28 July 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 Term 3

I hope you had a fabulous holiday despite the wet and wild weather. The staff are really looking forward to what will be a really productive but busy term. Please see a list of some of the big events coming up to add to your calendar:

• Board Meetings – 9th August and 6th September 2021
• P&C Meetings – 4th August and 1st September 2021 at 6.30pm
• Rescheduled NAIDOC Excursion – 16th/17th and 19th/20th August 2021
• Science Week – 16th to 20th August 2021
• Book Week – 23rd to 27th August 2021
• School Jumps and Throws Carnival – 1st September 2021
• Digital Olympics – 2nd September 2021
• Athletics Carnival – 3rd September 2021
• Parent Meetings – Early Close – 11.45am – 10th September 2021
• Interschool Athletics Carnival – 17th September 2021

Staffing

We have had a number of changes to our staffing this Semester. Firstly, the process for our substantive Deputy Principal has been completed. I would like to congratulate Miss Katia Bue on her appointment. Miss Bue has a passion and strength in catering for students with special needs and students at educational risk (SAER), which will be extremely useful as she continues to add value to the SAER portfolio as she has done throughout Semester 1. We are lucky to have her take on this position and I look forward to her assisting with the achievement of our vision and aspirations, as we work towards developing our new Business Plan for 2022 – 2024. Mrs Mulder will continue in Room 16 from Monday to Thursday and Miss Charlotte Hatton will take the class on a Friday.

As per my announcement last term, we sadly said goodbye to Mrs Marilize Basson who has been an absolute asset as our school Chaplain for a number of years. Our new Chaplain has now been appointed, Mrs Elle-May Wong. Mrs Wong comes to us with a variety of experiences in pastoral care and we welcome her to the school.

It is also with disappointment that we say goodbye to Mrs Charlynne Reyneke from Year 3, Room 20. Mrs Reyneke has decided to follow some alternate passions and has been successful in obtaining a teaching position in the private sector. Mrs Jo-Anne Avery, the Friday teacher in Room 20 will now take on the class full time. Mrs Avery has done an amazing job throughout Semester 1 in the Specialist Art role. We welcome Mrs Lauren Defty who will replace Mrs Avery in the Specialist Art role.

I also welcome back from maternity leave Mrs Christina Davies who will be taking on the Health Specialist role on a Wednesday and Thursday.

Miss Natalie Hobson will be taking some well-earned long service leave. We welcome Miss Sophie Mallis who will take the class on Mondays for the remainder of the Semester.

Throughout the State, schools are facing a shortage of fixed term and relief teaching staff. It is important that as a school we find teachers that understand our vision, our beliefs and values. I will announce the remaining staffing placements in the coming weeks.

P & C

The P&C purchased some beautiful flowers for Marilize on behalf of the students and parents, which were much appreciated.

School Board

As part of the School Board’s commitment to establishing and reviewing the school’s objectives, priorities, general policy directions and evaluating the school’s performance, the School Board will meet again on Monday 9th August for our fifth meeting of the year. Please remember that a copy of the School Board minutes is available at the office, for parents to read following each Board meeting.

The agenda will include a review of

• Our Semester 2 student Census data
• A review of the school’s attendance targets and data
• A review of the school’s behaviour data
• Review of our draft Business Plan for 2022 - 2024
• Planning for School Board improvement through self-reflection on the Board Self Evaluation tool

Another reminder from the School Board is that voluntary contributions play a significant role in providing resources for students in the classroom. Voluntary contributions are utilised to purchase books, resources and equipment to support the learning programs. Voluntary Contributions are set at $60 for the year and we encourage you to pay them at your earliest convenience, if you have not done so already. Payments can also be made in instalments.

P&C Day

Friday 23rd July is P&C Day. Somerly Primary School is very fortunate to have a new enthusiastic group of parents who help to make our school such a wonderful place to be. On behalf of the staff I would personally like to thank all members of our P&C for all their hard work and support of our school. We have a wonderful executive committee in Lauren Clark – President, Cheryl Deville – Vice President, Tania Viandante – Treasurer, Matt Spencer – Secretary and Rose Manson – Fundraising.

The P&C support or contribute to many projects in the school including Breakfast Club, Sausage Sizzles, School Discos, Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls, Easter raffle, the Fathering Project, Year 6 Camp as well as the purchasing of equipment such as the library furniture and new stages.

I encourage all parents and community members to get behind the P&C in any way that you can. It doesn’t mean you have to be involved in everything and every meeting, but many hands make light work.

Mark Folkard MLA’s 2021 Election Commitment

As part of Mark Folkard’s election commitment to Somerly Primary School I am pleased to announce that we have received $5000 for new library furniture. The purpose of these funds is to create inviting reading spaces for the students with colourful seats, stools and rugs.

Mrs Lawrence is eagerly looking at a variety of options for the new library furniture and we can’t wait to see the library updates soon. A big thank you to our local member of parliament Mr Mark Folkard MLA for his support of the school. We are lucky to have his support including his support on our School Board.

Grounds Update

As you returned to school last week you may have seen some minor changes to the school grounds. Firstly, you will notice that the benches outside the classroom in Blocks 2 – 4 have started to be relocated around the school. This is so we can install new bag hooks for the students bags to be hung on outside of their classrooms. The purpose of this is to provide a safer, tidier school environment for students and staff. Whilst these updates occur, staff will inform students of where to store their bags in the interim.

In the interest of students’ safety and enjoyment, you may also notice that all the sandpits have been cleaned and topped up.

Wellbeing and Engagement Census

Somerly Primary School will again be participating in the Wellbeing and Engagement Survey to be conducted in Term 3 2021, during Weeks 2 to 5 (Monday 26 July to Friday 20 August 2021).

Purpose of the collection

Young people’s sense of wellbeing is an important part of how they learn at school. The purpose of the survey is to seek students’ views about their wellbeing and their engagement with school. Students in year levels 4 to 6 will be invited to participate in the Wellbeing and Engagement Census. The information collected will help the Somerly Primary School Health and Wellbeing Committee plan for improvements to support students in the school environment.

What is the survey about?

The survey asks students about their social and emotional wellbeing; school relationships and engagement and learning in school; and physical health and wellbeing and after school activities. Students’ answers will be kept confidential – no one (including school staff) will be able to use the results to identify individual students.

What is involved?

Teachers will arrange for students to undertake the survey during class time. Students will be asked if they would like to participate and will be free to withdraw at any time. If you do not want your child to participate, please contact your class teacher ASAP.

Uniforms

As the mornings are beginning to get colder, I remind you that the school sports jackets or black polar fleece jackets are available for purchase from Uniform Concepts in Clarkson. Alternatively, a plain black jumper is acceptable, we ask for no hoodies please.

Principal’s Lunch

On Thursday 24th June, selected students were invited to attend our Term 2 Principal’s Lunch. Congratulations to all our selected students.

Students are invited in recognition of their outstanding contribution to our school and were treated to a lunch of lasagne, garlic bread and salad with juice, followed by ice-cream.

New students

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

Zoe Hadley
Principal

Stars

Behaviour Focus

Our behaviour focus for Week 2 is:-

Playground

Responsibility

• 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, sitting in two lines
• We seek help when we need to solve problems

Safety

• We play running games on the grassed areas

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.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

• year of schooling
• category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
• level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.

This information assists schools to:

• formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools
• consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools
• develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.

The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.

The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy.

Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal

If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact the school.

The Fathering Project

Last term on Wednesday the 23rd June we held our first Fathering Project event of the year which was a great success. There was a great turn out of dads and their children to the Pizza and Planes night. The children worked with their dads around a number of different stations organised by Mr Gane where they had to test their construction skills. The children had a great time testing out their constructions with varying degrees of success. Thank you to all who attended and to the P&C for providing the pizza - it was delicious.

The next Fathering Project event will be a Bluearth session focussed on circus skills and frisbee skills and held on Wednesday 18th August 2021, from 4.30pm with light snacks provided. Bluearth provides students with the opportunity to develop their physical, social and emotional health. Each week our Year 3 – 6 students explore environments through movement and engagement in physical experiences. This improves their focus, self-awareness, resilience and self-esteem in order to work collaboratively in a team environment. Please see information attached and RSVP to the front office for this event.

Chaplain’s Introduction

Hello!

My name is Elle-May Wong and I’m the new Chaplain for Somerly Primary School. My primary role is to build relationships, offer care and support the needs of students, classrooms and the wider school community. I find my previous volunteer and work experience has helped prepare me for my role as a Chaplain. I completed my studies in Social Science with a major in Community Services at the end of 2018. I have had experience working with teenagers in community development programs, as well as working as a Youth Worker in residential settings. For the past 10 years I have worked with a local church acting in a Pastoral Care and Community Liaison role.

I look forward to learning and growing personally and professionally in my role as the Chaplain and I am excited to be able to work alongside the students, staff and wider community of Somerly Primary School.

I thought I would sign off with one of my favourite quotes:

“If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere.” – Zig Ziglar

Elle-May Wong

P & C

P&C Member Profiles

Name: Tania Viandante

P&C Title: Treasurer

How many children of yours attend Somerly Primary School and what year/s are they?

2 boys at present Year 1 & Year 4

What do you like most about being part of the P&C?

Being part of a great school community, getting to know more parents around the school and being a voice for my kids and helping make their time here more fun with exciting events.

Is there something you'd like other parents to know about the P&C?

It’s ok to be a part time member and help out where you can, we are a small group of parents from mixed year groups. Some of us have known each other for longer periods but majority are new faces. At times it gets busy and we need helpers but overall we are just a small group trying to help our kids.

Name: Matthew (Matt) Spencer

P&C Title: Secretary

How many children of yours attend Somerly Primary School and what year/s are they?

1 child in Year 1.

What do you like most about being part of the P&C?

Help being a bridge between the parents and school.

Is there something you'd like other parents to know about the P&C?

Helping the students and parents is rewarding. Men are welcome. It would be good to have more men to have an equal view on certain tops or areas of concern.

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