Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to Term 2! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable Easter break and school holidays. We’ve had a particularly smooth start to the term, thanks to several key factors: our students continue to uphold the school's expectations and values with pride; our teachers have returned highly organised and well-prepared; our beautiful grounds are looking better than ever thanks to the hard work of our gardener, Vince; and most importantly, our children have come back eager, happy, and ready to learn.

Farewell and Welcome
Music: I would like to officially inform you that Andrew Angel has taken leave from Subiaco Primary School for the remainder of 2025 to pursue an exceptional opportunity. Andrew has been appointed as the new Head of Music at the prestigious St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls. This is a remarkable achievement and a reflection of his extraordinary talent.
Andrew is not only an incredibly gifted musician, well-known throughout Western Australia and beyond, but he has also been an integral part of our school community for the past 11 years. As our Music Specialist, he has inspired countless students and brought music to life within our classrooms. Beyond his musical expertise, Andrew is a true gentleman—respected, kind, and deeply valued by students, staff, and families alike. While we will miss him greatly, we send him our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes as he embarks on this exciting next chapter.
We are fortunate to have Frank Cianfagna, who co-taught with Andrew in Term 1, now stepping into the full-time Music teaching role. Frank is also an accomplished musician with his own band, and has already made a wonderful impression, and we are confident that our music program will continue to flourish under his guidance.

Art: We also warmly welcome our new art teacher, Rachael Robertson who will work alongside Leith Elliott while she continues her important work with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA).
Rachael Robertson is an author, illustrator and primary school art teacher. Her first book, My Amazing Animal Alphabet Alliteration Book is a fun, bright way to learn the alphabet. What Is It? is Rachael’s first book as an illustrator. Rachael predominately uses painted paper collage, but loves experimenting with any type of medium to create bright, textured works of art.
Rachael is an art teacher who loves educating and inspiring the next generation of artists to develop the freedom and skills to create.
We are delighted to welcome Rachael to our staff at Subiaco Primary School!
Kids' Book Review: Meet The Illustrator: Rachael Robertson

Subi Blooms x Subiaco PS
We’re thrilled to be collaborating with this year’s Subi Blooms festival, with PR led by my daughter Steph and her team at SWITCH Agency. As part of the partnership, our students will be illustrating the wrapping paper for bouquets that will be delivered to new mums at King Edward Memorial Hospital using leftover flowers from the festival. Our wonderful art teachers, Leith and Rachael, are working with the students on this beautiful project, and a few of our students will hand-deliver the flowers on Monday 12 May.

We’re excited to see this partnership with Subi Blooms grow in the years to come!

Federal Election Sausage Sizzle & Cake Stall
This Saturday, Subiaco Primary School will be used as polling location for the election - we’d like to thank our P&C for organising a team of volunteers to run a sausage sizzle and bake sale fundraiser, to keep spirits high whilst waiting in line, but also continue their efforts towards raising valuable funds for our school.

Public School Review – Validation Visit
As you may be aware, Subiaco Primary School is scheduled for a Public School Review conducted by the Department of Education on Wednesday 7 May 2025.
Public School Reviews are designed to provide valuable feedback to principals, staff, and the broader school community to support ongoing improvement and excellence in education. They complement our existing quality assurance processes and allow us to reflect on three key questions:

• Judgement – How are we going?
• Evidence – How do we know?
• Planning – What are we doing to improve?

Each review is conducted by a team comprising a Director and a peer reviewer – a fellow principal selected to match our school’s context. The review team will spend the day meeting with selected representatives from across our community.
I have invited a cross-section of staff, students, parents, and community members to be part of this important review process. Their perspectives will contribute to a well-rounded understanding of our school’s strengths and areas for growth.
At the conclusion of the visit, a validation debrief will be held to summarise the school’s self-assessment alongside the review team’s findings.
The final report from the Department of Education will be shared with our school community once it is received, and I look forward to updating you on the outcomes and next steps.
As always, the focus remains on what is in the best interests of our students, staff, and school community. We welcome this opportunity to reflect, grow, and celebrate the strengths of Subiaco Primary.

National Walk Safely to School Day – Friday, 16 May 2025
We are once again participating in Walk Safely to School Day. We are currently seeking  staff and parent volunteers for this year’s Walking School Bus. Volunteers will be required to wear a playground duty vest and meet students and families at designated locations (up to 1km from the school). The group will then walk safely to school together. If you are interested in volunteering, please watch for a forthcoming email detailing routes and times. Please see the article We’re Taking it in Our Stride on Friday, 16 May 2025 in this newsletter.

Warm regards,
Heather McNeil

Get ready for some fantastic learning adventures this term. Students are already hard at work, happily challenging themselves to improve. Many wonderful excursions and incursions are planned to complement and enhance classroom and outdoor learning. We see ourselves as a community (students, parents, staff) working together to support all students. Information about what your child will learn this term will be shared shortly through a Year Level Curriculum Letter. 

Staff will continue learning this term through the Department of Education's Quality Teaching Strategy, Teaching for Impact, focusing on consistent teaching practices across classrooms and year levels. Our Mathematics Committee Leaders will build on previous professional learning, familiarising staff with the updated Version 9 curriculum changes and establishing a whole school vocabulary, Scope and Sequence. It is a busy term for staff, planning, teaching and assessing in preparation for writing reports and their pending release in Week 10. You are always welcome to meet with the teacher to discuss your child’s progress. Please email to schedule a time.

Look for more details coming home soon about how your child will engage with the curriculum in meaningful and memorable ways, both inside and outside the classroom walls.

Alan Ramsey
Associate Principal

As you may be aware, the Western Australian Government has relaunched the WA Student Assistance Payment scheme for 2025. As a parent of a student enrolled at Subiaco Primary School, you may be eligible to claim this payment.

Parents and carers of eligible students can claim $150 for each primary school or Kindergarten student and $250 for each secondary student.

To begin the claims process, you need your child's 8-digit WA student number (WASN). This number can be located through Compass on a previous school report, including previous NAPLAN results. In the coming days, you will also receive an email from the school with this unique student identifier. Additional information that you will have to complete the process:

• name at the time of enrolment,
• date of birth,
• school name, and
• year level.

Please visit www.education.wa.edu.au/wasap/ or additional information and access to claim methods.

Claims are now open and will close on Friday 4 July 2025.

The school photo days will be on Monday 12, Tuesday 13 & Friday 16 May

Every student will receive a personalised flyer to bring home from Kapture Photography containing your child’s unique codes for ordering school photos online. Orders can be placed at www.kapture.com.au/School-Photo-Day-Student-Packages

KEEP YOUR FLYER SECURE!
The unique codes contained on the flyer will be issued only once.

Order EARLY for sibling photography
Sibling photos can ONLY be ordered online. Once you receive the personalised flyers for your children, it is imperative that you order your sibling photo early to avoid missing out! There is a physical limit in the school schedule to how many sibling photos can be taken. Once the maximum capacity of sibling orders has been reached, no more sibling orders can be placed. If maximum capacity is not reached, sibling orders close 12.00pm midday sharp, one business day prior to the first photo day. The school or the photographers cannot accept late orders for sibling photography. Please do not ask as your request simply cannot be accommodated.

Order EARLY for discount photo day prices
Order your photos up to 10 calendar days after photo day to receive discount photo day prices. Late orders are handled separately to the school delivery and incur a $30 custom service charge.

Other information
Kapture offer a money back guarantee for any parent who is not fully satisfied with their photo package. Should you have any queries before or after photo day, please check the FAQ’s on the Kapture website.

We request that students who are displaying signs of respiratory and / or gastrointestinal illnesses do not attend school specifically to be included in their class photo. Having students with communicable illnesses attend the photography venues puts other students, school staff and Kapture staff at risk – especially those that are already immunocompromised. Students who are unable to attend school photo day can book a studio appointment at our Malaga office to be photographed during school holidays. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.
Your school will notify you in a few weeks when team and special group photos are available to view and purchase on the Kapture website. Please note; class, individual and sibling portraits are not available to view online prior to purchase.

All students will be photographed individually on photo day for school administration records as well as included in their class group presentation available for purchase to all families. Should there be any reason why your child should NOT be included in the photo shoot – please contact the school office.

Use positive parent strategies to help your child (aged 6 – 14) manage and reduce anxious feelings.

Is this your family? Your child has anxiety that is affecting their everyday life. It may stop them, or your whole family, from doing certain activities. Your child may be worried a lot of the time. You may swing between reassuring them and telling them to face their fears. You may feel like you’ve tried everything and possibly may be anxious yourself. If parenting a child with anxiety is affecting your life and you’d like to help your child worry less and be more confident, Fear-Less Triple P can help.

Fear-Less Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) is an internationally recognised program that helps you to set a good example of coping with anxiety, coach children to become more emotionally resilient, and develop your own toolbox of strategies. Fear-Less Triple P encourages you to use practical strategies with all family members, not just the child who seems especially anxious. In this way, the Fear-Less Triple P program helps the whole family to reduce unnecessary fear and anxiety.

We are very pleased to inform you that our school psychologist, Emily Warrener will be holding a seminar here at Subiaco Primary School on Wednesday 21 May, 6.00pm - 8.00pm in the Upper Hall.

The seminar will provide you with an overview of what anxiety is and what causes it, and a tip sheet with practical strategies you can try at home.

This invitation will also be extended to parent groups at our local schools. Please click on the link to book your seats. www.trybooking.com/DASZY

Thank you again for your ongoing support and partnership!

This year a total of $25,000 of P&C funds will be made available for submissions for P&C funding. This is your opportunity to put forward an idea or suggestion about what matters to you, on behalf of your children.

The deadline is next Wednesday 7 May 5.00 pm.

For more details and to make your submission please visit: https://subiacops.wa.edu.au/admin/2025-pc-funding-round/

It’s that time of year again when our school seriously starts talking about walking!

Not only is walking a wonderful way to get you where you want to be, but it also gets your health – and your child’s health on the right track too. So that’s why this year our school is participating in National Walk Safely to School Day Friday 16 May 2025.

Walk Safely to School Day asks that we all consider our transport habits and try to incorporate more walking as part of a healthy, active way to get around. And although walking all the way to school isn’t realistic for many of us, it’s quite easy to figure out how you can build a walk into your family’s daily routine.

You can teach your child the healthy habit of walking more by:

• Walking with them the whole way to school
• If they get the bus or train, walk past your usual stop and get on at the next stop
• If you have to drive, park the car a few blocks away from the school and walk the rest of the way.

Regular exercise like walking with your child not only helps them (and you!) beat chronic problems like obesity, heart disease, behavioural and mental health issues and diabetes. It also gives you a great opportunity to teach your child safe ways to behave around roads and traffic.

Remember, Active Kids are Healthy Kids so get planning your own Walk Safely to School Day journey for Friday 16 May 2025!

For more information, visit www.walk.com.au

Protecting children in their digital worlds is an ever-evolving task for Australian families. Now more than ever, parents are looking for guidance in managing screen time and navigating the world of games and social media.

We are therefore pleased to help our parent community by offering a crucial and engaging education session with ySafe, Australia’s leading provider of online safety education. This session will be packed with practical, strategy-rich content that covers the most important points all families need to know about online safety. It will include key information about social media and gaming, screen time recommendations, and step-by-step instructions on how to set up a cyber safe home for children of all ages.

If you’ve ever struggled to get your children off their games and into bed, worried about the content of the games they play, or felt concerned that your child was spending too much time in the digital world, this workshop is for you!

Thursday 22 May 2025 at 7.00pm, location to be confirmed.

Everyone involved with the launch of WaitMate is thrilled with the engagement from our Subiaco families. Thank you!

We want to share the percentage of parents who have pledged to join the movement to put smartphones on pause until at least Year 9. We want to give our children their childhoods back and help change the disturbing mental health trends for our future teens.

Year Level
Kindergarten – 15%
Pre-primary – 15%
Year 1 – 25%
Year 2 – 29%
Year 3 - 26%
Year 4 – 32%
Year 5 – 16%
Year 6 – 18%
Whole School – 22%

If you haven’t signed up, but would like to pledge, you will connect with like-minded Subiaco Primary School families in your year group. All you have to do is follow the process below.

1. Sign the pledge: https: www.waitmate.org.au
2. Let other families know about this initiative.
3. The page unlocks when 10 families in your year group have signed.
4. You will then receive an email to connect you with the other like-minded families who have signed in your year group, so that you can stand stronger, together. As more families join, you will be updated monthly.

Alan Ramsey
Associate Principal

This term, our Year 3 students had a wonderful time at French Club, held during Thursday lunchtimes. Through a variety of hands-on activities—including colouring, drawing, building, and craft—they explored the French language and culture in a fun and engaging way. From learning about famous landmarks to getting creative with Eiffel Tower models, the students showed great enthusiasm and curiosity throughout the term.

Next term, we’re excited to welcome Year 4 students to French Club! It will run during lunchtime from Week 2 to Week 9. We can’t wait to see what the next group of budding Francophiles will create!

“You can make things and draw, and you can relax inside. Mrs Brandenburg is funny and will keep you entertained.” Aria L9

“I love French club because we have lots of fun and do lots of activities and we learn new things while doing it.” Aadya M2

“I love going to French club, it’s creative, fun and amazing. We love doing it on Thursday, it is so fun. Thank you for giving us a chance to do it.” Kala, M1

The Premier’s Reading Challenge encourages students to discover the joy of reading, improve their literacy skills and enjoy amazing stories.

The challenge runs for 12 weeks from 7 April to 27 June 2025. To complete the challenge: Kindergarten to Year 10 students read 12 or more books, Year 11 and 12 students read 6 or more books.

Students who log their reading achievements each week have the chance to win exciting prizes! These weekly rewards recognise their dedication to the challenge, motivating them to enhance their reading skills while fostering a lifelong love of reading. 

At the end of the challenge, students receive a certificate signed by the Premier, celebrating and rewarding their amazing efforts.

For more information and to register visit www.premiersreadingchallenge.wa.edu.au/the-challenge

We Offer Causal Booking!
Did you know we offer casual bookings? Whether you need care for just one day or want the flexibility to plan week by week, TheirCare Subiaco is here to help.

Our casual booking option makes it easy for families to access quality care when they need it most—no long-term commitment required! To register, simply visit thiercare.com.au

Click HERE to view TheirCare's latest newsletter

The Issue 3 Book Club brochures were distributed to classes this week.

If you would like to know more about Scholastic Book Club please visit www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/

If you did not receive a brochure check with your classroom teacher or come and request one at the library.

If you would like to place an order payment can be made in one of the following ways.

Credit card - If you would like to pay with a credit card please download the LOOP app or visit the LOOP website https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent/Login.aspx to register/login and make your payment. There is no need to fill out and return the order form to school.

Cash - If paying by cash or cheque please place the completed order form along with payment in an envelope with Student name and Class clearly marked on the front and drop your order into the red letter box in the front office.

All orders are due back at school by Friday 9 May.

For late orders placed after Friday 9 May Scholastic will offer parents a home delivery option for an additional fee. Any items purchased this way will be delivered to a home address – not the school.

If you have any questions or issues, please come and see us in the library or email joanne.dumaresq@education.wa.edu.au for assistance.

If you want to place an order for gifts you can collect the order from the library rather than having it delivered to your child’s classroom. Just put a note on your order so we know your preference.

Junior Swim Carnival Food Stall
The last day of Term 1 brought us another fantastic swimming carnival! Healthy Hub is helping to fuel our little swimmers with fresh fruit and vegetables after their races.

A huge thankyou to Margaret River Fresh Produce who have once again donated the gorgeous produce. Check them out at the Saturday markets and say thanks to Mick and the team! This year, we've also had the support of TheirCare OSH - thanks to Kathleen and the other volunteers. We love to see Their Care getting involved in our community!

Many thanks as well to all the parents and students who helped peel, chop and serve our rainbow platters.The event was a great success selling out of all donated items and raising just over $2,500 for the school!

Important P&C News
As of Term 2 we will no longer have specific year groups running events. Parents and students from all year groups are invited to volunteer for at least one event of their choice per school year. All our fundraising events go to benefit the children of the school and encourage a great community spirit. We can’t run these wonderful events without your involvement!

Events Coming Up in Term 2

Saturday 3 May - Federal Election Day Sausage Sizzle & Cake Stall
Come and visit the P&C and grab yourself a sausage sizzle and some delicious baked goods to take home this Federal Election Day. We are still welcoming donations and volunteers, see the links below for sign up!

- Sign up for stall volunteering here
- Sign up to donate to the bake sale here

Saturday 24 May - Subi Mums Sundowner, Spirit of Little Things
Subi mums and mother figures, this is your night! Join us for an unforgettable evening of connection, laughter, and inspiration at the Subi Mums Sundowner – a must-do event on the school events calendar!

🗓️ Just 3 weeks to go – and tickets are limited!

✨ What’s in store:

• A fabulous guest speaker who will uplift and inspire you
• Raffle prizes you’ll actually want to win
• Delicious drinks, nibbles, and the best kind of company – other amazing Subi mums!

This is more than a night out – it’s a chance to recharge, reconnect, and celebrate being part of this incredible community. Don’t miss out – you deserve this!

🎟️ Tickets available now – follow the link below!
Get Tickets HERE

Get involved with the P&C in 2025!
Getting involved with the school P&C or one of the sub-committees is a great opportunity to get to know other families, be involved in the school community, and work alongside a friendly and supportive team. To find out more about what we do and how you can join us visit our page on the school website here or contact secretary@subiprimarypc.com.au. There’s no need for prior experience—just a willingness to get involved!

Birthday Celebrations
If your child’s birthday falls on a school day and you would like bring in a treat for the class, please consider healthy, nut free alternatives. Commercially bought, individual cup cakes are acceptable but due to our healthy eating policy we would rather parents not provide chocolates or lollies.

Student Absences
Enter an Attendance Note on Compass
A parent explanation is required for all student absences. Please enter this on Compass. Parent reminders will be emailed every Monday for any unexplained absences.

Updating School Records
If your address, telephone number or email address has changed, please contact the school office.

Publications Permission
Upon enrolment, parents decide whether to give consent for their child’s name, photo or work to be published in school newsletters, school related activities, promotional material for the Department of Education and articles for the West Australian and community newspapers. This consent continues for your child while enrolled at our school. If at any stage you want to change the permission status, then you will need to notify the office in writing.

Welcome back to Term Two everyone.

The mornings are very chilly, and many children are wearing polar fleece jackets. There are maroon jackets, rain jackets and fleecy track pants all in stock now.

School Photo Day is coming up, and now is the time to check your child has a gold polo in very good condition to wear on the day! There are plenty of gold short sleeved or long-sleeved polos in stock. Also, the Year Six polo in gold/maroon is available in all sizes.

On School Photo Days the Kindy and Pre-primary children wear polos in red, green or blue.
There are plenty of polos including red long-sleeved polos available in the Uniform Shop.

The dates for photo sessions are Monday 12 May, Tuesday 13 May and Friday 16 May.

Please order online shop.subiprimarypc.com.au or visit the shop next Tuesday or Thursday, 830-10.30am.

I am seeking good quality preloved Kindy / Pre Primary royal blue jackets. The rack is bare so please check if you have jackets and royal blue track pants to donate for another child to enjoy wearing. No stained or damaged items are acceptable.

Thank you for supporting our school community by donating your quality uniform items!

Shan

Subi Blooms
This Mother’s Day weekend, Subiaco will burst into bloom as Subi Blooms x Gather transforms the streets into a living canvas of colour, creativity and culture.

This year, the festival is reaching new heights through an exclusive collaboration with Gather: A Floral Community, led by renowned florists Rebecca Const (Fox and Rabbit) and Lara Rose (Lara Rose Botanical Stylist).

For the first time ever, the floral wonderland will be connected by one unifying theme: Roots to Bloom.

Inviting florists to explore their cultural, spiritual and physical connections to the world, this theme beautifully reflects the essence of Mother’s Day – honouring where we come from and how we grow.

Weave your way through botanical wonders of every scale and marvel at a kaleidoscopic collection of floral installations, showcase pieces, bespoke events and delightful new surprises. With awe-inspiring artworks at every turn, this is our most memorable event yet.

Experience the magic from Friday 9 May to Sunday 11 May.

Throughout Subiaco • Friday 9 May – Sunday 11 May • All day • Free entry

For other community classes, activities and events that are available to families in Subiaco please click HERE.

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