Chatham Happenings
Day of the Notables
Last Thursday, 14th August our Year 5 students presented their Day of the Notables projects. The students have been working hard at school on these projects and it was wonderful to see the finished product. Each class had the opportunity to visit the School Hall and engage with each student to learn about the notable Australians and the contribution they have made to our society. It was wonderful to hear how confidently our students spoke when interacting with teachers, students and parents.
Congratulations to all our Year 5 students!
Mr Zac Barry
Year 5/6 Teacher
Rotary Club School Speech Competition
Last Thursday, 12th August, Chatham Primary School were represented by Sadie D and Sammy N at the Mont Albert and Surrey Hills Rotary Club’s 20th Annual Primary Schools Speech Competition. They competed against students from 8 local primary schools. Both students spoke wonderfully and represented our school incredibly well. Sadie presented a speech entitled, ‘What is More Important, Intelligence or Curiosity?’. Sammy presented his speech entitled, ‘It Was A Wild Ride’. We are very proud of Sadie and Sammy, and commend them for the time and effort they put into practising their speeches and performing on the night.
Well done Sadie and Sammy!
Mr Zac Barry
Year 5/6 Teacher
Kew Future Leaders Speech Competition
On Monday, 18th August, ten Year 6 students participated in the finals of the Kew Future Leaders Speech Competition. The competition, organised by the state member for Kew, Jess Wilson MP, asked students to write a speech on a key issue that faces our local community. These students delivered their speech in front of their parents and Jess, and they all spoke very well. Congratulations to Jack C, Sadie D, Ella E, Zara F, Will H, Madeleine M, James N, Jasmine R, Jess S and Lia W.
We are very proud of their work and look forward to hearing the results shortly.
Mr Zac Barry
Year 6 Teacher
Book Week
Each year since 1945, the Children’s Book Council of Australia has brought children and books together across Australia through the CBCA Book Week. During this time, stories are read to highlight the importance of reading, as well as promoting a lifelong love for it. On Tuesday the 12th of August, our school celebrated Book Week! Students and teachers showed up dressed as a beloved book character for the day and at 9:10am, everyone excitedly hurried into the hall. Each class paraded around the hall and even the teachers joined in too! Some people dressed up as a ‘Harry Potter’ character and others were princesses. Someone was even dressed up as a frog! We loved seeing everyone’s cool costumes. Our English Captains, James and Lyla, announced each class one by one and Ms Minshull, dressed up as ‘Thelma the Unicorn', entertained the whole school with her dazzling smile and humour. The whole Chatham community really enjoyed dressing up and celebrating Book Week. We cannot wait to do it again next year!
By Lyla Toone
English Captain
The following
Hi Dimitra,
I’m delighted to confirm that we have received your kind donation of $226.65, please find your donation receipt attached. Thank you so much for your generosity and for hosting a Book Week and Book Sales event.
Your wonderful efforts will help gift 22 culturally relevant books to children and families in remote First Nations Communities through our Book Supply program. This is a wonderful achievement especially at a time when the demand for books that reflect and celebrate First Nations cultures continues to grow.
Attached is your Certificate of Appreciation as a heartfelt thank-you. The school's kindness and support are helping to create a meaningful and lasting impact in remote Communities!
I’d also love to share our newly launched ILF video, which highlights the impact of contributions like yours — it’s a great way to see the difference your support makes.
Thank you again for your wonderful support!
Kindest,
Marj
Marj Hutchinson
Fundraising Officer - Community & Education
Indigenous Literacy Foundation
Treasure Hunt
On Friday 8th of August, we hosted Perform Education for the 2025 Book Week performance of ‘Treasure Hunt’. Every class gathered into the Hall for a spectacular performance. The performers Barbara and Luke presented an action-packed adventure, featuring some of the 2025 CBCA shortlisted books including ‘Afloat’ by Kirli Saunders, ‘The Garden of Broken Things’ by Freya Blackwood and ‘These Long-Loved Things’ by Josh Pyke. The performers had lots of audience participation and asked the students lots of questions. The musical was about how two civilizations were on an island, one called Seaview and one called Tree Land. As the two main characters had never met each other before, they did not know what to think of one another and initially did not get along. Both civilizations had lost their songs and had to work together to help each other find them. In the end, the main characters became good friends. The performance explored the themes of sustainability, our relationship with the natural environment and bringing people together.
By James Newberry
English Captain
