Term 3 Week 6 Newsletter
From the Principal
Dear Families,
Despite the wind, its so nice to see the sun shining and the weather warm up as we head into spring and the second half of the term. Last week we enjoyed celebrating book week culminating in a spectacular display of book characters on Friday. Thank you to families and friends who helped in gathering costumes and making magical book characters appear.
On Friday 16 August you should have received an email from ACT Education - Surveys EDUSurveys@act.gov.au with a unique link to the Directorates Annual Climate and Satisfaction Survey. I encourage you to take 10 minutes out of your day to complete the survey and provide us with valuable feedback about our school. Responses to this survey are anonymous and information is used to inform the ongoing improvement of the school. Please check your junk mail for the link and contact the front office if you are unable to find it.
This week our staff are having their termly wellbeing week. This is an opportunity for staff to have reduced after school meetings and tap into their own wellbeing. Wellbeing encompasses the health of the whole person – physical, mental, social and emotional. A person’s wellbeing can change moment to moment, day to day, month to month and year to year. It can be influenced by what’s happening in a specific moment and the actions that people take.
Be U provide the following suggestions to focus on your wellbeing; Check in with your body for signs of stress. Set and maintain clear professional boundaries. Understand what is in your control. Prioritise eating well, getting enough sleep and physical activity. Make time for self-care and activities you enjoy. Connect with friends, nature, family, spirituality and seek support when needed. I encourage you to take some time this week to reflect on your own wellbeing and take a few moments to do something for yourself which may be have a warm cup of tea, go for a walk, share a meal with friends or disconnect from technology.
Later this term we are hosting open classrooms and stay and play. Families are encouraged to come in on Wednesday 18 September from 2:15 to view your child/ren’s classroom and share some of their learning. After school you are welcome to stay and play, connect with other families and enjoy the spring weather.
Earlier this term our preschool was involved in a compliance check conducted by the regulatory authority. It was a great opportunity for us to reflect on our preschool program and practice and ensure all aspects of the environment met the required compliance regulations. Congratulations to the team on the work they have done to ensure there were no issues identified during this visit.
This term we have begun planning for 2025. To assist with ensuring we have the correct class structures and enough staff please let us know as soon as possible if you will not be returning to Calwell in 2025. Please use this link if you will not be returning in 2025 https://forms.gle/m1WAxrpydMkCwT7D9 There is no need for preschool and year 6 families to complete this.
I hope all of our Fathers and Father figures have a lovely day on Sunday. We look forward to seeing you for breakfast club on Friday morning.
Kind Regards
Katie Brown
Deputy Principal
CARES
Gold Awards
Volunteers needed
Our Breakfast Club runs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings each week. We are urgently needing more volunteers and donations so we are able to keep this running for our students.
Donations can include butter/margarine, vegemite, jam, honey, long life milk.
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.
- Kindergarten National Arboretum notes and payment due Friday 30th August
- Kindergarten Assembly Friday 30th August 9:15am
- Father's Day Breakfast Club Friday 30th August
- Year 2 Aqua Safe program (opt in) 2nd-6th September
- Years 3/4 Soccer Gala Day (opt in) Wednesday 4th September
- Market Day notes and payment due back Monday 9th September
- Kindergarten National Arboretum excursion Thursday 12th September
- Market Day K-6 Friday 13th September
Corin
Maths
Year 1/2 have begun to learn about subtraction. We have started with the fundamental technique of counting back, both mentally and on a number line. This is not just a stepping stone but a gateway to deeper mathematical understanding for our students. The use of a number line provides a visual representation that supports learners who benefit from seeing numbers laid out. We encourage parents to support their children’s learning by practising counting back at home.
Our Year 1 and 2 students have recently been diving into the exciting world of measurement. This term, we’ve focused on two fundamental concepts: capacity and mass. Our aim is to help students grasp these essential ideas through hands-on activities and real-world applications. Students have been comparing mass using hefting and equal-arm balances. During one activity students had to adjust a ball of play dough until it had the same mass as a classroom object (like a glue stick). We have also been comparing capacity by filling an informal unit of measurement like a paper cup with sand, water and rice to see how many cups it takes to fill various containers. Students have really enjoyed learning about measurement.
English
Our young learners have been diving into the world of information reports, discovering how to convey facts in an engaging and organised way. It’s been a joy to watch their enthusiasm and growth as they master this essential writing skill! The students have been learning the importance of focusing on facts rather than opinions when writing information reports. This has helped students to write reports that are clear, accurate, and informative. We have also been learning to include sub-headings. For example, when writing about animals, a student might use subheadings like “Habitat,” “Diet,” “Appearance,” and “Fun Facts” to structure their report. This approach not only helps in organising their thoughts but also makes their writing more reader friendly.
Excursion
On Tuesday last week we went on a wonderful excursion, filled with discovery and learning. Our students explored the National Gallery of Australia participating in the “Art in Action” tour where our students explored a range of artworks to inspire their curiosity about art. We listened to the stories about the artworks and what inspired the artists to create them.
We also had the opportunity to venture out to explore some of Canberra’s notable landmarks. Our journey included a mix of human-made structures and natural wonders, each offering unique insights into our nation’s capital. Students created a sketch of the Carillon and then went on a walk to notice the Australian War Memorial, Telstra Tower, Parliament House. We had our lunch in the gardens of Old Parliament House. Thank you for supporting our excursion. It was amazing to walk around and see these important landmarks in person!
Science
This term we are delving into Biological Science.
Is it living or non-living? 3/4 students have been discovering what makes something living or non-living. They have also been exploring the various ways scientists can classify animals and plants. The students have just started growing their own bean to examine the lifecycle plants and have discovered not all beans grow at the same rate. Next, we will be investigating the lifecycle of animals.
Did you know Wollemi pine trees can grow to 30m in 100 years?
Students in 1/2 have been investigating and recording what plants and animals are in our schoolyard. They have been exploring what living things need to survive in their habitat. We have set up an experiment to determine what plants need to survive. Next, the students will examine the needs of animals.
Do you know the male platypus has a spur on its back feet to inject a powerful venom?
Year 5/6 students have been exploring the structural and behavioural features of plants and animals. They will be investigating how these features help plants and animals adapt and survive in different environments.
Fact: Zombie ants are controlled by the fungus inside them.
Students from Years 1-6 have also been in a grass growing competition. Each class has received a small pot with grass seeds to grow in their classroom. The students need to work together to take care of it and to grow the tallest grass they can. Winners will be announced at the end of term.
Fact: crocodiles have a pointed snout, while alligators have a rounded one.
It has been great to hear about students and their families’ visiting places around Canberra during National Science Week. The school theme for this year is Species Survival – More than just sustainability. There were events held all around Canberra including shopping centres. Hope you had a chance to check them out. If not, keep it in your diaries for next year.
Last fact: The crucifix frog uses aposematism to warn predators off.
PBL
At Calwell Primary School, our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) program plays a crucial role in creating a positive and inclusive school environment. Central to this program is our School-Wide Expectation Matrix, a document that outlines the expected behaviours for students across all areas of the school. As we continue to grow and evolve, it is essential that we review and update this matrix to ensure it reflects the current needs and expectations of our school community.
We are excited to announce that it is time to review our PBL School-Wide Expectation Matrix. This review process will involve updating the matrix to better align with observed student behaviours and our school’s values. As part of this process, we will also be refreshing our school signage to reflect these updates, helping to reinforce positive behaviours and expectations throughout our school.
To ensure that our matrix is comprehensive and inclusive, we are seeking input from parents and community members. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us identify any potential additions to the matrix or changes to the language used. We encourage you to share your thoughts and suggestions to help us create a document that truly reflects the collective vision of our school community.
Please send your comments and suggestions to us by close of business (COB) on Friday, 27th September to emma.vince@ed.act.edu.au or contact@calwellps.act.edu.au . Your participation in this process is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to working together to enhance our PBL program for the benefit of all students at Calwell Primary School.
Our students in weeks 5 and 6 are working with teachers to meet our Safe, Respectful, and Learner expectations in the playground. These behaviours help create a positive, fun, and inclusive environment for everyone.
