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Newsletter 1

Dear Parents and Carers

Principal’s Message

Welcome to the 2020 school year for returning and new students, families and teachers. A sincere thankyou to our staff who, despite all that has been occurring around them, have had a steadfast focus on “teaching and learning” and getting straight down to business with their students.

I am really impressed by how quickly and smoothly everyone has commenced the year. Well done!

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Welcome Morning Tea 21st February To welcome families back for the start of the new school year, we invite you to join us in the Library for a morning tea and an outline of the school initiatives and foci for 2020, to meet other parents, members of the P&C and School Board and to ask any questions you might have.

This is a great opportunity for families new to our school community, become well informed about Rostrata PS.

Novel Coronavirus The WA Health Department has kept schools well informed of updates and procedures to follow in managing issues relating to the novel coronavirus. We have passed on regular updates to our parents and I have been very appreciative of the understanding, cooperation and support from our whole community. Thank you!

I acknowledge that at times this has been a little confusing, especially when Health Department recommendations change and new requirements are quickly implemented.

Over the next few weeks, students will start to return to school after their 14-day stay at home after leaving affected areas.

Everyone’s situation can be a little different, depending on departure dates and places they have visited. If you have any questions, please ring the school on 94579455, visit the WA Department of Health at https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/ or call the WA Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 300 243.

Payments Consent2Go – Replacing Up Front Payments

From 2020, the school is streamlining the way that parents receive information from the school about excursions, visiting performers or presenters, events, carnivals and the like.

The introduction of Consent2Go will mean that parents will no longer receive paper information, permission notes, payment envelopes or be required to make an upfront payment to cover these events for their child for the year. All of this will be conveyed electronically.

The experience at many other schools who utilise this program, is that it is easy to operate and far more efficient for parents, our office staff and teachers alike.

As soon as the system is operational student information update forms as well as information about the annual school fees will be sent to families via email.

A parent information sheet has been uploaded on to the school website for you to read and understand how this will work.

https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/

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Works Completed Over the Holidays Car Park This was a major construction and has really enhanced that northern side of the school. The purpose built carpark, together with the new network of paths, has streamlined the entry and exit into the school for pedestrians and those using the Kiss and Go. Laying turf around the fringes of the paths will occur over the coming weeks to finish the project. Parents and children are reminded not to cut through the carpark as this is a traffic area during the before and after school peak periods.

New school Roof New rooves were installed for A and C clusters over the school vacation, a massive accomplishment in a relatively short period of time. This included new insulation and all went according to plan with the school able to open on time.

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Air Conditioning New reverse cycle air conditioners were installed throughout A and C clusters all mounted with condensers on the external walls. Consequently, to run these units, the school is in the midst of a power upgrade which Western Power will complete by mid-March. In the meantime, a large generator located at the front of the school, delivers enough power to run the air conditioners.

Staff and students have been enjoying very comfortable, cool classrooms during the current hot weather.

New Classroom – D8 This was delivered, commissioned and is now operational and this newly refurbished transportable classroom is very smart and comfortable. We are just waiting on some finishing landscaping for the surrounds to complete this project.

Kiss and Go Zones The extension to Concraige Way Kiss and Go has made a significant difference to the flow of traffic in this area and taken the congestion away from the corner. A reminder that Kiss and Go zones are “no standing” and parents needing to park must find a parking bay further from the school. The Prendwick Reserve is only a short walk away from the school with ample parking for parents to access.

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Kiss and Go Shelters We have met with the contractor who supplying these structures and we expect that they are only a few weeks away from installation. Once completed, we will have further path work developed to streamline the Concraige Way Kiss and Go.

New Staff We have welcomed the following staff new to our school for 2020

Mr Ryan Perry – teaching in D2 Year 2 Mrs Katie Tucker – teaching in A2 Year 1 Mrs Rose Morrison – teaching in Kindergarten A10 (Thursday and Friday) Ms Stephanie Eggington – Teaching Year 2 in D4 and Year 3 in B2 (Wednesdays) Mr Brendan Burke – Teaching P.E. (Wed – Fri and in the Kitchen Garden for the start of the year) Mrs Katherine Reeve – has returned to Rostrata and is teaching Year 1/2 in A8 Mrs Leah Staggard – teaching Year 3 in D6 (Tuesdays) and Year 4 B7 (Wednesdays) Mrs Julia Durack – teaching PP in A9 ( Thursday) and A5 (Wednesday)

New Non teaching staff – Education Assistants

Michelle Rennie Ruby Benjamin Cathy Basire Niesha Errey Nikki Blowers

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Mobile Phone Policy This policy has been introduced across all government schools in WA as well as schools in most other Australian states. It requires students to turn off their phone and hand it to their teacher who will secure them during the day. Students then to collect phones before they go home.

If parents need to contact children throughout the day, please do so by calling the school office and messages will be passed on. Likewise, students will be able to call parents using the school phone if this is required.

It seems that few students bring a mobile phone to school so this policy should not have a big impact at Rostrata.

Mr Johnson’s Retirement During the school holidays, Mr Johnson made the decision to retire and Mrs Dawson will continue in the position during term one.

We aim to have a farewell for Mr Johnson so that we can officially thank him for his incredible contribution to our school and science education throughout WA and beyond.

We wish him well for long and enjoyable retirement!

Barry France - Principal

CANBERRA EXCURSION

Our School Captains will undertake an education tour of the national capital from 24 February 2020 to 28 February 2020. The captains have been given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, heritage and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $240.00 per student under the Parliament and Civics Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

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CHOIR

CHOIR AUDITIONS 2020 Auditions for our two Choirs – Middle (Years 3 and 4) and Senior (Years 5 and 6) will commence next week during class music lessons. The audition involves singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and pitch matching. Students who were in the choir last year do not need to audition again if they would like to continue this year. At the end of the auditioning process, approximately week 3 or 4, the children will be notified if they are successful or if they have been invited to audition again next year. Rehearsals will be held as follows:

Middle Choir: Monday – 2:10-3:00pm – in the music room

Senior Choir: Tuesday – 8:30-9:15am – in the music room Our choir uniform is worn during performances. Blue pants/shorts/skirt and black shoes (not sneakers) make up our uniform. The school will supply the students with a choir shirt. Due to the fact that rehearsals are held during school time students will miss some class activities. Please be aware that your child’s classroom teacher may request that this work be completed at home. Once a position is accepted, the children are given a probationary period of the first two rehearsals whereby they can decide whether or not to continue. You will be notified should your child choose not to continue. Upon acceptance of a position in the choir it is expected that students participate for the full year. They will be required to sign a contract to endorse this commitment. A copy will be sent home for your records. As children live busy lives please discuss with your child the level of after and before school and weekend commitments they currently have so that an informed decision about whether to accept a position or not is made. As we undertake several performances during the year at various venues, photos and/or video may be taken by staff or the general public. Therefore, it is a requirement that permission is granted from parents for photos to be taken and published. Unfortunately, if consent is not given students will not be able to participate in the choir program. The only cost involved will be for any bus trips to a performance venue and the purchase of a pair of black shoes (if they do not already own a pair). I look forward to a great year of singing.

Leanne Darby Choir Director

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KITCHEN NEWS

Welcome back everyone! A reminder to parents to check with classroom teachers for volunteer rosters. Year 4 needs parent help when we start cooking to ensure a safe lesson, 3 parents per class would be wonderful.

Year 4’s will start cooking at the end of the term, please check with your class teacher.

We have started with theory in the kitchen to revise rules and safety but our practical lessons will be starting soon.

Looking forward to seeing you all!

Vickie Richards Kitchen Specialist

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YOUTHCARE CHAPLAIN

Introducing the Chaplain- Louise Lathbury. As a YouthCARE Chaplain, my role is to support the spiritual, social and emotional well-being of the students, irrespective of their faith or beliefs and with respect for individual families’ convictions. My role is also to provide support in the day-to-day matters that affect the school community. More simply, if at any stage, life is not easy, then I am available to talk with, to listen, and to provide encouragement and support. I can also provide information on community activities or support agencies in the area for students and/or their families.

This is my fifth year as Chaplain at Rostrata Primary School. In 2019, I was able to support the school community by:

1. meeting with individual students (when requested) and discussing topics such as grief and loss, anxiety, anger management, and friendship issues.

2. facilitating the Rainbows Grief and Loss Program (parents nominated their children to attend a weekly 45min small group to work through their feelings in relation to issues such as parental separation/divorce, or the terminal illness of a family member).

3. facilitating the Gelato Club (teachers recommend students for a 5-week lunch time group where they practice social skills that can be used in the classroom and playground).

4. providing additional social/emotional support for students recommended by teachers.

5. facilitating friendships and providing a ‘place to belong’ for quieter students through a weekly lunchtime craft session.

6. mentoring the Year 6 Peer Mediators.

7. encouraging staff to consider their own health and well-being and supporting them during the busy periods of the academic year.

8. engaging with parents/carers during casual conversation at the end of the school day, and providing fortnightly newsletter items.

9. facilitating ethical and charitable initiatives by the school community.

If you would like to make an appointment for your child or yourself to meet with me, please contact the school office, find me at school on a Monday or Thursday, place a note in the labelled box in the office, or email Louise.Lathbury@youthcare.org.au

Student participation in the chaplaincy program is voluntary. If you DO NOT want your child/ren to have one-to-one involvement with the chaplain, then please register your intention at the office.

Louise Lathbury Chaplain

mailto:Louise.Lathbury@youthcare.org.au

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ROSTRATA P & C NEWS

Welcome to School from P&C President

I would like to welcome everyone to Rostrata Primary for 2020! I hope everyone has settled in well and I would like to give a special welcome to all the new Rostrata families. Our first meeting of the year (our AGM) will be held on Monday 24th February at 7pm in the School Library, and I encourage anyone who is interested in helping our school grow to come along. All the details are on our website at www.rostratapandc.org.au.

All the best for the coming school year!

Cheers,

Tristan Cameron

P&C President

P&C AGM

The P&C will be holding its AGM on Monday 24th February, at 7pm in the school library. We always welcome new members to the P&C and encourage anyone interested in helping to improve and develop Rostrata Primary to come along. We meet four times a year in General Meetings, being once per term, usually the Monday evening in Week 3. Being a financial member (for the grand total of $1 per year) gives you full voting rights on any motion put forward, and also allows you to nominate for a position on the Executive Committee and/or join any of the sub-committees that make up the P&C. If you’re not sure that you are able to commit to anything, but would still like to help, I would recommend that you come along and see how we work. There can be as little or as much time committed as you like, and most of the roles in the association require minimal work. Without all the members of our organisation, we wouldn’t have such things as Discos, lap-a-thons, shade sails over play areas, Mathletics subscriptions, etc.

The AGM is an especially important meeting, as we need to successfully nominate and vote in an Executive Committee (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and not less than three (3) other members) as well as Sub-Committee members. The Executive Committee is responsible for handling P&C matters when a General Meeting is not in session and is also responsible for running the meetings. If you wish to nominate for a position, please complete the appropriate section on the form that will be sent home with your child and bring it along on the night. If you need another copy of the form, you can get one on the night.

I look forward to seeing everyone at our first meeting of 2020!

Rostrata Dads

We have an active dads group at the school, founded over three years ago as part of UWA's Fathering Project.

If you’d like to keep informed about the group and its future dads/dads and kids events (ours and those of The Fathering Project), email us at dads@rostratapandc.org.au and we’ll add you to the list.

Our next event is the dads and kids school oval camp out on Saturday and Sunday 14/15 March: dads and their children pitch tents on Saturday afternoon on the school oval and stay the night. Much fun is had by all!

file://///E5668S01SV001.green.schools.internal/Shared/AdminShared/Administration%20Staff/200%20Community%20Relations/209%20PUBLICATIONS/Newsletters%202019/2019%20Publications/www.rostratapandc.org.aumailto:dads@rostratapandc.org.au

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Here's the list of all the Rostrata Dads events planned for 2020:

Sat 14 March - School Oval Camp Out Sun 24 May - Lesmurdie Falls Fri 12 June - Lawn Bowls Night (Dads only) Sat 8 August - Aviation Museum, Bull Creek Drive Sun 1 November - Bike Ride from School

Tip of the week: sign up for The Fathering Project tips.

School Banking

Welcome to School Banking for 2020. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday mornings from 8:15 until 8:45 in the undercover area. New students welcome. Each deposit you make earns you a Dollarmite token. When you have collected 10 tokens you can exchange them for a reward. Commonwealth Bank has some new and exciting rewards for this year. The rewards for Term 1 include an activity book and a soccer ball. Did you know that School Banking helps you save, but also helps the school? Last year The Commonwealth Bank gave Rostrata $2660 in commission. Well done everyone and see you on Wednesday.

P&C Website

To keep up to date on all P&C related events and information, please check out our website: www.rostratapandc.org.au

Tristan Cameron P&C President

https://thefatheringproject.org/sign-up/http://www.rostratapandc.org.au/

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