This week has been a very challenging week for all staff, students and the school community with the passing of a student. We have been fortunate to have a number of YouthCare Chaplains and our School Psychologist on site to support our students and staff during these challenging times.

The school will be holding a special “free dress” event on Wednesday 17 June to remember and celebrate their life. Students are asked to wear bright colours on the day and to bring a gold coin donation. All funds collected on the day will be donated to Heart Kids.

Kindergarten enrolments for 2021 are open and places are filling fast. I would urge all families to secure their spot for 2021 as soon as possible to avoid being on the waiting list.

Construction of the Child & Parent Centre is scheduled to conclude during the term holidays. I look forward to sharing news on the operator and operations in due course with our community. I hope we will have some photo’s for coming newsletters.

It has been great to have parents back on the school grounds dropping and collecting students. It has also been pleasing to see a large number of parents are continuing to support their child’s new found independence by also continuing to drop off and collect from outside the school gates. Please remember we are limited to a maximum of 100 parents on site at a time so if you are a parent you MUST drop and go or collect and go this particularly applies to those with children in PP, Kindy or Yr 1 who are released to an adult or older sibling. Unfortunately, if parents do not adhere to these arrangements we may have to review our approach for having parents on site.

I would like to thank the many parents who have passed on messages of support and thanks to the staff that manned the gates every morning and afternoon for the last six weeks, no matter what the weather. Whilst the staff were happy to do this role to assist the students and families, and reduce any anxiety that may have been present due to the COVID climate, the messages of thanks and gratitude have been warmly accepted and just reinforced our shared commitment to Arbor Grove.

It is very important that students have water bottles. Many of our taps have been converted to water refill stations and it is likely that we will phase out the taps totally over time. We see the increased use of water bottles as one positive to come from the “new normal”. We would urge all parents to ensure their children’s name is on their water bottle and that they have it with them every day.

Glen Purdy

Kindy  students have been taking part in our new Perceptual motor program called Animal Fun. Animal fun is a program designed to promote motor skills and social skills develeopment in young children. It is based on imitating animal movements. It is fun, playful and engaging. This is our second year of implementing Animal Fun at Arbor Grove Primary school.

Here are just a few of the benefits:

• Improved muscle tone and core strength.
• Increased physical fitness – less fatigue = clearer thinking.
• It’s Fun!
• Improves attention and concentration.
• It is mindful.
• Decreased hyperactivity and restless, fidgety behaviours.
• Improved mobility and coordination.
• Improved social skills – taking turns, co-operation, participation in teams.
• Increased confidence = relief from anxiety.

Kindy children demonstrating Rocking Starfish

Slow Elephants

Cockatoo Walk

“I like Animal fun because it’s fun” Judah age 4

“I like to do the Rocking Starfish” Noah age 4

“I like Animal Fun because we get to do silly animals” Malak age 4

“I really like the slow elephants” Lillian age 4

Kindy Team

Defence News

Hello Parents,

I’m working on a project with my Defence students to update the school’s Defence History Album in the library. We’d like to recognise our student and staff ties to current and previous serving personnel. We would love it if you could please send in any or all of the following: photos, stories, names, service (i.e. Army/Navy or RAAF), time/years served, deployments or any other information you’d be happy to share so we can compile it into an album and be proud of the efforts and sacrifices made by our school’s community. The information can be from current and previous serving personnel, and can be from parents, guardians, step-family, grandparents, great-grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters…..anyone in your family! Our current album is very dated, though examples are photos of great-great grandparents and wars they served in; photos of parents returning from deployment; an honour roll of family members who have served but have no photos or stories attached, and much more.

Please, any information would be great! Please email to Janelle.wallace@education.wa.edu.au , if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email. Thanks for your help, I look forward to seeing the rich Defence history of our school. Have a great day! 

Janelle Wallace

Defence School Mentor

Children born between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017 are eligible to attend Kindergarten next year.

Application forms are available from the front office or can be downloaded from the website.

Click here to view Application for Enrolment Kindergarten 2021

You are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible. 

The theme for Reconciliation Week 2020 is “In this Together”.

From May 27 to June 3 Arbor Grove Primary School celebrated Reconciliation Week.

Students from Kindy to Year 6 completed a reconciliation activity. All students did a great job. They are displayed in the library for all students to enjoy.

I read the book 'Stories for Simon' to the Year 3 – 6 students. The book explains the meaning of Sorry day and Reconciliation Week. The students then participated in a question and answer discussion regarding the history of Aboriginal people. The students had many questions and now have a better understanding of Australian History and how this has affected the Aboriginal people and still affects them to this day.

Year 6 Students from Mr Hunt, Mrs Walker and Mr Bish's class created a Reconciliation Aboriginal Flag. They also watched a short video explaining what happened to the Stolen Generation.

I was very impressed with the respect and maturity shown by all students from Year 3 – 6 and the thought that they put into their questions. 

Arbor Grove Primary school would like to acknowledge one of our local families. Aboriginal Artist Justin Martin from Djuarandi Dreaming re designed the Mast head of the West Australian for reconciliation week. Link to article https://thewest.com.au/news/reconciliation-week/aboriginal-artist-justin-martin-redesigns-the-wests-masthead-to-honour-reconciliation-week-ng-b881556319z

Laurie Butcher

AIEO