Centre School for Excellence 2023-2026
A Place to Learn, Belong, Achieve and Thrive
Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank You for Your Patience
Thank you to our school community for your patience and understanding during the recent issues with our internet, network and telephone systems. We understand how important clear and timely communication is for families, and we are currently exploring ways to strengthen how we communicate – both in general and in the event of any future disruptions.
P&C – Mother’s Day Stalls
Our P&C met on Wednesday evening to plan and vote on future events; however, there were not enough members in attendance to proceed. As a result, upcoming events cannot be confirmed at this stage.
I’m sure you all remember the Bunny Breakfast at the end of last term and the wonderful sense of community these events create. While we are incredibly grateful for the strong support we receive from volunteers, P&C meetings require a sufficient number of attendees to formally vote and approve events. Without this, these much-loved opportunities for our students and families may not be able to go ahead.
The P&C will be rescheduling the general meeting shortly. If you are able to give a small amount of your time to attend, it would make a significant difference. Your presence helps ensure these special events can continue for our school community.
On a more positive note, our wonderful P&C once again organised the Mother’s Day stalls, providing students with the opportunity to purchase a special gift for their mums and grandmothers. Thank you to our P&C for their continued efforts, and to our families for your ongoing support – it is greatly appreciated.
Reporting Progress to Parents – Friday 15 May – Booking Information
This week, information has been shared regarding TryBooking for our upcoming Reporting Progress to Parents meetings. A reminder that this will be a pupil free day, allowing teachers dedicated time to meet with families.
Please note:
- Only one booking per child is required
- If you feel a longer meeting is needed, please arrange this directly with your child’s teacher
- This ensures all families have the opportunity to meet with teachers
Our School Focus: A Place to Learn, Belong, Achieve and Thrive
Our current Business Plan comes to the end of its cycle this year. During our recent Staff Development Day, staff worked together to reflect on what we value most for Caladenia Primary School moving forward.
Through these discussions we reaffirmed that everything we do is guided by our shared focus:
A Place to Learn, Belong, Achieve and Thrive.
Our aim is simple: for every child to succeed, no matter their starting point
For our students and community, this means:
- Learn – building strong skills, confidence and a love of learning
- Belong – feeling safe, included and valued as part of our school community
- Achieve – being supported to do their best and make progress in their learning
- Thrive – developing the wellbeing, resilience and confidence to succeed both at school and beyond
You will see this reflected in our classrooms, our events, and the way we work together as a community. It guides our decisions and helps ensure that every child is supported to grow, feel connected, and experience success.
Waste Free Wednesdays
As part of our commitment to sustainability, we continue to look promote ‘Waste Free Wednesdays’. We are challenging our students to bring a ‘Nude Food’ lunchbox – it is simply a lunch packed without any throw-away packaging. Everything in the lunchbox should be either eaten, composted, or taken home in a reusable container.
We are hoping this simple change will help reduce the amount of plastic ending up in landfill and keep our beautiful Western Australian school grounds clea
YES PLEASE (Waste-Free) ✅
Reusable snack bags or beeswax wraps
Food in reusable containers (Bento boxes are great!)
Fruit and veg (nature’s own packaging!)
A refillable water bottle
Metal or bamboo cutlery
NO THANKS (Try to avoid) ❌
Plastic cling wrap or silver foil
Single-use “zip-lock” bags
Individually wrapped snacks (muesli bars, chips)
Juice boxes, pouches, or plastic water bottles
Plastic spoons or forks
Harmony Week Celebrations
Our Harmony Week celebrations were a wonderful success and a true reflection of our inclusive and connected school community.
A special thank you to Tina Jones for organising the Family Event, and to Louise Ewing, Katia Stirling and Andrew Frost for the beautiful Art Installation and the powerful “Bee Kind!” message.
We also extend our appreciation to Belle Connolly, Liz Rivett, Andrew Frost, and special guest David Rivett for their work in playing and organising the Harmony Week Assembly. The song choice was fantastic and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Thank you also to the many staff working behind the scenes who helped bring the week together—your efforts are truly valued.
ANZAC Day Assemblies
Our ANZAC Day Assemblies were respectful and moving commemorations. Thank you to Cody Lam, Phil Chandler, Belle Connolly, Liz Rivett and Andrew Frost for their leadership in preparing the event.
We also acknowledge the significant contribution of our Deputy Principals and Office Staff for their work behind the scenes, and a special mention to Louise Ewing for organising the beautiful poppies that decorated our assembly area.
We were honoured to welcome special guests Mr Sam Lim (Federal Member for Tangney), Mr Terry Healy (Member for Southern River) and Terresa Lynes (Mayor of the City of Gosnells), who all commented on how meaningful and well-presented our commemorations were.
Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons will commence for some classes next week. Please ensure that all clothing and belongings are clearly labelled, as we often accumulate a large amount of lost property during this time and it can be difficult to return unnamed items.
A lot has already happened so far this term, and I look forward to continuing to connect with your as I see you around the school each day.
Kind regards,
Paula Asplin
Principal
Thoughts: “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated” R Collier
School News
Our applications for Kindy 2027 are now open.
If you have a child born between 1st July 2022 to 30th June 2023, you are now eligible to enrol for Kindy in 2027.
Application forms can be collected from the front office. All applications are by appointment only and accepted between 9am and 2pm.
Please call 6258 9350 to book.
Caladenia Student Achievement
At Caladenia, we love showcasing our students’ sporting achievements and events, as well as any other interests that they would like to share with our Caladenia Community.
If you have something your child would like to share, please email along with photos to the email address below:
Justine.arnold@education.wa.edu.au
Premier’s Reading Challenge
Discover the magic of reading and be rewarded with the Premier’s Reading Challenge 2026
Escape into a world of exciting stories, develop a love for reading and log your activity for a chance to win weekly prizes.
Established in 2022, this annual program is designed to make literacy fun and encourage all Western Australian students to explore the joy of reading.
Sign up and start your reading adventure today! 🚀✨ The challenge kicked off on 23 March and runs until 12 June 2026.
Follow the link below to join
ANZAC Day Commemoration at Caladenia
Caladenia students were invited by Mayor Terresa Lynes to take part in the City of Gosnells RSL ANZAC dawn service this year by creating paper poppies for the display, along with many other schools in the area. This was a lovely event for our wonderful students to contributes towards, and help out in our local community.
Back on our school grounds, students all made poppies to add to our delightful ANZAC horse along with poppies to go into the grass area.
On Tuesday the 28th April, Caladenia Primary School held two special ANZAC Day assemblies to honour and remember those who have served our country.
Throughout the assemblies, students participated in a range of meaningful activities. Our school community joined together in song, including a moving rendition of Lest We Forget. The Last Post was played, followed by a minute of silence, allowing everyone time to reflect. Our talented IMMS students accompanied the singing with their instruments, adding a beautiful and respectful atmosphere to the occasion. During the upper school assembly, special guests, Mr Sam Lim Federal Member for Tangney, Mr Terry Healy Member for Southern River and Ms Terresa Lynes Mayor of the City of Gosnells attended, and laid wreaths as part of the ceremony.
A highlight of the event was the display of poppies created by Caladenia students during art lessons. We had two visual displays, the ANZAC War Horse and the ANZAC poppy. We also had hand maid poppies arranged in baskets outside the assembly area, serving as a powerful visual reminder of remembrance and respect.
We are proud of the way our students conducted themselves and honoured this important day in Australian history.
Harmony Day
Harmony Week was a bright and joyful celebration of the diversity that makes our school community so special. Throughout the week, students participated in a range of activities focused on inclusion, respect, and learning about each other’s cultures and backgrounds.
Our Harmony Day Family Night was a highlight, with families coming together to enjoy food trucks, view the students’ amazing artwork and connect as a community. It was wonderful to see families enjoying time together and celebrating the rich diversity that strengthens our school.
On Thursday, Caladenia was a sea of orange as students and staff joined in Wear Orange Day to share the message that everyone belongs. Many students also proudly wore cultural and traditional dress on Friday, giving everyone the chance to celebrate the cultures represented across our school.
The celebrations culminated in the whole‑school assembly, where the beautiful Harmony Day songs reminded us of the importance of kindness, understanding, and unity.
ART – Harmony Day
INDIVIDUALLY WE GROW, TOGETHER WE BLOSSOM
This year for Harmony Week, our students have been exploring the visual theme of bees and how culture connects us all as we live, work, and play together in Harmony. Year One created colourful flowers, to represent our wonderful students in blossom. Year two created detailed pattern bees working hard together in our Caladenia Hive. Year three focused on the colours and symbols from their backgrounds to represent the cultural diversity our school is made up from. Year 4 created one large bee, with each student adding a small section of palette knife painting. Year 5 designed culture postage stamps inspired by their home countries to recognise and celebrate all cultures around the globe. Year 6 students focused on positive words to express what we can be as individuals, to make our hive here at Caladenia a positive place to bee.
Like busy Bees, our wonderful students, staff, and community work hard each day, contributing towards the inclusive environment we are lucky enough to call our school. Our Caladenia hive is filled with many cultures, near and far across the globe, working hard in harmony.
Harmony Week is a beautiful occasion that allows us to celebrate all that makes us unique and how we connect, inspire and share our cultures each and every day.
Cross Stitch Club
This year the Year 6 students have been offered the chance to learn cross stitch in a lunchtime club. The students are creating their own pattern to stitch a bookmark. They must first choose symbols for the colours they are using. Using a set grid size they set about using the symbols to chart a symmetrical pattern. Some students have chosen one line of symmetry and some have chosen two. Once their pattern is created the exciting part of learning how to cross stitch following their own pattern commenced.
The hardest part for all students has been the separating of the stranded cotton and then the dreaded…. threading of the needle! Although this has sparked fear, dread and frustration in all the students the celebration when it is finally threaded is so worthwhile. That is until… they slip the needle off the thread and must start again 😊. Boys and girls are found in Rm 37 often complaining about how lunch time is not long enough as they want to continue stitching. Some students have finished their initial bookmark and are now venturing into following a commercial pattern to stitch something else.
Students are welcome to come along to have a go whenever they like. Room 37 with Mrs Weissflog at 1pm on Wednesdays. Bring your lunch and enthusiasm!
Class News
Kindy Room 3 – Miss Ellis/ Mrs Sunkar
Our Kindy students had the pleasure of being visited by Fairy Rebecca. Fairy Rebecca dazzled them with song, dance and storytelling. They learnt about the senses using bubbles, bees and rainbow scarves. Our students thoroughly enjoyed the experience which ended with a fascinating story about finding a pet.
MAC Room 19 – Mrs Smith
Room 19: Leading the Charge for Sustainability and Science!
It has been an incredibly busy and productive few weeks in Room 19. Our students have stepped up as leaders, educators, and budding scientists, showing a fantastic commitment to both our school environment and the natural world.
Becoming Waste Free Warriors
Our classroom has officially launched the Waste Free Wednesdays initiative! The mission is simple but vital: encouraging every student at Caladenia to reduce single-use plastics and rethink how we pack our lunches. The students of Room 19 have been the driving force behind this campaign. To spread the word, they have:
- Presented to individual classes, explaining the importance of being a “Waste Free Warrior.
- Taken the stage at the senior assembly, delivering confident and persuasive presentations to their peers.
- Designed vibrant posters which you may have seen displayed around the undercover area and school corridors.
This is not just a one-off event; Room 19 will be continuing this campaign throughout the year, monitoring waste levels across the school each week to see the positive impact we are making.
A Buzz About Science: The DPIRD Bee Incursion
In addition to our environmental work, our science curriculum came to life recently with a special visit from Kate at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). As part of our term’s science focus, students had the unique opportunity to learn about the critical role bees play in our ecosystem. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the observation frame, which allowed students to safely observe live bees in action. Kate was thoroughly impressed by the high level of knowledge our students displayed. They asked insightful questions and showed a deep understanding of biosecurity and the natural world.
Whether they are monitoring the school’s waste or studying the intricate lives of bees, the students of Room 19 are proving themselves to be thoughtful and engaged citizens.
P&C and Community News
Bunny Breakfast
Leeming SHS is pleased to share with you an exciting opportunity for your year 5 students to apply for entry into one or more of our Specialist Programs for 2028, through our selective testing application process. We are offering students in Year 5 the opportunity to now apply for these sought after placements and have their selection, and enrolment, into Leeming SHS confirmed for the start of Year 6, ready for Year 7 in 2028 at Leeming SHS.
Many year six students over the past years have applied and been successful in being selected for one of our approved Specialist Programs. These include – Japanese Specialist, Science and Technology Academy Specialist and additionally possible entry to our Academic Extension Program. Students from near and further afield to Leeming SHS have sought placements in our programs. Leeming SHS fosters a nurturing environment by developing strong relationships with our students and supporting them to achieve their goals. With our personalised student-centred approach in all we do and being a mid-sized school with an enrolment of 1200 students, we are in a unique and well positioned learning environment to support our students’ academic pursuits in an inclusive and wellbeing focused environment. It’s a feature that sets us apart from the larger schools. It’s the reason why so many families are keen to seek a specialist enrolment placement in Japanese or the Science and Technology Academy for their child and to complete secondary schooling with us.
Applications for selective entry into the programs have now opened and close on Friday 18 September 2026. Testing days are planned for Saturday 24th October and Saturday 31st October this year. Families will be contacted from our school reception regarding the details. All details about our school and Specialist Programs and pathways can be found on our website www.leeming.wa.edu.au or through this link Specialist Programs – https://leeming.wa.edu.au/specialist-programs/
