Issue 5
Term 3
Thursday 20 August, 2020
Hi everyone and welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter.
By now I am sure you have noticed the arrival of 2 of 5 transportable classrooms that have been ordered to assist us in catering for our growth of student numbers into 2021. The remaining three will be delivered across the Christmas holidays (I hope) in time for the start of the new school year. At this stage we are anticipating over 900 students to begin with us next year. We currently have 720.
Currently we have 144 enrolment applications for our Kindergarten classes next year, leaving only 16 places left. If you know of any families in our Local Intake Area who would like a spot in the Kindergarten program, please let them know. Once all of the 160 places have been allocated, families will be redirected to other schools in our Network who have places available in Kindergarten for 2021; however, they will still remain eligible to return to Aspiri Primary School to begin Preprimary in 2022.
Next week we will be having our scheduled Term 3 Board meeting. This meeting was to be our annual “Open” meeting for members of our school community to attend and observe the meeting. However, as we are still operating within the WA State of Emergency - COVID-19 environment, the Director General of Education has asked that schools continue to consider carefully all events and to postpone or cancel those that are not deemed core or essential business as COVID-19 restrictions still remain very much in place. To this end it has been decided that the Board meeting scheduled for next week will not be an Open meeting and will simply revert to an ordinary meeting. It remains a priority of the Board to conduct Open meetings for our community, however this will now be factored into our 2021 planning in the hope that restrictions relating to the COVID-19 environment have eased by then. The Board Chair, Michael Wiltshire will still publish his report to the community and you can expect to receive a copy of this in the near future.
Congratulations to all of our students who represented our school at the inter-school cross country today. Our students represented us with pride and determination and we will recognise all of the place getters in the near future.
Regrettably, I need to share a concern registered with me by a parent this week. Yet again we have had a “near miss” incident between one of our students and a vehicle after school. The student was riding a scooter on the path in drizzly weather and slipped off the pavement into the path of two oncoming vehicles. Fortunately, both drivers were alert, driving well within the speed limit for our school zones, stopped in time and avoided a disaster. We will continue to remind students of the dangers that are inherent in using roads and paths around our school in the morning and afternoon. Parents, the part you need to play in this is to obey the road rules, be courteous and vigilant always and to continually reinforce road safety as a priority in the home as well. We remain one misstep away from tragedy at all times.
See you at the gate,
Noel Morgan, Principal.
This week students in Kindergarten to Year 6 enjoyed celebrating National Science Week within their classes. Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. The 2020 school theme was ‘Deep Blue: innovations for the future of our oceans. The Earth’s oceans cover more than two-thirds of the Earth’s total surface area so it is of vital importance that students of today learn about marine life and help to devise solutions to create healthy oceans for future generations. The students enjoyed participating in STEM experiences related to the theme. The activities included making rock pools, lava lamps, soap powered boats, exploring an oil spill simulation, designing a product to clean up marine debris from the ocean and undertaking an aluminium foil boat challenge.
Miss Dyer
This year’s theme for Book Week is Curious Creatures, Wild Minds. Book Week celebrations this year will involve student only events.
Students at Aspiri Primary School will be dressing up as their favourite book characters on Tuesday August 25th 2020 to celebrate books, authors and illustrators. Each teacher will choose a student from their class to win the Best Dressed award, so make sure you start working on your costumes for this upcoming event! If you have the accompanying book, bring this along on the day.
There is also a whole school competition for students. Kindy and Pre-Primary students will receive a colouring-in competition sheet and students in Years 1-6 will receive a drawing competition sheet. One student from each year group will be selected to win a $10 voucher for the Book Fair. Completed competition sheets need to be handed to their classroom teacher by Tuesday August 25th 2020.
Our Scholastic Book Fair will operate differently to previous years, due to current COVID-19 restrictions. More details on the Book Fair will be released next week.
We can’t wait to see what curious creatures you will dress up as this year!
A reminder to parents that it is a Department of Education policy that students are not to have mobile devices at school unless for classroom use (IPAD's). To this end, Mr Morgan has asked for parents to refrain from sending their children messages via their mobile devices during school hours. Even if the students don't open the messages app, notifications pop up and they are able to see the message. This is disruptive to the student and the class, especially if the notification has a ring tone attached.
As per our guidelines any messages for your children need to come through the Administration Office.
Thank you for your understanding
Dear Families and Caregivers,
I just wanted to give you an update on what has been happening behind the scenes with regards to the P&C. In our last newsletter we announced our new executive committee members. These members are proving to be invaluable and are a wonderful resource to have within our community. We have lots of exciting events planned for this term and have already started planning for the future.
We now have a P&C Fundraising committee and they are Raquel North, Jess Della Posta, Rev Baburajan, Wendy Vaughan, Shona Tomatea and Rooj M Usman. They will manage the running of any fundraising events throughout the school. If you would either like to join the committee or offer to help out on events please let us know by email to aspiripandc@gmail.com with your most up to date contact details and any days or specific times you can lend a hand for. Your assistance is crucial to the smooth running of these events, as the school continues to grow the P&C will need to grow too.
Watch this space!
• At our last meeting it was agreed that in appreciation of our out-going Year 6 students a yearly contribution of $300 will be donated to the Year 6 graduation lunch.
• A P&C $100 donation to one graduating student.
Current Fundraising and promotions!
• Purchases through the scholastic book club Brochure 5 saw excellent sales and brought in over $250 which will be going straight back to the school for the purchase of new books for our children to enjoy.
• Entertainment books are still available to purchase. This digital book provides over $20,000 in savings which can be redeemed at many restaurants, cafes, Arts, attractions, hotels and more. Think you will forget the book!!! Then the digital version is best. The book can be downloaded to your phone so it is always available whenever you need it. Please click on the link below for more information.
Events this term!
• For Father’s Day this year we are unable to run a stall or breakfast so in acknowledgement to all the Fathers, Step Fathers and Grandfathers out there that go above and beyond for our children day in and day out the P&C are organizing a Guess the Chocolates in the jar competition. In the library the students will be able to view the chocolates in the BIG jar. There will be a time to put your guesses into the box in the mornings and afternoons. Students simply give a gold coin donation and in return will be given a slip to complete with their guess. The closest guess will receive all the chocolates in the jar. So get guessing !!!! The winner will be drawn on Friday 4th September, week 7.
• Faction Carnival, Friday 11th September. This is our biggest sporting event this year and we have secured Boost juice and a coffee van for the day plus there will also be a Mr Whippy van selling ice creams after the Sports Carnival. A percentage of all proceeds will be donated to the school P&C.
• Crazy Hair Day is on Thursday 17th September. For a gold coin donation all students can come to school with crazy hair, the crazier the better!! Students must be in full school uniform.
Coming soon !!!
• Term 4 will see the commencement of whole school student banking run through the Commonwealth Bank. Our school banking committee will be sending further information to all families regarding this exciting new venture very soon. This is a great way for students to save their pocket money whilst also raising funds for the P&C.
Reminders !
• Our next P&C general meeting is Thursday 3 September in the school library commencing at 6.30pm. All parents and caregivers are welcome, Tea and coffee is provided.
If you have any questions or any suggestions feel free to come along to our next meeting where we would love to meet you and discuss your ideas or if you prefer you can send an email to aspiripandc@gmail.com, or post a message to the P&C Facebook page.
Vickie Golder
Aspiri PS P&C President.
In Term 3 there are available spaces for the following Music programs:
If your child is interested in this opportunity please collect an application form from the Administration Office. Don't delay as places fill quickly!