Filter Content
- Mr Gorton’s Gossip
- Mrs Sparks' Office Remarks
- Miss Ramsden’s Report
- Mr Chrimes' Comments
- Mrs MacLean's Memo's
- Chaplain’s Chatter
- Bunnings Sausage Sizzle Year 6 fundraiser By Mrs Waddell
- Cross Country 2024 by Mr Wulff
- Seed Library by Mrs Birchall
- Bumblebee's with Ms Milner
- e-SafeKids Cyber Safety & Digital Wellness
- Book Fair 2024 - Save the Date
- Clubs at Alkimos Primary School
- Levels of Playground Behaviour at Alkimos Primary School
- Highlights from Atlantis OSHC Alkimos
- Term Dates 2024
- Attendance
- Story Dog Volunteers for 2024
- Community News
This edition of the newsletter finds our students busy and engaged as always, both in and out of the classroom. I’ve had many visitors to the office from students showing me their excellent persuasive, endeavouring to sway me to make all sorts of changes to school, such as being able to bring dogs into their rooms! It’s been wonderful to note the support for Active Club, and even more so for the extra sessions arranged by Mrs Waddell and Miss Harvey. In the next two weeks, Mr Wulff has organized valuable bike education lessons for our Year 5 students. Of course, all students are now regularly practising for the events in the upcoming faction athletics carnival.
I sincerely thank our amazing P. & C. Association and school community for supporting the Year 6 Camp and Graduation fundraising efforts. Last Friday’s Olympic Games/sport free dress day was a big success, while Sunday’s Bunnings Mindarie sausage sizzle raised a massive $3671.50- wow! Last Thursday, Year 6 families received the first camp letter, outlining the information required to prepare students for their eagerly anticipated camp in Term 4. A reminder to Year 6 families that a Connect community has been created, where messages and updates about camp and graduation will be published.
Please continue to support our hard-working P. & C. Association by visiting this week’s book stall, and next week’s Father’s Day stall.
Class Requests 2025 As published in the previous newsletter, you are now invited to make a class placement request for 2025, that reflects the policy for doing so:
Student Behaviour Since opening in 2016, Alkimos PS has been steadfast in striving for high standards of student behaviour and conduct. This outlook has been shared by the vast majority of families. During this time, I have reported frequently in newsletters that this aspiration is being achieved; for example, when our students represent us in school competitions, or when on excursions and are in public view. However more recently, we are seeing at school that the first reaction to any perceived ‘conflict’ is becoming physical, and is in response to increasingly ‘low level’ situations, with the age of the students getting younger:
“He wouldn’t let me sit there to eat my lunch, so I slapped him”.
“She cut in front of me in line, so I pushed her over”.
“He said something about my Mum, so I kicked him in the leg”.
It is a reality that in the overwhelming number of situations where there is student ‘conflict’, a physical response, of any type, is not justified and is entirely inappropriate. Staff members are tireless in talking to students about the strategies to use when in conflict situations; indeed, these are displayed in numerous places on signs around the school, are referenced frequently by all adults. Similarly, the focus in our resources such as Friendly Schools and Respectful Relationships is to build resilience and tolerance in our students when faced with situations described above.
The message at Alkimos PS is that it is not OK to react by being physical- not at school, at home, on the sporting field, at the park, or anywhere. The extension of the message is that it is not OK when someone is physical towards you, nor is it acceptable to incite someone to hurt you.
So why is it that I am reporting to you these observations about this overall trend? I am very clear in my belief that Alkimos PS is not the only school noticing such a shift- principals in my personal and professional network report similarly. What are we letting our kids see and hear? What behaviours are being ‘normalised’ for them? Is the gaming phenomenon desensitizing our kids to all forms of violence and its outcomes? Are there other matters at play? Schools reflect the society in which they operate. What do you think? I’d welcome your feedback and thoughts about this issue.
School Development Day- Tomorrow A reminder that students do not attend tomorrow, Friday 23 August, as this is a School Development Day.
Regards,
Andy Gorton
PRINCIPAL
“Children learn from their surroundings, developing skills from everything they see. Children must learn the right things from what they see around them”.
Dear Families,
It’s hard to believe that we are over halfway through the term.
Year 6 Camp 2024
You will have by now had your letter regarding all the details for the upcoming year 6 camp. The cost is $280, this includes all year 6 graduation activities and the camp. Our students and parents have done an amazing job fundraising, without this the cost would have been well over $400.
If you would like to set up a payment plan to pay instalments contact me sara.sparks@education.wa.edu.au
Please also remember to use the Year 6 camp connect to ask any questions you may have.
Lost Property
If your child has lost any item, please ask them to look in the lost property located outside the library. There are always jumpers and hats which are not named, so please make sure that you name all your child’s property so it can be taken back to them. Please not that if your child has lost their hat, we do not have spares to loan them, and they will be asked to sit under the shade during recess and lunch to observe the schools’ No Hat No Play policy.
Sara Sparks
Manager Corporate Services
Work Placements
In the coming weeks, you may see a few new faces around the school as we welcome a number of Pre-Service Teachers from Edith Cowan University. They will be undertaking Professional Experience as part of their studies in some of our classrooms. I’m sure you will all join us in welcoming them to the Alkimos PS community. As always, please speak to your child’s classroom teacher if you have any questions.
Curriculum Corner
Home Reading
Reading at home plays a crucial role in a child's educational journey, especially during their primary school years. When children read regularly at home, they not only improve their literacy skills but also develop a lifelong love for learning. Reading helps build vocabulary, enhances comprehension, and stimulates imagination. It’s a wonderful way to bond with family, too!
Studies have shown that children who read for just 20 minutes a day are exposed to 1.8 million words each year! This exposure significantly boosts their academic performance across all subjects. Beyond academics, reading also nurtures empathy and understanding, as children explore different perspectives through stories.
Parents can support their child’s reading habits by setting aside time each day to read together, visiting the local library, or discussing books that interest them. Encouraging a reading-friendly environment at home, filled with books, magazines, and a cozy reading nook, can make a world of difference.
Remember, every book opens a new door to adventure, knowledge, and growth. Let’s make reading at home a cherished routine!
Upcoming Curriculum Events
- Indigenous Literacy Day – Wednesday, Week 8
- Faction Carnival – Friday, Week 9
- Book Week - Week 10 (Friday dress up and parade)
- Open Night – Wednesday, Week 10
Many Thanks,
Pip Ramsden
Associate Principal
Hello families,
I hope this newsletter finds you well! I cannot believe we are over halfway through the term. All students have been working extremely hard and it has been wonderful to see their fantastic work up here in the office.
From Tuesday 3 Sept, can I please ask you to check-in with your child about our new initiative at school “Positive Play”. WATCH THIS SPACE!
Fun Fact for my newsletter - The month of August got its name from the Ancient Romans who named this month for Augustus Caesar.
Thanks for all your continued support,
Mr Chrimes
It is really important that children eat a good breakfast and lunch to give them the energy to play, concentrate and learn all day.
What you put in your child’s lunch box and how much you put in your child’s lunch box depends on your child’s age, appetite and the length of your child’s day.
It’s also important to pack a bottle with water for your child to drink and refill. Fruit juice and soft drinks are high in sugar and aren’t recommended for children. They can lead to tooth decay and other health problems.
The Raising Children website has lots of advice and suggestions on this topic:
https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/nutrition-fitness/breakfast-lunches/lunch-box-ideas
Two suggestions from this website are:
Getting your child involved in choosing, preparing and packing their own lunch will make them more likely to eat it.
Most families are busy, so it’s good to look for tasty, simple and easy lunch box options. You can make sandwiches or homemade snacks like healthy muffins or pancakes the night before or on the weekend. Freeze them, and then pop them into the lunch box each day.
With the current financial climate, many people in our community have or are experiencing financial hardship. This can be overwhelming but there are resources around to ensure access to nutritious food for families. If you or someone you know is struggling at the moment, these organisations may be able to provide emergency and ongoing assistance in the forms of meals or food packages.
https://www.foodbank.org.au/WA/mobile-foodbank/?state=wa
https://waconnect.org.au/food/Kind regards,
Kirstin MacLean
Good Day Everyone
We are half way through the term already and things are not slowing down.
How do we maintain healthy relationships with our friends and peers?
Resolving conflict with our friends and peers have been a topic of conversation in the year 5 ‘In Real Life’ Groups this term.
We have talked about different communication styles and how students naturally react to conflict with their friends. Majority of the students shared they get angry and mean when someone is doing something they don’t like and will gossip, lash out or even punch. Others feel defeated and bad about themselves when involved in conflict which affects their mental health.
Students are learning alternative ways to communicate their frustration or hurt in a healthy way. Learning a new habit is Not easy, I know! But it can be learned!
We are teaching year 5 students the’ compass’ or ‘grow flower’ conflict resolution model, which doesn’t come naturally but can be practised to maintain healthy friendships in teen and adult years. It is a good time for us to stop and think how conflict gets resolved in our own homes as well as modelling is key.
The conflict resolution steps are:
- You and Me. Keep the incident between the person you have an issue with and yourself, try not to involve others
- Talk it out, Find a time when you are calm and meet with the person to talk, preferably face to face. (we are discussing ways students can walk away and calm down first before reacting)
- Two Sides. There are always two sides to a story, so make sure you listen to the other person before jumping to your defence and try to understand their side of the story.
- The Main Issue. What is the issue really about and how did it start- this is a good time to admit your part in it.
- Make things right. Decide together of what can and needs to change moving forward with the friendship.
- Get things back on track. Forgive each other, say sorry and move on.
This is a topic all students and adults can benefit from so please feel free to chat to your kids about it or check out the kids helpline website for more ways to help your kids resolve conflict in a healthy way as they grow into adulthood.
https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/helping-kids-handle-conflict
Marche Smith
School Chaplain
On behalf of all of the Year 6 students, we would like to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU to a group of our amazing Year 6 parents for the tremendous efforts and hard work they went to, running the Bunnings Sausage sizzle last weekend to fundraise for our Year 6 camp next term. The weather wasn't very kind to them and they stood and served in the cold, wet weather all day for us. We are extremely grateful for all you have done for us.
Also, we extend our thanks to all of the people in our community who donated food, eskies, drinks...basically all of the supplies that were needed. We thank you all. We are so excited to share with you that a grand total of $3671.50 was raised on the day! An incredible effort!
Thank you to all of those of you that went down and supported the stall and also to the P & C for running a delicious bake sale alongside the sausage sizzle too. We appreciate all of your efforts and support.
Kind regards,
The Year 6 team
The final day of Term Two was the perfect time for our first sports events on the Alkimos Primary School calendar, the 2024 Faction Cross-Country Carnival. We were fortunate to have brilliant Wintr weather with bright sun and blue sky. It was wonderful to see so many parents turn out to watch the students run around the course, with the hurdles, sandpit and nature play making the track feel more ‘cross-country’ like.
I was extremely proud of the way each and every student gave their absolute best, running with determination to meet their own personal goal. It was great to see how Alkimos Primary School’s values were widely shown, in particular ‘sportsmanship’ and ‘doing your best’. In the older years, students performed to a high standard with the top 6 placegetters rewarded with the opportunity to represent the school at the Interschool Cross-Country Carnival.
Congratulations to all students on your participation, and to the winners and placegetters of the middle and senior primary events. Our winners included:
Year 3: Maddie and Tanner
Year 4: Marley and Nao
Year 5: Sarah and Deng
Year 6: Ela and Kingston
An extra special congratulations to Apollo for winning the Cross-Country shield.
Our top runners (36 in total) from years fours, five and six went to Butler Primary School for the Interschool Cross-Country Carnival. Unlike the Faction Cross-Country, it was wet and overcast, with the nervous runners looking to defend the shield.
Our Year Four team ran well with consistent performances in the top half of the field, earning us vital points. Everyone ran great races, considering that they were so nervous before starting.
The Year Five team also did really well, with outstanding performances from Sarah and Deng earning themselves ribbons. The students outdid themselves from last year.
The leavers of the school showed their running ability, with the girls demonstrating their skills and teamwork with 2nd (Ela), 3rd (Aurora), 4th (Akuany) and 5th (MacKenzie)... out of over 50 runners. The boys also ran with determination and teamwork.
It was neck and neck with the other schools, but our students' consistent finishes earnt Alkimos with a hat trick of wins. Everyone was so proud of all 36 students for their incredible efforts in each race, for their unwavering sportsmanship and for being such a lovely bunch of students to take out of school for the day. They were all such fantastic ambassadors for Alkimos Primary School and deserved to win the Championship Shield for the third year running, beating eight other schools in the district. Congratulations to you all…you did the school and yourselves very proud. Now we just need to get that Athletics Shield to end a wonderful year of achievements from a sporting perspective.
This is the perfect segway to encourage you all (students, siblings and parents) to attend our Active Club, every Tuesday morning from 7:50am!
Kind regards,
I am thrilled to share the latest buzz from our Bumblebee’s Pre-Kindy Program!
This year, our program continues to be a hive of activity, welcoming both new and familiar faces each Friday. Our library transforms into a vibrant learning and play space where children and their families come together to explore, create, and connect.
Weekly Adventures
Every Friday, our Bumblebee friends eagerly arrive at the school library to dive into a new topic, some of which have been Colours, All About Farms, Winter and Australia. Our sessions are filled with a mix of activities designed to engage our youngest learners and encourage social interaction and play:
- Creative Crafts: From painting with watercolours to creating glittery masterpieces with glue, foil and stencils, the children have embraced their artistic side with enthusiasm.
- Sensory Play: Playdough, slime, and mini figurines offer endless opportunities for tactile exploration and imaginative play.
- Motor Skills Development: Children practise fine and gross motor skills through activities like using scissors, building with blocks, climbing, and balancing.
- Literacy Fun: Picture books bring stories to life with the help of puppets and role play, helping children explore new themes and ideas while developing their love for reading.
Family Fun
Our program also provides a wonderful opportunity for parents and caregivers to actively participate. By engaging in the activities, children’s social development is supported, helping them tackle more complex tasks and skills, and encouraging their growing independence. It’s a great way for children to bond with their parent or caregiver and meet other families who will be part of their school journey over the next eight years of primary school.
Playground Time
After each library session, everyone heads over to the Early Childhood Nature Playground. Here, children enjoy a snack with their families before a play in our beautiful playground. We conclude our day back in the library with a story and wrap up by collecting our artwork and saying a cheerful goodbye.
Thank You to Our P&C
A special thank you to our fantastic P&C for their generous support of the Bumblebee’s Pre-Kindy Program. Their commitment ensures that this enriching experience remains free for all our families, allowing us to focus on what matters most—nurturing our future students in a fun and supportive environment.
We look forward to continuing this wonderful journey with our Bumblebee friends and their families.
Buzzing with excitement,
Ms Laura Milner
We would like to invite you to a free, invaluable parent workshop run by Kayelene Kerr from eSafeKids, on Thursday 22nd August, from 5:30-7:30pm, here at Alkimos Primary School.
This workshop will give you the vital tools to help keep your child safe online. Please see the attached flyer for all of the content to be covered in the workshop and click on the link to register for your spot...you don't want to miss out!
Register at:
Hope to see many of you there for this worthwhile event, to help us protect our children in an ever rapidly evolving online world.
Kind regards,
Alkimos Primary School
At Alkimos Primary School students are very fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in a range of clubs. Some are before school, such as Running Club and Breakfast Club, while others are held during the day. This term, staff have been opening the Library each day at lunch to offer a variety of different activities. Monday students can build lego or play card games, Tuesday and Wednesday the Library is open for quiet reading, Thursday is Educational Minecraft and Friday is Mindful Colouring Club. Students are also fortunate to be invited to participate in Art Club, Boodja-k Karadjiny (Caring For Country) and the Music room is open daily at recess. Students are encouraged to check out the timetable on the Library door to see what clubs are available each day.
This term has been brimming with enriching and enjoyable experiences for the children. We’ve had a wonderful time celebrating Dental Week with a special visit from a dental nurse from Trinity Dental, where the kids learned about the importance of oral hygiene.
Our budding athletes honed their tennis skills during our TAG sports sessions and our science enthusiasts engaged in a variety of captivating science activities. The children also enjoyed plenty of energetic sports games, making for an action-packed term.
Looking ahead to the upcoming school holidays, we have a thrilling lineup of activities planned. We’re excited to visit the Wanneroo Therapeutic Riding School, where the children will have the chance to interact with and learn about horses. A trip to Ape Escape will offer adventure and fun, whilst a visit to The Observatory will provide a fascinating glimpse into the universe. For a bit of movie magic, we’ll be heading to Hoyts Cinemas.
Additionally, we’re thrilled to host our annual Atlantis Sports Carnival, promising a day of sports and celebration.
To ensure your child can join in on these fantastic activities, please stop by to complete an enrolment form. We also offer casual booking days subject to availability if you need flexible options. We look forward to another exciting term filled with learning and fun!
Kind regards,
Atlantis OSHC Alkimos Team
|
Term 1 |
(holidays Friday 29th March – Sunday 14th April) |
|
Term 2 |
(holidays Saturday 29th June – Sunday 14th July) |
|
Term 3 |
(holidays Saturday 21st Sept – Sunday 6th October) |
|
Term 4 |
(holidays Friday 13th Dec – Wednesday 5th February 25) |
|
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) |
|
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.
