Calwell Primary School eNewsletter

From the Principal

Dear Calwell Families,

Term Overviews

Term Overviews are being sent home today. The information provided includes class schedules for specialist subjects, an insight into the work your child/ren will be doing this term and any other information class teachers would like to draw to your attention. We hope the overviews also support you in being able to talk with your child/ren about their learning this term.

Mid-Year Interviews

Class teachers are looking forward to meeting with parents/carers this week to discuss your child/ren’s progress and the mid-year reports which were sent out at the end of last term. The school’s leadership team is also happy to meet with parents/carers to discuss reports or provide additional information if required. Please use the check-in app and cancel an appointment if you are unwell by calling the front office on 61421900. Appointments can be rescheduled for a later date. If a staff member is unwell contact will be made with parent/carers to cancel and reschedule appointments.

Acknowledging NAIDOC Week

As NAIDOC Week fell during the recent school break, we acknowledged this important event at our assembly last Friday. I was delighted to welcome an elder from one of our Indigenous families, Aunty Jenny Dries to come and talk about the theme of NAIDOC Week this year, Heal Country with our students. Jenny spoke of how the land has supported people for thousands of years through the production of food, how our Indigenous people have cared for the land and how important it is that we all now care for the land that supports us. Jenny also explained the meaning of Welcome to Country and read the beautiful picture book “Respect’ by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson which is about respecting the land on which we live.

Woolworths Landcare Grant

The $1000 funding we received recently through the Landcare Grants sponsored by Woolworths is funding the purchase two large raised garden beds which will be used to grow vegetables. The beds will be located close to our teaching units to enable easy access for our lunchtime garden club or classes to use. The beds will arrive soon, ready for planting in Spring. We are also eagerly awaiting the display of tulips which our students planted last term ready for the school to celebrate Floriade.

Community Engagement Grant

We are looking forward to receiving the artwork that is being developed as the Calwell Primary school images for the five Learning Assets we hope our students will embrace during their primary school years. Bryce Nadudvary a graphic designer working in the Education Directorate has used images selected by our students as the idea base to design our school asset logos. We hope the logos will be ready to share in the week 4 newsletter.

Work has also started on designing the decals which will be placed on the doors of the toilets in each unit. Alyssa Owen and Ashleigh Dillon one of our creative parents are leading this project. Help will be needed to place the decals onto the doors later this term.

Community Meeting - revitalising the P&C

Terry Sanders, the Executive Officer of the ACT Council of Parents & Citizens Association Inc attended the community meeting attended by a small group of interested parents/carers we held last Thursday to speak about all things P&C. The information Terry shared will assist the school community to make an informed decision about whether to re-establish a formal community group at the school. At the meeting it was decided to progress the discussions by holding another meeting on Wednesday 11 August at 7pm. At the August meeting the decision to re-establish P&C or Community Association and form a committee will take place. Please consider attending this meeting as it will be central to discussing parent/carer involvement in the school into the future. If you can only attend one meeting this year, make it this one!

Preschool Offers of Placement 2022

The first round of placement offers for children to attend the Calwell Preschool unit next year will be sent out shortly. Please reply to the offer as soon as possible. Round 2 offers of remaining places will be made later in the year. If you have any questions regarding preschool in 2022 please contact the office on 61421900.

COVID Up-date

Thank you for continuing to support the school in remaining vigilant in applying COVID safe practices. This is particularly important as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve in neighbouring states with the more transmissible Delta variant of the virus. Please continue to:

Check-in using the Check In CBR App when coming onto the school grounds
keep your child/ren home if they are unwell
teach your child/ren to use good hand and respiratory hygiene practices at all times
maintain physical distancing where possible

Linda Neeson

Principal

Calwell CARES

PBL Awards

Notes Home/Due & Dates to Remember

A reminder for parent's to please download the SZapp to view our Newsletters and upcoming events. If you access the calendar and click on the date on an excursion/incursion permission notes are attached to re-print if needed.

School Photos went home with students today (20th July).

Week 2 - School Interviews
Thursday 22nd July - Year 5/6 Excursion to the Museum
Friday 23rd July - 100 Days of Kinder
Monday 26th July - Year 6 Combined Band at Calwell Primary
Tuesday 27th July - Year 5 Combined Band at Theodore Primary
Friday 30th July - Book Club Due
Friday 30th July - 3/4C & 3/4D Assembly

Preschool

Preschoolers have been excited to return to preschool and reconnect with their friends. We have begun the term celebrating NAIDOC week through stories, books, play, art and language. We have started tuning into reading emotions through observing and discussing faces and body language. Through picture books we have discussed feelings and emotions of characters and considered the perspectives of others to develop empathy.

Scrivener

In kindergarten, we are so happy to be back at school after a well earned break. Can you believe we’re over half way through kindergarten!

Corin

Year 1

In Maths, Year 1 have been focusing on the operation, subtraction. We set up a variety of activities in the hall and called it ‘Subtraction Circus’. Before starting the activity, students would place a counter in the stations cup so we could tally the most popular activity. Some rotations included, subtraction bowling, subtraction smash, ring toss, around the world and a variety of Paul Swan board games. The students favourite activity was ring toss.

Year 2

Year 2 have been looking at Information Reports. We chose an animal from somewhere in the world and researched facts about it. We learnt about the structure of an Information Report and found facts to fit in the headings; diet and eating habits, size and appearance, habitat and lifestyle. Students also identified where their animal lives on a map.

Year 1

Year 2

Googong

This term started with measurement madness! The students have begun to look at the different types of measurement we use in our everyday lives. They explored a variety of tools we use to measure, including formal and informal units. Students looked at different things we can measure and how we can order objects. Part of this was done through an exploration using task cards. Students were paired up and completed a variety of activities where they explored the world of measurement.

Bendora

This week 5/6 have been reflecting on NAIDOC and the message of Heal Country. They have been learning about how Indigenous people manage their land and resources which they will consolidate when we have our excursion in week 2 to the National Museum.

CARES Room

Students across the school regularly attend our CARES room to interact positively through play. We are in need of board games and card games to support these students. If you have any lying around at home and are willing to donate them, please drop off at our front office.

Some items we are looking for are: