Principal Update
Dear Families,
We are now mid-way through the term and our average attendance rate is 74% (29 April – 27 May). It is wonderful to see this percentage growing and we look forward to the continued increase now that students are expected to attend school. The research tells us that students attending school has a significant impact on their development, both academically and socially. Please click here to see attached document for further information. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s attendance, please contact the school and we will discuss options and strategies that will support you and your child.
Reconciliation Week
Reconciliation Week is a time for us to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to reconciliation in our workplaces, schools and communities. Significantly, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Bridge Walk for Reconciliation, when people came together to walk across the nation to show support for a more reconciled Australia.
This year’s theme, In This Together, is now resonating in ways which could not have been foreseen when it was announced last year. It reminds us whether we are in crisis or in reconciliation, we are all in this together. In response to this, the students at Balga PS have been involved in a range of activities to acknowledge this significant event and build their knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their histories, cultures and languages.
Behaviour Management – GPS (Guided Positive Support). This message is to reiterate information from a previous newsletter.
Balga PS prides itself on managing challenging behaviours in a restorative way. We believe that students require support and guidance when they are having difficulties regulating their emotions and actions. As with all learning areas, students are at different developmental levels in regards to managing their emotions. This can be due to many different reasons, so it is important to respond to their different needs.
The Process
If a student reaches the stage in the behaviour management process where they are required to visit the office, admin staff will decide whether the student will need to attend a GPS session. The GPS session will be a learning opportunity for the student to develop the necessary skills to regulate their own behaviour. They will be involved in discussions and activities that relate to the difficulty they are having with their behaviour. The GPS session will be run by admin staff.
If you have any questions relating to this approach, please feel free to call me on 9253 4500.
Reports
As per previous newsletter:
Students will still receive a report this semester, however they will be different. We have been directed by the Department that grades (A, B, C, D, E) will not be included in the Term Two report. Further information about how the reports will be structured will be communicated to you once a decision has been made.
Regards,
Mike Wills
Deputy’s Desk
Parking During Drop-off and Pick-up
Thank you to the parents and caregivers who have adjusted to the new drop-off and pick-up guidelines. I would like to remind everyone to abide by the normal road rules, especially during these peak times to ensure the safety of all the children and community members. Please be mindful of parking on lawns and driveways, and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Thanks again and drive safely!
Edu-Dance 2020
We are hoping to continue our Edu-Dance program in Term 3, but we are waiting on guidance from the Department of Education before confirming our participation. If we do go ahead with the dance program, it will begin in Term 3 Week 2 and run for 9 weeks with a performance to finish. The school will be subsidising the cost of Edu-Dance, so the cost per students has been reduced to $20. This is only a notice so please do not pay until we confirm the program and you receive a permission note from the school.
Regards,
Anthony Chiappalone
2021 Enrolments
Now is the time to apply to enrol your child for 2021 if they are:
- Starting Kindergarten (turning four years old by 30 June 2021)
- Starting Pre-primary (turning five years old by 30 June 2021)
- Changing schools.
Contact Balga Primary School on 9253 4500, visit our friendly office staff for an Application Form or click the below link to be directed to the Enrolments section of our website.
https://balgaps.wa.edu.au/information/enrolments/
Every day of a child’s education matters.
National Sorry Day, 26 May 2020 and National Reconciliation Week, 27 May to 3 June 2020
National Sorry Day acknowledges and raises awareness of the history and continued effect of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families, communities and culture.
Flying the Indigenous Flags on National Sorry Day and throughout National Reconciliation Week recognises the significance of these events for all Australians and is a sign of respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture.
Information regarding National Reconciliation Week can be found at https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-reconciliation-week
Photos from Room 2’s Pre-Primary classroom enjoying their National Sorry Day activities:
Radio Lollipop
We are very proud of our magnificent students who raised $133.10 for Radio Lollipop, an International children’s charity providing care, comfort, play and entertainment to children in hospital since 1979.
Please click the following link for more information: https://www.radiolollipop.org/
A survey has been conducted and the results have been collated by the City of Stirling. The majority of the local community who responded to the survey wanted the Westminster Community Garden to continue to be managed by the community and not be returned to the Council. People were divided about wanting the space to stay as a food garden or to be changed into something more low maintenance such as a nature play space or orchard.
Either way, if it is to be kept as a community space, they need a core group of 3-6 people to be responsible for maintenance and keeping the community involved. It is great to see some regular gardeners on a Sunday morning, but at the moment, their core organising group consists of only two (Len and Kylie).
Their plan going forward is a) recruit more people to join a core committee (we need at least 1 more person – could it be you?), and b) if after 6 months it is still just Len and Kylie, we will actively start to transition the space to a low maintenance orchard or similar.
Please consider if you can be involved as part of the core group. You don’t need to be gardener, you could be our Facebook person, organise events, communicate with the community, marketing, grant writing, art project… we just need whatever skills you can bring. This is a great opportunity to get involved in bringing your local community together and doesn’t need to take up a lot of your time!
Please email on westminstercfg@gmail.com if you are interested or would like to talk to Kylie or Len more about this.
See you in the garden!
Westminster Community Food Garden
Cnr Balcombe St & Lindfield St Westminster, Perth WA
Find us on Facebook
Sports Report
You might have heard your student talking about my friend Jack who is visiting for the next few weeks. He is a student from Balcatta Senior High School on work placement at Balga Primary School. He is considering PE teaching as a future career and luckily for him, he has come to the best place to learn how cool the job is. Here’s some pictures of him racing the students at lunch time. Good fun!
Miss Palmer
P&C
A huge THANK YOU to our new volunteer P&C members for putting their hands up and offering to support our students and school community. We are still needing more members so if you have some time to spare, no matter how little, please come to the front office & fill out a Membership Application Form.
Research has shown that students whose parents are actively involved in their education, both at home and in the school, perform better academically and socially. With your help, the P&C association can do so much more by making a difference to how your child is educated and help them enjoy their time at school, resulting in better performance in and out of the class room.
Facebook: Balga Primary School Mums and Dads
PDF Links:
Communicare Online Parenting Program:
Term 2 FaRS Program
Term 2 Online Parenting Program