From the Principal

Term 2, Week 10 Newsletter

As we arrive at the end of our very busy and enjoyable term 2, I would like to acknowledge the wonderful effort and the growth that students have made in their learning throughout the first half of the year.

Every student has made individual progress in their learning and wellbeing development due to their persistence, their willingness to practise both in and out of school, their determination to achieve the learning and wellbeing goals that they have set for themselves with the outstanding guidance and support from teachers. I would like to also acknowledge the support that parents have provided at home to assist our children to be independent and resilient learners.

I would also like to congratulate the following students who won our end of term school awards this term

School Spirit Award Winner:

Jacob K  from Room 6

Kiwanis Award Winners:

Layla C from Room 10

Michael K from Room 10

On Saturday we held our major fundraising event, the Rock Quiz Night. Approximately $3000 was raised on the night. It was a very enjoyable evening which was well attended by parents and community members. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Fundraising Committee for  the huge amount of time and effort that went into making the night such a huge success. We were also very lucky to have many prizes donated by businesses in our local community. This generosity was certainly appreciated. The money raised will go towards upgrading our playground areas.

Many parents have also volunteered their time to help with learning programs, excursions, camps and sporting activities throughout Term 1 and 2. Without this support these activities would not occur, so thank you to those those have helped in anyway. A very special thank you to Paul Sweet, parent and Director of Commercial Food Equipment for donating a brand new commercial fridge for our canteen. This support has been very much appreciated and  has allowed us to put $2000 back into supporting children with their learning.

I would like to thank Terrence Kostantanakis who has done an outstanding job of teaching Room 11 for the past 3 weeks while Tina Nesbitt has been on leave. Next term Terrence will teach Room 11 every Tuesday and Room 14 on Thursday afternoons while Tina Nesbitt and Matt Mulree fulfil their leadership roles.

Next term we will welcome back Kendall Leslie from accouchement leave. Kendall will be teaching Room 2 on Thursday and Friday and will provide R-2 learning support on Wednesday. During weeks 6 to 10 next term I will be taking long service leave. During this time Mat Charleston will fulfil the role of Principal.

I would like to acknowledge Leonie Orum, our Pastoral Care Worker who has received very positive feedback from parents, staff and students as part of a review this term. In her role as Pastoral Care Worker, Leonie facilitates programs that support student wellbeing, which includes  facilitating the Season’s for Growth grief and loss program, as well as providing small group and individual support for students. Part of Leonie’s role has also been to provide wellbeing support for staff and families.

On Tuesday 27th June, myself and six students from Years 5,6 and 7, Lily, Evie, Anna, Maddi, Jet and Ethan, attended the inaugural Western Adelaide Shores Partnership Student Commission. Approximately 60 students representing our Partnership schools came together to discuss and share ideas about how students think we can improve teaching and learning. I was extremely proud of the contribution our students made to this discussion. Lily and Evie have provided a report about their experience in this newsletter with a copy of the presentation that the six students created. The ideas shared will be used to develop a plan for improvement and change across the Partnership schools.

Next term we look forward to Room 8 and 10 camp, celebrating Book Week in week 5, and Sports Day which will be on Friday 15th September. Sports Day is a wonderful family day that the children really enjoy We are also excited about the Wakakirri and Choir performances and seeing our STEMWorks building project evolve over the next few months. A Term 3 Calendar is attached to this newsletter.

We are currently in the process of planning class structures and staffing for 2018. Can parents please inform us if your child/ren will not be continuing at West Beach Primary School in 2018. New enrollments for 2018 should be submitted as soon as possible to ensure all new students are considered in this 2018 placement process.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Keep safe and warm and enjoy the school holiday break.

Katrina Sexton

Principal