3 November 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.

This term is flying by and it is hard to believe we are already in to Week 4. We had a fantastic week last week with all our Mental Health Week activities. I would like to thank Ms Pavlinovich, Mrs Wong, Miss Rosielle, Ms Bue, Ms Sutherland Mundy, Mr Gane and the Health Committee for all their support in organising the weeks activities. The week finished off fantastically with Mark Folkard MLA attending the assembly with his service dog Chey, as well as the Kingdom City Kids with Blake the rapper. Their messages and stories were definitely meaningful, memorable and a great way to finish off the week.

To improve Mental Health and as part of our Mind Up program we focus on demonstrating gratitude. Friday 29th October was also World Teachers Day. Teachers (with support from parents and carers) have ensured education continues across the country this year, despite major challenges. It has reinforced the significant role teachers play in the lives of students, their families, and communities. I would again like to thank all the staff of Somerly Primary School for their dedication, professionalism and efforts. All staff work tirelessly to ensure the needs of every individual student is catered for and I feel privileged to work as part of such an amazing team.

I am also very grateful for the recent Library grant that was received. Mrs Lawrence has done an amazing job in selecting our new furniture and the setting up of our new reading corner.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the P&C for the fantastic Halloween Disco held last week. Particularly, thanks to all the organisers and helpers on the night. It was fantastic to see so many new parent helpers making the night such a success. I look forward to the continued growth and development of the P&C over the coming years and more successful school activities.

School Board

The board meeting was held on Monday 25th October. I would like to congratulate and thank Mr Arthur Ventham who was re-elected as a community representative for the school board for a period of 3 years. We have greatly appreciated his support of the school over the years as well as his leadership over the last year in taking on chair of the school board. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship over the next 3 years.

The final school board meeting will be held on Monday 29th November at 9am. This will be the last board meeting for the year. A reminder that the minutes of the school board meeting are available to read at the front office.

Student Placement

A final reminder to please let the front office know if your child(ren) will not be attending Somerly Primary School next year. It is important that detailed and accurate planning is completed so that we have enough staff for the commencement of the school year.

In a few weeks we will commence class organisation for 2022. A number of considerations are taken into account including, staffing, class structures, needs of students including academic, social, emotional and behavioural. If you wish to communicate your child’s special needs or considerations, please contact me in writing before Friday 13th November. All information will be considered when placing your child, however all parent preferences may not be facilitated. The make-up of classes and placement of children is made in consultation with the teachers and their extensive knowledge of all students.

Harmony Day 2022

As part of our new plan to improve the cultural awareness and celebrate the community diversity of our school we are looking to make plans for our 2022 Harmony Day. We are looking for assistance with this event from members of the community to support in sourcing engaging activities for the students. This could include support with story telling, food tasting, dance, music or any other cultural performances. We will be holding a meeting on Monday 29th November at 3pm in the staffroom to commence planning for this event and all are welcome. If you are interested in supporting in any way, please contact me via email or pop in to have a chat.

New students

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

Zoe Hadley
Principal

Stars

Behaviour Focus

Our behaviour focus for Week 4 is:-

ASSEMBLY AREA

REPONSIBILITY

• We keep hands, feet and objects to ourselves.

SAFETY

• We carry chairs with two hands and with the legs facing down.

Waste Wise Schools

Gardening Club

Our gardening club have been working very hard on the garden this term to clear all the weeds. We have successfully applied for a grant from Waste Wise Schools and this term we will be replenishing our garden beds with new veggie mix and gravel to go around the garden beds to help keep the weeds out. We also will be purchasing 5 more compost bins to assist with our fruit and vegetable scraps. This term will be a very busy term!

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.

Mental Health Week

What a wonderful week we have had! Mrs Davies and her ‘Mind Up’ classes produced a beautiful display to commence the week at Monday’s Assembly. Each class participated in an energetic dance session with each class completing their own performance.

Bunnings arrived on Tuesday to assist us with the school garden. It is looking quite magnificent.

The West Perth Falcons came to school on Wednesday to have a kick on the oval. Unfortunately, it rained, but the Year 4 students had a great time with them in the Undercover Area. There was lots of positive feedback.

On Thursday Kevin White and Vic Law from the Perth Wildcats conducted a workshop with the Year 5/6 and 6 classes. They were extremely tall…

At Friday’s Assembly we were able to hear Mark Folkard talk about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and how his specially trained dog was able to assist him in managing health issues.

We also had the privilege of hearing contributions from the Kingdom City Kids. They rapped, we rapped, they rapped, we clapped.

Year 3 had a creative time folding paper in origami sessions. Their planes flew amazingly well.

We have had a wonderful week and must extend our thanks to all those people and organisations who have contributed to make it such a special event.

Toddler Activity Group

Chaplain Chat

Mental Health Week

We had a wonder-filled week at Somerly Primary School for Mental Health week. Special mention to Mrs Pavlinovich and the Health Committee for organising.

The week was full of fun activities with; dance lessons, gardening with Bunnings Mindarie in Miss Defty’s art classes, SKIPS with year 5’s, Wildcats, lunchtime Basketball with Mrs Ochieng, fun lunch time games, The Fathering Project, School Disco run by the amazing P&C, book reading with Mrs Pavlinovich, Blue Earth with Mr Gane, lunch time visit from the Falcons football team, launched 'Mornings for Woman' a Mothering project, Mark Folkard and his service dog Chae visiting at the school assembly along with Kingdom City Kids who shared about how comparison is a trick and the rapper Blake Young performed the song "I'm strong, I'm free because of what I've got in me" with help from the entire school.

The message of "Keep going, keep going" and the importance of resilience is now on our school scarecrow 'Steveeee' and beautifully presented on our newest school bench made by Miss Defty. The bench will serve as a reminder of the Mental Health week 2021 theme “Keep going, keep growing” along with the finger prints from our Somerly Primary School staff and students from 2021.

Looking forward to next years Mental Health week and seeing our Mental Health awareness grow as a school.

P & C