6 May 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents/Caregivers

I would firstly like to take this opportunity to wish Mr Paul Eaglestone all the best and thank him for the contribution he made to Somerly Primary School throughout Term One.

I feel very privileged and honoured to be given the opportunity to lead Somerly Primary School. As a foundation staff member, I believe very strongly in achieving the school vision and am committed to ensuring the outcomes of the School Business Plan. I thoroughly enjoy working with the amazing students and dedicated staff and look forward to supporting the community throughout Term Two.

Staffing

Again, I would like to congratulate, Louise Carroll on her permanent appointment to Deputy Principal of Somerly Primary School. Mrs Carroll has had such a positive impact on the community, staff and students since her commencement and I look forward to her continued leadership.

I am very fortunate to announce Mrs Kym Fanelli to the appointment of Deputy Principal for Term Two. Mrs Fanelli comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and I would like to personally welcome her to Somerly Primary School.

COVID-19 Update

Considering the unprecedented times that we are experiencing and the much debated topic of students returning to school, it has been a really positive start to Term Two. It has been fantastic to see so many of our students back at school, engaging with their regular classroom routines. I think some were even excited to be back! I know the staff are happy to have them back and although it is not quite business as usual yet, it is great to have a bit of normality and structure. We have also had a number of students engaging with our Connected Learning Program.

I have been very proud of the Respect, Responsibility and Safety demonstrated by of all our students in regards to their regular hand hygiene and in limiting physical contact throughout the school. I would like to please remind everyone to bring a water bottle to school.

Please note there have been some new additions and changes in regards to attendance from the Department of Education. Students attending school site will continue to be marked as present. If you are engaging in our Connected Learning Program or paper- based program your attendance will still be marked using a different code. For a student who is learning from home to be marked as present the teacher needs to have evidence of work submission. This is why teachers will continue to connect with you at least once per week via Seesaw, by phone or email. If your child is sick, normal processes apply. Please inform the school by sending an SMS, telephoning the school office or sending an email. If the school is concerned about attendance including participation in an online or paper-based education program the school will continue to follow up attendance in the usual way.

As we head into cold and flu season please remember to keep your child/ren at home if they are sick and seek medical advice. Please note that the government are providing free flu vaccinations for all primary school aged children. Please contact your local GP or pharmacy for more information.

The situation with COVID-19 is a continually changing situation and has placed a number of demands on all our staff and the community. Thank you for your understanding and support with our alternative drop off and pick up arrangements and for respecting our school staff by not entering the classrooms at this time. I will also take this opportunity to thank all our staff - teachers, assistants, administration and in particular cleaning staff for their professionalism, dedication and support to ensure a successful start to the term. I will continue to update you with any significant changes that may arise over the coming weeks.

School Board

Do you have a background in business or finance? Are you looking to contribute to the school in some way? If so then we need you. The School Board plays an important role in contributing to good school governance, which helps to ensure positive outcomes for students. Being a member of a Board is an important and rewarding role that contributes greatly to the success of a school. The School Board’s overarching purpose is to ensure student success and school effectiveness while seeking to understand local community views.

A number of key roles of the Board includes

• Review of the school’s performance
• Contribution to the Business Plan
• Endorse and review the Annual Report
• Promotion of the school through the wider community
• Approval or charges - contributions, fees, items of personal use.

The School Board is made up of members from school staff, parents and community members with meetings occurring twice per Term. At this stage we are looking for parent nominations to fill casual vacancies. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Zoe Stenhouse on 6206 4200 to discuss further. I look forward to hearing from you.

School P&C

The P&C AGM was held in Term 1 and I would like to introduce and thank the following parents for their nominations and congratulate them on their appointment.

President – Laura Woodford
Vice President – Safiyyah Khan
Secretary – Lauren Clark
Treasurer – Tania Viandante
Fundraising - Nickie Letelier
Executive Committee Members – Matthew Spencer, Cheryl Deville, Lyn Howarth

The P&C plays a vital role in fostering community engagement, supporting schools through connecting parents, teachers and students and effective fundraising. The next P&C Meeting is to be held on Monday 11th May at 6.30pm. I look forward to working with the incoming P&C but would sincerely like to thank the outgoing P&C members for their valued contributions.

Pre-primary, Year One and Year Two On-Entry Assessment Programs

At the beginning of Term 1 students from Pre-primary to Year 2 participated in the On-Entry Assessment Program. The assessments have been completed and teachers have used this data to plan future learning experiences for students. Parent reports will be sent home this week. If you have any questions about your child’s results, please contact their classroom teacher to discuss.

New students

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Safia and Sami who recently commenced at Somerly Primary School.

Zoe Stenhouse
Principal

Stars

Behaviour Focus

Our behaviour focus for Week 2 is:-

WHOLE SCHOOL SAFETY

• We walk on paved areas
• We keep hands, feet and objects to ourselves
• We report dangers to a staff member

SOCIAL SKILL

• Occupying same space

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.

ANZAC Wreath

Due to COVID-19 we were unable to hold our Annual ANZAC Day Commemorative Service on Thursday 9th April. The Wreath purchased by the school was donated to the RAAF Association CABRAI Village Residents’ Branch for their ANZAC Service. It was nice to receive this letter of appreciation. I hope the community was able to take some time for reflection on ANZAC Day.

Kindergarten Enrolments 2021

We are now taking Kindergarten applications for 2021. If you have a child that was born between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017 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 History Statement 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.

Please click on the link below to access the Application for Enrolment for Kindergarten in 2021.

Chaplain’s Corner

Good day Parents and Caregivers,

I hope that you had a wonderful and relaxing holiday!

I have to say, it is wonderful to see all the students’ happy faces at school. It almost brings a sense of normalcy in this uncertain time. Even though we are well on our way to recovery, changes are still happening and there is a different kind of normal that we have to get used to. This made me realize that even when change could be scary, as the Somerly Primary School community, we will get through this together!

Stay safe, stay connected, and remember that I am always ready to help in any way I can. I will be at the school every Tuesday and Friday. If there is any way I can support your child/children, or yourself during this uncertain time – please feel free to give me a call on (08) 6206 4200.

Have a great week!

Kind regards,
Marilize Basson