3rd May 2024

Dates to remember

Dates to remember – view live calendar on side panel of newsletter, website, or communication app.

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents and community members,

Classroom Conversations

I’m continually impressed with the mutual respect that our school community demonstrates to each other. This ongoing respect of the appropriate “social mores” allows everyone in the community - students, parents and staff, feel safe and supported.

This understanding of the “social mores” is especially prevalent when parents want to discuss an issue about their child with a teacher and make an appointment to discuss the concerns. This allows the teacher an opportunity to prepare for the appointment and allows sufficient time for the interaction. In my experience, this approach provides the best ongoing outcomes for the student and allows all parties to feel safe and supported.

Stop Work Action

The Ashdale Primary community managed the Stop Work Action in a calm and reflective approach. All students attending school (total - 229 students) were supervised in composite classes across the school and were joined by a small number of additional students at 12:30pm.

Staff participation in the Stop Work Action (15 staff) felt strongly enough to indicate their support to the SSTUWA initiative. Also, there is appreciation to staff remaining at school who managed the morning in the calm and reflective approach.

Edvance Update – Organisational Health Index (OHI) survey

The school staff have just participated in the second Organisational Health Index (OHI) survey. As you can see from the snapshots shared below, the 72 staff respondents indicate our school environment has an exceptional work culture and its continually improving.

Personal Leave

I’ve recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will require an operation in week five. After the operation, I will be on leave until the commencement of term 3. In my absence, Mrs Deb Terry will be Acting Principal and Mrs Laura Htoo will undertake the Deputy Principal role. I’m sure the community will support them in the smooth running of the school during this time.

Kind Regards

Tony Watson

Faction Cross Country Championship

The 2024 Faction Cross Country Championship for students in years 1 to 6 will take place in this term on Thursday, 16^h May. Please make sure that your child is proudly wearing their Faction Shirt for this event.

We have a number of students who will be striving to win a ribbon or qualify for the Interschool Cross Country and we wish them luck in their endeavours. For most of our students who participate, they will do so to be involved in a whole school event, earn a point for their faction and achieve the personal goal of completing the cross country course which is always fabulous achievement.

Research shows that children who choose to make positive choices about being active and involved in events are far more likely to maintain these positive habits as they become adults, greatly reducing their risk of developing the many health issues associated with a lack of physical activity, so please encourage and motivate your child to be a participant. If you can find the time to help your child develop their fitness prior to this event, so they can participate to the best of their abilities, this would be very helpful and greatly appreciated.

All students in years 1 to 3 will participate in the Faction Cross Country Championship. Students in years 4-6 must nominate by informing their teacher that they wish to participate. To be eligible to participate, students in years 4-6 must demonstrate that they are capable of jogging the distance required for their year group without having to stop or walk, jogging slowly is perfectly acceptable. Students in years 4-6 who do not nominate to participate prior to the cross country event will not be able to compete on the day.

All students who participate and complete the course earn one point for their faction towards the Cross Country Shield and a certificate of participation. Students who place 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd or 4^th earn bonus points for their faction and a place ribbon. The faction with the most points will win Ashdale’s Cross Country Shield for 2024.

The champion boy and girl in each year group receive a medallion acknowledging their achievement.

There are school records for students in years 4, 5 and 6. The time ran by the champion students in these year groups is recorded and engraved on to a shield which displays the names and times of all previous winners, this shield is displayed in the library. At present the Faction Cross Country school records are as follows:

Ashdale Primary Faction Cross Country School Records

The cross country courses will remain the same as last year. This will mean, as has always been the case, that students in years 3,4 5 and 6 will run part of their course on a portion of the footpath which runs around the outside of the school. When learning their cross country course during physical education lessons or class fitness and when participating in the cross country championship, students will be appropriately supervised.

Family are encouraged to come down and support their children on the day.

The Cross Country Championship will start at 9.15am, with students running in the following order:

Start Times for Cross Country

9:15am - Year 6

Year 6 Girls - 2000m

Year 6 Boys - 2000m

9:45am - Year 4

Year 4 Girls - 1000m

Year 4 Boys - 1000m

10:15am - Year 5

Year 5 Girls - 1500m

Year 5 Boys - 1500m

11:30am - Year 3

Year 3 Girls - 800m

Year 3 Boys - 800m

12:00pm - Year 1

Year 1 Girls - 400m

Year 1 Boys - 400m

12:30pm -Year 2

Year 2 Girls - 600m

Year 2 Boys - 600m 

Legends

Office News

THE NEW AND IMPROVED CONNECT APP IS HERE!

The new and improved Connect Now app is now available! We listened to you and improved the app.

• We made it easier than ever to use, and you will now stay logged in until you log out.
• All your school info is now available in one single app, with quick access to notices, learning content, and calendar events.
• Check your children’s reports, notices from the school and upcoming events all from your mobile device.

The new features can be accessed by updating to the latest version of Connect Now or if, you don’t have it yet, download it from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.

SCHOOL VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS (including P & C Contribution)

Have you paid the voluntary contribution $60/student and P & C Levy $40/family?

We encourage payments via the Qkr! app – this is a very simple and quick process and alleviates the need for busy parents to come into the office or send money in with students.

Instructions on how to download the App are available on our website from the link below or see the Qkr! Tip article below.

• Remember to change the profile (year, LAs etc) for your children when first accessing Qkr! for the year
• Alternative payment methods (cash/eftpos/credit card) are available through the front office.
• Families may pay the Voluntary Contribution in instalments.

Student Update Forms

It is important that our school’s database is up to date with student’s current details.  Families can update their child’s details held at the school by completing an online form on the Ashdale Primary School website.  This is located under the home tab, or use the following link, 

If you require any further information, please contact the school on 6207 4500 or email Ashdale.ps@education.wa.edu.au.

P&C News

QuizzaMe!

Tickets for the upcoming "20 years Ashdale Primary quiz night" are selling rapidly. Gather your group of 10 and secure your tickets promptly. Individual tickets are also available. Embrace the Y2K theme and dress to impress in your favourite outfit from that era. Get ready with your flip phone and remember to feed your tamagotchi.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food and enjoy beverages from our bar during the event.

Ashdale Quiz Night | Humanitix

National Walk Safely to School Day

Anticipate an exciting event on the horizon. We are gearing up to host our inaugural "YOUR MOVE" morning breakfast, dedicated to students who walk or cycle to school, in celebration of "National Walk Safely to School Day" on Friday, 10th of May. Stay tuned for additional details to be announced soon.

Now in its 25th year, National Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is an annual campaign and event which encourages all primary school children, their parents and carers, to walk safely and regularly to school.

It is important for children and young people to be active every day. Physical activity has many social, emotional, physical and mental health benefits. Walking to school is a great way to incorporate physical activity into a daily routine to support healthy development. Regular physical activity, especially walking, can improve self-esteem and confidence, help concentration and improve overall fitness.

Encouraging kids to be active each day establishes good habits that can stay with them throughout their lives.

Last term! 

Ashdale's first Scitech night was a resounding success, with 401 tickets sold and 137 pizzas ordered. The Ashdale families thoroughly enjoyed the event, and we extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to its success.

The recent "Ride 2 School Day" from last term brought joy to the school community, with 138 bikes and approximately 104 children opting to walk. The positive impact was evident in the students' experience and the improved traffic flow around the school. We hope parents also appreciated the event and its beneficial effects on traffic congestion. Special thanks to Nat Harridge for attending and delighting the kids with stickers. 

We celebrated the winner of our slow race and trust they will enjoy their rewards. 

Community News

Stem at Girrawheen Library 

This term at Girrawheen Library we have been very lucky to secure a grant to run special maths themed sessions.  These will be run by Dr John West.  John is President of the Mathematical Association of WA and teaches in the WA Mathematics Problem Solving Program. Sessions are on a Monday afternoon and are for children aged 8 years and over.

DoE SECURITY

Please help to keep our school safe!  As part of our school community, we ask that if you see any unusual behaviour, evidence of theft or vandalism of our school outside of school hours, could you please contact school security on the number below. 

Please do not approach any individuals, just contact security and they will investigate the situation or contact the Police.  Working together will help protect our school.

9264 4771 (24-hour number) or 9264 4635