Well the wintery weather has certainly arrived! I hope everyone stays warm and dry and exercises extra care when arriving and leaving the school.

There is still a lot going on at school and we have some major events in the weeks ahead including Free Dress Day next Friday (Pyjama theme), the Winter Sports Carnival for our senior students (week 9) and student reports.

Busy Bee

I would like to thank all the parents who supported the P&C at the busy bee last Saturday. Despite the shocking weather the plants purchased were able to be planted. I look forward to seeing them thrive in the coming months and add to our wonderful nature play area.

Reconciliation Week

I would like to thank Mrs Butcher for her work in organising a series of activities last week for our indigenous students, their parents and our year 5 and 6 students to celebrate and engage in Reconciliation Week. Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Staff Change

Mrs Denise Bouckaert will be leaving the school this week to join her husband, who has been transferred with the Police Department, in Halls Creek. Mrs Bouckaert has been a valuable member of our staff and school community for a number of years and will be a big loss. We wish Mrs Bouckaert and her husband every success with their new adventure in the north of WA. Mrs Rikki Brosnan will take over in room 5 from the start of term 3 for the remainder of the year.

Reports

Just a reminder that reports will again be distributed via email this year in week 10. If you require a printed copy please contact the school at the earliest opportunity.

Swimming

I would like to congratulate the students who attended swimming over the last fortnight for demonstrating the ARBOR values. The bus drivers and swimming instructors were very complimentary about our students’ behaviour, resilience and perseverance. We are aware of some issues arising from the amount of chlorine used by the swimming centre and have passed these concerns on. I would like to thank Mrs McCabe for her organisation and management of the swimming schedule.

Sick Students

We have some reported cases of influenza A at the school recently. We wish those students a speedy recovery, however it does remind us that it is important for parents to keep students that are unwell away from school to avoid the spread of illness. 

Early Close on Wednesdays in 2020

Following discussion with the school staff and with the approval of the School Board we will be introducing an early close (2.30pm) on a Wednesday from the start of the 2020 school year. This will bring Arbor Grove Primary School into alignment with the other Ellenbrook schools (Primary and High Schools).

The benefits of bringing Arbor Grove into alignment with all other Ellenbrook schools are:

• Supports Wednesday being the day for meetings and in school collaboration sessions;
• Supports the Teachers to engage in professional learning opportunities within the Ellenbrook Network of schools;
• Reduce the number of high school students on the site on a Wednesday afternoon.

The new school times for 2020 will be:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday