Term 4 - Issue 3 2024

Our Vision

Principal's Article

It is hard to believe that we have come to the end of the year already. Today we farewell our Year 6 students, who are ready to take on new adventures. We are so incredibly proud of each of them and what they have achieved during their time at Westminster Education Support Centre (WESC). Last week, we celebrated their journey with a heartfelt graduation ceremony, acknowledging their growth and accomplishments.

This term has been jam-packed with activities, including incursions, excursions, and celebrations. One of the highlights was our Book Award Ceremony, where we recognised students who have made significant gains this year. It was a joy to celebrate their achievements and see their hard work pay off.

We also held our Stepping Up transition session, which was followed by a picnic and an exciting foam party—complete with a special visit from Santa! Although the extreme heat required us to move the picnics indoors to the classrooms, it was wonderful to come together as a community for the foam party. Thank you to all our new and existing families who attended and joined in the fun. I hope you managed to escape the water fights and piles of foam!

I want to take this opportunity to thank all our families for their unwavering support this year. Together, as a team, we achieve the very best outcomes for our students. Your partnership is invaluable and deeply appreciated.

I would also like to recognise the incredible work of my staff. I am constantly in awe of the dedication, joy, and compassion they demonstrate daily. To our staff members who are leaving us—Roshni Halai, Rosario Carroll, and Kristy Brennan—we wish you all the best on your new journeys. May your next chapters bring you much joy, and we look forward to hearing updates on how you’re getting on.

Last week, we had our Public School Review, and I am so proud of the outcome we achieved. The Validators were blown away by the world-class programs, dedication, and care that are provided to your children every day. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone at WESC.

Looking ahead, next year promises to be another massive year. We are thrilled to welcome an Occupational Therapist (OT) to our team—more details on her to come in 2025! Please remember that students commence school on Wednesday, 5 February. Your child should have come home yesterday with a social narrative, which we encourage you to read with them over the holiday period. This document includes important information about their classroom and teacher.

In 2025, I am excited to announce that we have an exciting new collaboration with ABORIGINAL SIX SEASONS so watch this space!

As we wrap up the year, I wish you all a safe and merry holiday season. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas or simply enjoying time with your loved ones, may this be a time to reconnect, recharge, and create lasting memories.

See you all in 2025!

Warm regards,

Carmen Lopez

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 Bunuru 4

It has been a wonderful year with our fantastic Years 6s. We have had lots of fun together so lets have a look back over some of the things we got up to this year of 2024!

Japsahib and Michael have been School Councillors this year and speak at assemblies. The boys attended a GRIP  Leadership Conference in March this year. They received certificates in recognition for their work this year. Well done boys!

Bunuru 4 students enjoyed soccer coaching in Term 2.

Hetvi and Darsh won the Champions Medal at the interschool Sports carnival.  The students participated in the Faction Sports Carnival on our school oval in Term 3.

In Term 1 we went to Zone Bowling Morley and improved our bowling skills.

Bunuru 4 students enjoyed cooking each week and eating what they made.

In Term 3 we put on an assembly item of the Ants Go Marching!

As part of our Maths program Bunuru 4 students earned toy money for good deeds, which they put in their money boxes and saved up to buy prizes on Friday each week.

We went to Landsdale Farm and enjoyed seeing all the animals. The rain added to the fun!

On Book dress up day most of our class dressed up and paraded at the assembly.  We all wore our pyjamas to school on PJ day.

In Term 4 we participated in a Lego Competition with other Education Support Centres and we won a trophy and each student got a Lego figurines pack.

As part of our studies on Asia we learned about the country of Jordan. We had a talk by Ms Damrah, who comes from Jordan, and she showed us the Jordanian flag and students got to dress up in clothes from Jordan.

We had dancing lessons during Term 3 and in Term 4 we got to go to the West Australian Ballet performance of Sleeping Beauty, at His Majesty’s Theatre in the city. Each student received a t-shirt and a program. The ballet was fantastic!

As this is the last year of primary school for our Year 6 students they have done a number of transition visits to Balcatta High School and Dianella High School, were they will attend in 2025. Malachi played ball and Darsh plays drums, during a music lesson, at Balcatta High.

Our Graduating class of Year 6s will be going on 3 outings to celebrate their time at primary School. They go to Scitech on Thursday, receive their certificates in at the Graduation Assembly on Friday and then next week on Monday it’s a trip to Zone Bowling Joondalup and then a day at Outback Splash on Friday!

They will also be celebrating with the whole of Westminster Ed Support Centre on Wednesday with a picnic and a Foam Party!

We want to wish all our Year 6 students best of luck and hope you enjoy your time at your new schools. We have really enjoyed our time with you this year as we got to see you learn and grow into the amazing young people that you are! We will miss you!

All our love and best wishes,

from Mrs Fitzgerald, Mrs Tilbrook and Mrs La Galia.

PBS

“We have a Ready Body.” under the expectation of 'We are engaged learners'.  

Parent Training Workshops 2025

• Term 1 Week 4: Communication
• Term 1 Week 8: Behaviour
• Term 2 Week 4: Play & Social Skills
• Term 2 Week 8: Mealtimes
  
• Time: 9am to 10am
• Conference Room

Graduated Year 6 Students

Book Awards

Christmas Foam Party

Important Dates

Kindergarten 2025

Uniforms

Voluntary Contributions

School Board Members