Kaya families

National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week

26 May is National Sorry Day which was first recognised in 1998, one year after the ‘Bringing them Home’ report was tabled in Parliament.  National Sorry Day recognises and reflects upon the impact of the arrival of the first Europeans on First Nations people.  It also recognises those people in the Stolen Generation and the ongoing hurt that many First Nation families experienced when families were separated by the Government. 

Classes will create a window display of the purple Native Hibiscus, the flower chosen by the Kimberley Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation members, to symbolise the scattering of the children and young people in the Stolen Generation.  The flower was adopted because it is widely found across Australia and it is survivor.  Its purple colour denotes compassion and healing.   

27 May to 3 June is National Reconciliation Week and during this week classes will be building their knowledge and understanding of the ongoing journey to have strong relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous people.  We are making the most of this opportunity to understand what we can do to achieve reconciliation.  This year’s theme is “Be Brave, Make Change”. 

Assembly update

The next assembly will be held on Tuesday 24 May 2022 at 2.15pm.  The Year 4 children are the presenters, and their assembly theme leads into the school’s recognition of National Sorry Day on Thursday 26 May and National Reconciliation Week commencing on Friday 27 May. 

COVID-19 update

• Staffing

COVID-19 continues to impact on some aspects of the school’s work with staff and students being away from school due to illness. 

As it is difficult to find relief staff, I would like to thank teachers and education assistants for their flexibility as we juggle people’s daily work to ensure that every class has a teacher and those class needing an education assistant are also catered for.  It has been a huge task to make last minute timetable changes, and for teachers and education assistants to step into classrooms where they are not normally based.  Staff willingness to be responsive in unpredictable times is greatly appreciated.

• RATs 

Families can collect a box of free RATs from the school for each child in their family.  For example, if you have two children, you will receive two boxes of RATs.  If you have not collected your tests from the school, please come to the office.  We can only give the RATs to parents and carers and cannot send them home with the children. 

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Have you signed up yet? 

We encourage you to join us in unlocking the wonderful world of reading for your children. Help them to join the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Will they fly above the clouds, dive into the ocean or jump into a rocket ship? All students from Kindergarten to Year 10 are challenged to read 12 books by 9 September 2022.

You can help your children sign up via the website, choose their own avatar and log all the books they read over the course of the Challenge. Weekly prizes will be awarded to students who log a book that week, with major prizes drawn when the challenge ends.

Books don’t have to be in English – children are encouraged to read books in their first language.

There are extraordinary tourism prizes to be won each week.

Sign up your children on the website to begin their magical journey.

Mother’s Day stall – Thank you!

Thank you to the P&C Association’s for arranging a wonderful Mother’s Day stall.  If you were lucky enough to receive a gift, I hope that you enjoyed your treat.

P&C Association

Joondalup Schools has always been very well supported by the P&C Association.  The work of current and past volunteers that has given us the Nature Play area, allowed school camp fees to be subsidised, ensured that we have canteen, organised the Colour Run, purchased the Interschool Athletics shirts, helped at Carols events, and organised sausage sizzles and numerous stalls, and so much more. 

Currently the P&C Association is dwindling in the number of volunteers and the amount of time that people can give.  I would strongly encourage you to think about how you might be involved in the P&C Association.  The next meeting is Wednesday 8 June 2022 at 7.00pm at the school.  Mark it in your diary and plan to come along.

School Development Day

Please remember that Friday 3 June is a School Development Day so no children come to school.