This term has flown by and we are just days away from the end of the term and some well earned holidays. I wish everyone a safe break and look forward to seeing you all back and ready to go on Tuesday 13 October.

I would ask anyone that sees suspicious behaviour within or around the school grounds over the holiday period to contact Education Security on 9264 4771. I would also urge students to stay away from the school grounds during the holidays.

Term 4

Term 4 will continue to be impacted by COVID19 restrictions, with the State Government scheduled to make a further announcement prior to the commencement of week 3. The school will review the events scheduled for later in term 4 after any further announcement, however I am pleased that the school is actively investigating and evaluating scenarios and contingencies to ensure events such as Graduation and the Book Awards will happen no matter if restrictions are eased further, remain the same or tightened.

I encourage parents to check newsletters and connect notices regularly to ensure that you remain abreast of the upcoming events and any parent attendance restrictions.

Parent Survey

Thank you to the over 100 families (so far) that completed the recent online survey relating to changes made during the COVID19 situation and if they should be continued as part of Arbor Grove’s new “normal”. This information will be collated, feedback will be provided to parents and the results will help the school in its preparations for 2021.

Changes in Term 4 to End of Day Processes

In the last newsletter I mentioned the school has decided to trial a change to the departure arrangements. During term 4 we will trial not opening the front gates in the afternoon, and instead have children leave via the side gates on Brookmount Drive and from the bottom gates that open onto the oval. Please refer to the diagram below.

This trial will run for the whole of term 4. Whilst this may present some minor short term inconvenience or change to routines I am sure parents will support the school in its efforts to improve the safety of the students and avoid an injury to a student.

2021

Planning for 2021 has begun. Places in our Kindergarten classes for 2021 are filling fast so I would urge any interested families to get their enrolments in.

A reminder to parents, that as Kindergarten is not a compulsory year of schooling places are capped (for all schools) even if you are in area. Ellenbrook has a history of demand exceeding available places across the various Primary schools so be quick to secure your spot.

Should you be leaving us at the end of year please advise the front office at the earliest opportunity. This information helps us in our planning for next year.

Early in term 4 parents will be given the opportunity to submit classroom requests. As with previous years these will need to be based around the academic or social needs of your child.

Before / After School

I would like to remind all parents and students that the Nature Play, the play area at the back of the Science Room and the Megatoy are out of bounds before and after school. Students arriving before 8.30am are to sit outside the library or with their parents outside their classroom.

We hope that the next easing of COVID19 restrictions, when they are announced, will allow us to recommence allowing parents to stay until 3.30pm to supervise their children playing on the Megatoy and on the playground behind the Science Room. The Nature Play, however, will remain out of bounds after school.

Glen Purdy

Geography In Room 2 and EC4

We have been learning about special places in Australia, Western Australia and our community. We have been learning how to take care of these special places to keep them protected. 

The students have been learning about the states and territories in Australia and have been using stories to link our thinking. Including 'Are We There Yet' by Alison Lester. We have visited Broome, The Pinnacles, Murphies Haystacks, The Great Australian Bight and Rottnest.

One special location we have been exploring is Uluru. We learnt that we shouldn’t walk on the rock anymore to protect and show respect to the Indigenous people.

We investigated The Great Barrier Reef and looked at what it used to look like and how it looks now. The one thing we looked at was the chemicals in sunscreen causing coral bleaching.