The West #5 2024
- Principal's Preface
- TA6 Assembly
- West Balcatta Must Have a Swimming Pool
- Aussie of the Month
- Kindy Mother's Day Afternoon Teas
- Premier's Reading Challenge
- National Walk Safely to School Day
- P&C Mother's Day Raffle
- Consent for Third-Party Online Services
- Kiss & Drive Safety
- One Big Voice 2024
- Better Health Program
Principal's Preface
Over the past week, you may have noticed me and the deputies wandering around school with clipboards at pick-up or drop-off times. We have been conducting a 3-minute survey with parents, asking for feedback on what we are doing well, where we can improve and whether you prefer assembly after drop-off on a Thursday morning. As continual requests to complete online surveys can be exhausting, we are trialing this quick approach to determine the issues that are important to our school community. The response so far has been very positive with many parents sharing their thoughts. We will collate the responses and report back early next term. In the meantime, if you see one of us with a clipboard and want to contribute, please approach us for a chat. We are keen to talk to as many parents as possible. Of course, if you are rarely at school during the day, feel free to give us a call or drop a short email with your input.
Meanwhile, teachers are busily preparing to write end of semester reports. The grades students have been allocated, particularly in literacy and numeracy, are the result of rigorous assessment and teacher moderation. Moderation takes place between groups of teachers and involves comparing each individual student’s work to an agreed national standard. This is a lengthy process, but one that allows teachers to agree on what is required for each grade, thereby ensuring consistency across classes. This year, West Balcatta initiated cross school moderation, inviting teachers from Osborne, Balcatta, Takari, Tuart Hill, and Lake Gwelup Primary Schools to take part in this important process. Our talented staff coordinated this event, collecting a variety of work samples and facilitating the sessions. Liaising with other professionals in this way means the grades awarded truly reflect our students’ achievement against the national standards. I’d like to thank our staff for being so well-prepared for this, particularly Daniel Graffin, Sharon Pearson, Kim Chrimes and Marcelle Langley, who facilitated moderation sessions. When you receive your child’s report at the end of this term, you can be assured grades have been awarded as a result of careful consideration and exacting assessment.
Finally, I would like to extend a huge thank you for your prompt response to last Friday’s Connect request to complete the third-party services survey and consent form for your children. Over 100 additional surveys were completed by Monday morning. If you haven’t completed yours yet, please access the link later in this newsletter. This will ensure that your child has access to online resources that will enhance their learning. If you have any questions regarding which specific services your children use, please talk to their teacher.
Enjoy the rest of your week,
Caroline Booth
TA6 Assembly
On Thursday the 2nd of May, TA6 hosted the whole school assembly. With Earth Day freshly celebrated, we brainstormed many ways we could help to keep our earth clean and green. Our assembly item showcased many strategies such as picking up litter, turning the lights off, using reusable items, reducing our water usage and many more. We hope everyone was able to learn something from our assembly to help make our earth a better place. Remember there is no time for singing and dancing in the shower, we have a planet to save!
West Balcatta Must Have a Swimming Pool
TA13 Assembly
Imagine having a 50m pool installed right here on our school grounds – a facility where we can train and compete, learn life-saving skills and offer diverse aquatic activities. We strongly believe that incorporating such a facility will greatly benefit our students, staff and the overall educational environment.
To begin with, we could have a well-equipped aquatic facility. This not only provides opportunities for swimming but other activities like water polo, synchronised swimming and training. Imagine the teachers relaxing around the pool after their hard day and enjoying aquatic activities like water aerobics, synchronized swimming or water polo. Imagine no more soccer arguments as the students are having too much fun playing volleyball and Marco Polo while in the pool. The diverse range of programs enriches the staff and student experience and fosters a sense of community and camaraderie.
Additionally, a swimming pool serves as an invaluable resource for teaching essential life-saving skills. With drowning being a leading cause of accidental death world-wide, equipping our students with swimming proficiency would potentially save lives. By offering swimming lessons here at our school, we can empower our students with crucial water safety knowledge that will stay with them throughout their lives. They don’t even have to pay for the bus because we conveniently have a pool at school.
Furthermore, providing a 50m pool would make our school the most prestigious school. Everyone would know about West Balcatta Primary School as it is the only government school with a pool. Everyone would want to attend our school as it would be known as the school where not only do you get the best education, but you can cool off at recess and lunch and learn life-saving skills at the same time. We’d be the talk of the town simply by having a 50m swimming pool.
I understand that implementing such a project requires careful consideration of logistics, budgeting and space allocation. However, I am confident with proper planning and support from the school administration, we can turn this into a reality. We will collaborate with relevant stakeholders to make this project a success.
In conclusion, the addition of a 50m swimming pool to our infrastructure would not only benefit our students’ physical health and safety but also our educational offerings and elevate our school’s standing in the community. Ms Booth, I urge you to seriously consider this proposal and explore the possibilities of making it happen. I look forward to developing this idea to create a brighter future for our school.
Aussie of the Month
Xavier, TA13
Xavier is a student who looks after his peers and fellow class members. He makes sure all students feel included and displays a high level of emotional maturity. Xavier can be counted on to stand up for his friends if he thinks something is not right. If this school was filled with students like Xavier who ensures everyone has a friend, what a wonderful place it would be.
Kindy Mother's Day Afternoon Teas
Last Tuesday and Friday, Kindy mums were invited to school for a Mother’s Day afternoon tea picnic. Children made their mum’s feel super special by making them a bracelet, painting their nails all wonderful colours and giving them a relaxing massage. A photo booth was set up for nice and silly photos and we had a lovely picnic under the trees. It was a lovely afternoon and we thank the P&C for providing the funds to cater for this event!
Premier's Reading Challenge
Hold onto your bookmarks; the Premier's Reading Challenge 2024 has started!
Can you read 12 books in 18 weeks? Students who read AND register 12 books will receive a certificate from the Premier of Western Australia and the Minister for Education. Registering a book each week means you'll be in the weekly draw -there are 110 prizes to be won! Need some help registering? Pop into the library this Thursday or Friday, and Mrs Parsons will help you. Ready? Let's register and READ!
"The Premier’s Reading Challenge runs from the 6th of May to the 6th of September and the idea is that you try to read as many books as you can. It’s a competition right across the state and there’s some great prizes – including a Nintendo Switch. So, everyone get on board with the Premier’s Reading Challenge for 2024. Get to your books!"
Hon. Roger Cook MLA, Premier of Western Australia
National Walk Safely to School Day
National Walk Safely to School Day took place on Friday 10 May, where students were encouraged to walk, cycle or scoot to school. The 168 students who travelled to school by means other than car not only enjoyed the fresh air and exercise, but also earned points for their class and faction!
Congratulations to TA18, who had 70% of their students walk, ride or schoot to school. The winning faction was O'Connor, with 56 walkers. Forrest came secont with 41 walkers, followed by Stirling with 36 and Hannan with 35.
What is Walk Safely to School Day?
The first Walk Safely to School Day took place in 1999 in New South Wales. This event continues each year to promote the teaching of road safety to children. The event soon snowballed and gained traction. The importance of teaching road safety to children was highlighted, and only five years later, in 2004, the day became a national event. Now, in 2024, Walk Safely to School Day celebrates its 25th anniversary!
Walking to school is the perfect way to start the day by getting some exercise and fresh air, ready to start school with a clear mind. Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy when you choose to walk to school:
- Walking offers a great opportunity to remind children about safe pedestrian behaviour and recap the rules of the road.
- Being outside in the fresh air creates a space in your day for mindful exercise. Walking and taking in the scenery around you creates a sense of calm that will set you up for the rest of your day.
- Walking to school will help reduce the air pollution in your area or near your school.
- By using your feet instead of a car, you can also help reduce traffic congestion.
Why is Walk Safely to School Day Important?
- It teaches children the fundamentals of road saety. The world we live in is becoming more and more dominated by vehicles, whether that be cars, bikes, buses, or trains. Teaching children how to navigate their way through their neighbourhood is essential for ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
- It encourages an active lifestyle. By teaching children about the importance of walking, both for the body and the environment, you can encourage them to participate in more physical activities.
- It teaches children about the environment. Walking Safely to School Day highlights the impacts vehicles have on the environment and how children can make changes in their everyday lives to help protect it.
P&C Mother's Day Raffle
Congratulations to Janelle (Eleana & Chiara's Mum) and Melissa (Cooper & Olivia's Mum), who were the lucky winners of the P&C Mother's Day Raffle, which was drawn on the 10th of May. Thank you to all families who brought tickets, those who donated prizes and of course our fabulous P&C volunteers for organising the raffle, which raised over $500 for our school!
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.
Kiss & Drive Safety
Please use patience and care when accessing the Kiss and Drives at school, particularly on Cedric Street. We have had a number of complaints from local residents. More importantly, risky behaviour endangers our students. As their safety is our priority, we ask that you consider the following:
- When the Kiss and Drive is full, please do not double park and wait for a bay to become free as this causes a traffic jam that often results in dangerous behaviour. For example, drivers who are not waiting for a child, pull out and drive along the wrong side of the road often at speed.
- Please do not perform U-turns once you have collected your child. Drive further along Cedric Street to turn where it is quieter and safer or use the roundabout.
- When the Kiss and Drive is full, continue driving around the block and re-enter the Kiss and Drive a few minutes later. By this point, bays are usually free.
- Alternatively, collect your children 5-10 minutes after school finishes. The Kiss and Drive is quieter at this time. A member of staff will be there to supervise children.
- The other option is to park further away from school. On Hodgkiss Drive there are many roadside parking spots. Park here and ask your child to meet you on the oval. There are also parking spots available further along Cedric Street. Many parents use these and walk to school to meet their children.
Thank you for your understanding on this matter.
One Big Voice 2024
Better Health Program
A 10-week free healthy lifestyle program for children 6-12 years who are above a healthy weight.
Better Health Programs focus on healthy eating, physical activity, sleep and screen time for children in their primary years. Children receive free resources and families are support by a dietitian/nutritionist each week.
Resources are designed by our Better Health Company qualified health professionals, and include recipe books, water bottles, sports equipment and more!
If you need guidance around creating healthy habits then this is for you.
Online places are available as soon as you register! Local venues including BOUNCE Trampoline Parks.