Glengarry Primary School
Newsletter

March 17, 2022 - Term 1 Week 7

Acknowledgement of Country

From the Principal

Principal's Pen

Dear Parents and Carers,

Over the past fortnight the students at Glengarry Primary School have shown us what a resilient and community-minded group they are.  We have seen our Year 3 to 6 students easily adapt to the recent introduction of mask mandates throughout Western Australia, remembering to bring a mask daily and ensuring they wear their mask at the appropriate times during the day.  The school community at Glengarry PS has been incredibly understanding of the need to abide by these mandates, which has had a positive impact on the manner in which the students have approached such changes to their normal school routine.  As we have recently shifted into a ‘Very High Caseload Environment’ in Western Australia, definitions around close contacts and critical workers have been modified.  If you are yet to do so, I encourage you to read through the letter sent home to parents via Skoolbag on 9 March 2022.  As always, should you have any questions about returning to school or isolation periods, please make contact via phone or email matthew.pinkard@education.wa.edu.au.

Our School Board election process has continued to progressed well, with a large number of families taking the time to cast their vote.  Once our two successful nominees have undertaken a compulsory National Police History Screening check, I will be in a position to formally introduce them to you and look forward to this moment.  Following this announcement, our new members will commence a thorough induction process that will continue throughout the early stages of their tenure.  I would like to acknowledge those who found the time in their busy lives to login and cast their vote, it is crucial that school community members are able to have a say in who represents them on the School Board.

As mentioned in the previous newsletter, Glengarry PS staff regularly engage in professional learning events, both formal and informal, to ensure we are delivering content in an evidence-based and effective manner.  During Week 5, five of our ECE teachers attended a half-day session designed and delivered by Miss Emma Martin.  Emma lead the team through The Science of Reading & Letters and Sounds, delving deeply into the research that backs our use of Letters and Sounds in K-3.  Teachers discussed the importance of delivering high-quality systematic phonics, where students build on previously learned content and poor spelling habits are avoided from a young age.  I would like to acknowledge the commitment of the staff who attended and encourage you to ask your child’s teacher any questions that you may have about the Letters and Sounds program.  I look forward to seeing our students in K-3 benefiting from this recent professional learning event.

 Matt Pinkard

Principal

Upcoming Events

MARCH

Friday 18 - Assembly:  Room 12 (no attendees, refer to COVID updates)

Monday 21 - P&C Meeting (7.30pm)

Friday 25 - FAB Food

Monday 28 - School Board Meeting (7.00pm)

APRIL

Friday 1 - Assembly:  Rooms 6 & 11 (no attendees, refer to COVID updates)

Important Information

Hero Hunter Day

The charity Glengarry Primary School is supporting in 2022 is the Kids Cancer Support Group. 

Kids Cancer Support Group is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to connecting, supporting and enriching the lives of children diagnosed with cancer and other blood disorders at Perth's Children's Hospital. 

Kid's Cancer Support Group is a local Perth based charity that is run by parents/caregivers who have experienced Childhood Cancer/Blood Disorders firsthand.  They 'get it' and understand that everyone's situation is unique.  They have provided tailored, practical and peer support that meets the specific needs of the families.  The support they provide is all encompassing.  They are inclusive of the whole family starting at diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond.

The first money raising event we will be holding is Hero Hunter Day, where we invite all students and staff to dress as their favourite superhero.  Hero Hunter Day is held in honour of Hunter Madden, who tragically passed away from Leukaemia 22nd September 2021 at the age of 8.  Students are encouraged to dress as a superhero and donate a gold coin for the Kids Cancer Support Group on April 7th

Every Day Counts

At Glengarry Primary School we place great importance on good attendance and punctuality.  We know that a child’s attendance has a direct impact on their learning.  Those children who are regularly absent from school and regularly late do not achieve their potential and do fall behind in class.  Please support the school in this by ensuring that your child attends school regularly and arrives ready to learn and on time at 8.45am.

The School Education Act 1999 requires children of compulsory school age to attend school (This now applies to Pre-Primary Students).  When a child is unable to attend, legislation requires that parents/caregivers forward written notification providing a reasonable cause for the absence of their child.

When an explanation is not provided to the school within three days of the original day’s absence, the class teacher may send a letter requesting an explanation.  These letters are printed and sent to families every five weeks. 

Early Arrivals

Please note; all children (including those accompanied by adults) must assemble in the Undercover Area (Pre-Primary to Year 3) or on the  basketball courts (Year 4 to 6) from 8.30am each day.  Children will be supervised during this time and dismissed at 8.45am to prepare for the school day.

Before school care can be arranged with our onsite OSHC partner Zig Zags, 0421 369 516.

Around Glengarry

House Swimming Carnival

Our 2022 House Swimming Carnival was declared another huge success!

A massive thank you must go to Mrs Rudd, Miss Stephens, Ms Algar, Mrs Ciccarone and Mrs Barrett for all of their work with collating the teams and program.  Many thanks to all of the parent and guardian helpers assisting before, during and after the event.  There is no carnival without you. 

We are delighted with our students' outstanding sportsmanship and behaviour, demonstrating the infamous Glengarrian spirit.

 1st Place:  DAMPIER    2nd Place:  FORREST    3rd Place:  BANKS    4th Place:  STURT

(Additional House Swimming Carnival photos will be included in the next newsletter)

Wonderful World of Work!

Room 11 have been busy exploring the America's- investigating and planning a 7-day holiday in North (Canada) or South (Brazil) America. After researching daily weather, natural and man-made features, local vegetation and animals and fun activities to part take in, students learned how to make a foldable booklet before publishing their very own Travel Journals.

Some Room 11 students were sent to the office to show off the amazing work they have done in class with Mrs Rick.  Hana and Caitlin have done some thorough research on Brazil.  Well done Room 11, Ms Cole and Mrs Rudd look forward to seeing some more of your amazing work! 

Lola and Romy completed some very impressive Persuasive Writing where they wrote a letter to Mr Pinkard.  Their letters were very convincing, so we hope to see the construction of a larger classroom very soon!

Retirement Announcement

Our incredible Gardener/Handyperson, Hugh Fraser is retiring at the start of Term 2.

Hugh has been an amazing asset to our school for more than 10 years, keeping our school grounds looking so well presented and helping us with repairs and maintenance.  We will miss him dearly.

This also means we are on the lookout for an someone to fill this role for Term 2, while the school advertises the position.  If you know anyone who would be a good fit, please ask them to contact our Manager of Corporate Services,  Angela Bavington on 9378 5678 or Angela.Bavington@education.wa.edu.au

Health and Hygiene

Allergy Aware School

We have a number of students in the school with life threatening allergies.

The triggers for the allergies include nuts, dairy products, soy products, eggs, seafood and bee stings.

To minimise risk for some of our students please do not send to school any products that contain nuts.

Is your child feeling unwell?

If your child is unwell with cold and flu symptoms, please keep them at home and consider checking in with your GP if symptoms don't resolve in a few days.

WA health also recommends seeking a COVID test for cold and flu symptoms.  See links below for more info.

Department of Health LINK

DoE LINK

As directed by our guidelines, we will ask for your child to be collected if they are displaying cold symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, fever etc. 

We have a student at school who is immunocompromised.  This means they can potentially become gravely ill even when contracting a common cold/virus.  Please be mindful of sending students to school when they are unwell, as they may spread their infection.  Please speak with your GP/health professional and see the information in the links above re: advice about keeping your child at home when unwell.

P&C News

Entertainment Membership

You can support your P&C by purchasing an Entertainment Membership and you will also receive a BONUS eGift Card valued up to $30!

Help us achieve our goal by sharing this link with your friends and family. 

https://www.entertainment.com.au/orderbooks/834r78

     Thanks again for your support!     

Running Club

Running Club commenced last Monday, March 14th.

 If you would like more information or a consent form for your child to participate, please open the below document or collect a paper copy from the School office

Second Hand Uniform Shop

If you wish to look through the second hand uniforms please email the coordinator Olga at glengarryuniforms@gmail.com to make an appointment.

Glengarry Primary School

Glengarry Primary School is an Independent Public School that offers students a caring, safe and nurturing learning environment. Our dedicated and experienced teachers provide a positive and enriching program, appreciating the individual needs and interests of each child.