23rd August 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,

Initially, I would like to thank everyone for their kind words and messages as I’ve been convalescing from prostate surgery. My recovery was somewhat slower than first envisaged, but hopefully, early results indicate the surgery was successful.

Most importantly, I would like to acknowledge and congratulate Mrs Deb Terry on her very successful stint as principal of Ashdale Primary. It is a privilege to be a Principal of any school, let alone to be the Principal of such a reputable school like Ashdale Primary. Mrs Terry embraced the opportunity, and her sophisticated skill set was evident to everyone in the school community. Mrs Terry, was of course, supported by our experienced Executive Team and very capable staff. The efforts of Mrs Laura Htoo, Deputy Principal was also appreciated and recognised by staff and students.

I would also like to acknowledge Mrs Christy Craig, who was recently merit selected to the Principal role at Beaumaris Primary School. I think everyone who has had the privilege of working with Mrs Craig would agree that she is a uniquely highly skilled individual with a heart of gold. We wish her well in her new role.

Also, Mr Rob Ashkenazy (School Gardener) will be on extended leave until the beginning of 2026. We wish Rob all the best with his break from Ashdale Primary. During Rob's absence we welcome our new gardener, Mr Safiullah Naim ((Saf) to Ashdale Primary School.

NAPLAN Results

One of the three significant goals of being involved in the EDvance Project was to focus on improving our NAPLAN goals. To be the same as or better than like schools. Hence, we are initially very pleased with the 2024 NAPLAN results shown below.

My New Gallery

Speak Up Results

Congratulations to our Year 6 students, Isla F and Luella S for being selected to present our school at the Interschool Speak Up competition. This accomplishment is a significant achievement, and both students made us incredibly proud during their participation in the first heat on Monday the 12th of August. Congratulations to Isla and Luella. We are so impressed with your hard work and dedication. They are a tribute to Ashdale’s Speak Up program, which aims to develop effective oral communication skills. Such an important life skill.

Tony Watson

Principal 

Local Sports to Ashdale Primary School

Local Sports to Ashdale Primary School

During your child’s school day/week they are involved in our school’s very comprehensive sports program which focuses on sport skills, fitness, teamwork and cooperation.  There are so many identified benefits to being involved in children’s or youth sport, some of which are listed below.   To assist parents getting their kids off screens and couches and into organized afterschool sport, attached is our local sport directory.

Benefits of children and youth sports programs

• Improve physical health - Childhood obesity is at an all-time high, which puts kids at increased risk for serious health conditions, including type 2 diabetes. Hours spent sitting on the couch or bed with social media and video games contribute to the problem.
• Improve mental health - Exercise reduces levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress. It also releases endorphins, the “feel-good” hormones produced by the body, and increases serotonin, a chemical that plays an important role in mood. Plus, playing a sport and contributing to a team create a sense of accomplishment, which improves self-esteem and confidence.
• Promote social connections – Children’s and Youth sports help build social skills by bringing kids with similar interests together, encouraging interaction and creating a community of shared interests and goals. Kids also learn about teamwork, healthy competition, good sportsmanship and empathy — valuable social skills that extend into other areas of their lives.
• Improve academic performance - Studies show participation in children’s and youth sports is linked with higher levels of academic achievement and creativity. It also helps improve educational qualities such as critical thinking and determination.
• Teach important life skills – Participation in sports helps young people learn about discipline and dedication as well as personal responsibility and self-control.  It helps in the development of life skills, such as goal setting, time management and leadership.  In addition, learning to bounce back from a loss or a poor performance teaches resilience and perseverance.

Mimmo's Gourmet Gelato Incursion

All students learning Italian were recently treated to a visit from Mimmo’s Gourmet Gelato cart. Mimmo delighted students with his gelato in the flavours: cioccolato (chocolate), vaniglia (vanilla), oreo (cookies and cream), and the dairy-free sorbet option, fragola (strawberry).

Students practised their order in Italian prior to the incursion and enjoyed using the language learnt to receive their reward delizioso.

Grazie Mimmo! We hope you will come back to Ashdale Primary!

Italo-Australian Italian Festival Competition 2024

Italo-Australian Italian Festival Competition 2024

In Term 2, several students participated in the competition run by Italo-Australian Welfare and Cultural Centre (IAWCC) for all primary schools learning Italian.

This year, the theme was “L’Oliva in Italia e in Australia 2024” (The Olive in Italy and in Australia 2024). Each year level had a different task centred around the theme, such as constructing the family tree of an “olive family” (Year 3) to researching the production of olive oil and creating a booklet (Year 6).

We had many students participating in this optional competition, and each is to be congratulated on their efforts. We hope the classes enjoyed learning about the significance of the olive to Italian culture.

3 finalists per year group were selected to have their work entered into the competition. Congratulations to the following students:

Year 1: Jisha B (LA8), Mia S (LA8), Aaisha N (LA8)

Year 2: Isla I (LA15), Harry N (LA14), Isaac T (LA15)

Year 3: April C (LA22), Billie E (LA21), Emma V (LA23)

Year 4: Leah K (LA17), Panth P (LA17), Zoe R (LA16)

Year 5: Aarjav K (LA32), Rio G (LA31), Lamya L (LA19)

Year 6: Pariniti R (LA29), Yashvi P (LA28), Julia G (LA28)

Special congratulations to the following students for attaining a Merit certificate for their entries. Their work was displayed at the IAWCC in North Perth throughout the period of the Italian festival: Aaisha N (LA8), Mia S (LA8), Leah K (LA17), Panth P (LA17), Lamya L (LA19), Rio G (LA31), Aarjav K (LA32),

Certificates will be distributed to the finalists and merit award winners at assembly.

Bravissimi ragazzi for your creative work and hard efforts!

My New Gallery

Legends

Office News

Kindy Enrolments are still open!

Leaving the school?

Are you planning on leaving the school before the end of 2024 or at the end of the year? Please inform the office as soon as possible to assist with our planning.

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

We extend our gratitude to all who visited Grill’d Kingsway during the month of July! Ashdale Primary P&C has been generously awarded $100 from Grill’d Kingsway.

We are looking forward to the Father's Day stall next Tuesday and Thursday. Your child's teacher will notify you of the day they will be visiting the stall. Students will have the opportunity to purchase a Father's Day gift or something special for a loved one. We kindly ask students not to bring more than $10, as prices range from $1 to $8.

If you have an hour to spare, we welcome your consideration to volunteer on the day. Please sign up below, as without volunteers, we are unable to run this stall.

Last week, your child should have brought home a map outlining the safest routes to walk or cycle to school. We encourage all parents to park a bit further away and walk to school. Let's keep the traffic flowing smoothly and prioritize the safety of our children by slowing down!

Community News

VacSwim October swimming programs

Enrolments for October school holiday swimming lessons are now open. 

With locations at pools and beaches across WA, they're a great school holiday activity. These fun lessons also teach children skills to help keep them safe in and around water.

Enrol now at education.wa.edu.au/vacswim

Circus Rio

Circus Rio have kindly issued tickets that have been sent home to students who attend Ashdale Primary School.

Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club

Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club is your local Surf Life Saving Club. It falls part of the excellent service offered by Surf Life Saving Western Australia (SLSWA), the state’s peak coastal safety and rescue organisation. 

Thousands of people visit Sorrento's beautiful beaches yearly (Marmion to Pinnaroo Point - including Hillary’s Marina) – but while they look amazing, they can be unpredictable and hide some dangers. At Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club we provide essential education and emergency services to all users of our local beaches.

To keep our beaches safe Sorrento Surf Lifesaving Club relies on its members for support. Our membership includes our Nippers (aged 5-12yrs), Youth (13-16yrs), Seniors and Masters. We also run programs for those with special needs. By training lifesavers of all ages, we upskill the local community, train our members for the future. 

The aims of the Sorrento SLSC Junior Program are to: 

1. Develop surf awareness
2. Increase confidence and skills in beach-related activities
3. Offer training to those wanting to pursue competition or awards
4. Instil and reinforce Sun Smart philosophies
5. Encourage enjoyable and healthy participation
6. Progress the members towards surf awards for relevant age groups
7. Promote a positive non-threatening environment

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