Dear Parents, Guardians and Community Members
Welcome back to Term 4, I hope you all had a relaxing break and are ready for our final term this year. This term we have several significant school events including our House Athletics Carnival Week 3, Year 6 graduation Week 8, Pursuit of Excellence awards, swimming lessons Weeks 9 and 10 and transition for our junior school and 2025 Kindy students.
The House Athletics Carnival in Week 3 will consist of Jumps & Throws and the 800m for Years 3 to 6 on Wednesday 23 October with events running throughout the day. Friday 25 October will be the PP-Yr 6 House Carnival and we look forward to seeing parents and family members at this event. The P&C will be holding a cake stall and would appreciate any donations for this. The P&C will be sending out a link for people to donate items to sell. There will not be a sausage sizzle at the carnival, so please ensure your children have a packed recess and lunch on this day. Students will also need a water bottle, sunscreen, hat and house shirt. Students will have the opportunity to eat with their parents during the lunch break.
This year we engaged in a partnership with Real Schools and have a focus on building a restorative culture in our school which students are learning to express their feelings and emotions, address these in a proactive way and be reflective of their actions and impact on others. Candice Brown from Real Schools is our school mentor and facilitator and has been working with teachers on the implementation of Circles in our classes. Each morning classes complete a check-in circle allowing teachers and student’s peers to know how each person is feeling and/or to engage with a particular learning area. This supports students’ needs being met and builds a positive, caring culture in classes.
Our partnership with Real Schools will continue next year. Candice will be providing Professional Learning to all staff in Term 2, Friday 2 May 2025. This means that our school will have the Term 2 School Development Day (no students attending) on Friday 2 May 2025 Week 1, which will be different from other schools in Albany. A reminder about this date will be sent out at the beginning of next year for you to put into your calendars. We will also be running another parent session with Candice for all parents to attend. The date for this will be confirmed next year.
VacSwim Lessons for the December-January break will be free (including free pool entry for the lessons) for all children aged 5 to 17. Swimming lessons give children the skills to stay safe and be confident in the water. Enrolments for these lessons close on 16 October 2024. Please see the following link to enrol in vacation swimming. There are a range of beach and pool lessons in Albany and across the state. https://www.education.wa.edu.au/enrolling-in-vacswim
Our next assembly will be on Friday 18 October and will be hosted by Rm 21. The P&C will also be making a special presentation at this assembly in regard to the amazing fundraising that have been happening in our school this year. We look forward to seeing families at this assembly.
Kind regards
Gemma Larham | Principal