DOING OUR BEST FOR 125 YEARS

As the school year closes for 2022, I would like to thank all the children, parents and staff for the contribution you have made to Subiaco Primary School this year in our special 125th year. This year has seen our great school go from strength to strength and I feel privileged to lead our school. Together as partners, our parents and staff make a difference.

It has been a busy, exciting and, at times, challenging year with COVID 19 still looming. We have all learnt valuable lessons from the past few years living with a pandemic, including the importance of connection to our loved ones; the importance of being flexible and resilient through the twists and turn of life, and to ease the rush of life and take time to appreciate and enjoy the simple things in life

School Reports went home on COMPASS this week. Teachers spend many hours completing the student reports, using a range of quantitative and qualitative data. Please take time to talk through the report with your child and discuss areas of interest, strength and areas that may become a focus or a goal for your child.

Being a Year 6 student during our special 125th year has been special.  We farewell our fabulous Year 6 students and families who will leave our school at the end of the year. On behalf of all the staff and teachers we wish you every success into the future. We are very proud of you all.

Special thanks to our wonderful and committed administrative team. My personal thanks to Rina Foti, Peter Hayward and Alan Ramsey who help lead our wonderful school. Our team includes the expertise and support of Diane Green, Natasha Harlond, Carol Malpas, Belinda Mitchell, Teresa Pimms and Jo and Jenny in the library, who ensure our wonderful school operates at such a high level.

Thank you to Zoe Schaffert, our School Board Chair, Tim Braslln, our P&C President, our Board members and P&C, for their incredible work and support this year.

I wish you all a magical Christmas and a safe and prosperous start to the New Year. I look forward to seeing you all when school resumes again on Wednesday, 1 February.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Melinda Harris
Principal

We would like to thank the following staff for their valuable contributions to our school and wish them well in their future endeavours; Leonie Forrest, Sarah Banks, Michael Batskos and Belinda Mitchell. Each of these valued staff members have a lot to offer their future schools and we hope they return to Subiaco Primary School in the future.

Best wishes also to Brooke Starcevich who is going on maternity leave, we cannot wait to meet her little cherub. 
Congratulations to Kristy Wakefield, who is getting married to her lovely partner James in the holidays. We offer them all the best for the big day.

Also to all our wonderful Subiaco families who are leaving Subiaco Primary School for new schools or new countries, you take our very best wishes with you.

Congratulations to all of our Year 6 students who graduated this week. The ceremony was held in the church hall and featured many highlights. There were several distinguished guests in attendance, and each student had the opportunity to share with the audience what their highlight of primary school was, and what their dreams for the future were. Recent past pupil, Edwina Mactier, gave the students some salient advice on how to embrace high school and the importance of being kind.  Dr Harris also addressed the graduates with an inspiring speech. The following students were worthy recipients of the academic and school prizes:

'Our Best’ Award: Adhithi Mohankumar
Academic Achievement Award: Aarya Subhash
Richard Diggins Citizenship Awards: Sophia Patrick & E J Payne
Endeavour Award: Griffin Murray
Leslie Rees English Award: Violet Reed
Maths Award: Leven Shi & Preston Tan
Languages Award: Sophia Nattrass
Sports Awards: Alex Bell and Sienna Herring
Music Award: Stella Sander
Science Award: Leo Grebe
HASS Award: Sean Tan
Art Award: Amber Longhurst
Technologies Award: Genevieve Long

Morning tea followed the graduation ceremony. The week was rounded out with the 'Retro Beach' themed disco, a BBQ, pool party, activities, and fun games at the HBF Centre.

Congratulations again to the graduating students. Enjoy and make the most of your high school years and beyond!

Mr Egan
Year 6 Teacher

Energy, passion, enthusiasm and beaming smiles were in abundance at all 3 dance concerts. Special thanks to our amazing and committed EduDance teachers Laura Brown, Taylor Lowther and Caris Holroyd.
What a way to end the year!

Click HERE and HERE to view videos of the school cheer and teacher dance.

Last week the Kindergarten students and families enjoyed a wonderful End of Year Concert. The children had been rehearsing their chosen dances all term and it showed. What superstars! The concert concluded with Kindergarten classes coming together to sing Santa, Where's Your Shorts, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Aussie Jingle Bells.

Parents were invited to stay for a picnic on the oval after the concert, where there was a very special visitor who gave candy canes to all of the children.

Thank you to all families for such a wonderful year in Kindergarten, we will miss you all very much.

The Kindergarten Team

On Tuesday, 31 January 2023, parents will be notified via Compass their child’s class, teacher and room number.

Teachers ensure that each new class has a balance of academic ability, gender balance, socially balanced groups and children from existing classes, so new friendships can be formed. It is acknowledged that friendships are important and although we consider friendships in class placement, this is not part of our Class Placement Policy.

Once class lists are published, they are considered final. Parents can help by being positive, encouraging and realistic in explaining that the new class will have children that they know and others that they can grow to know. If your child/ren have questions in relation to their new class, listen to what they have to say, acknowledge how they feel, highlight the positives and answer their questions. This will go a long way in helping them feel comfortable with the transition and I’ve no doubt the children will settle in to their new classes quickly.

For 2023 we are predicting that we will have 30 K-6 classes, including a Year 4/5 composite class. Composite classes are very common across schools. In our own Shenton Network of schools (ranging from Dalkeith and Nedlands to West Leederville), each school has one or more composite classes.

Our composite classes over the past four years have been highly successful including this year with Mrs. Shane’s Year 3 and Year 4 students. Research, which has been predominantly conducted in primary schools, suggests there is no difference in academic achievement between children in composite classes versus straight classes. Benefits relating to student independence, responsibility and study habits have been highlighted. For example, younger children within a composite grade generally aspire to emulate older children in their work, and older children enjoy leadership opportunities that lift their self-esteem.

There is need to acknowledge that the determination of classes, prior to confirmation of enrolments at the commencement of the school year, is not always reliable as student numbers change. If enrolments change, then class structure may change. Staffing may not be finalised before the end of January.

Thank You
The PE Department and all the students would like to give a massive shout out to the P&C for generously funding the upgrades to our basketball and netball rings.

As part of the upgrade, we had a new basketball ring installed and 16 metal nets. The students are absolutely loving having the nets on the rings.

Year 4-6 Subiaco Swim Squad 2023
This a quick note to let you know that the Year 4-6 Subiaco Swim Squad with our new swim coach Suzanna Olsen will be starting on the 7 February 2023 (Week 2 of Term 1). These sessions will run from 6:45 am - 8.00am, Tuesday and Thursday mornings throughout Term 1. The sessions will be held at HBF Stadium in Mount Claremont.

More information will sent out in the new year.

We have received enquiries from parents interested in ordering additional keepsake products featuring their child’s wildflower sketches drawn as part of our 125th anniversary celebrations.

Additional products may be ordered by contacting Crazy Camel Fundraising direct on 1800 141 239. Visit their website for more information on the products available for order: www.crazycamel.com.au

Please quote Subiaco Primary School, your child’s name and classroom number for their artwork to be located. Payment is to be made direct to Crazy Camel and orders will be posted to your preferred address.

Many of our classes have been to visit the Baby Giant in the Theatre Gardens.

M1 and M2 visited last week. Students sketched the giant and then wrote short stories about it. Click HERE to view some of their work.

Reading aloud with your child throughout their primary school years has significant, positive effects on their learning and reading skills. Listening to your child as you read together also builds their social skills and confidence as they engage with you. The quality time that you spend with them raises their mood and sense of wellbeing. Furthermore, your child will simply enjoy reading to you and having you read to them. They won’t ever forget the special moments they had reading and sharing stories with you – and you won’t either!

This Never Stop Reading! factsheet shows you how you can support your child build a love of reading by helping them read at home. Building a love of reading.

This Never Stop Reading! factsheet gives you some ideas to make reading aloud at home even more fun for everyone. Ideas for reading aloud with your children.

This guide, provided by the experts at the State Library of Western Australia, gives suggested stories and series for any age and interest to help you and your child Never Stop Reading! A starting guide of stories to read aloud with your children.

Don't forget you can also use Storybox Library over the holidays.

https://storyboxlibrary.com.au/
Username: Subiacoprimary
Password:Library123

Three Art projects were undertaken this Year as part of the 125th Anniversary celebrations mural initiative. The first was the Artist in Residence project which saw, artist Melski design and create the beautiful large mural. The second was a smaller mural which incorporated some of the student’s native flora drawings and the third was a large floral canvas painting, which will be hung in the front office to commemorate the schools 125th anniversary. Each of the projects were worked on by students, the school community as well as the wider community, in a paint by numbers style process.

Click HERE to see a photo of the finished large Melski mural.

After many hours of designing and rendering, our smaller mural to celebrate SPS 125th Anniversary is complete. The mural pays homage to West Australian flora and is rendered in bright and modern colours, elevating the wall and providing a welcoming image for the children who play there.

In its initial stages, Mrs Kate Somoff and Mrs Elliott transferred student flora drawings onto the wall. Children from Pre-primary through to Year Two then all painted sections of the mural, lead by Mrs Somoff and Ms Sarah Seager. Leith Elliott, Maria Binns and Sarah Seager spent countless hours adding all the details to ensure that the mural is a bright, welcoming addition to this school for many years to come.

Click HERE to see a photo of the finished small mural.

Mrs Somoff has also spent many hours designing and creating the large floral commemorative canvas. Past students and staff were all invited back to participate in the painting and signing of this very special commemorative canvas. Mrs Somoff loved spending time chatting to past students as they painted/signed the canvas, and hearing their wonderful memories and stories of their time at Subiaco Primary. A special thanks to Mrs Somoff, who has spent many hours organising this project and adding all the detail and highlights to the painting. This canvas will be on permanent display in the front office from Term One, 2023.

Click HERE to view a photo of the commemorative canvas.

Our thanks to the many parents and community members who have offered their kind comments and support after and before school, throughout the painting process. There have been many delightful moments throughout the art projects, as students and wider community members interacted with staff involved. Some of the highlights have included:

•  a very young student leaving the paint by numbers session yelling “Thank you. This has been the best experience of my whole life”.
• another student approached Mrs Elliott and Madame Maria after school one day to say “Well done, you’re doing so well.  It just looks so beautiful. I never thought we would all be able to create something so special at our school”. 
• a very excited Mr Ken Fitch, signing the commemorative canvas and being very proud to be one of the first people to sign the canvas, having attended the school from 1938-1944.

The entire process has been collaborative and heartwarming, and is indicative of this school community and culture as a whole. This project has been made possible by the generous support and funding from the City of Subiaco, the School’s P&C and the School Board.

There are a number of families who are yet to pay for their child's activity charges listed under "Course Confirmation" (in green) on Compass. We have sent reminder statements home outlining the outstanding amounts. All of these activities have now taken place, so we would greatly appreciate payment immediately.

You can either pay through the Compass App/Login or via direct deposit to our bank account as per the details below:
Name:  Subiaco Primary School
BSB:  016-460
Account No:  3408-64825
Description:  Child’s name & activities

Thank you very much to all who have already paid their Activity Charges.

Di, Natasha, Belinda and Teresa from the front office would like to thank all families for their wonderful support throughout the year. We have sincerely appreciated your patience, kindness and helpfulness. We are looking forward to 2023 and would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year, particularly our graduating Year 6 students.

The Subiaco Primary School Board has endorsed our schedule of Contributions and Charges for 2023. This schedule is designed to provide you with information on anticipated costs that may occur throughout the coming school year and allow you time for forward planning of the likely outlays. Click HERE to view the letter outlining the charges.

The school pool will be open every day of the holidays (except public holidays).

You can order a season membership pass or pack of ten visit passes at any time. Simply order online via the Uniform Shop and your pass will be delivered to the pool and available for collection within 24 hours.

The pool can also be booked for private pool parties and events over the holidays and Term 1.

See our website for opening hours and more information. https://subiacops.wa.edu.au/community/school-pool/

We're looking forward to seeing you having a splash and keeping cool at the pool this summer!

P&C Pool Committee
pool@subiprimarypc.com.au

Call Education Security If You See Anything Suspicious On School Grounds
On weekends and holidays, we often have unwanted behaviour and vandalism on our school grounds. Please call Education Security on 9264 4632 or 9264 4771 if you see anything suspicious.

Wishing all of our school community, lovely students, their families and carers a very Merry Christmas and a happy,  healthy  New Year. 

Thank You to all my great volunteer helpers, a special mention to Mrs De Lestang's M3 class for their willingness to help with uniform deliveries and folding of the hundreds of polo shirts. Next year, Miss Hayley's M4 students are taking on the task and I look forward to meeting all of them.

The Uniform Shop will be open for extended hours leading into the first week of school and I will be here to assist with all your requirements.

Tuesday 31 January - 8.30am to 12.30pm
Wednesday 1 February - 8.30am to 12.30pm (first day of school).
Thursday 2 February - 8.30am to 12.30pm.

Enjoy the festive season, stay safe and see you all in 2023.

Shan
Uniform Shop Coordinator

Festive Food Waste
'Tis the season to buy ridiculous amounts of food. Click HERE to visit Planet Ark and follow their tips to shop, serve, eat and store food mindfully this festive season.

OzHarvest also has a range of tips to help you celebrate the holiday season sustainably.  Click HERE to read more.

Catch hilariously deeeesgusting kids comedy hero Mr Snot-bottom at FringeWorld these summer school holidays 20-29 January 2023. Expect grosstastic gags, slimy songs and just wrong-routines in a rollercoaster of weirdness perfect for weird kids 5+ and their even weirder parents.

A 2020 Fringeworld Best Children’s event weekly award recipient and winner of Best Children’s Podcast at the 2022 Aus Podcast Awards, Mr Snotbottom will have the whole family gasping, groaning and howling with delight!

Tickets from: https://fringeworld.com.au/whats_on/mr-snotbottom-comedian-for-kids-fw2023

When: Sat 10 Dec 2.00pm & 4.00pm and Sun 11 Dec 9.30am & 11.30am
Where: Dickinson Centre – Scotch College
Cost: Children $25, Adults $40, Family (2 Adults + 2 Kids) $ 112

Visit https://fringeworld.com.au/fringe-kids for other family friendly events.

Click HERE for other Community News and School Holiday activities. This document includes information on activities available around our community for children and families.

SUBIACO PRIMARY SCHOOL
271 Bagot Rd, Subiaco WA 6008.
Phone: 08 9207 7900
Email: subiaco.ps@education.wa.edu.au