Filter Content
- Mr Bagnall's Broadcast
- Mrs Sparks' Office Remarks
- Miss Ramsden’s Report
- Mr Chrimes' Comments
- Mrs MacLean's Memo's
- Mrs Papadopoff's Ponderings
- Wrapping up the Year with Joy and Care by Mrs Rees
- Triple P Free Workshops Term 4
- Chaplain’s Chatter
- Agora Bushwalk by Mrs Pace
- Carols on the Quad - 6th December
- Levels of Playground Behaviour at Alkimos Primary School
- Highlights from Atlantis OSHC Alkimos
- Term Dates 2025
- Attendance
- Story Dog Volunteers for 2025
- Community News
With one week left to go, it is hard to believe that we are already at the end of the school year!
Firstly, I wanted to thank and acknowledge the outstanding work of the Alkimos PS School Board and P&C. Every year this amazing group of people put in a huge amount of work for the benefit of our school, whether it is helping guide future directions, or fundraising for new equipment in the school – it is very appreciated, and we wouldn’t be able do it without you!
Secondly, to our fantastic staff that put in above and beyond to help all of our students day in and day out. Much of what they do goes on behind the scenes, and we are very lucky to have such a strong team of teachers, education assistants, cleaners, gardeners and support staff to help make our school everything that it is.
Finally, a huge thank you to you, our families that always help out and support your students and teachers to be the best that they can be. Whilst it may not always be easy, the progress that your children make wouldn’t be possible without such a strong partnership between families and the school.
This week, we farewelled our Year 6 students at the Graduation Ceremony, and we will formally see them for the last time on Monday at our Book Awards. As well as this, we will also be saying goodbye to some families for whom their youngest child has now finished primary school, or they are moving out of the area. To those of you in this position, it has been a pleasure having you as part of the Alkimos PS community and we wish you all the best in the future.
Class Structure - 2025
Whilst class lists are not ready to be published until early February, we are currently in a position where I can fairly confidently share our proposed structure for 2025. This has changed multiple times in the last few weeks, and if a significant change in enrolments occurs over summer, this may change again. However, currently we will have:
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4 x Kindy classes |
3 x Year 3 classes |
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3 x Pre-Primary classes |
1 x Year 3/4 composite |
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1 x Pre-Primary / Year 1 composite |
2 x Year 4 classes |
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2 x Year 1 classes |
1 x Year 4/5 composite |
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2 x Year 1/2 classes |
1 Year 5 class |
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2 x Year 2 classes |
2 x Year 5/6 classes |
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2 x Year 2/3 classes |
2 x Year 6 classes |
Due to our changing enrolments, and numbers of students in some year levels, there is a need for composite classes in the school as in previous years. These classes are run very adeptly by teachers, and when students are placed in these classes, careful consideration is made by teachers as to where students are best placed. Should you have any questions around these, please contact your child’s teacher at the beginning of next year.
As mentioned in the last newsletter, we are also saying farewell to several staff who are leaving our school for various reasons next year and will be greatly missed. Some of these will return in the future, whilst others are beginning an exciting new journey at other schools, at this stage, we will be saying farewell to:
- Miss Jamie Rustidge – appointed to Heathridge Primary School
- Miss Casey van den Berg – appointed to Yanchep Rise Primary School
- Miss Lisa Castleden – appointed to Bambara Primary School
- Mrs Jessica Nixon – appointed to Bambara Primary School
- Mrs Claire Galiga – parental leave and will return later in 2025
- Mrs Carla Martin – parental leave
- Miss Bailee Rogers – moving overseas
- Mrs Sejal Devchand – returning to relief teaching
- Ms Chelsea Beckett – parental leave and will return in 2026
- Ms Jessica Ritchie - 12 months leave
We will also be welcoming some new teaching staff, these include:
- Miss Emily Powell – joining us from Wembley PS
- Miss Elora Scott – joining us from Yanchep Beach PS
- Miss Lauren Graham – returning from teaching overseas
- Mrs Emma Jacob – joining us from Marangaroo PS
- Miss Amy Nicholson – joining us from relief teaching
- Mrs Rhiannon Neal – newly graduated teacher
I know that you will join me in wishing those leaving the best of luck, and making the new staff feel welcome to the Alkimos PS community. Some positions have not yet been finalised and I’ll share these with you at the beginning of next year.
As the year comes to a close, I look forward to seeing as many families as possible at the Book Awards Ceremony on Monday, and around the school next week. I’d also like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable break over Christmas, and look forward to seeing everyone back when school starts on Wednesday February 5th, 2025.
Regards,
Tom Bagnall
Acting Principal
Dear Families,
We have made it through, the last few days are in sight. For those graduating students, I wish you all the very best in your chosen high school and I know you will all go onto be successful. It has been great seeing you come through APS, and to finish on a fantastic Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday, it was a delight to see. Congratulations to the year 6 teaching staff, you have done an amazing job.
Breakfast Club
Today was our last club for 2024, Thank you to all of you who have made donations, all the staff that have helped me out on a Thursday. Today the students had treats of croissants, pikelets as well as the usual spaghetti, beans and fruit. They were also treated to cookies provided by the P & C, who have also supported us over the year. I look forward to seeing new faces when we resume in term 1.
Please remember that our office will be closed from 13 December and will reopen on 30 January 2025
I hope that you all have a fabulous Christmas and New Year and find some family time to make special memories with your loved ones that will last a lifetime.
I look forward to seeing you all again in 2025.
Sara Sparks
Manager Corporate Services
Important Change to School Timetable for 2025
We would like to inform parents about an important update to the school timetable for 2025.
To provide a more focused and effective Literacy Block in the morning, we will be introducing a longer morning session. This change will help us better support the development of our students' literacy skills during their most productive time of the day. This adjustment has been effective in other local schools, and we are excited to implement it at Alkimos PS.
To accommodate this, we will be flipping lunch and recess. The first break of the day will now be a longer lunch break, followed by a shorter recess break in the afternoon. The morning session will also include a Crunch and Sip break, giving students a chance to refresh and refuel before continuing their learning. As always, our teachers will incorporate brain breaks and movement breaks throughout the day to ensure students remain engaged and energised during their learning.
Our new break times will be:
- 10:55am - 11:35am: Lunch (40 minutes)
- 1:25pm - 1:45pm: Afternoon recess (20 minutes)
Please note that the start and finish times of the school day will remain the same, and the canteen will continue to operate as usual. We would like to extend our thanks to the canteen staff for their flexibility in adapting to this new schedule.
We are confident that this change will positively impact our students' learning, and we appreciate your support as we implement it. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office.
Semester Two Reports Now Available on Connect
By now, you should have received your child’s Semester Two report via Connect. We encourage you to take the time to review it and celebrate your child’s achievements over the past semester.
If you are experiencing any issues with logging in or viewing the report, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office for assistance.
As always, if you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s progress further, please feel free to reach out to their teacher. We value your partnership in supporting your child's learning journey.
New Mural by Local Artist James Giddy
Last week, local artist James Giddy created a stunning new mural on the side of Beta Block, adding a vibrant splash of creativity to our school. The mural, made possible through the Creativity for Schools Grant, was the result of a collaborative effort between James and our senior students.
As part of the project, James led a series of drawing workshops where students created artwork inspired by elements of our local area. These artworks include four-wheel driving, snorkelling, fishing, and building sandcastles at the beach. If you look closely at the mural, you’ll spot these themes woven into the design.
The mural can be viewed from the oval, brightening the space and celebrating the creativity of our students.
Here are some photos of our CR3 students watching James Giddy in action, along with images of the finished mural.
Many Thanks,
Pip Ramsden
Associate Principal
Hi families,
What a fantastic year it's been for me as full time Associate Principal! It's been such a joy to see the students come into the office with big smiles on their faces, eager to show off their hard work. Whether it’s a project, artwork, or something they’re particularly proud of, I always feel so lucky to witness their enthusiasm and achievements. This year has been full of exciting events, from school performances to sports days and special class projects. The positive energy from the students has made each day special, and I’ve loved being part of their journey. I’m looking forward to another wonderful year in 2025, filled with more visits, smiles and exciting moments!
As we approach the holiday season, I would like to take a moment to wish all our families a very Merry Christmas! May this festive time be filled with love, joy, and as always enjoy the precious time with your loved ones and making lifelong memories!
Thank you for your continued support throughout the year.
Mr Chrimes
As I reflect on our school year, there were so many highlights and positives for the students of Alkimos PS. The last few weeks have been no exception.
In week 8, I was so fortunate to attend the Year 6 camp. We had an unforgettable 3 days, filled with adventure, teamwork, and personal growth. As the students set off for the great outdoors, they not only enjoyed exciting activities but also faced challenges that pushed them to step outside their comfort zones, made new friends, and learned valuable life skills. One of the highlights was the opportunity to strengthen teamwork. From building and climbing crate towers, to completing orienteering and caving courses, students worked together to solve problems and support each other. These team-building exercises helped everyone learn the importance of communication, cooperation, and trust—skills that will benefit them both at school and in life.
Some of the other exciting activities students participated in were the ‘Big Swing’, Beach games, Archery and ‘Take back the night’ – my favourite, as it was an extended version of the game ‘Spotlight’ that I used to play as a kid! We were all so proud of the students. They showed resilience, kindness and gained the courage to face fears, take risks, and discover what they are capable of. I thoroughly enjoyed spending this time away from the school environment with them.
This week we again celebrated our Year 6 students at their Graduation ceremony and I look forward to our Book Awards ceremony next Monday where we celebrate the hard work, dedication, and achievements of students, recognizing their growth, accomplishments, and contributions throughout the year.
This holiday period, it is important spend time with those who make you feel happy and “fill your cup”. We often talk with our staff about “filling your cup”, doing things that bring you joy. Children are the same. Here is an infographic of how children’s emotional “cups” are filled and emptied.
Over this holiday break, spend time with your families. Visit the beach, play at the park…be together!
A great way to do this is with the Summer Reading Quest.
Journey to your local City of Wanneroo library these school holidays and let your kids’ imagination run wild with our Summer Reading Quest.
There’ll be something for all ages to enjoy, with a stack of fabulous activities and events happening, and fun prizes to collect whenever your child completes a reading challenge. Whether your kids are book lovers or need a little more encouragement, the Summer Reading Quest is sure to be a whole heap of fun!
To register, each child needs a library card. If they do not have one, pop into your local branch and they can be linked to a parent’s card for a full or temporary membership.
If your child already has a library card, head into your local library to pick up an Activity Booklet for your child’s age group and connect to our Digital Reading Challenge.
Fun reading programs
There will be plenty of fun reading programs and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) activities running at your local library as part of the Summer Reading Quest.
Prizes to win
As your child completes the reading log in their Activity Booklet they will be able to collect prizes along the way, including rainbow pencils, chameleon pens, squishy toys and much more. Keep a record of your progress and visit the library with your booklet to collect your prizes. All booklet competitions close on 27 January 2025, so make sure you get your entries in for your chance to win.
Plus: If you finish your reading log before 27 January, you’ll become a Summer Reading Quest VIP and score an invitation to a special event in early February!
I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the staff here at Alkimos PS. The care, commitment and compassion they show towards our students, families and each other is what makes Alkimos PS a special place to be.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our families for their continued support throughout 2024 and wish you all a very happy and safe holiday season.
Kirstin MacLean
It has been another rewarding year in the SLP and our students and families have celebrated many, many successes.
It was very special to be able to spend time with our Year 6’s at camp last week and enjoy the activities and friendships.
The overwhelming support from our community enables us to support our students with Autism in a welcoming, inclusive school environment.
We are busy preparing our students to transition to new classrooms and teachers next year as the end of another year approaches and students are enjoying end of year activities and more flexible time in their Mainstream classrooms with friends.
Wishing everyone a happy Christmas and a safe holiday.
Kind regards,
The upcoming holidays are a time to rest, recharge, and enjoy moments with loved ones. For some, this season brings excitement and joy; for others, it may also bring challenges. Please remember to extend kindness and understanding to yourself and those around you.
Here are a few tips for a mindful holiday season:
- Create routines: while holidays are a break from school schedules, keeping some structure (like regular meals and bedtime routines) can help maintain a sense of stability.
- Prioritise connection: spend quality time with family and friends, whether it’s through festive activities, playing games, or simply sharing food and stories.
- Practice gratitude: encourage children to reflect on the things they’re grateful for this year – it’s a great way to foster positivity.
- Be mindful of stress: if the season feels overwhelming, take small steps to slow down and focus on what truly matters.
If you or your child are finding the holiday season particularly challenging, remember that support is always available. Whether it’s talking to a trusted friend, family member, or professional, reaching out for help can make a world of difference.
Helpline Support
If you need immediate assistance, these helplines are available:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7 national crisis support line)
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (24/7 online counselling service for ages 5 to 25)
- Parent Line: 1300 1300 52 (support for parents and carers)
- MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978 (support for men)
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season filled with warmth, laughter, and meaningful moments. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year, ready for fresh challenges and opportunities.
Kind regards,
Renee Rees
School Psychologist
Good Day Everyone
We are wrapping up another year, well done to all students and teachers!
We started our school pantry this term and were amazed at how quickly it filled up. Thank you so much to the generous donations received. We made up 10 Christmas food hampers to gift to families needing a little extra love this year.
Kindness goes a long way.
As Christmas time is not necessarily a great time for all I would like to highlight some resources in our community that have been helpful to families at this time of the year.
The Joondalup Christmas lunch is a great day out for families who do not have family here to share Christmas with, they provide a beautiful free lunch, entertainment, and gifts for everyone. To sign up please click on the link:
https://joondalupchristmaslunch.com/sign-up/
The City of Wanneroo also have great support services to help families in need : https://www.wanneroo.wa.gov.au/downloads/file/3362/support_services_guide_for_homelessness_or_hardship
Have a wonderful Christmas All!
Take Care
Marche Smith
School Chaplain
On Wednesday 20th November, Alkimos Primary School walked to the Kells Road Reserve bushland as a whole school and completed the Agora Bushwalk. The Agora Bushwalk is a sign posted walk specifically designed to engage and interact with the Banksia woodlands unique to coastal suburbs, such as Alkimos. Student behaviour was extremely impressive on the walk and their enthusiasm for spotting floral and fauna was to be commended. Some highlights for ECE6 and CR3 were waiting for a Yoorn (blue tongue lizard) to cross the path, spotting many bird species high in the trees and spotting the vibrant blooms of the Moodjar (Australian Christmas Trees). Senior students also helped to keep the environment in this space beautiful as they passed through. A huge thank you to all those families that assisted us to keep this annual event a success by coming along to help with supervision.
Mrs Renae Pace
Classroom Teacher
Creativity Soars at Atlantis Outside School Hours Care Alkimos! ?
What a fantastic few weeks of creativity at Atlantis Alkimos! Our little artists have been busy exploring their imaginations with some amazing hands-on activities that have sparked joy and inspired fun learning.
The children have enjoyed painting beautiful butterflies, where they let their artistic flair take flight. They also embraced their unique expressions through creating their own portraits while gazing into mirrors—truly a reflection of their growing creativity! As a fun twist, the children experimented with scented water painting, bringing a multi sensory experience to their artwork as they added delightful aromas to their masterpieces.
But that's not all! In addition to our creative explorations, the children have been getting active during our TAG Sports sessions. They’ve been having a blast with skipping for fitness, learning coordination and stamina while having fun! The energy and enthusiasm have been contagious as everyone worked together to improve their skills.
We’re so proud of all the creativity and teamwork the children have shown. Keep an eye out for more exciting adventures in the weeks to come at Atlantis Alkimos!
Kind regards,
Atlantis OSHC Alkimos Team
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Term 1 |
(holidays Saturday 12th April – Sunday 27th April) |
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Term 2 |
(holidays Saturday 5th July – Sunday 20th July) |
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Term 3 |
(holidays Saturday 27th Sept – Sunday 12th October) |
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Term 4 |
(holidays Friday 19th Dec – Monday 2nd February 26) |
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School Development Days (Subject to Change) Friday 30th May (Week 5, Term 2) Friday 29th August (Week 6, Term 3) Friday 14th November (Week 5, 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.
