and will be held in the Conference Room at school. It will be great to see new faces in attendance to assist the Association to continue to have such a positive influence in our school community.
Reminder about Hats Parents can you please remind your children that hats are required to be worn in our Physical Education lessons. This is really important to ensure that the children are able to get the most out of each lesson and enjoy the sun while it is still around.
Driving In School Zones This week, a sobering video of a press conference appeared on WA Police’s Facebook page, concerning an operation outside a metropolitan school during the 40 km/hour afternoon period. Below is the article that accompanied this video:
“Children are vulnerable road users”.
“Children do not always make the best decisions”.
WA Police are reminding motorists to reduce their speed to 40kms/hr in school zones.
During one camera operation last week, 401 infringements were issued to speeding motorists.
On Thursday 22 February 2024, between 2.40pm and 4pm, approximately 1,400 vehicles passed through the crossing managed by two wardens on Stirling Highway near McNeil Street in Peppermint Grove.
Of these vehicles, 401 (29%) sped through the school zone with 281 motorists exceeding the school zone by 10-19km/h, 26 motorists exceeded the limit by 20-29km/h and two motorists exceeded the limit by 30 to 39km/r over the 40km/h zone.
These motorists’ total disregard for the school zone endangers not only children, but the wardens working the crossing. One warden was clipped by a vehicle at the end of last year and is still recovering from his injuries.
“Children are vulnerable pedestrians, and 40 km/h school zones are specifically designed to maximise the safety of both the children and traffic wardens,” said Commander Mike Bell, Road Policing Command.
Road Policing Group officers will continue to be deployed to the location to undertake speed enforcement duties during the new speed zone times. Depending on the circumstances at the time, the response to speeding drivers will be a mix of education and enforcement.
This makes for very worrying reading, and I’m sure you are dismayed like I am. It’s up to us, as the responsible adults behind the wheel, to always ensure the safety of children on our roads.
Andy Gorton
PRINCIPAL
Dear Families,
I hope your children have now settled into their new classes and enjoying our wonderful school.
Brekkie Club
Today we were lucky to have a generous donation from London’s Mum of Jam and Juice. The children were thrilled. Whilst the tinned food is collected from Foodbank, the school still provides, bread, jam, honey, and any extras that we can get as extras. If you would like to donate anything, we would be most grateful. It’s been lovely to see new faces on a Thursday morning. All students are welcome, just come to the art room at 7:40 (entry via gate1). You are welcome to stay with them or drop them off. We have toast, beans, spaghetti, and fruit.
Voluntary Contributions 2024
Thank you to all those families who have paid their voluntary contributions via your booklist. These have been processed on your child’s account.
I understand many in our community face financial hardship and with the cost of living increasing, school payments are unachievable. With this in mind, we have made some decisions that will help our community. You will note from the Schedule of Contributions and Charges previously issued, that there is a significant change.
- All incursions for 2024 will be funded by the school, this will ensure that all students will have the opportunity to attend.
- Our hardworking P & C have agreed to fund the buses for sporting excursions, so there will be no cost to our students.
- We have taken out exercise books from the 2024 personal items list (booklists) these will also be provided for your child at a cost to the school.
We feel that these small changes will help our families, and although Department of Education policy states that schools will send home statements of unpaid billing items, I would like to advise that the $30 contribution is Voluntary and can always be paid in a number of ways.
In cash, in person or over the phone via EFT
By direct transfer to our bank account BSB 066 058 A/C 1029 3855 Stating your child’s name and Voluntary Contribution as the reference.
Statements showing any unpaid billing items will be issued via students later this week.
Office Forms
Thank you for continuing to send in your incursions and student update forms. We will advise via connect when an incursion takes place, if you decide you do not wish your child to participate, you have the option then to withdraw them from the activity. Please note that without this form they will not be able to take part.
Parking
We have had a few concerned parents contact us in the office regarding parents/carers not observing the highway code in relation to parking on verges, this happens particularly at the back of the school. This makes it very unsafe for families and students when navigating their way around that area. Likewise, dropping students in the staff parking area in the morning is unsafe for our students and families walking through.
The ranger has again been notified and will be issuing fines where vehicles are not observing traffic rules.
Sara Sparks
Manager Corporate Services
We have had another great couple of weeks at our wonderful school! I hope you all had a lovely Labour Day long weekend, enjoying some special time with your family.
Work Placements
This semester, Pre-Service Teachers from ECU will be undertaking their professional practice in some of our classrooms. We also have some training Education Assistants and high school students joining us for their work placements. Please speak to your child’s classroom teacher if you have any questions.
Super Maths!
We love seeing students showing off their work in the office. Last week we had a visit from some of our CR12 Super Stars! Emma, Skye and Missy demonstrated a new addition strategy they had been learning in class, to help them quickly add together two digit numbers!
Many Thanks,
Pip Ramsden
Associate Principal
We have our wonderful family Book Swap set up again in the Early Childhood drop off area, outside ECE 3.
These are ‘book swap’ books, with the same concept as a community library. You can donate 1 book and take 1 book. You can swap books as many days as you like. We just ask that the book you donate is in good condition and appropriate for Early Childhood children. If the bookshelf is closed you are welcome to open it. Thank you, Mrs Reichle for setting this up for our school community.
There are so many reasons why reading to your child is beneficial, including improving their vocabulary and comprehension, inspiring their imagination and fostering a lifelong love of reading! Reading and storytelling helps your child’s development in many ways. These activities promote brain development and imagination, teach your child about language and emotions, and lay the foundations for literacy. Reading is also a great way for you to bond with your child and share time together.
Reading with your child is all about having fun with books and spending special time together. All you need is a book that you and your child can enjoy together. You can borrow books from your local library – it’s free and fun.
Here’s how you and your child can make the most of book time:
- Help your child choose a book. It’s OK if your child chooses the same one over and over. If it’s one you haven’t read together before, look at the cover and ask your child what they think it might be about.
- Ask your child to hold the book and turn the pages.
- Read stories together. For example, repeat familiar words and phrases, and then get your child to fill in the words in familiar stories.
- Vary the pace of your reading, as well as how loud you read. Changing your voice and expression for different characters and using gestures can also be fun.
- Chant or sing repetitive phrases and words together. For example, ‘I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow your house in’.
- Point to things in the pictures and name them, or ask your child to name them. Talk about the pictures and ask your child questions – for example, ‘What do you think happens next?’ or ‘Why is the baby happy?’
Reading aloud and sharing stories is one of the most important and enjoyable things you can do with your child. For some great ideas and support for reading aloud with your child, check out the ‘raisingchildrennetwork’ website and the ‘Let’s Read’ program.
https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/play-learning/literacy-reading-stories/lets-read
Kind regards,
Kirstin MacLean
Hello families, it has been another great few weeks in our lovely school. I have been blown away by the amazing work being done in CR 12 & CR 16. I have loved having the visitors to my office.
A big congratulations to the new appointed faction captains, they are doing an amazing job alongside the student leaders. The whole school is proud of you!
Kind regards,
Term 1 is definitely disappearing fast and our amazing SLP students are achieving many personal goals already. Our Homerooms are buzzing with laughter and busy with amazing activities. I thought it would be a good time to discuss friendships as new connections are being made for our students with ASD in our Homerooms and in their Mainstream classes.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you or your child require any support and we will see you around the school soon.
Good Day Everyone
Hope you are all keeping up with the fast pace of the term.
I would like to draw your attention to some wonderful resources. This is a shout out to all the amazing grandparents helping to look after grandchildren!
- If you are a full carer (grandparent) or just looking for some support or connection, the resource below will be helpful for you.
WHY DO WE EXIST?
Our objective is to support grandparent carers and their grandchildren to live full lives.
GRGWA is a safe space for grandparent carers to meet, access support, socialise with people who understand and gain information. We advocate for grandparent carers on a state and federal level to improve their lives – and the lives of those in their care. There is a small membership fee of $27.50 to join which is sponsored most of the time.
Membership benefits include
- Peer led support for grandparent carers
- Legal support for grandparent carers
- Free counselling support for grandparent carers
- Access to the GRGWA op shop
- Food relief through Oz Harvest
- Access to GRGWA events, workshops and BBQ’s
For more information or how to become a member please check out their FB page or click on the link below:
https://www.grandparentsrearinggrandchildren.org.au/
- The next resource is great for All parents and carers and offers support in all areas of parenting. Please check out the link below or get the app.
https://raisingchildren.net.au/
At raisingchildren.net.au, we provide parents and carers with free, reliable, scientifically validated information. This information helps parents and carers keep their children healthy and developing well.
What raisingchildren.net.au does
raisingchildren.net.au provides up-to-date, evidence-based, scientifically validated information about pregnancy, raising children from birth to 18 years and caring for yourself as a parent or carer. We gather this information and translate it into plain language with real-life examples.
Based on the evidence, we also give parents and carers practical ideas to apply in their own situations – but we don’t tell them what to do. Our evidence-based approach means that we offer facts with no hidden agendas.
School Chaplain
The BRAVE Program by the University of Queensland is an interactive, online program for the prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety. The programs are free and provide ways for children and teenagers to better cope with their worries. There are three different programs, the Young Child Program (for ages 3-7), the Child Program (for ages 8-12) and the Teen Program (for ages 12-17). There are also programs for parents.
This program can be helpful for any child who is dealing with worries. Additionally, parents who want to learn how to assist their child in overcoming worries can also benefit from this program. You have the option to complete the program alone or with your child.
For more information please visit the website Login | BRAVE Self-Help Program (uq.edu.au)
Kind regards,
Renee Rees
School Psychologist
Protective Behaviours
Alkimos Primary School is dedicated to educating students about Protective Behaviours. We firmly believe that safeguarding children from harm is a collective duty, and our goal is to empower the trusted adults in children’s lives to address potentially difficult subjects effectively. As part of this commitment to our community, we will feature resources in the newsletter which will equip families in supporting students to be, feel and keep safe.
What is Protective Behaviours?
Protective Behaviours is a life skills and personal safety program. The aim is to strengthen the resilience of children as they grow and develop. It focuses on giving children essential life skills to protect themselves from abusive situations and on teaching children to avoid a wide range of potentially unsafe situations. ( (Department of Education, 2016)
Why is it important to teach Protective Behaviours?
- Protective Behaviours empowers children and young people with the right to feel safe and provides life skills to predict, assess and act in situations that are both safe and unsafe.
- Developing life skills and having the opportunity to rehearse and apply these skills enhances safety and minimises risk.
- Perpetrators are less likely to choose victims who show knowledge of personal safety skills.
- Vulnerable children in particular, learn essential skills that can help them respond to potentially harmful situations in a way that increases their personal safety.
- Following the Gordon Inquiry (2002) into family violence and child abuse in Western Australian Aboriginal communities, the Department is required to report on compliance with the requirement to introduce protective behaviours into the school curriculum.
- The Blaxell Inquiry (2012) into child sexual abuse perpetrated by hostel staff in Katanning also recommended that the Department implement protective behaviours and raise awareness of the grooming process used by the perpetrators of child sexual abuse. (Department of Education, 2016)
If families have specific concerns or require additional information or support regarding this matter, we encourage them to reach out to their child’s teacher or the school office without hesitation.
With many thanks,
Mrs Rowe
Junior Primary Teacher - SLP
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Term 1 |
(holidays Friday 29th March – Sunday 14th April) |
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Term 2 |
(holidays Saturday 29th June – Sunday 14th July) |
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Term 3 |
(holidays Saturday 21st Sept – Sunday 6th October) |
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Term 4 |
(holidays Friday 13th Dec – Wednesday 5th February 25) |
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School Development Days (Subject to Change) Tuesday 4th June (Week 8, Term 2) Friday 23rd August (Week 6, Term 3) Friday 15th November (Week 6, Term 4) |
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Attendance Every Day
At Alkimos Primary we know that attending school every day enables your child to get the most from their education and create a bright future. This helps them create more opportunities for their future and leads to better health, social and work outcomes. Every day your child learns something new at school. Every day they build on what they already know, growing their knowledge and skills.
While the majority of our students miss school for legitimate reasons such as illness, we do have a concerning amount of unexplained student absences.
This term, teaching staff will be contacting families to follow up on any remaining unexplained absences. It is a Department of Education requirement that schools follow up on absences and record the reasons for these. If your child is absent, please let the class teacher or school office know the reason why they have been away from school as soon as possible. Thank you to those who are notifying the school regarding their child’s absences in a timely manner. You can do this via email, phone call, letter to the teacher or using the Schoolzine app, ‘SZapp’ that can be downloaded from the school website:
Where a student’s attendance falls below 90%, it is classed as ‘at risk’ by the Department of Education. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s attendance, please discuss these with the class teacher or contact Mrs MacLean in the office.
