Term 4 - Issue 2 2024

Our Vision

Principal's Article

Dear Families,

As we approach the end of the 2024 school year, I want to extend my gratitude to all families for your ongoing support and engagement. Term 4 is always a busy yet exciting time filled with celebrations and important milestones. Below are some key updates and reminders for the rest of the term:

End-of-Year Reports

Student reports will be sent home on Tuesday, 10 December 2024. As part of our commitment to ensuring open communication about your child’s progress, all teachers have met with families or will be meeting with you soon. If you are yet to schedule a meeting, please reach out as soon as possible to book a time.

Stepping Up Day and Family Picnic

On Wednesday, 11 December 2024, we will host our Stepping Up Day, where all students will transition to their new teachers and classrooms for the upcoming school year. We aim to have new staff members starting on this day to ensure your child can meet their teacher and participate in a fun activity together.
Following the Stepping Up session, we will celebrate the end of the school year with a family picnic and foam party. Please ensure your child brings their bathers and a change of clothes to school.

Book Award Assembly

Our annual Book Award Assembly will take place on Friday, 29 November 2024. If your child is receiving this prestigious award, you would have already been contacted. We look forward to celebrating this special achievement with our award recipients and their families.

Graduation Assembly

The Graduation Assembly for our graduating students will be held on Friday, 6 December 2024. Invitations have been sent to all graduating families. Following the ceremony, we will enjoy a morning tea together, after which the students will relax with a movie and pizza lunch. It will be a wonderful day of celebration and reflection.

Graduating Class Excursion

On the last day of the school year, Thursday, 12 December 2024, our graduating class will enjoy a fun-filled excursion to Outback Splash. Please note that Friday, 13 December 2024, is a student-free day, so there will be no school on this day.

Stay Connected

As we move towards the school holidays, please ensure you are signed up to receive all our communications. We use a variety of platforms to keep you informed, including:

• Newsletter: Subscribe at https://westminsteresc.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe.
• SeeSaw: For regular classroom updates, work samples, and videos.
• Facebook: Follow our page for school-wide updates and community events.

Thank you for your continued partnership and trust in us to support your child’s learning journey. We look forward to seeing you at these exciting events as we wrap up 2024 with joy and celebration!

Warm regards,
Carmen Lopez
Westminster Education Support Centre

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 Science

This year, our students have been immersed in an exciting hands-on learning experience as we introduce a variety of animals into the classroom. Year 6 students were introduced to Felicia, a Stimson Python, who was about to enter a state of semi-hibernation. This experience provided an opportunity to explore how animals adapt to their environments. The children have had the opportunity to witness the fascinating lifecycle of chickens firsthand, as we hatched eggs and observed the growth and development of the chicks. Through this process, students have gained a deeper understanding of the life stages of animals and the importance of care and responsibility in nurturing living creatures.
In addition to the chickens, our classroom has become home to several other captivating creatures. Five spiny leaf insects are currently thriving in their enclosure, providing a unique opportunity for students to study the bodies of insects and their behaviour. We also have hermit crabs, which offer insights into marine life and the need for appropriate habitats and how we can help keep habitats clean and safe for animals to thrive.
Perhaps most exciting of all, our silkworms, which hatched from eggs earlier this term, are now cocooning as they prepare to transform into moths. This real-life example has helped students connect with the materials we use every day, as they learn how silk is produced.
Through these interactive experiences, our students are not only learning about animal life cycles but also developing empathy, responsibility, and curiosity—valuable skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Lego League Competition

Our students from Bunuru 4 recently showcased their incredible skills and teamwork at this semester’s LEGO League competition, an event they've been preparing for tirelessly. From brainstorming innovative ideas to executing them with precision, our team worked hard on their building projects.

The competition day was filled with excitement as students admired the creativity and engineering displayed by teams from other schools. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to exchange ideas, learn new techniques, and see how others tackled similar challenges.

Our students represented the school with pride, demonstrating not only their technical skills but also a strong spirit of collaboration and sportsmanship. We’re thrilled to announce that their hard work and outstanding presentation skills earned them the trophy for "Best Presentation"! Congratulations to the entire team for this well-deserved recognition!

Thank you to everyone who supported the team throughout the semester. We can’t wait to see what our students come up with next year!

The ESNN Beldon Carnival was a fantastic way to conclude the athletics season! Students demonstrated impressive improvements in their fundamental movement skills, including running, jumping, throwing, bouncing, and catching, with clear progress evident across all areas. The event, which featured running races, tabloid and team activities, and even a sensory area with a Silent Disco, highlighted not only physical achievements but also the importance of friendship, sportsmanship, and kindness—qualities that create a positive, supportive atmosphere for all. What a wonderful celebration of the hard work, dedication and accomplishments of the year!

PBS

This fortnight's PBS lesson is 'We use school equipment safely'.    Under the expectation of 'We are Safe'.  

Merit Awards

Kindergarten 2025

Uniform Fitting Day

School Board Members

Sorrento Surf Lifesaving Club

Term Planner

Rotary Club - 2024 World Festival of Magic