To clasp in memory the secret grace That newly I received, Be this my striving now, And as it stronger grows, My own powers will emerge And in their fullness give myself to me.
- Issue 1 • Week 2 • Term 1
- 6th Feburary 2024
Upcoming Events Term 1
Tuesday 6th February
Wednesday 7th February
- Ice Cream Roster Alicia E and Laura B.
Thursday 8th February
Friday 9th February
Monday 12th February
- Interm Swimming C1-C6
Tuesday 13th February
- Interm Swimming C1-C6
- Class 4 Parent Meeting 5:30pm
Wednesday 14th February
- Interm Swimming C1-C6
- Ice Cream Roster
Thursday 15th February
- Interm Swimming C1-C6
Friday 16th February
- Interm Swimming C1-C6
Monday 19th February
- Interm Swimming C1-C6
Tuesday 20th February
- Interm Swimming C1-C6
Wednesday 21st February
- Interm Swimming C1-C6
- Ice Cream Roster Brooke B & Jodie C
Thursday 22nd February
- Interm Swimming C1-C6
Friday 23rd February
- Interm Swimming C1-C6 last day.
Monday 26th February
Tuesday 27th February
Wednesday 28th February
- Heather W & Salinda H
Thursday 29th February
- Class 2 Parent Meeting 5:30pm
Friday 1st March
Monday 4th March
- Labour Day Public Holiday
Tuesday 5th March
Wednesday 6th March
- Ice Cream Roster Karin V A & Gaia B
Thursday 7th March
Friday 8th March
Monday 11th March
Tuesday 12th March
Wednesday 13th March
- Ice cream Roster Victoria D’E & Sharlee M
Thursday 14th March
Friday 15th March
Monday 18th March
Tuesday 19th March
Wednesday 20th March
- Ice Cream Roster Serena L & Caitlin T
Thursday 21st March
Friday 22nd March
Monday 25th March
Tuesday 26th March
Wednesday 27th March
- Ice Cream Roster Rosette T & Maree B
Thursday 28th March
- Last day of Term 1
Welcome to Term 1
Dear Families,
A very warm welcome to everyone for the 2024 school year!
Warm indeed… the heat was of utmost concern in the first few days. Keeping the children shaded and hydrated throughout the day a priority.
Please ensure that your children arrive at school with a hat and water bottle.
Suitable clothing has also been identified by teachers as an area of focus.
Natural fibres that are breathable and offer sun protection are recommended, with plain colours free of advertising and slogans being the preferred dress code.
Many thanks go to P&F Chair Shanai, for setting up the T-shirt shop prior to the start of term. If you would still like to purchase, please see the front office for assistance.
Swimming lessons will commence next week for Primary students so please also ensure that they have appropriate swimwear and sunscreen.
In preparation for the year ahead, Monday and Tuesday of Week 1 were utilised for professional development for all staff.
We joined with the Silvertree Steiner School in Parkerville to partake in a dynamic two-day exploration of Restorative Practice with renowned speaker Shelley Davidow.
Shelley’s wealth of experience and enthusiasm was the perfect vehicle to bring us into a collective orientation towards effective conflict management for students. Empathetic and compassionate consideration of others and themselves, for the resolution of misunderstandings and misdemeanours, constitutes the underlying premise of Restorative Practice, with positive action the key outcome sought through the process.
Our brand-new Class One students have brought smiles to many faces, with older students taking the initiative to look out for their ‘small friends’. This is a beautifully natural occurrence in our school, testament to the values imbibed over time by children who know what it means to be loved and cared for. Thank you all for sharing your precious children with us such that we may add our work to their early days in the world.
Kindest Regards,
Jacqui
Education Facilitator
Interm Swimming Lessons
Dear Parents,
Term 1 in-term swimming lessons commence on Monday 12th Feb through to Friday 23rd Feb and will be split into two blocks:
Lesson times 12:45pm- 1:20pm: Classes 2, 3 & 4
Lesson times 1:30pm – 2:05pm: Classes 1, 5 & 6.
You are required to fill out two permission forms:
- Department of Education In-term Swimming Enrolment Form
- Excursion and Activities Permission Form 2024
Both above documents have been emailed to all C1-C6 families and can also be found as separate forms within School Stream. If you haven’t done so already please complete and return these forms asap.
The children will be travelling to the area at Old Dunsborough Beach (within the shark net) for a series of ten lessons. The students will travel to and from Dunsborough Beach on the school bus. They will be accompanied by their teachers who will supervise them before and after the classes.
Children will need to bring bathers, towel (hoody towel is recommended), thongs, swimming goggles, waterproof bag to bring wet gear home and substantial morning tea. If your child/ren are wearing their bathers to school, a change of underwear will also be required for the journey back in the bus. Children in the first group however will be getting dressed back at school therefore travelling back with just a towel. All items should be marked with the child’s name and phone number in case they are misplaced and packed in a separate bag.
Although the cost of the lessons is met by the Department of Education there will be a small additional cost to cover bus transport which has already been incorporated into your child’s fees.
Many thanks for your continued support and co-operation.
Our very first day of the year began with all the Class Ones heading to the Dolphin Room for their last morning verse with Charlie and Karin. When they emerged, the entire school, including many families, formed an arch to guide them to our new classroom. What a wonderful way to usher these very special young people to the next stage of their schooling.
It was such a pleasure to see them all without exception, step confidently into their new space. And it was a great honour to shake their hands and welcome them one by one.
Since then, the Class Ones and I have been settling into our new routine, taking our first steps on the long and rewarding road we have before us. The ease with which they (and I) are adapting to their new school life has been greatly facilitated by the calm and caring presence of Noelle in the mornings.
The children are meeting the new challenges of Class One with the kind of enthusiasm and delight Noelle and I recognise from their time in the Kindergarten. They are eager to learn and are enjoying reconnecting with each other after the holidays, exploring our new playthings, the new space and, of course, the fabulous new swing in the playground.
I am so looking forward to seeing what our journey together will bring!
Class 5
Back in November 2023 Class Four wrapped up their year with an amazing camp. In term one we began the year with connecting our human likeness to those of the animal kingdom and in term four we were looking more closely at the local region through mapping and history. Jesters Flat provided a rich experience which guaranteed an amazing learning opportunity. The aim of our camp was to keep building teamwork, resilience and strength of self while being in nature, further exploring our connection to animals, the local history and landscape.
Jesters Flat is a working Equestrian farm set on an original group settlement property and stocked with a varied group of beautiful Australian Stock Horses. The Jesters team delivered a fun, safe and comprehensive program designed to allow the children to step back in time and connect with the early group settlement of Rosa Brook. A varied list of activities was provided including horse care, land care and basic safe horse-riding skills. The knowledge of local history was support by a visit to the Margaret River Historical Society.
The children did not know where we were going or what we were doing. The feelings upon arrival were varied but overall, it was one of deep gratitude. Every child rose to the challenge, they were all on their very best behaviour, did everything that was asked of them and really did themselves proud. There were many moments when I had a tear in my eye, I was just so very proud of them. 3 days on the farm, riding, grooming, mucking out, cooking, cleaning, eating, sleeping and enjoying an absolutely incredible experience.
I had wonderful parent support from Leona Hatcher, Daniel Momsen and Sarah Lawrence. Class teachers Paul and Yvonne were also there. We had our own personal cook, Pirate Paula, who ran the camp kitchen like the professional she is and had all the kids helping. On behalf of Class Four we say a big thank you.
Fruit Ice Cream Roster
The ice cream roster commences on Wednesday 7th Feb and goes for 8 weeks.
Please arrive at school by 12.15pm to allow time to set-up the table, ice-cream machine, cones & fruit, before eager children arrive at 12:45 pm
As well as giving our children a healthy treat made with 100% fruit, this is a fantastic fundraiser for our school, so I thank you all in advance for your time & effort in making this successful.
P&F request all families to fill out the form and return it to the office by the start of term.
The cost of an Ice-cream is $2.50 for primary school students & $2 for Kindy 5/6 students. (K4 students are not charged.)
The ice cream/soup payment form is available on SchoolStream.
Please contact Shanai Williams 0410 498 377 should you not be able to make your commitment to this roster.
Community Notices
(Please note – the events and views in these Community Notices are not sponsored by YSS and do not necessarily reflect the views of the School.)