7 March 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents/Caregivers

NAPLAN Online

Commencing 2018, the students at Somerly Primary School in years 3 and 5 will be completing all NAPLAN assessments online. The exception to this is year 3 students who will complete the writing assessment on paper.

The advantage of NAPLAN Online is that it’s an adaptive assessment which presents questions to students which are aligned to their level of achievement. No changes will be made to the reporting format on the NAPLAN assessments.

We will be holding a parent information session about NAPLAN Online on Thursday 15th March at 9:00am in the staffroom; all parents are invited to attend.

Harmony Day

As part of our celebrations for Harmony Day, we would like to encourage all students to wear the colour orange to school; this is the recognised colour for Harmony Day. We will be forming a human letter H on the oval to enable an aerial shot to be taken.

Social Media

The internet and social media provide great opportunities for us to network and stay in touch online. While these technologies can offer a positive space for sharing information and ideas, they also have the potential to cause harm to individuals, groups or even whole communities.

Just as you would discourage your child from acting inappropriately online, it’s important to remember that sometimes, negative comments posted about a school community by parents or caregivers can have a bigger impact than expected. Reputations of staff, schools and even parents can be damaged.

Whenever you’re online, you are potentially speaking to an unlimited audience, even if you think your conversations are private. Taking a few moments to think about the content you post could save upset, embarrassment and even possible legal action or police involvement.

Parental and community feedback is important for schools. If you have a concern, complaint or enquiry about an issue at school, the best approach is to speak directly to us, rather than discussing it in a public forum. If you are worried about online content involving the school community, please contact the school. And, if you are posting online, remember that your comments help build and support the school community. Make sure you’re responsible, respectful and safe - and a good role model for your children.

Tree Planting

The P&C are seeking volunteers to assist with the planting of 9 large trees on Monday 19th March at 9:00am. The trees will form an ANZAC avenue at the school’s entrance. With lots of assistance the tree planting shouldn’t take more than 2 hours.

Morning tea will be provided. If you have any queries, please contact the school on 6206 4200.

Tracey Renton
Principal

Merit Certificates

Room 3: Kaia and Abriana; Room 4: Vladimir and Ngaia; Room 7: Mkenji, Grace and Laiken; Room 8: Oscar and Kaylee; Room 9: Jermana and Quinn; Room 10: Talitha and Abbey; Room 11: Charlie, Izaiah and Kevin; Room 12: Ethan and Michael; Room 13: Lily and Moses; Room 14: Jasper and Temwani; Room 15: Angela and Aarav; Room 18: Annabelle and Ella; LOTE: Trinh, Room 7 and Layla; Physical Education: Room 4 and Room 14; Music: Ethan, Lars and Room 13.

Behaviour Focus

Our behaviour focus for Week 6 is:-

RESPONSIBILITY;

ICT

• We use 2 hands and walk when carrying one piece of equipment;
• We plug in equipment for charging when we are finished;
• We will tell the teacher if there is a problem, e.g. pop ups, password, internet connection;
• We log off the computers and laptops.

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 6206 4200 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.

Voluntary Contributions Prize Draw

Would you like a night at the Joondalup Resort ?

Thanks to the generosity of Mark Folkard MLA, Member for Burns Beach you could be checking in soon !

We have a voucher for a one night stay for two people with breakfast included on a date of your choice.

To be in the draw to win this fantastic prize, simply pay your Voluntary Contribution before the end of Term 1. If you have already paid, you are automatically in the draw.

Draw will take place week 1 of Term 2.

Voluntary Contributions can be paid by cash, cheque or EFTPOS in the front office any day between 8:30am and 3:30pm or you can pay by direct deposit to Commonwealth Bank - BSB 066-040 - Account No. 19902052. Please type surname and room number in description field as a reference.

STUDENT UPDATE FORMS

Thank you to all the parents who have returned the Student Update Form. If you have not yet returned the form would you please do so as soon as possible. If no changes are necessary please tick the “No Corrections Necessary” box , sign and return the form to your child’s teacher or the school office. It is essential that we have up to date information that allows us to contact parents in an emergency.

Road Safety

It has been brought to our attention that students are not using the dedicated crossing area on Connolly Drive when travelling to and from school. Connolly Drive is an extremely busy dual carriageway and our students’ safety is of paramount importance. Please take the time to discuss road safety with your children, especially crossing our roads, using the designated traffic wardens who are now available before and after school and keeping to footpaths when arriving at school.

Kindy Enrolment for 2019

We are now taking Kindergarten applications for 2019, if you have a child that was born between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015 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.

If you know someone who has a child due to start Kindergarten next year, please let them know that enrolments are open.

Coles Sports for Schools

Kurlangas Aboriginal Playgroup

Welcome to term 1. This term in playgroup our theme is “All about me”. The children will be finding and naming body parts, making paper faces, hand and feet painting, learning to recognise their name and sing songs that have actions.

For our babies, there will be tummy time (to strengthen their back and neck muscles), push and pull toys, some wonderful books to look at and songs to sing.

Please remember to bring a hat and drink bottle for your child.

Playgroup is FREE, and held every Wednesday at Somerly Primary School during term times between 12.30pm-2.30pm, for Aboriginal children up to 5yrs of age and their carers.

An afternoon tea of fresh fruit is provided for the children and tea, coffee and biscuits for the adults. You do not need to have a child attending this school to attend.

Hope to see you there!

ABORIGINAL EARLY YEARS TEAM

P & C

We are still looking for donations of Easter items for our Easter raffle draw. Any donations can be left at the front office before 22nd March 2018. All donations are greatly appreciated.