Glengarry Primary School
Newsletter

December 8, 2022 - Term 4 Week 9

Acknowledgement of Country

From the Principal

Principal's Pen

Dear Parents & Community Members,

This edition of our Newsletter will be the final one for 2022.  A special "Presentation Assembly" edition will be published next week and include some final, last minute reminders.

Please allow me to take this opportunity to thank all members of our school community for the wonderful support provided throughout the year.  Our first term proved problematic as COVID continued to impact our community, although this only helped highlight how resilient we are as a school community.

This thanks extents especially to our super supportive School Board and wonderful P&C for all the support we have enjoyed this year.  I look forward to welcoming all members of the community who have supported our school in any way at the 'Thank You Morning Tea" next Thursday.  I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful efforts of the entire staff at our school - these people are integral to maintaining the high calibre learning programs we successfully implement.

Student Reports will be distributed on Monday (December 12) via Connect.  This is a terrific opportunity to celebrate the successes your children have enjoyed at school this year.  Please take the time to read the report with your child, recognising achievement and highlighting those areas identified for further development.  Please also keep in mind, a "C" grade means your child has made sound achievement across the year and met all requirements for the relevant learning area.

Finally, at this time of the year, I take great pleasure in sharing the success of our Year 3 to 5 students challenged by the Literacy Pro strategy.  Essentially, this entails students reading books (assessed to be at everyone’s reading level) and undertaking online quizzes.  For words to be counted in this total, the quiz must be passed, i.e., with a score of 80% obtained. The last time I checked the total to date for 2022, our students had read over 37 000 000 words – congratulations to all these children.

Peter Meston

Principal

Staffing 2023

Staffing for the new school year will be finalised by the end of next week although some changes can be confirmed.

  • Mrs Rick will leave us for a position at Warriapendi Primary School.
  • Mrs Delsar & Mrs Dullaghan conclude their contracts
  • Mrs Richards will return from maternity leave

Upcoming Events

DECEMBER

Friday 9 -  Icy Poles at Lunchtime ($1)

Friday 9 - A Jolly Good Night After School (4.00pm)

Monday 12 - Reports Distributed via Connect

Tuesday 13 - Graduation Ceremony (8.50am)

Thursday 15 - Presentation Assembly (8.50am)

Thursday 15 - Thank You Morning Tea

Thursday 15 - Students Finish

Year 6 Graduation: 8.50am Tuesday 13 December 2022

At this years Year 6 Graduation Ceremony, each student will be allocated two labelled seats for their guests.  Additional guests will be asked to find further seating at the back of the assembly area that is not labelled.  We would also ask that chairs are not moved.

The 2023 Student Councillors will be announced at this event.  Parents of selected students have been confidentially notified and invited to attend.

Presentation Assembly: 8.50am Thursday 15 December 2022

The Presentation Assembly traditionally involves a Christmas item.  One of the items this year will be a Christmas song performed by students from Rooms 5 and 6.  The assembly will begin at 8:50am.         

A number of end-of-year awards will be presented at the assembly. Parents of students receiving awards have been notified in advance and will be invited to attend at 8:50 am. Reserved seating will be provided for those parents of award winners.

The 2023 House Captains will also be announced at this event.  Parents of selected students have been confidentially notified and invited to attend.

After the assembly, we will be thanking our many parent volunteers with a special morning tea.  We hope to see you there.

Volunteers Morning Tea

In recognition of the assistance you have given all of us this year, the Principal and the staff of Glengarry Primary School extend an invitation to you to join us for morning tea.

Where:  Library

When:  Thursday, 15th December 2021, following the Presentation Assembly

Important Information

Edu Dance 2023

Dear Families,

In 2023 Glengarry Students from Pre-primary to Year 6 will again engage in the Edu Dance program.  As part of our reportable curriculum area of Dance, students will engage in weekly lessons with a qualified dance instructor starting Week 1 Term 1 2023, learning choreography and elements of dance and performance. 

Concerts will be conducted in Weeks 9 and 10 of Term 1.

We are wanting to give families an early indication of this incursion now and further information including cost will be shared in Week 1 Term 1 next year.

Catherine Rudd

Associate Principal

YEAR 4 - 5 Technology Program 2023

About BYO iPad at Glengarry PS

A 1:1 Technology Program was established at Glengarry Primary School in 2022.  Our vision for integrating a 1:1 Technology Program is to enhance learning using readily available technology, allowing access to devices and catering for flexible learning opportunities.  This program is for students in Years 4 to 5 in 2023 with parents of children who are in a multi-age 3/4 class also asked to provide a device for their child.  In developing this program, we strive to see an improved connection with home environments, readily available access for students to content and flexible learning opportunities.  This document provides you with thorough information with reference to purchasing options and recommendations, as well as answers to questions you may have regarding the program.

Device and Purchasing Requirements

Requirements:  To ensure compatibility with the school system & classroom needs, we recommend the following devices:

  • iPad (9th Gen - recommended)
  • iPad (8th Gen)
  • iPad (7th Gen)

The student iPad must run iOS 16 as a minimum requirement and have a minimum of 64gb storage. 

For further information regarding our 1:1 Technology Program, please visit our school website:

http://www.glengarry.wa.edu.au/ourschool.php?id=99

Please download the Device Management information below.

Download

Top 10 Things You Need to Know

Download

Technology Program Guidelines

Download

Changes to NAPLAN from 2023

NAPLAN will be conducted in Term 1 rather than Term 2, enabling schools and parents to receive their children’s results earlier in the year.

Please download the attached letter for more information.

Download

Merit Certificates

Congratulations to the following students who received a merit certificate at the last assembly.

StudentYear
Alexander CPP
Finn PPP
Jay PPP
Willow S1
Sophia F-P1
Hope A1
Thea W1
Cedar M1
Sachi H1
Lochlan P1
Ava T2
Harry C2
Dieu-An NH2
Madison S2
Oliver P2
Kade M2
Lincoln H3
Dylan K3
Henry T3
Eden N3
Ryder J3
Samuel R3
Jaxon E4
Jackson M4
Naomi H4
Amelia M4
Andrew E4
Beau G4
Jessica W4
Ashlee Y4
Lauren W5
Zara J5
Lincoln F5
Samuel L5
Brooke M5
Oliver H6
Yesith H6
Dylan MG6
Henry M6
Daniel M6
Nicholas M6
Amelia T6
Eva Ro6
Bailey B6
Nathan C6
Axel C-M6
Owen DS6
Alyssa J6
Eliel K6
Jordan M6
Lucas M6
Sam O6

Aussie of the Month

The recipient of the Aussie of the Month at the last assembly was Madeleine D for demonstrating all of the key values of Aussie of the Month, such as mateship, respect and inclusion.  She is a valued member of her classroom and school community.

We Care Awards

The following We Care awards were presented at the last assembly for 'Compassion'.  Congratulations to all recipients.

StudentYear
Eve MPP
Ben B1
Mia M1
Hartley E2
Brodie M2
Evangeline R2
Saxon W3
Otto R4
Flynn R4
Ella I4
Ethan J5
Milana M5
Max W-B6
Alexis A6

We Care Award Recipient

Congratulations to Evangeline R for being awarded the 'We Care' Award for Compassion.

Around Glengarry

Maree Longman

Maree Longman has retired after 35 years working for the Department of Education – and 15 wonderful years at Glengarry Primary School.

We sincerely thank Ms Longman for her time at our school and wish her all the very best in retirement.

HOPE

Health and Hygiene

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

Healthy WA 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.

Chaplain's Chat

GRATITUDE & MENTAL HEALTH

As we approach the Christmas Holidays (Summer), this can be exciting and daunting.  Here are some tips to help you express your Gratitude and also prepare for conversations if challenges arise. 

GRATITUDE

Gratitude is being thankful, appreciating what you have.   Grateful people are happier, more optimistic, have better relationships, and feel better about themselves.  They are more engaged, perform better at school, are more supportive of others, experience less sadness, envy, have better Mental and Physical Health.

Here are some ways you can practice gratitude:

  • Teach your child to thank others both verbally and through writing thank you notes.
  • Make a thankfulness tree by writing what you are thankful for on leaf shaped pieces of paper.  Then plan a special dinner where each person shares what they wrote.
  • Each night before bedtime ask your child to share three things they are grateful for.
  • Keep a gratitude journal and record something that you are grateful for each day.  At the end of each month read your journal to remind yourself of your blessings.
  • Have a family gratitude jar where people write down what they are thankful for.  Then once a week pull out the paper slips and read them together.
  • Take a gratitude walk and notice and appreciate the beauty all around you.
  • Be the positive example and model gratitude for your children.


MENTAL HEALTH

When it comes to starting a Mental Health Conversation, it’s important that you have suitable time to listen, focus and respond to the person in front of you.

  • Don’t initiate a conversation if you have deadlines, appointments, or other obligations that have the potential to cut short or intrude on the conversation.
  • Create a distraction-free space with the flexibility to take as much time as possible to complete the chat.


However, having deep and difficult conversations may leave you feeling exhausted, both physically and emotionally, so it’s important to set aside time to reflect and practice self-care.  Self-care techniques include:

  • Writing a reflection or in your journal
  • Taking a walk
  • Engaging in exercise
  • Enjoying quiet time with cup of tea, puzzle, or a book.

 

Don’t forget to check your own emotional thoughts and feelings, especially if you found the topics discussed in your conversation were difficult.  Reach out to somebody you trust if you need support.

IF YOU, OR ANYONE YOU KNOW NEEDS HELP:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978

Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36

Headspace on 1800 650 890

Obang Othow

Chaplain 

P&C News

Colourblast

What a chaotic fun filled afternoon we had on the oval for Colourblast 2022.  Slime, powder and water flying everywhere!  It’s always wonderful to see the kids have such a great time and to see all the parents and teachers get involved.  It’s definitely a highlight of Term 4 at Glengarry Primary School.

It wouldn’t be possible without the support of our wonderful school community who do such a fantastic job at fundraising for this event. - in particular Room 3 who won the Morning Tea Party for the highest fundraising class.

A special thank you to the incredible families that go above and beyond

Belinda and Nick Littlemore at Identity for their creative input designing the posters and sponsorship forms.

Chris Jones from Davey Real Estate for his generosity donating the 1st and 2nd draw prizes.

Julie and Ryan from Kemp Building Services for donating the 3rd prize.

Anne and Kieran Brennan from Siteworks for donating the prize for the highest individual fundraiser – Kyra J

Thanks to all the volunteers who made this event happen.

Community News

Chess Club 2023

We are now seeking registrations for Chess Club in 2023.  Our after school chess class for interested Year 1-6 students will re-commence in 2023, provided a minimum of 20 students enrol.

 Registrations are essential  and you may do this by:

  • Please email Wolfgang wladimir@iinet.net.au by Thursday 15th December 2022 to advise that you would like to register your child for Chess Club in Term 1, 2023.
  • Please include your child’s name, 2023 school year level, emergency contact name and number, and (if known) if they are a beginner or advanced chess student.

Details of the Chess classes are as follows:

The class would be run by Wolfgang Leonhardt, who has been coaching Chess at Glengarry Primary School for a number of years, and an assistant.

Day/Time:  Fridays from 3.10pm - 4.10pm commencing on the first Friday in Term 1

Location:  School Library

Fee:  $50 per student for the term.  The fee (cash only) should be handed to the instructors on the commencement day in an envelope marked with name of the student. 

Kind Regards,

Wolfgang Leonhardt – Chess Educator

Want to return to work, or change careers?

Do you want to work in a school?

There has never been a better time with WA unemployment at 3%. 

Please download the attached document for more information on training and courses to prepare people for work in schools.

Download

Summer Reading Quest

The Summer Reading Quest has been created by WA Public Libraries for WA children.  The City of Joondalup Libraries are excited to be participating in this initiative.

The Summer Reading Quest (SRQ) will run during December and January and is open to children of all ages.  Children can participate by completing the Reading Log and/or lots of fun literacy activities.  All they need to do is pick up an SRQ booklet from their local Library and record their reading throughout the Summer.  Everyone goes in the draw to win lots of fabulous prizes!

 

The Summer Reading Quest starts on Thursday 1 December 2022 and you can also check out the website www.summerreadingquest.net for more information

Please report suspicious behaviour on the weekends or during school holidays! 

Please call:

1800 177 777

9264 4632

131 444

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.