21 September 2022

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.

As Term 3 concludes at the end of this week, I would like to wish all families a safe, relaxing and enjoyable break. Term 4 commences on Tuesday 11th October 2022.

It has been a busy but productive term with all students working hard in their classrooms. I hope that all the parents that attended our parent meetings on Friday 9th September had an informative session with their child/children’s teacher. Parent meetings were endorsed by our School Board and approved by the North Metropolitan Regional Education Office. Reporting to parents in this way makes up part of our strategy to improve parent communication regarding student’s progress and achievement. Our 2023 dates for parent meetings school closure have now been approved by the School Board and the North Metropolitan Regional Education Office for the 24th March and 8th September 2023.

As we move into Term 4 we would like to acknowledge the following staff changes. Mrs Natalie Hughes, a foundation staff member and School Librarian has officially resigned from her position at Somerly Primary School, after a couple of years away to support her family. We wish Mrs Hughes all the best for her future and thank her for her tireless efforts to engage our students over the years in reading. Replacing her on a permanent basis will be Mrs Lyn Lawrence and we congratulate Mrs Lawrence on her successful application and permanent appointment.

We also farewell and thank Mrs Narelle Young from Rooms 9 and 10 on Monday and Friday, who has been offered a full time position at another school. A replacement for Mrs Young will be announced as soon as possible.

Principals Lunch

On Tuesday 13th September the Administration team had the pleasure of hosting the third Principal’s Lunch of the year. The Principal’s Lunch recognises the outstanding behaviour of students. All in attendance displayed beautiful manners and I would again like to congratulate all students who attended.

School Board

On Tuesday the 20th September members of our staff were treated to a special dinner at Parliament House, courtesy of Mark Folkard MLA who is a member of our School Board. I would like to thank Mr Folkard for his personal generosity, so we were able to recognise the hard work of members of our school. Mr Folkard’s generosity and commitment to acknowledging staff, members of the School Board and P&C is greatly appreciated.

Planning 2023

The complex process of planning for 2023 class structures and assigning staff has begun. It is important that detailed and accurate planning is completed so that we have enough staff for the commencement of the school year. If you are leaving Somerly Primary School and have not yet advised the front office, please do so as soon as possible.

Planning classes for 2023 is no easy task and staff spend considerable time and effort to ensure suitable placements, balancing every individual student’s needs, including academic, social, emotional and behavioural. I do ask that if you have any specific requirements or considerations that you please put this in writing to myself as soon as possible. Please note that all requests will be considered but cannot be guaranteed.

NAPLAN 2022

The 2022 NAPLAN school results have only recently been published but early information indicates a number of areas for continued development and not the continued promising results from last year we had planned. The school leadership teams and staff will take time to analyse the data in detail and as part of this process, the school will review its Strategic Directions document and will make relevant changes. School staff will participate in instructional practice professional development on the school development day in Term 4. Following this, they will review the data early in Term 4 and teachers in Years 3 and 5 will be provided time outside their class to prepare Case Management plans to target student improvement.

Students in Years 3 and 5 who participated in NAPLAN will have already received their reports. If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to make an appointment with your class teacher.

Term 4 Reminders

As Term 4 and the warmer weather approaches, please remember students need a Sun Smart hat. Black school hats can be purchased from the school office for $5. We also would like to remind students and parents to bring a water bottle and fruit/vegetables for Crunch and Sip.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge again that during Term 4, I will commence my maternity leave with a date to be confirmed. I am expecting to return briefly for the commencement of Term 4 and I will announce my temporary replacement as soon as this information is available. I am confident in my team and the staff of Somerly Primary School and know you will all be in very safe hands. I will return from my maternity leave at the commencement of Term 2 2023.

Uniform Concepts Term 4 Information

New students

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

Zoe Hadley-Hawley
Principal

Stars

Behaviour Focus

Our behaviour focus for Week 10 is:-

Eating Time Safety

• We put our lunch box in our bag
• We eat our own food

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.

Learning Focus

Music

This term we have worked on learning some music notation basics from the Blues. Our junior years listened to Blues guitar, piano and drum combos and styles from Chicago to the Delta, whilst learning how to read and count rhythm, finding the 2 and 4 rhythms that dominate the style and working on recognising dynamics and tempo. Our senior years learnt how to play two bass lines on the piano and xylophone whilst finding Blues drumbeats to fit with the Blues scale.

As Blues music has influenced everything from rock to pop, I felt this would be a great basis to build some skills, feel the beat and achieve learning to play a song in a group, which will be showcased at the Arts Assembly on our last day of school.

Next term, we are making a list of any parents that would like to come play for us!

Ms Ritchie – Music Specialist

Chaplain’s Chat

Mayor’s Christmas Appeal

Christmas is soon approaching and our school community has partnered with the City of Wanneroo Mayor’s Christmas Appeal. Somerly Primary School will have a collection donation bin located at the front office from the week beginning Monday 31st October 2022 until the week beginning Monday 28th November 2022.

Examples of non-perishable food items for you to donate include:

• Pasta and sauce
• Chocolates
• Christmas Pudding
• Cereals
• Tea, coffee and sugar
• Tinned food (sweet and savoury)
• Rice and Noodles
• Muesli bars

The collection is to assist members of our community who are facing hardship.

* If your family is facing hardship and requires assistance, please reach out to the school Chaplain to be considered in other donations available from local churches during the lead up to Christmas.

Elle-May Wong – School Chaplain

P & C