10 March 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal's Message

High Performance High Care

Over my long career in education I have built a strong belief and conceptual framework of what constitutes effective teaching and learning. In leading Butler Primary School I hope that I will be able to apply that knowledge and utilise my experience to influence and impact on our continuous improvement agenda by establishing clear expectations for staff and students; creating the conditions that enable everyone to perform at their best; and working collaboratively to strengthen our accountability processes so that we can demonstrate our effectiveness.

Throughout 2016 Butler Primary School Staff will continue to build on and strengthen our culture of high performance and high care. In response to our independent review findings our improvement planning will focus on:

• developing and embedding an explicit school wide approach to teaching reading
• enhancing a school wide longitudinal approach to data collection
• developing a school wide approach to teaching grammar and punctuation
• critiquing the literacy program in the early years (K-2)
• developing a school wide approach to teaching numeracy

The level of care and commitment of the staff at our school is second to none and I am proud to work with people of their quality.

Attendance - Everyday Counts

For students to succeed in academic achievement, attendance at school is of paramount importance. Our motto for attendance is 'Everyday Counts'. Once a child is enrolled in school, it is a legal requirement for them to attend. It is also a legal requirement for schools to record any form of absence.

If your child is unable to attend school for any reason, please contact the school at your earliest possible convenience. If you are withdrawing your child from school for a holiday, you must put your intentions in writing addressed to the principal.

Visual Arts Gallery Night- Save the Date

We are having an art exhibition in our art rooms!

On the 14th and 15th of March, both art rooms will be open for an exhibition of art works from each child from Year 1 to Year 6. The art "galleries" will be open from 3:00-5:30pm on both evenings. We are all very excited for our parents and friends to come and view our first term's work. Strolling through over 600 pieces of art will be a delightful way to spend an afternoon. Please join us for a pleasant afternoon and support your children's Visual Art programme. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Miss Lee Cox and Mrs Karen Rowlinson

Parent Interviews

Parent interviews for students in Years 1-6 will be held in Term 1. The aim of these interviews is to discuss your child's progress with their classroom teacher.

Please note the following dates:

Discussions will be based upon:

• Your child's academic progress in Literacy and Numeracy
• The Mangahigh mathematics program (Yrs 1-6)
• The Reading literacy-Pro (Lexile) program (Yrs 4-6)
• Reading Eggs/Eggspress (Yrs 1-3)
• Behaviour management
• Homework, attendance and uniform policy
• Good Standing policy (Yr 6)
• Faction passports

Where possible, parents are requested not to bring their child to the interview. Interviews will be 10 – 15 minutes in length. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend these interviews as they will provide valuable information regarding student progress. Letters have been sent home last week for parents to secure an interview time.

D5 Assembly

Fairy tales with a Twist.

What a show! The first assembly of 2016 has really set the bar high with an entertaining performance from D5. The students of D5 have been learning about fractured fairy tales and demonstrated their knowledge through a story with many different characters. There were appearances from Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and many more characters. The audience were very impressed with the confidence the students displayed while speaking into the microphone. It was clear that they have agood understanding of speaking with the correct volume, pace and expression to engage their audience. It is great to see such enthusiasm in the literature rich programs at Butler Primary School.

Room 5 Assembly

Last week, the students in Year 4, Room 5 presented a very motivating assembly based on values. They reflected on the narrative text "Gregory Cool", by Caroline Binch, which they had been studying during Literacy. Just like Gregory Cool, many students often find themselves feeling a bit nervous or anxious at the start of a new class, new school or new activity. However, if they face their fears with a positive outlook, each new challenge becomes an opportunity to learn and grow. If we focus on developing an attitude of "doing our best" and "persevering", even when it's hard, these efforts soon become good habits which benefit us for the rest of our lives.

The students also narrated the story of "One Seed". As the story unfolded, a beautiful backdrop slowly formed, demonstrating the amazing achievements of one small seed who wouldn't give up!

Finally, the whole class stood proudly on the stage and sang an inspiring song about developing good habits in order to succeed!

All of the students in Room 5 participated with enthusiasm throughout the assembly. Although some students were nervous, they faced their fears with a positive attitude and tried their best. It was a fantastic accomplishment! The teachers and parents were very proud to see and hear each and every student participating to the best of their ability and speaking so clearly and confidently on the microphone at the first senior assembly of 2016. Well done, Room 5!

Merit Certificates

Congratulations to the following students who have been awarded merit certificates.

Week 4

Week 5

Introducing… Room 9!

The Year six students in Room 9 have been working hard this term with their new teacher, Mrs Hutchings. Students have been getting to know one another through their 'introducing me' posters and their bio-poems. The students have also been learning in Health, that everyone has the right to feel safe no matter what!

Mrs Hutchings

Student work from Room 9

Literacy Fun in Room 10

The Year six students in Room 10 read the persuasive book, 'Dear Mrs LaRue'. After reading, we completed a series of activities, including these fabulous 'Welcome Home Ike' cards. I was impressed with the students' publishing skills.

Mr Mark Williams

Literary works by Room 10

Measurement Madness in Room 11

On Tuesday 1st March, the Year six students from Room 11 had fun using measuring tapes to measure items in their classroom and outside. They also enjoyed measuring their partners height and wrist measurements. They had to estimate before recording the actual measurement.

Mrs Tracey Thompson and Mrs Liz Pierce

School Development Day

Staff at Butler Primary School had a busy and motivating school development day recently. The day began with our school Psychologist, Ms Laura Esson, presenting to staff about the important topic of Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Later in the day, Deborah Silverlock, from the West Coast Language Development Centre, presented to our early childhood educators innovative ways to plan literacy based unit of lessons.

Miss Amie Turner presented to staff detailed information about the Connect system of ICT communication our teachers are excitedly embracing.

Finally, Kat Meyer, from Atwell Primary School, presented about Guided Reading which we are planning to have as a school focus area.

From the Library

Book Club

Issue 2, 2016 has been distributed to all classes and closes Friday, 18th of March 2016.

Did you know you can order online? Just click on the following link to register & follow the prompts to order. It is so easy and efficient:

Please remember

No Library Bag = No Borrowing
Scholastic Book Fair - 24th to the 26th of May 2016

Mrs Doris Pengelly

Three Year Old Pre-Kindy Playgroup Registration

Mrs Alison Johnston and Mrs Lisa Wilson will be running the Three Year Old playgroup beginning in Term 2.

The playgroup will commence in Week 2 of Term 2 and run on each Tuesday for 6 weeks of each term. Mrs Alison Johnston and Mrs Lisa Wilson, both experienced and well loved early childhood teachers, will run the program, taking turns on alternate weeks. Both teachers are giving up their own time to run the sessions, in an unpaid capacity.

Parents will stay with their child from 9.30-11.30 each Tuesday. A fee of $ 60.00 per term is payable at the school front office and must be paid before the commencement of the playgroup each term. Part of this fee goes towards being registered in Playgroup WA and covers insurance.

Parents are required to complete a registration form at the front office, and they will receive play group guidelines. To be eligible to attend the playgroup, children need to be turning three this year. Siblings are not allowed to attend unless they are babies who are not yet crawling. It is advisable for potential parents to secure their child's position, with payment, as soon as possible as places are limited.

School Hat for 2016

Due to the number of parent requests and skin cancer research, the School Board has endorsed an important change to the uniform policy at Butler Primary School. The P&C is also very supportive of this uniform change. As of the 2016 start to the school year, all Butler students will be expected to wear the navy blue, wide brimmed fabric school hat.

Caps will no longer be part of the uniform as caps offer less sun protection to the sides of a child's face, ears and back of neck. Wide brimmed hats of colours other than navy will not be accepted as the appropriate school uniform.

Navy blue fabric wide brimmed hats with the Butler School emblem, can be purchased from Lowes Clothing store at 36 Ocean Keys Boulevard, Clarkson and they have stocks in ready for families to purchase.

Wanted-Website Designer

Butler Primary School is looking for, amongst our talented parents, a professional website designer who would be happy to be involved in updating the Butler Primary School website. If you are that person, or know of a talented Butler parent, please call the office.

National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy

Year 3 and Year 5 students will participate in National Literacy and Numeracy Testing in May (Week 3, Term 2) and the specific dates are in the NAPLAN INFORMATION FOR PARENTS link. All students throughout Australia are expected to participate in the testing. They will be assessed in language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation), writing, reading and numeracy. Your child's NAPLAN report will be issued through your school at a later date.

Although we encourage all students to participate in the testing, parents have the right to withdraw their child. If you wish to withdraw your child from the tests, you will need to sign a parent/carer withdrawal consent form before 2.4.2016. Please contact Deputy Principal, Deb Hamblin on 95621804 for further information. Parents can also access the NAPLAN website:

Parent Parking

To ease congestion and with mornings warming up, it is great to see that more families are walking their children to and from school or parking in the community centre car park and walking their children from there.

Parents are reminded that parking is not permitted on grassed kerbside areas around the Pre-primary car park and along Tollesbury Avenue as well as the bricked median strip in Cambourne Parkway. At times, parking fines and warnings have been issued by rangers. Please download the map below for parent parking information.

School Siren Times for 2016

The School Advisory Board has endorsed the following siren changes for 2016. Please note the earlier school start and finish time.

BUTLER OUT OF HOURS SCHOOL CARE

Butler's YMCA provides affordable care before and after school every Monday to Friday.

Chaplain's Corner

I hope that you enjoyed your long weekend, and were able to fit in some extra rest time.

Our VALUES we are focussing on this term are Friendliness, Respect and Inclusion.

Inclusion is including and involving everyone, not leaving anyone out.

We will be celebrating 'Harmony Week' soon. Let's take the time to reflect on the message of Harmony Day. Celebrating our Differences. Diversity, Tolerance, Acceptance, Inclusion. Living together in Harmony. Our students will be participating in activities during 'Harmony Week', learning about the importance of this week and all that it means.

REMINDER!

Breakfast Club starts up again tomorrow! (11 March 2016)

Come and join us for some delicious breakfast and a great start to your day.

Friday mornings at 8am in PP 8.

P&C News

Easter Egg Raffle

Our Annual Easter Egg Raffle is in a few weeks.

Please can every family donate an Easter prize and drop off to the Library by Thursday 17th March. Tickets are $1 or 10 tickets for $8. Please place ticket stubs and money in envelope and place in red P&C tin in the Library. Easter Raffle will be drawn Monday 21st March at line up.

Cake Bake Sale

Harmony Week, week 7, Friday 18th March.

We will be holding a cake bake sale to help raise funds for the Buddy Bench.

Please bring a plate to the undercover area in the morning for sale at recess and lunch.

Lolly Jar Competition

There is a Lolly Jar competition running at the moment. Guess how many lollies are in the jar for 20c per guess, please see the Canteen.

Competition will be drawn on Friday 18th March.

P&C Meeting

The next P&C Meeting will be in Week 7, at 6:30pm on Wednesday, March 16th in the staffroom.

Many thanks from the Butler Primary School P&C Association
Andrea Brennan

Community Events

YANCHEP COMMUNITY CENTRE SEEKING "ENVIRO-BEES"

Are you an advocate for greening up your neighbourhood?
Do you regularly reuse and recycle?
Are you interested in sustainable gardening?
Do you care about the future of your planet?
If you answered yes to any of these questions and would like to make a difference, come along to our meeting to find out how YOU can BEE part of the action.

Monday 14 March 2016 // 10.00am-11.00am

Yanchep Community Centre
7 Lagoon Drive, Yanchep
Morning tea provided

Call 9561 2039 or email yanchep1@wanneroo.wa.gov.au to register your interest

If meeting time isn't suitable, do let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate.

The series of environmental initiatives will take place between May and October 2016, and will include raising awareness of national environmental campaigns, such as Plastic Free July and Keep Australia Beautiful, and will also focus on local environmental initiatives, such as a regular Fruit & Veggie Swap.

BEE creative and express your ideas
BEE active and help out at the events
BEE handy and apply your skills
BEE organised and plan with us
BEE as busy as you like

We look forward to meeting you.

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