13 March 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents/Caregivers

Nature Playground

We are delighted to announce that the Early Childhood Nature Playground is now open for students to use. It provides students with an outdoor space to continue to improve aspects of child development. In particular, physical, cognitive, social and emotional. The Nature Playground will assist in growing creativity, self-confidence, initiative and resilience. We just ask that all students and family members stay off the swing before and after school.

TTFM Survey

As part of our focus on school effectiveness, Somerly Primary School will be participating in an online survey for students and parents – Tell Them From Me (TTFM). The surveys are an important part of our school evaluation and planning process. The survey will provide us with valuable feedback on what our students think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. Schools in Australia and around the world have used the Tell Them From Me survey to help them improve.

The survey takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. The survey measures include such topics as emotional and social well-being, physical health, and behaviours and attitudes linked to student success. The survey also allows students and parents to give their thoughts and feedback in open-ended question responses.

Students from Year 4 to 6 will complete this survey in the coming weeks during class time. You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:

Please complete the survey by Friday 22nd March 2019

School Board

We are calling for parent nominees to join the Somerly Primary School Board. The role of the School Board is one of setting the long term future for the school. The Board has student success and school effectiveness as it’s overarching purpose. A number of key roles of the Board include;

• Review of the school’s performance
• Contribution to the School Delivery and Performance Agreement and the Business Plan
• Endorse and review the annual report
• Promotion of the school through the wider community
• Approval of charges, contributions and fees, items of personal use (booklists) and advertising.

The School Board is made up of members from the school staff, parents and members of the community. The Board meets twice a term and the meetings commence at 9:00am. Parents can nominate to be part of the school board for a period of one, two or three years. Please contact Andrew Britton on 6206 4200, if you would like to nominate for the School Board.

Numeracy Open Morning – 28th March 2019

Our first parent open morning will be held on 28th March from 8:30am. This is an opportunity for you to engage with your children in the classroom and view the learning that has occurred this year.

8:45 – 9:15: in classroom engaging in Mathematics with your children
9:20: Parent Workshop (Staffroom) – Our Mathematics Specialist Teacher, Jodie Brown, will talk through the benefits of our whole school program, Stepping Stones.

Easter Hat Parade – 11th April 2019

To continue the tradition, we will host an Easter Hat Parade on Thursday 11th April at 2pm, in the assembly area. Families are more than welcome to attend to see your children parade their creative Easter hats.

Harmony Day – Cultural Dress Up Day - 21st March 2019

Harmony Day is an opportunity to celebrate Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. At Somerly PS, we have 30 nationalities represented within our school population. We would like to invite all students to dress up in a way that represents their culture of birth / family origin. Students will also engage in various activities leading up to Harmony Day.

Indigenous Breakfast – 21st March 2019

We will also host our first Indigenous Family breakfast of 2019 on Thursday 21st March. We would like to invite all indigenous students and their families to join us for pancakes from 8:00am in the staffroom.

Voluntary Contributions

Voluntary Contributions play a significant role in providing resources for students in the classroom. The continuing partnership between the school and parents is vital to ensuring that all students receive a level of education sufficient to carry them forward in today’s society. Voluntary Contributions are utilized to purchase books, resources and equipment for classroom use and to support our school in the delivery of quality educational programmes. To enable the school to continue to deliver our excellent educational programmes, we urge you to consider paying your Voluntary Contribution at your earliest convenience.

Voluntary Contributions for 2019 is set at $60. However, if you pay before the end of Term 1, you will receive a discount of $10.

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.

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

Andrew Britton
A/Principal

Merit Certificates

Room 1: Kora and Mia;
Room 2: Amie and Aryan;
Room 3: Harrison and Isaac ;
Room 4: Kaylee and Ieasha;
Room 7: Lily and Ava;
Room 8: Jasper and Oscar ;
Room 9: Bailey and Layton;
Room 10: ;
Room 11: Lewis and Summer;
Room 12: ;
Room 13: Chase and Charlotte;
Room 14: Dean and Ella;
Room 15: Aizayr and Joshua;
Room 16: Acacia-Mai and Vladimir;
Room 17: Austin and Louisa;
Room 18: Kien and Matis;
Room 23: Lawson and Oliver;
MUSIC: Cahil, Harmony, Lily and Room 23;
LOTE: Ella and Kaiden;
ART: Hussna and Mikayla.

Somerly Stars!

Behaviour Focus

Our behaviour focus for Week 6 is:-

RESPONSIBILITY;
PLAY AREAS

• We wear our hat
• We play in our own area
• We use/return equipment properly
• We use all equipment for its designed purpose
• We leave the play areas to get a drink and go to the toilet when the first siren goes
• We are back at our class when the second siren goes
• We seek help when we need to solve problems
• We wait for the duty teacher to arrive before going on the oval and courts

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, sending an SMS to 0437 480 486 or emailing somerly.ps@education.wa.edu.au.

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.

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Good day Parents!!

Our Anti-bullying campaign came to a close this week. And we can truly say that it ended on a very high note!!

On Tuesday, 12 March we were fortunate to have Guinness Book of World Records holder Jon Pritikin as a guest speaker at Somerly Primary School. He addressed students on the benefits of good character and shared his compelling and adventurous story of how he overcame a speech problem, childhood hardships and being bullied. Students were captivated by Jon’s presentation and feats of strength. His message to students was simple: “How can each of you be a HERO for others?” Sometimes it can mean standing up to bullying but more often than not it simply means being a friend.

He was truly an inspirational Speaker that has touched the hearts of all students and staff. Thank you for supporting this incursion and remember if you need more information or your need some support in any way, please contact me at school or pop in for a chat any Tuesday or Friday.

Have a great week!!

Kind regards.

Marilize

Fathering Project

Dads/Father Figures and Child Event - Taiko Drumming

The Fathering Project is an opportunity to have fun with your kids and become part of a strong and supportive network of dads and father figures connected to Somerly Primary School. Our Term 1 event will be led by our Music Specialist Teacher, Kim Olsen. Dads and kids will learn a variety of Taiko Drumming rhythmic patterns played simultaneously together. The Fathering Project participants will also decorate the drums, which will be used in class time and whole school events.

RSVP: There is a maximum number of 15 kids (and their dads) to participate in the event (First in first served). Please RSVP by Monday 25th March, by calling Somerly Primary School on 6206 4200.

The Fathering Project is brilliant and inspires me as a dad. Justin Langer AM, Father of 4 Girls, Australian Cricketer, WA

The Dads’ group has been a wonderful initiative for our school to be involved in. These Dad’s form a very important part of their children’s experiences, and we celebrate that with a wide range of enjoyable and meaningful school and family-based events.” Greg, School Principal, WA

For all women who want their husbands to be more involved in their children’s lives, I encourage you to get involved with The Fathering Project. It will make such a massive difference to your children’s lives; your relationship, your husband’s life, and you will all be better off as a family unit.” Georgie, Mother to 3 children, Loving wife of a Dad involved in The Fathering Project, WA

Life Education Mobile Learning Centre Is Coming!

Our School has booked the Life Education Mobile Learning Centre for Weeks 9 & 10 of Term 1. The Van will be at School from Wednesday 3rd April until Thursday 11th April, 2019.

The aim of this program is to empower young people to make healthy lifestyle choices on a range of important issues that cover the requirements of the West Australian Curriculum. Specialist teachers come out to the school and bring a Mobile Learning Centre full of resources that assist them in delivering highly important information in a relaxed, though motivating environment that promotes very important health messages for students of all ages. Each class will have its own session in the Mobile Learning Centre.

Kindy – Harold’s Healthy Play Day – In this module children follow Harold throughout his healthy day and learn about the importance of healthy foods, hygiene, sleep and exercise. The aim of this module is to further develop their awareness and take responsibility for their own personal health and hygiene.

Pre-Primary – Harold’s Friend Ship -After building a model spaceship at school, Harold and his friends, Boots and Red, venture into an imaginary world in outer space. As the adventure unfolds children explore: how to build friendships and care for others • feelings and emotions • safe and unsafe situations, and early warning signs • safe places and people to turn to for help.

Year 1 and 2 – Growing Good Friends - Harold battles to figure out what to give his grandma for her birthday until his friends, Boots and Red, step in and offer some good ideas. This animated story takes us to familiar surroundings where students can: explore what health messages mean • identify safety signs • recognise how physical activity and nutrition contribute to a healthy lifestyle • explore how positive relationships benefit our health and wellbeing

Year 3 and 4 – Mind Your Medicine - Using a friendly game show format Mind Your Medicine develops students’ understanding of medicines and their safe use, positive communication, strategies for managing conflict, stress and bullying, and explores how feelings influence the choices that we make.

Year 5 and 6 – Relate, Respect, Connect - A unique, contemporary module that explores building positive, safe and respectful relationships. Presented via a series of fictitious vlogs that resonate with young people moving through upper primary school and beyond, this module focuses on: · understanding how to respect ourselves and others · identifying characteristics of positive relationships · strategies to help maintain positive online and offline relationships · strategies to respond to unsafe or disrespectful situations online and offline · the importance of relationships to our own and others' wellbeing.

Please note that the Life Education Mobile Learning Centre will be open for parents from 8.30am to 9.15 am on Wednesday 3rd April, 2019. This is an opportunity for parents to find out about the topics their children cover in the van. Parents are most welcome to visit at any time during this 45 min session.

Cost for the program will vary dependent on the program but will be approximately $10. Permission slips and payment details will come home soon.

Learning Focus

LOTE

TOP 10 BENEFITS OF LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

In a globalised world, where mobility is facilitated, learning a language is a wonderful benefit. Not only does it help when travelling, it is also a great advantage for studying and for career prospects. Acquiring a second language enables us to develop various mental abilities at all ages.

1. Boosts Brain Power

A foreign language is a whole new intricate system of rules, structures, and lexis. Learning a new language means your brain has to cope with complexity as it makes sense of and absorbs new patterns. As our brains work out the meaning, endeavouring to communicate, we develop key learning skills such as cognitive thinking and problem-solving. Highly developed critical thinking skills are a significant benefit both personally and professionally.

2. Improves Memory

Use it or lose it. How many times have you heard that phrase? It is a simple fact – the more the brain is used, the better its functions work. A new language requires not only familiarity with vocabulary and rules, but also being able to recall and apply this knowledge. Learning a language gives your memory a good work out in the brain gym. This means that multilingual people have brains that are more exercised and quick to recall names, directions, facts, and figures.

3. Enhances The Ability to Multi-Task

Multi-tasking is very stressful for those who are not used to it or don’t do it well. According to a study from the Pennsylvania State University, people who are multilingual and proficient at slipping from one language system to another are practised at this very demanding work for the brain. People who have developed the ability to think in different languages and move from one to the other become much better multi-taskers, reducing stress levels.

4. Sharpens The Mind

A study from Spain’s University of Pompeu Fabra revealed that multilingual people are better at observing their surroundings. They easily spot anything that is irrelevant or deceptive. They’re also better at spotting misleading information. The study was conducted comparing multilingual and monolingual subjects and the former notably had the edge.

5. Keeps The Mind Sharper for Longer

Several studies have been conducted on this topic, and the results are consistent. Language learning keeps your brain healthy. For monolingual adults, the mean age for the first signs of dementia is 71.4. For adults who speak two or more languages, the mean age for those first signs is 75.5. Studies considered factors such as education level, income level, gender, and physical health, but the results were consistent.

6. Enhances Decision-Making

According to a study from the University of Chicago, decision-making ability becomes an easier process for multilingual people. Aside from the rules and vocabulary that go with learning a foreign language, there are nuances and regional expressions that a student of language frequently judges for appropriateness and hidden meanings. Multilinguals are more confident in their decision-making choices as a result of practice, practice, practice!

7. The First Language is Improved

Learning a new language makes you more conscious of the nuts and bolts of your own language. Terms such as vocabulary, grammar, conjugation, comprehension, idioms and sentence structure become everyday phrases, whereas your own language is probably absorbed more intuitively. Learning a new language also makes you a better listener as you are used to having to interpret meaning and judge nuances.

8. Improves Performance in Other Academic Areas

As a result of higher cognitive skills, studies show that the benefits of learning a new language include higher scores on standardised exams in math, reading comprehension and vocabulary by multilingual students compared to the scores of monolingual students. Children may ask why they have to learn this language, but parents and teachers know better! Language skills boost your ability to do well in problem-solving tasks across the board, a fact recognised through compulsory foreign language learning curriculum in schools.

9. Increases Networking Skills

Opening up to a culture allows you to be more flexible and appreciative of other people’s opinions and actions. As a result, if you are multilingual, you have the advantage of seeing the world from different viewpoints, enhancing your ability to communicate in today’s globally connected world.

10. Provides Better Career Choices

According to Eton Institute’s Language Development in the Workforce survey (September 2017), 89% of our clients stated that multilingual employees add value to the workforce and 88% stated that recruiting team members with language skills is important to their organisation. A multilingual ability is definitely a competitive edge in today’s world.

Language learning helps develop strong cognitive skills, such as a better concept formation, mental flexibility, multitasking, listening skills and problem-solving, in addition to improving social interaction and encouraging connection between peers.

Source: Eton Institute.

ICT

Seesaw

Classes are now almost up and running with the Seesaw app. Students are being taught how to interact in a safe online classroom, uploading and sharing their work. Please feel free to come and discuss the Seesaw app with your classroom teacher if you have not received your child’s/ren’s QR scanning code.

Coding Club

This term we have 9 fabulous Year 3 students joining us for Coding Club. Students have been learning how to turn on and connect a Sphero robot to the iPads using Bluetooth connections. We have been experimenting with making the robots move and have successfully coded and algorithm to make the Spheros follow a path to draw a square. Stay tuned for more of their interesting adventures.

Parent Support

You can help our students with digital technologies by talking to them about the components that are used in different devices. For example, a desktop computer has a mouse, keyboard and a monitor while an iPad has a touch screen which generates a keyboard in certain applications. You can also help our students at Somerly Primary School by allowing them to use Word Document and PowerPoint to type stories, message or even create a weekend diary in PowerPoint, inserting photos of an amazing weekend.

Reading Eggs/Reading Eggspress

Firstly, thank you to all the parents and guardians who attended the recent Reading Eggs information session and I trust that you found it helpful in supporting your children.

Reading Eggs and Reading Eggspress is our online home reading programme available, at no cost to you, to all our students from Kindergarten to Year 6.

Students are expected to use the program for daily reading homework. Teachers are able to monitor your child’s progress.

Please see your child’s teacher should you have difficulty in logging on, and they should be able to help you.

We have excellent feedback from parents and students who are engaging with the program. It is fun and motivating and really helps your child to read; both to decode and comprehend.

Reports show that since the end of January, students have read an average of 11 books per student, with some individuals having read over 70 books!!

Early success in reading is a powerful predictor of later literacy achievement which, in turn, is strongly linked with performance across a range of academic areas (Centre for Economic Performance 2016; Department of Education, Science and Training 2005). Individuals without literacy skills are at risk of being unable to participate in the workforce or engage fully in civic and social life (Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation 2016).