Newsletter 11 - 29 July 2021

Mrs Lennox is back from Victoria (just in time before WA hard borders), Mr Press is now on leave for Term 3 & Mr Tamlin, from Esperance, is Primary School Principal for Term 3.

We trust that you had a restful holiday break, despite the wintery weather, hoping you were not badly affected by the additional storms earlier this week! At school, the Year 1/2 playground shade structure was damaged, however workmen were on the job the same day. Thanks to all our campus community for the smooth start to Term 3 even though ESC students started on Monday & Primary School students started on Tuesday. Great to see students in uniform & our Year six students look very smart in their graduation shirts with the eye-catching indigenous student design. As usual, it will be action- packed with some major events that will contribute to your child`s school learning & make school memories. We are delighted that, at this point, we are able to celebrate with parents & community members without severe COVID restrictions.

Below are some Term 3 highlights:

*WA P&C Day- Friday 23 July

*Choir, Signing & Drumming Clubs are practising for the Choirfest in Week 3. (Ticketed event due to auditorium space)

* ESC Sensorium Wombat Stew sessions will run from Weeks 1-5

* Science Week is in Week 5

* ESC Beldon Sports Carnival is in Week 6

* Sports carnival practices commenced this week for the carnival in Week 7

* Campus school photos in Week 7

* Book Week is in Week 8

* Campus Open Night is in Week 9

(Check out the attached Term Planner for more event details.)

Mrs Lennox

INTRODUCING MR TAMLIN

Hello my name is Ross Tamlin and I have been fortunate enough to be appointed as Principal of South Ballajura Primary School for Term 3, while Mr Press is on leave. I have been overwhelmed by the extremely warm welcome I have received from students, staff and the community on my arrival. My move to Perth has come about, having spent the last 34 years working in schools in the Esperance district. During that time I have enjoyed numerous school leadership roles as Principal and Deputy Principal, at some very different schools.

As principal of SBPS, my main focus is to ensure every child receives the best possible education, catering for their individual needs so they can reach their full potential. As challenging as this may sound, I will support the staff to achieve this, as they have the greatest impact on student achievement, progress and well-being. Being relationships focused, I believe open and honest communication, with all stakeholders, is the key in realizing this.

To this point, please do not hesitate to contact me should you wish to discuss your child’s education, their needs and we can work together to work on solutions to achieve positive outcomes.

Mr Tamlin

P&C THANK YOU

Last Friday we were pleased to acknowledge our fabulous P&C. We are grateful for your support with our campus activities and running the canteen, providing fun competitions & events and fundraising.

YOU CAN DO IT

This term we are looking at Resilience and Happiness.

Looking at:

• Feelings
• Bad Stuff Happens
• Emotions
• Things to do to stay calm

ESNN PERFOMING ARTS GROUP

The super stars are back in 2021!!  On Thursday 24 June, 18 students from the Performance Enrichment Group performed at the new Belridge College Performing Arts Centre alongside 4 other Special Needs centres and schools.  The South Ballajura ESC students were simply fantastic in all 3 of their items – Drumming, Jump Jam and Signing.  Zain was really impressed with the guest performers from the Belridge Dance Team – “That was just awesome!”  Ariyeti wanted to do it all again. Stanley said our school performance was the best.  Axl liked doing all the items and Kim thought the dancing was the best.

From all the Club Co-ordinators and Mr Hume, Acting ESC Principal, a big thankyou to the PEGS support staff, Mr V and Mrs Sallie, and to Ms Sam for being our Teacher-In- Charge on the day

SENSORIUM AND TERM 3 COMMUNITY ACCESS

Our hands-on literacy activities with Sensorium “Wombat Stew “started on Friday 23 July 2021 and will continue for the next 4 weeks.  The story telling is very interactive with the students participating in ‘messy’ story participation. Each week covers 2 or 3 pages of the story book. During the first week, the central figure of Wombat was introduced. The students all helped Dingo prepare the billy fire and get their billies boiling in anticipation on the developing Wombat Stew over the coming weeks.  There were lots of laughter and chatting throughout all the sessions. Great fun was had by all!

Later in the term, the ESC will attend a sports carnival at Beldon Primary School.  Please return your student’s permission notes.  It would be lovely see you there on the day.

CHAPLAIN'S BREAKFAST

Unfortunately our wonderful chaplain was too unwell to attend, however we thanked him for this great tradition. A most deserving quiet achiever, especially as a CPIer, Tina, received her BOARD AWARD at the Chaplain`s Appreciation Breakfast last Wednesday. Fortyfour staff were nominated by their colleagues.

MEET THE BOARD

Hi my name is Sharni Crawford and this is my 5^th year of serving on the ESC Board. I have one son who is in Year 6 at South Ballajura.

I have a Diploma of Ministry & Theology and work in aged care.

In my free time I enjoy reading, watching TV and spending time with family and friends.

TRIPLE P POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM

FUNDRAISING ITEMS FOR SALE

We still have 9 First Aid Kits and numerous boxes of Band Aids 25 per box for sale in the front office.

The First Aid Kits are compact, practical and great to keep in the car and are even small enough to take in a bag or back pack for when out and about.

The Band Aids are very cute, 5 bright colours in each box with cute ducks pictures on them.

The First Aid Kits are $15.00 per kit and the Band Aids as $3.00 per box of 25.

If you would like to purchase either a First Aid Kit or box of Band Aids please call into the Front Office where staff will be able to assist you.

Thank You.

TA11 GARDEN

Such a bright start to Term 3 with this beautiful bouquet picked from their thriving  classroom edible & floral garden beds.

MINDFULL MONDAY MORNINGS

ATTENDANCE STARS

Congratulations to:

Nero (EI1), Emmanuel (TA3), Andrew (TA11), Quinn (TA17), Erik (TA17) and Natalie (TA16) for achieving 100% attendance in Term 2. They have received cartificates for their persistence and commitment to learning, well done!

Whole of South Ballajura campus were involved in learning about aboriginal artworks on rock surfaces. These include stencils, prints and drawings in rock shelters and engravings in limestone caves. Every student used the following colours representing South Ballajura as a community – black dots representing teachers, terracotta for our guardians, red dots for individuals and lastly finishing with white dots representing classmates. We are grateful to Mrs Farmer for making this possible. TA16 had a great time while completing the rock painting and learning about Indigenous art heritage.

UPDATED MENU FOR WINTER 2021

Swan Libraries’ staff visited our school this week to bring every kindergarten student their very own green Better Beginnings Book Pack.  South Ballajura Primary School families may remember receiving a yellow Better Beginnings pack from your child health nurse when your child was a baby?  Today your kindergarten child has received a Better Beginnings green reading pack from Ballajura Public Library.  This free pack includes a beautiful book and fun activities that you and your child can do together.

There’s information from your local library, too, about joining (it’s free!) and the wide range of books, digital magazines, audiobooks and streaming movies that you and your children can borrow.  The libraries run free activities for babies and toddlers, and primary school aged children throughout the year, even during the school holidays.  By joining the library, you’re helping your children develop good reading and study habits which will see them well into their future studies.

Becoming a member is easy.  Visit Ballajura Public Library, conveniently located at the corner of Kingfisher Avenue and Illawarra Crescent South, 6066 and bring some identification which shows your name and current address or go to Swan Libraries at https://www.swan.wa.gov.au/Your-Services/Libraries/Library-membership to join and immediately be able to use the library’s digital resources.  The libraries are on Facebook too, visit @SwanLibraries or @SwanLibraryCommunity.

HAPPY READING, KINDY STUDENTS AND FAMILIES FROM SWAN LIBRARIES!

Please note dates and times are subject to change.

Staff Development Days (No students on these dates):-

• Monday 19 July 2021 (Primary School Students Only)
• Monday 11 October 2021

IMPORTANT TERM 3 EVENTS

• School Photo's - Wednesday 1 September & Thursday 2 September
• Faction Carnival - Friday 3 September
• Book Week Dress Up - Wednesday 8 September
• Open Night - Wednesday 15 September

Enrolments are now open for VacSwim swimming lessons during the October and summer school holidays.

VacSwim offers fun lessons at beach or pool locations across WA. Not only is VacSwim a great school holiday activity, it also teaches valuable safety skills to help keep your child safe in the water. 

Your children can start as young as five years old. 

Don’t wait! Enrol your children in VacSwim now at education.wa.edu.au/vacswim

BALLAJURA ROTARY/LIONS COMMUNITY FAIR

SUNDAY AUGUST 22, 2021

Please come along and support our

South Ballajura Campus Performance Groups at 10am

TALENT CONTEST - 2.30PM - 3.30PM 
Prepare an item and you could be a prize winner 

Contact Jill 0452 631 146 for details. 

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5 Winter Tips When Living with Asthma

Winter is well and truly here and this cooler season can be a hard time for people living with asthma. The cold air and the wind bringing up allergens in the air are just some characteristics of cold days which can be a harsh trigger if you have asthma.

Below are five practical tips for you and your loved ones this winter when it comes to living with as

Tip 1 – Keep your reliever medication nearby

The cold and sudden changes in temperature can affect asthma in some people. 

Tip 2 – Visit your GP for an asthma review

You should visit your GP if:

It’s been longer than 12 months; or

If you find you’re using your reliever puffer more than twice a week; or

Are having asthma symptoms at night.

a) Keep your written asthma action plan updated. 
b) If you or your child has been prescribed preventer medication make sure you use it – even if you are feeling well.
c) Discuss the flu vaccine with your GP.  

Tip 3 – Educate others

If you know the cold weather is a trigger for your child, be sure to educate their friends, carers and teachers about how to recognise the signs of an asthma attack and how they can help in that situation.

If your child has a written asthma action plan, consider keeping a copy on them and giving a copy to anyone they regularly spend time with. 

Tip 4 – Exercise to suit the weather

It is really important to stay active to maintain your health. When exercising outdoors or taking part in winter sports make sure you warm up for 10 – 15 minutes before getting started. 

Tip 5 – Check your wardrobe

Are you really staying warm?

Take some time now to assess that your wardrobe is suitable for the weather.

Use a scarf to loosely cover your nose and mouth, helping warm up the air before you breathe it in. If you don’t have a scarf available simply breathing naturally through your nose warms the air you breathe before if passes to your lungs.

 Lastly… have the confidence to know what medication is needed to stay well and what to do if you or someone you care for gets sick. Seek medical help straight away if symptoms are severe or rapidly get worse.

If you would like to learn more about your asthma or check your technique call Asthma WA on 1800 ASTHMA.

 

 

Delving into Reading

I'm currently reading a book called ‘Chip 'by Kylie Howarth. I find that she is an amazing Author, who writes books for ages 5-9. I think reading books is great for increasing your vocabulary and spelling. When it comes to this author's books I would say that the fish series are my favourite books because they are centred around the ocean which I love! I encourage all students at this school to read Kylie Howarth’s books and guess what? Our library has them. Look forward to hearing what you all think about ’Chip’.

Verity

Dear Parents/Carer’s,

The student leaders would like to begin some projects to make some areas of the school more inviting. To help them, the student leaders would like families to donate colourful socks that are clean and in good condition. Please see the examples below. 

Any donations can be sent in with your child, and the student leaders will collect them. Thanks in advance.