Messages from Mrs Inglis
We are nearly at the end of term 1 – with one week to go. I hope it has been a positive term for you and your child. I know speaking to the students and staff we have enjoyed all that we have achieved onsite – lots of learning, reading, writing and numeracy, investigations and specialist classes. Some grades have had swimming, incursions and sport excursions.
I appreciate that we have had many students and some staff taking leave for isolation over the term, but we have been able to get through the term with minimal disruption. Thank you to all our families for your support – we have been very fortunate that we have been able to replace our staff with Casual Relief Teachers or shuffle some of our staff around. I know I enjoyed a lovely afternoon in Preps the other day to cover a staff member.
Harmony Day/Week
Last week was the first time I remember Beaconsfield Primary School acknowledging Harmony Day/Week in the 20 years I have been at the school. It was a lovely time for us to take a moment to put a spotlight on the message ‘everyone belongs’ and celebrate the different cultures we come from. Two of our school captains have written a reflection piece.
“On the 21st of March we celebrated Harmony Day. We were encouraged to bring in a food associated with where our extended family comes from. This could’ve been spaghetti if you’re from Italy, short bread if you’re from Scotland or Tim tams if you’re from Australia. As well as native food we also did some activities about being in harmony. The preps made pictures of themselves holding hands with each other, the grade 3 students made a tree out of handprints and all of grade 6 played an indigenous game. All the grades did something to celebrate our culture. Harmony day is all about celebrating our culture and being in harmony with each other. On harmony day we all wore something orange to school and you’re probably wondering “why orange?” It’s because orange symbolises communication and meaningful conversations. It also signifies freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. I thought the day was very fun and enjoyed doing the activity we got to do.”
James R
“On Monday the 21st of March to Friday the 25th, students at Beacy celebrated Harmony Week. Students learnt about their classmates’ ethnicity and brought all kinds of delicious foods related to their culture. On Monday, the colour orange was found all over the Beacy students’ uniforms and it was amazing to see how involved some people would get.
Throughout the week, classes participated in Harmony Week activities, that related to different cultures and indigenous background. Some very interesting questions were asked during the week such as why the colour orange and questions related to different people’s backgrounds.
It was awesome that students are so interested in Harmony week at Beacy.”
Audrey R
Swimming
On Monday, we had 8 students representing Beaconsfield Primary School at Region Swimming. All the students did a fantastic job in competing at such a high level. We are so proud of them all, and whilst they did not make it to the next stage, they did an amazing job. Thank you to their parents for taking them to the event and cheering them on (on our behalf).
Parent Helpers
It is lovely that we have resumed many of the activities and events at school. Please note that when being a parent helper in the classroom, on an excursion or on a committee working onsite, you are required to have had the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.
To show us your vaccination status, we are using the Service Victoria App. Please make sure that you have the latest update and have re-linked your digital certificate for it to display your ‘dose details’. This will show us your three doses. If you need any help, please ask our office staff.
We are asking parents attending excursions to come past the office before the date to show us your vaccination status. This helps to make the morning of an excursion less chaotic.
Pink stumps
On Friday 8th April (last day of term), we will be holding our Pink Stumps day. We are supporting the McGrath Foundation to raise money to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia, as well as increasing breast awareness in young Australian women. Breast cancer touches our community every year and through initiatives like this, patients are able to get support to help them with their fight.
On this day, students can wear free dress and wear pink to show support. We are also asking if parents would like to join in their support by wearing pink at drop off and pick up. We will hold a teachers versus grade 6 students cricket match. Families can make donations via the QKR app – we suggest a gold coin donation. You can make a donation from now until next week.
Cross Country
Next week we have senior (grade 3 to 6) and junior (Prep to grade 2) cross country. Senior is on Tuesday at Holm Park Oval and Junior is on Thursday at our school. Students are allowed to come dressed in their house colours on their race day.
Parents are more than welcome to watch but we ask that you stay in your allocated viewing spots. For parents coming onsite to watch our junior cross country, please note the Department of Education requirement that all persons onsite at a school event (inside or outside) must be vaccinated.
Term 2
Just a reminder of a couple of things that will be coming up early in term 2. We have school photos on the first Friday back – Friday 29th April.
We also have NAPLAN for our grade 3 and 5s in week three – starting on Tuesday 10th May and running over two weeks. We will provide more information for these families but NAPLAN has moved to an online platform for all tests except grade 3 writing. Our teachers have already began preparing our students to become familiar with the testing site. If families would like, there is a demonstration site for you to go on to have a look at what it will look like for your child. Feel free to have a play over the holidays.
https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site
We are holding an Open Day on Saturday 14th May 10:00 – 12:00pm for families looking at enrolling their child at our school for 2023. Prep enrolments will open next term. If you know someone who is interested in attending our school, please let them know of this date or to contact our office for more information.
Lastly, I would like to thank our school community for all their support this term and we are looking forward to a fantastic 2022, filled with lots of learning and laughter. I thank you for the respectful way in which you work with us. The partnership between parents and our school works best when we are respectful to each other with all our communication – in person, emailing and on the phone. It is lovely to come to school each day knowing the wonderful community that we are working in and that we will all be treated in a respectful manner.
Enjoy the busy last week and the school holidays (and to those watching the World Cup Cricket – good luck to the Aussie Team).
Heidi Inglis
