The Gift of Energy - Thank you!

The school has kindly been given a cash donation from the Hinsman family to install more solar panels. What a lovely gesture and much appreciated. Their four children have completed Class 12 and are out in the world now but the family will be remembered through this gift. 

The kind gift has inspired a few parents - Tracy Burns, Paul Burns, Graham Moles and Alex McLeod - to look at installing enough solar panels on four buildings, to cut our electricity bills to near zero. More news and details will be shared later but a huge thanks to everyone involved, including FGM Coordinator Peter, for spearheading this sustainability project.  

NAPLAN

Letters are being sent out to families in Classes 3,5,7,& 9 about the upcoming Naplan tests. 

While the College of Teachers are not big fans of the Literacy/Numeracy tests because of the one dimensional focus, and that they don’t necessarily align with our curriculum and our approach to assessment, we can appreciate that as a tool they demonstrate, especially to the government, that our approach to education meets standards. Understandably, if we are meeting standards then we are more and more free to continue to provide a holistic education that values creativity, imagination and social/emotional wellbeing, as much as numeracy and literacy.

The tests can be seen as a novel activity for the students and nothing more than a “snapshot in time” assessment. We are fortunate in WA that our school is allowed to sit paper based tests, until Class 9, when it goes online.

Camps

Our school has a robust, compulsory camp programme including horse riding, sailing, caving, canoeing, abseiling, hiking, leading, and retreating. We view camps as an integral and significant  part of the curriculum and urge every parent and carer to get behind the many benefits of camps and outdoor education. We are especially fortunate to have staff willing to support the camps which can be disruptive to daily schedules and a mighty physical effort to attend! It is a pity to hear of many schools cancelling or modifying their camp programmes as a result of various pressures. 

There is a camp for each year group from Class 4 to Class 12. The camps are linked to the curriculum and a child’s stage of development. While some are more adventurous than others, all of them create an opportunity to disrupt entrenched patterns and allow a new narrative to be told about who I am. The change of location, living together in close quarters, challenging oneself and each other through peak experiences, are all catalysts for transformation. It provides kids with a chance to renew how they meet, and how they are met, by their classmates and teachers. So valuable!

In this edition, the Repair Hub run by Stefan, the P&F AGM and the Library Owls are mentioned. Great chances to be involved and to be social, in our school community.

With gratitude

Bruce Lee
School Administrator

 

Something new is mounting, growing
Deep within me, outward surging.
Seed is ripening, sap is flowing;
Power streaming, light emerging.

Fire-spirits sparkle round me, warmth and will-bestowing:
"Sing our fiery song of summer strength!" I hear them urging.

by Michael Hedley Burton / verse no. 21

Class 4 - Visit from Author

Last term in Week 8, Alison Alberghini's now Class 4's were treated to a special visiting author event in their library class. 

Last year local author Rosemary Tingley launched her most recent publication A Ribbon of Rainbows in our primary school library.  After the book launch, I began to read this enchanting story to the Class and after many weeks of reading, Rosemary gifted the class with a personal visit. Rosemary is not only a fabulous writer, but her presentation with the class was also engaging and full of colourful tales of her inspiration for writing.  Rosemary even brought the characters in the book to the library!

The children were bursting with questions that were answered by Rosemary and the session ended with our primary cello tutor Jenny Cowley singing the song "Two and two Makes Five" that she wrote for the book.  It was such a success that I am looking forward to creating the same experience for Class 3 this year. 

Kelly Geyer
Library Teacher

Australian History in Colour - Class 6

Class 6 started the school year with Australian History as its main lesson. Each day, through storytelling, songs, and images, the students learn a little bit more about the history of this country and where and how its inhabitants got here.

To truly comprehend the timeline of events, students created their own snake-timelines, which put history into perspective. This started with time previous to the last ice-age and ended with non-Indigenous settlers arriving to New South Wales. Another related activity revolved around a chalk drawing of Captain Cook's arrival in Botany Bay. This hands-on experience allowed students to participate in both visual and collaborative learning, including discussions, helping them to deepen their understanding and connection to the topic.

Both activities incorporated art. Steiner education uses visual art to express and deepen an understanding of taught concepts. Visual arts in the primary years support the moral and cognitive development of children, encourage creativity, and build concentration and focus as well.

Tamara Yousry (Class 6 Assistant)

Running Club

Running Club kicks off this week! We’re excited to invite students, staff, siblings, and parents to join us for a walk, jog, or run every Tuesday morning from 8:00am to 8:25am. It's all about moving our bodies, having fun, and cheering each other on. Whether you’re walking or running, everyone’s welcome to join in. We’ll meet on the big oval near the sports shed (shipping container), and make sure to bring your drink bottle!

After School Sports Program

Our afterschool school Cricket program begins next Tuesday afternoon (25^th February) 3:15 – 4pm and will run for four weeks until Tuesday 18^th March. The basic skills of cricket will be explored through games and activities with an emphasis on fun and enjoyment. Please register your child’s interest via the link to assist with numbers and planning.

Cricket program interest: https://forms.office.com/r/r4MBHEAVUu

InterSchool Sports

Community sport opportunities

See below for some opportunities to get involved in and try some great community initiatives.

Manning Park Trail Runners

Where: Manning Park, Azelia road Spearwood. Meet at the Manning stairs.

When: Every Thursday. 5-6pm for kids group. 6-7:15pm for adults group.

It’s FREE! All ages and abilities welcome.

Fremantle Triathlon Club – Splash ‘n’ dash

Want to finish the week with a little bit of family fun! Join the Fremantle Triathlon Club for a fun social event. All ages welcome.

Thanks,

Jade Collins
Phys. Ed Coordinator

2025 Fees

Invoices for 2025 will be issued shortly. Please keep an eye on your emails for them. If you haven’t received anything by Friday 21st February, please contact Kathryn on account@pws.wa.edu.au.

The school fees are invoiced annually, so please divide the invoice total by four to determine the termly payments. Payment of term 1 fees will be due two weeks after the invoice date. Payment of subsequent terms will be due by the second Friday of each term. Payment can be made by the following options, please include your Invoice Number OR Family Code as reference, thank you.

A late payment fee will apply to all accounts not paid by the due date. This does not apply if you have a payment plan arrangement in place.
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PWS Vacancies

Viola Tutor

Groups/Classes

Participating in any of these activities goes toward Family Participation Hours. 

These groups for parents are run or led by teachers or parents. Members of the school community are encouraged to join any of the groups and enjoy the experience of personal growth and learning in this beautiful environment - a great inspiration for our children!

Repair Hub

Saturday 22nd February

10am - 1pm

High School Woodwork classroom

Community Notices are for members of the school’s community only and may consist of: Business adverts, producers, services, items for sale (non-school related), etc. keeping in mind that they need to be consistent within our schools’ ethos. Please try and keep your notice short (this is free of charge). All Community Notices will appear in this section for two weeks only.  If you would like a ¼ page advert, a $10 fee is required and will only appear in Week 2 and Week 8.

Repair Hub

I went to the repair hub late last year, mainly for the social aspect. I have a tiffany-style lamp of my own manufacture, which needed some glass repairs, so I brought all my equipment and spent my time repairing it, and chatting with Stefan and another parent. Those two were working on Stefan's car preparing it for offroad adventures.  

 Saturday 22nd February, 10am - 1pm - High School Woodwork classroom

OSHC Coordinator Vacancy at Connect Learning

https://www.seek.com.au/job/81325397?ref=direct-share-hirer-jobs-list 

*Please note this service is available for children from Kindy 4 - Class 7*

Before School Care 7:00am to 9:00am

After School Care 3:00pm to 6:00pm

Vacation Care 7:00am to 6:00pm

Early Finish Thursdays 2:15pm to 6:00pm

Kindy Early Finish 12:45pm to 6:00pm  

General Canteen Information 

You can set up an account with the canteen using the form below:

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CANTEEN MENU

Reusable stainless steel straws Silver just $1 cleaners 50c
Banister Downs milk full cream and lite $2.50 per litre.
Tammy sourdough bread whole meal $6.50 or fruit $8.50 available every day.
Breadtime story handmade sourdough Spelt $12 fruit and nut $14 4 seeds $13 preorder for Friday delivery.
Fresh Raw Local Honey $14/kg refill your own jar prepacked glass jars $9
Local Organic Olive oil $16.00/litre refill your own bottle or prefilled bottles available.
Grounded Pleasures chai $12.50 200g box
Grounded Pleasures Chocolate $11.50
Karvan coffee #3 $13/ 250g whole beans or Swiss water Decaf Ground $13.00/ 250g Tally Ho farm biodynamic tempeh $9.50

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Volunteers are welcome in the Canteen!
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Food Handling Training Link https://www.cockburn.wa.gov.au/Health-Safety-and-Rangers/Public-Health/Safe-Food/Food-Handling-Training

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If you would like to volunteer please take the course above. For free access use the code FSCBURN315. The course takes approximately an hour to complete. You will receive a certificate upon completion. Once you have acquired the certificate we can arrange a time that suits you to come in. All hours can be used towards the Parent Participation Scheme including the online course. If you would like more information, please contact Megan in the Canteen or via email canteen@pws.wa.edu.au 
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Megan Harry
Canteen Manager