From the   Principal's

Desk

19th May - P&C /Volunteers Morning Tea

I would like to thank all of the people that attended our P&C/ volunteer morning tea to recognise the ongoing work of our wonderful P&C and volunteers. This morning tea was paid for by Camp Australia. Without the support and commitment of this dedicated group of people, we would not be able to hold numerous events.  Events that have been held this year involving volunteers include our Harmony Evening, Swimming Carnival, Mother’s Day Stall, Movie Night, Colour Explosion, volunteers in classrooms, and volunteer umpires for Interschool.

Making a difference

Thank you to the wonderful ladies at Willetton Senior High School who have been recognised by our Burrendah parents for how they support our students by doing the canteen on a Wednesday and thank you for the beautiful catering they supplied for today's P&C Volunteer's morning tea.

Slam Basketball

Slam Basketball is a competition for students in Years 3 and 4.  If your child is interested in trying out for this competition, please see the flyer further in our newsletter. Thank you to the parents who are volunteering their time and expertise so Burrendah students can be a part of this in-school event. 

New Undercover Area Naming Competition

When visiting Room 28 this week I was shown a fabulous example of student voice from the Year 4 students.  They suggested a naming competition for the school community for the new undercover area.  The name needs to be able to be translated into Noongar.  I invite the Burrendah school community to think of a name and send the name to Burrendah.PS@education.wa.edu.au These names will be given to Room 28. With the help of their teacher Mrs Duvall, the students will collate common suggestions and present the top 15 to the next Board meeting.  The Board will select the top three.  These three names will then be voted on by the Burrendah School community. The highest vote name will be the new name for our undercover area.  This name will be announced at our NAIDOC assembly on Friday 30th June.  Our current Blocks are called Magpie (Koolbardi), Cygnet (Maawit Maali), Swan (Maali), and Pelican (Boodalung).

Covid update

We have had some staff absent this week with Covid. If this involved your child’s class you were informed via SMS. It is a timely reminder to monitor for symptoms and for students to stay home if unwell. 

I would like to acknowledge our hard-working staff for their flexibility to ensure programs could continue. I would also like to acknowledge the students who have had relief teachers this week due to staff being away on professional learning or leave.  The respect students have shown to teachers in their classroom, particularly if it is not their usual teacher is outstanding.

New 2023 Phonics Initiative

The Phonics Initiative supports The Department of Education’s commitment to developing the literacy skills of students from an early age. It supports schools with Kindergarten to Year 2 students to: 

• implement culturally responsive and equitable practices which acknowledge student capacity to succeed, regardless of diverse circumstances and abilities, supported through differentiated learning
• adopt evidence-based programs and support their staff in building consistency of practice across all classrooms
• assess phonics progress early, with frequent and ongoing monitoring
• effectively identify and support students who require intervention and extension, across all year levels
• use the guidelines, curriculum, and achievement standards to inform expected proficiency

Burrendah Primary School is implementing Letters and Sounds, one of the Department of Education endorsed evidence based programs, into Kindy to Year 2 classrooms as our Phonics Initiative. Teachers and allied professionals have collaborated to develop year-level scope and sequence that have been trialed and refined. Comprehensive files with assessment have been developed for each classroom. Staff are to be commended on the work being done to develop the fidelity of this program across the early childhood classrooms.

School upgrades

Undercover area - as you will notice the undercover area is nearing completion. I am expecting a handover in the next few weeks. The classroom (Room 27) will be used by our Year 3 /4 class who are currently in Room 21.