30 Jun 2023

Principal’s Update

Dear families,

What a term we have with so many opportunities to come together and share experiences across the term. Thank you to ES3 and Room 17 for leading our assembly on Wednesday. The assembly items were amazing and I could see some future musicians and actors amongst our students. Congratulations to all of our certificate winners for Term 2.

Natasha Miller has been seconded to the Principal role at Riverton ESC, which commenced this week and will continue for the whole of Term 3. This is a testament to way Natasha has led across a number of schools in Education Support Centres and I know she will asset to the Riverton community. I would like to thank Natasha for her support in my return to work after parental leave and wish her all the best for the remainder of the term and Term 3. As of this week, I have returned to the Principal role full time. Next term, we welcome Liz Golightly to the Deputy Principal (3-6) position full time as our school continues to grow. Liz will be working closely with Candice to ensure a smooth transition for our students and families.  

I would like to thank Manpreet Bawa, Niluka Mallaachchi, Anthony Alexander for their contribution to our school whilst they have been on contract and welcome Alyssa Sutton, Anna Nicholson, Dolly Jane Cabiles,  Iain Campbell & Jessica Zimmer to our staff for Term 3. Kathy Green has been seconded to Narrogin Residential College Term 3 and we wish her all the best for the term.   

I am pleased to advise everyone that I have been successful in gaining a place in the Culturally Responsive School Leadership program for 2023/2024. Thank you to our families and community members who supported me in my application and I look forward to working with you and our broader community on my Action Learning Project during the program. The experience involves participation in learning (8 days) on Wadjuk country and a 3 day on-country on Noongar Boodja experience late term 3. This is an exciting opportunity for me to further develop my understanding of cultural responsiveness and lead this within our school, promote reconciliation, and strengthen our outcomes for our Aboriginal students. I am looking forward to sharing my experiences with you all across the next year and further creating an environment where every student feels a sense of belonging at Gwynne Park ESC.

IEP planning meetings will commence again in Term 3. Please make a time to come in and meet with your child's teacher to discuss your child’s learning goals for Semester 2. Room 18 families will part of an IEP meeting format trial that focuses on a student centred approach. I anticipate this will be rolled out to all families in 2024. When parents/carers and stakeholders work closely together with the school, students are more likely to be successful and we can ensure the best outcomes for our students. 

Wishing you all a safe and restful holiday break and I look forward to seeing you all for Term 3.

Kind regards,

Natasha Naylor
Principal

Kindy/Pre-Primary – ES2

Kaya/ Hello everyone,

This term has gone so fast, and we are now halfway through the year. ES2 staff and students have worked hard this semester and are looking forward to a well-deserved rest. As we look back over the last ten weeks there is so much to celebrate, our lovely little people have all come so far and are smashing personal and educational goals.

Friendships have developed with all the students in our classroom, and it has been wonderful to see sharing, turn taking and care for one another happening during the school day. I am very proud of all my students and how much they have achieved this semester.

In Literacy students have shared opinions, listened to stories, practiced writing, and build fine motor skills. We all enjoy silly stories and songs, but our favourite story so far has been “Duck Goes Meow”, with students taking great delight in listening and mimicking the animal noises.

In Mathematics this semester we have been working hard to develop number recognition and 1:1 counting skills. It has been exciting to hear students ordering and naming numbers during the sessions, using their voices or AAC devices. Students enjoy engaging in songs and activities that help to consolidate their knowledge.

We have all loved our chemical science experiments this term, students have enjoyed predicting, exploring, and recounting what happened during the experiments and have shown such an interest in being hands on scientist. Our favourite experiments were the DIY lava lamps and magic milk.

Our theme this term has been community helpers, and this has been woven through all learning areas this term, student have really enjoyed being doctors and nurses, caring for sick people in our home corner. A highlight has been the hospital incursion where students engaged in learning about the roles in a hospital, who to call in an emergency and try out being doctors, nurses, and patients. It was a fun way to finish our learning this term.

Many thanks to the parents for their continued support this semester, your children have done an outstanding job and you should be proud of their achievements. Have a safe and happy break and we look forward to welcoming you back in term 3.

Laura Samuelson and the team in ES2.

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Pre-Primary / Year 1 – ES3

Wow, it’s the end of the term already. Now with reports done, students have been winding down for the term. In week 6, we engaged in activities for Reconciliation week. Students sang “Wanjoo my friend”, an Indigenous song saying “welcome”. We learnt the actions to these songs using Auslan signs. We used coloured sand to make the Aboriginal flag and small parts to decorate an Aboriginal symbol meaning together.

Throughout the last half of this term, ES3 have been going on an excursion with the rest of the early childhood classrooms to Shipwreck Park in Sienna Wood. This has been so much fun and has allowed our students to access facilities within their community as well as develop a safety awareness when out and about in their community.

This term’s theme was community helpers. We have ready many books about those that help us such as doctors, nurses, firefighters etc. We were even lucky enough to have an incursion based on ‘visiting the hospital’ come to our school. Students loved role-playing doctors and patients, by using the equipment such as stethoscopes, wheelchairs and slings.

Have a great holiday everyone. Stay safe and we shall you all next term.

Happy days,

Kerry Morton and ES3 Staff

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Year 1 – ES4

ES4 has enjoyed a wonderful term full of exciting learning and fun engaging activities. The class team are delighted to see the students develop and grow with their routines and communication skills.

Some highlights include swimming lessons at Armadale Leisure Centre where our students enjoyed learning how to swim and pool safety skills. There were also some lovely excursions to Shipwreck Park where students should be congratulated for playing safely and developing travel training skills. Recently the class enjoyed an incursion from the hospital learning about hospitals and medical people.

Special thanks to all the ES4 class team who have supported the students this term who were led by the amazing Ms Wylie. The class is excited to welcome a new teacher for the remainder of the school year. We welcome Mr S you are going to enjoy teaching a vibrant and friendly class.

Mr McGoldrick, Teacher
Robin Taylor, Sonya Davey, Education Assistants

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Year 1/2 – ES1

How quick second term was! The ES1 staff are very proud of how the students adapted so well to the different staff in the classroom over the last few weeks due to unforeseen circumstances.  They are all superstars. 

Our class has been reading the book Mouse Shapes and enjoyed doing different art and activities to go with the book, such as matching shapes to make a truck and making a mouse and cat out of assorted shapes.

They have also sorted the letters of the alphabet into containers, they had the opportunity to do this as an outside activity in the sunshine.  Students collaged yoghurt containers using paper and craft materials, this activity supported one of the art goals in their IEPs.  They also practised measuring with non-standard units such as blocks. In cooking they helped to cook and then come of them tried eating the noodles, the recipe also used vegetables from the garden.   

Students enjoyed attending an incursion in the library from ACHWA about going to hospital.  The dressed up, had a turn in a wheelchair, used crutches, bandaged each other and staff, and handled a range of medical instruments.

For Aboriginal cultural studies students painted a template of the aboriginal flag, and have decorated sock puppets to be used at the NAIDOC assembly to be held the first week of next term.  They have also been practising the song Wandjoo for the assembly. 

My sincere thanks to the amazing team of assistants who have kept the class running so well over the last few weeks, in some challenging circumstances.  ES1 staff wish everyone a wonderful and relaxing holiday break, we look forward to sharing the excitement of the students seeing all their students smiling faces next term.

Jan Collier and ES1 staff 

Year 2/3 - Rm 18

This Semester has been filled with lots of learning, excitement, fun and friendships. I am so proud of Room 18 students for all their personal and educational achievements.

In Literacy students have been focusing on phase 3 Letter and Sounds and creating words with these sounds. Students have been writing wonderful sentences focusing on adding adjectives to their writing.

We have been enjoying learning about different celebrations and commemorations in HASS this semester. In Science we have enjoyed learning about Earth and Space. We roleplayed the revolutions of the Earth, Moon and Sun. In Auslan we have been enjoying learning our signs for animals.

Room 18 students have had a fantastic time on their excursion at the shipwreck park, interacting with students from Room 17 and Room 19.

You should all be proud of your children and their achievements this Semester. The Room 18 team hope you have a wonderful break and can’t wait to see you in Term 3.

Miss Nelson and Room 18 Staff

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Student Spotlight – Shipwreck Park

Shipwreck Park Excursion

Over the last few weeks students have enjoyed sailing the high seas to Shipwreck Park for community access. The weather was perfect and stormy weather cleared for an enjoyable voyage to the wonderful playground that catered for all abilities and physical needs.

Fortunately, the only sighting of a pirate was from Mr Horton who enjoyed using his pirate voice on the day. The staff and students enjoyed the excursion and practicing travel training and social skills in a public setting. Well done to all our talented staff crew for their assistance on the excursions.

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Year 3/4 - Rm 19

Hello parents and carers. This semester has flown. It has been a pleasure to write the reports and see how far the students have all come with their outcomes. The children have all done their self-reflection and they have impressed me with how honest they have been regarding their work ethic. They will be bringing their workbooks home as most are full of work.

The students had a few excursions to Shipwreck Park in Sienna Wood. It was great weather. It rained right up until the moment we arrived at the park then the sun came out allowing student to access all the swings. The children had so much fun.   

The students have been participating well during maths activities. They have been focusing on 3D shapes and they have learned the names to the most common shapes. They have been completing peg pictures which requires a great of concentration. Uno has been another great hit in the last few weeks with students taking on the teachers. We really can’t get enough of this game lately.

It has been very cold and wet and a few of the students have been unwell so the coming holidays will be a welcome rest for the students. Enjoy your holidays.

 regards Mrs Lori and staff room 19

Year 4/5 - Rm 17

I think this was the busiest semester we’ve ever had at Gwynne Park ESC! A huge congratulations to the students in Room 17 who have stayed happy and healthy, attending school every day to participate in our daily learning program, community access events and assembly practise. By Friday of Week 10, we will have been at school for 93 days this year – that’s 93 morning greetings, 93 English lessons, 93 recess and lunches – that’s a lot of learning!

Our book focus these last few weeks has been ‘Bernard was a Bikie’, a lovely Australian story about a town full of people who judge a person based on their appearance, until he shows the people what a brave and kind person he is. We have also revisited ‘The Wombat Who Wanted to Fly’ as part of our assembly item, turning the book into a play with a bit of physical comedy. We’ve been practising a lot for our assembly item!

In Mathematics, we have been learning about the relationship between the ‘whole’ group and their parts and starting to apply these to addition and subtraction. We’re also covering lots of Mathematical language. In Science, we have been making mountains and rivers using materials from the playground, and in HASS we have been sorting the types of food that Aboriginal people would have obtained and prepared for their communities throughout Australia’s history. We grew our own bok choy in Gardening which we used when making a stir fry in Week 9.

On Fridays, we have been going to Shipwreck Park with Mr. Mac and Rooms 18 & 19. We have learned a lot about staying with the group, accessing the bus and the park safely and using the play equipment safely and fairly. Luckily the weather held out each time and we were able to stay warm and dry.

As reports come home, I would like you to reflect on the progress your child has made this semester. Each report contains stories of amazing achievements that each student should be proud of. I can’t wait to see what they will learn in Semester 2.

Have a happy and safe school holidays, and we’ll see you in Term 3.

Tim Horton and Room 17 Staff

Year 5/6 - Rm 15

What an amazing term we have had in Room 15! It is hard to believe we are now halfway through the school year. All students have made progress this semester and we hope they are all feeling proud of their accomplishments.

Each Friday, we have been using public transport to visit the Armadale Shopping City, most students are now independent in tagging on and off the bus with their smart rider. We have been completing the weekly shopping for the whole school cooking lessons, taking care of the goods, making sure they are packed well for transport back to school.

We thank Mr. Mac for organising the excursions on Tuesdays to Shipwreck Park. All students have enjoyed visiting the park and have been good community citizens by taking care of the equipment and park area.

Students have been learning to cook some meals that they could help make at home. We have made a variety of pasta bakes, pizza, tacos, and of course we needed dessert muffins. We are planning some other meals for next term, if there is something your child particularly enjoys, please let us know.

We participated in Outdoor learning day where students took part in a range of curriculum activities. The Literacy committee organised fun activities related to our book from the National Simultaneous Storytime day, The Speedy Sloth, our students particularly enjoyed the Sloth Yoga. We made aeroplanes with the STEM Committee, a giant number line maths addition game with the Math committee and building emotion faces with Protective Behaviours. It was a great session with lots of teamwork.

We wish all students and families a fun, safe and relaxing holidays and we look forward to welcoming you all back for term 3.

Thank you,

Mrs Agius-Kaukau and Room 15 staff

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Year 5/6 - Rm 16

Kaya/Hello, families. I have enjoyed watching the students grow, develop, and demonstrate independence during Semester one. The students have demonstrated that they can care for their belongings, follow instructions and routines, and supporting each other in the classroom.

The students continue to enjoy cooking, preparing and tasting the foods they have created. In our garden students are growing corn, potatoes, capsicum, and strawberries, we continue to weed and water and hope to taste the produce next term. The students have looked forward to riding on the public transport to the Armadale Shopping Centre school meeting familiar people in the community we know and shopping for items. They have also enjoyed participating in going to Shipwreck Park with room 15 and exploring the equipment.

During STEM we have been looking at the Sun, Moon and how the Earth rotates to create seasons. The students have had fun creating a paper Mache Earth.  For Numeracy we have continued with number addition and money.

Thank you to all the staff, in room 16 this Semester. You have worked tirelessly, been very productive and you are appreciated and valued. Take care everyone over the holidays and we look forward to seeing you next term, refreshed and ready for an exciting term 3.

Dianne Williams, Marnie DeVries, Aeyesha Mumford Orr, Faith Draper

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Protective Education

In the second half of this term students have been learning about the concepts of safe and unsafe touch, and safe and unsafe secrets. The Upper Years classes participated in quizzes on the Interactive Whiteboard, created educational posters about safe and unsafe touch, and made a secret gauge to answer questions about safe and unsafe secrets. The Lower Years classes read social stories and completed a variety of matching and sorting activities related to these concepts. All students have worked very hard this term and have definitely earnt their winter break!

Mrs Claudia Boynton

Messages from the Front Office

Contribution Payments for 2023

Thank you to those who have made payment for this year’s contributions, invoices and statements were recently sent home to advise any amounts outstanding. These funds help support your child in their classroom with resources for their learning and in maintaining our school bus to transport our students to swimming lessons and other educational activities. Your support of our school is greatly appreciated.

GPESC P&C

This term the P&C ran a raffle for parents/carers that had paid their Voluntary Contributions and P&C Contributions in full, with the prize being $100 Uniform Voucher. The lucky winner was Derek’s family. Congratulations and thank you for your support of GPESC.

The Year 6 Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser raised $250.00 to go towards the Year 6 Graduation lunch. Thank you to all the families that supported our sausage sizzle and to the parent helpers on the day. The Year 6 students were hard at work delivering all the orders to the classrooms.

Keep your eyes open for the Term 3 Disco, more details to come later.

Jayden Walker
P&C President

Information for families

City of Armadale NAIDOC Festival

This year the City of Armadale will be Celebrating NAIDOC with our NAIDOC Festival on the  4th of July  2023 at the Bob Blackburne Reserve from 10am to 3pm.

The NAIDOC Festival will be held during NAIDOC week which falls in the school holidays, everyone is welcomed as it’s a free community event. For further information please see the attached flyer.

Women’s Health and Wellbeing Services

The WHWS have the following workshops coming up in the school holidays supporting families with anxiety.

Anxiety is a common issue that affects many children and can be a significant barrier to their overall well-being. That's why we're excited to invite you to our two upcoming workshops on helping children cope with anxiety.

Can you please post the attached flyer in your next Newsletter or around your school, or pass it along to the relevant person? We would love to support as many families in the local area as possible.

1 - Supporting Children with Anxiety - A practical workshop for parents, caregivers, and educators

Are you a parent, caregiver, or educator of a child experiencing anxiety, separation issues, or school refusal? Join us for a transformative 2-hour workshop dedicated to helping you navigate the challenges of supporting children with anxiety. Explore practical tools and strategies that will empower you to create a secure, comforting space for your child and learn how to manage their distress and big behaviours.

• Gain a deeper understanding of anxiety and how it presents in children.
• Identify accommodating behaviours and learn new ways to respond.
• Reduce family conflict and parental stress.
• Enhance connection and safety between the child and the parent/caregiver.
• Boost your confidence in managing your child’s anxiety.

Event details:

When: Wednesday, June 21 @ 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Where: Women’s Health & Wellbeing Services Group Room (Suite 7, Level 1 2232c Albany Hwy GOSNELLS WA)
Cost: Single – $35 Conc/$55 General

2 - Finding Your Brave: Empower Your Child to Overcome Anxiety - designed for primary school-aged children (6-12 years) to help them manage anxiety and unlock their potential.

Is your child struggling with anxiety? Are you looking for ways to help them discover their inner strength and courage? Anxiety can be difficult and overwhelming for both parents and children to navigate. This kids-only workshop will empower your child to discover their “brave” through learning about how their brain works to keep them safe and develop strategies to find their calm.

• Anxiety and YOUR child's brain
• Understanding unsafe vs. safe situations
• Distinguishing between being safe and being brave
• Recognising physical symptoms of anxiety
• Implementing practical strategies to overcome anxiety
• Encouraging open communication with parents

Event details:

Date 1: 5th July 2023 (Year 1-3)
Date 2 :12th July 2023 (Year 4-6)
Time: 10am-12pm
Venue: Women’s Health & Wellbeing Services Group Room (Suite 7, Level 1 2232c Albany Hwy GOSNELLS WA)
Price: Concession - $35 | Standard - $55

The Creative Gathering

The Creative Gathering is an annual Conference & Expo reconnecting individuals to their creativity to cultivate a life they love.

This event is just for the adults (and teens if accompanied) to prioritise yourself, and reconnect with the true YOU, the FUN you. Big ideas = big impact, and that’s what we’re here to do, aren’t we?

We really hope to see you and the team at this year’s event on Saturday 23^rd September. With over 50 creative workshops to choose from, educational seminars, keynote speakers, community art projects, and activities there is something for everyone! There’s so much to see and do before ending the day with a huge colour paint party (fun-run style) at 7 pm!

Date: VIP NIGHT COLOUR & COCKTAIL PARTY - Friday 22^nd September (6 pm-10 pm)
Date: MAIN EVENT - Saturday 23^rd September
Time: 9 am – 8 pm
Location: Gary Holland Community Centre, Rockingham, WA

Optional workshops include; music, pottery, fashion, poetry, baking, painting, cocktail mixology, dance, and budgeting to seminars on courage, creativity, purpose, and confidence.

Registrations are now OPEN and can be found on Humanitix

here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-creative-gathering-conference-and-expo-2023 or via the website www.thecreativegathering.com.au and the Facebook Event Page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1117915749113186

Come dressed in your most colourful and creative outfit and see you there!