Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome
To all our returning 2024 families and students, welcome back. To all our new families for 2025, welcome to our wonderful school community.
Term 1 began for staff on Monday 3rd February, and we welcomed a group of new staff, some to permanent vacancies and others to fixed-term positions for the year.
When I began in Term 4 I had the privilege to interview 21 applicants for positions at our school. I learnt a lot about Explicit Instruction and Kagan Strategies and even discovered how we use pop sticks in Primary School.
All our staff have settled rapidly into a new year, new strategies and new rooms for many.
I am very happy to be back at Caladenia for Term 1 this year and can confirm my last day as your Principal will be Sunday 27th April. I am back into retirement for the third time in less than 12 months.
Students started on Wednesday 5th February to be greeted with the usual Term 1 “hot” weather. Despite the heat they have settled very well in to a new year of learning and growth. Our teachers were very excited to be able to welcome back our returning students and meet and greet all our new Caladenia students.
New Staff
The following staff are returning to our school as permanent members of staff;
· Linda Anderson – K/PP Teacher
· Zac D’Souza – Year 2 Teacher
· Cody Lam – Year 6 Teacher
· Erin McAllister – Year 5 Teacher
We also welcome Laura Reese back from extended leave. Laura will be leading our EALD program for 2025.
The following staff are returning to our staff as fixed term teachers;
· Corey Griffiths – Year 6 Teacher
· Taylia Lewis – Year 1 Teacher
· Melanie Robinson – DOTT cover
· Katia Stirling – Art and DOTT Teacher
The following staff are joining us for the first time at our wonderful school as fixed term teachers;
· Olivia Atwell – Year 3 Teacher
· Jessica East – Year 4 Teacher
· Elena Fucentese – School Officer (Admin)
· Tina Jones – Year 1 Teacher
· Joanne Thompson – Year 4 Teacher
· Jacob Westley – Year 6 Teacher
Traffic Flow and Parking
The City of Gosnells request that all school families observe traffic rules around the school – the Ranger will be visiting our school in the mornings and afternoons during the term to observe traffic flow and rules of parking. The Ranger requests
· Do not park in a Kiss and Drive bay or NO STOPPING, NO PARKING areas
· Do not double park
· Do not drive on the wrong side of the road for ANY distance
· Do not park on the nature strips/lawns around the school
· Do not park against the flow of traffic
· Do not stop or park in bus bays
· Use Kiss and Drive bays as DROP-OFF only
· Always be aware of children on roads
· Walk or cycle/ride to school
· Always stop on the school side of the road so your child is not crossing the road
· Use the crosswalk at all times
· Use parent parking on school site properly – be quick so others can also access the parking
· Do not block driveways
· Do not park on footpaths
· Don’t get frustrated – it doesn’t help and children will be the losers if you “lose it”
· Observe the 40km/hour speed zone – it is there to protect your children
A fine will be imposed by Rangers for not observing the above and for parking in a Disabled Parking Bay
Our School
· Term 1 2025 is a 10-week term and ends on Friday 11th April for students and staff
· Term 2 begins on Tuesday 29th April for students and staff.
I wish all our families and staff a happy and productive year of learning at Caladenia. We all work together to do all we can to make sure our students receive the very best education we can possibly provide. Please work with us to support your teachers and your children’s learning.
Thank you
Thought: Learning is a journey. We have never arrived…..
Principal
Paul Bottcher
School News
Our 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
Senudi Shines at the Australian Junior Chess Championship 2025
Congratulations to Senudi for her outstanding performance at the Australian Junior Chess Championship 2025, where she secured 2nd runner-up in the Under 12 Girls category. This prestigious national tournament, held at Manning Community Centre in Perth from 13th to 21st January, brought together the best young chess players from across the country, showcasing an incredible level of talent and competition. Senudi’s dedication, strategic thinking, and hard work have once again placed her among Australia’s top junior chess players.
Beyond the chessboard, Senudi also showcased her musical talents as a chorister. She had the incredible opportunity to sing with the One Big Voice Studio Choir at the Perth Nativity Concert, held on the 22nd and 23rd of December at Forrest Place, and at the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony of the City of Wanneroo, held at Peter Moyes Anglican Community School in Mindarie.
Congratulations to Senudi on these remarkable achievements in both chess and music! Her commitment and passion continue to inspire us all.
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
Mathematics Text Books
We understand that there have been some delays in families receiving their orders for the Oxford Mathematics Text book and the Math Mate Text books. We have contacted Campion Education and they have advised that they do have the Oxford Mathematics Texts in stock, and they are waiting for some supplies of the Math Mate texts to arrive. Campion Education advised that they should have all items by the end of February. If families are waiting for a back order can they please follow-up with Campion Education and obtain the text books as soon as possible. This will enable classes to begin using the texts in the Mathematics program. We thank you for your assistance.
Class News
Year 1 Room 30 – Miss Williams
Year One is Fun!
What an exciting start to the year Room 30 has had! It was amazing to see so many smiling faces starting Year One for the first time!
To break the ice, to get to know our new friends we shared our ‘All About Me Bags’. We collected miniature objects, photos, drawings or anything that would fit in the bag from home that tell a little bit about ourselves. Some interesting news items included a Godzilla figurine, a Super Mario Lego structure and many cute baby photos! It was a lot of fun sharing our favourite things.
We also learnt how to create a safe classroom environment by learning how to make good decisions by understanding red and green choices. We discussed a variety of red and green choice pictures and sorted them into the correct category to make a poster.
It has been a busy start to the year, and we can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for us! Year One, here we come! 
Year 4 Room 29 – Mr Chandler
The Year 4s in Room 29 have stepped into the new year with energy and enthusiasm! We’ve been busy getting to know our new classmates and building a strong sense of community within our classroom. Through a variety of fun and engaging activities, everyone has had the opportunity to share a little about themselves and learn more about their peers. It’s been wonderful to watch old friendships rekindle and new ones form as our team members work together, starting the year with a sense of belonging.
In addition to strengthening relationships, we’ve explored our individual learning styles. We’ve discovered that some students are visual learners, while others excel through verbal, rhythmic or kinaesthetic approaches. Team-building activities have been crucial to our efforts to encourage collaboration, trust and respect in the classroom, laying a solid foundation for the year ahead.
Community News
NO TRAFFIC WARDEN
The Traffic Warden who works at the Children’s Crossing on Boardman Road, near Beauly Parade is unable to work Wednesday afternoon the 19th of February. Unfortunately, we have no relief staff available to cover the position.
Please take appropriate action and inform your students and the school community to be vigilant whilst crossing without a warden present.
