16 August 2023

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome back to semester two. I had a lovely break over term 2 but was pleased to be back at work with my colleagues and to see students so happy and welcoming. We have several lovely activities planned this term and look forward to sharing the fun with you.

Swimming Lessons

Although its in the middle of Winter the swimming lessons for the Junior school were very enjoyable for students. They enjoyed swimming in the inside heated pool and loved wearing the dressing gowns to keep warm on the bus back to school. The upper school have their lessons next week and we encourage students to bring either 2 towels or a dressing gown to ensure they are kept warm until they change. It worked well with our younger students.

Library Improvements

We have recently received quotes and chosen colours and styles for the beginning of the upgrade for the library. We are very excited about the new low shelving and the swirling seating arrangement that will change the entire look of the large area.  Lovely bold colours have been chosen for the seating and ottomans and we can’t wait to see what they look like when they arrive. New furniture and fittings are due to arrive towards the end of term 4. We are certain the new furniture will have a lot of impact on our current library set up and students will see the library as a great place to be in. Once the first step of refurbishment is completed, we will consider new chairs and computer arrangements.

Lapathon – Friday week 9

Week 9 after the Friday assembly the lap-a-thon will take place. This will be an opportunity for students to help raise funds for the library refurbishment. Sponsor sheets will come home in a couple of weeks, so we encourage students to get as many of your family and friends as possible to sponsor them for each lap they run.

Each class will have an hour to walk or run as many laps of the oval as possible. There will be a marked-out circuit and a viewing area for parents who wish to come and watch their child participating. The run times will be:

• 30 – 10.30 Block 2
• 15 – 12.15 Block 3 and 4
• After Lunch    Block 6

The class that raises the most money will earn extra recess time. We ask that all moneys are sent into the school before Friday week 10 so that banking can be done before the holidays.

School Garden

Middle Swan is lucky to have two Gardeners who are keen to upgrade the school grounds. Lester and Oscar are currently busy planting rows of Lilly pillies around the edge of the kiss and drive which will grow to form a lovely green hedge along the car park area. Please be mindful of the new plantings while they are still small. 

Father’s Day Breakfast Friday week 7

Just a reminder that the Fathers’ Day Breakfast planning is in full swing, and we look forward to seeing many of you there for a free feed of bacon and eggs and sausages.

Kindy Enrolments

A reminder that Kindy enrolments for 2024 are due now. If you have a child who will be Kindy age in 2024, please come to the school office to complete an enrolment form. Furthermore, if you know any families who have Kindy age children for 2024, please pass this information to them.

Responding to Violence in schools

Recently the DoE reviewed the Policy that outlines how schools respond to violence and you will have received a copy through your Connect messages. A reminder from that policy that students who instigate fighting or share footage will face suspension. Promoting violence through social media will not be tolerated by any school.

Parent Information

SCHOOL PHOTOS POSTPONED

School photos will now be happening on Tuesday 17 October and Thursday 19 October 2023.

The expiry date for online ordering is Thursday 26 October 2023.  Any orders received after this date will incur a $30.00 archive fee.

6.2 and 6.4 Gardening

The students of 6.2 and 6.4 have been busy at work in garden! Throughout term 2 both classes weeded and cultivated the unused garden beds in the area with the hopes of making a sustainable garden. We learnt how to propagate seeds and what fruit and vegetables would best suit our area. We even learnt about sustainability and recycling- creating a compost bin also.

At the beginning of August, we harvested our first crop: radishes! A lot of the students got to try radish for the first time and take some home. We are hoping our next crop of peas and carrots will be equally as successful. Well done to all the students for their hard work. 

Dancers - NAIDOC

TA6 had a special visit from Presbyterian Ladies College's Gorna Liyarn Dancers during NAIDOC week. We got to learn about different animals and perform to each class. 

Perth Wildcats visits 6.4

On Tuesday 8 August, we had Michael Harris and Alexandre Sarr visit classroom 6.4 from the Perth Wildcats. It was an awesome skills clinic, and the guys even demonstrated a slam dunk. Students learnt about life as a professional athlete, some skills and even got autographs.

Kindy NAIDOC Celebrations

On Monday the 31st of July 1.1 and 1.2 Kindy children participated in our NAIDOC celebrations. We were very impressed with Shannon playing the didgeridoo.

We made our own individual damper with Mrs McGrechan, listened to Djinda Djinda– made stars with Raelene, rain sticks, NAIDOC necklaces and got our face painted by Brooke.

   1.1 Joeys enjoyed NAIDOC activities on Friday with Mrs McGrechan helping again, we also went

for a walk to show off our amazing work to other classes. 

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NAIDCO Week Actiivities in TA2

Last Friday in Block 2, our Pre-Primary and Year 1 students enjoyed a fun-filled day celebrating NAIDOC week with a variety of creative activities.  Each teacher in the block planned an activity and children rotated through each classroom throughout the day.

In Room 2.1, students were learning about the dreamtime story, ‘The Rainbow Serpent’, written by Dick Roughsey. The story symbolises the great serpent’s life-giving power to create landscapes and places in Australia for all living creatures to thrive. Students also enjoyed the creation process of sculpting rainbow serpents by using airdry clay as well as natural materials found from our school grounds such as red brown soil, gum tree leaves, red gum flowers, and green grass. All these materials enhanced colourful and aromatic features in our creations and embrace our land.

In 2.2, students enjoyed listening to the well-known Dreamtime Story - 'How The Birds Got Their Colours'. This Dreamtime Story is based on a story told by Mary Albert, of the Bardi people, to Aboriginal children living in Broome, WA.  Through the story we explored Australian birdlife and painted our own rainbow birds. Each class in TA2 now has their own Class Book called Our Bright Birds, which is filled with our beautiful artwork. Come and have a look next time you visit our classrooms!

In 2.3, the students created a class Learning Journey, choosing and using Aboriginal symbols that are meaningful to them. Each student created a track on a square of paper and added Aboriginal symbols which represented things that are important to them- family, animals, our classroom, their friends. These squares were then displayed on the classroom wall, with each track linking to the next- representing that, although we are individuals with different things that are important to us, we are all connected.

In 2.4, students learned about the history and importance of the Aboriginal flag.  We found out why each colour on the flag was chosen and what it represents. Each student then worked with Mrs Ewings to create an Aboriginal flag for their classrooms and their own flag biscuits!  A big thank you to Mrs Were-Spice who gave up her time to help out for the day in 2.4.

In 2.5 we made rain sticks. They are ancient musical instruments used by Aboriginal people to bring rain when experiencing drought.  Students were also invited to help create an amazing Indigenous art piece on a large canvas with Sarah Humphries. Sarah spent the day in 2.5 helping students design and paint this beautiful piece that tells the story of our students in Block 2 and how they come together at school as one. We would like to say a big thank you to Sarah for celebrating NAIDOC with us and sharing culture and stories with each class. 

What an amazing day we all had!

Cygnets

During week 4 of Cygnets (our 3-year-old program) we read 'Wombat Stew.'  We also learnt the Kookaburra song and made kookaburras using paper cups.