Important Dates

13 Oct: First day for students Term 4
13 – 23 Oct: Year 1 to Year 6 Swimming lessons

22 Oct: Secondary Book Week Assembly
23 Oct: Secondary Free Dress Day – Gold Coin Donation

23 Oct: Term 4 PIP Meeting – please contact your PIP rep if you have any agenda items.

24 Oct: "0" Day – Year 7 2021

28 to 30 Oct: Year 5 Camp

7 Nov: Bush Dance

11 Nov: Private Music Recital

Professional Learning

Provide First Aid and Provide CPR

From the Assistant Principal's Desk

In Primary School, we have been 'powering up' our student learning by focussing on inquiry learning. Inquiry learning is a way for students to do the 'heavy cognitive lifting' in the learning process. Inquiry can be very motivating for students because they are more curious about a subject when there is a problem to be solved. It provides transferrable skills including critical thinking, planning, self-management, organisation and communication. It provides practise in an increasingly globalised and digital world for students to be taught how to effectively and safely locate, access, evaluate, use and contribute to, the global information bank. It provides a perfect vehicle for integrative and connected thinking through different learning areas. It involves the sharpening of digital skills and tackles real-life problems through authentic contexts. An inquiry develops students' sense of agency and uses high-level thinking skills and strategies. Sounds impressive, doesn't it?

Here is a snapshot of what our classes in Primary are inquiring into at the moment:

In Kindergarten, students are inquiring about snails! They are learning how to wonder, pose questions, observe and research. Do snails have teeth? Do they have lips? Why do they "crunch" when you stand on them?

Pre-Primary have been wondering about money. They decided to research three important questions by interviewing other students. Students in Years 1, 2 and 3 were asked if they liked money, if money was good or bad and if money ever ran out. Pre-Primary students recorded their responses and then visually represented the gathered data in simple graphs.

The science being investigated in Year 1 is: Living things live in different places where their needs are met and have a variety of external features. Students are using the process of elimination through research to work out who or what is making the very mysterious footprints that appear in the class overnight. William assures me it is a baby platypus. 

In biological science the Year 2s are studying the big idea of living things grow and change and produce offspring similar to themselves and are inquiring into what would be the best type of class pet. They have integrated science, English and digital technology into their inquiry and researched pets, their needs and habitats. Their conclusions have been quite interesting! The class has now created a class veterinary practice to care for all animals, big and small in their appropriate habitat!

Year 3 students began an inquiry about how animals are the same and how they are different. The teachers created curiosity through an evocative talking tub filled with interesting discussion artefacts about animal differences. Students have defined what each animal classification is through their own research. Then they used their knowledge to sort animals into categories, justify their decisions and created their own dichotomous key. They are currently building animal habitats based on their chosen animal's specific needs. Next is an excursion to Caversham Wildlife Park to further their studies.

In Year 4, students have been wondering about who Australia's 'First People' are. They recorded their wonder questions and asked an expert at the History House Museum in Armadale. The staff there said they haven't had a school who has asked such deep, interesting questions before!

Students in Year 5 have had a guided inquiry into Life in the Goldfields. They have researched mining tools, migration and the resulting impact on Indigenous Australians. The students have used their research to create the mining tools, whips and windlasses. A trip to Kalgoorlie is going to complete their inquiry.

In Year 6, the exploration in HASS has been guided by the inquiry question, How Did I Get Here? The unit allowed students to integrate all learning areas to develop their social and personal capabilities and critical thinking as students investigated their own family heritage and cultural background. It has given the Year 6 students a strong sense of ownership over their learning and their place in the world?

– Mrs Sue Yardley

Update from the Uniform Shop

Most of our summer stock is now available in the Uniform Shop. 

Late night opening hours: 

Thursday 22 October – open until 7:00pm

Suitcase Full of Stories!

Throughout Terms 2 and 3, our Year 6 students have been learning about Australia’s history with migration. To complement our studies, we went on an excursion to the WA Maritime Museum, where students participated in a program titled, ‘Immigration Stories.’

The WA Maritime Museum was the perfect location to bring our students as a stimulus to explore the stories of people who migrated to Australia. The Museum is located on Victoria Quay in historic Fremantle where many people disembarked ships to start the Australian part of their migration story. Our students were immersed in hands-on experiences where they explored the inquiry questions of why did people migrate to Australia and what were their stories and challenges. Students also found out how various immigrants contributed to Australian society and it was fascinating to learn that one of the museum's migrants from England is also the museum's curator!

We were very spoilt for lunch and were treated to fish and chips at Cicerello's on the wharf! Despite the day being overcast we were blessed to dodge the rain just enough to enjoy a stroll along the jetty and appreciate this beautiful state that we live in. 

 – Mrs Tania Povey | Year 6 Teacher 

Cross Country Interschool Success!

Our Cross Country Interschool team achieved an incredible 5th place finish at the WACSSA event on Thursday 17 September. There were 18 schools competing and we were one of the smaller schools.

We had 12 students finish in the top 10 of their races and four medalists. 

Medalists
1st Year 4 Boys - Deshaun K
2nd Year 5 Boys - Imoh E
2nd Year 6 Girls - Mia C
3rd Year 2 Boys - Nathaniel K

Ribbons

6th: Olivia S

6th: Peter N

8th: Belinda C 

8th: Tafara M
9th: Danika N
9th: Jamie Lee J.G.

9th: Matthew C
10th: Lucy 

Our team spirit was amazing and the support between students was inspirational. Whether it was to spur them on to achieve personal bests or comfort when things didn’t go according to plan, the students supported each other and achieved a fantastic result together. The parents and I were extremely proud of how the children competed and the result is testament to their hard work and training over the past term.

Congratulations to all involved! 

– Mrs Erika Gilbert | Primary Physical Education Teacher

Outdoors Club Hike

On a sunny September weekend, nine students from Year 8 tackled our school's first multi-day bushwalking adventure, as part of the Outdoors Club. We set off from the North Bannister Roadhouse on the Albany Highway to hike the iconic Bibbulmun Track for 45km, stopping overnight at 3 huts along the way. Students had previously done an overnight trip in Year 7 and were building on these skills to complete a longer walk and take on more of the leadership and preparation for the trip. They worked out and prepared their own hiking menu, which was pretty gourmet!

We enjoyed a wonderful spring walk, with wildflowers on display and beautiful sunny days. The nights got really chilly, and we needed every warm item of clothing and a good campfire to keep out the cold. I was really impressed by how our group worked together, encouraged each other and mastered the various challenges of living out of a backpack for that length of time.

– Mr Dave Boldy | Year 8 Teacher

Caversham Wildlife Park Excursion

On Tuesday 8 September, 3H and 3W went on an excursion to Caversham Wildlife Park. This excursion linked perfectly to our studies of animal classifications in science, our information report writing and our reading researching skills from this term. We had a great day feeding kangaroos, patting koalas and seeing many other species close up.

- Mrs Kara Hanbury and Mrs Emily Webb | Year 3 Teachers

Extra Special Person Awards

Congratulations to the following students who recently achieved Extra Special Person awards.

Charli O
Ashar A
Aston L.D.

Lisa F
Ifiok E

– Mrs Kara Hanbury | Year 3 Teacher

Year 1 Bush School

“At the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair should be messy and your eyes sparkling.” – Shanti 

Thursday was the final day of Bush School for Year 1 2020. For the past two terms, the two Year 1 classes have gone into the bush on the back of our lovely school block to be involved in Bush school each Thursday.

The children have gone out each week to seek new adventures. They have listened for different birds, collected and examined natural items like banksia nuts and gum leaves, studied animal scat of kangaroo, rabbit and even foxes. The children have made observations about the changes in the environment that happened over the seasons. They noticed new wildflowers appearing and different native animals including a visit from a bearded dragon. They have learned about the native bees on the block and even discovered that we have a unique native bee, called the Megamouth, on our school block.

The children spent their time learning about snakes and how to be safe while climbing trees. They built cubbies, forts and bases. Imaginary play involving pirates and fairies ran for weeks on end, with students adding to the story each time. Puppet shows occurred, books were read, paintings made, muddy puddles stomped in, the setting up of a bee hotel and sculptures using natural things. Children learnt about whittling and how to cook over a fire. Photos were taken to show the beauty of our block and an exhibition was run.

Many questions were posed and so many students wondered about the beauty of our block. Our final session was a wonderful morning where our families joined us for a scavenger hunt and a yummy sausage sizzle. A big thanks to our parent reps and their helpers to make this last week happen. 

As we venture back into our classroom over the summer months to allow our bush areas to regenerate we are excited to think back over our year and the wonderful things discovered with excitement for what will happen in 2021. 

– Mrs Nyree Summerfield | Year 1 Teacher

Lost Property

Please take the time to check the lost property for any items you may be missing. The lost property shelves are between the kitchenette and the Year 4 classroom. If you are unsure, please ask at Reception.

We do endeavour to return items that are labelled to their owners, however please remind children that they are responsible for their belongings and to place items in their bags when they are not using them.

Absentees

If your child is going to be absent from school, please SMS 0429 796 628 or email f.absentees@carey.wa.edu.au including your child's full name, class, date/s of absence and reason for the absence.

– Administration Office

Church Update

We have been able to recommence face to face church. It has been incredibly encouraging to re-connect with one another together with God during this uncertain time. We have a range of measures in place, which comply with government guidelines, to ensure your safety. If you're unable to join us in person, we'd love you to join us via Zoom (using the details below). We hope you're able to join us at 10am on Sunday in the Forrestdale Community Hub.

It's easy to join us on Zoom:

• Simply click this link https://zoom.us/j/867263087
• If you have Zoom you can enter the meeting ID: 867 263 087
• There is NO password because we want to keep it simple for people to join, but we have enabled a meeting room, so we will 'let you in' when you arrive.

– Pastor Mark Lilley