Newsletter 4

From the Principal

Dear Waddington families,

Thank you so much for your ongoing support for our wonderful school.

We recently commemorated ANZAC day, welcoming special guests Ms Helen Burgess from the Roseworth Child and Parent Centre, Councillor James Rowe (Chair of the School Board), Caitlyn with Bailey (the Waddington Story Dog), and Dott and Terry from the Girrawheen Lions Club. The event was dignified and respectful, with all of our students showing exemplary behaviour. It is very important to me as an educator and  leader that we really live our school values. It is not enough that we know them by name and repeat them, we must live them in our words, thoughts and actions.

I encourage the students to use them as navigational tools. Ask ourselves the question “Am I operating outside of my values? Is this action showing kindness, do these words convey respect, am I taking responsibility for my behaviour, my forgotten library book, my lost jumper?”.

At Waddington, we have high expectations of all our students and strive to build their characters in order that they grow into young people and adults who continue to hold high the values of Respect, Responsibility, Courage, Kindness and Persistence. The high expectations continue in our work with delivering the best possible educational programs and having a culture of best practice.

Also a timely reminder regarding our dress code, especially as we are heading into winter and the mornings are starting to get cold, please remember we require students to wear the school uniform jumpers only to school (no hoodies). Additionally, students should not attend school with dyed hair.

I recently applied for our school to participate in the Quality Teaching Strategy (QTS) partnerships initiative. The QTS is the Department of Education’s position on excellence in teaching practice. I am happy to inform you that our application was successful. This means that Waddington Primary is now one of the partnership schools working closely with lead schools to build the capacity of our staff and improving teaching practice.

It is without doubt, we are on an exciting journey and with our number of students on role now topping 103, we are moving from strength to strength. It is my privilege to be leading Waddington into the future, building on the strong foundations and Striving to Succeed in all that we do. 

Kind regards,

Katherine Chivers 

Principal

From the Administration Team

Term 2 Planner

The term planner is updated regularly and below are some important dates to be aware of for term 2.

Please refer to the Term Planner page under the ‘Community’ tab for the most up-to-date events for the term (but this may be subject to change so please check regularly).

Important Dates

2nd May 2024 – P&C Meeting – 2pm

7th May 2024 – P&C Mother’s Day Stall – Kindy students

10th May 2024 – P&C Mother’s Day Stall – Pre-Primary – Year 6 students

20th May 2024 – Kindness Day

20th May 2024 – Newsletter – Week 6

22nd May 2024 – National Simultaneous Story Time – whole school

24th May 2024 – Assembly – Room 5

27th May 2024 – National Reconciliation Week

30th May 2024 – Science Incursion – Year 3 – 6

31st May 2024Staff Development Day – Students do not attend

3rd June 2024Public Holiday – WA Day

6th June 2024 – Science Incursion – All About Bees – Year 1 – 2 students

14th June 2024 – Interschool Lightning Carnival

28th June 2024Term 2 2024 ends

WA Student Assistance Payment (WASAP)

The WA Student Assistance Payment (WASAP) is from the state government. Parents and carers of eligible students can claim the payment to help with the cost of schooling.

The payment for a:

  • primary school student, including Kindergarten, is $150
  • secondary school student is $250.

Claims are open. The last date to receive claims is 28 June 2024.

Claim process

The preferred method for claims is through the ServiceWA app. If parents and carers are unable to claim through ServiceWA, there are alternative ways to submit a claim.

In order of preference, a claimant can use the:

Claimants must send the printable claim form to:

Department of Education
Reply Paid 85719
East Perth WA 6892

Everyday counts!
Free internet for unconnected families with school-aged students

School Student Broadband Initiative provides free home internet for unconnected families with school-aged students until 31 December 2025. 

The Australian Government School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) is offering free home internet for eligible families with school-aged students until 31 December 2025.

To be eligible, families must:

  • have no active broadband service
  • have a device capable of accessing the internet
  • live in premises where they can access a standard NBN service
  • have a child living at home who is enrolled in an Australian school.

The free broadband starts from the day the service is activated with a participating internet provider. Families will not be placed on a paid service by the internet provider at the end of the free service without consent.

For more information and a list of participating internet providers, visit NBN Co School Student Broadband Initiative or call 1800 626 269.

If you think you are eligible and want to self-nominate for the free broadband offer:

  • call the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 (Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm Australian Eastern Daylight-saving Time)
  • visit the School Student Broadband Initiative website.

For technical support in more than 100 regional and remote communities throughout Western Australia, contact your local Community Resource Centre.

From the P&C

With Mother’s Day only 2 weeks away the P&C are busy preparing for the annual Mother’s day stall and raffle.

The stall will be held in week 4, on Tuesday 7th May for our Kindy students and on Friday 10th May for Pre Primary to Year 6 students.

Please look out for further details coming home this week.

Breakfast Club – Thank you Woolworths Mirrabooka!

We would like to acknowledge with thanks Woolworths Mirrabooka for supporting our schools breakfast club, our students appreciate your support!

From the School Nurse

Anaphylaxis – What Is It?

Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and can be life threatening. For people at risk, anaphylaxis occurs quickly after contact to the food, insect’s or medicine to which the person is allergic.

It is very important that people at risk of anaphylaxis avoid any contact with the trigger (allergen). This is especially important with food allergy – a severe reaction can occur if the allergic person comes into contact with even a tiny amount of the food.

Anaphylaxis must always be treated as a medical emergency.  Adrenaline autoinjectors (EpiPen®) contain a single, fixed dose of adrenaline which must be given to the person as soon as possible. Immediate administration of adrenaline is the only treatment that works for anaphylaxis.

Emergency first aid for anaphylaxis

  • Lay the person flat, do not stand or walk. If breathing is difficult, allow to sit.
  • Give the adrenaline autoinjector without delay. (Make a note of the time it was given.)
  • Ring an ambulance – 000.
  • Stay with and reassure the person. Do not allow the person to walk at any time.
  • Give another adrenaline autoinjector if no improvement after 5 minutes
  • If the person loses consciousness and there are no signs of breathing, begin CPR.
  • Monitoring in a hospital is required for 4-6 hours, even if symptoms improve.

Anaphylaxis – Recognising A Severe Allergic Reaction

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction which can be life-threatening. It can cause constriction of the airway and/or a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Look for one or more of the following:

  • Difficult or noisy breathing
  • Swelling of the tongue
  • Swelling or tightness of the throat
  • Wheezing or a persistent cough
  • Difficult talking and/or a hoarse voice
  • Persistent dizziness or collapse
  • Pale and floppy (especially in young children)
  • Abdominal pain or vomiting (if following an insect bite or sting)

It is important to lie the person flat and get help fast.

Some allergic reactions are mild or moderate. These reactions may involve hives, welts, tingling mouth, and/or swelling of the lips, face and eyes.  Mild reactions to food can involve abdominal pain and vomiting. Anaphylaxis (severe reaction) may or may not involve these signs and symptoms.

Food intolerances are not life-threatening and should not be confused with food allergies.

For further information contact:

Anaphylaxis – Checklist For Parents Of Students At Risk  

  • Tell the school administration if your child has been prescribed an adrenaline autoinjector (i.e. EpiPen), has experienced anaphylaxis, has any changes in allergies, and/or any other health care needs that may affect anaphylaxis management.
  • Make sure you give the school an adrenaline autoinjector, which is clearly labelled for your child.
  • If old enough, make sure your child carries an adrenaline autoinjector and knows how to use it. Show his or her friends, brothers and sisters if they are old enough to understand.
  • Provide an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis completed and signed by your child’s doctor. Update the plan (including a photo of your child) when the adrenaline autoinjectors are renewed (usually every 12-18 months). Action Plans are available from www.allergy.org.au
  • Help the school to develop an Individual Health Care and Risk Minimisation Plan for your child.
  • Educate your child about how to avoid known allergens (triggers).

Remind your child to immediately tell someone if she/he feels sick.

Room 1 – learning all about deserts!

What an exhilarating and eventful year it’s been for Room One so far! And we’ve only just started Term Two, with plenty more excitement ahead and countless learning opportunities awaiting us.

Our new theme this term is The Desert. Students have taken a great interest in learning about this harsh but amazing environment. Together, we are building up a great vocabulary to help describe and understand what the desert is really like. Did you know the largest desert on Earth is Antarctica?

Students’ literacy learning has revolved around the Desert theme. They are currently gearing up to write an informational text about a desert animal as part of our Talk For Writing Program. A notable aspect of this will be the creation of a diorama to showcase their work.

Students are working diligently in their Literacy and Numeracy groups, striving hard to achieve their individual goals. A definite highlight of Numeracy is completing Mental Maths tasks on the iPads. Students are also making such pleasing progress in their oral reading fluency, which continues to strengthen and improve through our daily Two-Minute Fluency reading activity.

Being such a creative class, Art and Music are always a highlight of the week. Mr Longman along with our Artist in Residence, Jodie, have helped in nurturing the students’ creative abilities.

A very special part of this Term’s History unit has been the exploration of Anzac Day and what it means to us. Room One showed profound respect and kindness during our Anzac Service last Friday. It was truly heart-warming to witness each student honouring this significant event in history.

Room One students should feel very proud of how hard they have worked so far this year and of the progress they have made so far….Keep it up Room One, You are Stars!

Community Notices

Junior Basketball – Stirling Leisure Centres

Dianella Secondary College Opening Evening – 6th May 2024

If your child is in Year 4, 5 or 6, you are invited to attend the Dianella Secondary College Open Evening, happening Monday, 6 May 2024 from 3:30pm – 6:30pm.

The Dianella Secondary College Open Evening is a great opportunity to tour the award-winning school and its facilities as and get to know our staff.

Come and see the school’s interactive displays which showcase student work from a variety of learning areas, tour our state-of-the-art Hospitality Trade Training Centre, Mila Kaadadjiny STEM Centre, and our fantastic Dandjoo Performing Arts Centre.

Interested in STEM or Soccer? Then why not apply for our STEM or Soccer Academy.

Applications for 2025 close in Term 3 so get in early and apply now!

RSVP now via https://bit.ly/dscopen

For more information, please visit our Facebook page

Triple P Free online courses

Free Positive Parenting Courses

This week, Triple P International have released another program to their suite of FREE online evidence-based parenting programs. The new addition is Family Transitions Triple P Online for parents going through separation or divorce. 

Here is an overview of the content:

  • Support your child to manage their emotions and develop good coping skills
  • Based on proven psychology principles and research
  • Learn ways to minimise negative impacts and help your child to feel supported and secure
  • Handle difficult moments more calmly and confidently
  • Improve communication and reduce conflict with your former partner
  • Take better care of your own emotional and social wellbeing
  • Adapt and evolve in your new family dynamic

Other FREE Triple P Online programs include:

  • Baby Triple P (for parents and carers to be or with a baby under 12 months old)
  • Triple P Online (for parents of young children under 12 years)
  • Fear-Less Triple P Online (for parents of children with anxiety age 6+)
  • Family Transitions Triple P Online (for parents going through separation or divorce)
  • Coming soon! Stepping Stones Triple P Online (for parents of a child with a disability)

Teen Triple P Online is also available (for parents of pre-teens and teens, 10-16 years) at a cost of $89.40. Families enrolled in government schools can apply for a FREE funded code to access this program through their school psychologist or the Triple P team at Statewide Services.

To register, please visit this website: Positive parenting in Western Australia | Triple P programs near you | Triple P (triplep-parenting.net.au) or follow the QR code –

Free online parent workshops – Term 2 2024

Please click on the download button below for further information about various workshops that are being facilitated by school psychologist consultants with Triple P and Child and Parent Centre teams.

Roseworth Child and Parent Centre – Free Parent workshops May/June 2024

Newsletter 3

From the Principal

Dear Waddington families,

As we reach the end of the first term it is a timely opportunity to reflect on the successes that we have already achieved. We have welcomed our Artist in Residence, Jodie Davidson, who has been working with our students. Together they have been experimenting with using natural materials from the school bushland to create dyes, and mark making lines, shading and drawing. It is a wonderful experience for our staff and students to learn new skills from an experienced artist. Our Student Leaders attended a conference last Monday at the Perth Convention Centre. I have heard that this was a fun packed day that was full of tips and ideas on how to define and improve ourselves as leaders. 

The Friday afternoon STEM Robotics Club was a huge success. Mr Milner and Mr Greer were also busy on Mondays after school with the Table Tennis Club. It is amazing to see our students ready to take on these new challenges, and try new activities.  Thank you to all parents and staff  who supported us in this area. Our Year 3 and Year 5 students put in a great effort during NAPLAN. They certainly demonstrated the Waddington values of Persistence, Courage and Responsibility. I hope to be able to share the results with you at some point in Term 2. It is worth remembering that these results are only a snapshot of your child’s ability and that we assess students to inform our planning throughout the year. 

This week we are holding an Easter Hat Parade on Thursday at 2.30pm. You are all welcome to come along and watch the students showcase their homemade creations. If you wish to guess the number of Easter eggs in the jar, or buy a raffle ticket to enter the Easter Raffle, there are only 3 days left. The raffle will be held on the afternoon of the Hat Parade. As the weather starts to turn cooler, please make sure your child has a school uniform jumper, or zipped school jacket to wear. We do not allow hoodies, or non- uniform jumpers. Uniform orders can be placed at the office, and can be collected following payment by  bank transfer. Please come and see us if you have concerns around payment.

We will be celebrating connectedness and community on Thursday 18th April. Families are invited to attend a Harmony Day Picnic at lunchtime, bringing a plate of food that is culturally significant to share with everyone. This was a huge success last year, and we look forward to even more families attending this year. More information to follow, please add the date to your calendar.

On a safety note. Please refrain from using the disabled parking bay when dropping off or collected children. This is not a general parking area and must only be used by those who are eligible to use it. 

I wish you all a safe and happy holiday, and look forward to welcoming you back on Monday 15th April.

Kind regards,

Katherine Chivers 

Principal

From the Administration Team

Term 2 Planner

The term planner is updated regularly and below are some important dates to be aware of for the first few weeks of term 2.

Please refer to the Term Planner page under the ‘Community’ tab for the most up-to-date events for the term (but this may be subject to change so please check regularly).

Important Dates

15th April 2024 – Term 2 2024 commences – Students and Staff

17th April 2024 – Artist in Resident (all students)

24th April 2024 – ANZAC Day Assembly

25th March 2024 – Public Holiday – ANZAC Day

Scitech STEM Club

This term students from Years 4-6 had the opportunity to spend Friday afternoons in the library attending STEM Club. Students explored robotics and technology through imaginative hands-on projects. Last Friday was our last session. The students were very excited to have their families attend to see the creative programs they had designed. The robots were dancing, spinning, flashing lights and sending messages! It was amazing to see how much the children had achieved over the term. Thank you to our families for supporting your child’s attendance to this after school club. 

Everyday counts!

Free internet for unconnected families with school-aged students

School Student Broadband Initiative provides free home internet for unconnected families with school-aged students until 31 December 2025. 

The Australian Government School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) is offering free home internet for eligible families with school-aged students until 31 December 2025.

To be eligible, families must:

  • have no active broadband service
  • have a device capable of accessing the internet
  • live in premises where they can access a standard NBN service
  • have a child living at home who is enrolled in an Australian school.

The free broadband starts from the day the service is activated with a participating internet provider. Families will not be placed on a paid service by the internet provider at the end of the free service without consent.

For more information and a list of participating internet providers, visit NBN Co School Student Broadband Initiative or call 1800 626 269.

If you think you are eligible and want to self-nominate for the free broadband offer:

  • call the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 (Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm Australian Eastern Daylight-saving Time)
  • visit the School Student Broadband Initiative website.

For technical support in more than 100 regional and remote communities throughout Western Australia, contact your local Community Resource Centre.

Breakfast Club – Thank you Woolworths Mirrabooka!

We would like to acknowledge with thanks Woolworths Mirrabooka for supporting our schools breakfast club, our students appreciate your support!

From the School Nurse

School Entry Health Assessment

All children in Western Australia are eligible for a School Entry Health Assessment when they are of school entry age. The School Entry Health Assessment is provided by the local School Health Nurse. It is an excellent opportunity to look at the health and development of your child at the beginning of school life.

 The assessments are simple, non-invasive, quick and easy. They screen for problems which are best addressed, if picked up and treated early. The assessments include:

  • Vision
  • Hearing
  • Teeth
  • Growth (including weight, height and Body Mass Index). 

Your child’s results will be sent home after their health check has been completed. Results are always treated confidentially.

Please note, if the assessment results for your child suggest there may be a concern, the School Health Nurse will contact you to discuss.

School Entry Health Assessment forms are currently being distributed for parents to complete. Please complete and sign the back page of the form before you return it.

Please return the form to the class teacher as soon as possible.

Kindy assessments start in February and will continue until December.

I look forward to working with you and your family. If you have a concerns about your child’s health, development or wellbeing please contact me on Melanie Arnison: Community Health Nurse Ph: 0439 061 628 Melanie.Arnison@health.wa.gov.au. My work days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The Big Little People of Room 4!

How fast has this term gone? All the big little people in Room Four have learned the class expectations and have settled into all the class routines. Every morning, we swiftly come in, organise for the day and get straight into our morning activities! One of our favourite activities is playing speed reading with a partner. It’s crazy how a little timer can make everyone so competitive!

At the beginning of the term, we had some surprising visitors to our room. Our cameras caught some cheeky Gingerbread Men run past our room…never to be seen again! We tried to look for them everywhere around the school but there was not a single sighting. As we really wanted to meet them, we put our creative STEM hats on and created gingerbread men traps…complete with bait and everything! They weren’t the most successful, as we did not manage to catch any…so we did the next best thing and baked our own Gingerbread Men that we shared with the beautiful Waddington staff. For Talk for Writing, we innovated our own class story about the Gingerbread Ninja that you can read outside our classroom.

In Literacy we are developing our spelling and reading skills. We have really impressed Mrs Nguyen with our persistence and courage to write even though some of us have found it very tricky to do. We have been practising so hard and can’t wait to consolidate our skills further next term.

In HASS we have been learning all about ourselves and our family. We have loved learning about how different life use to be when our parents and grandparents were little and comparing what they use to do for fun with what we like to do for fun in the 21st Century! We have changed so much from five years ago when we were a baby and look forward to seeing what we become in another five years’ time!

This semester in Maths we have been learning to count to 100 and skip count by tens! We have also started learning addition and some of us are so good at it, that we are onto our third booklet! We love playing Around the World to learn our Friends of 10 as a little bit of competition has kept us all on our feet.

We hope everyone has a happy and safe break and come back refreshed and ready to rock and roll! We have also painted some feathers for a surprise for Harmony Day…so please make sure to come by our class to see what it will be next term! Clue: It will be a great photo op!

Community Notices

Tennis Lessons Trial

Thank you very much to Waddington Primary School for allowing us to come into the school and provide some tennis coaching for the students during term 1. We had a great time and the children thoroughly enjoyed their tennis classes.

Our coaches were very impressed with both the enthusiasm and the behaviour of all students, the school and parents should be very proud of the children.

A Big Thank You must go to Mr Milner who ensured that the classes ran smoothly and made it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

On behalf of Tennis Australia, Hots Shots and Tennis Lessons Perth we have a special offer for all students of the school, A TRIAL GROUP LESSON & A FREE RACQUET!

Thank you and we look forward to visiting the school again soon.

We would like to offer all Waddington Primary School students a TRIAL TENNIS GROUP LESSON.

All students enrolling in a program after the trial will also receive a FREE TENNIS RACQUET Valid for term 2 & all of 2024!

Please call Peter on the numbers below for further information.

TENNIS LESSONS Programs include:

  • Junior Group Coaching (5-18 yrs old)
  • Squad Training
  • Junior Match Play (Competitions and Pennants)

Mobile: 0417 935 659 www.tennislessonsperth.com.au Email: peter@tennislessonsperth.com.au

Dianella Secondary College Opening Evening

If your child is in Year 4, 5 or 6, you are invited to attend the Dianella Secondary College Open Evening, happening Wednesday, 27 March 2024 from 3:30pm – 6:30pm.

The Dianella Secondary College Open Evening is a great opportunity to tour the award-winning school and its facilities as and get to know our staff.

Come and see the school’s interactive displays which showcase student work from a variety of learning areas, tour our state-of-the-art Hospitality Trade Training Centre, Mila Kaadadjiny STEM Centre, and our fantastic Performing Arts Centre.

Interested in STEM or Soccer? Then why not apply for our STEM or Soccer Academy.

Applications for 2025 close in Term 3 so get in early and apply now!

RSVP now via https://bit.ly/dscopen

For more information, please visit our Facebook page

Triple P Free online courses

Please see the flyers below for information about the free online course on offer.

Roseworth Child and Parent Centre School Holiday

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