Dear Parents, Carers and Community Members

We have very quickly moved to be half way through Week 3 and I am very happy to say we are progressing very smoothly given the current environment that we are all working in.  I would like to acknowledge and thank our whole school community for the way that it has adapted to, cooperated with and navigated the COVID 19 changes that we have implemented.

COVID 19 UPDATE

As you know we are still operating under the current COVID 19 operating guidelines.  As such, we are currently asking that parents and carers continue to follow the following COVID safe guidelines:

• Individuals should stay home when unwell;
• Promote and practice good personal hygiene;
• Ensure physical distance of 1.5 metres between adults, where practicable;
• As per the AHPPC guidelines, promote outdoor air ventilation, where possible.
• Parents are allowed on school sites; provided they:

    * Wear a mask, unless they meet the criteria that prevents or permits them from doing so;

   * Practice 1.5 metres between adults physical distancing, where practicable; and 

   * Follow good hand and respiratory hygiene practices. 

We will continue to provide advice regarding individual school events on an ongoing basis. 

NAPLAN 2021

NAPLAN will be commencing next Tuesday.  NAPLAN is an annual assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It tests the types of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. The tests cover skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar,  punctuation and numeracy. The assessments are undertaken every year in the second full week in May.  Further information regarding NAPLAN can be found at https://www.nap.edu.au/home.

EARLY CHILDHOOD PLAYGROUND

We currently have some work that is taking place in our ECE playground.  These projects include:

1.     The installation of a low fence around the perimeter of the playground to support the supervision and ultimately improve the safety of our children in this area.  This fence has been provided by the Department of Education and should be completed today.

2.     The installation of an ECE Sensory Garden will complement the play opportunities available to our Kindy and PP children.  This garden will begin construction on Monday, 10th May and should take a week to be completed.  This project is being funded by the school and the P&C Association and we sincerely thank them for their ongoing support.

STUDENT LEADERS’ CONFERENCE

Our Year 6 Student Councillor's and House Captains are now attending the 2020 Grip Leadership conference on Thursday, 20th May after being rescheduled because of the COVID lockdown.  

STAFF CARPARK

A reminder to our school community that the staff carpark is not to be used when dropping off or picking up students.  Today we had a number of teachers who were not able to open their classrooms on time as they were driving around the school trying to locate alternate parking.

Thank you again for your cooperation and commitment to our school.  Have a wonderful fortnight.

Craig Ashby

PRINCIPAL

NAPLAN

During Weeks 4 & 5, Year 3 and 5 students across Australia will be participating in NAPLAN testing in Writing, Reading, Numeracy and Language Conventions.

Please ensure your child is punctual and ready to participate in their NAPLAN testing on these dates. If your child is absent during this time we have scheduled a number of periods where they will have the opportunity to catch up any assessments they missed.

If you would like information about NAPLAN in a language other than English, translated brochures in many different languages are available by following this link https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support

How can you help your child prepare for NAPLAN?

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through their regular classroom activities. As such excessive preparation or coaching is not required. You can help your child prepare for NAPLAN by reassuring them that the tests are just one part of their school program, and by reminding them on the day to simply try their best. NAPLAN is not about passing or failing, but about assessing learning progress. 

You might like to investigate the NAPLAN Public Demonstration Site with your child, discussing strategies they might use to work out problems and to manage questions they are not sure about.

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

We are often asked whether students can be allocated additional time to complete their NAPLAN if they have conditions which might impact on their confidence or capability to complete the test independently. We generally find the allocated time is more than enough for students to answer the questions and having to remain in test conditions longer than this would be even more challenging. We are able to pause individual student’s time if they require a toilet or rest break.

NAPLAN Online Reading, Numeracy and Conventions of Language use a tailored test design. The tests  automatically adapt to a student’s test performance and asks questions that match the student’s achievement level. Tailored testing allows all students to demonstrate their knowledge and encourages students to stay engaged with the test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGFseJAM3Ew

If you have any questions about NAPLAN please chat to your child’s teacher or Mrs Weir.

WRITE A BOOK IN A DAY

Mrs Weir was astounded (and excited) by the number of Year 5 & 6 students who indicated their interest in participating in Write a Book in a Day on Wednesday, August 4th 2021.  https://writeabookinaday.com/

Write a Book in a Day is a competition for students in Years 5 – 12 and adult writing groups. Teams of 5 – 10 have just 12 hours to write, illustrate and publish a book from start to finish. Digital editions of the completed stories are made available in an online library and shared with hospitals across Australia.

Entry fee for this competition is paid by the school, however each team is required to raise a minimum of $240 for their book to be eligible for judging. Monies raised go directly to fund scientific research to find better treatments and ultimately a cure for childhood cancer.

Team nominations are due to Mrs Weir by Friday, May 7th.

Parent permission forms will go home today for those teams that have already nominated. Once parental permission is received for all team members, sponsorship codes will be generated and shared.

This a challenging, tiring, rewarding, exciting, frustrating opportunity that is not for everyone! 

ASTHMA MEDICATION  

If your child has asthma, it is your responsibility to provide current information to the school so we can manage your child’s condition during the school day.  This includes providing medication, including Ventolin/Asmol inhalers, to be stored with their plans.   A written asthma action plan helps you recognise when your asthma is getting worse and what to do about it.

Asthma action plans help with: Better control asthma; Fewer asthma attacks and hospital visits; Fewer days off work or school; Reduced reliever medication use.  Developing an asthma action plan with your doctor is important and should include a talk about your own circumstances including you asthma patterns and triggers, and current management. Written asthma action plans are one of the most effective asthma management tools available. If you or someone you are responsible for has asthma, ask about developing an asthma action plan with your doctor.

COLOUR EXPLOSION SCHOOL FUN RUN

Thank you so much for continuously supporting our school, especially through fundraising. This term, we are hosting a Colour Explosion School Fun Run. 

The big day is coming! We are so excited to host our Colour Explosion School Fun Run on Friday, 28 May 2021 from 1:40pm to 2:20pm. On the day, make sure your child brings a white shirt for the Fun Run! They will be covered in non-toxic, high quality colour powder from head to toe! They will also need a water bottle and their hat. Sunscreen will be provided.  

Start fundraising today. Visit myprofilepage.com.au to create your child’s cybersafe fundraising profile. Instructions are in your child’s sponsorship booklet which will be coming home soon. You have until Wednesday, 26 May 2021 to fundraise, so make sure you get cracking!  

 If you have any questions, please see Mr Myers, Ms Ferguson or Mr Campbell.

Jane Weir, Cathy Stott, Kiera Slade, Aimee Coffey

Deputy Principals

A friendly reminder of upcoming Excursion/School Based Activity payments:

• EDU Dance Term 2 (Koolbardi 1A & B, 2A & B, 3, 4, 5, 6A, Boornar 1, 3, 4, Kwenda 2, 4, 5, Yonga 4, Nornt 3, Kin kin 2, Djidi-djidi 2) payment is due Thursday, 6th May 2021.

Payment Plans

May be arranged prior to the the payment due date by contacting the Manager Corporate Services, Liz O'Born at the front office on 6174 0000.  

Financial Support 

If providing your child/ren the opportunity to participate in  Excursions or School Based Activities is likely to cause financial hardship, we may be able to provide financial support.  Please complete the slip on bottom of the consent form and return it to the front office.

Asthma Alert is a pilot program funded by the Australian Commonwealth Government and supported by the WA State Emergency Management Committee. The Asthma Alert pilot has been developed in consultation with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ Parks and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Meteorology and the Department of Health in Western Australia.

The Asthma Alert Facebook Group aims to reduce the impact that smoke has on the lives of people who may be living with or caring for someone with asthma or other respiratory conditions, particularly where smoke is known to be a trigger for them.

How many times have you walked out of your home or office to smell smoke in the air? 

It may be isolated to your local area or it may be far spread.  Sometimes, the smoke you are experiencing may not be recorded by our State emergency services yet but you can play a significant role in helping warn people with asthma and other respiratory conditions to a potential smoke hazard. Through the Asthma Alert community, we can share information and support one another as we aim to reduce the risk of a life-threatening asthma emergency.

In the Asthma Alert group, we will refer to existing alert systems that have been developed and are coordinated by our State’s environmental and emergency services (emergency.wa.gov.au) and call upon the Asthma Alert community to help their peers by sharing when they observe smoke in the air in their local area.

Through the Asthma Alert, we will provide you with tips and tools on how to reduce the impact of smoke on people who are affected by asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or other respiratory conditions and we encourage members to provide feedback and share their experiences of how smoke may impact them.

It’s easy to do. Simply click the button to access the Asthma Alert group. Become a member to receive updates and connect with others living with asthma in Western Australia.  

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AsthmaAlert/

We understand not everyone is on Facebook so this may be limiting to some people. As this is a pilot program, we are doing as best we can with the resources we have. Your feedback on how you would like to receive an Asthma Alert or what it could look like is important to us. Feedback and suggestions are warmly welcomed at asthma.alert@asthmawa.org.au

All children from Pre-Primary to Year 11 are eligible to dental treatment at the Wellard Dental Therapy Centre located at Wellard Primary School.

Wellard Dental Therapy Centre | Dental Health Services North

25 Breccia Parade, WELLARD 6170

T: (08) 9553 0610

E: wellarddtc@dental.health.wa.gov.au

W: www.nmhs.health.wa.gov.au | www.dental.wa.gov.au

Our Vision: Excellence in health care for our community.