Phone: (08) 9276 5891 Fax: (08) 9276 5911 Date: 2 April 2014 Email: WeldSquare.PS@det.wa.edu.au Newsletter: 5/2014 Website: www.weldsquareps.wa.edu.au

MISSION STATEMENT: To develop, within a caring environment, the cognitive, social, physical and creative abilities of all children to enable them to realise their full potential and to maximise future opportunities as members of the community.

Dear Parents What a busy couple of weeks it has been since the last newsletter. Harmony Week celebrations included a community shared lunch— occasions like this never fail to amaze

me. Our small school community comes together, pitches in and provides a banquet worthy of any fine restaurant. It is also a great moment to reflect on the cultural diversity that enriches and typifies our beautiful country. I‟m proud to call myself Australian but I‟m also happy to acknowledge and celebrate my family‟s cultural heritage. We also participated in the National Ride2School day and it is great to see that many more students are either walking, riding, skating or skooting to school. Last Friday Yirra Yaakin performed „Kep Kaatijin‟ - an interesting, interactive and highly educational performance regarding the waterways and the animal life that need water for survival. The performers were excellent and engaging. The performance was attended by all students from K-7. Last week new computers for the library and classrooms were delivered and most have been installed. The computer technicians said it has been one of their biggest jobs this year. It is great that our small school recognises and budgets for ICT equipment to be kept up to date. Great news on the XO front as well—the problem providing connection to the school wireless system has been solved and access will be installed in the coming weeks. And of course part of the busyness of the past few weeks is the organising of the Year 6/7 River Rangers camp which is being held this week at Boshack Outback near Bolgart just north of Toodyay. Mr Cookson has been in touch and reports that everyone is having a great time. On Tuesday afternoon they will have visited Calingiri Primary School—a very small school of 44 students. I had the pleasure of being the Principal there in 2008. It will be interesting to hear the students‟ reflections about their visit and all the other exciting experiences of their four days spent at camp.

Here are some photos

Day 1: Arrival morning tea and then off to meet some of the farm animals.

Day 2: Up nice an early to greet April

Building a humpy — building a team

The students return from camp on Thursday afternoon. Yours in Education Maria van der Linden

VIRTUE FOR WEEKS 9/10 - COURAGE

Virtue of the Week and Mathletics Awards Congratulations to the following students who received Virtue and/or Mathletics Awards 24 March:

Back row: Jamie, Lawrence, Thary, Baramee, Liam Front row: Samuel, Tran, Charlie, Cambell, Fatema

Virtue of the Week Awards Congratulations to the following students who received Virtue Awards 31 March: Anabella, Lucy, Gwyneth, Neel, Jesse and William

Term One History Report Greetings!

My name is Karl Birkelbach and I have had the great pleasure of teaching your children History over the past term. I believe that the lessons of the past help us to understand who we are and where we are going. So far the students of Weld Square have been highly enthusiastic and

inquisitive learners who have pleasantly surprised me with their levels of knowledge and capability. We have had some great moments discussing historical objects such as ancient fossils, weapons, inventions, old coins, and even a giant scorpion!

Recently the Year Ones and Twos have been working with timelines to sequence and compare objects from the past with those of the present. The Year Threes and Fours have been extending their vocabularies with rich historical terms and applying them to their investigation of ancient Australian history and legends. The Year Fives have been writing fantastic Dreamtime narratives, while the Year Sixes and Sevens have been learning about principles of historical research.

I hope the children have been enjoying their time in class, and look forward to the weeks to come.

Modcrosse Clinics Years 2-7 are having fun learning Modcrosse. April and Nic from the Bayswater Lacrosse Club are visiting the school to teach the skills of Modcrosse, which are hitting, catching, scooping and cradling. The Year 3 and 4 class (pictured) are learning how to catch the ball. Nic is the captain of the under 18 Lacrosse team. April, a former state tennis player and football player, switched to Lacrosse after experiencing the excitement of the game. Kathryn McRoberts Physical Education Teacher

http://www.harmony.gov.au/

Hello to all the families of Weld Square Primary School.

New P&C Committee Members The last P&C meeting was the AGM and new Committee Members were elected. The positions filled were as follows: President: Vacant Vice President: Helen Bolin Treasurer: Marion Hartmann Secretary: Kym Dabrowski Uniform Coordinators: Stephanie Wharewhiti and Nikki Taylor Committee Members: Michelle Hughes, Karen Grgich, Amanda Messenger, Maria van der Linden and Glen Cookson. I would like to say thank you to the outgoing committee members, who have worked hard to make our P&C successful throughout 2013. Their input has been invaluable. I would like to welcome our new P&C Committee Members and I wish you well for a successful 2014.

Next P&C Meeting The next meeting will be held Tuesday 20 May at 7.00pm in the Staff Room. A light supper will be provided. Anybody who may be interested in joining the P&C team is very welcome. Come and meet the friendly people who work tirelessly behind the scenes supporting our school. We are still looking for parents or friends to join our committee. As the saying goes, “many hands make light work”. The more parents and friends who help with the organization of our fund raising events, lunch days and discos means there is less work for individuals to do and people would only need to spare an hour on such events instead of four hours.

Junior Playground We only have a few small things to do to finish off the playground. There is a music wall we would love to install, but we need a handy person to build it. There is a jetty to be built and a step and hand rail for the stage. We also want to reconstruct a tepee and position some tree trunk totem poles.

End of Term Special Lunch Order This week your child will be given an order form to order a lunch on the last day of the term. Please return it with the correct money by Wednesday 9 April to Mrs Lindsay in the school office.

Parent Morning Tea After the assembly each fortnight the P& C will hold a morning tea for parents who wish to stay and have a chat. This will be held in the school art room, just behind the assembly area.

Uniform Shop The uniform shop is open each Friday in the undercover area between 8.30—9.15am. Mrs Lindsay has order forms in the office if you wish to place an order. The uniform shop has a number of second hand uniforms for sale at minimal cost. If you have any uniforms that are in good condition that your child has outgrown, the uniform shop will gladly accept donations. Helen Bolin P&C Vice President

Dates to Remember Thursday 3 April - River Rangers Cadets return from camp Monday 7 April - Assembly - Faction Draw and Virtues Awards Wednesday 9 April - Term 1 reports sent home Friday 11 April - Assembly LA 8 - Term One ends TUESDAY 29 APRIL - STUDENTS COMMENCE TERM 2