12 May 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents/Caregivers

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

Although it is only Week 4, it has been a whirlwind start to Term 2. A big thank you to all of the school community for your support over the last few weeks with the COVID restrictions. Please continue to check in with the SafeWA App.

NAPLAN

Just a reminder that our Year 3 and 5 students will participate in NAPLAN online commencing Tuesday 11th May. Please note that test dates and times may be adjusted depending upon completion of previous assessments. Please see schedule below.

Week 1

Week 2

Schools and teachers use NAPLAN data to improve teaching and learning programs in the classrooms. The best way to assist your child is to reassure your child that the tests are just one part of the school program and urge them to do the best they can on the day. Later in the year, teachers will send parents and caregivers individual student NAPLAN reports, which you can view and use to monitor how your child is progressing.

Recycling

The school has lots of exciting initiatives underway with some staff attending the Waste Wise Schools professional learning program. We are looking forward to seeing improvements across the school in this area, including improvements in the vegie garden and with the schools recycling program.

A big thank you to Ms Sanders for her amazing efforts with the school’s Containers for Change program. Please continue to support the school by bringing in your recyclable containers for refund. The schools recycling for this term will go towards the NAIDOC excursion.

ECU Pre Service Teachers

A big thank you to the following Pre Service Teachers who have undertaken their practicum units at Somerly Primary School on Thursdays over the last few weeks. Ms Turri and Ms Kopp in Room 2 and Ms Hawkins and Ms Clery in Room 6. We also thank Ms Sheehy and Ms Lowry in Room 9 and we look forward to them returning in Term 4.

We welcome Ms Stephens and Mr Robinson, Pre Service Teachers who will complete their teaching practicum in Rooms 9 and 10 from Monday 24th May to Friday 18th June 2021. I know they are looking forward to joining the Year 6 students on camp.

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 began 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.

Children don’t miss any class time, and parents/carers don’t 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 children.

Some teachers have also noticed that completing the assessments made them more aware of the needs of individual children 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 don’t 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 children and families visit the AEDC website:

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Aussie of the Month

Somerly Primary School is excited to be a part of the Aussie of the Month Initiative. Aussie of the Month is a primary school program that recognises personal endeavour, achievement and contribution to the community. This links very strongly to our school vision and our aspirations for students to be Successful Learners, Confident and Creative Individuals and Active and Informed citizens. This award will also link strongly to our school values of Respect, Responsibility and Safety.

The intention is that it aligns to the  Values for Australian Schooling and Curriculum framework recognises students for their effort outside of academic application or sporting achievement, and instead acknowledges students who demonstrate outstanding contributions within their community.

Key values we seek to amplify are:

Fair go – not just how we apply ourselves but also in providing opportunity for all
Mateship - a generosity of spirit and compassion for those in need
Respect – of self, of others, our community, and the environment
Inclusion – acceptance and respect of difference

Each month there will be a criteria focus and teachers will submit their nominations to a Committee for selection. Presentation of awards will be at school assemblies and will be presented by our School Board Chair or representative.

We ask that parents inform class teachers if they are aware of any Somerly student who is actively contributing to the school or community.

Zoe Hadley (Stenhouse)
Principal

Merit Certificates

Room 1: Oscar and Lincoln; Room 7: Billy and Riley; Room 8: Kevin and Dean; Room 9: Talia, Beau and Nadia; Room 11: Teleah and Liam; Room 12: Kiara and Riley; Room 14: Phoebe and James; Room 15: Jenae and Layla; Room 16: Bayley-Bree and Vanessa; Room 17: Robbert, Michael and Tara; Room 18: Cora and Tien; LOTE: Scarlett, Taleeya and Kalia; Art: Madalyn and Sammy.

Stars

Behaviour Focus

Our behaviour focus for Week 4 is:-

BEFORE SCHOOL

RESPONSIBILITY

• We sit down to eat during Breakfast Club
• We walk our bikes and scooters in the school grounds and on surrounding paths
• We go to the Undercover Area once we put our bags away

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.

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 2021 is set at $60.

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 2. If you have already paid, you are automatically in the draw.

Draw will take place week 1 of Term 3.

You can pay by 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.

Reading Club

It has been great to see so many students attending and enjoying Reading Club so far this term. Reading Club is open to all students and they can use the iPads for Reading Eggs, bring a book or sight words to read.

We have already given out lots of bronze certificates for home reading this term and look forward to giving out more! Every night your child reads, be sure to enter it into their Reading Log and show it to their classroom teacher.

Learning Focus

Literacy

Literacy in Focus: Reading at Home Is Important!

What was your child’s first word? Do you remember hearing it fondly, and excitedly telling everyone you know that your child said their first word? You taught them that word! They heard it, and they mimicked you – you! Their most important teacher.

Teaching our own children the skills necessary for life is an ongoing (and sometimes tedious!) process. I know it – 4 children at home, full time work, sports, dinners, showers, fights, laughs, down time… the list goes on and on. Finding time to listen to your child read at home can slip to the bottom of the list. But this does not mean it isn’t important!

Incorporating home reading into your daily routine can take many forms. If you find yourself currently struggling to find the time, try out one of these strategies:

1. Listen to your child read in the car
2. Have your child read to you while you are cooking dinner
3. Use older siblings as listening posts for your child
4. Keep a book in your bag or car, and utilise ‘dead time’ as reading time; in waiting rooms, sitting at the bus stop or waiting for your partner when they run into the shops for milk!

Finally, please remember that Somerly Primary School has its ‘Reading Club’ up and running each Thursday morning from 8:00am. Students are encouraged to come to the library, where teachers are ready and willing to listen to your child read to them!

Daniel Gane
Somerly Primary School
English Lead Teacher

Board Games for Lunch Time Activities

If you have any board games that your children no longer use, we are looking to add to our games cupboard, which is used by our students at lunch times in the Library. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. We would like to request full sets only please.

P & C