28 April 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

OUR SCHOOL VISION IS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN BECOMING STRONG, THOUGHTFUL AND INDEPENDENT INDIVIDUALS WHO ASPIRE TO BE THE BEST THAT THEY CAN BE. OUR ETHOS OFFERS STUDENT CENTERED EDUCATION THAT IS FOCUSSED ON BOTH THE PRESENT AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS.

Welcome Back

It has been a busy start to Term 2 with all classes returning and getting straight back into their routines and programs. We hope, despite the lockdown you had a nice weekend with family.

COVID19

Firstly, to update you again on the COVID situation, a post-lockdown transition period is underway until 12.01am on Saturday 1st May 2021. Teachers and staff will be wearing masks, however, teachers can remove their masks to teach. Following this latest health advice, our school remains open for learning and parents/carers will be able to drop off and pick up their children from school.

These minor disruptions are something that I feel we will continue to face across the whole school year. I ask for your continued support and understanding in ensuring that all visitors on school site wear masks, sign in using the Safe WA app, maintain physical distancing and ensure good hand hygiene. The safety of staff and students is a priority and extra cleaning and hygiene measures will continue. This is the reason why we ask that children stay off the playgrounds before and after school.

ANZAC Commemorative Service

On Thursday 22nd April we held our ANZAC Service in our memorial garden. It was a very beautiful and moving service and I was extremely proud of the students’ respectful and responsible behaviour. Every class had been studying about ANZAC Day and completed a variety of different activities so as to understand the importance and solemness of the occasion.  

We had a number of special guests at the service, including Mayor Tracey Roberts, Mark Folkard MLA, Labour member for Burns Beach and his service dog Chey, Mr Arthur Ventham, School Board Chair and his wife Mrs Ventham, Peter Donaldson – Iraqi Veteran, Warrant Officer Bruce Williams and Mrs Williams and Mrs Lauren Clark, President of the Somerly Primary School P&C.  I would specifically like to thank Mr Ventham, Warrant Officer Bruce Williams, and Mr Donaldson for their moving speeches and completion of the Ode. We are very lucky to have Warrant Officer Bruce Williams attend in his uniform every year.

The School Choir performed beautifully as did our Kapa Haka Group who performed the New Zealand National Anthem. A big thank you to the school P&C for their donation of our new stages and steps which we were able to use for the first time. I look forward to being able to use these in the future for assemblies and special events.

Events Term 2

Just a reminder about some big events happening in Term 2

Somerly P&C Meeting

Monday 3rd May 6pm in the staff room.

NAIDOC Excursion

The whole school NAIDOC excursion will happen again this year in Week 11 from Monday 28th June to Thursday 1st July 2021. All year levels will attend across one of the allocated four days. Approximate cost for this will be $24.

AEDC Playing our part to build a national picture of child health

In early 2021, our school, along with thousands of others across the country will begin preparations for the fifth Australian Early Development Census (AEDC).

The AEDC gives us a national picture of the development, health and wellbeing of children in their first year of full-time school. Since 2009, the Census results have helped communities, schools and governments plan services and develop better policies to target support for children and families.

Students will not miss any class time, and parents/carers will not need to supply schools with any new information for the Census. The AEDC gives us data at a school and community level - it isn’t an assessment of individual students.

Some teachers have also noticed that completing the assessments made them more aware of the needs of individual students and the class as a whole and that the Census results are useful in planning for transitions to Year 1 and developing class programs.

Participation in the AEDC is voluntary. Parents/carers do not need to take any action unless they choose not to include their children in the Census.

To find out more about the Census and how communities are using the data to help students and families visit the AEDC website:

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Staffing Changes

Principal position - It is with great pleasure that I announce my permanent appointment to Principal of Somerly Primary School.  As a foundation staff member of Somerly Primary School I have a strong sense of pride in the school and community. I reflected back over my time and the programs and initiatives I have implemented over the years including, the setup of the Athletics Carnival, Crunch and Sip, The Vegie Garden, Sun Smart School, Year 6 Camp, Gymbaroo, Bluearth and a number of Curriculum programs.  One of the things I enjoy most about Somerly Primary School is the care and effort made to ensure all students achieve both socially, emotionally and academically.  I look forward to continuing to add value to our amazing school and building stronger connections with students and the community. I will continue to develop our Positive Behaviour Support processes by providing a welcoming, friendly and caring learning environment where students model our key values of Respect, Responsibility and Safety.

I can now announce and Congratulate Miss Katia Bue and Miss Elle Walker who will be acting Deputy Principals for Term 2, while the Deputy Principal position is being advertised. Miss Renae Mulder will replace Miss Bue in Room 16 on Monday to Wednesday for the remainder of the year to ensure consistency within that class. Miss Bue will continue on a Thursday and Friday. Miss Brooke Udy will replace Miss Walker on Thursday and Friday for this term. I also welcome Miss Denielle Ritchie as the permanent Music Specialist at Somerly Primary School.

Regards
Zoe Hadley (Stenhouse)
Principal

STARS

Behaviour Focus

Our behaviour focus for Week 2 is:-

Play Areas Safety

• We use equipment with care

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.

Somerly Primary School Waste Wise Recycle Scheme

During first term we commenced a waste wise recycling Containers for Change scheme to develop good recycling habits in our school community and to raise money that can be used to support our students. This term we are raising money to support our year 6 students going to camp.

All of our students have done a great job in recycling their drinking containers and so far, we have raised over $500! Due to the success of the scheme, we have placed new recycling bins around the school. We have also placed a bin outside the school office to encourage our school community to help us!

Thank you.

Teresa Sanders, Waste Wise Education Assistant

Year 6 Camp

Camp is quickly approaching in Week 8 of this term. It will be held at Ern Halliday in Hillarys from Wednesday 9th June to Friday 11th June 2021. The cost will be $230, which will pay for recreation activities, catering, transport and accommodation. A parent briefing will be held at 3pm on Thursday 13th May in Room 10 and all paperwork will be sent home by the end of next week. Please contact Susan Rose in the office on 6206 4200 if you would like to organise a payment plan and pay by instalments. Please note, full payment needs to be made by Wednesday 2nd June in order that we can provide final numbers to the venue.

Miss Walker, Mr Gane & Miss Udy

P & C