Dear Parents and Guardians,
It will be wonderful to have all our students back at school, engaged and ready to
learn. Smiling faces all full of stories about their experiences over the holidays –
such a joy to behold.
Open minds alert with thoughts that are focused on learning are shown in numerous
research findings to enhance a child’s health and wellbeing. Chance events have led
to some interesting events and discoveries. It is the alert mind and preparedness for
discovery. During the week I saw a news piece where an accident by a researcher
resulted in a significant finding that will change the way we use antibiotics. Another
completely different but interesting incident made by home maker Ruth Graves
Wakefield, who accidently made chocolate chip biscuits instead of regular ones and
started a million-dollar industry. (Dr Christian Busch 2020) Teaching children and
ourselves for that matter to be observant – or alert- can change the whole way we
see and experience the world.
There are several important points in the following pages, so please take a moment
to read and diarise them.
Staff Changes
We would like to welcome to our school Mandy Rodgers as our new Manager
Corporate Services. Also returning to the fold is Nina Loleva to the Pre-primary.
Educational Focus
- Introducing a new positive behaviour approach. The focus will be on;
- build authentic relationships with students based on mutual respect
- see difficulties as an opportunity for growth and reflection for all
- have a consistent, pro-active, and restorative school wide approach to positive
behaviour management - teach pro-social and self-regulation skills across the school day
- provide clear, effective processes and procedures so that conflict and bullying
can be resolved in a sensitive, fair, and timely manner
‘Chance favours the prepared mind only’ Louis Pasteur - establish a clear set of processes for students to support the development of
responsible behaviours.
2. Every lesson will have clear lesson intentions and success criteria for students.
3. Positive framing on what students can do not what they can’t do or aren’t doing.
Timetable Change
We have implemented a slight change in the student timetable to ensure that most of
the learning is now in the morning before Lunch. There will be only one period after
lunch now. This change is in line with researched best practice and student
engagement in learning. With this happening we are introducing Crunch&Sip – below
is an explanation and attached is an information pamphlet for parents/caregivers.
Crunch and Sip
Crunch&Sip is a primary school nutrition program, developed to increase the amount
of vegetables, fruits and water being consumed by Western Australian children. It is
an easy way to help kids stay healthy and happy during class time!
Crunch&Sip is a set time during the school day for students to eat vegetables and
fruit and drink water in the classroom. The Crunch&Sip break is not designed to
replace Recess and must occur within class time. Students bring vegetables and/or
fruit in a reusable container and a clear water bottle to school each day for the
Crunch&Sip break.
Giving students the chance to re-fuel in class with fruit or vegetables helps to
improve physical and mental performance and concentration, as well as promoting
long term health.
Personal Hygiene
School staff will continue to encourage students to wash their hands before and after
Recess breaks, before eating and before and after using any shared equipment. (It
has been interesting to note the dramatic decrease in colds and flus that has
resulted from our additional personal hygiene vigilance.)
If your child is unwell, please ensure they remain at home until they are no longer
symptomatic. Use the Kapinara website to make an Absentee note.
School Uniform
Please make sure that all children are in full uniform. Pride and identity are very
important, and the wearing of the uniform is an essential part of building these values
in children. If you need to supplement your child’s clothing with something warmer,
please tailor it to fit in with our dress code (matching or plain colours).
Thank you for your support.
POINTS OF NOTE
School Development Day – Friday 18 August
This is a Pupil Free Day.
Athletics Carnivals (School Tuesday 29 August; Interschool Wednesday 13
September)
This term is an exciting term for the students. Please look out for messages from
Kate Scott and Jenny Carruthers, who will provide comprehensive information on
how the carnivals will run this year.
Year 6 Fair – Tuesday 12 September
Library – Story Time
Story Time will begin this term. This is an opportunity for Year 1’s at lunchtime on
Friday to come to the Library where our Year 6 students will play host and involve
them in games and reading stories. All Year 1 children are welcome.
Japanese Students
In Week 2 we welcome students from Japan to have an Australian Experience. It will
be exciting to have visitors in our school for our children to interact with and learn
from. Thank you to our families who are hosting our Japanese students.
See you next week!
Simon Reid
PRINCIPAL