The West #7 2024
- Principal's Preface
- TA5 Assembly
- Aussie of the Month
- TA12 Assembly
- 100 Days of School
- Mindfulness at West Balcatta
- Community Helper Dress Up Days
- Year 3 Herdsman Lake Excursion
- Year 1 'Clowning Around' Excursion
- NAIDOC Day
- Values at West Balcatta Primary School
- Interschool Sports
- Pyjama Day
- Quiz Night
- Socceroos Coin Flipper
- Meet the Chaplain
- Minister's Running Challenge
- Consent for Third-Party Online Services
- Kiss & Drive Safety
Principal's Preface
Welcome to Term 3 - possibly everyone’s favourite due to the many events scheduled. Our students have already made a great start back, with the cross-country team achieving first place at last week’s interschool competition. This comes hard on the heels of our success at the Lightning Carnival at the end of last term; our AFL team came first, our soccer team second and the netball teams third and fourth. The students’ hard work and commitment certainly paid off, as did the input from our parent volunteers who helped prepare the students alongside Mr Dwyer. We would like to thank all parents who gave up their time to coach our students. You definitely made a difference!
Our choir have the One Big Voice concert to look forward to later this term. We are already excited about this, as some of our students are performing solos and taking on compere duties this year. We have no doubt that Gillian and Alannah in Year 5 and Annabelle and Caitlin in Year 4 will do us proud. It’s clearly going to be a busy term, but I am sure we will manage to get some classroom work done too.
I would like to thank all parents who supported the recent P&C Quiz Night either by attending, donating prizes, volunteering or organising the event. It was an entertaining night and a great fundraiser. Those of you who attended will know that one of the silent auction prizes was for a student to be principal for a day. Matteus in Year 4 won this and enjoyed his special day last week. Dressed in suitable business attire, he visited classrooms, awarded stickers for good work and handed out certificates at assembly. He made a great principal and we may be seeking his services next time we are short staffed in the office.
We have some staffing changes in TA19. Sadly, Miss Ellie Busher, who has been teaching TA19 finished her short-term contract last week. Staff and students have enjoyed working with her and we wish her all the best for the exciting travels she has ahead.
In addition, Mr Daniel Graffin, who has been acting deputy principal at Brabham Primary School, was offered a permanent position last week and so will not return to West Balcatta. We thank him for his enthusiasm and hard work over the years and wish him well for the next stage of his career. Of course, saying goodbye also means welcoming new staff. Miss Reearna Morgan will be joining West Balcatta and we are excited to have her on our teaching team. I am sure the school community will give her a warm welcome when she begins next week.
Finally, if you haven’t yet, please check Connect to access the infographic outlining the results of our recent On-the-Spot Parent Survey. A huge thank you to everyone who took time to chat with us. We will let you know how we plan to address suggested improvements over the coming weeks.
Have a great week!
Caroline Booth
TA5 Assembly
Last term the students of TA5 had an exciting time at their Octopus's Garden assembly with their families, teachers and friends,
First we all worked hard together to learn our song "Octopus's Garden" Our families helped us get our costumes ready so we were dazzling on the stage.
Then we were ready to perform on the stage. We all felt nervous but we put on our best smiles and got ready to show everyone our item. Lots of our friends got a chance to speak on the microphone for the first time.
Next, when Mrs Booth and the deputies came to the front to talk, we gave them all a funny Octopus Hat to wear. We all think that they looked fantastic. We all felt proud when Mrs Booth told us we had done a good job.
Finally we sang the whole school song called Baby Shark. The school were so loud when they were singing the song. All of our families and teachers took our photos and told us how amazing our assembly was.
We had such an amazing time at out assembly. We wish we could do it again!
TA5 Students
Aussie of the Month
Aussie of the Month is a primary school civics recognition program, delivered by the same network that presents the prestigious Australian of the Year Awards.
Aussie of the Month recognises and celebrates personal endeavour, achievement, and contribution to the community and reflects the universal values we share as Australians, such as fair go, mateship, respect and inclusion.
Aussie of the Month has been operating for over 20 years and is endorsed by the Education Department in every State and Territory in Australia. It is a monthly student award in recognition of civic contribution, rewards behaviours that reflect our responsibilities as community citizens, and has the support of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) as a complementary program aligned to the Primary Years' curriculum.
At West Balcatta we announce a new Aussie of the Month around twice per term. Congratulations to Chloe from TA7, who is our latest Aussie of the Month!
Chloe is a kind and friendly student who consistently demonstrates respect for herself and those around her. She is mindful of her learning environment, always considering how her actions might affect others. Chloe is quick to lend a helping hand whenever possible, showcasing her generosity and compassion. Chloe’s warm personality makes everyone feel welcome.
TA12 Assembly
On the 25th of July, TA12 conducted an assembly about South America and Australia. We travelled through the incredible and unique continents, with our reporters giving us an in-depth look at the different cultures, landforms, cuisines, animals and climates. We would like to thank our family and friends for coming to watch and a special thanks must go to Mrs Sibosado for setting up for us during all our rehearsals.
Khai Phong, TA12
100 Days of School
Thursday of week 2, our students in Pre-Primary and Year 1, celebrated the 100th day of school. Students were encouraged to dress up as a 100 year old person or get creative and wear a t-shirt with 100 things on it. We were so impressed with the creativity of some of our students (and parents). Throughout the day, students participated in activities, exploring the number 100 and writing the things they may do when they turn 100. The students all had a terrific day celebrating 100!
Kylie Leonard, TA5 Teacher
Mindfulness at West Balcatta
In our mindfulness classes, we have been exploring the power of connecting with our emotions. Through various mindful activities like sorting, colouring, and stacking, we have created a mindful space to understand and name our feelings that come and go; just as the weather changes, so do our emotions.
We enjoyed the practice of self-awareness and emotional connection.
Annette Dimitrovski, Education Assistant
Community Helper Dress Up Days
Last term, our Kindy students learned about people who help us. Students had fun dressing up in Community Helper costumes. We had police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, builders, bakers and hairdressers. It was a lot of fun!
Year 3 Herdsman Lake Excursion
Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre was an incredible nature-filled experience for all our Year 3 students. The weather was perfect, we had a fantastic facilitator (Nathan) leading our excursion and the kids had the opportunity to explore the stunning wetland and interact with the wildlife that resides there.
At Noogenboro (Herdsman Lake) the students engaged in hands-on, outdoor learning, discovering the fascinating aquatic life and surrounds. They took great pleasure in using scoop-nets to catch living organisms and then were able to identify, sort, and classify the critters before releasing them back into the lake. At another station the students explored leaf litter and found all sorts of creepy crawlies, including spiders! They also had the opportunity to explore the lake's surroundings on a leisurely walk with volunteer Pam, observing birds, frogs, and trees to gain insights into how ecosystems function.
We finished the day looking inside the discovery centre before making our way back to school on the bus. It was a fantastic learning experience for all, and we had lots of fun! We would also like to thank our parent volunteers, for their time and help in making the day run so smoothly and the classes for their wonderful behaviour while out in the community representing our school.
Here's a few students’ responses to their favourite part of the day:
The last bit when we were catching the little critters and we got to look at them on the iPad microscope (Macy)
Scooping with Nathan because I saw cool stuff (Archie)
When we went to go fishing and James, Archie and I found a tadpole (Christian)
Going on the nature walk with Pam and seeing the beautiful birds (Mysha)
When we went to the lake and got to explore the water creatures (Helena)
Catching the fish with my group when we went scooping (Aurora)
Lauren Scott, TA16 Teacher
Year 1 'Clowning Around' Excursion
On Tuesday, the 18th of June, our Year 1 students attended a “Clowning Around” performance at Balcatta Senior High School. It was an event filled with laughter and delight.
The Year 7 Drama students put on a fantastic show, presenting creative two-minute skits that were specially crafted for our students. Their hard work and enthusiasm shone through in each performance, captivating our students with their entertaining antics and imaginative storytelling. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to see the talent and creativity of the older students, including many West Balcatta graduates.
We are grateful to the Year 7 students and their teachers for inviting us to this memorable event. It was a great success, and we hope to continue such collaborations with the high school in the future to provide enriching experiences for our students.
NAIDOC Day
The last week of Term 2 saw our students celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through fun-filled and exciting NAIDOC activities.
Kindy and Pre Primary students participated in activities in their classrooms such as decorating boomerangs and making damper.
The celebrations for Year 1 to 6 students commenced with Nathaniel (Yr 6, TA 15) and Chase (Yr 5, TA 13) delivering the Acknowledgement of Country at a brief opening ceremony, the whole school singing ‘Bibbulumun Bonar: Six Noongar Seasons’ Song, followed by a busy day of activities. Groups consisted of younger and older classes linking together to assist each other with a wide range of activities located around the school facilitated by our amazing West Balcatta staff.
Boomerang Throwing
Numbers 1 - 10 in Noongar
‘Bag Tag’ Creations
Indigenous Art
‘Move it Mob Style’ Dancing
Sand Mural & Bracelet Weaving
NAIDOC Quiz
The following morning saw the announcement of the winners of the NAIDOC colouring competition. The participation of students and standard of entries were outstanding. Congratulations to the following students:
Aline – K/P Winner
Jessica - K/P Runner up
Jaci – K/P Runner up
Amariah – Yr 1/2 Winner
Nile – Yr 1/2 Runner up
Emily – Yr 1/2 Runner up
Ivy – Yr 3/4 Winner
Isobel – Yr 3/4 Runner up
Rèaltin – Yr 3/4 Runner up
Allegra – Yr 5/6 Winner
Raavi – Yr 5/6 Runner up
Autumn – Yr 5/6 Runner up
Jane Sibosado, Music Specialist
Values at West Balcatta Primary School
The Western Australian Values of Schooling articulate what educators in Western Australia believe all students should value as a result of the programs they undertake. There are 5 Values Statements, which guide our values program here at school. Each fortnight, we focus on a new value.
The value for Weeks 1 & 2 of each term is
Respect and Concern for Others and their Rights
Sensitivity to and concern for the wellbeing of other people and respect for life and property. Each student is encouraged to be caring and compassionate, to be respectful of the rights of others and to find constructive ways of managing conflict. This includes the right to learn in a friendly and non-coercive environment.
This fortnight, our Year 6 students kicked off the Parliamentarians' poster competition, creating posters to promote this value around our school. Congratulations to Keira, with the winning entry as voted by our Parliamentarians! Thank you to all of the participants, who also earned points for their factions.
Interschool Sports
Winter Lightning Carnival
On Tuesday 25th June 2024 the West Balcatta Year 5 and Year 6 students competed in the Winter Interschool Lightning Carnival. West Balcatta students competed against 7 other schools in AFL, Soccer and Netball throughout the day. The Netball A team finished in 4th place facing some strong competition. The Netball B team finished in 2nd place with all team members showing great spirit and support for each other. In AFL, West Balcatta won the competition in 1st place. The AFL team worked well as a team and great to see their training and hard work paid off. The soccer team played well throughout the day finishing in 2nd place. There were some close matches, and all team members should be proud of how well they performed. Overall, a successful carnival day and it was great to see parents coming to support the students. A special mention to Victor Petropulos, Nick Camotti, Vince La Corte and Maria Colliver for coaching the teams. Thank you to the West Balcatta staff who managed the teams and ensured the day ran smoothly.
Interschool Cross Country
On Tuesday 23rd July 2024 the students from years 3-6 who were selected from the School Faction Cross Country competed in the annual Interschool Cross Country event. The event was held at Charles Veryard Reserve in North Perth with challenging cold and wet conditions that improved throughout the morning. All students who competed tried their best in each race and supported their peers which was great to see. Based on the results from all races, West Balcatta won the Interschool Cross Country Event. This is a fantastic result from the students, it has been great to see lots of the students at running club in preparation for the Interschool Cross Country.
Congratulations to Preston, who finished 2nd place and Gerry, finishing in 4th place in the Boys Year 5 race. Jessica finished in 4th place in the Girls Year 5 race. Well done to Kai, placing 3rd in the Boys Year 4 race. Ethan placed 4th in the Boys Year 3 race. A special mention to Jessica Zupanov and Lia Petropulos, who volunteered their time in the wet conditions to make the day run smoothly. All students should be very proud of their team effort in winning the Interschool Cross Country Event.
Geoff Dwyer, Physical Education Specialist
Pyjama Day
On the chilly and wintry last day of Term 2, West Balcatta was warm and toasty, as students and staff alike donned their comfiest pyjamas and slippers for a special cause.
Pyjama Day was a fun and cosy way to end the term, raising over $400 for great causes. The funds collected will go towards a graduation gift from our departing Year 6 students and will also provide much-needed support to the Perth Children's Hospital, contributing to the wellbeing and care of young patients and their families.
A special thanks goes out to everyone who participated and donated. As we move into Term 3, we carry with us the warmth and joy of Pyjama Day, along with a renewed sense of community spirit and a commitment to supporting those in need. Here's to more wonderful events and the positive impact they bring!
"Thank you for your help to fuel the fight on the front line to help children get well and stay well. By supporting Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, you are ensuring WA’s sick children and young people have access to world-class healthcare that comes from the most advanced equipment and technology, ground-breaking research, innovative education and training program, the expertise of world-class clinicians and positive patient and family experiences." Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
Quiz Night
What an epic night! Our 90s themed quiz night was totally da bomb, thanks to all the fly folks who came out and showed their support. From rocking your best “Mister Act” habits and “Teachers in Black” suits, to a special appearance from Edward Scissorhands, you all made it a night to remember.
We are thrilled to announce that, with your incredible support, we raised over $10,000 for West Balcatta Primary School!
A massive shout-out to our sponsors & everyone who bought raffle tickets and bid on our silent auction items. Your generosity was off the hook and played a major part in our fundraising success.
Special thanks to our volunteers, who were the real MVPs, and to everyone who donated prizes and time. You helped make this event all that and a bag of chips!
And let’s not forget the quiz champions of the night, the winning team called The Joey Trivvianis! You guys truly showed you were the kings and queens of 90s trivia!
Let’s keep the good vibes rolling as we continue to support our school. Stay tuned for more rad events in the future. Until then, keep it real and party on!
Peace, love, and 90s nostalgia,
The West Balcatta Primary School P&C Events Team
Socceroos Coin Flipper
On Tuesday 11th June I was lucky enough to be chosen to flip the coin at the Socceroos v Palestine World Cup Qualifiers at HBF stadium.
I’d been practicing coin flipping at home and was feeling nervous and excited when I walked onto the pitch. When I walked on, Socceroos Captain Jackson Irvine said ‘hello and how are you doing’? The coin was green on one side and blue on the other. Before I flipped the coin the Socceroos Captain got to choose what colour he wanted and he picked ‘green’. As I flipped the coin high, it came down and landed on the grass- green side up! The Socceroos had won the toss and then chose which side they wanted to shoot at. I was secretly happy that Socceroos won the toss!
This is experience is something I will never forget and I am so grateful for this opportunity. I hope one day I will represent the Matilda’s in soccer.
Vienna, TA18
Meet the Chaplain
Minister's Running Challenge
Get up, get moving – let’s get running! Lace up for the chance to win weekly prizes in the 2024 Education Minister’s Running Challenge.
The Education Minister wants students to get up, get moving, and get running from Monday 15 July to Friday 13 September. The mission is for primary school students to run, walk or wheel for 20 minutes per week. Any running, walking, or wheeling counts toward the challenge. It’s a great excuse to get together, have fun with friends, and get active at the same time.
Each runner who logs their activity throughout the challenge, goes into the draw to win a weekly prize and up to 4,000 students receive free entry into the Perth Running Festival Burswood Park 4km Dash on Sunday 6 October, at Optus Stadium. All runners who participate in the challenge will receive a special certificate signed by the Education Minister.
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 Hotchkiss 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.