Primary

                                                                   Mrs Leanne Schulz

2022 Primary School Theme

Welcome! 

The Primary School staff and I welcome you and your family to the 2022 school year. We look forward to working with you and your child/ren throughout the year. We are also looking forward to getting to know all of the new students and families. 

Transition Day 

The transition day on Tuesday 1 February was a huge success! It was lovely to see the Preps and their families come for their allocated interview time with the Prep teacher(s). It was also great to see many of the Year 1-6 students and parents dropping books off and chatting with their Homeroom teacher. This day allowed for a smooth beginning to the school year. 

The first day back at school was filled with smiles and excitement as friends reconnected. A warm welcome is extended to many new students and families to the College.  

The Preps have been involved in Assessment Interviews and will join us at school on Monday 7 February to commence their school year.  A very big thank you to families for preparing your child for school and to the Prep teachers for making the transition seamless. 

Please find below the list of Primary School Homeroom Teachers and classrooms:  

2022 Primary Homerooms 

A very big thank you to Primary School families for welcoming our new staff as they transition into the Aitken Community. It means a lot when parents introduce themselves and allow the new staff time to get to know everyone and the routines. Thank you for being so supportive, positive and open with your communications. It is very much appreciated! 

If you have any concerns or things you may not be sure about, please feel free to contact the Homeroom or Specialist teachers, the Assistant Heads of School, The Deputy Head of School or me. Our community is based on trust and respectful communications and we value parental input. 

The Primary staff are dedicated and committed to the education of children and work hard to provide a challenging and supportive learning environment catering for the needs of all students.  I am very honoured to be part of such a team. 

Prep News

Mrs Natasha Radley (Prep AHOS)

Hello and a huge warm welcome to all of the new Prep children and their families for 2022. On Tuesday the Prep children came to school with their parents for a one-on-one session with their first ever school teacher. They walked in the room with their school uniform and bag. The children had the opportunity to find where their bag and books will be stored for the year as well as explore the classroom. Some of the children were very inquisitive and asked many questions of their teacher. Parents also had the opportunity to be inside the classroom and chat to their child’s teacher about any concerns, anxieties or holiday fun they may have had. The teachers thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to meet with parents and students. The rest of the week was busy with Prep Entry Assessments conducted by the classroom teachers. These assessments are a great way for teachers to see where each individual student is at in their own learning journey. We look forward to seeing all of the Prep children on Monday 7 February for their first full day in the classroom.

Year 3 and 4 News

Mrs Anne Adams (Year 3/4 AHOS)

It’s wonderful to be back and seeing all the smiles from the students. Of course, there were some with mixed feelings, but the butterflies soon disappeared. Students reignited old friendships, made new ones and found their feet as books, lockers and routines were established. Here are some photos of the first day back at school. 

Fairview and Cumberland Chapel and Assembly 

Fairview Chapel and Assembly are held every Monday from 9.00am to 9:30am and Cumberland Chapel and Assembly are held every Monday from 10:00am to 10:30am. At this stage they will be conducted via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to families if you would like to join us. 

Term 1 Chapel and Assembly Roster 

Please note, that Preps will not be joining us for Chapel and Assembly on their first day of school, 7 February, as they will be settling into the classroom.  

Information Evenings 

Thank you to all parents who attended the Cumberland School Information Evening via Zoom on Thursday 3 February. Fairview School Information Evening is scheduled for Wednesday 9 February commencing at 7.30pm via Zoom for Prep, Year 1 and Year 2. A reminder email will be sent on Monday with the Zoom link.  

One of the strong messages at the Information Evenings involves empowering children to develop independence and resilience.

Michael Grose, parenting educator, outlines twelve goals to guide parents on the Language for Building Independence:

1. Goal: Independence 

“Never regularly do for a child the things a child can do for him or herself”  

2. Goal: Self-help 

 “Is this something you can do?” 

3. Goal: Contribution 

“Have you checked the help roster today?”  

4. Goal: Decision-making 

 “Which of these two would you prefer?” 

5. Goal: Problem-solving 

 “How can you make this happen?” 

6. Goal: Reliability 

“We rely on you to do this?”  

7. Goal: Self-sufficiency 

“What can you learn for next time?”  

8. Goal: Emotional intelligence 

“How do you feel about this?”  

9. Goal: Accountability 

“When you muck up, you make up?”  

10. Goal: Restoring relationships 

“How will you fix this?”  

11. Goal: Integrity 

 “You need to do what’s right, not what’s easy.”  

12.Goal: Positive risk-taking 

 “Let’s find a way to make this happen.” 

Building Resilience involves:

Allergies and Anaphylaxis 

Anaphylaxis is the most severe and sudden form of allergic symptoms.  An anaphylactic reaction can be serious and life threatening.  We have a number of children with anaphylactic reactions to certain food. Please keep this in mind when you are preparing your child’s snack and lunch.  The content of your child’s lunch box may cause a severe anaphylactic reaction to one of these children.  

Birthday Treats 

If you plan to bring birthday treats to school for your child, speak to the Homeroom teacher before you prepare a treat. A bag of lollypops is sufficient, so please do not prepare elaborate individual lolly bags or gifts for students as this creates a level of unwanted competition.  

Reminders 

• Each child is required to have a bottle of water at school. 
• When packing a lunch box, we encourage you to attempt to eliminate the need for any plastic wrappers around food. It is important to include healthy snacks, including fruit and vegetables, and avoid snacks high in sugar or salt. 
• Please ensure that your child is wearing the correct footwear. This includes: flat black lace up leather shoes or leather pull up boots (Fairview only), no buckles or velcro.  
• Your child must bring their hat to school every day. Children without a hat will only be permitted to play in an under-cover area and will not be able to participate in their Physical Education class. 
• It is also advised that your child bring a small tube/bottle of sun block. Please ensure that they have sun block on before they arrive to school. 
• It is also compulsory that all hair is tied back, at all times. If the hair is at a length, which it can be tied back, it must be tied in a bottle green or navy hair tie or ribbon.  
• Prep and Year 1 children are required to bring a spare change of underwear, socks and trackpants/shorts (blue or green) to school.  

Communication with School 

Communication between home and school is very important. Your child’s teacher is the first point of contact for classroom and learning related issues. The Assistant Heads of School, the Deputy Head of Primary, Ms Meg Williams, and I are also available to discuss student needs and concerns. The best way to communicate with teachers is via email and an appointment can be made if needed.  

Parent Helpers 

If you would like to help out in the classrooms, excursions or the Kitchen Garden Program, you must attend the Parent Helper session on Wednesday 16 February at 2pm. A Zoom link will be sent to families. If you are not able to attend, another date will be offered later in the term. All parent helpers must have a Working with Children Check. 

Cumberland iPads

Blessing 

Dear Jesus 

We thank you for all your blessings as we begin the new school year. 

Bless each one of us as we enter this school bringing our hopes and dreams. 

Bless our friendships and families as we belong together as a community. 

Bless our learning as we work hard with our teachers. 

Bless our family as we share and learn together. 

Bless each person who enters our school that they may share in the joy and happiness that comes from You. 

In Jesus’ name, we pray. 

Amen