Centre School for Excellence 2023-2026
A Place to Learn, Belong, Achieve and Thrive
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we approach the end of Semester 1, there is a great deal happening across our school. Students have been busy participating in a range of learning opportunities, special events and programs, and it has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and engagement. Thank you to our families for your ongoing support throughout the semester. Working together helps ensure that Caladenia remains a place where every child can learn, belong, achieve and thrive.
First Responder Day
On Wednesday, 10 June, we recognised First Responder Day and took the opportunity to acknowledge and thank the many people who work tirelessly to keep our community safe. Police officers, firefighters, paramedics and emergency service personnel play an important role in supporting our community, often in challenging circumstances. Many classes participated in activities that helped students learn more about the work of our first responders and the qualities of service, courage and compassion they demonstrate. Further information and photos are include later in the newsletter.
Semester 1 Reports
Semester 1 reports will be available shortly via Connect. Information will be sent to families explaining how to access your child’s report online. Should you experience any difficulties accessing the report once they are released, please contact the school office and we will be happy to assist.
Group 3 Swimming
Today marks the final day of Group 3 swimming lessons. We would like to thank students, staff and families for their flexibility throughout the program. Looking ahead to 2027, we have requested Riverton Leisureplex as our preferred venue and are hopeful that our request will be successful.
Premiers Reading Challenge
The Premier’s Reading Challenge concludes today. We hope that families have enjoyed participating in this initiative and sharing the joy of reading together. Reading for enjoyment is important for all students as it supports vocabulary development, comprehension, imagination and a lifelong love of learning. Thank you to all students and families who embraced the challenge and made reading a regular part of their daily routines.
In the next few weeks…
Next Friday, 19 June, selected students in Year 5 and 6 will represent Caladenia Primary School at the Interschool Winter Carnival. Students will join teams from other schools to compete in netball, soccer, AFL and League Tag. We wish all our students the very best and hope they enjoy the opportunity to demonstrate good sportsmanship and teamwork throughout the day.
The following week, our school Cross Country will be held on Tuesday, 23 June. This event will take place on the oval and involve all students in Years 1 to 6. We warmly welcome parents and carers to come along and cheer on their children as they participate. We look forward to an enjoyable day of fun, fitness and friendly competition.
Also, Ms Dos Santos’ Year 2 class will have the exciting opportunity to participate in the Channel 9 Weather Watch on Monday, 22 June. This is a wonderful experience for our students and a chance for them to represent Caladenia Primary School on television.
We encourage families to tune in to the Channel 9 News to see our students in action and share this special occasion. We are sure they will do a fantastic job and make our school community proud.
Kind regards,
Paula Asplin
Thoughts: “It is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.” – Queen Elizabeth II
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability
Each year, all Australian schools take part in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). This process records the supports already provided to students with disability, in line with national legislation.
The NCCD helps schools review and improve support for students and assists governments in planning funding and services.
Schools share limited information with the government, including:
· Year level
· Type of disability
· Level of support provided
All data is provided without identifying individual students, and privacy is strictly protected.
For more information, visit the NCCD website:
https://www.nccd.edu.au/for-parents-guardians-and-carers
E BIKES AND SCOOTERS
A reminder that E bikes and Scooters are for students aged 16 years and over, not to be ridden over 10km/hr and be mindful when riding around schools of pedestrians
Traffic Flow and Parking
School News
Our applications for Kindy 2027 are now open.
If you have a child born between 1st July 2022 to 30th June 2023, you are now eligible to enrol for Kindy in 2027.
Application forms can be collected from the front office. All applications are by appointment only and accepted between 9am and 2pm. Please call 6258 9350 to book.
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
Thank a First Responder Day
On Wednesday 10th June, our school proudly recognised Thank a First Responder Day. Students across the school took time to learn about the important role first responders play in keeping our communities safe and to reflect on the service, dedication and courage they demonstrate every day.
Throughout the day, students participated in a range of classroom activities, including creating thank-you cards, letters and colouring sheets for local police officers, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency service personnel. Our Pre-Primary students enjoyed dressing up as first responders and exploring the different roles they play within our community. The Senior Choir also performed Everyday Heroes, a song they are currently rehearsing for the upcoming OBV Festival and a fitting tribute to the first responders being recognised throughout the day. These activities provided a meaningful opportunity for students to recognise the contributions of first responders and express their gratitude for the valuable work they do.
Thank a First Responder Day encouraged students to reflect on the importance of helping others and showing appreciation for those who serve our community. We are incredibly proud of our students for the thoughtful and respectful way they participated and thank our school community for supporting this important event.
Reconciliation Week at Caladenia
Reconciliation Week was a special time across our school, with students and staff coming together to learn, reflect and celebrate from the 27th May – 3rd June. Year levels explored what reconciliation means and why it is important, helping build understanding, respect, and connection to Country.
A big highlight of the week was our Wear It Yellow Day! Students and staff proudly wore yellow and showed amazing generosity, raising over $600 for Children’s Ground. These funds will help provide materials and supplies that support children learning on Country—an incredible effort from our school community!
Our Year 1 students got hands-on with their learning by focusing on Caring for Country. They worked together to pick up rubbish around the school and talked about simple ways they can look after the environment. To finish, students made their own commitments to continue caring for Country both at school and at home.
It was a wonderful week filled with learning, action, and community spirit—we are proud of the way our students embraced the message of reconciliation.
Out of This World! R19 Connects with Australian Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg
On Wednesday 27th May, the students of R19 had the incredible opportunity to take part in a live webinar with Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the first Australian to train as an astronaut under the Australian Space Agency flag. We were thrilled to join around 30 other schools from across Western Australia for this special event.
Katherine shared the fascinating story of her journey, detailing the hard work, determination, and intense training required to pursue a career in space. However, her core message to the students was that you do not actually have to become an astronaut to be part of the space industry. She encouraged everyone to get involved in life, join clubs, stay active, and passionately study whatever they love. From space law and space medicine to space farming and space engineering, every single job will be needed for the future of human endeavour in the stars.
“Follow your passion, and then just put the word ‘space’ in front of it.”
During the interactive session, our students listened intently and even had the chance to engage directly with Katherine. Excitingly for our class, everyone taking part was able to submit questions beforehand and Raffaele’s (Y4) question was the first one to be asked! He wanted to know what the biggest threats of failure are once a rocket has launched. Katherine answered in detail, leaving Raffaele with the biggest smile in the room!
Class News
Pre Primary Room 1 – Mrs Harper
Where does it come from?…
Room 1 has been investigating about the processes and production of our everyday items.
Last week we learnt about where milk comes from and how it makes its way to the super market. We learnt that female cows are milked 2 times a day and the milk is sent to a factory to be cleaned and bottle before being sent to the supermarket.
This week we moved on to wool. Where does wool came from? Sheep.
An interesting fact that Room 1 learnt this week was that the wool from 1 sheep can make 8 woolly jumpers. WOW!
I wonder what we will learn about next week… maybe bread or eggs.
Year 6 Room 42 – Mr Johnson and Miss Harrington
Ascending and Descending: Exploring the Limits of the Human Body
This term, students investigated the remarkable ways the human body adapts to extreme environments. Through the study of mountain climbers ascending to high altitudes and divers descending into the depths of the ocean, students explored the challenges posed by changes in oxygen, pressure and temperature. They then applied their scientific understanding by creating detailed scientific diagrams, using labels and explanations to communicate how the body responds to these demanding conditions. The task encouraged students to combine scientific knowledge with visual communication skills while examining the limits of human endurance.
P&C and Community News
Book Club Issue 4
Orders are online only
Orders Close 14th June
Volunteers are urgently needed to help distribute Book Club books and also assist at the upcoming disco. If you are available to help, please contact the P&C via email CaladeniaPandC@outlook.com
Willetton Basketball Stadium
April School Holiday Camps
First Week
Monday 6th – Friday 10th July 2026
9 years and under [eg minimum 6 yrs]
[ 9.00am – 3.30pm daily]
Second Week
Monday 13th – Friday 17th July 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
Upcoming Events |
|
| 17 June | Senior Assembly |
| 18 June | Dream Job dress up day – Charity fundraiser |
| 19 June | Interschool Carnival |
| 23 June | Caladenia Cross Country |
| 24 June | Junior Assembly |
| 25 June | Kindy and PP Disco 1.30-2.30pm |
| 26 June | P&C Disco (see details attached) |
| Week 11 Tues to Thurs | School Photos |
Centre School for Excellence 2023-2026
A Place to Learn, Belong, Achieve and Thrive
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope this newsletter finds you and your family well. As we move further into the winter months, we are aware that a number of seasonal viruses and illnesses are circulating throughout the community. We appreciate the efforts families are making to support the health and wellbeing of our students and staff.
If your child is unwell, we kindly ask that they remain at home to rest and recover. Keeping unwell children at home not only supports their recovery but also helps reduce the spread of illness within our classrooms and across the school We understand that this can sometimes be challenging for families and appreciate your support in helping us maintain a healthy learning environment for everyone.
Walk Safely to School Day
We had a great number of students participate in the ‘Walk Safely to School Day’ last Friday. Thank you parents for supporting this annual event. It promotes healthy, active habits and teaches vital pedestrian safety skills.
P&C Appreciation Day
It was also wonderful to celebrate P&C Appreciation Day, on Friday. To acknowledge the valuable contribution of our P&C, students and staff signed thank-you cards to express their gratitude. We are incredibly appreciative of the time, energy and commitment our P&C members contribute to our school community. Through the events they organise and the funds they raise, they provide valuable support that benefits all of our students. Thank you to our P&C for everything you do for Caladenia PS.
Leavers’ Polo Shirts
Our Year 6 students have now received their 2026 Leavers’ Polo Shirts and have proudly begun wearing them to school. The shirts provide a wonderful way to recognise our graduating students and celebrate their final year of primary school.
The Year 6 students may wear their leavers’ shirts on any school day; however, we encourage them to continue wearing their faction shirts on sport days to support their faction and school spirit.
We have received very positive feedback from our Year 6 students, who are excited to wear their shirts and appreciate the opportunity to be recognised as our senior students. The shirts certainly help them stand out within our school community and serve as a reminder of the important leadership role they play as they prepare for the transition to high school.
National Simultaneous Storytime
This week, on Wednesday 27, Caladenia PS participated in the National Simultaneous Storytime. This year the book was Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller, written by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyed and illustrated by Jake A. Minton. This is the 26th year for this event, with over 2.2 million participants joining in last year. The students joined in with classroom teachers organising activities to explore the story further.
Premier Reading Challenge
The Premiers Reading Challenge is eight weeks into the 12-week challenge. Many of our students are participating this year. This is a great initiative to encourage our students to develop a love for reading and also have the chance to win weekly prizes. If you are interested in finding out more about this challenge, please see the link below for more information:
https://www.premiersreadingchallenge.wa.edu.au/
Wear it Yellow Day
As part of National Reconciliation Week, our HASS committee organised ‘Wear it Yellow Day’ on Thursday, 28 May. It was wonderful to see so many students and staff wearing a touch of yellow to show their support, kindness and respect for the histories, cultures, and contributions of First Nations peoples.
By participating in ‘Wear it Yellow Day’, our students demonstrated their commitment to fairness, learning together and looking after one another. The day provided an opportunity for meaningful conversations about reconciliation and the importance of building understanding, respect, and positive relationships within our community.
Thanks to the generosity of our school community, we raised an impressive $611. These funds will support Children’s Ground, an organisation that works alongside First Nations children and families to improve education, health and wellbeing outcomes while celebrating and strengthening culture, language and identity.
Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making the day such a success.
Board Members
As shared earlier in the year, we welcomed several new members to our School Board in 2026. Some of our board members have kindly provided photos of themselves so that our community can become more familiar with the people supporting the strategic direction of our school.
We will continue to introduce additional board members in future newsletters.
Hasnein Tareque Sachin Arya
Pankaj Jain Chloe Rowe
Sendiana S Kushkumar Shinghal
Reminder:
Monday 1st June is a public holiday.
Kind regards,
Paula Asplin
Thoughts: “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein
Traffic Flow and Parking
Thank you to all parents using the Kiss ‘n’ Drive on Bushy Gardens and Beauly Parade, Parents are 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,
· Do not park on the footpath
· 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
Our applications for Kindy 2027 are now open.
If you have a child born between 1st July 2022 to 30th June 2023, you are now eligible to enrol for Kindy in 2027. Application forms can be collected from the front office.
All applications are by appointment only and accepted between 9am and 2pm.
Please call 6258 9350 to book.
Caladenia Student Achievement
At Caladenia, we love showcasing our students’ sporting achievements and events, as well as any other interests that they would like to share with our Caladenia Community.
If you have something your child would like to share, please email along with photos to the email address below:
Justine.arnold@education.wa.edu.au
Walk to School Day
On Friday 22nd May, our school proudly participated in Walk Safely to School Day. It was wonderful to see so many students arriving at school by walking, riding or scootering, embracing the opportunity to start their day in an active and positive way.
Members of the Health Team warmly welcomed students at the school gates, where participants received a temporary tattoo to acknowledge their involvement in the event. The morning provided a great opportunity for students to connect with friends, enjoy being active and promote healthy habits within our school community.
Walk Safely to School Day highlighted the importance of road safety, wellbeing and environmentally friendly ways of travelling to school. We are incredibly proud of all students and families who supported the event and contributed to such a positive experience for our school community.
Class News
Year 2 Room 24 – Mrs Readhead
It’s Getting Hot in Here!
In Year 2, Room 24, students have been learning about “Sizzling Starts” to make their narrative writing more exciting and engaging for readers. We have explored different ways authors hook their audience from the very first sentence by using action, sound, dialogue, questions and interesting descriptions. The students have loved creating their own creative openings and are becoming more confident writers every day! Students will continue building their narrative writing skills throughout the term as they learn new ways to make their stories exciting and engaging for readers.
Pre Primary Room 2 – Mrs Dalbock
What has Room 2 been up to?….
Our Pre‑Primary class has been diving into a wonderful variety of Jill Eggleton books and poems during our shared reading sessions each afternoon. These stories are rich in playful language, rhythm, and imagination, helping children build vocabulary, strengthen early literacy skills, and develop a love of reading.
This week we explored Hugo’s Glasses, and it quickly became a class favourite. Everyone loved having a turn wearing Hugo’s magical glasses and sharing the incredible things they “saw” using their imagination. It was a joyful reminder of how stories spark creativity and curiosity in young readers.
Year 3 Room 14 – Mrs Suttie
This term, the students in Room 14 have been learning about bridges and exploring how they are designed and built. Students investigated different types of bridges from around the world and discovered how shapes and materials help bridges stay strong and stable. They enjoyed working together to test which materials would build the strongest bridge. We look forward to seeing the creative bridge designs they come up with for their own construction projects!
Year 4 Room 34 – Mrs Bennier
Our Year 4 students have been exploring angles, shapes and lines through a range of engaging and hands-on Mathematics activities. Throughout the unit, students learned to identify angles within a variety of shapes and describe them as acute, right, reflex, straight or obtuse. They also developed their skills using protractors to accurately measure and draw angles. As a creative showcase of their learning, students designed their names on graph paper using only straight lines. They then used protractors to identify and measure the angles hidden within their designs. These impressive pieces of work beautifully combined creativity with mathematical understanding and have been a wonderful display of students’ effort, persistence and growing confidence in Mathematics. 
Year 5 Room 39 – Miss Manuel
This week the Year 5’s have begun their poetry units in preparation for our poetry slam at the end of term. Room 39 is thoroughly enjoying this unit, and their creative juices are flowing. So far, we have written Acrostic poems, Cinquains, Ballards, Odes, and Limericks. The big question is…who will win this year’s poetry slam?
Acrostic
Volcano By Anya
Vigorous explosions surround the Ring of Fire,
On tectonic plates they live,
Lots of types of volcanoes erupt,
Caldera, cinder cone, shield and fissure are their names,
Around Hawaii the Fire Ring lays,
Nothing lasts after the event,
Over time magma seal the top
Ballard
Planes By Kai
Waiting, oh waiting, it’s now delayed,
Up and down, makes my head spin,
Into the clouds and makes the baby cry,
Turbulence makes my legs hit my chin.
Cinquain
Nature by Yathri
Nature
Ecosystem, environment
Growing, blooming, aesthetics
Teeming with life
Paradise
Limerick
Potter Vs Malfoy by Emma
The chosen child who is Harry Potter,
Went up against Malfoy, a rotter,
They battled in Quidditch,
Zooming across the ditch,
The wind in the air became hotter.
P&C and Community News
Families across Western Australia can now access a needle-free influenza vaccination, with Australia’s most comprehensive FluMist program rolling out.
Eligible children aged 2 to 11 years can access the intranasal spray vaccine, offering a simple and painless alternative to the traditional injection.
The vaccine will be available through Child and Adolescent Community Health Immunisation clinics and at the Perth Children’s Hospital Stan Perron Immunisation Centre, as well as GPs, Aboriginal Medical Services and pharmacies across the state.
FluMist provides a safe and painless alternative for many children who may be anxious about needles. The vaccine is highly effective, providing equivalent protection against influenza A and B to traditional injectable influenza vaccines.
Watch this great video to learn more about FluMist.
Register for an immunisation appointment at one of our Child and Adolescent Community Health Clinics, or visit HealthyWA to learn more.
Centre School for Excellence 2023-2026
A Place to Learn, Belong, Achieve and Thrive
Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank You for Your Patience
Thank you to our school community for your patience and understanding during the recent issues with our internet, network and telephone systems. We understand how important clear and timely communication is for families, and we are currently exploring ways to strengthen how we communicate – both in general and in the event of any future disruptions.
P&C – Mother’s Day Stalls
Our P&C met on Wednesday evening to plan and vote on future events; however, there were not enough members in attendance to proceed. As a result, upcoming events cannot be confirmed at this stage.
I’m sure you all remember the Bunny Breakfast at the end of last term and the wonderful sense of community these events create. While we are incredibly grateful for the strong support we receive from volunteers, P&C meetings require a sufficient number of attendees to formally vote and approve events. Without this, these much-loved opportunities for our students and families may not be able to go ahead.
The P&C will be rescheduling the general meeting shortly. If you are able to give a small amount of your time to attend, it would make a significant difference. Your presence helps ensure these special events can continue for our school community.
On a more positive note, our wonderful P&C once again organised the Mother’s Day stalls, providing students with the opportunity to purchase a special gift for their mums and grandmothers. Thank you to our P&C for their continued efforts, and to our families for your ongoing support – it is greatly appreciated.
Reporting Progress to Parents – Friday 15 May – Booking Information
This week, information has been shared regarding TryBooking for our upcoming Reporting Progress to Parents meetings. A reminder that this will be a pupil free day, allowing teachers dedicated time to meet with families.
Please note:
- Only one booking per child is required
- If you feel a longer meeting is needed, please arrange this directly with your child’s teacher
- This ensures all families have the opportunity to meet with teachers
Our School Focus: A Place to Learn, Belong, Achieve and Thrive
Our current Business Plan comes to the end of its cycle this year. During our recent Staff Development Day, staff worked together to reflect on what we value most for Caladenia Primary School moving forward.
Through these discussions we reaffirmed that everything we do is guided by our shared focus:
A Place to Learn, Belong, Achieve and Thrive.
Our aim is simple: for every child to succeed, no matter their starting point
For our students and community, this means:
- Learn – building strong skills, confidence and a love of learning
- Belong – feeling safe, included and valued as part of our school community
- Achieve – being supported to do their best and make progress in their learning
- Thrive – developing the wellbeing, resilience and confidence to succeed both at school and beyond
You will see this reflected in our classrooms, our events, and the way we work together as a community. It guides our decisions and helps ensure that every child is supported to grow, feel connected, and experience success.
Waste Free Wednesdays
As part of our commitment to sustainability, we continue to look promote ‘Waste Free Wednesdays’. We are challenging our students to bring a ‘Nude Food’ lunchbox – it is simply a lunch packed without any throw-away packaging. Everything in the lunchbox should be either eaten, composted, or taken home in a reusable container.
We are hoping this simple change will help reduce the amount of plastic ending up in landfill and keep our beautiful Western Australian school grounds clea
YES PLEASE (Waste-Free) ✅
Reusable snack bags or beeswax wraps
Food in reusable containers (Bento boxes are great!)
Fruit and veg (nature’s own packaging!)
A refillable water bottle
Metal or bamboo cutlery
NO THANKS (Try to avoid) ❌
Plastic cling wrap or silver foil
Single-use “zip-lock” bags
Individually wrapped snacks (muesli bars, chips)
Juice boxes, pouches, or plastic water bottles
Plastic spoons or forks
Harmony Week Celebrations
Our Harmony Week celebrations were a wonderful success and a true reflection of our inclusive and connected school community.
A special thank you to Tina Jones for organising the Family Event, and to Louise Ewing, Katia Stirling and Andrew Frost for the beautiful Art Installation and the powerful “Bee Kind!” message.
We also extend our appreciation to Belle Connolly, Liz Rivett, Andrew Frost, and special guest David Rivett for their work in playing and organising the Harmony Week Assembly. The song choice was fantastic and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Thank you also to the many staff working behind the scenes who helped bring the week together—your efforts are truly valued.
ANZAC Day Assemblies
Our ANZAC Day Assemblies were respectful and moving commemorations. Thank you to Cody Lam, Phil Chandler, Belle Connolly, Liz Rivett and Andrew Frost for their leadership in preparing the event.
We also acknowledge the significant contribution of our Deputy Principals and Office Staff for their work behind the scenes, and a special mention to Louise Ewing for organising the beautiful poppies that decorated our assembly area.
We were honoured to welcome special guests Mr Sam Lim (Federal Member for Tangney), Mr Terry Healy (Member for Southern River) and Terresa Lynes (Mayor of the City of Gosnells), who all commented on how meaningful and well-presented our commemorations were.
Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons will commence for some classes next week. Please ensure that all clothing and belongings are clearly labelled, as we often accumulate a large amount of lost property during this time and it can be difficult to return unnamed items.
A lot has already happened so far this term, and I look forward to continuing to connect with your as I see you around the school each day.
Kind regards,
Paula Asplin
Principal
Thoughts: “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated” R Collier
School NewsOur applications for Kindy 2027 are now open.
If you have a child born between 1st July 2022 to 30th June 2023, you are now eligible to enrol for Kindy in 2027.
Application forms can be collected from the front office. All applications are by appointment only and accepted between 9am and 2pm.
Please call 6258 9350 to book.
Caladenia Student Achievement
At Caladenia, we love showcasing our students’ sporting achievements and events, as well as any other interests that they would like to share with our Caladenia Community.
If you have something your child would like to share, please email along with photos to the email address below:
Justine.arnold@education.wa.edu.au
Premier’s Reading Challenge
Discover the magic of reading and be rewarded with the Premier’s Reading Challenge 2026
Escape into a world of exciting stories, develop a love for reading and log your activity for a chance to win weekly prizes.
Established in 2022, this annual program is designed to make literacy fun and encourage all Western Australian students to explore the joy of reading.
Sign up and start your reading adventure today! 🚀✨ The challenge kicked off on 23 March and runs until 12 June 2026.
Follow the link below to join
ANZAC Day Commemoration at Caladenia
Caladenia students were invited by Mayor Terresa Lynes to take part in the City of Gosnells RSL ANZAC dawn service this year by creating paper poppies for the display, along with many other schools in the area. This was a lovely event for our wonderful students to contributes towards, and help out in our local community.
Back on our school grounds, students all made poppies to add to our delightful ANZAC horse along with poppies to go into the grass area.
On Tuesday the 28th April, Caladenia Primary School held two special ANZAC Day assemblies to honour and remember those who have served our country.
Throughout the assemblies, students participated in a range of meaningful activities. Our school community joined together in song, including a moving rendition of Lest We Forget. The Last Post was played, followed by a minute of silence, allowing everyone time to reflect. Our talented IMMS students accompanied the singing with their instruments, adding a beautiful and respectful atmosphere to the occasion. During the upper school assembly, special guests, Mr Sam Lim Federal Member for Tangney, Mr Terry Healy Member for Southern River and Ms Terresa Lynes Mayor of the City of Gosnells attended, and laid wreaths as part of the ceremony.
A highlight of the event was the display of poppies created by Caladenia students during art lessons. We had two visual displays, the ANZAC War Horse and the ANZAC poppy. We also had hand maid poppies arranged in baskets outside the assembly area, serving as a powerful visual reminder of remembrance and respect.
We are proud of the way our students conducted themselves and honoured this important day in Australian history.
Harmony Day
Harmony Week was a bright and joyful celebration of the diversity that makes our school community so special. Throughout the week, students participated in a range of activities focused on inclusion, respect, and learning about each other’s cultures and backgrounds.
Our Harmony Day Family Night was a highlight, with families coming together to enjoy food trucks, view the students’ amazing artwork and connect as a community. It was wonderful to see families enjoying time together and celebrating the rich diversity that strengthens our school.
On Thursday, Caladenia was a sea of orange as students and staff joined in Wear Orange Day to share the message that everyone belongs. Many students also proudly wore cultural and traditional dress on Friday, giving everyone the chance to celebrate the cultures represented across our school.
The celebrations culminated in the whole‑school assembly, where the beautiful Harmony Day songs reminded us of the importance of kindness, understanding, and unity.
ART – Harmony Day
INDIVIDUALLY WE GROW, TOGETHER WE BLOSSOM
This year for Harmony Week, our students have been exploring the visual theme of bees and how culture connects us all as we live, work, and play together in Harmony. Year One created colourful flowers, to represent our wonderful students in blossom. Year two created detailed pattern bees working hard together in our Caladenia Hive. Year three focused on the colours and symbols from their backgrounds to represent the cultural diversity our school is made up from. Year 4 created one large bee, with each student adding a small section of palette knife painting. Year 5 designed culture postage stamps inspired by their home countries to recognise and celebrate all cultures around the globe. Year 6 students focused on positive words to express what we can be as individuals, to make our hive here at Caladenia a positive place to bee.
Like busy Bees, our wonderful students, staff, and community work hard each day, contributing towards the inclusive environment we are lucky enough to call our school. Our Caladenia hive is filled with many cultures, near and far across the globe, working hard in harmony.
Harmony Week is a beautiful occasion that allows us to celebrate all that makes us unique and how we connect, inspire and share our cultures each and every day.
Cross Stitch Club
This year the Year 6 students have been offered the chance to learn cross stitch in a lunchtime club. The students are creating their own pattern to stitch a bookmark. They must first choose symbols for the colours they are using. Using a set grid size they set about using the symbols to chart a symmetrical pattern. Some students have chosen one line of symmetry and some have chosen two. Once their pattern is created the exciting part of learning how to cross stitch following their own pattern commenced.
The hardest part for all students has been the separating of the stranded cotton and then the dreaded…. threading of the needle! Although this has sparked fear, dread and frustration in all the students the celebration when it is finally threaded is so worthwhile. That is until… they slip the needle off the thread and must start again 😊. Boys and girls are found in Rm 37 often complaining about how lunch time is not long enough as they want to continue stitching. Some students have finished their initial bookmark and are now venturing into following a commercial pattern to stitch something else.
Students are welcome to come along to have a go whenever they like. Room 37 with Mrs Weissflog at 1pm on Wednesdays. Bring your lunch and enthusiasm!
Class News
Kindy Room 3 – Miss Ellis/ Mrs Sunkar
Our Kindy students had the pleasure of being visited by Fairy Rebecca. Fairy Rebecca dazzled them with song, dance and storytelling. They learnt about the senses using bubbles, bees and rainbow scarves. Our students thoroughly enjoyed the experience which ended with a fascinating story about finding a pet.
MAC Room 19 – Mrs Smith
Room 19: Leading the Charge for Sustainability and Science!
It has been an incredibly busy and productive few weeks in Room 19. Our students have stepped up as leaders, educators, and budding scientists, showing a fantastic commitment to both our school environment and the natural world.
Becoming Waste Free Warriors
Our classroom has officially launched the Waste Free Wednesdays initiative! The mission is simple but vital: encouraging every student at Caladenia to reduce single-use plastics and rethink how we pack our lunches. The students of Room 19 have been the driving force behind this campaign. To spread the word, they have:
- Presented to individual classes, explaining the importance of being a “Waste Free Warrior.
- Taken the stage at the senior assembly, delivering confident and persuasive presentations to their peers.
- Designed vibrant posters which you may have seen displayed around the undercover area and school corridors.
This is not just a one-off event; Room 19 will be continuing this campaign throughout the year, monitoring waste levels across the school each week to see the positive impact we are making.
A Buzz About Science: The DPIRD Bee Incursion
In addition to our environmental work, our science curriculum came to life recently with a special visit from Kate at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). As part of our term’s science focus, students had the unique opportunity to learn about the critical role bees play in our ecosystem. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the observation frame, which allowed students to safely observe live bees in action. Kate was thoroughly impressed by the high level of knowledge our students displayed. They asked insightful questions and showed a deep understanding of biosecurity and the natural world.
Whether they are monitoring the school’s waste or studying the intricate lives of bees, the students of Room 19 are proving themselves to be thoughtful and engaged citizens.
P&C and Community News
Bunny Breakfast
Leeming SHS is pleased to share with you an exciting opportunity for your year 5 students to apply for entry into one or more of our Specialist Programs for 2028, through our selective testing application process. We are offering students in Year 5 the opportunity to now apply for these sought after placements and have their selection, and enrolment, into Leeming SHS confirmed for the start of Year 6, ready for Year 7 in 2028 at Leeming SHS.
Many year six students over the past years have applied and been successful in being selected for one of our approved Specialist Programs. These include – Japanese Specialist, Science and Technology Academy Specialist and additionally possible entry to our Academic Extension Program. Students from near and further afield to Leeming SHS have sought placements in our programs. Leeming SHS fosters a nurturing environment by developing strong relationships with our students and supporting them to achieve their goals. With our personalised student-centred approach in all we do and being a mid-sized school with an enrolment of 1200 students, we are in a unique and well positioned learning environment to support our students’ academic pursuits in an inclusive and wellbeing focused environment. It’s a feature that sets us apart from the larger schools. It’s the reason why so many families are keen to seek a specialist enrolment placement in Japanese or the Science and Technology Academy for their child and to complete secondary schooling with us.
Applications for selective entry into the programs have now opened and close on Friday 18 September 2026. Testing days are planned for Saturday 24th October and Saturday 31st October this year. Families will be contacted from our school reception regarding the details. All details about our school and Specialist Programs and pathways can be found on our website www.leeming.wa.edu.au or through this link Specialist Programs – https://leeming.wa.edu.au/specialist-programs/
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:
Sustainability
Our 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 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
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 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 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
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
Great students, Great Staff, Great Parents, Building Greater Communities
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we come to the end of another wonderful year at Caladenia, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our students, parents and staff for making it such a positive and memorable one. The enthusiasm, support and dedication shown across our community continues to make our school a truly special place.
We are incredibly grateful to our P&C for the many enjoyable events they have provided throughout the year. These opportunities have strengthened connections within our school and created lasting memories for our students and families. The Caladenia staff and P&C have greatly valued working together to support our community and to continue building strong, meaningful partnerships. Please look our for their flyers at the beginning of next year – we’d all appreciate it if you can volunteer and be part of the P&C, whenever and however you can.
Together, we remain committed to supporting our students emotionally, socially and academically, while fostering a creative environment where students are encouraged to be curious, to dream and to try. Thank you for being such an important part of our journey — we look forward to continuing this work together in the coming year.
We had a few events this week to finalise our year – we had our Book Award Assemblies on Tuesday; the recipients are listed later in this message.
On Wednesday, the Year 5s challenged the Caladenia Staff to a Netball match. The staff were able to able to share their experience, teamwork and a strategic use of substitutions to outplay the students’ youthful energy. Both players and spectators had an enjoyable time, with lots of laughter and comradery. A special thanks to the students who organised the event and for all those that participated.
And today was our final event for the year, our Christmas Carol Assembly. Which was an absolute joy. The students all looked amazing in their festive attire, they sang beautifully and enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate together. Thank you to all the parents who came along, it was really wonderful to see you all.
I would also like to take this opportunity to personally thank the staff of Caladenia PS. They all, no matter what role they do, work incredibly hard to make a positive impact on our school through their dedication enthusiasm and willingness to support the students and families as well as their colleagues. I feel very fortunate to be able to work alongside such a great team.
Thoughts:
I will leave you with the message I shared with the Year 6s at their Leavers Assembly – they are from Walt Disney:
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” and to do this we need to “First think. Second believe. Third dream. And finally, dare.”
We hope you all have a wonderful and safe break, and we look forward to seeing you in the new year.
Kind regards,
Paula Asplin
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 2nd 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.
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.
