11 April 2025

Principal’s Update

Dear families,

It has been great to see how students have settled into the school this term. Your child’s Individual Education Plan was sent home in Week 8. If you have any questions about these, please speak to your child’s classroom teacher.  

Our end of term Assembly celebrated the amazing achievements of our students. Well done to all our certificate winners and prize receipts. The full list of winners are below.

Last week, a School Culture Survey link was sent to families on SeeSaw to gather your feedback to aid our school improvement journey. Thank you to families that have completed this already. If you have not already, I kindly invite you to take 2 minutes to share your thoughts by completing the survey following https://forms.office.com/r/Z8fUwYNhFr. Please complete the survey by 2nd May 2025.

Below is a nomination form to join our School Board. It is a wonderful opportunity to further contribute to our school community, with meetings held once a term. If you are interested, please return the School Board nomination form by the 2nd of May 2025. If you have any questions, about the School Board please come and see me or give me a call.

Next term, I will be commencing on Parental Leave in Week 9 for 10 months. The Principal during this time will be announced to the school community closer to that time.

I hope you all enjoy the Easter and school holiday break. We look forward to welcoming students back on Monday, 28^th April 2025.

Kind regards,

Natasha Naylor
Principal

Kindy / Pre-Primary – ES1

Greetings and welcome to Kindergarten! The ES1 staff are thrilled to report that both groups, Yonga and Kwenda, have seamlessly settled into their school routines and have quickly adapted to the exciting world of learning. Our young students have been keeping busy with a variety of creative activities, from painting beautiful pictures to singing songs, baking tasty treats, and, most importantly, building new friendships that will last throughout the year. This year, the Early Years team is embracing the theme “Let’s Imagine,” and our students have already dived into this concept by exploring topics like “All About Me” and “Fairy Tales.” As part of this exploration, the students have been sharing their personal Experience Books, baking delicious scones to accompany the story of Little Red Riding Hood, and dressing up as their favourite fairy tale characters. Term One has been characterized by beautiful, sunny weather, perfect for outdoor activities and much-needed water play. The students have enjoyed splashing, dunking, and playfully squirting both their peers and teachers, bringing a lot of laughter to each day. In addition to these activities, ES1 also participated in the celebration of Harmony Day, joined in on the fun of World Maths Week, and finished off the term with a fantastic Easter Hat Parade. The ES1 staff would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the Kindergarten students for their hard work and enthusiasm this term. It has been an absolute joy getting to know each of them, and we are excited to continue this journey of discovery and imagination in Term Two. We are looking forward to more fun-filled adventures and the many milestones that lie ahead.

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Year 5 / 6 – Room 17

Hello, parents and carers.

The first term has gone so fast; it’s hard to believe we are in week 10 already.

The students are forming some good friendships. They are learning to share toys and take turns, whether it is playing ball outside or going to the pirate ship playground with a special friend. They also like playing whole class games or paired games. They are learning how fun this can be and are showing some good sportsmanship. They are becoming more socially confident and communicating much better, which is great to see.  

The students have been working hard during Numeracy, learning about the value of number. They enjoy playing with the place value blocks and love playing the place value matching game on Clicker 7 during whiteboard activities. They recently enjoyed the special 100 days of school maths activities for the whole school. Another popular game is Jungle Number Bonds to 10. Students are also becoming more independent completing their blue box maths activities. It is great to see them concentrating hard to get their work done.

Students have been participating in cardio drumming for morning fitness. They know the Starship song and actions well. We are learning the actions to the song Happy.

Have a restful break with your children.

Warm regards, Mrs Lori and staff room 17

Group Photos Room 17

Year 1 / 2 – ES4

Dear Families,

I hope you're all doing well! As we reach the end of Term 1, it has been inspiring to see our students show perseverance in their learning and build confidence in their skills. Their enthusiasm and commitment to learning have been truly excellent!

Literacy

Students have been working hard to recognize letter sounds and match words with pictures. They are learning to put words in order and form sentences, showing great effort in their writing. During guided reading, they are identifying main characters and sequencing events in stories. They also enjoy choosing books for independent reading and developing their communication skills by expressing their thoughts and ideas to classmates and teachers.

Numeracy

Students have been practicing even and odd numbers and counting before and after numbers up to 100. They are beginning to solve simple addition problems using hands-on materials, demonstrating resilience in their problem-solving. Exploring 2D and 3D shapes has been exciting, and they have also compared weights and lengths using informal measurements. They continue to practice the days of the week and months of the year through engaging songs and calendar activities.

HASS, Health & Social Skills

We have enjoyed celebrating World Maths Day and Harmony Day with fun, hands-on activities. Students have learned about sun safety and the importance of handwashing before and after eating and cooking. They are also practicing taking turns, sharing, and respecting personal space, helping to create a safe and supportive classroom environment. Their growing awareness of kindness and respect is strengthening our classroom community.

Art & STEM

In art, students have used natural and man-made materials to create characters from stories. They have enjoyed making animal shapes with magnetic tiles and practicing patterns with Duplo blocks. During STEM activities, they have shown excellent teamwork while using the smartboard for literacy and numeracy tasks and have learned to scan QR codes for online learning. Their curiosity and perseverance in exploring new technology are commendable.

Thank you for your continued support in helping students transition smoothly into their new classroom routine. We are excited to see them grow further in confidence, skills, and communication in the upcoming year!

Warmest regards,
Aditya Singhal (Mr S), Mrs Davey, Mrs Zimmer, Mrs King, Miss Skinner, Mrs Fieldgate
Class teacher and teaching team of ES4

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Physical Education

After so many students were engaged at the skating incursion last year, this term we have been trying out an Ookkie assisted skateboard – a safe way to build the balance skills needed for scooters and skateboards. Students have used this to improve their dynamic balance, stance and fine motor skills. Next, students have been challenged to apply these skills to ride bikes. Some students have developed the skills to ride a trike safely for the first time (wearing a helmet, handbrakes, pedalling). Other students have started to ride balance bikes. Balance bikes provide an important step in mastering balance so they can move on from trikes to riding a bicycle. Students that can ride a bicycle already have been working to improve their safety skills (use of handbrakes, stopping distance and using “stop” and “slow” hand signals). All this involves going out of your comfort zone and students should be congratulated for their hard work and perseverance!

Matt James

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Protective Behaviours

In Protective Behaviours this term students have been learning to identify feelings in their own bodies and recognise emotions expressed by others. This is very important for their communication and to stay regulated. We finished up the term learning about the Early Warning Signs students might feel in their own bodies. To do this, students have been playing some Fun-to-feel-scared games. Great to see more students noticing that they get Early Warning Signs from the Crocodile Dentist and Boom Boom Balloon!

Matt James

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Pre – Primary / Year 1 - ES2

Who can believe we are at the end of term 1 already? 

It's been amazing to see all our students adapt to their new school or class so well over the past few weeks. They have already gained an understanding of our daily routine, class expectations and our whole school Positive Behaviour Matrix. Our students have learnt to unpack their bags, begin morning tasks and transition to different activities upon the request of their teachers. 

This term we began weekly excursions to Shipwreck Park in Sienna Wood. Students showed their safety awareness by wearing their seatbelt and sitting nicely on the bus whilst on the road. At the park students showed off their climbing skills and their love for slides, swings and the flying fox. On week 8, we began taking our new class buddy, Monte the bear, as an addition to our On the Move adventures. Students took turns at carrying Monte to and from the park and helping him build his confidence by trying out new and different equipment. We truly have a very caring group of students' and feel blessed to join in their school experience.  We look forward to continuing our community access next term with swimming and seeing each one of our students grow and flourish. 

Great effort to all those involved with ES2's start to school, and the results of everyone's collaborative efforts are clearly shown on all our students' happy faces. 

Take care over the Easter break and we look forward to seeing everyone all refreshed for more adventures and learning in term 2.

AIEO

Hello families, we have had an amazing Term 1, and it has been such a privilege to see all students settle into 2025 and adapt to their new classrooms and routines. As some families may know, I am now in my final weeks before I welcome the newest member to my family and will be on Maternity leave for the remainder of the year and all of term 1 in 2026. I hope all students and families have an amazing school holiday break and come back refreshed and ready for Term 2.

Taneale Derschow

Year 3 / 4 – Room 18

Room 18 has had a great term to begin the 2025 school year, everyone has been working hard to settle into new routines and begin working towards their learning goals.

It was great to meet with everyone at the beginning of the term for student IEP meetings. These meetings offer a collaborative space for us to work together to create tailored educational plans that ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive. Students have been making great progress towards their Semester 1 goals. I look forward to seeing them continue to develop in their learning.

Our class participated in the Upper Years excursion to Constable Care in week 6. The Constable Care safety school supports our students to develop their knowledge and understanding that they need to stay safe in various environments, including personal and road safety. This excursion set up the basis to support our students as we participated in community access to Don Simmons Park. We will continue with this next term to further develop our road safety skills.

World Maths Day was celebrated in week 8, it is a global celebration that brings together students, teachers, and enthusiasts of all ages to celebrate the exciting world of mathematics! All students participated in a range of Maths activities in the undercover area focusing on a range of concepts. It was great to see all students giving the activities a go and having fun with Maths.

Next term, we will continue with our community access, swimming lessons will occur in weeks 4 and 5. Please return your paperwork by Friday 11^th April if your child will be attending.

I look forward to seeing all our happy smiling faces return to school next term. Have a safe and happy holiday break.

Room 18 Staff.

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Year 2 / 3 – ES5

What a fantastic start to the year we've had so far! It's been amazing to see all our students adjust so well to their new school or class over the past few weeks. They've quickly gotten the hang of our daily routines and class expectations. Our students are becoming increasingly independent in starting their morning tasks and transitioning smoothly between activities when guided by their teachers.

In Literacy, we're having a great time learning about syllables—it's one of our favourite tasks of the day! We've also been focusing on accurately pronouncing letter sounds and blending CVC words.

In Maths, we've been exploring two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes, counting objects, and writing numbers. Our students are also learning about patterns, including patterns with both objects and numbers. They had a great time participating in the World Maths Day activities as well!

Our students enjoy cooking classes, and our favourite meal so far has been making spaghetti jaffles and pizza muffins.

ES5 staff wish everyone a safe and happy holidays and can’t wait to see everyone in Term 2.

Miss Nelson and ES5 Staff

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Year 3 – Room 19

Our first term of Year 3 is complete, and what a busy term it has been. It’s been wonderful to get to know all the people in Room 19, and I’d like to share some exciting and interesting things we’ve been doing.

Our days start with our morning work folders, and then we head outside for morning fitness, where we have been practicing throwing, catching, running and kicking. Next, we have our Letters and Sounds sessions, where we are looking at reading and writing short words using our sound-letter knowledge. In Literacy this term, we have read books all sorts of animals, including fish, chameleons, cats, kangaroos and elephants. After reading a story, we write our own sentences related to the topic, such as our favourite Aussie animals (the snake was a popular choice).

In Maths, we have been learning about patterns, place value and counting to and beyond 10. For one of our activities, we gathered materials from outside, such as leaves, sticks and nuts, and used them on a visual display to show how many of each that we had. In Science, we have been learning about day and night, and we are learning how to navigate Seesaw as part of Digital Technologies. I think our favourite subject is Cooking, especially when some of us eat the ingredients before we’ve finished the session!

Our highlights this term have been going to the Constable Care Safety School in Maylands, where our bike riders learned about keeping left, and our pedestrians learned about waiting for the green man at the traffic light (and dodging the bike riders who were doing a bit of off-roading). Our World Maths Day activities were lots of fun, as well, especially building towers – and knocking them over before they could be measured!

Our team in Room 19 this year includes Mrs Batula, Mrs De Vries, Miss Kitson and Ms T, with Mrs Harrison helping on Mondays. We also have Mrs Williams for HASS and Drama, Mrs Sawyer for Protective Behaviours and Health, and Ms M for Sports on Wednesdays.

Thank you all for a wonderful start to the year. Have a happy and safe two-week break, and we’ll see you in Term 2.

Mr. Horton and Room 19 Staff

MaCs Mind and Connection space

We started the year with both new and familiar faces coming together to play, learn and grow.

Lunch-club now invites our junior students on Mondays and Thursdays to join inside play with Lego, electronics, cars, and art activities, bringing engagement and imagination. 

Satellite groups have enjoyed coming together weekly to expand their expressive, creative and social skills. Understanding their own emotions and their peers has been a big part of this term's program.

Year 4 / 5 – Room 15

Dear families,

As we come to the end of term 1, we want to reflect on the wonderful journey we've had in Room 15 so far. It's been a term filled with growth, exploration, and creativity, and we're so proud of each student's progress.

We celebrated World Maths Day with fun activities that challenged our problem-solving skills. Students worked together to solve puzzles, compete in games, and explore the many ways maths is used in everyday life.

Our visit to Constable Care Safety School taught us valuable life skills. Students learned important safety tips, including road safety. The hands-on activities helped everyone feel more confident in staying safe and making smart choices.

In Room 15, turn-taking and sharing have been important aspects of our learning experiences. Students have been practicing these valuable skills by waiting for their turn, sharing ideas, and supporting one another. By working together, we’ve created a positive environment where everyone’s voice is heard and everyone has a chance to contribute, making our experiences even more enjoyable and meaningful.

As we head into the break, we want to thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in your child's education. Your involvement is truly appreciated and makes a significant difference in their learning journey.

We wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable break and look forward to welcoming you back for term 2. Here's to more exciting learning adventures ahead!

Warm regards,

Ant James, Jasmine Mwebe and Room 15 Staff

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Year 1 – ES3

Term 1 has flown by in ES3!

We’ve had an amazing time, from filling our garden beds with soil, sprouting seeds, and planting our own Chia plants. Our class has fully embraced the hands-on Biological Science curriculum.

In numeracy, we've seen tremendous growth in our students, thanks to our interactive teaching methods. They are truly thriving and developing their mathematical skills every day.

Literacy sessions have been just as enjoyable. We’ve started our mornings with Dreamtime Story readings and explored letters and sounds through reading, writing, and building letters with felt. We are so proud of our students and their achievements this term.

In art, we’ve been creating collages inspired by the Noongar Seasons, listening to our Noongar Seasons song and reading Djinang Bonar. The students have loved exploring and understanding the season of Bunuru and are now eagerly embracing Djeran.

We are thrilled with how well ES3 has settled into class, and I’m excited to see everyone back in Term 2 for more learning, exploring, and fun. I wish all our families a lovely holiday and thank you all for your kind words, support, and trust.

Year 5 / 6 – ES6

Motion. Ever since the start of 2025, our classroom’s feet have barely touched the ground. As the days have flown by and our energy and relationships have ebbed and flowed, the memories we've made and the lessons we've learned (hopefully) remain. This term was filled with new ICT knowledge application, as we were introduced to the suite of digital platforms we'll be navigating this year. The students learned to create their own 3D models in TinkerCAD after observing a home-designed and built drone flight by Mr. Littleton. We explored the inner workings of various computer games and began coding our own basic platform game in Sketch. We also learnt to use GarageBand and worked on creating our own unique multi-layer music tracks to be showcased during the end-of-term assembly. On top of all that, sprinkled throughout the term, we had our trip to the Constable Care facility, participated in Maths Week, celebrated Harmony Day, and enjoyed an Easter Hat Parade.

Enjoy your well-earned holidays, ES6, and we'll see you back, bright and refreshed, for a brand-new term!

Messages from the Front Office

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We hope this message finds you well! As we approach the end of the school Term, we kindly remind you that the annual voluntary contributions and charges are now due. Your generous support plays a crucial role in enhancing our school's amenities and resources, directly benefiting our children's learning experiences. These contributions help us purchase essential items such as new books, sports equipment, and technology upgrades, ensuring our students have the best possible environment to thrive in.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school community!

Warm regards,

GPESC Administration Team

Community Information for families

Women’s Health and Wellbeing Services

BreastScreen WA are visiting Armadale

From 7th April to 14th July, BreastScreen WA will have their mobile van parked at Haynes Shopping Centre at the corner of Armadale and Eighth Road.

If you’re a woman aged 40 years and over, make your appointment now for a FREE screening mammogram.

Go online or call 13 20 50 to book. 

Find your Voice – Learn how to be Assertive (May 2025)

Wednesday – 7th May – Wednesday 28th May (4 sessions) @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

*Online registrations are essential FIND OUT MORE

Circle of Security – ADHD Friendly Parenting Program – delivered while keeping parents with ADHD (diagnosed or questioning) in mind. (May 2025)

Commencing Tuesday 6^th May (8 sessions) @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Girl Power (May 2025)

Tuesday 27^th May – Tuesday 1^st July (6 sessions) @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

For other Classes and Events that we offer, click here.

City of Armadale Community Health and Wellbeing News and Events

Yoga & Mindfulness Classes

Alternating Fridays Harrisdale & Piara Water's Pavilion 

The City is supporting AMURT Australia to bring FREE Yoga and Mindfulness classes to Harrisdale and Piara Waters. Running every alternate Friday from January to June, these classes are suitable for everyone, including beginners. 

For more info and to register, WhatsApp Jas on 0490 341 797 or click on the link.

Meditation Hour

Mon 14 Apr | 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Armadale Library, Armadale

Join us for one hour of peace where you will be guided through the entire journey, or you can simply let yourself be taken to a space of relaxation, letting go of all external sound. You can journey as deeply as you feel comfortable or simply come for a rest. 

For more info and to book, visit the website. 

Self Care Workshop for Young People

Wed 16 Apr | 10:00am - 12:30pm
Armadale District Hall, Armadale 

Join the team at RightByYou for this FREE fun and interactive workshop. Suitable for young people aged 16 to 25 years, this selfcare workshop will introduce you to the importance of selfcare for your mental health. No registration required - just turn up!

To find out more, visit the website. 

Seville Grove Connect

Wed 16 Apr | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Seville Grove Library, Seville Grove

Monthly gatherings where you can have a yarn, share stories, and find ways to live a happier and more meaningful life. Running every 3rd Wednesday of the month, this group is open to all members of the community and will cover a new theme each month. No bookings required, morning tea provided.

Click here to find out more. 

Learn to Ride Workshop

Tues 15 Apr | 9:00am - 11:00am
and 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Gwynne Park Pavilion Carpark, Armadale

We are excited to offer RAC WA 'Bike Basics – Children Learn to Ride’ workshops this school holidays! Enrol your children to learn how to ride a bike for the first time with this FREE  2 hour workshop, suitable for ages 3 and over. 

Spaces are limited, click here to register. 

Active Ageing Programs

Tues 29 Apr - 24 Jun | 10:00am - 11:00am
Seville Grove Library, Armadale 
Thurs 1 May - 26 Jun | 10:00am - 11:00am
Creyk Park Pavilion, Kelmscott

These FREE 9 week programs are a progressive workout that includes a range of exercises suitable for people aged 60 years and older. To express your interest in the program click here or email health@armadale.wa.gov.au.

EOI close 5pm Friday 11 April. Places are limited and you must be registrated to attend. For more info, contact Kirsten Beckingham on 08 9394 5495.

Chair Yoga Term 2

Fri 2 May - 20 Jun | 1.30pm - 2:30pm
Armadale Recreation Centre

Facilitated by accredited yoga instructor Diane Jones, chair yoga is a fun and gentle way to achieve great health results including increasing flexibility and reducing stress. Places are limited and registrations are essential.

Bookings open 9am, 10th April. To find out more and how to register, visit the website.  

Armadale Bike Rescue

Do you have a bike gathering dust in your garage or a bike you’ve outgrown and no longer use? Donate it to the Armadale Landfill at our Drop n Shop location. 

Bicycles for Humanity Western Australia (B4HWA) is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organisation who are working to ensure bikes are diverted from landfill and are given a second life to communities in need.

Heroes Academy

Heroes Academy seeks to support West Australian children with diagnosed additional needs and their families.

Heroes Academy supports these families in the following ways:

Mega Play Dates

Mega Play Dates are organised for primary school aged children with diagnosed additional needs (and their siblings).

• Find out more

Playgroup

Playgroup sessions are for parents and children 0–5 years old with diagnosed additional needs (and their siblings).

• Find out more

Heroes on Sundays

Support is offered for children and adolescents with diagnosed additional needs and their families to go to church.

• Find out more

Circle of Security (May 2025)

Thursdays 8^th May – Thursdays 26^th June (8 sessions) @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Finding Your Brave – Year 6 & 7 (July 2025)

Tuesday 8^th of July 2025 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

For other Classes and Events that we offer, click here.

Recipe Recommendation

This month's recipe recommendation is a high veggie high-fibre meal that’s also freezer friendly!

It's a recipe that’s great for dinners but also for your lunchtime meal prep.

Click here to check out the recipe.