Dear Friends,

Welcome to Week 9 and our last newsletter for Term 1! As we continue our Lenten journey,  let us be mindful of the needs of others and supportive of the Lenten  Project Compassion appeal. It was wonderful to celebrate last Friday our Year 2 award winners for this term!  Congratulations! Tomorrow we will acknowledge our Year 1 Award winners and then finish this term with Kindergarten Awards next Wednesday morning. 

The uniform shop had an extremely busy Tuesday morning preparing students with their winter uniform. Already people have been querying if the uniform shop is open in the school holidays. To avoid this we will open again on Tuesday 8 April at 8.30 to 9am. Please note this is the final opening before first day back term 2. Classroom deliveries need to be in by 2pm Friday to ensure these are packed over the weekend. We hope this opening and extra delivery date helps families, especially as school photos is on the first day back- Tuesday 30th April.  For these photos all students will need to be in full winter uniform.  I cannot thank enough Ginny and all the incredible volunteers at the uniform shop who give of their time so generously for our community. Thank you.

PYP Information Night

Thank you so much to all our parents and carers who attended our PYP information night on Tuesday night.  A very special thanks  to Tom O'Rourke and Prue Sheargold, our PYP coordinators , and Damien Montesin, or ELC Director,  for their insightful and informative presentation explaining the strengths and characteristics of a PYP school.  Below is some of the information shared- there is also much information on our website.

A Knowledge-Rich Curriculum
Learning is structured through rigorous units of inquiry, guided by the Australian Curriculum and the IB’s transdisciplinary themes. Students develop deep understanding of key concepts, rather than isolated facts. Core skills are explicitly taught and practised in context —learners read, write, problem-solve, investigate, and reflect every day. The programme is challenging and purposeful, preparing
students not just to recall knowledge, but to use it.
The PYP is both highly academic and deeply human, recognising that success requires not just what we know, but how we apply it.

How We Learn: A Model Grounded in Science and Practice
We draw on research from cognitive science, including Daniel Willingham’s Simple View of Learning, which highlights five key principles:
1. What we pay attention to is what we learn – We design focused, relevant learning that captures attention.

2. New ideas are understood through what we already know – We build learning on strong foundations and prior knowledge.

3. We remember what we think about – Tasks are designed for depth, not just activity.

4.Working memory is limited – We use scaffolds, visuals, and clear routines to support thinking.

5. Practice and retrieval strengthen memory – Students revisit and apply key knowledge and skills over time.

This approach ensures learning is not just experienced, but retained, connected, and transferred.

How You Can Support Learning at Home

Encourage curiosity – Ask open-ended questions; wonder together.
Connect learning to life – Discuss issues, systems, and stories that relate to their school inquiries.
Support voice and choice – Let your child make appropriate decisions about their learning.
Make time for reflection – Ask: What made you think today? What was challenging?
Praise effort and process – Focus on strategies and improvement, not just outcomes.
Stay engaged – Talk to your child about their learning

Staying Connected Through the Toddle App
Toddle is our digital learning platform that keeps you connected to
your child’s journey. Through Toddle, you can:
View learning snapshots, unit updates, and reflections
Access student portfolios and learning goals
Celebrate your child’s growth

Need help using Toddle? Please reach out to your child’s teacher.

Cross Country Thursday 10th April

• We continue to have some issues in the afternoon with cars coming into the car park quickly, when others are trying to reverse out-  particularly  in spots next the entrance to the car park as you turn in.   Please drive slowly!  
• Next Friday 11th April is a Pupil Free Day (Kindergarten to Year 6), ELC open as normal.
• Monday 28th April is a Pupil Free Day (Kindergarten to Year 6), ELC open as normal.
• Tuesday 29th of April is the first day of Term 2 for K-6 and school photo day in winter uniform

Congratulations to all our students competing in the  Futsal competition today (5/6) and Monday (3/4). and to all our swimmers competing tomorrow in the Zone Carnival. 

I look forward to seeing you all at our Cross Country Carnival and/or Holy Week prayer celebrations next week and thank you again for your support, commitment and generosity with Term 1 2025, especially with our fete!  Have a wonderful weekend and a peace-filled week ahead with your beautiful families.

Philippa

Easter Raffle

Holy Week 

Please join us in celecbratiing Holy Week.

Friday 4th April 2:30pm Palm Sunday - 3White

Thursday 10th April 10:00am Holy Thursday 5Red and Good Friday 5Green

Harmony Day

Emily Capper 

Religious Education Leader

Harmony Day

There is good reason that Outcome 1 of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) is "Children have a strong sense of identity". Experiencing a healthy sense of individual identity is the foundation of children's learning, development and wellbeing. Our experience of identity is often a natural occurrence and as adults, our influence on our children's development of identity cannot be understated. We must give opportunities for children to ponder their own identity - 'Who am I?', 'What are my values?' and 'How do I belong?' As the EYLF states, when children feel safe, secure and supported they grow in confidence to explore and learn.

In addition to our everyday moments of exploring individual identities in the ELC, Harmony Day provides an opportunity to dive deeper into our children and staff's cultural identities.

We invited children in the Ground Parrot class to consider what Harmony Day means, by capturing their individual voices and creativity. The children were invited to explore their understanding of diversity and inclusion through art. The collaborative artwork is now on display in the classroom and serves as a visual reminder of the importance of harmony in our community.

Children in the Rock Wallaby class listened to an Aboriginal story, Tom Tom by Rosemary Sullivan and Dee Huxley. Tom Tom goes to preschool and likes to paint pictures and make damper. The children compared Tom Tom’s preschool experience to their own and then made damper!

Our school photos will take place on Tuesday April 29, the first day of Term 2. Please place your orders online for your photo package. 

In today’s digital world, the internet is an incredible tool for learning, creativity, and connection. However, recent concerns within our school community have highlighted the need for increased awareness and support around children’s use of messaging platforms, group chats, and personal devices.

As children grow and begin to explore the online world, it is vital they understand both their rights and responsibilities. By working together we can help our students develop safe and respectful online habits.

Helping Children Stay Safe Online

For young children, navigating the digital world can be confusing and, at times, overwhelming. Families play a key role in helping their children build a strong foundation for safe online behaviour. Some tips for supporting your child include:

• Keep communication open – Talk regularly about what they’re doing online and who they’re talking to. Encourage children to speak up if something online makes them feel upset or uncomfortable.

• Establish clear rules and boundaries – Set agreed limits for screen time, device use, and access to apps and websites. Where possible, keep devices in shared spaces rather than bedrooms.

• Teach critical thinking – Encourage children to question what they see online and to understand that not everything they read or watch is true or safe.

• Help them understand privacy and consent – Children need to know that they have a right to privacy, and they must also respect the privacy of others. This includes not sharing personal information or photos without permission.

We understand that keeping up with technology and online trends can be challenging. To support families, attached below is a list of Cyber Safety Resources which includes details of resources including:

• Resources for parents
• Resources for children
• Resources for First Nations Families
• Guides to parental controls for devices
• Links to app reviews for cyber safety and age/content suitability advice
• Advice on managing cyber bullying
• Advice on supporting children in their use of social media
• Advice on keeping children safe when gaming online

We encourage all parents and carers to review the guide and use it as a starting point for conversations at home. If you have any concerns or need additional support, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher. 

Congratulations to students and staff celebrating their birthday this week: Theo S, Olivia H, Morgan P, Max B, David L, Minisa S, Violet M, Monica E, Daniel T, Sam N, Cadbi J, Katia C and Mrs Leemhuis. Wishing you all a wonderful special day.