Centre School for Excellence 2023-2026

Great Students, Great Staff, Great Parent, Building Greater Communities

Dear Parents and Carers,

Our school is a busy place, and the last couple of weeks have been no exception – our NAPLAN tests finished last Friday. We would like to thank all our staff for their support during this time. Many people took on new roles to support the students and to ensure that the process went smoothly.

The P&C held their Second-Hand Uniform and Icy Pole sale. Which was a great success! There were lots of students and families, all either purchasing an icy pole or stocking up on extra uniform pieces. Families, please remember to label all your child’s items so that they don’t get lost.

We also have some new information that we would like to share:

SustainabilityOur MAC class has been exploring sustainability and taking a closer look at how much waste we produce as a school community. Through their research, students have been surprised by the amount of rubbish that ends up in our bins each day – and they are eager to make a positive change!

To support this, we are excited to introduce Waste Free Wednesdays, which will start on Wednesday, 1 April.

On Wednesdays, students are encouraged to bring lunches and snacks that create little to no waste. Members of the MAC class will be visiting classrooms to share ideas and help everyone understand how they can take part.

How can families support this initiative?

It’s all about reducing what we throw away. Simple changes can make a big difference, such as:

·         Packing food in reusable containers

·         Using reusable beeswax wraps instead of cling wrap

·         Avoiding single-use packaging where possible

·         Choosing whole foods that don’t require wrappers

By working together, we can significantly reduce the amount of rubbish our school produces and help our students develop lifelong sustainable habits.

The MAC class will be launching this initiative at our Senior Assembly on Wednesday, 1 April. Please come along and support their presentation.

Clubs

We are incredibly proud of the initiative and leadership our students are showing across the school!

Recently, a number of Year 4 students came to share their idea of starting an Art Club during lunchtime. With the support of our wonderful Art teacher, Mrs Ewing, they are excited to begin working on creative projects that can be displayed around the school for everyone to enjoy.

In addition, some of our Year 6 students have proposed a wonderful idea: starting a Playgroup Club for our Pre-Primary and Kindy students. They are looking forward to visiting the younger classes, teaching new games, and encouraging inclusive play during break times.

We have also heard from our Year 5 team, who are keen to introduce a Chess Club, which will give students another opportunity to challenge themselves and develop strategic thinking skills.

Next term, we are excited to launch these three new lunchtime clubs, adding to the range of activities already available to our students. It’s fantastic to see students thinking creatively about how to make break times more engaging and inclusive for everyone.

Keep an eye out for an upcoming poster with details about which clubs will be running each day!

Thank you for your ongoing support as we celebrate and encourage student voice and leadership within our school community.

Riding to school

It’s wonderful to see so many of our students riding their bikes and scooters to and from school – what a great way to stay active and support a healthy lifestyle!

We do, however, ask for your support with an important reminder. We have received a number of concerns from local residents about children riding across lawns and, in some cases, damaging sprinkler systems.

We kindly ask all students to be mindful of our neighbours by:

·         Riding or scooting on footpaths rather than on lawns

·         Respecting private property

·         Taking care when travelling to and from school

We value our positive relationships with our local community and appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations with your children.

Thank you for helping us keep our school environment safe, respectful and considerate for everyone.

Next week will be the last week of Term 1! The P&C will be holding the Bunny Breakfast on Thursday, 2 April. The Bunny Breakfast runs from 7:45 am to 8:15 am. Come along for a delicious breakfast before school. They are also running an Easter Raffle; make sure you get your tickets in by Wednesday, 1 April. There are some great prizes! If you have time to support the P&C at the Bunny Breakfast, please sign up at https://volunteersignup.org/8FLAM. The P&C will really appreciate your assistance. Come along, and you may be lucky enough to see the ‘Easter Bunny’!

I know it’s a week early, but we hope you all have a wonderful break, and we look forward to seeing you in Term 2. Enjoy your break, and stay safe.

Kind regards,

Paula Asplin

Thought: “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison. 

Traffic and Parking

School News

Waste Free Wednesdays

 Coming Soon: Waste-Free Wednesdays! 🌿

Starting in Week 9, Wednesday 1st April and continuing into Term 2 our school is launching Waste-Free Wednesdays.

Every Wednesday thereafter, we are challenging our students to bring a “Nude Food” lunchbox. This simple change helps reduce the amount of plastic ending up in landfill and keeps our beautiful Western Australian school grounds clean.

What is a “Nude Food” Lunchbox?

It’s 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.

YES PLEASE (Waste-Free) ✅

• Food in reusable containers (Bento boxes are great!)
• Reusable snack bags or beeswax wraps
• Fruit and veg (nature’s own packaging!)
• A refillable water bottle
• Metal or bamboo cutlery

NO THANKS (Try to avoid) ❌

• Juice boxes, pouches, or plastic water bottlesPlastic cling wrap or silver foil
• Single-use “zip-lock” bags
• Individually wrapped snacks (muesli bars, chips)
• Plastic spoons or forks

3 Simple Tips for Parents

Buy in Bulk: Instead of buying 6 small yoghurts in plastic tubs, buy one large tub and spoon it into a small reusable container. It’s cheaper and better for the planet!
The “Scrap” Exception: Don’t worry about apple cores or banana peels— these will decompose quickly and naturally.
Prepare Ahead: Try unwrapping snacks at home and popping them straight into the lunchbox compartments.
Why are we doing this?

Did you know the average Australian student creates about 3kg of lunchbox waste every year? By going “Nude” on Wednesdays, our school can save thousands of pieces of plastic from entering the environment. Thank you for supporting our student “Waste Warriors” in making our community a little greener!

HARMONY WEEK 21st April to 24th April

School App

Our school App is called School Stream and you can download it for free. It is an essential resource for parents to have as we use the app for all communication. It is also advised to keep your notifications setting turned on as, at times, it may be the only way the school can communicate.

Download the School Stream app today!

Student Achievement

Noah in Year 6 has achieved qualifying times to compete for the 2026 Aqua Technics WA Junior Championship which will be held this weekend at Perth HPC. This championship recognises and awards the top Junior swimmers across Western Australia throughout the 2025/26 Long Course Season and Noah will be competing against the best swimmers in the state.

Congratulations on your remarkable achievement Noah.

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

A “Bee-utiful” Incursion in Room 19

This week, the students in Room 19 were treated to a fascinating visit from Kate Powell of DPIRD as part of our Science focus this term. Kate shared her expertise on the vital role of bees in our environment and the importance of monitoring the Varroa mite. Our students were absolutely captivated, demonstrating fantastic engagement as they examined live bees safely within a demonstration frame.

They also had the unique opportunity to study preserved samples of native Western Australian bees, learning how to identify the species we might find in our own backyards. To top off an incredibly educational day, Kate kindly gifted every student a pot of honey to take home and enjoy. The students were ‘buzzing’! It was a truly “bee-youtiful” experience for everyone involved!

Wear you Sports shirt

On Wednesday this week we held “Wear your favourite team shirt day”. There was such a great variety around the school of favourite teams from AFL, soccer, netball and local community sports. We raised a total of $873.05 that will go towards Starlight Foundation. Thank you to everyone who donated.

Class News

Pre Primary Room 5 – Mrs Patton

Our Pre‑Primary students have been exploring 2D shapes and building their understanding of patterns through hands‑on learning. This week, students created their own pictures using a variety of 2D shapes, proudly sharing and explaining the shapes they chose and how they used them in their artwork.

They then extended their learning by designing vertical 2‑step and 3‑step patterns using different 2D shapes. The creativity and enthusiasm they brought to these tasks were wonderful to see.

Take a look at some of the amazing creations our young mathematicians produced.

Year 2 Room 28 – Miss Dos Santos 

The Year Two students in Room 28 have been developing their understanding of nouns, with a special focus on the difference between common nouns and proper nouns. They learned that common nouns refer to general people, places, or things, while proper nouns name specific people, places, or things and always begin with a capital letter.

The students participated in a creative activity called “Proper Noun Pizza.” Each student designed their own pizza and filled the pepperoni pieces with examples of proper nouns. They carefully selected and wrote the names of specific people, places, and things, ensuring they used capital letters correctly. We love having our proper noun pizzas on display in our classroom!

Year 6 Room 33 – Mr Watson

Mr Watson’s Year 6 classroom, Room 33, has been hard at work this term, diving into a range of engaging and thought-provoking learning experiences. In English, students explored the differences between real and fake news, developing their ability to question sources, identify bias, and think critically about the information they encounter. They even began creating their own real and fake news articles, applying persuasive language and creativity to make their stories believable and engaging.

In Mathematics and our integrated curriculum work, students investigated number plates to create and interpret graphs, strengthening their data skills in a fun and meaningful context. We also explored concepts of above and below sea level, helping students build a deeper understanding of measurement, negative numbers, and real-world applications. It has been fantastic to see the class growing in confidence, curiosity, and independence across all learning areas.

P&C and Community News

Please check the lost property located in the Sheoak block if your child is missing any items. We have quite an overflow of water bottles, clothes and glasses.

If you place your child’s name on items and they are found, we can return them to the classroom.

April School Holiday Camps

First Week

Tuesday 7th – Friday 10th April 2026

9 years and under [ eg minimum 6 yrs]

[ 9.00am – 3.30pm daily]

Second Week

Monday 13th – Friday 17th April 2026

9 years and over

[ 9.00am – 3.30pm daily]

Please visit www.willettonbasketball.com.au via the ‘’ Program ‘’ page

where you will find Holiday Camps

Wishing all our Caladenia families a safe and happy Easter and a wonderful break. Term 2 commences Tuesday, 21st April 2026

Centre School for Excellence 2023-2026

Great Students, Great Staff, Great Parent, Building Greater Communities

Dear Parents and Carers,

It is amazing to think that we are already in Week 6 of our first term of the year.

In our classes, we are encouraging our students to become more independent, as we know that this fosters their confidence and supports their development of resilience. Our teachers are encouraging self-care tasks – such as packing their own bags, promoting problem-solving skills, etc. We would like to ask for your support in encouraging your child/children in developing these skills as well. The key strategies that support our children in developing more independence is through setting high expectations, establishing routines, and fostering a growth mindset to build confidence and resilience. Some ways that you can help your child/children and support what we are doing at school is to:

·         Encourage Self-Help Skills – encourage children to manage their own belongings, such as packing school bags, organising homework and managing their lunch boxes.

·         Foster Decision Making – offer limited choices (e.g. choosing between 2 options) to teach responsibility and reduce power struggles, allowing them to take ownership of their decisions

·         Promote Problem-Solving – instead of immediately fixing issues, ask prompting questions to help children navigate challenges and learn from mistakes

·         Establish Routines – create consistent daily routines for morning preparation, homework, and evening, which helps children become self-sufficient

·         Encourage Accountability – assign age-appropriate chores and responsibilities, such as cleaning their room, or preparing snacks, to build a sense of duty

·         Support Risk-Taking – allow children to take age-appropriate risks, such as managing social situations or navigating school independently, to build confidence and resilience.

·         Maintain Open Communication – keep in touch with your child’s teacher/s to support your child’s learning and encourage them to share their accomplishments.

·         Praise Effort, Not Outcomes – focus on the process and effort, rather than just the result, to encourage a growth mindset

·         Listen and Support – take an interest in their schoolwork, hobbies and social life, while allowing them space and privacy as they grow.

So, what else has been happening at our school – we have had a busy few weeks. This week we welcomed our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to share their ideas. Last year when we met, we discussed having a plaque in our school acknowledging the First Nations people and looking at creating a ‘yarning circle’ for our students and community. This recent catch-up gave our families the opportunity to share their ideas on the wording that they would like on a plaque and what they would like to see in the design of the ‘yarning circle’. We will be creating plans and seeking quotes to determine the costing for the ‘yarning circle’ and then create a timeline for it. We are hoping to include our families as well as local Indigenous communities to support us and involve our students in this project. We are hoping to start this project soon.

Also, this week, our Year 3 and Year 5 students have been involved in NAPLAN assessments, and this will continue through until next week.

Next week the Kindy classes are having their incursion from ‘Fairy Rebecca’. We are looking forward to hearing from the students about the incursion. ‘Fairy Rebecca’ has visited our Kindy and Pre-Primary students before, and the children always enjoy her visits.Swimming is due to start next term from Week 3. Please check your child’s folder to make sure that you have received the information. We do require consent and forms to be completed by families so that students can attend swimming lessons. If you haven’t received the information, please contact the administration office and they will be able to provide you with new forms. It is important that we get the forms back as soon as we can, so that the staff at the recreation centre can organise the different swimming groups for our students.

Our P&C have organised for a ‘second hand uniform’ and icy pole sale on Friday 13 March.

Both of these events will be held in the undercover area starting at 2:30pm. The P&C are always looking for volunteers and would appreciate as much help as they can get.

The P&C also have the Bunny Breakfast Event – a school favourite – on Thursday, 2 April. This event starts at 7:45am and goes through until 8:20am. It would be great to see everyone come along and enjoy some time together. Again, if parents can help out for this event the P&C would be grateful for your support. Alongside this event the P&C hold the Easter Raffle, make sure that you get your tickets in – we all know that you ‘need to be in it to win it!’

I continue to look forward to talking with you all as I move around the school before and after each school day. If there is anything that I can assist you with I am happy to talk with you.

Kind regards,

Paula Asplin

Principal

Thoughts:

“Practise isn’t the thing you do once you are good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good.”

– Malcolm Gladwell (author).

School Events

Assembly

Our next Junior Assembly will be on Wednesday 25 March, it will be held in the undercover area. The Assembly starts at approximately 8:40am. We look forward to seeing you all there.

School News

School App

Our school App is called School Stream and you can download it for free. It is an essential resource for parents to have as we use the app for all communication. It is also advised to keep your notifications setting turned on as, at times, it may be the only way the school can communicate.

Download the School Stream app today!

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 1 Room 10 – Miss Lewis

Room 10 has had an exciting and creative week! As a class, we have been practising how to write structured recounts, and this was the very first-time students wrote one independently. Students followed an instructional video to learn how to make their very own paper plane, carefully folding and testing different designs. Once the planes were ready, everyone headed outside to see how far they could fly. Some soared an impressive distance across the playground. After the fun of flying, the students reflected on the experience by writing detailed recounts about making paper planes, capturing the challenges, discoveries, and joy of hands‑on learning.

P&C and Community News

TODAY 2.30pm

Sunday 15th March 2026

Raffle tickets were sent home with family representatives this week. If you would like extra tickets, they are available in the front office.

April School Holiday Camps

First Week

Tuesday 7^th – Friday 10^th April 2026

9 years and under [ eg minimum 6 yrs] [ 9.00am – 3.30pm daily]

Second Week

Monday 13^th – Friday 17^th April 2026

9 years and over

[ 9.00am – 3.30pm daily]

Please visit www.willettonbasketball.com.au via the ‘’ Program ‘’ page

where you will find Holiday Camps

City of Gosnells – Holiday Programs

 

 

 

Centre School for Excellence 2023-2026

Great Students, Great Staff, Great Parent, Building Greater Communities

Dear Parents and Carers,

We hope that you all had the opportunity to join the ‘Meet the Teacher Meetings’ last week. If you have any queries regarding any of the information that was shared, please do not hesitate to speak with your child’s teacher or contact the office, we are always happy to help and clarify any information.

Our current Business Plan concludes in 2026, marking the completion of an important chapter and the beginning a new phase in our journey. We are proud of the progress we have made and the strong foundations we have built. Through ongoing reflection and review of our student outcomes, we have identified areas for growth and have already begun implementing strategies to strengthen teaching and learning across our school.

Together, we will design a strategic plan that reflects who we are and who we aspire to be – a collaborative community of learners committed to excellence, equity and continuous improvement for all.

Our focus will be firmly on the whole child – social and emotional development alongside, nurturing academic growth – while also fostering a culture where staff feel supported, valued and empowered to thrive professionally and personally. We believe that when both students and staff experience strong wellbeing – learning and achievement flourish.

This process will be inclusive and thoughtful, grounded in our shared commitment to students, staff and community. Feedback from last year’s parent survey has already provided valuable insight, and we look forward to engaging further with you and our School Board, to shape a plan that reflects our collective aspirations and ensures every learner is known, valued and supported to succeed.

Senior Assembly Wednesday 25 February

We had some special guests attend our Senior Assembly this week. Mr Sam Lim, Federal Member for Tangney and Mr Terry Healy, Member for Southern River presented our student executives with a new Australian Flag. We are very grateful to both Mr Lim and Mr Healy, for taking time out of their busy schedules to visit our school and present us with a new flag.

Student Leaders 2026

We are proud to announce our 2026 Student Leaders, a dedicated group of students who will play an integral role in our school community this year.

As representatives of the student body, they serve as a vital voice for their peers, helping to shape our school environment and foster a strong sense of belonging for all. Each of our student leaders embodies the qualities of outstanding student leadership: they are committed to listening thoughtfully, demonstrating a genuine compassion, and strengthening their connectedness to our school.

They are all eager to continue developing their confidence as they lead. We congratulate our 2026 Student Leaders and look forward to the positive impact they will make across the school.

2026 Student Leaders

Student Executive

Rafan Z (Head Boy)
Dhrithi M (Head Girl)
Abdullah A (Deputy Head Boy)
Lucy W (Deputy Head Girl)
Ahil S
Sukhreet K
Jax I
Sanvi C
Aviv A
Emma S
George H
Olivia Y

Faction Captains

Green
Nihilash P
Angel V
Gold
Eric P
Revva A
Blue
Caleb S
Imogen C
Red
Simrit M
Ariana T
Faction Vice-Captains

Green
Lani W
Cherilyn L
Gold
Aiden M
Natalie L
Blue
Nadine A
Aryan S
Red
Evyaan B
Claudia W
 Music Captains

Zachary M
Martina W

School Board

Our School Board is entering an exciting new chapter, with several new members joining us following the completion of tenure for five dedicated board members. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our outgoing members; Monique Wood, Muktesh Vig, Sam Xie, Lauren Manuel (teacher) and Chao Sun, for their outstanding service, commitment, and unwavering support of the school community. Each brought valuable perspectives as parents, staff and community representatives, enriching board discussions and helping guide thoughtful, student-focused decisions. Their contributions have strengthened our school in meaningful ways, and we are truly grateful for the time, insight and care they have shared.

We now warmly welcome our new members and look forward to the enthusiasm they will bring as we continue working together to support the success and wellbeing of all our students.

Our board consists of:

Board Chair: Carole Veneris (community)

Deputy Board Chair: Steve Andreazza (parent)

Parents:

Kumutha Subramaniam

Hasnein Tareque

Abhishek Sharma

Oumilludevi Soopramanien

Pajkaj Jain

Syed Amir Mahmud

Sachin Arya

Community:

Kush Kumar Shinghal

Staff:

Chloe Rowe

Crystal Millar

MCS (non-voting member): Sue Iskra

Principal: Paula Asplin

Centre for Excellence

We are continuing our work with the Centre for Excellence in the Explicit Teaching in Literacy as a Centre School. As part of this program our Intern schools will be visiting our school on Friday, 6 March.

On-Entry Assessment

This week our Pre-Primary teachers will be conducting the On-Entry assessments for our Pre-Primary students. This assessment is conducted for all Pre-Primary students in Western Australia in Term 1 each year.

The assessment focuses on literacy and numeracy skills, including language, reading, writing and counting. It involves the teachers interacting with the students one-on-one. There is no pass or fail in this assessment, it simply tells us where our students are starting from and then helps us to plan and deliver targeted learning programs to address the needs of every child. Parents will be provided with a parent summary report at the conclusion of the assessment.

NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy)

NAPLAN for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 is a routine annual assessment of student skills in reading, writing, and numeracy held each year. This year the NAPLAN assessments commence on Wednesday, 11 March through until Monday, 23 March. The assessments are designed to provide a snapshot of progress and identify areas for support.

More information will be coming to the parents and carers of the Year 3 and 5 students shortly.

I continue to look forward to talking with you all as I move around the school before and after the school day.

Kind regards,

Paula Asplin

Principal

Thoughts:

“All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and somebody who believes in them.”

– Magic Johnson. (former professional basketball player)

School Events

Assembly

Our next Junior Assembly will be on Wednesday 4 March, it will be held in the undercover area. The Assembly starts at approximately 8:40am. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Traffic Flow and Parking

School News

Caladenia School APP

Our school App is called School Stream and you can download it for free. It is an essential resource for parents to have as we use the app for all communication. It is also advised to keep your notifications setting turned on as, at times, it may be the only way the school can communicate.

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 5 Room 11 –  Mr Papineau

This term in HASS, students have been exploring Australia’s journey from Colonisation to Federation. We have been learning about early settlements, why they were established, and what life was like for different groups of people during this time.

To bring our learning to life, students created posters encouraging free settlers to migrate to Australia as part of a new settlement. They carefully considered the opportunities that would have attracted settlers, such as land ownership, employment, and the promise of a fresh start. The creativity and persuasive language displayed in their posters was fantastic, and we are very proud of their efforts!

Year 2 Room 16 – Miss Chan

In Year 2 Room 16, students have been exploring Biological Sciences. We began by learning about living and non‑living things, focusing on how to identify and differentiate between them. Students have also been introduced to the structure of the scientific method and are becoming young scientists themselves!

Over the coming weeks, we will investigate how sunlight affects the growth of plants. To begin our experiment, students learned how to safely handle soil and planted their very own seeds. Throughout Term 1, we will observe and record the growth of these plants, comparing those placed in direct sunlight with those kept in indirect sunlight.

We are excited to see what our young scientists discover!

P&C and Community NewsPlease check the lost property located in the Sheoak block if your child is missing any items. We have quite an overflow of water bottles, clothes and glasses.

If you have placed your child’s name on their items and they are found, we can return them to the classroom.

 

Melville Senior High School Specialist Programs

Applications are open for Year 7, 2027

Gain access to unparalleled opportunities where your child can excel in their passions and prepare for a successful future.

Melville Senior High School offers Approved Specialist programs in:

• Aviation
• Graphic Design Media
• Netball

We offer School-based programs in:

• Music
• Academic Extension

Want to know more? Book into our School Tour using the below QR code.

Apply today at: https://melville.wa.edu.au/school-programs/

Applications close Friday 13 March 2026

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

School Phone Number

6258 9350

Caladenia App

School Stream

Uniform Concepts

9270 4669

30 Kembla Way, Willetton 6155

Excelsior Dental Therapy

9256 4170

School Hours

Gates open at 8.15am

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

W.A. NAPLAN TOP 20 SCHOOLS – 2024

Centre School for Excellence 2023-2026

Great Students, Great Staff, Great Parents, Building Greater Communities

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you all for a great start to 2026. The students are all settling in and the teachers are establishing their classroom routines. On my walks around the school, the students and families seem excited to be back at school.

Lost Property

Our lost property is located in the Sheoak block. There are a lot of items there that were left over from 2025. If your child is missing any items, please check this area. This is a great opportunity to make sure that all your child’s items are labelled, so if they get left behind then we will be able to make sure that it is returned to them.

Student Birthdays – Party bags and Gifts

Teachers will continue to acknowledge and celebrate your child’s birthday within their classroom to ensure each student feels special on their day.

However, we are no longer able to allow party bags of gifts to be handed out to students in the class.

Previously, we asked that if parents chose to provide party bags or gifts; they not include food items due to the wide range of allergies and cultural dietary requirements within our school community. Unfortunately, some party bags or gifts that have been provided have not followed this request, and in addition, some have included small toys that may present a choking hazard, particularly for our younger students.

To ensure the safety of all students and to allow staff to focus on teaching and learning, party bags and gifts will no longer be permitted for distribution in classrooms.

P&C

Our P&C held their AGM on Monday, 9 February.

We would like to share our special thanks to the committee members who have stepped down from the executive roles. We would like to thank Stacey Walker, for her work as the treasurer, Yvette Dunn-Moses as the Vice President and Kylie Chapman as our Book Club coordinator. We are very grateful to all of you for the wonderful job you did to support our school and the P&C.

The details of the new committee are as follows:

President:                              Leanna Roos

Vice President:                     Blessing Henry-Nwosa

Secretary:                              Tania Martellotta

Treasurer:                              Akiv Rohekar

Book Club:                            Michelle Morley

Executive Members:            Natasha Lammas, Sophia Koa, Michelle Morley, Yvette Dunn-Moses and Birsel Genc

Please offer your support to our P&C. They play a vital role in our school in supporting a sense of community and organising events that bring families together. If you can volunteer for any events or would like to join as a member, please contact one of the people mentioned above.

Explicit Literacy Lessons and UFLI Australia

This year our Pre-Primary to Year 2 classes will be introducing a new method for teaching high-quality literacy instruction to our Literacy Blocks. UFLI Australia links with the University of Florida Literacy Institutes (UFLI) program, which encompasses more than twenty years of research into the effective teaching of phonics. Research shows significant reading gains for students using the program, promoting deep understanding and decoding skills. This program is embedded in the science of reading; it systematically builds essential skills for decoding and proficient reading. The teachers in Pre-Primary to Year 2 will be sharing more information about this in their Meet the Teacher meetings next week.

School Assessments

Last year we introduced two new measures for monitoring progress across all year levels in the school, throughout the year. We introduced Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS), which provides information about students’ capabilities across several different aspects in reading. It measures whether each student is making adequate progress or requires additional support.

The second measure we introduced was Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) for both Reading and Mathematics. PAT for Reading and Mathematics are reliable assessment tools that are research based and have continued to be developed and built on over a significant period of time.

We will be continuing with these assessments this year and will be commencing these assessments shortly. Once the assessments have been conducted we will evaluate the information and determine if students need further assistance and what specific area assistance is required. If your child is identified in this group, we will be in contact with families to discuss how we will be supporting their child further.

As a school, we will continue to reflect on our assessment tools and support students’ learning through our teaching.

We all enjoy the holidays and the time that we get to spend with our families is valuable. Whilst valuing family time, regular school attendance is strongly linked to student growth and improved achievement.

Students who attend regularly tend to build relationships with peers and teachers, develop crucial social skills and experience a sense of belonging. Regular attendance also promotes the development of important life skills such as responsibility, time management and the ability to overcome challenges. Good attendance habits in all years, including the early years of school, can lead to improved long-term academic outcomes and future opportunities. Studies also consistently show, that the higher the attendance rate students tend to perform better academically and are more likely to succeed.

Missing school can disrupt learning patterns and make it harder for students to grasp concepts. Attending school every day goes far and beyond: it instils a sense of importance of commitment. Each day missed widens the gap and can make it stressful, disheartening and challenging for students.

Fostering an environment that values education begins at home. As parents, your approach and attitude toward school and learning, significantly influences your child’s perspective on attendance. This includes discussing the immediate benefits of learning new things, the excitement of making friends and developing a routine.

We are grateful for the support that our families give our school and in understanding the importance of regular attendance. If you require further support in helping your child overcome obstacles related to regular attendance, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Thoughts:

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” – Dr Suess

I look forward to seeing you around the school and catching up with you this term.

Kind regards,

Paula Asplin

Principal

School Events

Meet the Teacher Meetings

Next week, we have the Meet the Teacher meetings for the different year levels. Please check the time and day on School Stream, for your child/children’s year level.

Assembly

Our first Junior Assembly will be on Wednesday 18 February, it will be held in the undercover area. The Junior Assembly is for Pre-Primary to Year 2 students. The Assembly starts at approximately 8:40am. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Traffic Flow and Parking

Thank you to all the parents using the Kiss ‘n’ Drive on Bushy Gardens, we are having success with parents using the Kiss ‘n’ Drive correctly and it is working much better. Parents, please remember that the City of Gosnells request that all school families observe the traffic rules around the school:

·         The Kiss ‘n’ Drive is not a parking zone – do not park in a Kiss ‘n’ Drive bay, or on Bushy Gardens in front of the Visitors parking

·         Do not park on the footpath on the other side of the Kiss ‘n’ Drive

·         Do not park on the wrong side of the road

·         Always be aware of children on roads and footpaths

·         Observe the 40km/hour speed zone around the school – it is there to protect our children

School News

Caladenia School App

Our school App is called School Stream and you can download it for free. It is an essential resource for parents to have as we use the app for all communication. It is also advised to keep your notifications setting turned on as, at times, it may be the only way the school can communicate.

Scan the barcode below or Download the School Stream app today.

 

 

 

 

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

This week’s Super Star….Over the holidays Ivy, in Year 4 was invited to compete in the National Dance Competition on the Gold Coast, Queensland. With over 1000 dancers from all over Australia Ivy took out 5th place nationally along with an Expression award and Power-House performance award.

Congratulations Ivy on your outstanding achievement.

Class News

Year 1 Room 30 – Miss Williams

Year One, Here We Come!

The students of Room 30 have arrived with bright smiles and excitement, ready to start a fun year of learning and growing together in Year One.

As the Year One students stepped into the classroom on their first day, they spotted a special soccer ball name tag waiting just for them, turning the whole class into an instant team!

We then played some entertaining getting to know you games, which allowed the students to chat and discover fun things about each other. To top it off, the teacher shared a photo of when she was back in Year One!

The students then created their own ‘All About Me’ flower craft. Each student drew their favourite things on each part of the flower and shared their choices with their friends. The finished flowers were displayed in our classroom, helping everyone learn more about their new classmates.We have had a wonderful start to the year and look forward to sharing many more happy days together!

Year 6 Room 37 –  Mrs Weissflog

Year 6 Room 37 have started the year working on the skill of cursive handwriting. You will find our 30 diligent writers working quietly first thing every morning as they ready themselves for the day with practise of the letters we have already learnt.

We are learning how to slope our writing as well as how to form the cursive letters. The students are working hard to remember that slowing their writing down to form the letters correctly, is better than having to rub out letters and redo them. Many are consistently reflective as they recognise a well written letter and a not so good one.

All students are already providing evidence of beautiful penmanship and are very excited about moving towards linking their letters together … eventually. Year 6 has started with many new things with students handling all changes with maturity and patience. We are very excited for what the final year of Primary School will include and are approaching everything with a ‘can do’ attitude and growing resilience.

P&C and Community News

NO CROSS WALK ATTENDANT –

Please be aware that there will be no cross-walk attendant on Boardman Road until March 3.

Please ensure that students are aware and cross with absolute caution.

2026 Community Expos

We are pleased to invite families to attend our 2026 Community Disability Expos, a series of free community events designed to connect people with disability, their families, and carers with a wide range of local NDIS providers and support services.

These expos provide a welcoming and inclusive space for NDIS participants, students with disabilities, and families who may be seeking information or new supports, as well as those who are new to the NDIS or planning to access services in the future.

Why attend?

Meet local NDIS providers and community support organisations
Learn about available supports, programs, and services
Ask questions and explore options in a relaxed, accessible environment
Free entry for all attendees
2026 Community Disability Expo Schedule

Kwinana Community Disability Expo
Wednesday, 15 April 2026 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Ken Jackman Hall (Darius Wells Library and Resource Centre)
2 Robbos Way, Kwinana Town Centre WA 6167

Midland Community Disability Expo
Friday, 17 April 2026 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Midland Sports Complex
45 Patterson Drive, Middle Swan WA 6056

Gosnells Community Disability Expo
Friday, 10 July 2026 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Mills Park Centre – Function Room
Brixton Street, Beckenham WA 6107

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

School Phone Number

 6258 9350 

Caladenia App

School Stream

Uniform Concepts

9270 4669

30 Kembla Way, Willetton 6155

Excelsior Dental Therapy

9256 4170

School Hours

Gates open at 8.15am

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

W.A. NAPLAN TOP 20 SCHOOLS – 2024

Centre School for Excellence 2023-2026

Great Students, Great Staff, Great Parents, Building Greater Communities

 

Dear Parents and Carers,​

What a wonderful and vibrant couple of weeks we have had at our school!

Swan Valley Day Camp

Last week our Year 6 students attended their highly anticipated two-day camp in the Swan Valley. They all had a fantastic time and embraced many activities they had never experienced before, including the flying fox, archery, crate building and raft building, to name just a few. While the students returned a little weary on Wednesday, the huge smiles on their faces said it all. My sincere thanks go to the Year 6 teaching team and our Admin staff for organising such a memorable event. A special thank you also to our dedicated Year 6 team, our Phys Ed team, as well as Mrs Robinson, Mrs O’Malley, Mrs Avery and Mr McIlwraith—for accompanying the students and helping them create lifelong memories.

Colour Run

We also enjoyed our much-loved Colour Run, organised by our wonderful P&C. I’m sure you will all agree that it was an incredible event enjoyed by students, staff and our generous parent volunteers. We are truly grateful to our P&C for their hard work and community spirit, and to our office staff for the behind-the-scenes efforts that helped make the day such a success.

Animal Shelter

At last week’s Senior Assembly, we were delighted to welcome the local dog shelter, where our Student Executive proudly presented a fundraising donation of $728.90 raised during their recent Sports Colour event. The students loved meeting “Zara,” the rescue dog who came along to receive the donation. A big congratulations to our Student Executive—your leadership and commitment to giving back to the community is commendable.

Leavers Lunch

This week our Year 6s will also be attending their Leavers’ Lunch at the Gosnells Golf Course. Once again, our generous P&C have contributed funds raised from past events to ensure our Year 6 students can celebrate their primary school journey in a special way. We are extremely appreciative of the continued support the P&C provides our school. The students all enjoyed their lunch. Special thanks go to our Year 6 team and Admin staff for organising the event, the table decorations were superb and really added to the event. The staff from Gosnells Golf Club commended our students on their behaviour and were thrilled to have them for lunch.

IMMS

On Tuesday this week, our IMSS students performed to our Years 2 to 6 students. The performance was fabulous. The students in the performance should all be commended for their dedication to their practise and hard work as we could all see the results from their efforts. The students all enjoyed the variety of the compositions that were played. The music captains, Sapphire Lancucki and Sean Wu, also did a marvellous job in leading us through the assembly. Special thanks go to Mrs Belle Connolly, Mrs Liz Rivett and Mr Andrew Frost for their organisation of the assembly.

Kindy Assemblies

We were also treated to our delightful Kindy Assemblies on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 December. Our Kindy students made us all so proud, and it was wonderful to see the joy on the faces of families and staff. Thank you to Ms Siobhan Ellis, Ms Kira Sunkar, Mrs Linda Anderson, Mrs Jasmine Bennier, Mrs Lynette Elson and Mrs Leanne White, for their hard work and dedication in preparing such lovely performances. And also special thanks to Mrs Angela O’Malley and Mr Craig McIlwraith for their support during the performances.

2025 Student Leadership

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful Student Leadership for 2025.

Student Executives:

Senudi De Vas                                                         Zac Martellotta

Victoria Cao                                                              Vinon Samarashinghe

Isabella Oo                                                                Braxton Needle

Tissa Shakya                                                            Alexander Baba

Amy Zhang                                                               Alex Mill

Isabella Wojciechowicz                                          Sarth Jadhav

Music Captains:

Sapphire Lancucki                                                  Sean Wu

Faction and Vice Captains:

Gold:

Kiara-Leigh Pike                                                      Samil Khanal

Jemma Nwokeiwu                                                   Nethulmi De Silva Gunawardena

Green:

Olivia Luong                                                             Dave Godika

Birfateh Sidhu                                                          Sanvi Chaudhary

Blue:

Esha Raj                                                                    Gaveen Singh

Osindi Hitapu  Ralalage                                          Caleb Samson

Red:

Samantha Walker                                                    Rhys Kops

Simrit Mavi                                                                Arya Ramlugan

They have all been enthusiastic in all the events that we have asked them to participate in. They have always presented themselves to the highest standards and we are so proud of their accomplishments throughout the year.

As we approach the end of the school year, there is still so much happening across our classes and community. Please remember to check School Stream, our website and your emails regularly to stay updated with all upcoming events.

As this is our last newsletter for 2025 we would like to thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. We hope you all have an enjoyable break, stay safe and we look forward to seeing you in 2026.

Thoughts:

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” – Albert Einstein

Reminders

Upcoming events

·         12 December – Yr 6 Leavers Assembly

·         16 December – Book Awards Assemblies

·         18 December – Christmas Carol Assembly

Kind regards,

Paula Asplin

Principal

School News

  Caladenia School App

Our school App is called School Stream and you can download it for free. It is an essential resource for parents to have as we use the app for all communication. It is also advised to keep your notifications setting turned on as, at times, it may be the only way the school can communicate.

Scan the barcode or Download the APP

Year 5 Science Outreach Program at Canning Vale College

This term, a select group of Year 5 students from each class were given the exciting opportunity to participate in the Science Outreach Program at Canning Vale College over the course of four weeks.

The students engaged in a variety of hands-on STEM activities that sparked their curiosity and creativity. They had a blast experimenting with “elephant toothpaste,” a fun and fizzy demonstration that wowed everyone. In addition to this, they explored the fascinating world of wind energy, learning how it can be harnessed as a renewable and sustainable power source. These experiments not only helped the students develop a deeper understanding of scientific concepts, but also showed them how science can address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Another highlight of the program was the students’ exploration of the United Nations’ Global Goals for sustainable development. Through discussions and activities, they learned about the importance of sustainability, environmental protection, and global cooperation. This experience gave them a broader perspective on how science and innovation can contribute to making the world a better place for future generations. The students were inspired by the connections between science and global responsibility, which will surely stay with them as they continue their educational journey.

We are incredibly proud of how the Year 5’s represented Caladenia Primary throughout the program. They were well-mannered, respectful, and showed a genuine enthusiasm for learning. They asked insightful questions, worked collaboratively with their peers, and demonstrated kindness in every activity. Their positive attitude and eagerness to learn made them excellent ambassadors for our school, and we are excited to see how their passion for science continues to grow. Congratulations to all the students involved for making the most of this amazing experience!

Year 6 Swan Valley Day Camp

Last week, our Year Six students headed off on their long-awaited camp, filled with excitement after hearing stories from siblings and past students. From the moment they stepped off the bus, the sense of anticipation was matched by an incredible range of activities, including archery, crate stacking, raft building, team challenges, the flying fox and the ever-popular commando course. Mixed-group rotations encouraged students to collaborate with classmates they might not normally work with, creating new friendships and strengthening teamwork across the cohort. The instructors were supportive, encouraging and helped guide students through each challenge, whether they were racing through obstacles, building rafts together or getting well and truly muddy in the afternoon sun.

Students were well fuelled across the two days, enjoying fresh fruit and cookies for recess, followed by taco wraps or chicken burgers with chips for lunch, alongside plenty of water and cordial. While the eating time went quickly, the students embraced every moment and made the most of the experience. Many described camp as one of the best memories of their primary years, with some even wishing it lasted longer.

As we move toward the end of the school year, it has been wonderful to see our Year Sixes embrace this milestone with such enthusiasm, resilience and joy, creating memories they will carry with them into high school and beyond.

Year 6 Leavers Lunch – Gosnells Golf Course

Last week, our Year Six students braved the 39-degree heat with enthusiasm as they boarded the bus for their Leavers’ Lunch at Gosnells Golf Club.

The students settled quickly into the beautifully cooled restaurant area, sitting amongst their closest friends and classmates. The room quickly filled with chatter and laughter as they shared stories from their recent camp and spoke eagerly about the high-school adventures awaiting them next year. It was the perfect mix of reflection and excitement as they enjoyed each other’s company during one of their final big celebrations as primary students.

The incredible staff at Gosnells Golf Club put on a feast, with plates filled with fried rice, chicken, salad, vegetables, chips, pizza and fruit salad. Our students rose to the challenge and made sure nothing went to waste! As we move into the final weeks of the school year, it’s heart-warming to see our students embracing these special milestones together.

Student Achievement 

Lucas from the Mac Class competed in the 2025 Australia Figure Skating Championships held in Brisbane on 2 December. He had a wonderful experience and was thrilled to achieve First place in his division. Lucas was also the youngest skater in the entire competition, which made this result even more special for him. Congratulations Lucas on such a wonderful achievement.Ahil from Yr 5 came third place at the Have Sum Fun Competition. The Have Sum Fun Competition is an exciting mathematics initiative that uses a quiz-night format. Teams of six students race against the clock to solve four intense rounds of eight challenging problems. Ahil received a $20 gift voucher. Congratulations Ahil.

Dayaram in year 6, has become a part of Western Australia under 12 cricket team. He represented Western Australia in under 12 cricket league which was held in Melbourne on 24 October to 31 October,2025. Western Australia won bronze medal. Daya also plays under 13 district cricket team. Congratulations Daya.

Sean in Year 6, recently undertook the AMEB Grade 4 Violin examination and was awarded a High Distinction (A+).

The examiner gave very high praise, describing Sean as an exceptionally musical young player. She noted that his performances throughout the program demonstrated outstanding control, maturity, and real artistry, and encouraged him to continue nurturing this wonderful musicianship.

2025 has been a particularly rewarding year for Sean, as he also successfully passed his AMEB Grade 8 Piano exam earlier this year, followed by this excellent result in violin.

Congratulations Sean on an amazing 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 3 Room 14 – Mrs Suttie

Room 14 has been busy creating some amazing poetry this term. We learnt all about HAIKU’s and went on a nature hike around the school to generate some ideas. Then we used photos and our drawings from our excursion to AQWA to create poems in the shape of sea creatures. Our poetry wall looks fantastic!

Year 3 Room 7 – Miss Atwell

This term, the Year 3s in Room 7 have been learning about transformations in Maths through creating tangrams.

The students explored how shapes can be moved using translation, rotation, and reflection, experimenting with their tangram pieces to create a range of pictures and patterns. They enjoyed discovering how each transformation changed the position or orientation of their shapes and used this knowledge to solve challenges and build new designs.

It was wonderful to see their problem-solving skills grow as they tried different strategies and shared their ideas with classmates. Room 7 showed fantastic creativity, teamwork, and enthusiasm throughout the activity.

Year 3 Room 27 – Mr Papineau

In Room 27, our Year 3 students have been busy becoming expert procedure writers! Over the past couple weeks, we have been learning how procedures help us give clear, step by step instructions. To put our skills into practice, we followed a written procedure to create our very own Santa masks.

Students carefully read each step, gathered their materials, and worked through the process, cutting, gluing, and decorating with lots of festive creativity. It was wonderful to see how well everyone followed the instructions and how unique each finished mask looked.

Not only did this activity help us understand the structure of procedural writing, but it also brought a little extra holiday cheer into our classroom.

P&C and Community News

Colour Run

The P&C Secretary, Tania, was covered from head to toe in colour run paint. The P&C did a wonderful job organising this event for the school. It was so good to see all the students and staff covered in colours as they participated in laps of the oval. Well done to everyone, especially the P&C.

P&C Holiday Raffle

The P&C holiday raffle was drawn today, and was a big success! A huge thank you to everyone who supported the raffle by purchasing tickets – your contributions help us continue raising valuable funds for our students and school.

Congratulations to the lucky prize winners!

First prize: Cassie

Second prize: Charley

Third prize: Monish

Fourth prize: Asher

Runner up prizes:

Cherilyn, Evan, Osindi, Mahirvir, Avanush, Declan, Baani, Jessica, Rajveer, Smithika, Emma, Aarush, Alice, Guerra, Ada and Huaren

Many thanks to Rashi Tewani from Harcourts Prestige, and Terry Healy for their generous donations, as well as the many parents who donated prize items.

Thank you again to our wonderful school community for your ongoing support!

 Colour Blindness

It’s good to know if a child is colour blind, as they may struggle in school with activities that use colours, such as drawing and sorting blocks.

Colour blindness might become obvious after the age of 4 years and is more common among boys. Children who are colour-blind can see as clearly as other children but cannot tell the difference between some colours or see colours differently from other children. This usually happens with reds and greens, and sometimes with blues and yellows.

If your child is colour blind, it’s good to inform their teacher about the condition. This will allow the teacher to choose activities that don’t involve spotting colour differences.

For further details, please see Raising Children Network.

If you have any concerns, colour vision testing can be performed by some General Practitioners (GP), eye specialists or optometrists. You can also contact your local School Health Nurse, on 92588053 for advice

Undescended testes

Screening for undescended testes is recommended for boys at school entry, typically around 4 to 5 years of age. Sometimes, the testes (also known as testicles) are in the scrotum at birth but may move up into the groin or abdomen at around 4-10 years of age. This happens because the cord that attaches the testis to the abdomen doesn’t grow at the same rate as the child.

Undescended testes do not fully descend into the scrotum and can affect one or both testes. Parents or guardians can encourage older children to check for absence of testes in the scrotum themselves. The condition is not painful but can lead to complications such as twisting of the testis, a groin hernia, reduced fertility, and testicular cancer.

For further details on undescended testes, see Raising Children Network. If you have any concerns, please contact your General Practitioner for advice.

From all the staff at Caladenia, we wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful new year!

Term 1 commences Monday, 2 February 2026

W.A. NAPLAN TOP 20 SCHOOLS – 2024

Centre School for Excellence 2023-2026

Great Students, Great Staff, Great Parents, Building Greater Communities

Dear Parents and Carers,

A big thank you to our Student Executive Council for organising our ‘Sport Colours Fundraiser’ today. It was great to see lots of students and staff all dressed in their sport colours. The fundraiser if for the Animal Protection Society Dog Shelter. The Student Executive will be announcing how much money they raised at next Thursday’s assembly, where they will present the amount to a representative from the Dog Shelter. Make sure you come along to see how much they raised.

Congratulations for our Interschool Athletics team! We are so proud of their efforts and in achieving 2^nd in the overall event. It was great to see our students showing great sportsmanship and putting in their greatest efforts for their teams and our school. I also want to thank the parents that went along for the day and cheered on our teams, it was wonderful to talk with some of them about how well the students and teams were performing. There is further information about the carnival later in the newsletter.

Caladenia P&C – WE NEED YOU!

We need your help! The P&C are holding the ‘Colour Run’ on Friday, 28 November (next Friday) and they need volunteers to make sure that the event is a success. Please see the link below and offer your help if you can.

Link: Volunteer here

The school would like to extend our sincere thanks to the P&C for the incredible support they continue to provide. Their contributions make a significant difference – whether it’s enhancing academic learning through the purchase of valuable resources for students or improving student wellbeing by installing gazebos that provide shade and comfort throughout the carnivals. The events they organise are always enjoyable, and we frequently receive positive feedback from families who truly appreciate the sense of community these occasions create. If you are able to support the P&C by volunteering, your involvement would be warmly welcomed and greatly appreciated.

Social Media Restrictions

Parents, don’t forget December 10 is getting closer. Have you started the conversation with your child/children?  In our last newsletter we suggested looking at some of the links available to help you with these conversations. The eSafety Commissioner has some great information, please see the link below.

Social media age restrictions explained – a guide for parents and carers | eSafety Commissioner

Next week our Year 6 students are off on their Day Camps – Tuesday, 25 and Wednesday, 26 December. The Year 6 Teaching Team has organised full and fun packed days for them. Parents, please remember that they will be returning late back to school on these days, so please read the messages so that you are aware of what is happening.

Traffic Flow and Parking

Please remember, that you can’t drive or park on the footpath opposite to the Kiss ‘n’ Drive.

Parents, please remember that the City of Gosnells request that all school families observe the traffic rules around the school:

·         The Kiss ‘n’ Drive is not a parking zone – do not park in a Kiss ‘n’ Drive Bay, or on Bushy Gardens in front of the Visitors parking

·         Always be aware of children on roads and footpaths

·         Observe the 40km/hour speed zone around the school – it is there to protect our children

Thoughts:

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity.” – Amelia Earhart

Kind regards,

Paula Asplin

Principal

School News

Remembrance Day

At 11:00am on the 11th of November, our students stood behind their desks for a minute of silence to mark Remembrance Day. Many students wore red poppies, demonstrating the values we honour in the soldiers who served: respect, gratitude and resilience. Together, students reflected on the courage and sacrifice of those who gave their lives, helping shape the thriving Australia we live in today.

Interschool Athletics Carnival

What an incredible day it was for Caladenia at the Interschool Athletics Carnival! Our students put their hearts into every event, showing awesome energy, great teamwork, and loads of school spirit from beginning to end.

Whether it was sprinting down the track or working together in the team games, everyone gave an outstanding effort. We celebrated plenty of personal achievements, several medal winners, and so many big smiles along the way. Caladenia finished 2nd overall, which is an amazing achievement and something we can all be proud of!

A huge congratulations to all our athletes—you represented Caladenia wonderfully! And a big thank-you to our teachers, coaches, and supporters for cheering us on throughout the day. We’re already excited for next year’s carnival!

Results

Place    School    Score

1                 Campbell                674

2                CALADENIA          480

3                Ranford                   404

4                Canning Vale          394

5                Bletchley                 292

6                Excelsior                158

7                Treeby                     128

School App

Our school App is called School Stream and you can download it for free. It is an essential resource for parents to have as we use the app for all communication. It is also advised to keep your notifications setting turned on as, at times, it may be the only way the school can communicate. Scan the barcode or Download the APP today.

Student Achievement 

Seth, In Year 6 was really lucky to join Team Qooee Football Training (Qooee FT) to play in the Singa Cup 2025 in Singapore! The Singa Cup is a big international youth football tournament that’s been running since 2011, bringing together teams from all across the Asia-Pacific region.

The Under-12 team was made up of players from different clubs around Perth, including UWA Nedlands FC, Wanneroo City Soccer Club, Joondalup United FC, Wembley Downs SC, and Murdoch University Melville FC. It was so cool to be part of a team with players from so many different clubs!

In the group stage, they had a great run with two wins, one draw, and one loss against teams from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Then, in the Round of 16, they played against another Australian team and managed to come from behind twice to win and make it into the quarterfinals!

In the quarterfinal, they faced the club who were the finalists of the Asian Champions League 2 in 2025. They had lost 2–8 to them in a friendly earlier, but this time they played with a lot of heart and discipline, only losing 0–2 in a really tough match.

Seth got to play in all the games and even started in two of them. It was such an amazing experience to play against some of the best young footballers in Southeast Asia. He learned so much, improved his game and made lots of new friends along the way.

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 36 – Mr D’Souza

This term, the Year 2s in Room 36 have been busy becoming time-telling experts! They’ve been learning how to read clocks to half past, quarter to, and quarter past, using both analogue clocks and hands-on activities. The class has explored how the minute hand and hour hand work together, and they’ve been practising recognising these special times in their daily routines.

To make learning even more exciting, the students created their very own clock monsters. Each monster had a colourful face with movable clock hands, helping everyone practise setting and reading different times. The room was full of creativity, with monsters that were silly, spooky, and even a little bit sparkly.  

Year 3 Room 9 – Miss Gonclaves

Room 9 took their learning under the sea, exploring the amazing world beneath the waves on an excursion to AQWA! The highlight of the day was a turtle wildlife rescue workshop, where students learned how turtles are cared for and released back into the ocean. Between spotting sharks, stingrays, and some very interesting looking fish, everyone had a whale of a time – a truly un-fish-gettable day.

Book Club Issue 8 orders close Friday 28th November. Orders are ONLINE only. Please visit scholastic.com.au/LOOP

The P&C need volunteers to help out with the upcoming Colour Run, Icy pole sales and raffle. The P&C cannot run without the help of parents volunteering. If you able to spare any time to help, please see the links below and sign up. Your time would be greatly appreciated.

Colour Run volunteer link 

Icy Poles and Raffle ticket sales volunteer link

Holiday Hamper Raffle

Don’t forget to donate to our Holiday Hamper. Donations can be placed in the box in the front office.

Thornlie Bowling Club

 

W.A. NAPLAN TOP 20 SCHOOLS – 2024

Centre School for Excellence 2023-2026

Great Students, Great Staff, Great Parents, Building Greater Communities

Dear Parents and Carers,

The last two weeks have been quite busy, with lots of classes being involved in excursions, and there are more excursions and incursions coming up. Of those that have been on excursions, the children have all commented on how interesting and wonderful these experiences have been.

Today our Years 3 to 6 students are involved in the Interschool Jumps and Throws (Friday 7/11) with the Interschool Athletics Carnival organised for Thursday, 13 November. We wish all of the students attending either today or next week, the best of luck in their events.

Parents, as you know on December 10 the federal government has asked for restrictions of Australians under 16 on certain social media platforms. We know this may be difficult for some children, so we suggest that you start having conversations with your children as early as possible. To help with these conversations the eSafety Commissioner has provided some information through webinars. The information and webinars are free. If you are interested in accessing this information, please see the link below.

Social media age restrictions explained – a guide for parents and carers | eSafety Commissioner

Here are some more ideas and information that may also assist.

1. Don’t wait until December 10

The sudden removal of social media could be a shock to young people. So, start the conversation as early as possible with your child and work together to create a plan on how to manage the ban. Talk to kids and teens about why the ban is being implemented and how it will affect both their friendships and their daily routines. This can help children feel informed, supported and importantly, heard.

2. Fade out social media

Gradually reducing your child’s time on social media rather than suddenly stopping it will help them to adjust slowly and prevent feelings of withdrawal and frustration. You could try reducing time spent on social media by a quarter each week and completely stop after one month.

Families might opt to do this faster or slower. By planning this approach together, your child can understand and accept it, making the removal of social media smoother and less stressful for the whole family.

3. Replace, rather than remove

Social media meets young people’s needs to socially connect with others, develop their identity, and belong to a community. These needs will not disappear when the ban is introduced. You could consider signing up to some other activities for regular social connection and a sense of belonging. These might include team sports, group hobbies, or volunteering. Consider creative pursuits such as art, music, or handicrafts so your child can express their identity.

4. Start offline connections

Normalise and encourage engagement within your communities that isn’t reliant on social media. The ban presents an opportunity for parents to encourage and support children to build supportive offline groups together, where children can regularly connect in person. These could be connected to existing friends or newly established groups of like-minded families. These groups can stick to the social media ban together and use alternative means of communication such as by phone, text or email.

5. Do it yourself

Children and young people absorb the behaviours and attitudes that are modelled to them in the home. So, this means parents can help by managing their own screen time, prioritising face-to-face connections with friends and family, and setting aside regular time for hobbies and activities. This reinforces the importance of balancing digital and offline experiences. Modelling these behaviours consistently will help your child feel supported in the upcoming ban.

Traffic Flow and Parking

Thank you again to all parents using the Kiss ‘n’ Drive on Bushy Gardens. The traffic seems to be flowing much better. There is some confusion along Beauly Parade, some parents are parking and leaving their cars. Please check the road signs along Beauly Parade, as there is no parking from 7.30am to 9.00am and 2.00pm to 3.30pm on school days.

Parents, please remember that the City of Gosnells request that all school families observe the traffic rules around the school:

·       Remember that the Kiss and Drive is not a parking zone

·       The City of Gosnells Ranger will be in attendance from time to time and will issue infringement notices.

·       Please do not carry out dangerous driving around the school or park your car where you shouldn’t – please do not be the person who, for the sake of a few minutes of patience, creates an accident outside our wonderful school.

·       It is only for a short twenty minutes in the mornings and afternoons that we need  to be super careful, polite and patient.

Thoughts:

“Being happy never goes out of style.” – Lilly Pulitzer

Kind regards,

Paula Asplin

Principal

School News

Student Achievement

Sean in Year 6 proudly represented Western Australia as part of the 2025 U12 Golf Team at the School Sport Australia Golf Championships, held from 26 to 28 October 2025. The WA team made history by winning the Boys Nett Champion title for the first time. Congratulations Sean on your wonderful achievement.

Pia in Year 3, had an amazing accomplishment last Sunday, where she secured the Gymnastics Junior State Championship for 2025.  She trains incredibly hard three times a week, totalling nine hours a week.  She is super focused on achieving her goals and is looking to greater things next year. Congratulations Pia.

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 1 Room 41 – Mrs Jones

Last term in Science, Room 41 learned all about habitats — the special places where living things live and grow. We discovered that every habitat provides the things living creatures need to survive: food, water, and shelter.

We have also been exploring the garden as a habitat for insects. Students discussed what makes the garden a suitable home for different creatures. We then drew and labelled our own garden habitat diagrams, identifying where insects might find food, water, and shelter.

To build on our learning, we recently visited WA Wildlife in Bibra Lake. This amazing centre rescues, rehabilitates, and releases sick, injured, and orphaned native animals. During our visit, students learned about a variety of Australian animals and their natural habitats, including how humans can contribute to their protection. The excursion was a wonderful opportunity for students to connect their classroom learning with real-world examples and to deepen their understanding of how animals depend on their environment to survive.

Room 41 students showed great curiosity, care, and enthusiasm throughout this learning journey — true young scientists in action!

Bibra Lake Wildlife Excursion

Feathers, Fur and Fun: Year 1’s Wild Day Out at WA Wildlife

Our Year 1 students had a fabulous time exploring WA Wildlife in Bibra Lake this week. The excursion was filled with exciting encounters and hands-on learning. We met a sleepy wombat, a baby ringtail possum, koalas, and even some curious dingoes. One of the highlights was feeding an emu and a red-tailed cockatoo.

Students were thrilled to touch a snake, a long-necked turtle, and a bobtail lizard—experiences that sparked lots of curiosity and conversation. We also learnt about how injured wildlife are cared for in the Animal Hospital and discovered fascinating facts about animal habitats, behaviours, and diets.

It was a memorable day that deepened our understanding of native wildlife and the important work done by the dedicated volunteers at WA Wildlife.

P&C News and Community News

W.A. NAPLAN TOP 20 SCHOOLS – 2024

Centre School for Excellence 2023-2026

Great Students, Great Staff, Great Parents, Building Greater Communities

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to Term 4, we hope that you have all had an enjoyable break! We have lots on in Term 4, so please keep checking the school stream app, your child’s folders, emails and look around the school for posters about upcoming events, that way you will be updated as to what is happening around the school.

Last week we had our sporting events – Jumps and Throws on Tuesday 4th and our School Athletics Carnival on Friday 17th. Both days were brilliant with all of our students embracing the events on the day/s and trying their best. Our carnival had a lovely addition this year with the coloured gazebos to match our four factions. Special thanks to the P&C for purchasing these for the school as well as the extra gazebos and the eskies, we really appreciate your support.

As I mentioned on the day, thank you to the parents that came and supported their children. Also, thank you to the parents that helped staff erect and pack away the gazebos, your support was really appreciated. I’d also like to formally acknowledge and thank the whole staff from Caladenia PS, as I’m sure you are all aware there is a lot of planning and work that happens prior to events like last week as well as on the day; and all staff – from the gardener to the office staff all supported both days where and how they could. The day was filled with a positive atmosphere and enjoyment.

We have the Interschool Athletics Carnival coming up later in the term – in Weeks 4 & 5 – good luck to the students that will be representing our school and participating in those events.

This week we started the week with the Art Show, which was amazing! The Art Team have supported the students from Year 1 to 6 in preparing items to display and every student should be proud of their work. Special thanks to Louise Ewing, Andrew Frost and Katia Stirling (our wonderful art team) for all their work in organising the event. I also want to thank Grace Goncalves, Esther Tai, Kellie Hatton, Lynne Suttie, Andrea Smith, Angela O’Malley, Andrew Frost and Louise Ewing for coming in on Saturday to help set up for the event and also to Joanne Thompson for assisting in getting the items packed away. Thanks also to the Music Team for organising the students to present music to accompany the Art Show on Tuesday evening.

We also had our Parent Open Night on Tuesday, to coincide with the Art Show. Thanks to our classroom teachers for opening their classrooms, so that parents could view their child’s work. During my visits throughout the evening, I was really impressed with the high standards and quality of the work that the students showcased.

This week we have also been working with the Centre for Excellence schools and welcomed staff from Aspiri PS, Safety Bay PS, Subiaco PS and Vasse PS, who visited us on Thursday 23rd October. Many of our teachers opened their classrooms for staff from these schools to visit and observe our teaching practices.We have a number of members of our board that are coming to the end of their period with us this year. One of which is our Board Chair, Carole Veneris. Carole has been a great supporter to Caladenia PS, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Carole, for her outstanding service and dedication over the past 11 years as Board Chair. Her leadership, commitment and unwavering support have had a lasting impact on our school community, guiding us through times of growth and change with wisdom and care. While we are truly sad to see her step down, we fully understand and respect her decision, and we are deeply appreciative of the many years she has devoted to the school. Her contributions have strengthened our school and will continue to inspire us for years to come.

We will be sending an email to parents in the next few weeks, asking if parents are interested in joining the School Board. We will attach information to the email advising what is involved in being a member of the School Board, and how to nominate.

Our P&C also have members that will be leaving our school at the end of the year. Two that we are currently aware of are Kylie Chapman, our Book Club organiser; and the other is Stacey Walker our Treasurer. Again, we wish to thank both Kylie and Stacey for their support to the P&C and Caladenia PS. Both of you have supported our school community and offered your expertise in the roles that you have performed. We are grateful for your contributions and how you have continually championed the P&C in all of the events at the school.

If you are interested in either of these positions, please contact Leanna Roos our P&C President, as we may be able to organise interested parents to shadow these roles during Term 4. The P&C will be holding their AGM on 9th February, Week 2 in Term 1 2026, to elect representatives: please keep this in mind and look out for the flyers regarding this event.

Please remember that we have a pupil free day on Friday 31st October, as it is our Staff Development Day.

Thoughts:

“Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out” – Robert Collier

Paula Asplin

Principal

School News

Reminder: Pupil free day on Friday 31st October, as it is our Staff Development Day.

Traffic Flow and Parking

Please remember to be patient and courteous during drop off and pick up times. Below is information from the council regarding parking.

Superhero Day Term 3

On Thursday 18^th September we held dress like a Superhero Day to raise money for Telethon. All students and staff looked amazing and a total of $696 was raised.

Art Show

What a beautiful start to term 4 we have had here at Caladenia this week, with the Visual Arts exhibition that took place on Tuesday. It was a wonderful afternoon in celebration of all our students and being able to share this experience with parents and local community, was a pure delight. The undercover area was bursting with colour as parents and students wondered through the exhibition with an amazing musical performance, led by our fabulous Music department. I would like to say a massive well done to each and every student, for all their hard work this year with their Art and Music teachers, and to all the wonderful staff who helped with all the set up in making this a wonderful experience for the whole school community. Ms Ewing

Athletics Carnival

Last Friday, our school came alive with colour, cheers, and incredible sportsmanship at the Caladenia Primary School Faction Athletics Carnival! The sun was shining, spirits were high, and our students gave it their all across a full day of exciting events. From sprints and team games to relays, everyone showed determination, teamwork, and pride in their factions.

A big thank you goes to our dedicated staff and volunteers for organising such a fantastic day, and to all the families who came along to cheer on our athletes. It was wonderful to see our school community come together in such a positive and supportive way.

Congratulations to all our participants — you made Caladenia proud! 🥇🎉

2026 Student Leaders

Congratulations to the following students. They have been selected as our new Leaders for 2026.

Muhammad	Dhrithi
Ahil	Emma
Rafan	Sukhreet
Jax	Sanvi
Aviv	Lucy
George	Oliva
Nihilash	Angel
Eric	Revva
Caleb	Imogen
Simrat	Ariana
Lani	Cherilyn
Aiden	Natalie
Nadine	Aryan
Evyaan	Claudia
Zachary	Martina

Student Achievement

We are excited to share some wonderful news with the Caladenia community! Our talented students Victoria and Cherilyn proudly represented Western Australia as part of the WA U13 Badminton Team 2025. The team achieved a bronze medal at the Yonex U13 National Championships that was held on 3-10 October 2025. It is an amazing achievement, Congratulations Victoria and Cherilyn.

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 Justine.arnold@education.wa.edu.au

Class News

Year 1 Room 8 – Mrs Evans

We had a fabulous time at our Sports Carnival last week. Our recount writing showed that while it was a warm day and we got sweaty, everyone enjoyed their events. We’d like to thank the Phys Ed department for organising such an awesome day. We also loved visiting the Art Show this week on Tuesday. We couldn’t believe how incredible the talented, artistic and inspired pieces of work were on display. We would like to congratulate our spectacular Art teachers for their guidance and ingenious teaching!

This term, we are using non-fiction books to write about Australian wildlife and habitats. We created excellent, interesting reports with pictures of Little Penguins that are actually life sized! Come and see our amazing work!

Year 4 Room 31 – Miss McKoy

Towards the end of Term 3, the Year 4 students explored the fascinating topic of World Biomes in HASS. They investigated the unique characteristics of different biomes around the world, such as deserts, rainforests, tundras, and many more. Each student selected a specific biome to research in detail, focusing on its climate, native animals, and natural landforms. To showcase their understanding, students then designed and created their own biome pictures, carefully incorporating the features and ecosystems relevant to their chosen climate.

Year 5 Room 15 – Miss Taylor

The Room 15 Food Trucks
This year has been exciting for the Year 5’s in Room 15! But one particular prospect stands above all others, guitar solo please … Food Trucks!

First, we had to understand and practise calculating GST, whilst also learning how to use formulas to help us calculate in Excel. Once we were familiar with the procedure, we started making using these formulas to create a budget sheet for our trucks, deciding what equipment our trucks would need and what we would need to design them. When we had finalised our budget and GST work, then came the task of how to build the truck itself.

We worked in teams to create a business license, a measured floor plan, a truck design, menu and logo, with students dedicating any spare time they had to their food truck work – basically working on food truck related work across all different subjects for the entirety of Term 3! Everything was fine lined, coloured and finalised. We also learnt about advertising techniques in print posters, where we then used these techniques to create our own advertisement posters for our businesses! We were to design and draw a draft before creating beautiful final copies which now decorate Room 15!

We had a whole two hours to build our project! The timing was intense… finding ways to stick pieces together and nailing the design, the trucks kept breaking but with some creative thinking and initiative, everyone got it in the end. The trucks all had miscellaneous and unique properties and features about them. Some room 15 students got into the gizmos this year! We had LED’s, LEGO, and even RC food trucks that moved! All constructed and built by the students themselves.

The Year 5’s in Room 15 worked in pairs or groups of 3. They worked collaboratively and shared materials with other groups trying to make it the best build possible. They had struggles and mistakes while success and accomplishment swayed in other people’s meticulous work. Some people stuck to the purchases they made with their budget while others definitely pushed the boundaries budget wise.

This activity was all about cross-curricular integration, and I think both students and teachers can agree it was a success! With so much hard work, creativity and teamwork, the food truck unit will be one we won’t ever forget.

By Muhammad, Aaryan and Zachary (with the help of Miss Taylor)

P&C and Community News

Book Club Coordinator needed for 2026Our wonderful Book Club Coordinator is officially resigning at the end of this year and we are looking for a new parent to volunteer as Coordinator. If you would like to volunteer or help please contact the front office for further details.

Issue 7 closes Friday, 31st October. Online orders only.

 

W.A. NAPLAN TOP 20 SCHOOLS – 2024

Centre School for Excellence 2023-2026

Great Students, Great Staff, Great Parents, Building Greater Communities

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you so much for the warm welcome I received from students, staff and parents following my return from Long Service Leave. It made me feel very special! I’d like to wish Paula Asplin a restful break on her Long Service Leave. She will be back in Term Four.

I hope all our families enjoyed Father’s Day and were able to spend some time together over the weekend. I was very spoiled on the day by my wife and daughters! Thank you again to the members of the P and C for giving up their time to run the Father’s Day Stall during the week. I imagine all the Dads enjoyed their gifts!

During the last two weeks, students across Pre-Primary to Year Six have been taking part in online PAT Testing. This testing is designed to give teachers additional data in Reading and Mathematics to help them differentiate and tailor their teaching programs according to the individual levels within each of the classrooms. We also analyse this data at cohort and school level to monitor student achievement and progress. All teachers are involved in this analysis and gives us a very clear picture of how we are tracking as a school, and modifications we need to make to improve further. Thank you to Victoria Avery for all your work in ensuring this has been successfully implemented.

Last week was STEM Week at Caladenia. The students from Year Four to Six took part in the ‘Engineers Without Borders’ incursions. On Friday, the students from Pre-Primary to Year Three had their ‘Science Alive!’ Incursion. There was also a Paper Plane Competition that took place during lunchtimes during the Undercover Area. Thanks to Phil Chandler, Cody Lam and the Science/Technologies Team for ensuring great ‘hands-on’ experiences for our students.

We have had our Kindy information sessions for those children starting with us in 2026. These sessions give parents vital information on what to expect and how they can support their children in their first year of schooling. These will be followed later in the year with the Kindy ‘Come and Try’ sessions. Thanks to Angela O’Malley and Siobhan Ellis for running these sessions. We also thank those outside agencies who attend these sessions to support the school and our families.

Last week we had the ‘Old McDonald’s Farm’ incursion for the Kindy classes. It was great to see the students engaging and interacting with the animals and hearing the rich language the students were using to describe the animals was amazing! Thank you to the Kindy Team!

On Friday 12th September we supported R U OK? Day. R U OK? Day is Australia’s National Day of Action to encourage Australians to connect with people around them and initiate conversations about mental health. The goal is to promote open dialogue and build supportive networks, as a conversation can make a difference in the life of someone who is struggling, and you don’t need to be a mental health expert to help. We encouraged everyone to wear yellow to raise awareness about this important issue. Thanks to Lachlan Bailey and the Health Team for promoting this across our school.

We are currently in the middle of our Student Elections for 2026. I wish all the students who have nominated for Student Executive, Music Captain, Faction Captain and Faction Vice-Captain all the best in the process.We have lots of exciting events coming up, including ‘Dress Like a Superhero’ Day this Thursday 18th September), P and C Pyjama Day and Massed Choir (both Friday 26th September). Remember to use School Stream to find out all the information about these events.

Our school App is called School Stream and you can download it for free. It is an essential resource for parents to have as we use the app for all communication. It is also advised to keep your notifications setting turned on as, at times, it may be the only way the school can communicate.

Scan the barcode or Download the APP.

PARKING REMINDER

This is our last newsletter issue before the school holidays commence.

We would like to wish all our Caladenia families, a restful, fun and safe break.

Term 4 commences Monday 13th October

Thanks to all our Caladenia families for continuing to support the school each and every day. I wish a great rest of term to all members of the Caladenia Community.

Kind regards,

Craig McIlwraith

Acting Principal

School News

Dress Like a Superhero Day! – Tomorrow!

Tomorrow students and staff are asked to dress like a Superhero. We are raising funds for Telethon 2025 to support sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families. Students are invited to wear their finest superhero costume for the day in exchange for a gold coin donation.
Every donation helps fund vital services, medical research, and support programs for WA children and their families.
Thank you for supporting this important event.

Kindy B groups are invited to wear their Superhero outfits on Friday the 19th September.

Caladenia Celebrates STEM Week

Week 8 of this term saw Caladenia come alive with creativity, problem-solving and innovation as we celebrated STEM Week across the school. Students from Pre-Primary through to Year 6 engaged in exciting workshops, competitions and showcases, all designed to highlight the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in our world. Each morning, classes also took part in STEM-related morning work tasks to kick-start the day with curiosity and critical thinking.

Engineers Without Borders Workshops
Our Year 4, 5 and 6 students were lucky to participate in workshops run by Engineers Without Borders. The challenge was to design an effective, low-cost housing solution that could float on water while supporting as much “weight” as possible. Working in teams, students combined their creativity, design thinking and problem-solving skills to engineer some remarkable structures. Some groups even created floating houses that could support the equivalent of over 100 “people” before sinking! The excitement was palpable and it was wonderful to see students put their STEM knowledge into action in such a hands-on way.

Paper Plane Competition
At lunchtime, the school was buzzing with energy as over 300 students participated in our paper plane competitions run by the Student Executive across three days. Students designed, tested and refined their creations, aiming for the longest flight distance. Congratulations to our winners:

·        Year 1/2: Jason (Room 16) – 9.7 metres

·        Year 3/4: Ahmed (Room 34) – 12.7 metres

·        Year 5/6: Jax (Room 23) – 22 metres

The Year 5/6 competition was particularly exciting with three students reaching the maximum distance in the Undercover Area, leading to a dramatic “throw-down” on the basketball courts. Jax’s incredible 22-metre flight sealed the victory. A huge well done to the Student Executive for running such an engaging and fun event and to every student who participated with enthusiasm.

 

Science Alive Shows
Caladenia favourite Mick from Science Alive returned to captivate our younger students with two exciting showcases:

·        Pre-Primary to Year 2: Energy and Movement – Students explored the forces and energy that move things in our world. They had hands-on fun with fruit power, mighty magnets, sound tubes and even hovering drones.

·        Year 3: Energy and Electricity – Students discovered how energy from the sun is harnessed in different ways. Highlights included human circuits, strong magnets, musical heat, light-bending experiments and some exciting explosions with cornflour and water balloons.

From floating houses to soaring paper planes and dazzling science demonstrations, STEM Week was a resounding success at Caladenia. A big thank you to all staff, students and guests who made this week such a memorable celebration of curiosity, teamwork and innovation.

Old MacDonalds Farm Incursion

Our Kindergarten students were blessed with a visit from Old MacDonald’s farm. We were ecstatic to see two baby piglets, no more than a few weeks old. The farm’s resident turkey, put on a display by fluffing his feathers and dancing to the delight of everyone. The students learnt how to feed and care for the farm animals, as well as listening to the crack of the farmer’s stock whip. It was a wonderful morning, filled with student stories, and a day for creating lasting memories.

Class News

Pre-Primary Room 2 – Mrs Dalbock

What have Pre-Primary, Room 2 been up to?  

Last week, we celebrated our real-life superheroes—our dads! We visited the Father’s Day stalls and picked out   special surprises just for them. In class, we got creative with collaging, painting, and drawing! We created colourful portraits of our dad’s, made fun superhero cards and personalised magnets and keyrings to show our love. We also shared stories and wrote about why our dads are amazing.

For news time, we brought in photos of our dads and proudly talked about what makes them our heroes.

We hope all our wonderful dads had a fantastic Father’s Day on Sunday. You’re our superheroes every day!

Year 2 Room 12 – Mrs Bartlett

What an exciting term it has been so far! Term 3 started with me back in the classroom with my lovely students in Room 12, and I could not be happier. Their hard work and dedication to their learning has truly shone through in the incredible work they have produced this term.

In Science, we have been exploring the water cycle, and in HASS, we have been learning all about our local community. In Mathematics, we have worked on mental strategies, explored 2D shapes and their properties, and investigated chance and data. The students have shown fantastic focus and curiosity across all areas of learning.

One of the highlights of this term was reading ‘The Lorax’ by Dr Seuss, and using the text as inspiration to craft persuasive texts aimed at saving the trees in the Jarrah Forest. Students were encouraged to explain their reasoning clearly, and the results were impressive. Each piece of writing showcased emotive language, accurate sentence structure, powerful Tier 2 vocabulary, and strong, well-developed arguments. To accompany their writing, the students also created beautiful artistic impressions of the Jarrah Forest. It is true what the Lorax once said: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It is not.” This sentiment was not only reflected in their writing but in the thoughtful and determined way each student has approached their learning this year. I would like to leave you with one of my favourite quotes by Nelson Mandela:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

I am incredibly proud of each and every student in Room 12 for their enthusiasm, creativity, and persistence. They should be very proud of themselves, too!

We are now eagerly looking forward to Open Night, where we will have the opportunity to showcase all our amazing work and share our learning journey with our loved ones.

Have a look at some of our marvellous work!

Year 5 Room 39 – Miss Manuel

This week Caladenia children were looking forward to the most exciting.. drum roll please.. STEM Week!

STEM Week, a week full of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Paper plane competitions, incursions and a class food truck project. My favourite thing was definitely the Engineers without Boarders incursion. It was very fun. First we talked about the different types of engineers, then we were instructed on our task. We were taught how people in Cambodia live in floating houses and our task was to design a flotation device in our groups. We would test these houses out in the water, putting marbles in them. Our task was simple, our house had to float, holding as many marbles as possible without sinking. 

It was so much fun and we look forward to doing it next year and thank the students from UWA for coming to our school. 

Our in class STEM project was to design a food truck, incorporating our learning from HASS, English, Technologies and Math. We fitted our food truck with the necessary equipment, making sure to include the GST and later in Math plotting the route we would take through Canning Vale. Within English, we designed persuasive advertisements to encourage our consumers to purchase our goods. Within Technologies, we used the design process to create a layout for our truck and design a menu. Our menu was based on our learning of scarcity in HASS and how this relates to goods and services. 

Needless to say, it has been a very fun and educational week in Room 39. 

-Eva Avasthi

 

P&C and Community News

All art classes are taught by qualified and experienced specialist art teachers. For more information, please visit our website www.creativekidsartclub.com.au