16 December 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents/Caregivers

As we come to the last few days of the academic year I am sure you are ready for a break from the school routine but also looking towards 2021. For us, planning for 2021 commenced several months ago and we continue to work hard to finalise the details. This afternoon class lists for 2021 will be displayed in the library window.

I would like to thank the staff for being so resourceful, resilient, dedicated and caring in this year like no other in providing a quality education to the students. The students of Somerly PS have been very lucky to have such an amazing team of educators support them through the year.

At the conclusion of each year it is always sad to say goodbye to staff who will move on to other positions and pursuits. Sadly, leaving us this year will be:

Miss Jess Mann, Mrs Emma Solly, Ms Rosalyn McLevie, Miss Kim Olsen and Mrs Jess Mason.

A huge thank you to all of these educators for their valued contributions to our school and I wish them all the best for their future pursuits!

The community support for our school has assisted us immensely and on behalf of all of my staff I thank parents, community, agencies, our P&C and School Board for your support and assistance throughout the year.

The School Board helps review school polices and gives input into school planning, budgeting and annual reporting. Mr Arthur Ventham is our Chairperson. Our parent/community members are: Mr Alessandro Prunali, Mrs Jodie Osman, Mrs Cheryl Deville, The Hon Mark Folkard, Staff: Ms Zoe Stenhouse, Mrs Louise Lipman, Minute taker: Mrs Louise Carroll

The P&C helps fundraise for school resources and activities. A group of dedicated parents and community members have worked hard fundraising for your children. Ms Laura Dover is our President, Mrs Safiyyah Khan – Vice, Tania-Lee Viandante – Treasurer, Mrs Lauren Clark - Secretary. This year the P&C have purchased two fold up stages and some new chairs for the library. Breakfast Club & sausage sizzle lunches are run by Mrs Cheryl Deville and parent volunteers.

I encourage you to join or assist next year where you can next year as both these volunteer groups are an integral part of Somerly PS being able to offer your children the best education possible.

We had separate book award ceremonies on Friday 11 December for K-2 and Years 3 to 6. We did this so each award winner could have two family members attend. Congratulations to all the book award winners. Your teachers and families are very proud of your achievements.

Your children’s reports came home yesterday in sealed envelopes or by email, if you have a valid email address registered with the school. Please remember that these are reports for parents, rather than for students. While you may like to talk to your child about the reports, the information in them is designed to give you an honest and accurate picture of your child’s learning. One idea in talking to your child is to use the three stars and a wish approach. Talk to your child about three celebrations about their report – it could be a comment or their effort. Then talk to them about a wish or goal for next year.

To the Year 6s graduating, we wish you all the best in your new adventure – Year 7. We hope you work hard, enjoy your friendships and achieve your goals. Stay in touch as staff love to hear how you are progressing. To our Year 5 students taking on Leadership roles we are very confident you will be good leaders next year and enjoy taking on this role.

The Education Department are currently running a process for the permanent Principal position at Somerly PS. Early next year this will be announced to parents. Mrs Zoe Stenhouse will be Acting Principal to start the year off. I will be at Embleton PS permanently next year. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Somerly and believe it is a quality school that has a culture that encourages and supports everyone to perform at their best. Somerly PS creates an environment where everyone feels they belong, and is understood, cared for and appreciated. The permanent Principal will be very fortunate to have such a wonderful school.

To all the students, staff, families and guests – I wish you a blessed Christmas and a happy break. May the spirit of Christmas be with you for the year. Take care.

Kind regards.

Felicity Dear AM
Principal

Third Party Services in Schools – Changes Effective January 2021

From January 2021, changes to The Department of Education’s Student Online in Public Schools Policy and procedures will come into effect. The changes will affect the way that schools manage online third party providers and the risks associated with disclosure of student’s personal information to online third party providers. A note with more detailed information was sent out by Ms Dy Mundy earlier this week for parents to sign for each child at Somerly PS. Another updated note will go out at the start of next year.

Community Consultation

The Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Sue Ellery MLC, has announced the State Government is conducting a community consultation to gather the views of local parents, students and community members on secondary education options in the Clarkson, Kinross and Mindarie area. The consultation consists of a community information sessions and an online survey, which opens at 9.00am on Friday, 27 November 2020 and closes at 5.00pm on Friday, 18 December 2020. The survey, along with a factsheet, will be available on the Department of Education website at education.wa.edu.au.

Stars

Behaviour Focus

Our behaviour focus for Week 10 is:-

WHOLE SCHOOL

Responsibility

We follow all staff instructions

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.

Art

A big thanks to all students who were lovely and amazing this year, inspiring me with their creative work and interesting ideas! We created printed bags, skateboards, underwater scenes, window painting, chalk art on the walls, digital art, stop motion, and many more 2D and 3D items! Especially during some tricky times this year, I was really inspired by how kind and caring our students were- to each other, and those around them.

I'm taking some long service leave, and look forward to seeing everyone in Term 2 next year. Students, you're the best! I will miss your bright energy and enthusiasm, and I hope you have a beautiful, refreshing summer break!

Best wishes.

Miss Bartley

Chaplain’s Corner

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

I can’t believe that the end of the year is here and what a whirl-wind this year has been!!

Even though it has been an emotional and uncertain start, the fact that we stood together as a community, made things better for us all. They always say that you have strength in numbers and this year at Somerly Primary, we have proved that.

To end this year on an even better note, we received wonderful donations form Lux Mundi Reformed Church, our P&C and an anonymous donor. This enabled us to put together 16 lovely Christmas Hampers to give to families in need over the Christmas period.

I would like to wish each and every family a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year! May 2021 be filled with everything you wish for and more!!

Have a wonderful holiday and as always stay safe, stay connected, and have fun.

See you next year!!

Kind regards

Marilize Basson - Chaplain