Filter Content
- Mr Kelly's Catch Up
- Mrs Sparks' Office Remarks
- Mr Chrimes' Comments
- Mrs Papadopoff's Ponderings
- Respectful Relationships Focus - by Mrs Rowe and Mrs Kemp
- VacSwim 2025 - 26 Program
- Levels of Playground Behaviour at Alkimos Primary School
- Attendance
- Term Dates 2025
- Support a Reader Program
- Story Dog Volunteers for 2025
- Community News
Welcome to our second newsletter of the term. Despite the chilly winter weather, there has been plenty of excitement around the school as students prepare for our upcoming Faction Carnival.
The Carnival is always a highlight of the year and is a chance for our school community to come together and celebrate the achievements, effort, and team spirit of our students. We look forward to seeing as many families as possible at the following events:
- Tuesday 2nd September – Jumps & Throws
- Friday 5th September – Main Carnival Day
Further details, including approximate event times and arrangements for both days, can be found in the Connect notice sent on Monday 25th August.
School Board – Parent Nominations Open
We are now calling for parent nominations to join the Alkimos Primary School Board. The School Board plays an important role in guiding the strategic direction of our school and ensuring our students continue to thrive.
Being a Board member is a rewarding way to support the school community, and we warmly encourage interested parents to put their names forward.
What does the School Board do?
Board members work collaboratively with parents, staff, and community representatives to:
- Consider and approve school charges or contributions determined by the Principal for materials, services, or facilities.
- Help establish, in consultation with the school community, the student dress code.
- Actively promote the school within the wider community.
- Provide valuable community feedback to the Principal.
What the School Board does not do:
The Board’s focus is strategic, not operational. Members do not:
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the school (e.g. staffing or class placements).
- Discuss personal issues relating to staff, students, or parents.
- Represent or promote special interest groups.
- Intervene in the management of the school or in teaching and learning.
Why join?
Serving on the School Board is a great opportunity to:
- Contribute to the future direction of our school.
- Represent the views of the wider parent community.
- Strengthen partnerships between home, school, and community.
How to nominate
If you are interested in nominating, please email your details and a short expression of interest to Alkimos.PS@education.wa.edu.au by Monday 15th September 2025.
We look forward to welcoming new members who will continue to support and strengthen Alkimos Primary School.
Regards,
Alan Kelly
Principal
Dear Families,
Voluntary Contributions 2025
Thank you to all those families who have responded to the last newsletter and their statements and have paid their Voluntary Contributions.
Without the $30 per student, we are limited to what we can provide. This money also goes towards iPads, Maths and Literacy resources, extra items such as materials for clubs, spare uniform for students. For those families who would like to have a payment plan for any payments to the school including the year 6 camp, just call into the office and ask.
Uniform
In recent weeks we have notice an increase in students coming to school not wearing the correct uniform – This includes
Bike Shorts
Leggings
Coloured jumpers
Make-up/nail varnish
Please be reminded about the uniform policy attached below, Students may wear shorts/leggings underneath a skirt/short. If your child has lost their school jacket, there are lots to be found in lost property, we also have some spares in the school office which we are happy to donate to any families that require one.
Brekkie Club
Please remember Brekkie Club (Thursday) club starts 07:40am in the art room, some students are arriving after 8am and it’s a rush for them to eat and tidy up before 08:20. All are welcome, I look forward to seeing your children.
Lunches for students
Should your child arrive at school with no lunch/recess for any reason, please be comforted in the fact that we are able to provide them with a sandwich, snack and also fruit (when available). If your child has forgotten their lunch, we will contact you and give you the option of dropping something off or having a sandwich prepared at school. If any families are suffering hardship and would like an occasional lunch provided for their child/ren please advise the office any anytime.
Pre-Primary Enrolments
Kindy parents please remember that you will need to re-enrol for Pre-Primary 2026. Its is not automatically assumed you will require the place. Please call into the office to confirm your and bring your up-to-date confirmation of address and Vaccination schedule.
Schooling for 2026
If your child with not be returning to Alkimos PS next year (apart from those Yr 6 leavers) can you advise the office with the new school for next year.
Lunches for students
Should your child arrive at school with no lunch/recess for any reason, please be comforted in the fact that we are able to provide them with a sandwich, snack and also fruit (when available). If your child has forgotten their lunch, we will contact you and give you the option of dropping something off or having a sandwich prepared at school. If any families are suffering hardship and would like lunch provided for their children, please advise the office any anytime.
Kind regards
Sara Sparks
Manager Corporate Services
Hello families,
It’s hard to believe we are already over halfway through the term! Time really is flying by, and it has been such a joy to see all the wonderful things happening across our school.
Our assemblies continue to be amazing – the confidence, talent, and enthusiasm our students show when they get up in front of the school is something to be proud of. Thank you to all families who have been coming along to support.
A big thank you also to our P&C for organising Pyjama Day. What a fun morning it was! I must admit, I really enjoyed wearing my Bluey PJs to work for the day – the smiles and laughter around the school made it even more special.
We’ve also been fortunate to enjoy so many fantastic incursions this term, which have given our students new learning opportunities and plenty of excitement.
And, as always, one of the highlights of my week is having visitors pop into my office to share their excellent work. Recently, some hardworking students from CR3 showed me their outstanding writing & reading, which really made me smile. Their creativity and effort are a wonderful reminder of how hard our students are working every day.
Keep up the great work, everyone – I look forward to the rest of this busy and rewarding term!
Cheers,
Mr. Chrimes
Associate Principal
The SLP classrooms are busy with exciting opportunities for our students to engage in their learning. This newsletter we have included photos from each room and an insight into what they are up to.
In ECE7, our students have been learning about community helps this term. They have creatively put their learning into role play scenarios using their imagination. Students had another baking lesson focusing on strengthening their fine motor, measurement, listening to and following instructions, sequencing and observation skills.
Kind regards,
Respect – A Core Value in Our School
This term, our school is focusing on Respect as a whole school value. Respect helps create a safe, caring, and inclusive environment where all students can thrive.
To encourage and celebrate respectful behaviour, students will be recognised with faction tokens when they demonstrate respect in the classroom, playground, or wider school community. At assembly, children who consistently show respect will also be acknowledged for setting a positive example to others.
What is Respect?
Respect means recognising and valuing the worth of ourselves, others, and the environment. It is shown through:
- Consideration – thinking carefully about the impact of our actions.
- Admiration – valuing the strengths and qualities of others.
- Acknowledgement – listening and recognising the feelings and experiences of those around us.
Research highlights that respect and empathy are closely linked. When people show respect, they are more likely to understand others’ feelings. Likewise, when people feel respected, they are more open, honest, and connected with those around them. This creates stronger, more positive relationships for everyone (Li & Fischer, 2007; Decety & Jackson, 2004).
Respect in Everyday Life
Respect is not only about good manners, but also about the way we behave, adapt, and interact in different social situations. It requires awareness, flexibility, and kindness. Respect is expressed when:
- We speak politely and calmly.
- We listen to others and value their ideas.
- We acknowledge differences and treat people fairly.
- We look after our environment and resources.
Our brains are wired to help us understand emotions and social rules, supporting respectful behaviour in dynamic situations (Etkin et al., 2015; Nakatani et al., 2019). Respect also connects with positive emotions such as admiration and gratitude, which strengthen our relationships (Immordino-Yang et al., 2009; Algoe, 2009).
Connect and Respect – Expectations for Families and Schools
The Department of Education’s Connect and Respect – Expectations framework reminds us that shared and respectful expectations are the foundation of strong school communities.
At our school this means:
- Open and positive communication between staff, parents, carers, and students.
- Celebrating student progress and achievements.
- Working together to support learning, wellbeing, and social development.
- Ensuring safe and secure learning environments for all children.
Families play a key role too. Respectful communication includes making appointments before meeting teachers, using school communication channels appropriately, and modelling kindness and calmness when raising concerns.
How Families Can Support Respect at Home
We encourage families to talk about respect in daily life. Some helpful discussion questions might include:
- What does respect look like in our family?
- How can I show respect to my teachers and classmates?
- How can we show respect for our environment at home and at school?
By working together, families and schools can teach children that respect is not only a value but a lifelong skill.
Respect is more than a rule – it is the foundation for strong relationships, empathy, and positive school culture. By practising respect in our classrooms, playgrounds, and homes, we are giving our children the tools to become confident, caring, and responsible young people.
“Shared and respectful expectations and values will enable us to work together in the best interests of our children.”
References
- Algoe, S. B. (2009). Find, remind, and bind: The functions of gratitude in everyday relationships. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 3(4), 455–469.
- Decety, J., & Jackson, P. L. (2004). The functional architecture of human empathy. Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Reviews, 3(2), 71–100.
- Etkin, A., Büchel, C., & Gross, J. J. (2015). The neural bases of emotion regulation. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 16(11), 693–700.
- Immordino-Yang, M. H., McColl, A., Damasio, H., & Damasio, A. (2009). Neural correlates of admiration and compassion. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(19), 8021–8026.
- Li, J., & Fischer, K. W. (2007). Respect as a positive youth development construct. New Directions for Youth Development, 2007(116), 1–17.
- Nakatani, H., Matsumoto, M., & Takahashi, H. (2019). Neural basis of admiration and respect. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 11773.
- WA Department of Education. (n.d.). Connect and Respect – Expectations.
Kind regards,
Mrs Rowe and Mrs Kemp
VacSwim offers fun swimming lessons over the October and summer school holidays. It aims to give children across Western Australia the skills to stay safe and confident in the water.
Who can enrol
Children aged 5 to 17 years old across swimming stages 1 to 16. For specific stage information refer to https://www.education.wa.edu.au/vacswim
How to enrol
The easiest way to enrol is https://www.education.wa.edu.au/enrolling-in-vacswim
You can also download an enrolment form to complete, print and mail by the enrolment closing date to:
VacSwim
Department of Education
Statewide Services Centre
33 Giles Avenue
Padbury WA 6025
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.
If you receive a letter from the school noting days of unexplained absences for your child, please complete this and return it to the class teacher or front office as soon as possible. Over the next few weeks, teaching staff will be contacting families to follow up on any remaining unexplained absences.
Reminder – if a student arrives to school after the siren at the start of the school day, they are required to go through the front office, provide a reason for being late, and collect a late note.
Thank you for assisting us with this. If you have concerns regarding your child’s attendance or would like further information about how the school can help you and our child around this, please contact your child’s teacher or one of the school leadership team in the office.
|
Term 1 |
(holidays Saturday 12th April – Sunday 27th April) |
|
Term 2 |
(holidays Saturday 5th July – Sunday 20th July) |
|
Term 3 |
(holidays Saturday 27th Sept – Sunday 12th October) |
|
Term 4 |
(holidays Friday 19th Dec – Monday 2nd February 26) |
|
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) |
|
Alkimos Support a Reader Program
Are you able to volunteer some of your time to assist with Reading?
The aim of the Support a Reader Program is to give children who need additional assistance with their reading the opportunity to read regularly with a supportive adult on a one-to-one basis.
We would like to invite parent volunteers to be involved in this very valuable program next term. A commitment of one hour per week would be required. Full training will be given prior to the commencement of the program.
Please see Mrs Cottam (ECE6) to register your interest or leave your details and availability with the ladies in the office.
2025/26 Player Registrations Now Open
Join Alkimos Ball Club at Halesworth Park for a new season of Tee-Ball, Machine Pitch, Junior, and Senior Baseball – in a club that’s committed to elite coaching, community spirit and family values.
Registration Links
Tee-Ball (Ages 5-10):
Register Here
Machine Pitch (Ages 7-10), Junior (Age 8+) & Senior (15+) Baseball:
Register Here
Club Fees – 2025/26 Season
- Tee-Ball: $110
- Machine Pitch: $100 (or $50 if bundled with Tee-Ball/Baseball)
- Junior Baseball: $180
- Senior Baseball: $340
- FIFO Options: $30/game or $220/season
- KidSport Affiliated
+ Mandatory Fees:
- Baseball Australia (BA): $58 (Juniors), $68 (18+)
- Baseball WA (BWA): $24
Important Charter Note (Ages 10–16)
Players transferring to a club outside their current charter will be ineligible for State Championship selection for 12 months and will be redshirted under Little League International rules.
This rule cannot be waived.
Transferring Players
Please contact previous clubs Registrar before registering if you are moving from another club. A clearance must be completed first.
Why Alkimos Titans?
- Experienced, quality leadership and coaching
- Strong focus on skill development and team culture
- Inclusive, community-first environment
- Family-friendly atmosphere with state-of-the-art modern facilities
Join a club where players thrive, families belong, and community comes first.
