Primary School

As we embark on a new school term, there’s an exciting sense of renewal and possibility in the air. This fresh start brings with it a chance to embrace new challenges, set ambitious goals, and continue growing both academically and personally. Our dedicated teachers are eager to inspire and support every student, creating an engaging and nurturing environment where everyone can thrive. With a range of enriching activities and innovative programmes lined up, this term promises to be a vibrant journey filled with opportunities for discovery and achievement. Let’s approach this new chapter with enthusiasm and an open mind, ready to make the most of every learning experience and celebrate the many successes that lie ahead. 

‘We’re Going on a Principal Hunt’ 

On Wednesday the Kindergarten students went on a special mission to find a Principal! 

It went like this… 

We’re going on a Principal hunt 

We’re going to find a smart one 

We’re excited!  

Uh oh! A playground, a tall wooden playground 

We could go through it, we could go under it  

We are going to go over it! 

We faced many obstacles until….  

We knocked on a glass door and we saw.  

One set of glasses, one navy suit, a desk full of work and we knew…  

We had found a Principal!!! 

We were also lucky to find a Mrs Franklin with the biggest smile.  

Culture, Engagement and Excellence 

Welcome 

This week Ms Meghann Ritchie commenced as the Year Three teacher as Mr Hardey embarks on a semester in Taiwan. We wish Mr Hardey and his family a fabulous adventure and welcome Ms Ritchie. We are sure it will be a fabulous semester for everyone.  

Parent Teacher Interviews 

On Monday, Parent Teacher Interviews took place. These were a fantastic way to kick off the new term with a positive and collaborative spirit. This term, we are excited to reinvent SEQTA as our primary tool for documenting and reflecting on student learning. Unlike traditional grading systems, we will be using SEQTA to provide a comprehensive view of each child's educational journey, capturing a wide range of developmental progress and personal growth. This approach allows us to share more detailed insights into your child's strengths, areas for improvement, and overall achievement without the frequency of so much numerical data. It is expected that teachers will release one detailed, grade-based summative assessment per strand with grades attached. Work samples without weighting towards grades will still be provided. There will be a period of transition from our current practice, so we ask for your patience with this process. We are happy to answer any questions you have about this process moving forward.  

NAIDOC Week  

Our Primary School had the pleasure of speaking at our Whole School Assembly on Wednesday. Henry Turner shared his personal Acknowledgement of Country, and Pippa King and Koa Doyle shared a reflection of their learning from last term. They spoke confidently and represented the Primary School with distinction.  

Last term our Year Six Inquiry was driven by the three words: race, right and reform. 

We learnt about how over history, people's attitudes, ideas and actions have been influenced by fear, ignorance and lack of understanding, rather than the rights that we all have as human beings.   

We reflected on laws that once governed our country which were obviously unfair for different groups of people. Did you know that in the 1890’s, it was normal for girls working in factories in Melbourne to get paid only half of what a boy was paid, no matter the amount of work that she could get done?  

Did you know, that in the Northern Territory during the 1930’s, that it was considered legal to not pay Aboriginal workers, as long as their bosses gave them food, water and a place to sleep?   

Did you know that it wasn’t until 1967 (That’s only sixty years ago!) that the majority of people in Australia had the opportunity to vote to include Indigenous people as part of our constitution and counted in our population of Australia? 

I don’t know about you, but I think that those things are pretty crazy and I’m so glad that I can learn about it as History rather than normal ideas today and be grateful that those things have been reformed. 

We are going to add another R word to the mix of Race, Right and Reform 

Reconcile. To reconcile means to make up and be friends again after having a disagreement or fight. When you reconcile, you both say sorry, forgive each other, and start playing together again. You don’t have to forget what has happened; you just have to agree to move on so everyone can continue to become happier. We think this is an important word to complete our inquiry.  

To finish, we’d like to acknowledge a few things:  

First, that we are grateful to be here with you in a place where we can share ideas freely.  

Second, we acknowledge that everyone has a different story and background which deserves to be recognised. 

Last, that we are here as open-minded friends and supporters for anyone who needs a helping hand. 

Upcoming Events 

Week Two  

Monday 22 July to Thursday 25 July, Years Four to Six, Artist in Residence, GSG, 9.30am to 3.00pm 

Wednesday 24 July to Thursday 25 July, Year Six (select students), SSWA Hockey Perth 

Week Three 

Monday 29 July, Discover GSG Day, 9.00am to 1.00pm 

Friday 2 August, Denmark Meet the Principal Event, Boston Brewery Co, 5.00pm to 7.00pm 

Friday 2 August Year Six (selected students), Primary Netball Carnival Katanning, 6.30am to 5.00pm 

Week Four 

Monday 5 August to Thursday 8, August Year Five Camp, Woodman Point 

Thursday 8 August, Mokare Day (Whole School) 

Enjoy the weekend!  

Mrs Hayley Ranger and Miss Carys Nichols | Acting Heads of Primary