24 March 2023
Affirmation ∼ “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” – Aristotle
Dear Parents/ Care Givers,
Thanks
A big thank you to the P&C for the Icy Pole Day on 10 March. Students are very much enjoying them on those hot days. Well done, parents and staff. Mr McIlwraith has worked extremely hard to get our NAPLAN Testing up and running – it is an enormous job and take weeks of planning and set-ups for students to do the tests with no disruptions or issues with media equipment. Thank you and to the staff team helping during the two weeks. Ms Asplin requires a big “shout out” as well. Our Early Close on 28 March (12.30pm) for staff/parent progress meetings are welcomed once again after a few years of not being able to run these. Thank you for the plan and implementation of it. Great job. The Parent Development Team has organized for Paul Litherland to attend the school – he is an ex-policeman and really knows his cyber bullying/media issues well and presents them with fantastic skill and interest. This is on all day 30 March at school and for parents on that night, commencing at 6.30pm in the Undercover Area (refer to the APP for information details. We have an exciting week starting the 3 April – it is Harmony Week and we have several wonderful activities planned – refer to the details in this Newsletter and the APP/Caladenia Website. Wednesday sounds particularly interesting with Food Trucks on site for a huge Picnic Event on the Green. Thanks to Mr Smyth for organizing the School Photos once again this year – this kicks off in Week 10 (4-6 April) – again, a very big task – thanks, Mr Smyth.
Traffic Flow and Parking
It is evident from observations in Bushy Gardens (entry side of school) that certain drivers are breaking the law driving on the wrong side of the street and playing a dangerous game weaving in and out of cars to get through to Kiss n Drive bays – students are going to be seriously hurt if these cars hit them crossing the road. Please observe the local rules we put in place for safety reasons – drive anticlockwise and place students in designated drop-off points and drive with care and follow the rules of the road. Thank you.
Our School
· We are receiving the occasional note from parents indicating we are not doing a great job with our communications. While we take these comments seriously and have alerted our staff to ways of improving the cycle of communication recently, we also ask that everyone reads Newsletters, APP notes and our website for information (including the Term Planners which are updated regularly). More often than not, information requested is within these media platforms.
· Interschool Summer Carnival takes place next Friday 31 March – please refer to the APP and emails for detailed information.
· The first two days of Term Two (Monday 24 April and Tuesday 25 April) are pupil free days at Caladenia – Monday we have a Moderation School Development Day and Tuesday is ANZAC Day Holiday) – school recommences on Wednesday 26 April.
Keep well, everyone. Have a great weekend.
THOUGHT: “I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” – Thomas Jefferson
Ted Nastasi
Principal
School News
Student Achievement
Congratulations to Jonah from all his friends in Room 15 for his recent win at an international Jiu Jitsu competition in Singapore where he won a gold medal. We’re so proud of Jonah and all his amazing achievements!
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
Harmony Week Celebrations
Monday 3rd April – Harmony Day Assembly – 8.40am in the Undercover Area
Tuesday 4th April – Coffee and Tea Morning 9.30-10.30am
Wednesday 5th April – ‘Living in Harmony’ Event 3-6pm
Thursday 6th April – Wear Orange Day
Friday 7th April – Good Friday – Public Holiday
Class News
Year 1 Room 8 – Mrs Evans
Room 8 Year One Pyjama Day!!!
We have been having lots of fun in Year One! On Friday 10th March, we loved wearing our pyjamas to school and raised $44.00 for Telethon. It was the best day because we were all so comfy, especially Mrs Evans.
That afternoon, we went into the sandpit to be real life palaeontologists. We used our rulers as digging tools and tried to find small plastic dinosaur fossils in the sand. It was a bit tricky, but great fun as well. We love our work in Year One!
Year 4 Room 34 – Miss Roberts
In Science this term, Room 34 has been learning all about Biological Science. We started off with looking at the life cycle of a tomato plant and thought we would try and grow our own! It is still a work in progress, but hopefully, later in the year we will have some fruit to show for our hard work. When we started growing our plant, we did some research on the anatomy of plants and how fruit grows. Did you know bees are the number one pollinator for tomato plants?
This research took us to designing and building our own bee board games. The purpose of these games was to teach others about the importance of bees in pollination, but also to have fun at the same time!
School Board, P&C News and Community News
Caladenia P&C are selling Icy Poles
at the school gates for
$1 each
Friday 24th March
See you at the gates today!
P&C’s BUNNY BREAKFAST
BEFORE SCHOOL FROM 7.30am to 8.15am
UNDERCOVER AREA
NEXT FRIDAY 31 MARCH 2023
HOT CROSS BUNS $2
WITH JUICE $3
Don’t forget to RSVP via the P&C box located in the front office.
See the office ladies for slips or download from the app.
CALADENIA VIP PARKING SPACE
RAFFLE/FUNDRAISER!!!!
Are you frustrated with the L-O-N-G Pick up and drop off
lines at school?
We have a solution for your daily line challenge.
Caladenia P&C will raffle off 1 VIP parking spot each term.
If you are our winner you will be able to skip the lines and head straight for your VIP PARKING SPACE located in the main Staff Carpark at the front of the school, kindly donated by our Deputy Principal Mrs Asplin.
Tickets will be on sale Monday 27th March $2 per ticket
Winner will be announced Thursday 6th April
Ready to begin your VIP experience for the entire TERM 2
Please return tickets/cash to P&C box
at the rear of the office. Extra tickets are available from the front office.
1 PARKING SPACE UP FOR GRABS EACH TERM
Affirmation – ” Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.” – Og Mandino
Dear Parents and Carer Givers,
Fat Cat
Today marks an important event for us as a community. We were acknowledged for the work we did for Telethon in 2022 and for the student ambassadorial connection to Telethon 2023. Fat Cat arrived with great excitement from our students. He presented our ambassadors with their badges and certificates. Fat Cat came to say thank you to our amazing community for the support that was given to Telethon in 2022 and to launch our 2023 campaign to raise as much money as possible for sick kids in Western Australia. The lucky kindy and pre-primary students also got to meet this state icon.
Thank you, Mr. Smyth and Lee Vivian, from the Telethon Institute for making the connection with Telethon and our school. PJ Day is a wonderful way of showing our support for sick children in WA, raising over $1200 in 2022. Thank you, Caladenia community. We will let the community know how much the student leaders raised after the remaining kindy classes have their PJ Day on Monday.
NAPLAN 2023
NAPLAN commences next week, Wednesday 15 March and continues until Monday 27 March. Most Testing will be completed by the 24 March. Students in Year 3 and Year 5 will be tested with this Nationally operated process to obtain an understanding of how our students are performing across Australia in literacy and numeracy.
P&C
Thank you to our wonderful P&C for the tremendous work they do to encourage community spirit in our school community. Funds raised all go towards the students in the school to purchase equipment, resources and learning materials for our children.
Thanks, Michelle to you and your Team of supporters.
Traffic Flow and Parking
This morning, I witnessed a dangerous and hair-raising scene from several family cars driving on the wrong side of the road up Bushy Gardens, narrowly missing a car coming the other way. Please be patient or a child may suffer the consequences of illegal driving. Again, the expectation of parents and the staff of the school is to
Travel anticlockwise around the school in your car, exiting at several roads on the way round the site – this simple process ensures that children are always let out on the school side and do not cross over the roads into school
Do not park in Kiss n Drive bays -parents behind you are waiting to drop off their children and leave – these bays are monitored by Rangers and they will issue fines. You should spend no longer than 1minute at any time in these bays, but best to drop and go.
Do not park in driveways of neighbours’ homes or on lawns or cross overs (footpaths and walking areas have children on them and presents an extreme danger to them walking to school, as you can’t see them below the horizon of your rear vision mirror.
Use lawful rules of the road to access the school area
Arriving Early
Some families are dropping students off at school as early as 7.00am. You must know that the school has no responsibility to these children’s duty of care. We love our children and never want any harm to come to them – that is why we have rules and guidelines for our students and families.
COVID NEWS
A new wave of COVID is already in WA. Many children and adults are succumbing to COVID for a second or more times – each time (research is telling us) the effect on our internal systems become increasingly at risk of damage. So please,
Wear a mask inside buildings where there are many people
Do not come to school if you are unwell with sniffles, coughs or flu-like symptoms as we normally stray home during times of flu outbreaks
Wash hands and always sanitize
Our School
· The school staff carried out its Survey of Year 3, 4 and 5 Students (mandated every two years in every school) and the responses showed
o 331 responses (160 girls and 171 boys)
o Very high satisfaction rates in all responses (mid to high 90% satisfaction)
It was reassuring to know that students like and respect our school staff and leadership teams with such positive resolve. Thank you, Caladenia students. We also believe you are very special and we care greatly for each and every one of you. We will publish the results on our website next week.
· Please check your Term Planner 2023 on the Caladenia website for all activities and important events.
· Our Senior Assembly this morning celebrated our Award winners and the Year 3, 4 and 5 Year Level Captains received their badges. Well done, everyone.
Keep well, everyone. Have a great weekend.
THOUGHT: “Minds are like parachutes, they only function when they are open.” – James Dewar
Ted Nastasi
Principal
School News
Year 1 Teddy Bears’ Picnic
On Friday the 24th February our year ones held the Teddy Bears’ Picnic. It was a wonderful afternoon with parents, students and bears all enjoying the sunshine and a delicious lunch together. Thank you to everyone who came along to this event.
Pictured below : Mr Smyth, Mr Nastasi and Mr McIlwraith
Student Achievement
Over the long weekend a Matteo participated in the State Teeball Championships with his team Willetton Wildcats.
The team played two games each day over the three day long weekend. Matteo managed to score a double out in one game by catching the batter out and tagging the third base runner.
Matteo also achieved a milestone over the weekend by achieving his 50 games in teeball. Congratulations Matteo, what a fantastic effort.
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
International Women’s Day 
On Wednesday the 8th of March, our classes celebrated International Women’s Day. Whilst any day of the year is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the wonderful achievements that women have made and contributed to society, it is also a great opportunity to raise awareness that we need to continue to encourage everyone to create a more inclusive world and challenge opinions as well as stereotypes. Empowering women promotes girls and women’s sense of self-worth, determine their own choices and their right to influence social change for themselves and others. By working together women and girls will have – equal opportunities and be empowered to become who they wish. It will also provide chances and help them plan for their futures, where they can realise their full potential.
I thought this quote from Serena Williams is a great message that we can embrace: Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on. – Serena Williams
Paula Asplin
Class News
Pre Primary Room 1 – Mrs Harper
The Pre-Primary students have been working hard on learning about living and non-living things. We know that living things breathe air, need food and water, can grow and ‘have babies’ (reproduce). In class we have learnt specifically about plants as a living thing, its parts and what plants need to grow big and strong. The students were confident in creating and labelling a flower (see photos) with seeds, flower, stem, leaves and roots. As a class we each planted a bean seed and have been watching it grow. We now have visible roots and some small seedlings. We are hoping this week our plants will develop strong stems and grow taller like the one in the photo.
We can’t wait to see what will grow on our little plants!
Year 5 Room 28 – Miss Dos Santos
In Year 5 science this term, we have been focusing on the topic of ‘light.’ We have learned how light travels and have created ray diagrams to show the path light takes to help us see. Last week we conducted an investigation to see what happens to a beam of light when it travels through water. Here is Room 28 making predictions, conducting the investigation and recording their observations.
School Board, P&C News and Community News
The Caladenia Primary School Board operates in an environment of transparency and trust with the School Staff. The new staff empowerment model 2022 (new structures showcasing staff leadership) allows the School and Board to be connected in its planning and decision-making processes. All staff in the school are involved in direct decision-making processes and recommendations pass through Collaborative Teams, Curriculum Teams, Well-Being Teams, Executive and the Leadership Team (mostly teacher reps). Decision making involves all of these structures.
The community of Caladenia views the Board as an avenue of checks and balances to ensure that the school community is affecting its aspirations through sound educational planning and implementation processes. The Board is very much valued as an instrument of support and positive development within the school structures.
In 2022, the Board members deliberated and implemented
• Reviewing the Targets and objectives of the Business Plan 2021-2023
• Whole School Improvement Plan 2023
• Quality Teaching and Learning Policy, Handbook 2023
• Strategic Plan 2023
• Financial planning and recommendations for the Staffing and Cash Budgets 2023
• Road Safety/Parking Issues
• Restricted site size
• Supporting events and positive reinforcement of the school’s intents to its community
Icy Poles are Back!
Caladenia P&C are selling Icy Poles at the school gates for $1 each
Friday 10th March
Monday 13th March (Kindy Only)
Friday 17th March
Friday 24th March
See you at the gates!
Friday 31 March 2023
Before school from 7.45am to 8.15am
Undercover Area
HOT CROSS BUNS $2
With juice $3
Don’t forget to return your slip with the number of people attending to the P&C box located in the front office. Please see the flyers in the office or on our school stream app for more details
Book Club
The next issue Closes Thursday 23 March 2023
Cash orders will no longer be accepted. All orders must be completed online using Loop.
24 February 2023
Affirmation ~ “Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.” – G.K. Chesterton
Dear Parents/ Care Givers,
Thank You
Your belief in our school, staff commitment, student care and challenge and explicit planning has created a dynamic learning environment envied by many around this country, as evidenced this week in the West Australian Newspaper, Channel 7 News and Sunrise TV. We have known for some time that we do extraordinarily well in student achievement and we work hard in developing our students’ emotional and psychological growth on a daily basis. We have wonderful children in our care and we are so proud of them for challenging themselves to “be the best they can be”. It is clear now that it is not the school expounding its virtues but expressed by objective parties that we are indeed a quality school that does exceptional work with its students, year in and year out.
Thank you staff, children and parents for the support you give our school to make it the best we can make it.
Year One Teddy Bear’s Picnic
It was terrific to see the large number of parents attend this Picnic on the lawns today. Thank you for the connections you make with the school and for the wonderful comments made about our school today. The Picnic was a great success with students and parents enjoying their lunches together.
Well done, Year One staff – a terrific success.
Public School Review
Next term, our school will be assessed and reviewed by the Dept of Education in all aspects of our operation. The Panel will be interviewing parents, Board Members, staff and students in the five Domains of Review. This is a thorough assessment of how we are going and what we need to improve.
We look forward to the process.
Traffic Flow and Parking
This is a reminder that we continue to experience issues with traffic flow and parking around the school. For all new families, the expectation by other parents and the staff and children of the school is
- Travel anticlockwise around the school in your car, exiting at several roads on the way round the site – this simple process ensures that children are always let out on the school side and do not cross over the roads into school
- Do not park in Kiss n Drive bays -parents behind you are waiting to drop off their children and leave – these bays are monitored by Rangers and they will issue fines. You should spend no longer than 1minute at any time in these bays
- Do not park in driveways of neighbours’ homes or on lawns or cross overs (footpaths and walking areas have children on them and presents an extreme danger to them walking to school, as you can’t see them below the horizon of your rear vision mirror.
- Please drive with patience and care and do not overtake to get out of the area quickly
- Use lawful rules of the road to access the school area
- We may issue fines on school grounds if families continue to ignore the safety and good sense of other people doing the right thing in our on-site parking – again, please use the areas during pick up and drop off with a sense of fair-sharing with all other parents – they too want to drop off and go – please use common sense and manners when parking.
Please do the right thing by others, be patient and be sensible. A few extra minutes wait can’t hurt.
Arriving Early
Some families are dropping students off at school very early (some as early as 7.00am). You must know that the school has no responsibility to these children’s duty of care and if they go missing, we have no idea that they are missing until the attendance is taken at 8.35am by class teachers. We love our children and never want any harm to come to them – that is why we have rules and guidelines for our students and families.
Parent Development Team
A meeting of this Team will be held on 2 March to confirm and set parent sessions and events for the year – one that they have organized already is the Paul Litherland Cyber Safety Night for parents on 30 March. Thank you and well done, Team.
COVID NEWS
A new wave of COVID is expected in the next month or so. Whenever you can,
- Wear a mask inside buildings where there are many people
- Do not come to school if you are unwell with sniffles, coughs or flu-like symptoms as we normally do during times of flu outbreaks
- Wash hands and sanitize at all times
Our School
· Our recognition of excellence has been appreciated greatly by the staff at Caladenia.
· It is with great pride that I can inform you that we are being considered as one of only a few Centre for Excellence Schools in the State to support the development of Quality Teaching and Teaching for Impact initiative.
· NAPLAN this year has been changed to Term One Week 7 and 8. This change has been set by the Dept of Education and National Government
· Please check your Term Planner 2023 on the Caladenia website for all activities and important events.
· Assemblies have started this year. We have only this week finalized the structure of the Assemblies from discussions with staff. Full Assemblies will operate from 10 March. The Student Executive operate all Assemblies and have been training and doing very well in the preparation and delivery of our practice ones this term. Thank you, Student Executive.
· Year Level Captains have been selected for the whole school Student Council (run by the Senior Student Executive) – these Captains represent and meet with Class Reps from their year level to take suggestions and ideas to the full Council for decision-making. They are doing a wonderful job with many ideas flowing already.
We are hoping that the year will be filled with some joyous activities and community spirit building with our wonderful Caladenia P&C and School Board and staff.
Keep well, everyone. Have a great weekend.
THOUGHT: “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John R. Wooden
Ted Nastasi
Principal
School News
Year Level Captain Elections
The Year Level Captains were chosen and elected on Tuesday 14 February. The Student Executive all met up at recess and interviewed each and every class representative to get to know them better.
We started off by splitting the students into their year level group, with each group accompanied by the Student Executive, and made sure that they were settled and comfortable. We asked the students questions about what they like in Caladenia and what they would change within the school.
After we finished interviewing them, we began to make the big decision. We are all very sure about our decisions and trust that these students will lead their year with responsibility. We are looking forward to this new addition to the Whole School Student Council!
Tara, Head Girl
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
Class News
Year 2 Room 2 – Miss Zakarias
In Year Two this term we have been busy learning all about similes and metaphors. It has been so much fun, but best of all, it has made our writing super creative and descriptive. Here are some of our ‘Simile Ice-creams’ and ‘Rainbow Metaphors’ we worked so hard completing.
Year 6 Room 42 – Miss Lincoln and Mr Johnson
The students in Room 42 have started the year (our final year in primary school!), reflecting and expressing gratitude for the influential role models we have had over the years. We decided to take the time to write a former teacher a letter of thanks, for how they helped build our character and for the help they have given us over the years. Gratitude is a theme that we will be examining throughout the year as we take the time to reflect on our years spent here at Caladenia. We all have ups and downs, but one thing is certain, we all have things we are grateful for.
School Board, P&C News and Community News
Next P&C General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 2 May 2023 at 7.00pm in the school staff room.
Caladenia 2023 P&C Office Bearers:
President: Michelle Morley
Vice President: Chelsea Walker
Treasurer: Stacey Walker
Secretary: Mel Watts
caladeniapandc@outlook.com
What is a P&C?
P&CS, short for Parents and Citizens, exist to promote the schools interests, facilitate the schools development and raise funds to provide extra resources for the benefit of our Caladenia Students.
TERM 1 P&C FUNDS:
v New outdoor shade sail Marquees for carnivals and other outdoor activities.
v Book donations to school Library in honour of beloved book club coordinator Kelly Baynes.
TERM 1 P&C EVENTS:
Icy Pole Sales:
10, 17 &24th March
13th March – Kindy Only
Easter Breakfast
31st March
VIP Parking Raffle
Winner announced 6th April
A staff member of the school is donating their car bay for a period of time to the winner of the raffle
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
School Phone Number
6258 9350
Text Absences
0417 984 196
Excelsior Dental Therapy
9256 4170
Caladenia App
School Stream
Uniform Concepts
9270 4669
30 Kembla Way, Willetton 6155
School Hours
School starts at 8.30am
Recess 10.35am
Lunch 12.55pm
School finishes 2.30pm
Office Hours
Monday to Friday
8.00am – 4.00pm
For payments please see the front office. We accept cash, EFT and Direct Deposit