Today was the annual Willetton Senior High School Year 12 parade through Burrendah Primary School. Thank you to the hundreds of Years 12 students and WSHS staff who dressed up for this event. The Burrendah students certainly enjoyed the parade through our school.

It has been a very busy start to the year with a number of new processes from the Department of Education. I thank you for your patience while these processes were implemented. It was wonderful to see so many of our new families with our recent welcome to new family visit to the school that was organised through the EAL/D team.

Public School Review

We had our Public-School Review last week. Thank you to all of the parents who spoke to the reviewers in their capacity as a Board or P & C member. The reviewers also spoke to student leaders and staff. The outcome of this review will be available in the coming weeks.

School Board

Congratulations to Mr Gavin Turner and Mr Kevin Tang who have joined the Board as parent representatives. We are looking forward to the contributions of Mr Turner who is continuing in another term with the Board and for Mr Tang who will be a new member on the Board. Mr Kevin Stevenson, a community representative, has completed his two-year tenure. Mr Stevenson was a Board representative on our School Review Committee providing a business perspective with the development of our 2022-2024 Business Plan. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Mr Stevenson for his valuable contributions to the Board. Mr Brad Warburton is continuing as the Board Chair for 2023.

P & C

The P & C AGM was held last week. Thank you to all of the people who accepted a nomination for a position on the P & C. Results for the 2023 P & C can be found further in the newsletter.

Farewell to our Chaplain.

Mrs Louise Lathbury has been the chaplain at Burrendah for the last six years. Her last day at Burrendah will be next Wednesday 8th March. I would like to acknowledge all of the hard work and dedication Mrs Lathbury has given to our school community, particularly in the last three years of Covid. We wish her well with her new endeavours.

Swimming Trials

It was wonderful to be able to hold our swimming trials this year and not have to cancel due to the pandemic. Last week students went to the Riverton Leisureplex to try out for their place in our swimming carnival. Thank you to the parents who volunteered on the day. This event can only occur with such support, and I thank you for taking the time to assist all of the teachers who also attended this event.

Our swimming carnival will be held on Thursday 9th March from 9:00-12noon for our Year 4- Year 6 students. I look forward to seeing as many parents attend this event as possible. Mr Crouch is the contact person for any parents who are able to volunteer their time to assist at our carnival.

Playgrounds before School

A number of our young students are playing on the Pre-primary playground before school while parents are waiting outside the classroom near Cygnet Block. This playground is not available before the school day. Children will need to wait with their parents if they are at school prior to 8:30am when the classroom door opens.

Year 6 Camp

Our Year 6’s have spent the last 3 days at camp. This is a wonderful opportunity for students and teachers to share in some fabulous opportunities camp provides. I would like to acknowledge Mrs Lindley for attending camp overnight and then working at school all day to balance the number of female adults at camp. It was certainly a first to have more male teachers than female staff attend with the students. I would also like to acknowledge the work by Mrs Crouch in the preparation of the camp, Mr Crouch as the onsite camp coordinator and Burrendah staff Mrs Chow, Mrs Corbitt, Mr Evans, Mr Chong, and Mr Heron for all of their work to ensure another successful camp for our students.

Covid

We have had some cases of Covid with staff and students. Please take health precautions as needed for your circumstances which may include wearing a mask for adults and/or students.

Chaplain's Corner

Louise Lathbury