Term 3 - Issue 3 2024

Our Vision

Principal's Article

Dear Families,

This term has been full of highlights and quite a bit of rain. The students have demonstrated resilience on the days when they couldn't spend as much time outside as they would normally like. As the weather has started to warm up and spring has sprung, it’s been wonderful to see the kids out and about with big smiles on their faces.

A special highlight was on Wednesday when we had our first Early Childhood carnival. It was such a fun morning! The sun was shining, and the students had the opportunity to participate in running races and tabloid games. The parent relay was definitely the highlight of the day! A huge thank you to the teachers who worked tirelessly to put this fabulous event together.

2025 Planning

We are currently busy reviewing our classes for 2025. If you are planning on not returning next year, please ensure you return your form before the school holidays start. As you may know, we have very long wait lists for positions within our school, so it is important that we know if there will be any vacancies.

Kaartdijin (Compass)

On 15 October, we will be going live with the Department's innovative software platform, Kaartdijin. This new system aims to transform how schools support student safety and wellbeing, timetabling, administration, and asset management. From this date, our current text messaging system will no longer be active, and all communications will be sent through Kaartdijin instead. You should have received information about these changes over the past couple of weeks. Please track this progress and save the new details/app to be ready once we go live. If you have any questions regarding Kaartdijin, please see Trish in the office, and she will be happy to assist you.

Holiday Activities

I hope everyone enjoys a well-earned holiday period, and with a bit of luck, we’ll have lots of sunshine! Just in case you haven’t seen, Western Australian families can claim four free Perth Zoo passes this spring as part of a new initiative by the state government. These tickets, which can save families up to $100, can be claimed via the ServiceWA app. They must be used between September 9 and November 30 and include free public transport. Additionally, kids have free entry into the Perth Royal Show. For more information about accessibility, sensory spaces, and a social narrative to help prepare your children for the day out, check out this link: Perth Royal Show Accessibility Information.

Education Act Review

Finally, there's a fantastic opportunity for parents to have their voices heard as part of the Education Act 1999 review. As parents of children with special needs, now is the time to speak up and share your thoughts on what our kids need. It’s important to ensure that we continue to have the ability to make choices about our children’s education that best suit their individual needs. For more information and to have your say, visit: Home - School Education Act Review - Department of Education.

Wishing you all a relaxing and enjoyable holiday break!

Warm regards,

Carmen Lopez

Important Dates

Birak Season

Birak Season - ABORIGINAL SIX SEASONS

FIRST SUMMER

SEASON OF THE YOUNG

DECEMBER & JANUARY

COLOUR - PINK

To represent the warming of boodja (land) and the magnificent sunrise and sunsets during this Season.

The Southwest showcases spectacular colours from the sky in pinks, oranges, yellows and reds as the sun rises and the sun sets in the Season of Birak. Birak Season is all about landcare and preparation for new growth. Land (boodja) is slowly heated by the hot days, releasing the moisture that is returned by a break of rain. This cycle of hot weather and quenching rainfall enabled safe fire burning practices.

This is why Birak is referred to as the 'Burning Season', where Noongar people would initiate 'controlled burning', in order for the land to regenerate and allow for environmental regrowth. Flame (djarliny) was an important tool used to assist regrowth, using a combination of heat to release seeds and smoke (koorl) followed by rains to encourage the germination of seeds..

Christmas Tree (Moodjar) with bright orange/yellow flowers is now in full bloom. Reptiles are active and will be shedding their skin and young Magpies (Koolbardi) are learning new techniques but still reliant on their parents. The adult Koolbardi will often force independence of the young by a feeding demonstration followed by close supervision as they listen (ni) to the constant calling for food.

The sea breeze in the mornings and evenings makes this time of year refreshing and the ocean always gave an abundance of fresh food. The banksia is in flower and is used as a source of honey.

Aboriginal Six Seasons, Birak Season, https://www.aboriginalsixseasons.com.au/pages/birak-season

News from T2

Celebrating Growth: T2 Students' Journey Through the Year

As the year unfolds, it's inspiring to witness the remarkable progress our T2 students have made. Each day brings new achievements, and it's clear that their hard work and dedication are paying off. From literacy and numeracy to life skills and communication, our students are excelling in all areas, building a strong foundation for future success.

At the heart of our students' progress is their journey in literacy. This year, we've seen them grow from recognising letters and sounds to reading and answering comprehension questions related to texts. Effective communication is a key area of focus, and our students have made impressive strides in this regard. They've become more adept at expressing their needs, ideas, and emotions in a respectful and articulate manner.

In numeracy, T2 students have shown commendable progress in understanding core mathematical concepts. Their ability to count, recognise numbers and basic addition and subtraction has improved. They've shown a growing ability to apply their skills in practical situations. Hands-on activities and problem-solving exercises have played a crucial role in making math both fun and accessible.

This year, our students have made impressive strides in developing essential life skills, particularly in practical tasks they can apply both at home and in the classroom. They’ve learned to cook simple dishes, wash dishes, make their beds, and assist with the washing. These activities not only teach valuable household skills but also foster a sense of independence, responsibility, and pride in their ability to contribute to their environment.

Birak 4

Birak 4 sharing a photo with WESC. Saying goodbye to our dear student and friend Joshua.  Yesterday was his last day.

 Wishing him all the best for the future in his new school. 

PBS

“Show your true colours”  by dressing in whatever colours or shades make you feel good! ...for our Whole School Acknowledgment last day of Term 3 reward. PBS is about acknowledging students as well as staff for their hard work.
The 'rainbow' spectrum theme which is composed of various colours, symbolises unity in diversity, as it encompasses a broad array of personalities, abilities and challenges, and emphasises the importance of inclusivity.

Merit Award Winners - Week 8

Kindergarten 2025

Sorrento Surf Lifesaving Club

Uniforms

Voluntary Contributions

Voluntary Contributions - Kindy to Year 6

$30.00 – Per Student

School Board Members