27 February 2026
Welcome to week 4 - 2026!
“Winning isn’t everything, trying your best and never giving up is what makes you a true champion.”
IN THIS EDITION:
- From the Principal
- Transition to Compass and Our Sincere Apologies
- The Case for Play Why Children Need More Freedom
- Swimming Carnival
- Meet the teacher: Ian Wilson
- Upcoming events and promotions
KEY DATES
🏕️ Camp Dates Year 6: 4️⃣, 5️⃣, 6️⃣ March
📣 P&C Meeting: 4th of March at 6:30PM
🏊 Interm Swimming: 9th till 20th March
NOTES
🚸 Parking Safety Reminder 🚗
Please follow all parking rules during school pick-up times. Parking in no-parking zones or blocking sidewalks creates serious safety risks for our children! Kindly use designated parking areas, keep entrances and walkways clear, and stay alert to pedestrians. Thank you for helping us keep our learners safe.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Transition to Compass and
Our Sincere Apologies!
Dear Coolbinia Community,
We wish to sincerely apologise for the difficulties experienced during our transition from Connect to Compass. We recognise that this change has not been as efficient or effective as we intended, and we truly appreciate your patience as we work to resolve these initial hurdles.
To ensure we provide the best service possible, our team is currently reviewing our internal processes and undertaking additional training. To facilitate a smoother handover, we will continue to use both Connect and Compass for a short period while our staff become fully familiarised with the new system.
Please keep an eye on your inbox for an email containing more details and your unique login credentials for the Compass Parent Portal.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Coolbinia Primary School as we strive to improve our school's communication systems.
Kind regards,
Simon Reid
The Case for Play Why Children Need More Freedom
Recent conversations about children’s wellbeing including insights from psychologist Peter Gray, author of Free to Learn, highlight an important message for families. Free self directed play is essential for children’s mental health and life skills.
Research from psychology anthropology and education suggests that as children’s independence and unstructured playtime have declined over the decades rates of anxiety and depression have risen significantly. Children today have fewer opportunities to make their own decisions solve problems independently negotiate with peers and take manageable risks. These experiences are critical for building resilience and confidence.
Why free play matters
• Builds resilience and confidence. When children manage conflicts take safe risks and experience small failures they learn perseverance and courage.
• Develops problem solving skills. Play allows children to create negotiate adapt and think critically without constant adult direction.
• Encourages creativity. Open ended play fosters imagination more effectively than activities with only one correct answer.
• Supports mental wellbeing. Having a sense of control over their own activities strengthens emotional health.
How families can support healthy play
• Provide regular time for unstructured child led play indoors and outdoors.
• Allow age appropriate risk taking such as climbing building and exploring so children learn to assess and manage challenges.
• Limit screen time and allow space for boredom since creativity often grows from it.
• Offer guidance rather than immediate solutions by asking What is your plan instead of stepping in straight away.
• Encourage responsibility through age appropriate chores and decision making.
By giving children more opportunities to play explore and take ownership of their learning we help them build the confidence resilience and independence they need not just for school but for life
House Swimming Carnival
Today we held our House Swimming Carnival at Terry Tyzack Swimming Pool. What a wonderful day we had, a real highlight to the start of our year. The children swam with enthusiasm and supported with genuine encouragement. The sportsmanship demonstrated and shear enjoyment of competing with friends for their House was there for all to see.
Thank you to all the parents who came along to support, encourage and get involved. Thank you to Brandon Porcaro for his organisation of the carnival and the support of all staff in ensuring that it ran smoothly. I would also like to thank all the parents who volunteered for the day and participated in the relay event.
In a closely contested carnival, congratulations go to Lewis House on winning the Victory Shield and congratulations to Aitken House on winning the Spirit Shield!
Recognition for the Individual champions and runners will be announced next week.
Meet The Teacher
Ian Wilson – Digital Technologies, Digital Literacies and Health
Ian Wilson is a Senior Teacher and Technologies Specialist at Coolbinia Primary School, where he has worked for nine years. He teaches Digital Technologies (Years 1–6) and Health (Years 3–6), leads the STEM Committee, coordinates Digital Technologies and Health, and is a member of the School Leadership Team.
In 2025, he was named ECAWA Digital Technologies Teacher of the Year and now serves as Primary Coordinator on the ECAWA Committee, supporting state-wide leadership in Digital Technologies education.
His Digital Technologies program develops students’ computational thinking, problem-solving and design skills through coding, robotics and digital systems, aligned with the Western Australian Curriculum. Digital Literacies lessons focus on safe, ethical and effective technology use, including online safety and digital citizenship.
The Health program supports students’ social and emotional development, covering resilience, Friendology, consent and protective behaviours.
Ian works closely with classroom teachers to integrate Digital Technologies, Digital Literacies and STEM across the school.
Upcoming events and promotions
John Forrest Secondary College – Specialist Music, Cricket & Netball Programs
Applications are now open for the Year 7 2027 Specialist Music, Cricket and Netball Programs at John Forrest Secondary College.
Please note our trial dates and application due dates:
Music Auditions – Monday 23 March 2026 or Tuesday 24 March 2026 | by appointment | John Forrest Secondary College
Applications close – Monday 9 March 2026
Cricket Trial – Monday 23 March 2026 | 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Hillcrest Reserve, Coode Street Bayswater
Applications close – Monday 9 March 2026
Netball Trial – Wednesday 6 May 2026 | 8:45 AM – 11:00 AM | Morley Sport & Recreation Centre
Applications close – Wednesday 22 April 2026
Applications received after the due date will still be considered; however, placement in the program will depend on enrolment numbers.
For more information or to download the application form, please visit: John Forrest Specialist Programs.
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