The Lighthouse · 2020-02-14 · ~ The Lighthouse ~ Bunbury Primary School Newsletter ... Mrs Crofts has moved to Room 5 to work with the Year 2/3 class and Ms Marley has moved to

Edition #1 13th February 2020

~ The Lighthouse ~ Bunbury Primary School Newsletter

An Independent Public School

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parent and Carers, Welcome back to our new school year. I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and that the summer break allowed some quality family time. Our school year has started out smoothly with enrolments at 437. There have been some teaching staff changes this year – Mrs Morgan has taken a position at another school for the year and Mrs Culph has made the decision to retire (a decision that did not come easily). This has led to new staff being appointed to the school:

Mr Pyne (Room 7, Year 3); Mrs Parry (Room 8, Year 4); and, Ms Kujawski (Room 13, Year 6).

Mr Durward has returned to take the other Year 4 class in Room 9, Mrs Crofts has moved to Room 5 to work with the Year 2/3 class and Ms Marley has moved to Room 4 to work with the Year 2 class. This seems like the biggest teacher change we have had in a long time. We also have some 20-odd new students in the school (not including kindergarten), just to add to the ‘mix’.

STUDENT MOBILE PHONES Most parents and carers should be aware of the new policy announced by the department, toward the end of last year, about student mobile phones and related devices. The policy is very explicit on the matter of mobile phones and requirements of the school. It states the following:

Principals must: implement a ban on the use of mobile phones for all students

from the time they arrive to the conclusion of the school day (“off and away all day”) unless the student has been granted

an exemption for the following:

- to monitor a health condition as part of a school approved

documented health care plan; or

- for a particular educational purpose under the direct

instruction of a teacher; or

- with permission of a teacher for a specified purpose. implement the following rules for students in different year

levels: - students from Kindergarten to Year 6 are not permitted to

have mobile phones in their possession during the school day; and

- students from Year 7 to 12 are permitted to be in possession of their mobile phone during the school day, however, mobile phones must be turned off and neither seen nor heard;

require students to put their smart watches in ‘aeroplane mode’ so phone calls and messages cannot be sent or received during the school day;

determine an appropriate storage approach for mobile phones for students from Kindergarten to Year 6.

This is totally in-line with our existing policy. Leaving a mobile phone in a school bag is taking an unnecessary security risk. If a student brings a phone to school (for safety or parental re-assurance) we require them to hand their phone into the office during the day. If there is no need for your child to have a phone with them during the school day, please get them to leave it at home. Students with a phone on them or in their bag will have it confiscated and a parent will need to collect it from the office. If your child’s iPad has the ability to connect to the internet other than through the school’s network (i.e. has a sim card in it), parents and carers are asked to disable this feature. We have asked this from the very first day of introducing the BYODevice in Years 4 – 6. Your support in managing this requirement by the Department of Education will be greatly appreciated.

THINGS TO REMEMBER AROUND THE SCHOOL

Parking – The STAFF CAR-PARK is, by its very definition, for staff to park in. Even if there are vacant spots at the end of the day, parents/carers parking in here creates safety issues for the children and the staff. Please do not use this area. Remember that, as a parent, you teach your child by example – what example does parking in the staff carpark set for your child?

Reading Street – The pick-up and drop-off seems to be working well. Please remember that you cannot park in Reading Street in the morning (during drop-off time) or in the afternoon (during pick-up time) and you should not leave your vehicle. This is mostly for parents/carers new to the school or accessing this section of the school for the first time.

Dogs – They may be cute, they may be cuddly, they may be your most loyal friend (like my dog is) but they are dogs and we do not allow dogs on school grounds whilst the children are here. Please do not bring your dog to school. Please let grandparents who may be coming to pick up your child know that we do not allow dogs at school. I will save my diatribe on dog pooh for another Newsletter.

After School Gatherings – parents/carers catching up with each other after school with siblings, need to understand that they have a responsibility for their child. The children need to be within eye-sight so that you can supervise their play and behaviour. They should not be riding a scooter or bike around the school buildings or running around the verandas or playing in areas where their parent/carer can’t see them. It would be greatly appreciated if parents/carers were to follow this arrangement so that everyone is safe.

Principal: Shane Doherty PO Box 1908, Bunbury, WA 6230 Ph: 97 212660 Email: [email protected]

Respect Care Excellence Our Motto: Strive to Achieve

School news (Cont.)

ANAPHYLAXIS – please avoid sending food to school that contains nuts as it puts a number of our children at serious risk.

PARENT/CARER CLASSROOM MEETINGS

Teachers are preparing to hold meetings to let parents/carers know about curriculum and classroom expectations and to provide time to answer any questions related to the year level programme. These have already started and will continue into next week. As you would appreciate, it is not possible to find a day or time that suits all parents/carers in the classroom. Teachers try to pick the best time to hold the meeting that will maximise the ability of parents/carers to attend. They will provide the information to those who can’t make it and also arrange individual meetings where parents/carers request it. Please take the opportunity to attend if you can as these meet-ings are intended to inform you about what you can expect.

BIG DAY IN It is fortuitous how diverse events can coalesce to happen on the same day. Anyone who is into astrological influences may want to research February 27 2020, because on that day, all of the following is happening:

Teaching Talent: Olympian Run Athletics Clinic Michael Roeger (Paralympian marathon world record holder) and Philo Saunders (head physiologist of the Australian Institute of Sport) will hold a short assembly with the Years 1 – 6 children at 9:00 followed by some fun running activities. The assembly will consist of the visitors talking about their personal journey (setting goals, overcoming setbacks) and a short Q and A. Parents/Carers are welcome to attend.

Faction Swimming Carnival

Our Faction Swimming carnival will be at the South West Aquatic Centre from 11:15 to 2:15. The Carnival is for children in Years 4 – 6 who are in Stage 5 or better. Information will come home with children who have self-nominated to participate and parents/carers are asked to make sure that their child is capa-ble of completing any events for which they nominate. The carnival is being co-ordinated by Mrs Whittaker (Room 11).

Perth Glory Visit Perth Glory Soccer Club will have representatives at our school to run some soccer workshops with the children. These workshops are being co-ordinated by our physical education teacher, Mrs Piavanini. It will be great to be able to welcome Perth Glory to our school as soccer is a key sport for many of our chil-dren.

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT DAY TERM 1 Schools have a certain amount of flexibility with the taking and tim-ing of School Development Days (SDDs). Having these days as-sists schools with their planning, programme management and staff professional learning. If all schools hold an SDD at the same time it makes accessing presenters very difficult, hence the ability to be more flexible. We will be holding a SDD on Friday February 28 – the Friday before the Labour Day long weekend. Teachers and education assistants will all be engaged in professional learning related to some of our teaching and learning programmes. Taking the SDD on this date will allow families to have a 4-day weekend.

BIKE/SCOOTER SAFETY There have been a few parents reporting dangerous riding habits by students coming to and from school. This might be a timely reminder for parents to check their children are being responsible and safe when riding. Please remember that inside our school boundary is for pedestrians only, student should be wheeling their bike or scooter once inside school grounds. Teach your children to be safe bicycle and scooter riders by get-ting them to always:

follow road rules including:-ride to the left on footpaths-give pedestrians right of way on footpaths-watch out for cars

entering or leaving driveways

wear a correctly fitted bicycle helmet – it’s the law

wear bright-coloured clothing such as a vest so other road users can see them.

WOOLWORTHS EARN AND LEARN

Do you remember collecting the stickers form Woolworths for the Earn

and Learn Program? We bet you are still finding stickers stuck to

places they shouldn’t be…

Well, thanks to your efforts, the school has just received our

rewards. It was like Christmas when Mrs Dillon opened the boxes and

she felt a bit like Father Christmas when she was able to share the

goodies with classes from Kindy to Yr 6.

DATES TO WATCH Tuesday 18th Feb Class Parent Meeting Rm 12 /13 @4:30pm Tuesday 18th Feb Class parent Meeting Rm 6 @ 5:00pm Wednesday 19th Feb P & C AGM @ 9:00am Thursday 20th Feb Class Meeting Rm 7 @ 5:00pm Friday 21st Feb Room 12 Assembly Thursday 27th Feb Faction Swimming Carnival Friday 28th Feb School Development Day

DO YOU HAVE?

We are in need of a replacement Toy Car Ramp for our Play Initiatives. If you happen to have a ramp that your children no longer use please consider passing it along to the school. Students would be very appreciative.

School and Community News

Water Wise Tip : Wash your vegetables and rinse dishes in a plugged sink or basin – not under a running tap.

FRESH FROM THE GARDEN

Our Gardener, Bec, and the Yr 6 Garden Rangers have been busy harvesting from our very productive school garden. The produce is then made into delicious, healthy platters to share amongst students and staff. What a delight !

HEALTHY LUNCHBOXES

1. Make time to prepare. Have fresh fruit and vegetables, milk

and yogurt, bread and crackers all bought in advance.

2. Shop wisely and save money. Buy fresh fruit and vegetables

in season to ensure good quality and value for money.

3. Make your own snacks. For example snack packs from fresh

ingredients which you can buy in bulk.

4. Look after the environment. Put sandwiches and other items

in reusable containers. This uses less packaging and creates less

rubbish.

5. Choose a variety of foods from the 5 food groups

6. Include a bottle of water. No need for sweetened drinks such

as juice, cordial or soft drink as these contain too much sugar

which is not good for teeth. Non-water drinkers usually start

drinking water with the example of other children. Freeze a small

quantity each night and top up with cold water in the morning for

a cool summer drink.

7. Keep food cool. In warm weather freeze a water bottle or put

a small ice pack in the lunchbox.

COUNTRY CHAMPS—BASKETBALL

Matilda, in Yr 5, competed last weekend at

the Country Champs Basketball

Competition in Perth in the Under 12

Division. Matilda played exceptionally well

and her team made it into the Grand Final,

coming out as Runner Up. Matilda’s

efforts and her astounding game play saw

her selected as an All-Star for the

weekend, this is a very prestigious selec-

tion as only a few are chosen from all the

teams involved. It seems Matilda’s training

and hard work is paying off as she is also involved with South

West Slammers, the South West Development Squad and Hot

Shots. Well done Matilda, Bunbury Primary is very proud of you.

REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE SOUTH WEST

ACADEMY OF SPORT'S SIXTH ANNUAL FUN RUN

$500 CASH PRIZE FOR THE SCHOOL WITH THE

MOST ENTRIES! The 2020 SWAS Wespine Fun Run

will be held on Saturday, 14th March 2020 at the Leschenault Inlet,

Bunbury.

With events to suit all ages and capabilities everyone can get

involved.

AUSTRALIA DAY FUN RUN Eric and Angus in Yr 1 participated in the Australia Day Fun Run in the 5km event. Well done to both boys, 5km is a very long way. They are pictured here with our “Reading Man’ who was enjoying the Australia Day celebration.

Community News

HAS YOUR KID GOT A NEED FOR SPEED!

BUNBURY CITY KART CLUB IS PRIVELLIDGED THIS YEAR TO BE HOLDING A SESSION OF THE

JUNIOR SPROCKETS PROGRAM The Junior Sprockets program is a participation initia-

tive developed by Karting Australia that provides partic-ipants aged between 6 & 12 years of age with the oppor-tunity to experience the thrill and excitement of driving an authentic racing kart in a safe and controlled envi-

ronment. COST $195 per driver

What you get? Each participant will progress through a series of

activity stations where they will learn the basics of karting.

A gift bag containing an array of merchandise in-cluding information on how to ‘Get Started in Karting

Free 12 month Karting Australia practice licence to assist them with the transition into competitive karting.

12 month free BCKC family club membership if you sign up through the Junior Sprocket Program.

A total saving of $360

Contact Brendan Wilkin on 0420986149 for any fur-

ther inquiries or information on karting.