West Balcatta Primary School eNewsletter

Principal's Preface

As you know, our staff participated in professional learning focused on Protective Behaviours at the start of this term. This was followed up by engaging incursions from Constable Care last week. I’m sure your children have shared some of their experiences with you! These engaging sessions used puppetry, songs and relatable scenarios to equip students with important strategies to help them stay safe. Themes from the incursions will be further explored in class as part of our Protective Behaviours program. Teaching Protective Behaviours is a vital part of our curriculum. It helps students develop self-confidence, promotes a positive body image and encourages the use of correct terminology for all body parts. Importantly, it supports children in knowing how and when to speak to a trusted adult if they ever feel unsafe. If you have any questions about your child’s Protective Behaviours learning, please feel free to speak with their classroom teacher.

There will be a staffing change in our Art program this term. Mrs Abbott will be taking leave and we welcome two new teachers to our art team. Mrs Fina Di Russo will teach on Mondays and Tuesdays, while Mrs Rachael Edwards will teach on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Both teachers have already been working together and have exciting plans for the art program this term. We’ll keep you updated should there be any further changes for the remainder of the year.

Talking of art, we’re thrilled to welcome back Sally Ridge, the talented artist behind our beautiful undercover area mural. Thanks to a generous donation from David Michael, MLA, Sally will be returning to enhance the old assembly area space. She’ll be adding new four-square courts and other creative ground designs that complement the existing mural and help bring even more life to the area. You may have already noticed the fresh coat of paint in the old assembly area near C Block; it’s already looking brighter and more inviting! As part of the upgrade, we also plan to improve the old stage to make it more comfortable for students during lunch and more inspiring for impromptu recess and lunchtime performances. Our goal is to transform this space into a more welcoming, engaging environment that also serves as an additional outdoor learning area. We look forward to seeing what Sally creates this time and we extend a heartfelt thank you to David Michael for his generous support in making these improvements possible.

As you will see later in the newsletter, our sporting students have been achieving fantastic results in recent interschool competitions. Mr Dwyer is now preparing students for the upcoming Cross Country and has organised a morning Running Club on Mondays and Wednesdays to help students build their stamina. This year, in response to parent feedback from last year’s on-the-spot survey, we have opened the Cross-Country event to our younger students too. We look forward to seeing you cheering on the students at the event on Friday, 23rd May. We hope the new time slot makes it easier for more families to attend and support their children.

Caroline Booth, Principal

TA13 Assembly

On Thursday, 10 April, TA13 Year 5 presented their assembly item based on the theme “National Siblings Day”. TA 13 entertained the audience from the studio of Channel 13.

The amazing newsreaders – Parthav, Elsie, Casey, and Levi – regularly crossed live to the WBPS grounds, where reporters Kai, Hana, Nivaan, Phoebe and Tayla interviewed students about how grateful they were for their siblings and shared some funny stories.

There was even a twin segment featuring the Martini stars. Between these reports there were three unforgettable advertisements from Matteus, Jude and Cooper. Mia delivered an outstanding weather report, describing Perth as sunny with plenty of sibling sharing and our very own TA13 psychologists offered some helpful sibling tips.

To end our assembly, the whole school sang ‘Hey Brother’, with siblings from other year levels and even high school joining TA13 on stage to share the limelight.

TA13 hopes everyone enjoyed the assembly as much as they enjoyed presenting it.

On Thursday the 8th of May, TA14 performed their assembly on Historical Headlines; a creative show inspired by BTN, where they became convicts, suffragettes, immigrants, politicians, and more to share significant moments from Australia’s past. The performance was a celebration of the history learnt during HASS in Term 1, where students explored key events that helped shape Australia.

A particularly powerful part of the performance was the way students included Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, acknowledging the deep history of this land, the impact of colonisation, and the importance of truth-telling in building a more honest and respectful understanding of our nation’s history.

The Italian segment was another highlight, where students showcased their learning about Carnevale by wearing masks made in Italian while singing “Bella Ciao” with enthusiasm and pride. To close the assembly, the whole school joined together in singing I Am Australian, including a chorus in Noongar language. It was a beautiful moment that reflected the diversity, inclusivity and unity we value as a school community.

Thank you to all the families who supported their children with costumes, rehearsals, and encouragement. TA14 showed such creativity, teamwork, and confidence - and they should be incredibly proud!

Aussie of the Month (April)

Hana, TA13

Hana is a shining example of kindness, initiative and generosity. As a student, she consistently goes above and beyond to help others. She often offers support to her classmates after completing her own work, notices when someone needs cheering up, and is always ready to lend a hand. Hana shows genuine care for those around her in everything she does.

Her contributions extend beyond the classroom. She is a regular and willing helper in the library, even taking time out of her own day to scan books. Hana's initiative is unmatched; if a job needs doing, she is always the first to volunteer, helping to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Her kindness and dedication have made a truly positive impact on TA 13, and she is deeply appreciated for all that she does to make the class a supportive and welcoming place.

Aussie of the Month (May)

Tobias, TA17

Tobias is a kind and respectful student who brings a positive attitude to school each and every day. He is always willing to lend a helping hand to both his teachers and classmates, showing great empathy and generosity. This year, Tobias has made a conscious effort to give his best in all areas of school life, demonstrating commitment and determination. He is thoughtful, often checking in with others to make sure they’re okay, and never hesitates to share his belongings when someone is in need. Tobee, your caring nature and consistent effort make you a valued member of our classroom. Well done and keep working hard!

Swimming Lessons (PP to Year 6)

Swimming lessons for our Year 2 to 6 students begin in less than two weeks! We are excited to once again offer this valuable learning experience at West Balcatta Primary School. Learning to swim is a vital life skill for all children. Not only do lessons build water confidence and safety awareness, they are also a key part of our Physical Education program.

Dates for Swimming Lessons:

Years 2–6: Monday 26 May to Friday 6 June
Pre Primary & Year 1: Monday 10 November to Friday 21 November

What Students Need to Bring:

Bathers (wear under school uniform if possible)
Slip-on shoes or thongs (students change into regular shoes after returning to school)
A swimming bag with:

Underwear
Towel
Goggles (optional)
Clearly labelled belongings

Optional: Dressing gown, hooded towel or extra jumper for warmth

Swimming is hungry work! Please consider packing an extra recess snack or additional fruit/veggies for Crunch & Sip during the two weeks of lessons.

Thank you for supporting your child to be ready and organised for this exciting opportunity. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the front office or your child’s teacher.

Let’s dive into a fun, active fortnight of swimming!

P&C Easter Raffle

What an egg-cellent time we had at Monday Muster last term when we drew the winners of the P&C Easter Raffle! The excitement was buzzing through the crowd as prize after prize was handed out to some very lucky and very happy students. Congratulations to all of our winners!

A huge THANK YOU goes out to our amazing parent community for the generous donations that made the raffle prizes so impressive . We are also incredibly grateful to our hardworking P&C for organising such a successful and fun-filled event. Your time, effort and enthusiasm continue to bring our school community together and create memorable moments for our students.

ANZAC Service

On Friday the 11th of April, the West Balcatta community came together to commemorate ANZAC Day. Our service was led by the student council and included some thoughtful ANZAC-inspired poems written by our year 6 students Khai Phong, Addison, Shirley, Evan, Hudson and Evana.

Along with a 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 the beautiful wreaths to be carried during the service. Our wreath bearers were Romeo and Lennard 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, Michelle Rankine to lay a wreath on behalf of the P&C and Jelena Ivovic to lay a wreath on behalf of the school board.

A highlight of our service was the school choir performing ‘Can You Hear the Children Marching’ and leading the whole school in singing ‘Spirit of the ANZACs.’ Our flag team, Zoe and Shirley, carried out the important role of flag raising during the service.

The West Balcatta ANZAC service was a meaningful way to honour the men and women who fought for the freedoms we are so fortunate to enjoy.

On Thursday 10 April, West Balcatta Primary School competed in the 2025 NECISA Summer Carnival. Five schools from our Physical Education Cluster Network entered Year 5/6 teams across various divisions, with all games held at Yokine Regional Open Space.

The day featured a range of summer sports including Cricket, Tee Ball, Flag Rugby, and Volleyball. The competition was strong, with many close matches played against other schools.

Congratulations to our:

Girls Year 5/6 Cricket Team
Mixed Year 5/6 NRL League Touch Team
Mixed Year 5/6 Tee Ball Team

All three teams achieved 2nd place on the day—an outstanding effort!

There was a fantastic atmosphere throughout the carnival, with parents cheering from the sidelines and students showing great team spirit and support for one another.

A big thank you to Amalia Zuvela, Andrea Muntz, Cara Alexander, Rhett Martini, Rebecca O’Hara, Mikayla Snow, and Reearna Morgan for managing and supervising teams on the day. All students should be proud of their sportsmanship and performance.

On Monday 5th May, selected students from Year 4 and Year 6 represented West Balcatta Primary School at the Morley School Slam Series Basketball Competition. West Balcatta competed against 10 other schools throughout the day from surrounding districts at the Morley Sport and Recreation Centre. Our teams performed very well, with both the Year 4 Boys and Girls teams advancing to the Grand Final and finishing the day in second place. The Year 6 Boys team finished second in their pool on a points countback, and the Year 6 Girls team finished third in their pool.

Well done to all teams that represented West Balcatta, and a special mention to Colin Tribolet, Frances Wyatt, Johnson Nguyen, Maria Bevacqua and Emily Liu, who coached and managed the teams on the day. It was fantastic to see the teams watch and support each other, showing great sportsmanship both on and off the basketball court. The students should be proud of their efforts and performance throughout the event.

Constable Care Protective Behaviours Incursions

As part of our whole-school approach to Protective Behaviours education, students from Kindergarten to Year 6 recently took part in engaging and age-appropriate incursions delivered by Constable Care. These interactive sessions supported our ongoing efforts to empower students with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe, make positive choices, and seek help when needed.

Kindy to Year 2 – "Fun Scary"
Our youngest students were delighted by Fun Scary, a vibrant performance using puppetry and song to explore big feelings in a safe and supportive way. The show helped children understand the difference between “fun scary” experiences, like rollercoasters or spooky stories, and “not-fun scary” situations, such as uncomfortable secrets. The performance reinforced the importance of identifying trusted adults and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right.

Year 3 to Year 6 – "Trending"
Older students participated in Trending, a thought-provoking drama exploring online behaviour, respect and consent. Through interactive scenes and guided discussions, students unpacked real-world challenges involving friendship and digital interactions. The session encouraged them to think critically, practise empathy, and build the confidence to respond safely and responsibly in online spaces.

These incursions complemented our classroom learning and reinforced essential messages around safety, consent and communication. We thank the Constable Care educators, especially ex-West Balcatta student Bianca, for their engaging and impactful presentations, and we look forward to continuing our commitment to Protective Behaviours education across the school.

Outdoor Classroom Day

Last Thursday, a few of our classes took part in Outdoor Classroom Day, a global initiative that encourages teachers and students to step outside and enjoy learning in the fresh air.

From reading under shady trees to exploring nature in our school grounds, students who participated enjoyed a change of pace and the chance to connect with their environment in new ways.

Outdoor Classroom Day is a great reminder of the benefits of learning beyond the walls of the classroom – even a short time outside can help boost focus, creativity, and wellbeing.

Thank you to the teachers who embraced the opportunity. We hope to see even more outdoor learning across the school in the future!

Walk Safely to School Day

This Friday, West Balcatta Primary School is proud to take part in National Walk Safely to School Day – a nationwide event that encourages families to promote road safety, healthy habits and sustainable travel.

We’re inviting all students to walk, ride or scoot to school, even just part of the way. You could:

Park a few blocks away and walk the rest
Meet up with friends and walk together
Ride or scoot with an adult and use safe paths

This event is a great opportunity to:

Teach children about safe road use
Encourage physical activity before school
Help reduce traffic congestion around our school

All students who participate will receive a special sticker, and we’ll be keeping count to see which class and faction has the most walkers on the day!

Let’s step up together for healthier bodies, safer streets, and a cleaner environment.

Thank you for supporting this important initiative – we can’t wait to see our footpaths full of smiling students this Friday!

Nanna Bingo - Save the Date!

Friday 27th June 2025 - WBPS Assembly Area

West Balcatta Parents & Citizens… it’s time to book the babysitter and let Nanna take care of the rest!

Join us for a night of laughs, games, and good old-fashioned fun at Nanna Bingo, a fabulous adults-only fundraiser event for the WBPS community.

Dust off your cardies and get ready for a night to remember!

More details coming soon – mark your calendar now!

Shaun Tan Award for Young Artists

Calling All Young Artists: Enter the 2025 Shaun Tan Award!

The City of Subiaco proudly presents the 2025 Shaun Tan Award for Young Artists – a celebration of imagination, innovation and creativity in Western Australian students from Years 1 to 12.

This prestigious visual art award invites young people to submit an original, two-dimensional (2D) artwork no larger than 1 metre x 1.5 metres. Entries will be judged on originality, concept, technique and choice of materials.

Entries close Monday 19 May, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting opportunity! For full entry details and guidelines, visit the City of Subiaco website.

About Shaun Tan

Shaun Tan is a world-renowned artist and author who grew up in Perth and attended Balcatta Senior High School. His distinctive style and surreal storytelling have earned him international acclaim. Two of his large-scale murals, The Tea Party and The 100 Year Picnic, are proudly displayed at Subiaco Library.

Shaun began his creative journey as a teenager, drawing and painting dreamlike images that now appear in award-winning books translated into numerous languages. In 2011, Shaun received an Academy Award for his animated short film The Lost Thing, and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for his outstanding contribution to children’s literature.

To explore more of Shaun’s work, visit www.shauntan.net.

City of Stirling Community Safety Expo

The City of Stirling is inviting families to a free, family-friendly Community Safety Expo—a fantastic opportunity to learn about safety while having fun together.

📅 Date & Time: Saturday, 31 May 2025 2:00pm – 4:00pm

📍 Location: Stirling Leisure – Dianella 1 Light Street, Dianella

💰 Cost: Free

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who should attend? Families and residents in the City of Stirling and surrounding areas

✨ What to expect:

Meet the Constable Care mascot
Enjoy safety-themed face painting
Get creative at the Kids’ Safety Craft Station
Spin the Crime Stoppers prize wheel for a chance to win giveaways
Treat the family to a free sausage sizzle provided by the Salvation Army
Bring your bike along for a free bike safety check from The Bike Mechanic

This engaging and interactive event will connect families with vital community safety resources, hands-on activities, and service providers.

For more information...

Keyed Up Music

KeyesUpT2.pdf

The West #4 2025