20 August 2020

Newsletter Articles

Important Dates

From the Principal’s Desk

It has been great to see so many parents/caregivers participating in our IEP or ITP meetings. It really shows how we are a community school and that together in partnership we can work to provide the best possible education for the students. We held our ITP sessions at the Rocks Church and feedback has been very positive. If you can’t meet in person, please ring or email the class teacher with your inputs.

I would like to thank all those parents who took the time to complete the national school opinion survey. The following link will close on 25 Aug 2020 For those who did a paper copy we will draw out the lucky prize raffle tickets on 26 August.

Our student councillors have been meeting with Mrs Athanasiou and the chaplain, Mr Van Der Westhuizen. They are doing great work around the school helping fellow students in the rec room and around the senior campus. They have come up with some great ideas about beautifying the school grounds and making the school a friendly and welcoming place for everyone. I look forward to working with the students to help them achieve their goals.

Breakfast Club is up and running on both campuses. It is well attended and the students often grab some toast or have a Milo before going to class. It is hard to work if you are hungry but also hard to work if you have too much food. Please contact your class teacher if you do not wish your child to eat at Breakfast Club - we are aware some students are probably doubling up. Teenagers use a lot of energy so having two breakfasts is okay however, if you are concerned please let us know.

The School Board met again recently and went through a number of agenda items - school finances and governance audit, school surveys and the revised parent handbook, which is available on our website, as well as a business plan target update. The next meeting will be in term 4 and is open to the public. If you would like to come, please contact the front office and make an appointment.

We showed a large group of prospective year 6 parents around the middle school campus with the help of our student councillors. We met in our therapy suites and they watched a school video, were given an information pack, had a Q&A session and did a school tour. We anticipate having two year 7 classes next year and may have a waiting list.

Andrew Wilson

Class Updates

7JS

Although the weather has changed during term 3, our attitude and enthusiasm hasn’t. We have started the term where we left off at the end of term 2. Jump Jam sessions are now a ritual routine of how we get our bodies prepared for the day. This term, we welcomed Ms Goodin into our classroom, who is the support and HASS teacher while Miss Coombe is on leave.

We have continued to work hard on our literacy skills through direct instruction, guided readers and language development through themes. We have moved on from the theme of 'the farm' to 'nursery rhymes' for the next four weeks. During enterprise, we have continued to make a great selection of pearler beads which are going to be made into keyring hangings, fridge magnets and paper clips. We will use this opportunity to work on our money skills when we start to sell these great designs.

The next event we have been working towards is the athletics carnival on Friday, 28 August.

Jacob Sands

7S

We have had a terrific start to term 3 with students returning after the break with a positive and mature attitude. It is good to see students begin the day showing great enthusiasm in participating in the morning fitness program, especially the 'Jump Jam' sessions. This term, we welcomed Ms Goodin into our classroom, who is the teacher for Health, Physical Education (Sport) and HASS while Miss Coombe is on leave.

It has been busy from day one this term. In literacy, students have been working hard in small group settings on their phonics, spelling and reading activities through Direct Instruction. The staff in the classroom are pleased to see the progress being made. Students have also been working hard during numeracy lessons and have started gaining confidence with numbers and improving in their time and money skills.

Literacy group

During enterprise lessons, we have been making beautiful products with pearler beads which are going to be made into keyring hangings, fridge magnets and paper clips. Students have all contributed, making their unique creations. It is good to see them stay focussed and work on the fine details of their product and take pride in their work. We have been calculating our enterprise expenses to decide on the sale price of our products. We are now working on orders that we have received from parents and staff.

Creating enterprise products

Tuesday is always a busy day as students are in option classrooms for most of the time. Cooking lessons with Mrs Armstrong are one of the favourite lessons for most students where they are continuing to make and taste some yummy treats. Design and Technology (woodwork) is also thoroughly enjoyed by most students where some excellent projects are being completed.

Enjoying cooking lessons

It was great to catch up with parents during IEP meetings and thanks to all parents who attended or got in touch via phone and email.

Susan Solomon

8M

This year is flying by. We have welcomed a new young lady, Jessica, into our class. Even though Jessica's arrival doesn't even up the girl to boy ratio, the girls were very excited to close the gap a little.

When surveyed, the students have said their most enjoyable things to do in class have been STEM and Art. In STEM the students finished building the human body, or “Fredrica”, as they elected to call her, on Minecraft.

In art, we are completing Chinese Cherry Blossom paintings and collage, which ties in with our new novel, “In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson” written by Bette Bao Lord. The story explores Chinese and American culture and is about a young girl who moves from China to America. She doesn’t speak English and knows nothing about western culture. It is a story about perseverance and opportunity, which also ties into our PATHS program.

Chinese blossom trees

When Mrs Martlew asked us about what we especially loved at school this term, our answers were varied:

We have a change in the class this term with Mrs Martlew now working Fridays, so she is with us every day. We still have Mrs Thomas, who teaches the class in Science and other subjects. She is also a year 10 teacher with Mrs Lockyer. We are looking forward to the remainder of the term.

Charline Martlew

Making magic bubbling potion in Science

8S

The early weeks of this term were spent on thinking about our learning, achievements and highlights so far. Students were asked to reflect on their progress and share their thoughts:

Pat Spadanuda

Collage of our achievements, highlights and learning

9C

Students received a certificate from the West Australian newspaper recognising their space questions submitted to KidsQs for Australian astronaut, Andy Thomas, who also gifted a personally signed photograph to the class.

Discussing a creative design project building a paper-mache solar system with Ms Thompson

Jac with his original design activity chosen during Ignite skills project

Learning about Indigenous culture, language and tribal regions during Aboriginal Studies

Listening to EBooks and sewing a cushion insert as part of Ignite hobbies and skills

Putting together and labelling recycle bins

Studying a Fortunate Life by AB Facey

Brendan Cunnane

9W

This term we have been enjoying time in our garden. We noticed that one of our citrus trees was covered in black aphids a couple of weeks ago. We thought that we might have to spray them with white oil, but when we went to the garden this week, we noticed that there were ladybirds all over the tree and they were enjoying a feast of black aphids. This is great because it means that our garden has healthy biodiversity and is becoming sustainable. We have also had worms arrive for our worm farm, and some of us are enjoying caring for them from week to week.

Jaydene getting to know the worms

In health, we have been looking at what a good friendship is. Healthy friendships are honest, supportive, comforting and have many other characteristics. We are currently watching 'Madagascar’ and identifying where the friends are demonstrating these positive friendship traits.

In Information and Computing Technology, we have been focusing on keeping safe when we are online. We practised identifying red flags that might make us uncomfortable when we are talking to people online. We have explored how we might create a digital footprint and how to minimise this.

Red flag warnings for ICT

In Independent Living, we are exploring where money comes from, how to keep it safe, different ways to pay for things, and we will be looking at budgeting soon.

Nathan and Cole learning about ways to pay

Aboriginal Studies this term began with Natasha coming from SERCUL to present an incursion about the Noongar Seasons and bush tucker. We were fortunate to have SERCUL donate a wide variety of bush tucker plants for our Indigenous garden, which we have spent time clearing and preparing the soil and planting out. A huge thanks to SERCUL for their generosity to our school!

Cole and Kiara planting the bush tucker plants

We have also spent some time continuing with our Community Service project of crushing cans. We will be taking these to the Cans for Change project later in the year to exchange them for money to donate to a charity. We are yet to decide which charity we will be supporting later in the year.

Henry crushing cans

In morning fitness, we have been practising different activities in preparation for the Sports Carnival that is coming up in week 6. We have been practising tunnel ball, hurdles, running, discus and shotput. We are feeling a lot more confident as we head towards the carnival in a couple of weeks.

In Science, we have been studying the Solar System. We have been using an app on our iPads, that has helped us investigate the different planets. We have then made our planets out of air-dried clay in Art, which has been fun. They are almost ready to hang up on display.

Rhoda Whelan

Our Solar System

10H

Year 10 Recreational Pursuits

The year 10 students are thrilled to be taking part in the Recreation Pursuits Program again. This term they will take part in bushwalking activities which will include: using a compass, orienteering, hiking skills and geocaching (Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System receiver and other navigational techniques to find containers, called "geocaches" at specific locations marked by coordinates).

The program takes place each Wednesday morning at Kent Street Weir (Weeks 2–6) and then at Shelley Foreshore (Weeks 7–10). Recreational Pursuits also aligns with our current DFES module and helps the students prepare and develop their outdoor skills which will be used at the excursion to Mount Dale later on in the term.

Walking through muddy bush tracks at Kent Street Weir

Year 10H DFES Training

10H has been extremely busy taking part in a variety of camping and bush skills activities. We started with learning about how to put up a tent, and now the students can easily do this in under 7 minutes.

Year 10H DFES Training

Our next task was to learn about cooking using the portable camp stoves in the garden. The students were able to cook noodles using the stainless steel billies. Next week we will be using the toast grills, and then we plan to use a large frying pan. The following photos show our cooking and erecting tent skills.

Practising camp cooking

Food Science Group cooks morning tea!!

The class was so lucky to be invited to a transitional morning tea organised by Mrs Brown’s Food Science class and Mr Hussein’s Community Service group. The students walked to the senior campus and were treated to a variety of finger food prepared by the senior students. Our favourite choice was the vegetarian sausage rolls, and the teachers loved the cucumber sandwiches. The senior students were very well organised, and the food was beautifully presented.

We would like to extend our thanks to Mrs Brown, Mr Hussein and students who spoilt us and made our visit so memorable.

Judi Janes

Year 10 transition morning tea

10LT

We said goodbye to Miss Jones at the end of week 2, for her to explore and start a new adventure of living and working in the United Arab Emirates. We now have two new classroom teachers who we are enjoying getting to know. Mrs Lockyer is our teacher on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (we have had Mrs Lockyer as a support teacher previously) and we have Mrs Thomas on Monday and Friday.

Some highlights this term have included bushwalking at the Kent Street Weir for Recreational Pursuits and participating in Individual Transition Plan Meetings to set goals for the next six months. Most students have also commenced a 4-week hospitality course with Good Sammy Enterprises and started work placement in a preferred industry of their choice.

The students’ favourite part of term 3 so far:

Jenny Lockyer and Carissa Thomas

Jarrod catching public transport

Farewell Miss Jones

Charlotte and Aaliyah on a break in pre-primary

Group 1

Term 3, Wowee! Everyone in Group 1 might not agree on all things, but there is one thing we DO all agree on: we have no idea where this year has gone! So far this term we have had our heads down, working away tirelessly on all of our SCSA units and endorsed programs. We are very excited to be going to the DFES camp at the end of week five and have been preparing for the day and overnight camp. We have welcomed Cameron Banks back to class after a long time away. Finally, our whole class is back together. We are happy to have Cameron back!

Things we have been learning about in class:

English - We engaged in online discussions about risky behaviour and ways to avoid risks. We also started building our vocabulary to describe a range of different feelings.

P Mathematics - We learnt how to plan a party for different numbers of people, changing quantities of items required and increasing or decreasing the budget.

F Mathematics - We learnt how to read and create different types of graphs. We also learnt how to multiply quantities in a recipe to cater to a larger group of people.

HPE - We have been learning about different styles of communication. We have also set new goals for the gym to become stronger and fitter.

ASDAN - We completed our art exhibition on common risks to personal safety and updated our portfolios.

DFES - We have been learning about floods as well as bush safety in preparation for camp.

Driver’s Education - We have been learning about the driving triangle and ways to reduce the likelihood of crashes.

Food Science - We invited both year ten classes (on different days) to join us for morning tea. The students chose the recipes, wrote shopping lists and prepared all of the food and table settings. Both morning teas were a great success.

Stephanie Brown

Enjoying morning tea with 10H

Group 2

We’ve had a great start to term 3 as all the students have settled very smoothly and have demonstrated a great deal of patience waiting for their ADWPL to recommence.

During English, the students have been discussing emotional wellbeing. The students were able to share and identify some useful techniques to be mindful and strategies in applying positive thinking when feeling upset.

In Maths, the students have been working out their weekly, fortnightly and monthly income and calculating their expenses. The students were able to recognise where the majority of their money ends up and identify some areas where they could save money.

In Health, the students have been discussing healthy actions in different areas such as: at home, school, local parks, shopping centres and leisure centres.

Healthy lifestyle posters

During DFES the students have been gearing up for our upcoming overnight camp in Mundaring. The students visited the campsite earlier this term. They have also been busy listing essential items to bring to camp and have been practising assembling tents.

Gearing up for camp

The students have undoubtedly been enjoying their Wednesday afternoons taking part in Music Rocks.

Mustafa Hussein

Enjoying Music Rocks

Group 3

We have had a busy start to the term, including some of the students participating in ITP interviews. The interviews were held at The Rocks, and it was pleasing to see all students setting new goals and personal challenges. Later this term, all students will have an opportunity to complete their interviews.

During DFES some students went on an excursion to Mundaring to visit the campsite. It was great to see our students getting excited about the camp and arrange with their employers to take time off to attend. During theory lessons, we are learning when and how to call an ambulance in an emergency.

In English, we have learnt about feelings and how to look after our emotional wellbeing. The students have completed a word list, and some have finished posters highlighting how to look after our emotional wellbeing. I am a big believer in physical activity and recreation to help with emotional wellbeing, and we are looking forward to starting ten pin bowling, bike riding and playing pool this term.

Emotional Wellbeing by Mitchell Keene

Some students haven't passed the theory driving test yet, and they have all been practising the tests online with support from staff and working hard during breaks from lessons. We have other students who are completing their logbook hours outside of school and having lessons with instructors and anxious parents.

Dwayne Griffin

Pathways

During term 3, the Pathways class has been participating in badminton, indoor soccer, dodgeball, Finska and table tennis for their recreational pursuits. The students have enjoyed using team-building skills as well as interacting with their peers.

On Wednesday mornings, students have enjoyed working out in the middle school gym with a health and fitness program. They look forward to these sessions each week to improve individual goals.

Cindi Griffin

Pathways

Design and Technology

Woodwork

Year 7 students have been busy making a dog-shaped money box. Students have had hand over hand assistance to use a scroll saw to cut out their projects in a dog shape. Acrylic was used to make a viewing window and a backing to contain the money.

Year 8 students are busy making a model F1 race car. There is a lot of work using a hole saw mounted in a drill press to make the different sized wheels. Students have also used a jigsaw to cut out the driver’s cabin.

Year 9 students have started making a wooden model of an Apache helicopter. There are a lot of individual parts to make, which involves using hole saws and wheel cutters in a drill press. Hand tools are also used to measure, cut and shape the parts needed to do this project.

Year 10 students are about to start making their major project for the year which is a footstool that has internal storage, a hinged lid and topped with a vinyl covered cushion. Students will cut out the vinyl and the foam rubber and then use a compressed air powered staple gun to assemble the cushion.

Enterprise

Year 9 Enterprise students trading as CANDO have been collecting aluminium beverage cans as a part of the Western Australian version of the Containers for Change scheme. Our students recently applied for a community grant from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. The grant application was successful, which means the students could purchase items like wheelie bins and can crushers to reduce their set up costs. It was exciting to see the students setting up their new equipment. Many thanks to those families who are collecting aluminium cans and sending them to school.

DFES Cadets

Year 10 DFES Cadet Level 1 students have been learning about all of the information that can be found on maps such as the key, grid referencing and contours that indicate the shape of the land. The group has been working with compasses to orientate maps and learning how to set bearings.

Tradestart

Tradestart students have been making a junior hacksaw that has involved cutting a thread using a thread die so that the blade can be tensioned. Students have used oxy-acetylene heating equipment to bend the hacksaw frame around a jig to form the hacksaw shape. It has been great to see students take ownership and display a sense of pride as their projects have neared completion.

PBS in Our School and Classroom

Student Reflections – Mrs Solomon’s year 7 students

Healthy Minds

Please click here for information regarding supporting the mental health of people with intellectual disability.

Katherine Athanasiou

School Chaplain

Welcome back to Term 3 - half the year has gone. I can't believe it! I've been here for almost six months, and you might not know who I am. My name is Justin. I get Justin, Sir, Mr V, Mr V Dub, Big J. I'll be curious to know what new names I get the next six months, hopefully, good ones.

You'll often find me playing a sport of some kind. I play table tennis, love basketball, soccer and footy. I am a diehard Fremantle Dockers supporter but please don't hold that against me. I have a passion for music and spreading happiness to those around me.

Please feel free to come and get to know me, give me a high elbow or a foot five and tell me about yourself.

Thanks for reading, I hope you stay safe and keep a positive attitude in everything you do.

Justin Van Der Westhuizen

Information from the Community Health Nurse

Dental Health – Keep your child’s teeth healthy

Teeth are important possessions. Here are some tips for keeping them healthy.

• Clean teeth, gums and tongue at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush.
• Adults and children should use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Toothpaste should be spat out after brushing and never eaten or swallowed. Do not rinse your mouth out with water after brushing your teeth.
• Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after brushing and store it hygienically. Replace your toothbrush regularly.
• Older children and adults should floss their teeth daily.
• Eating and drinking healthily are essential for keeping your teeth healthy. Try to stay away from too much sugar, especially between meals.

School Dental Service

The School Dental Service provides free general dental care to eligible school children at school-based Dental Therapy Centre. Eligible students are those:

• Aged 5 to 16 or until the end of year 11, whichever comes first.
• Attend a school recognised by the Western Australian Department of Education.

For more dental health information, go to the link below or second link below Contact your closest School Dental Therapy Centre or Dental Health Services on 9313 0555.

Amy Myles

School Psychologist

Hi everyone, I'm the new School Psychologist (provisional) for the Cannington Community Education Support Centre.

In the past, I have worked in the Wheatbelt and Southwest Regions, and I'm excited to be a part of the team here. School psychologists do a number of different things, including supporting mental health, behaviour and learning.

I am looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Luwandi Perera

Star Tech

There have been several articles recently about security concerns with the TikTok app. Recognising the widespread use of this, and other apps such as Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube, the eSafety Commissioner has arranged to conduct a number of free webinars about these apps. The webinars are designed for parents and carers. Upcoming webinars on this topic are scheduled for:

More details on, and the option to register for, this webinar can be found at the link below:

Note: The webinar times on this site are listed in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)

Stay safe, and I’ll catch up with you again in the next newsletter.

Pete Bazen

Office Information

Payments

Thank you to everyone who has paid their contributions. Just a reminder you can pay your contributions by EFTPOS, direct debit or by a payment plan. Please contact the office to arrange a payment plan. All contributions for years 11 and 12 students are compulsory. Our bank details are BSB 016 270 A/C 340822406 (when using online banking, please remember to state your student's name in the details box; otherwise we cannot identify the relevant student).

Middle School Parking

Please note that parking is not permitted in the driveway at the school’s entrance as indicated by the ‘no stopping’ markers and yellow line, as this causes a traffic jam on Wharf Street and is dangerous for students. Your cooperation would be appreciated. Parents are welcome to park down the side of the school near the bus bays.

Visiting the School

All visitors must sign in at Reception/Business Centre and receive a yellow visitor label.

Tanya Buchan

Waste Wise Schools tackles plastic and lunch waste

Plastic Free Term 3

Join schools all over WA in reducing plastic waste in Term 3 through the Waste Wise Schools Plastic Free Term 3 competition. Prizes include a class set of ethically made sandwich wraps and lots of sustainable individual prizes too. Simply run a plastic reducing activity at your school in term 3 and email the evidence to wastewise@dwer.wa.gov.au to be in the running to win. Any amount of plastic reduced at your school is already a big win!

Waste Free Lunch Toolkit

Just in time for Plastic Free Term 3 is our new Waste-Free Lunch Toolkit. It is packed full of ideas on how to run waste-free lunch days at your school, in-class activities, tools for the whole school and a section for parents too. It is now available on the Waste Wise Schools website:

Department of Communities – Community Engagement Sessions

The Department of Communities will be conducting community engagement sessions, open to all members of the public, on the establishment of a new disability office. They are keen to hear from a wide variety of people to gain feedback on what they think the functions and role of an office of disability should be and they would also like to inform the local Canning community to what is happening in this space.

More detailed information can be found on the Departments Communities website.

For those that are interested in attending a session, an EventBrite registration has been set up, and links can be followed by clicking on the link below.

Friendship Photos

Friendship Photos