3 May 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents

NAPLAN

NAPLAN 2017 tests will be held on Tuesday 9th, Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th May. NAPLAN is a valuable assessment tool for governments, schools and parents to understand and improve the literacy and numeracy outcomes of Australian students.

Schools and teachers use NAPLAN data to improve teaching and learning programs in the classroom. Skills that will be tested include reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. All students in Years 3 and 5 are expected to participate in NAPLAN testing.

The best way to assist your child in preparation for NAPLAN is to reassure your child that the tests are just one part of the school program and urge them to do the best they can on the day. It is important for you and your child to know that NAPLAN is not a pass/fail test.

Later in the year we will send parents an individual student NAPLAN report that you can use to view and monitor how your child is progressing.

More information is available on the NAPLAN website and if you have any concerns, please contact Mrs Zoe Stenhouse on 9407 7142.

Lowes Vouchers

Congratulations to the following families who each won a $50 voucher to Lowes for the early payment of school contributions.

Liu Family
Scarlett Family
Bell Family
Jarvis Family

Contributions can be paid at the front office or via direct deposit to Commonwealth Bank – BSB 066040 – Account Number 19902052.

Uniforms

With the mornings now being very chilly, we are encouraging all students to wear their school jacket or jumper to school as only Somerly Primary School jackets or plain black jumpers/jackets are acceptable. Please ensure your child’s name is written in them to avoid being put into lost property.

School Track Pants

We have a limited number of Somerly Primary School track pants with white/jade piping available in size 4. $15 down from $39.99. These can be purchased at the school office and payment can be made with cash or cheque only.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data for School Students with Disability

Our school is part of a national project about students with disability and/or learning difficulties.

We have been asked to provide data about the number and learning needs of children at our school. The name of the school and the name of the students will not be reported. Information about the different types of needs and the programs and resources the school uses to overcome barriers and support children with special educational needs will be collected.

We believe it is important to contribute to this because it will help Governments and the Department develop better policies that acknowledge the level of resources needed in schools to meet the needs of all students in Western Australia.

New students

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Hwa Hae Tha, Tamaikoha, Tison, Kira and Jesse who recently commenced at Somerly Primary School.

Tracey Renton
Principal

Behaviour Focus

Our behaviour focus for Week 2 is:-

SAFETY;

CLASSROOM

• Sit on chairs ‘4 to the floor’.
• Clean up work areas.
• Tuck in chairs when they are not being sat in.
• Use equipment appropriately.
• Walk in the classroom.

Merit Certificates

Room 2: Isaac and Daniel; Room 3: Dean and Mia; Room 4: Kevin and Sanaver; Room 7: Jarome, Benjamin and Melisa; Room 8: Czarina, Sarah and Carly; Room 9: Aaron and Tiya; Room 10: Andrew and Sophie; Room 11: Kevin and Aayah; Room 12: Chantel and Tayliah; Room 13: Ashton and Hussna; Room 14: Emily and Felix; Room 16: Mathew, William and Kiah; Room 17: Jayden and Emilia; Room 18: Jessica and Jordan; Room 20: Barclay and Kaden; LOTE: Asante – Room 7, Room 8 and Milly – Room 20.

Somerly Stars!

ANZAC Assembly

On Friday 28th March the Somerly Primary School community held a commemorative service to remember those who had fought for freedom.

The Student Councillors read several passages that reflected on the happenings of World War 1 and the beginning of the Anzac traditions.

Wreaths were laid to honour the memories of those who died and several books were donated to the school as a reminder of this special and significant day.

All students’ respectful behaviour and deep reverence during the service was to be commended.

Kindy enrolment for 2018

We are now taking Kindergarten applications for 2018, if you have a child that was born between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2014 please come into the front office for an application form.

As Kindy is non-compulsory, enrolments will be on a first in basis.

When applying we need a copy of your child’s birth certificate or passport, visa if applicable, current Medicare immunisation details and proof of address.

Students Late to School

If your child arrives late to school they are missing critical morning routines and learning activities. The school day begins at 8:40am and students will be considered late if they do not arrive by this time. If your child arrives after 9:00am you are required to enter through the front office and provide us with a reason for the lateness. A late slip will be printed for you to give to the class teacher.

Not Feeling Well?

If your child is not feeling well before school, please keep them home and notify the office by phoning 9407 7142 or sending an SMS to 0437 480 486.

Late Collection of Students

Somerly Primary School has a student finish time of 2.45pm each day. If your child has not been picked up before 3pm, you will be required to come to the front office to sign them out.

Attendance

Student Attendance

Somerly Primary School recognises that students need to attend school on a regular basis to gain the maximum benefit from schooling in order to optimise their life opportunities. At Somerly Primary School we understand that for maximum transfer of knowledge 95% attendance is necessary. Attendance rates lower than 95% could impact on academic standards.

At Somerly Primary School there is an expectation that once enrolled, students will attend on a regular basis, and positive attendance patterns should be fostered. It is our focus to wrap positive support around each student to maximise their attendance.

Did you know?

• Missing one day a week of school from Year 1 to Year 11 is the equivalent of missing two years and one term of schooling.
• Being half an hour late to school each day from Year 1 to Year 10 is equivalent to missing one year and one-and-a-half terms of schooling.
• Being absent five days a term from Year 1 to Year 10 adds up to more than one year of missed schooling.
• There is a direct correlation between attendance and achievement.
• Frequent absences make it difficult for teachers to ensure your child learns what they need to.
• Patterns of attendance/absence are set up in the early years of schooling..
• Poor attendance makes it difficult for students to form positive relationships with their peers.

What can I do if my child is sick?

1. SMS – Send an SMS to advise of your child’s absence and the reason to 0437 480 486 before 9am
2. Make a phone call to the front office advising staff of the reason for your child’s absence. (Telephone: 9407 7142)
3. Other options include

• Send a note upon your child’s return
• Verbally discuss the reasons with the teacher
• Send an email.

Learning Focus

Numeracy News

Welcome back everyone! I hope you had a relaxing break. This term I am excited to be working primarily with Year 1 and Pre-primary teachers and students on all things maths.

We ended last term on a ‘high note’ with a Numeracy Morning. It was so wonderful to see so many parents, carers and friends of Somerly around the school ‘doing’ so much maths in the classrooms. We also had a parent session in the library where I shared tips, ideas, games and websites to help students with maths. Here are the Top 5 things you can do to help your children with maths.

Whatever you do with your children it is really important for you and your child to realise that anyone can be ‘GOOD’ at maths. Maths is not just about getting the right answers quickly.

It is about having a positive mindset to have a go, trying things out, thinking things through, experimenting with a theory, persistence, checking to see if something works and trying another way if we get it wrong…”Problem Solving”. To become good at maths we need to make lots of mistakes.

Who thinks they’re not a Maths Person?-You must watch this NOW!

During the parent session we also had a go at some mental maths problems and learnt a couple of neat tricks for doing calculations in our head using Vedic Maths… Try this 32 X 11…It probably took a couple of minutes?

Now watch this trick to solve this in just 5 seconds… in your head!

Math Magic – Vedic Maths

Finally I shared three of my favourite FREE websites to help with homework:

Thanks.
Vikki Longthorn - Numeracy Curriculum Leader & Level 3 Teacher

P & C