www.challisecec.wa.edu.au

Issue Ten Term Two

July 2013

We have made it to the end of term 2! I think the school holidays have come at an

opportune time for staff and children to have a rest, recharge their batteries and return

to school in two weeks time.

Children brought home semester 1 reports yesterday. If you haven't already done so, I hope you are able to spend

time reading through the report with your child and reinforcing the positive messages. It is also important to take

note of the information and ensure you understand what it means. As mentioned in the last newsletter, teachers

have been asked to give a clear indication as to whether children are below, at or above expected level. Parents are

encouraged to make an appointment to speak with the classroom teacher to clarify any information contained in the

report.

The Challis Schools' Board has approved an additional day for staff to become familiar with the implementation of

the Australian Curriculum. Parents are advised that school will be closed to children on Monday 14th October and

Tuesday 15th October (day 1 and 2 of Term 4).

Reports

Congratulations to the 266 children who enjoyed a

slice or two of pizza this afternoon as

reinforcement for attending school 95% of term 2.

It was quite a treat to be able to eat in the

staffroom and an extra treat to have a wide choice

of pizza.

'B' group Kindy children will have their pizza reward

on Thursday. We will continue to reinforce the

attendance-at-school-each-day message throughout

Term 3 and once the data has been analysed, a

decision will be made as to whether the same

strategy will be put in place for the end of Term 3.

Term 2 total

Kindy - 88.5% looking forward to

seeing you more often next term.

PP- 92.9% oops, slipped a little from

last fortnight.

Year 1 - 92.2% improved from last

fortnight, great!

Year 2 - 93.4% still on track to

Reach 95%, great!

Attendance

Additional School Development Day

Enrolment 2014 The closing date for the first round offers is Friday 26th July 2013

To qualify for Kindergarten your child needs to turn 4 years of age between 1st July 2013 and 30th June 2014 and

live in the local school intake area.

To qualify for Pre-Primary your child needs to turn 5 years of age between 1st July 2013 and 30th June 2014 and

live in the local school intake area.

J4 and THRIVE went to Cicerellos

By Layla Ferguson Yesterday blue group and J4 went to Cicerello's in Fremantle. Firstly,

we went on a bus to Fremantle. We went to the park. It was fun. At

the park we climbed the big climbing frame. We had fun on the

seasaw. We all had morning tea there. Then we walked down to

Cicerello's. Craig showed us all the sea creatures. We got to touch a

starfish, sea apple, Port Jackson Shark and a lobster. Then we had a

photo on the stairs. After we went beach combing. Craig showed us

the things we had found. I found a cuttle fish bone. We had fish and

chips on a boat for lunch. We also saw big waves.

By Tepou Thomas On Wednesday blue group and J4 went on a bus to Fremantle to

Cicereollo's. We had morning tea on the grass. After we went on

Esplanade Park we had a toilet break. After we went across the road

to Cicereollo's. We touched sea animals. Craig showed us sea animals.

We got to touch a star fish, lobster, sea apple and a Port Jackson

Shark. We went beach combing on the beach. We had fish and chips

on a boat. Then we went back to school.

By Janalie

By Harmonie

.

Pre Kindergarten Yesterday two of our three Pre-K groups and their

parents went on an excursion with us to North

Armadale Coles. The purpose of the excursion was to

bring attention to parents about free, accessible

activities they can take part in with their children in

their local community. Basically that there are

teachable moments in everything that you do! Each child

and parent were put into a group of 4/5, and were given

picture cards of the ingredients they needed to find

for the recipe they would come back to the classroom

and cook together. We made sure that the recipes were

healthy, and that the ingredients were commonly found

at home already so that parents and children could easily make them at home as well!

There was a fantastic vibe amongst all parents and children, and they were actively

involved both at Coles and back in the classroom when they worked together taking turns

to make their recipe.

The parents were given a handout made by Johnese (our speech therapist) which gave

them suggestions to develop labelling skills. They had to point out 5 items that they

hadn't previously introduced their child to. There was fantastic oral language which

could be heard as parents were introducing their children to different vegetables. I

especially loved Aishling's mum and Tyrell's dad who explained that a Capsicum can also

be called a Pepper! The handout also gave examples of different adjectives parents could

use to describe vegetables/fruit etc. to their children.

Each parent and child were given a Pre-K Shopping & Cooking Excursion recipe book to

take home with them which contained each recipe that was used today. They all seemed

very excited about them, and lots of parents commented that they would go home and

cook the recipes as they had all the ingredients at home already.

We received some fantastic feedback

on our Pre-K Facebook page:

"We had a great time, thank you! "Had a great time with my little man. I should do it more often" "Thanks for organising the lovely morning out. I had an extra helper with dinner- complete with apron! Have a great week" A BIG thankyou to Liz, Sharon, Beth,

Johnese and Mel who made it a great

success! Lauren Brown PreKindergarten Teacher

What is Thankfulness?

Thankfulness is being grateful

for what you have. It is an

attitude of gratitude for

learning, loving and being. It is

appreciating the little things

which happen around you and

within you everyday. It is being

aware of the gifts in your life.

Our Virtue for Week Eight and Nine -Thankfulness

Why Practice it?

Thankfulness brings

contentment. It helps you find

the good things in whatever

happens. Without thankfulness

people can become negative.

They wish things could be

different.

With thankfulness, we keep a

positive outlook. We can see

the good in our lives and

whatever happens.

Term Two ends on Friday 5th July and Term Three

resumes for students on Tuesday 23rd July

Term 3 will again be a very busy one at school as we celebrate NAIDOC, National Literacy and Numeracy Week, the

Scholastic Book fair will be available during Book Week, the much anticipated sports carnival and a Learning Journey

just to name a few events.

I hope you are able to take the next two weeks to enjoy family time with your children and make the most of their

childhood years. Time passes so quickly and before you know it, you will be waving them off to high school ( my daughter

has 6 months of primary school left before she starts high school and yet I remember her first day at Kindy like it was

just last week).

Stay safe and take good care of each other (and keep practicing reading and sight words every day),

Kind regards,

Lee Musumeci,

Principal

Message from Mrs Musumeci, Principal

SCIENCE DISCOVERY TABLE The Science Room has a discovery table which has a variety of interesting objects

related to science. We have feathers, an abandoned nest, shells, different leaves,

lizard skin, bugs etc. The students enthusiastically look at the objects on the

discovery table, hold them and love using the magnifying glasses to observe them when

they have completed their work. I would like to build up my collection of objects on

the discovery table and seek your help. If you have or find objects that are related to

science and do not mind donating it to the discovery table, it would be very much

appreciated.

Please do not send in valuable objects or toys. Suggestions include interesting rocks,

an animal tooth, interesting egg shells, unusual plants, seeds, seaweed, unusual leaves,

pinecones, gum nuts, feathers, bark and sea sponges.

Thank you and I look forward to ’discovering’ the wonderful things you donate to our

table. Radha Bhaskaran

Science Teacher

Book Fair Dear Parents and Students,

In week 5 of next term we will be holding the Scholastic Book Fair!

There will be lots of fantastic books and special stationery that you will be able to purchase

from here in the school library. There will also be a special ‘guest’ appearing during the week!

So kids, make sure you keep us your chores these School Holidays

and save up your money so you can pick up some exciting new books

and accessories!! I will let you know more information about the

Book Fair early next term. Hope to see you all there.

Mrs Briggs—Library Officer