From the Principal's Desk

I thoroughly enjoyed my visits to Room 13’s classes over the last two weeks to see both group’s writing skills. I was very impressed with how our Kindergarten students are developing their story writing skills by linking what they print with meaning. 

We are continuing to work under Phase 4 with the date for Phase 5 still to be determined in the coming weeks. It is pleasing to see our parents/carers regularly using 1.5m physical distancing inside the school grounds. Parents/carers are beginning to take the opportunity to visit classrooms after 3:00pm. There is no need for a scheduled appointment after school. Parent volunteers have attended Year 4 and Year 6 excursions to Fremantle. Our first large school event is tomorrow, the Faction Cross Country for Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 students. While I will be presenting to newly appointed principals for the Department of Education, Mr Bradshaw will be keen to see parents/carers attending the cross country at Burrendah Reserve.  

It was with pleasure that I attended our P & C meeting on Monday evening with the committee recommencing after being put on hold due to the pandemic. The P & C will be holding a fundraising event for Crazy Hair Day on Friday 21st August. It will depend on which phase we are in as to how parents can be involved as an audience. More information will be sent out in Week 5.

Our first ‘Open Classes’ will be hosted by Rooms 1,3 and 4 next week Friday 14th August. These classrooms will be open for parent/carers from 8:30-9:15am on a Friday morning. More information regarding the Open Class will be sent out via Connect to classrooms involved in the week of the event. See the 'Open Class Schedule'  which is on the School News page.

Results from our recent parent survey suggested more information on what children were learning in their classroom would be helpful for parents/carers. As a result of this feedback, teachers of like year levels have planned together with the cohort’s to develop a  Term 3 learning schedule. This information will be placed on Connect this Friday. The Year 1,2 and 3 cohorts have developed a Term 3 guide. The Kindergarten, Pre-primary, Year 4, 5, 6 cohorts have developed a 10-week planner.  Please let your child’s teacher know if the information provided is helpful for supporting your child at home as well as if there is a preferred format (of a guide or a 10-week planner). We will be taking your feedback into account for year level planning for Term 4.

New furniture for Rooms 7, 16a, 22 and 24 has arrived. Magpie Block and 16a wet area furniture has also been installed. As you can see from the photos below the furniture makes interesting learning spaces. Mr Bradshaw worked with the design team to ensure furniture is height adjustable. This enables desks to be used as a standing desk when necessary. 

Our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Committee of interested school community members has been formed. This committee will be investigating if BYOD is an area that Burrendah will become involved in from 2021. They will have their first meeting shortly. Any queries please contact Mr Bradshaw.

Our new Ipads have arrived. These Ipads replace a trolley of laptops that were outdated. Winthrop Australia is working with a new group of 5 teachers this term over the course of Term 3. Teachers are coached on using technology effectively in their classrooms with their students. This will take our total of individually coached teachers/classrooms for 2020 to 15. Parents/carers of Rooms 5,12, 23, 25, and 26 will be invited to come into the classrooms to see the learning that has taken place. Please pencil in Monday 7th Sept for a class visit if your child/ren are in one of the classes above.

We have just received some new infrared hand sanitiser machines. These machines will be placed outside our specialist rooms and in Reception for everyone to use.