Newsletter No. 4, Term 3, 2019

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Congratulations to everyone in our school community for the wonderful Term that we have had. The Newsletter is full of fabulous articles that demonstrate striving for excellence and having fun too.

Some Staffing news for Term 4 includes; I will be taking Long Service Leave (LSL) and Mrs Fetherston will be the Acting Principal, Mr Weckert will be the Acting Deputy to backfill for Mrs Fetherston. Year 2/3 Teacher Mrs Tolman returns from LSL for 4 days per week and Ms Morrissey will continue in her class for each Monday. Ms Morrissey will also replace Mr Russell Palmer who continues his leave of 3.5 days /week next Term. Mr Holland has been appointed as our Music teacher for 3 days per week and we warmly welcome him to our school. Mr Moore is taking leave to support his wife and we send our best wishes to Bev for a positive return to good health. Mr Jack Paterson has been appointed to take over in Room 21 with the Year 6 class and we also warmly welcome him to our school too. We welcome back Mrs Florisson and she will be teaching Indonesian for LOTE and Ms Bertola will continue teaching Year 1 in Room 2. As in all schools, staff take leave and circumstances change. Our school is robust and in good shape to support the changes in Term 4 and I wish everyone the very best for a fabulous last Term in 2019.

Events to look forward to:

Pupil Free Day on first Friday – 18 October which happens to be Show Day. Please remember that students come to school on Monday 14 October.

Swimming lesson for students in Years 4,5,6. Swimming Carnival Friday 1 November.

Week 4 Constable Care will be at school to showcase performances for both Jnr and Snr students.

Week 5 is Book Fair and Friday 15 November is “Dress Up as Your Favourite Book Character Day”

Week 6 PP and Year 1 students commence swimming lessons

Week 6 is also NAIDOC Week with great activities planned

Presentation Assembly for all Class Awards will be on Friday 13 December, same day that Semester Reports will be sent home electronically

Year 6 Graduation is on Tuesday 17 December

Our Student Councillors have made a very fair request for the 2020 Student Councillors to be elected before the Presentation Assembly on 13 December. This will provide the opportunity for the new Councillors to have their badges presented and be ready to commence their service at the beginning of next year. We will use the same process that we introduced in 2018, that includes a written presentation to the Principal and 2 members of the School Board. The Faction Captains will be elected at the same time too and by their peers in a popular vote.

As I will be on leave, I wish Mrs Fetherston and all the staff a very positive and productive Term of teaching and learning at Castletown PS. Our data to date is excellent and showing that we are well on target to demonstrate 25% gains each Term in Writing, Spelling, Comprehension and Maths. Well done to everyone and please keep a very clear focus on doing all we can to Inspire – Educate – Succeed.

Colin Brand Principal

Deputy’s Desk – Student Services

What a fantastic end of term assembly today led by our wonderful Year 6 Councillors and showcasing our

Senior choir and Year 5 Tap Dogs group!

Attendance

Some attendance facts for this term:

Whole school attendance rate of 90.7%. Even though below our aspirational rate it is above the

‘cut off’ number of 90%. Research indicates that an attendance rate below 90% is detrimental to a

student’s academic progress and achievement.

Room 13, you champions! They were the highest achieving class this term with an attendance rate

of 93.34%. Closely followed by Room 12 (93.28%) and Room 2 (93.04%). Well done to these

classes.

A large number of students, 101 in fact, had an attendance rate of 100% for term 3. A wonderful

achievement!

Laurie Palmer Deputy Principal – Student Services

Deputy’s Desk - Curriculum Brightpath

This term our Year 1-6 students have been learning about the writing genre of Information Reports.

All students wrote an Information Report at the beginning of the term and were marked and scored

against the Brightpath Information Report Ruler. The Brightpath tool then identified teaching points for

the students based upon their results. Teachers planned for, and implemented, these teaching points in

their writing programs providing opportunities for students to improve their writing skills. In 2019, our

Brightpath target each term, for all year levels, was to meet the Brightpath average performance in our

post-assessment.

It is a celebration that 3 out of our 6 year levels exceeded the Brightpath average and the other 3 year

levels were only 2-6 points below their targets. This is positive news as this genre was a new focus genre

for us at Castletown Primary School.

Years 1-6 students will be focussing on Narratives next term.

Our Kindy and Pre-Primary Students have been learning about recount writing. Our Pre-Primary students

completed a second assessment recently and have already exceeded their target of meeting the Brightpath

average and we look forward to seeing their writing continue to progress in Term 4.

Swimming Lessons

Years 4-6 students will commence swimming lessons from Week 2 next term. Thank you to parents for

returning forms and payment by today’s deadline. More information regarding the time of lessons will be

sent out in Week 1 next term.

The Pre-Primary-Year 1 Swimming lessons will be in Weeks 7-8 (25th November-6th December) of next

term. Notes regarding these lessons will come home early next term.

Semester 2 Reports

Semester 2 Reports will be sent home via email on Friday 13th December (Week 9). This will allow parents

the opportunity to make appointments to meet with teachers in Week 10 if they wish to discuss the

reports. Please ensure that if you have changed your email address that you notify the school office as

soon as possible so we can update your records. A reminder that you will need to add

castletown.ps@education.wa.edu.au to your safe senders list to ensure that the report comes directly to

your inbox (and not your junk mail).

Julie Fetherston Deputy Principal – Curriculum

K/PP News On Friday, the 20th September, the Pre-Primaries had an incursion from the Emergency Services of Esperance. The Police, Fire Brigade and Ambulance Services each brought one of their vehicles to the school and shared with the students what their role is in our Community. There was a blaze of lights and many blasts of sirens. The children were able to go in and view the vehicles and learn more about these valuable members of our community. Thank you to each of these services for coming and sharing with our students. These are some of the recounts written by our PP students after their visit. To view gallery – Click here

Today we had the fire truck and we had the police and the ambulance and we waved goodbye. And we squirted the hose and we went in the ambulance. By Lacey Browning EC 3 Today we went to the undercover area. We saw the firetruck and we got to spray the cones over and we got to see the police. We got to turn on the sirens and we got to see the Ambos and it was fun. By Lincoln Humphrys EC 3 Today at school the fire fighters

and the police came to my school and it was fun. By Sophie Bald EC6 Today my whole class and EC6 and EC3 went to the Ambulance and the Fire truck and the police car. And we got stickers. By Judd Bassett EC2

mailto:castletown.ps@education.wa.edu.auhttps://www.castletownprimaryschool.wa.edu.au/page/316

Years 1/2 POL News

All Year 1/2 students have worked very diligently studying Animals Around the World.

Room 6 students researched their animal during our Computer Lab session and some enthusiastic students

even studied at home. During Week 8 all Year 1/2 students completed their report for the Brightpath

Assessment. Well done everyone.

The new outdoor games equipment is certainly very rewarding for our Year 1/2 students. They are really

enjoying the variety of games and are having lots of fun.

The students of Room 6 begin each day with invigorating yoga. It helps them focus and work diligently.

We love that it's spring and have enjoyed learning about Hibernation. Our bears

are awake and happy as you can see. For the upcoming Book Fair next term, we

are studying a different classic tale each week.

Each day we attend school, we earn 15 minutes OSMO

reward time, to be redeemed during our Maths Rotation on

Friday afternoons. What a great way to end the week!!

We are all really looking forward to the school holidays.

Have fun and stay safe!!

Mr Moss Year 2 Teacher

Year 3/4 POL News Wongutha CAPS

On Friday 20 September the Year 4s had the opportunity to join in the NAIDOC celebrations at Wongutha CAPS along with several other local schools. Students had the opportunity to participate in a range of cultural and fun activities including drumming, rockwall climbing, gardening, art, tasting bush tucker, spear throwing, Dreamtime stories, and face painting.

Along with Mrs Dellaca, Mrs Wickstein, Ms Tonkin, Mr Burnett and Mrs Beardsmore, we boarded the bus and met our friendly driver Doug. He transported us safely to Wongutha and collected us again at the end of the day.

Mrs Dellaca and Mrs Wickstein are very proud of all their students. Some were very nervous about trying new things but persevered with great success. They represented Castletown Primary School beautifully.

On Friday 20th September Room 12 and Room 14 had an excursion to Wongutha CAPS. We each had a bus buddy. Mine was Isla and she was a good bus buddy. The first thing we did was gardening. We each planted beans and ate the best honey ever. We also went on the train and did drumming. Then it was recess. We ate our food and then we played a little. Then it was time to go to the rock wall. When we arrived to the rock wall the first four people got a harness. Then we started to climb. James and Oliver got to the top and rang the bell. Then we went to Art. We had a big banner and put all our hands on it and traced our hands. Then we painted leaves, rocks and boomerangs. After Art we went to storytelling. There were 4 people dressed up as kangaroos and telling us stories. Not long after we went to spear throwing. I threw the spear and it went through the kangaroo. Then we went tracking. We had to look for animals and tick them off our list. Soon it was lunch time. We had a sausage in bread and they were delicious. Then we had to go on the bus and go back to school. It was an awesome day. By Lucy Pechar.

On Friday the 20th of September Room 14 and Room 12 went on an excursion to Wongutha. We had to split into two classes because if we were together then there would be way too many children in one activity. First we went to the shade house to plant some beans in a pot. My bean had snapped at the stem and I asked my brilliant, Mrs Wickstein if I could snap it and if it would grow back, but she said she didn’t know, so I did it anyway. Room 14 and Room 12 all sat together for recess but my class was late because we were at the exhaustive rock climbing wall. I was nervous to climb all the way to the top but I tried it out.

At Wongutha we made some leaves for a kindness tree and once you had finished your leaf you would get a cute little butterfly to write a caring and kind note to someone to read when they are feeling down. After that our class went to story time. In story time we had kangaroos tell us a story. One of the stories was, ‘How the Birds got their Colours’ and the other one was, ‘How the Kangaroos got their Tails.’

Next my class did some spear throwing, I wasn’t very good at it. We also did some activities at spear throwing like throwing a spear at a cardboard animal, a contest to throw boomerangs, sticks and spears and animal tracking through the gardens.

After that we made damper and some people that went to the toilet missed out on it. We had to make the damper and then put it in to the fire to cook. We all got to taste some kangaroo tail. Next we all went to do some food testing and some of the food was weird looking. We ate kangaroo, emu, ostrich, seafood and goat. Some of it was very tasty. We had a wonderful day at Wongutha. By Rachel Smith.

Year 5/6 POL News

The build up to the Year 6 Camp finally bubbled over as the Campers excitedly arrived early on Monday 16th to depart for Camp Quaranup in Albany. We are looking forward to the myriad anecdotes that should be reported when the Campers return. What a difference without 60+ Year 6s in the play areas...the Year 5 Acting Councillors and Faction Captains have been doing a sterling job as the Leaders in the school.

Our Year 5 Acting Councillors and Faction Captains from Week 9 being presented with their badges at the Week

8 Assembly

The 5s and 6s learned much about the poisons associated with the smoking habit and a short video

reinforced the life-threatening dangers of smoking.

Room 10 enjoying doing sand art. Darnell and Mrs Stuart A very informative talk listening to presentation

The recent assembly was treated to a superb performance by the Year 5 Tap Dog Dancers. Congratulations boys.

Year 6 Room 21 have been learning much about programming with the recently arrived Ozobots - on loan from the University of Adelaide. Sadly, the Ozobots must leave shortly to frustrate and educate other students. A great experience was enjoyed by all. The Year 6s have been getting into Graduation mode with ideas flowing for a memorable occasion. However, it’s all a big secret so no more can be divulged.

Year 5

An exciting and busy time in Year 5, with the term wrapping up quickly! The Year 5’s received their NAPLAN

hardcopy results at the end of Week 8 which they took home to read and share with their families. We

hope this was a great chance for parents to view where their children are at and discuss their results. Well

done to all the Year 5’s who participated as they were the first cohort in our school to use technology to

complete each assigned task.

Eleven Year 5 boys, well-known as the ‘Tap Dogs’ presented an incredible industrial tap dance performance

at the ‘Celebrating Excellence in Public Education’ breakfast held at the Yacht Club last Wednesday. The

boys have been practising weekly for a term under the watchful and professional eye of volunteer Fiona

Ryan and the school Chaplain, Mr. Jake Meadley to master their skills, speed and accuracy of steps. The

additional use of props, such as a metal trash can, metal grates, sport equipment and street-style costumes

added interest and the inclusion of Queen music engaged the audience completely!

Throughout Term 3, Year 5’s has also been focusing on the properties and behaviours of solids, liquids and

gases in Chemical Science. They have discussed, observed, researched, investigated and mixed and

compared different materials throughout and many students have provided some interesting and

knowledgeable comments and explanations which have enriched our whole-class discussions and

understandings.

Term 4 is guaranteed to be another eventful term with, most notably, swimming lessons in Week 2 and 3,

and reports going home at the end of the semester.

Keep safe, happy and healthy over the school holidays and we will see you fresh and raring to go next

term!

Miss Tonkin and Mrs. Coupar

Year 6

Wow, wow and wow! What a week on

camp with the Year 6 students at Camp

Quaranup in Albany. A great place to have

our camp with lots of activities including

rogaining, archery and raft building… and

the food was also delicious!

Every single student demonstrated the

virtues of Castletown Primary school

everywhere they went. The teachers, Mr

Weckert, Mr Pansini, Miss Tonkin and Mrs

Rose were often told by the public how

well behaved and respectful our 61

students were.

The week was awesome with lots of interesting educational activities, a couple of games of Ten Pin

Bowling and a movie at the cinemas.

The group visited the Discovery Bay Historical Whaling Station and were provided with a history of whaling

in the area. Also, many were keen to visit the albino kangaroos… who were a little shy with all the visitors.

The WA Museum excursion was again full of history of convicts being sent to establish the first settlement

in Western Australia in 1826 with a lively storyteller who showed the students what life was like on the

Brig Amity, which transported the convicts to Albany. Its Aboriginal name is Kinjarling meaning Place of

Rain/Water.

The National Anzac Centre was very interactive for most of the students. Unfortunately, not all the groups

were able to visit due to a power outage and they had to close. So parents, if you are in Albany, check out

this wonderful display of WWI history that outlines the importance of Albany during this time.

Our final day home also included a ‘stroll’ up Bluff Knoll. The mountain goats took off up the hill through

some clouds whilst others were content to meander up as far as they could. The weather held off and the

view was exceptional!

Students in both classes are writing letter so of thanks to the various places we stayed and visited this

week, as well as working in pairs to create a PowerPoint presentation to present to the Year 5 students of

their highlights of being on camp.

Nicola Rose and Adrian Moore Year 6 Teachers

Assembly hosted by Room 8 September 13th

Room 8 courageously presented the Week 8 assembly with a focus on the virtue of Courage. They

entertained us with a well-practised choreographed dance and instrumental accompaniment to the well-

known song “The Lion sleeps tonight”. Their well-timed scarf actions produced a colourful and spectacular

display. Well done Room 8 for demonstrating the virtues of confidence and enthusiasm in your

performance and leading of the assembly.

Click here to view more photos from the assembly

https://www.castletownprimaryschool.wa.edu.au/page/315

Certificates of Merit

Year/Room Student

Year 3 Room 7 Nash Laird

Year 3 Room 8 Jordan Mackenzie

Year 3 Room 13 Tayah Whitehead

Year 4 Room 12 Isabelle Crawley

Year 4 Room 14 Arlie Cox

Year 5 Room 10 Bronte Florisson

Year 5 Room 11 Kayne Maguire

Year 6 Room 21 Lylah Heather

Year 6 Room 9 Chayse O’Shea

End of Term 3 Assembly

Today’s assembly was a showcase of Excellence as displayed throughout Term 3. Our Year 6 Councillors

led the assembly with dignity and professionalism which exemplifies the wonderful job they have been

doing throughout the school this year. They wrote the script themselves and spoke clearly with

confidence.

Our outstanding Choir performed their two songs from the Music Festival, demonstrating excellence in

their presentation and performance. Mr Tim Holland was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for

his contribution to the development of our choir.

Our Year 5 Tap Dogs danced their routine from their Excellence in Public Education performance. Their

excellent technical skills and enjoyment of this routine was evident today and the students are to be

commended for stepping out of their comfort zone and for their commitment and diligence in learning

their steps for the routine, and the teamwork they demonstrated, as they performed in time with each

other. Mrs Fiona Ryan and Mr Jake Meadley were also acknowledged for their outstanding contribution to

this project at the assembly.

Certificates of Outstanding Achievement Term 3

Year Room

PP EC2 Flynn Sylva

PP EC3 Grace Jeffes

PP EC6 Sophie Bald

1 1 James Woosnam

1 2 Nathan Forrester

1 3 Miley Lear

2 4 Marli Browning

2 5 Chelsea Richardson

2 6 Khloe Charles

3 7 Sophie Goodwin

3 8 Kye Altham

3 13 Bronte Hennessy

4 12 Ruby Heather

4 14 Chad Burns

5 10 James Guest

5 11 Kayne Maguire

6 9 Addison Daw

6 21 Tom Nesbitt

Excellence in Maths

Stephanie Bennier Eli Rickerby

Excellence in Art

Allira Bratten Heidi Hurrell

Excellence in STEM

Rhiannon Willis Theodore Roost

Excellence in Phys Ed

Bronte Florisson (Outstanding Sportsperson) Nicholas Toby (Most Improved)

Virtues Winners

Click here for more photos of our whole school Assembly.

RIBIT Readers

Congratulations to these wonderful RIBIT Readers.

Room Year Students

EC2 PP 80 nights- Savannah Hogg, Adelayde Humphrys, Judd Bassett, Flynn Sylva 100 nights- Flynn Sylva

EC3 PP 80 nights- Grace Jeffes

1 1 80 nights- Layla Gioriante, Izabella Rolton 100 nights- Kahlise Desmond, Heidi Hurrell, Sam Sullivan, James Woosnam

2 1 80 nights- Aaliyah Meredith, Eva Smith, Nathan Forrester, James Turnbull, Julian Butcher, Max Macalpine

3 1 100 nights- Amaya Nankivell, Eva Richardson, Lakyn Mackean, Kohen Unwin, Taj Laird

4 2 80 nights- Ava Burnett, Onali Herath

5 2 80 nights- James Boast 100 nights- James Boast, William Wright

6 2 180 nights- Kaylee Vermey 200- Beau Sylva

7 2/3 80 nights- Taliah Matthews 200 nights- Alyssia Bain

8 3 80 nights- Finlay Hunt, Paige Schnitzer, Zavier Richardson 100 nights- Paige Schnitzer

9 6 100 nights- Ollie Creedon, Isaac Francis, Coen Fels

10 5 80 nights- Georgia Durdin, Bronte Florisson, Darnell Sambo, Jarrod Curby, Druce Blythman 100 nights- Daniel Blakely, Madison Gordon, Ashley Gallop, Demi Hunter, Maddison Melville, Jorja Cooper, Dylan Rolton, Noah Rawle, Allira Bratten, Jupa Henning, Keeling Clarkson-Jones, Jessie Hennessy

13 4 80 nights- Cooper McMullen 200 nights- Kady Creedon, Lacey Zani, Dhakota Houston, Jack MacKenzie

14 4 100 nights- Shikira Munzer

Year Room Student Virtue

PP EC3 Lacey Respect

1 2 Julian Responsibility

2 4 Emma Sportsmanship

3 13 Remy Helpfulness

4 14 Zade Perseverance

5 10 Jorja Respect

6 21 Holly Respect

https://www.castletownprimaryschool.wa.edu.au/page/314

Dates to Remember

14th October First Day of Term 4 - Students

17th October Junior Crew Incursion (Years 3-5)

18th October School Development Day – SHOW DAY

21st- 30th October Year 4-6 Swimming lessons

1st November Year 4-6 Swimming Carnival

To view Community Events, click here

https://www.castletownprimaryschool.wa.edu.au/page/217