Dear Parents, Guardians and Community Members
Congratulations to the following Year 5 students who have become the Waste Warriors for 2023: Josh Beamish, Emma Elliot, Brock Kinnear, John McFarlane, Aivah Molloy, Aimee Lyon, Hannah Newbey and Brady van Mens. Their job is to collect and empty all the recycle bins around the school and put bins out on recycling days. They were presented with their badges at the last assembly.
This year’s NAPLAN testing for Years 3 and 5 has been moved to Term 1 across the nation. This change was initiated by the Education Ministers across Australia and made so that schools receive information regarding student learning earlier in the year and they can use this information to make more targeted support for students in literacy and numeracy.
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills of students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The assessment is completed by students online over a 9 day period. If your child is away one of these days, they will be given a catch-up sessions for the test they have missed. NAPLAN testing commences Wednesday 15 March.
The School Board at Yakamia PS is a proactive group of parents, staff and community members who focus on school programs and the needs of our students. The School Board plays an important role in establishing and reviewing directions of the school, endorsing the school budget and evaluating school performance. All members voices are valued and we strive to provide the best opportunities for our students at Yakamia. We currently have vacancies for two parent representatives and one community representative to join our School Board for 2023. Representatives are appointed for a three year tenure. Meetings of the Board are held twice a term after school for one hour. All members must complete a Nationally Coordinated History Check through the Departments of Education’s screening unit before commencing. There is no cost for this check and you will be sent a link to complete this once you have nominated.
Any parents or community members who would like to nominate for a position on the board are to complete a nomination form attached to this newsletter, or collect one from the front office to complete. Nomination forms are due back to the front office by Friday 10 March 2023. We would love to see new people joining our Board and supporting our school and students.
A reminder there is no school on Monday 6 March, due to the Labour Day public holiday. Enjoy your long weekend.
Communication between parents and their child’s classroom teacher is vital for supporting student learning and wellbeing and building positive relationships. Over the past 3 weeks parents have had the opportunity to attend class meetings or an interview with their child’s teacher and we appreciate you making the time to attend these sessions. If you need to contact your child’s teacher to discuss your child’s progress, please call the front office to make an appointment or alternatively see the teacher to make an appointment for a time they are available to talk with you.
The P&C Uniform shop now has a website where parents/guardians can place and pay for orders in an online shop. The website address is here:
Home | Yakamia Primary School P&C Uniform shop (square.site) ( http://yakamiapc.square.site ). Delivery of online orders will be made to student classrooms Wednesday afternoons or Thursday mornings. This is all thanks to our P&C Uniform Shop Coordinator, Tanya Paunic.
The office is looking for donations of smaller sized school clothing eg skorts, shorts and track-suit pants. The younger year children can be accident prone and some spare clothing would be appreciated. Thank you.
Our school chaplain, Glenn Richardson, supports our students, staff and parents in the area of pastoral care. Glenn is at our school on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays each week. Glenn runs a number of programs to support student wellbeing, and works in collaboration with teaching and administration staff to ensure our students wellbeing needs are met. Students working with the school chaplain is voluntary and if you do not wish for your child to work with the school chaplain please let us know in writing so we can meet your request.
We have had a terrific start to the year in Reading Breakfast Club. Reading Breakfast Club at Yakamia is a great opportunity for students to read to a teacher and have a delicious breakfast. Students enjoy reading and catching up with friends over breakfast or a warm drink. Breakfast club is open from 8am- 8:30am Monday to Thursday. All students are welcome (even if they have had breakfast at home).
Next Thursday, 9 March, our Telethon Ambassadors are holding a Hot Dog day to raise money for Telethon. Order forms have been sent home and are due back by Wednesday 8 March. Thank you for supporting our Ambassadors.
Our next assembly will be hosted by Room 13. We look forward to seeing families there!
Have a great weekend!
Kind regards Gemma Larham Principal