The West #4 2024
Principal's Preface
I think you’ll agree, we made a meaningful start to Term 2 with our moving ANZAC service in the first week. Our parliamentarians led the service, carefully explaining the history behind this special day, while senior students shared their ANZAC inspired poems and the choir sang beautifully. In true West Balcatta tradition, the youngest and oldest students, accompanied by special guests, lay wreaths at the flagpoles beside the Peace and Harmony Garden before we commenced the minute’s silence. The wreaths, of course, were created by parents using flowers donated by our families and the local community. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this. I would also like to acknowledge Kim Chrimes, our deputy, who organised the service and Jane Sibosado, our music teacher, who prepared the choir. Your combined efforts made this a very special morning.
It was great to see so many parents attend the P&C AGM on Monday night. Particularly encouraging was the number of new parents joining this committed group of volunteers. Thank you for your time and enthusiasm. It is very much appreciated. We have a new executive for 2024 and, unsurprisingly, they have many ideas for community events and fundraisers in the coming months.
President: Michelle Rankine
Vice President: Tammy Chong
Treasurer: Amanda Scarfo
Secretary: Amanda Morgan
Events Committee Leaders: Alesha Aitken & Natalie Moschilla
We have a couple of staffing changes this term. Mr Daniel Graffin has been offered a short-term position as acting deputy principal at Brabham Primary School beginning on Monday 6th May. This is an exciting opportunity for Mr Graffin which will enable him to develop his leadership skills, as well as gaining valuable experience in school administration. Miss Ellie Busher has been appointed to teach Room TA19, Monday to Thursdays, in his absence. Miss Adina Doherty will teach TA19 on Fridays. I would like to welcome Miss Busher to West Balcatta. She is looking forward to working with the students to continue the good work already started, as is Miss Doherty who is returning from parental leave. Mr Graffin will return to West Balcatta in Term 3, Week 3.
Enjoy the rest of your week,
Caroline Booth
ANZAC Service
On Friday the 19th of April, the West Balcatta community came together to commemorate ANZAC Day. Our service was led by the parliamentarians and included some thoughtful ANZAC-inspired poems written by our year 6 students Mila, Harley, Cassie, Scarlett and Harry.
Along with an extremely generous donation of flowers from the Karrinyup Flower Shed, families contributed flowers and foliage from their own gardens. Our amazing P&C volunteers used these donations to make up spectacular wreaths to be carried during the service. Our wreath bearers were Eliza and Sammi who were our youngest and eldest students in attendance. We also welcomed Cr Karlo Perkov to lay a wreath on behalf of the City of Stirling, Mrs Michelle Rankine to lay a wreath on behalf of the P&C and Mrs Alicia Scaffidi to lay a wreath on behalf of the school board.
A highlight of our service was the school choir performing ‘The Last ANZAC' and leading the whole school in singing ‘Lest We Forget.’ Our flag team, Violet and Amelia, carried out the important role of flag raising during the service.
The West Balcatta ANZAC service was a wonderful way to honour the men and women who fought for the freedoms we’re so lucky to enjoy.
TA18 Assembly
Last term, TA18 gathered for an inspiring assembly which focused on the concept of a growth mindset. Our Year 4 students explored the idea that abilities can be developed through dedication and effort, emphasising the importance of embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Through a series of three skits, the students acted on how to bounce back from challenges over the years as they grow up. Here’s what some students in TA18 had to say about growth mindset:
“Growth mindset is when you are persistent and when you have to face challenges in life, you don’t give up.”
- Sami
“A growth mindset means to be happy, relaxed and not have bad thoughts.”
- Mia
“I think that growth mindset means building up your brain and persevering through challenges. It means to grow your mind with new things and using them to develop your skills.”
- Parthav
“Keep trying until you get it.”
- Amelia
Consent for Third-Party Online Services
We are currently seeking your consent to access online third-party services for your children. Services, such as Mathletics, IXL and Cord.org, require student accounts to be set up and some personal information is required – usually names and email addresses. The survey recently sent to via Connect, allows you to find out more about the services used at school and opt out of individual services if you prefer.
Thank you to parents who have already completed the survey and given consent. If you haven’t, please access the survey via the link below so that we can ensure you child has access to these learning tools.
If you have questions about the services used with your children, please have a chat with your child’s teacher. They can let you know what they use and the personal information used to set up an account.
Thank you for your support
Blast Cricket Carnival
On Tuesday 26th March, West Balcatta Primary School competed in the NECISA Blast Cricket Carnival. All eight schools within our Physical Education Cluster entered teams of Year 5/6 students into the different divisions held at Charles Veryard Reserve. The day of cricket was competitive, with some close matches against the other schools. Congratulations to the Boys Year 5/6 B Team who won all their matches, finishing in 1st place for the day. The Boys Year 5/6 A team also had a strong performance, finishing in 3rd position. It was a great atmosphere with parents watching and team members showing support for their peers throughout the day. All teams should be proud of how well they played. Thank you to Daniel Graffin and Jacinta Zupanov for each managing a team on the day. A special mention to the parents and our admin team who assisted with getting all students back to school safely, after a last-minute bus cancellation. Thank you for your patience and support. Please return Interschool T-shirts to me in preparation for the NECISA Winter Carnival Dockers Fever Cup held in Week 11.
Geoff Dwyer, Physical Education Specialist
P&C Mother's Day Raffle
Thanks to our friends at Eyeconik Optometrists, we have a lovely prize for one lucky person!
Simply purchase 1 raffle ticket for $2 or 3 for $5 from the Canteen or online via Spriggy (tickets purchased online will be filled out with the purchaser's details by our amazing canteen team & put directly in the draw)
The raffle will be drawn on Friday 10th May.
2024 Shaun Tan Art Competition
A message from the Art Room...
Entries for the 2024 Shaun Tan Award for Young Artists open in just a few weeks! Now is the perfect time to start thinking about your work of art.
You may have an idea, you may have already started your artwork or you may just have a blank page - fear not, City of Subiaco will run a series of art workshops in April to inspire you and maybe even teach a new technique or two.
You can deliver your entry (with entry form) to me in the Art Room by Monday 13 May.
Click on the link below for more information about the workshops and competition (including terms of entry). If you have any questions, please get in touch.
Ligita Abbott, Art Specialist