Dear Parents and Carers,

Interschool Swimming Carnival
Best of luck to our Year 4, 5 and 6 students selected for the Interschool Swimming Carnivalon Tuesday 8 April at Perth HPC (formerly HBF Stadium), Mt Claremont. I know you will represent Subiaco with pride and show great sportsmanship.

Thank you to our Physical Education teacher, Ashley Clancy for coordinating our involvement and special thanks to Suzanna Olsen, the Subiaco Swim Team Coach for the specialised coaching in stroke refinement and skill development at before-school swimming squad training sessions throughout this term. These sessions play a vital role in developing the Subiaco Swim Team for the Interschool Swimming Carnival. I am excited to be attending the carnival on Tuesday to cheer on our amazing Subi kids.

ANZAC Service
I am looking forward to our upcoming ANZAC Day service on Thursday, 10 April, at 9:00am. ANZAC Day holds a special place in my heart, and I will always remember my very first ANZAC assembly here at Subiaco. It was only my eighth day as your new principal, and I was truly moved by the way our student leaders took charge of the service. The way they led with such dignity and respect, coupled with the choir’s beautiful rendition of the ANZAC spirit, gave me goosebumps and even brought tears to my eyes.

ANZAC Day is one of the most prestigious events we celebrate here at our school. It’s a time for us to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in our armed forces, particularly during World War I. The ANZAC spirit—characterised by mateship, resilience, and selflessness—represents the very best of what it means to be Australian. By honouring this day, we teach our children not only about the history of our nation but also about the importance of respect, gratitude, and the value of community.

I am so proud of how our students, staff, and families come together to commemorate this important occasion. It’s a wonderful way for us all to remember the past and to instil these meaningful values in our young ones, ensuring that the legacy of the ANZAC spirit lives on for generations to come.

I look forward to seeing you all at the service next week. It’s sure to be a moment of reflection, respect, and pride for us all.

School Board Election Results
Thank you to all the parents who nominated for membership to the Subiaco Primary School Board. I am pleased to announce that, after 165 parents voted, three candidates have been selected for the available positions.

As there were originally two positions advertised, I would like to share that our highly valued Board Chair has made the difficult decision to resign, creating an additional opportunity for three new members to join the Board. We are deeply grateful for Emma Thunder’s exceptional contributions during her time on the Board. Her leadership has been truly inspiring, characterised by unwavering integrity, clear communication, and strategic thinking. We will all miss Emma’s guidance, and we wish her the very best in her future endeavours.

Congratulations to Katherine Vines, Gabrielle Kotai, and Christina Dismuke on their successful nominations! As new members of the Board, they will play a vital role in representing the views, interests, and values of the wider school community while providing valuable input into the development and review of the school’s objectives, priorities, and direction.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional quality of every nomination we received. The passion, professional experience, educational backgrounds, and sincere desire to contribute to the school's success were abundantly clear in all applications. It was evident that each nominee shares a genuine commitment to promoting the school in the community and engaging in important, meaningful dialogue on matters of relevance to our school’s future.

Parent/Teacher Interviews
We are continuously working to improve our community engagement processes to keep our whole school community well informed. The practice of Parent/Teacher Interviews provides an excellent opportunity for parents to engage with staff, discuss their child’s progress, celebrate successes, and identify areas for growth. This is a valuable time to strengthen our partnership in supporting students' learning and development.

The half-day closure on Thursday, April 3rd, in accordance with the prescribed guidelines in the Configuration of the School Day Policy, was a great success. I want to thank all the parents for their active involvement and for the positive feedback I received while moving around the school. Your engagement in your children's education is truly appreciated.

Research consistently shows that parental engagement is crucial at all stages of education, with different forms of involvement being appropriate as children grow and their educational needs evolve (Garvis et al., 2019). As students mature and become more self-regulated, the type of engagement shifts from school-based activities (like classroom volunteering) to more at-home activities, such as family discussions about expectations and goals (Hill & Tyson, 2009; Jeynes, 2012; Wang & Sheikh-Khalil, 2014). For those who may not be able to attend in person, it’s important that we continue to offer alternative communication methods, such as online meetings or phone calls, ensuring all families can remain connected and engaged in their child's educational journey.

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!

Chat groups can be a fun and social way of communicating with friends and family, but they also come with some challenges. Without tone or facial expressions, messages can be misinterpreted, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts.

Students can unintentionally experience or contribute to teasing or exclusion from groups. Research indicates that students often feel pressured to behave in a certain way or engage in conversations that make them feel uncomfortable. While we teach students to possess the knowledge and skills to effectively and responsibly use digital technologies for communication, there are times during this journey when school and home intervention are required. 

Parents can provide support by fostering open communication, checking in regularly, discussing and establishing clear boundaries, and sharing the importance of face-to-face friendships. Evidence-based practical tips include setting clear rules and expectations for online behaviour, including group chat etiquette and limiting screen time, keeping devices out of bedrooms, and turning off notifications.

Working together, we can support our students in navigating the digital world and becoming confident and informed digital citizens. 

I look forward to a positive end to the school term and wish everyone a wonderful holiday break and Easter long weekend.

Warm regards,
Heather McNeil

27 March 2025

L1	Tom S	Athena H	Alex D'S	Orli S
M3	Max C	Norah F	Liam H	Emma R	Chloe W-M	Joe W
M4	Noah D	Georgia F	Marvi B	Jonathan S	Lila J	Jemima C
U1	Henry S	Indi M	Chloe M	Abigail S
U2	James P	Luca G	Orin S-W	William S
U4	Villa J	Porjai A	Will R	Rosa I
U5	Moe M	Banri H	Jack R	Paige D	Matilda C

 

Congratulations to Darlene L, U6, for being awarded the General Excellence Scholarship at St Hilda’s Anglican School.

General Excellence scholarships are awarded to well-rounded students who demonstrate a high level of academic performance and achievement in one or more of the following; sport, music, performance, art, leadership and community service.

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.

Reading isn’t just about books. Students can also log:

• short stories
• graphic novels
• eBooks
• talking books
• poetry
• audiobooks
• literary-based podcasts. 

There’s something to read at any age or reading level.

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

Is English your second language? Would you like to meet new people and improve your English language skills?
Come along to our free weekly conversation club and engage in conversation in a safe and supportive atmosphere. Tea and coffee will be provided, and all adults are welcome to attend this group – no bookings required.
Subiaco Library also has a collection of books in over 13 different languages. Ask our friendly library staff for help finding them.

Location: "The Nook", Evelyn H Parker Library
Address: 237 Rokeby Road, Subiaco
Event Date: Tuesday, 08 April 2025
Occurrence: Weekly
Event Time: 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Event Cost: Free

Donations Needed - Junior Swim Carnival Stall - Friday 11 April

The Junior Swim Carnival Food Stall will be held on Friday 11 April, and we would love donations of homemade food if possible but appreciate all donations. These are to be delivered directly to the kitchen (next to the art room with the 125th mural on the wall) between 8.00 and 9.00am.

Popular items include muffins, fairy bread, popcorn and muesli bars. For more ideas, the Healthy Hub have produced Healthier Baking Tips and Healthier Packaged Food Tips.  

Just remember NO NUTS! 

Please ensure all donations:

• include a note listing the ingredients - everything must be completely nut free
• are in individual portion sizes
• can be served at room temperature
• have containers labelled (if provided)

The Healthy Hub Committee are also looking for for volunteers to assist with their Cool Fuel stall. Please sign up using this link.

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!

Coming Up in Term 2....Save the Dates!

Saturday 3 May - Federal Election Day Sausage Sizzle & Cake Stall
- Sign up for stall volunteering here
- Sign up to donate to the bake sale here

Saturday 24 May - Subi Mums Sundowner. Come and meet other mums and maybe make a new friend or two.  Pop it in your calendar now, we will have more information on this to follow in early Term 2. 

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!

Join the Subiaco-Shenton Park sub-branch RSL as they each host ANZAC Day services supported by the City of Subiaco.

Thursday 25 April | 8.00am
Rankin Gardens | Free
and
Thursday 25 April | 7.00am
Shenton Park Community Centre

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.

As Term One comes to an end, the holidays are the perfect time to check your children’s uniform needs for the cooler weather to come!

Maroon Polar Fleece Jackets are available in all sizes along with the very popular Rain Jackets (for Year One to Year Six students). Warm fleecy trackpants are also available from size 4 through to size 16.

The gold long sleeved Polos are great for cooler days and available in sizes 4 through to size 16. Girls Leggings in maroon stretch fabric will be in stock for Term Two.

There is ample stock of Royal Fleecy Jackets and matching Trackpants for our Kindy and Pre-primary students. Also, the red long sleeved Polos are available in sizes 4, 6 and 8.

A gentle reminder, the Anzac Service will be held next Thursday morning. All choir students are expected to wear their Music Polos.
There are plenty in stock in sizes 6 to 16. If ordering online I will deliver them to class on Tuesday 8 April, otherwise please come to the shop to purchase one.

To purchase online via the website shop.subiprimarypc.com.au

Wishing all our families a happy and holy Easter. May the holidays be safe and fun filled days.

Shan

What is Earth Month
Earth Month is a time dedicated to raising awareness and taking action for the environment. It originated from Earth Day project, with the official Earth Day falling on April 22nd. Earth Day is an annual celebration that began in 1970 in the United States as a response to increasing pollution and environmental destruction.

Over the decades, it has grown into a global movement, with millions of people participating in events and initiatives to protect our planet. Now, Earth Month extends the spirit of Earth Day throughout April, encouraging ongoing efforts toward sustainability and climate action.

In Australia, Earth Month gained traction in the early 2000s, with schools, organisations, and community groups incorporating environmental initiatives throughout April. It has since become a widely recognised time to focus on sustainability, conservation, and climate action, with events like tree planting, beach cleanups, and awareness campaigns happening across Australia.

www.earthday.org/earth-day-2025/

Subi Street Art Walking Tour
Get ready for an awesome adventure through Subi's secret laneways! We're going to hunt for super-cool, colourful murals that make the streets pop! You'll hear amazing stories about the artists who painted them, and learn how they turned boring walls into giant works of art. Many of these stunning artworks were created as part of the recent No More Blank Walls Subi Street Art Festival. This tour is a must-do for art lovers of all ages!

We are delighted to present this tour at only $20pp, normally $50, supported by See Subiaco, a City of Subiaco initiative. 

Date: Tues 15 April 2025
Time: arrive at 9:55am for a 10:00am start
Location: Tour will start/finish at the intersection of Forrest Walk and Rokeby Road.
Duration: 90 minutes
Ticket Price: Adults $20 | Under 18 $15 | Under 4 free

Click HERE to book.

Accessibility: The tour is accessible for wheelchairs

Looking for more arty fun after the tour? The Subiaco Library is hosting a  "Colour Experiments" activity from 12.00-1.00pm. You can find more info HERE.

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