4 November 2016

Newsletter Articles

A Note from the Principal

Congratulations Calvin Willsea!

Kids have incredible imaginations and make connections that grown-ups don't. They also have a lot of ideas. Origin's little BIG idea competition lets any Australian student in Years 3 to 8 submit an idea that helps people in some way or makes life easier. Little BIG ideas can be anything, from a handy little invention to a global social movement or new technology. Ideas must hypothetically be possible to implement and described in 200 words or less (with a diagram if they like), but apart from that there are no limits. Winning entries will be chosen based on an exceptional demonstration of originality, creativity, practicality, imagination and innovation.

Our own Calvin Willsea has put himself in the category of a young inventor with his little BIG idea. Calvin has been recognised for his idea of creating a device to help people with portion control. The ‘Gobblemat’ would have a speaker and scales to identify the weight of the food as well as prompts to advise of quantities and daily limits already consumed. Calvin has won himself $1000 and because of his exceptional talent our school will receive a science kit valued at $500. Calvin is in the running to win a 7-night trip to the USA to visit the NASA Kennedy Space Centre, Epcot Theme Park, Disneyworld and Ripley’s Believe it or Not.

The Staff and students of Butler Primary School are immensely proud of Calvin and we wish him the best of luck with the final judging process.

Congratulations Mrs Ockelford and Mrs Pierce!

The Department of Education recently asked students, parents and community members to recognise staff who make a difference at their school by voting in the People’s Choice Award which are part of the WA Education Awards. We would like to congratulate Mrs Ockelford and Mrs Pierce for being nominated in these Awards!

Mrs Julie Woodhouse
Principal

Butler Primary School Parent Opinion Survey

The staff at Butler Primary School highly values the opinions of our parents and caregivers. Recently, the school emailed to parents a request to complete the online parent opinion survey about our school. The survey is anonymous and the information collected assists the school to review its practices and procedures in order to plan effectively. The survey closes at the end of Week 6 this term. If you missed the email and would like to complete the short online survey, you can access the survey by clicking on the following link:

Alternatively, paper copies of the parent survey are available at the school office.

New Absentee Messaging Service

Sending a text message to Butler Primary School to notify of your children’s absence is now available with many families embracing the ease of this service.

A reminder to families to please send absentee messages through to 0419 091 075 with the all of the following details so that we can correctly update student records:

• Full name of your child/children
• Reason for absence
• Date of absence

Absences are still able to be phoned through to 9562 1804.

As per Department of Education policy, it is the parent’s responsibility to notify the school of the reason for your child’s absence/s within three days of the absence. Failure to do this will mean that the absence will be marked as “unacceptable reason” affecting your child’s education.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Students not Returning 2017

If your child will not be returning to Butler Primary School in 2017, please advise the school office as soon as possible.

Update Student Contact Information

If you have recently changed mobile numbers or moved address, it is important you update your contact information with the office. Please also advise if there is a change to any of your emergency contact information.

Cake Raffle for Matilda

Thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets for the cake raffle. Money raised from the cake raffle will be used to send the senior students to see a performance of Matilda next year. You helped us fundraise $43.60! Congratulations to Lucas in Year 1 for winning the Week 4 cake!

Miss Jurgowiak
Music Teacher

RSL Poppy Appeal

Poppies are available to be purchased for a gold donation from the school office. Money raised by The Appeal is used to assist both current and former serving members of the Australian and Allied defence forces and their dependents when in need. The RSL encourages all Australians to purchase a poppy and 'Remember in November.'

Information for Parents of Year 5 students.

Department of Education Gifted and Talented Secondary Selective Entrance Program.

The Department of Education will be holding an information presentation relating to the Department of Education Gifted and Talented Secondary Selective Entrance Programs for students entering Year 7 in 2018. The evening will cover all programs including Academic, Arts and Languages and will be held at Balcatta Senior High School on Thursday, 2 February 2017 at 6.00pm.

If you believe Gifted and Talented Programs are suitable for your child, click on the information below to find out more information.

Merit Certificates

Term 4, Week 2 Merit Certificate recipients:

Term 4, Week 3 Merit Certificate recipients:

D2 Assembly

The Year Two students of D2 engaged the audience with an amazing assembly about Pirates and Shipwrecks. Students explained what they had been learning about in Literacy and History. The audience listened to the history of the shipwrecks in our local area and lots of interesting facts about them.

D2 loved being on stage, talking into the microphone and inviting family members back to the classroom for biscuits and a chat. They were fantastic and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done D2!

Mrs Sherriff

Room 8 Assembly

WEARABLE ART FASHION SHOW!

Students of Room 8 performed their assembly on Thursday, 27 October based on the three R’S; ‘reuse’, ‘reduce’ and ‘recycle’. Our class has been learning about sustainability of the environment in which we live in. Sustainability addresses the ongoing capacity of Earth to maintain all life. We wanted to share some creative ways you can re-use unwanted items. Students made wearable outfits using old household items donated by our lovely parents. They then performed a fashion show, showcasing their creative designs! To top it all off, they showed off their singing skills and presented a song titled “3 R’s” by Jack Johnson, which explained the importance of reuse, reduce and recycle. This was a huge success! An exceptional performance Room 8!

Miss Stewart

Year 5 News

Safe on Social Incursion

To raise awareness of online safety, students in Year 4, 5 and 6 enjoyed a ‘Safe on Social’ incursion on Monday, 31 October. They learned about checking their security settings, not accepting friend requests from strangers, cyber bullying and being responsible online citizens when using a range of social media apps.

Parents also participated in a ‘Safe on Social’ workshop. The feedback from this event has been highly complimentary and we will be looking at hosting another parent workshop early next year. You can learn more about online safety on the eSafety Website. You can also complete the online courses available on the Internet Safe Training Website and use the password: bups16 to access courses for lower and upper primary and lower and upper secondary aged children.

Hating Alison Ashley Excursion

On Monday, 17 October the Year 5 and Year 6 students attended Butler College for a production of ‘Hating Alison Ashley’. The production was thoroughly enjoyed by both students and teachers of Butler Primary School. We were lucky to be invited to a production which students have been practising since Term 1. We walked to Butler College where we were introduced to Mrs. Tran, the Drama and Dance teacher. She showed us to the theatre and explained the expectation the cast had of us while they were performing. When the show began, we were engaged by a cast of very talented actors and actresses who showcased acting, voice control, confidence and dramatic skills. The show presented us with different characters, all of whom we could relate to. When the show finished we had an opportunity to ask the amazing actors questions about their roles and the drama program they participate in. We also learned about all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure the props, lighting and sound all contribute to the success of the production. It was great to see some old faces from Butler Primary School who are showcasing their talents wonderfully at Butler College. This excursion also provided the Year 5 and Year 6 students with an insight into High School life and the many different opportunities available to students at Butler College. I would like to say a huge thank you to Butler College for inviting us to a thoroughly enjoyable production.

Holiday Readers

Congratulations to our champion Holiday Readers!

2017 Kindy Applications

If you are looking for a place in Kindergarten for 2017 for your child, please contact the school office on 9562 1804 to discuss as we have places available. If your child was born between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013 then they are eligible to attend Kindergarten in 2017. An application form is available below or from the school office.

When submitting your application we are required to sight your child’s birth certificate, immunisation details, proof of residence in Butler and any visas the child may have.

VacSwim 2016-17

Enrol now for VacSwim summer school holiday swimming lessons

It is important for every child to learn to swim properly and develop essential water safety skills. VacSwim December/January school holiday swimming lessons are run by instructors who teach children the skills to be confident swimmers and safe in the water. To enrol or find out more visit education.wa.edu.au/swimming.

VacSwim provides children from five to 17 years old with opportunities to learn vital swimming and water safety skills.

Enrolments close on Monday, 28 November for the earlier programs and Monday, 5 December for the second January program.

From the Library

Book Fair 2016

Thank you to our amazing Butler Primary students and parents for your generous support of this year’s Scholastic Book Fair. All funds raised go directly toward literacy programs at our school. Thank you also to our wonderful teaching staff who not only helped at the Fair but allowed students to browse the Fair during class time. Finally, a HUGE thank you to our superstar library monitors, whose help was absolutely invaluable.

Kind regards
Mrs Pengelly

Chaplain’s Corner

Hi Everyone,

I hope this finds you well and you are having a great term. Week 4 sure has come around quickly!

Our VALUES which we are learning about for this term are:

SENSITIVITY, CHARITY & COMPASSSION

Here are a few words for thought about Charity:

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” Mother Teresa.

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” John Holmes.

Look after one another, look after yourself and let’s have a fantastic term!

Have a great fortnight everyone.

Kind regards,
Mrs Hunter
School Chaplain

Canteen Corner

NEW SUMMER MENU OUT NOW!

*** Lunch orders are still available during swimming lessons, please place swimming time on your bag or online order. ***

Have you tried out our online ordering system at

Please make sure all orders are in by 8.35am for to ensure students receive their lunch that day.

The canteen staff love to see orders appearing through the online system! Ordering online also assists the canteen in streamlining their operations including stock management.

Also, a reminder to parents using online ordering to check that your child’s room number is correct for this year.

Kindy students are also able to order their lunch from the canteen.

Mrs Siakia
Canteen Manager

P&C News

• Next P&C meeting November 16 at 3.15pm in the staffroom.
• Butler Primary School P&C AGM February 15 6.30pm in the staffroom.
• Volunteers required for School Disco November 25, please put your name down at the canteen.

Andrea Brennan
P&C President

BUTLER OUT OF HOURS SCHOOL CARE

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

Parent Parking

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 or across any footpaths. Please consider the safety of all other road users and pedestrians when parking and leaving schools grounds.

All usual road and parking rules apply around the school and parking fines are issued by rangers (who visit frequently) to those not adhering to the road rules. Please download the map below for parent parking information.

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, helping to ease traffic congestion around the school.

Community Events

SurfBabies – Surf Life Saving WA

SurfBabies and SurfKids are fun, interactive 6 week programs aimed at children from 2-7 years of age and their parents to increase awareness, confidence and safety at the beach.

All participants must be accompanied by a parent at all times and classes are altered to suit all abilities. If you’re a parent who is unsure of the beach environment then you and your child will benefit immensely. All classes are instructed by fully qualified Surf Lifesavers. This is a great way to ensure everyone feels safer at the beach coming into the summer months.

Kaleidoscope: A Festival of LIGHT I ART I MUSIC I FOOD

For its electrifying inaugural year, Kaleidoscope, Western Australia’s first festival of illumination, will light up the Joondalup City Centre from 10 November to 13 November 2016.

Transforming the City of Joondalup into an extraordinary wonderland of illumination, Kaleidoscope will shine a light on some of Australia’s most dynamic creatives and give them the opportunity to realise their most exciting ideas.

Commencing each evening at 5.30pm, the free event will see the Joondalup City Centre become an interactive living, breathing museum exploring the theme of the ‘City of the Future’, through an exciting multidisciplinary cultural program boasting 3D architectural transformations, projection performance, virtual reality, augmented reality, workshops and intimate, interactive and immersive curated spaces.

With something for all ages, the community can expect a remarkable cultural experience paired with local music and festival food trucks. The free festival encourages people to come early at 5.30pm and enjoy the bountiful food and drink offerings, explore with family or friends and watch as the sun goes down and the lights come up.

Please visit the link belowfor more information, including information about car park closures during the lead up and during this event.

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