Principal’s Report
We are looking forward to supporting our Grade 3 and Grade 5 students to complete their NAPLAN tests once again this term – the tests started today for both grade levels with Writing. The test window is earlier this year, as it is normally conducted in May each year. As per 2022, the tests, apart from the Grade 3 Writing section, will be completed online. After watching the students have a practice previously, I can see that they seem to be comfortable with this approach. We wish them all the best and say thank you to their teachers who have been working hard to help the students build their skills in the lead up – which really begins in Prep! Please contact the classroom teacher, Carice D’Rozario, or myself, if you have any queries about NAPLAN.
The next Curriculum Day for our school will be held on Monday 24th April – please note that there are no students required at school that day, as staff will all be undertaking professional learning in the areas of literacy teaching, numeracy teaching and wellbeing support. Thus, the first day of Term 2 will be the day after ANZAC Day – Wednesday 26th April.
Last Wednesday, the Prep Teacher Team held an information session for Prep 2023 parents and carers to check-in on where our “new” Preps are up to and how we can continue to support our students with our school-home partnership. We will hold an information evening for all of our Junior School parents and carers with a focus on Literacy Learning next term – to be held on Wednesday 3rd of May, further details will be confirmed closer to the date.
Thank you to the co-ordinator of the program, Jessica Tannock, for her work in getting this program up and running this term. The first session was held yesterday, with community members coming in to work with our students in the garden – a wonderful place to learn and try out new skills. Thank you also to Shelley Beardshaw for her work in liaising with the volunteers and providing support to get this program off the ground, after the success of the Pen Pal Project and Come Sit By Me Program in recent years.
We are looking forward to our first working Bee for 2023! Please come and join us on Saturday 25th March, from 10am to 12pm. Morning tea will be provided on the day. Further details on tasks to follow – but guaranteed there will be mulching and weeding!
Congratulations to all Year 3 – 6 students and staff who so enthusiastically participated in Athletics Day at the Little Athletics Track in Cockatoo. Students had been preparing for the day over the past few weeks in PE with Mr. Stella. A special thank you to Mr Stella for his planning of the events and of course our team of Teachers and Education Support Staff who ensure everything runs smoothly on the day. We also greatly appreciate the Emerald Secondary School Students who come to assist on the day and are a great support to us and excellent role models for our EPS students.
Winners were……. A’VARD HOUSE!!!!
It was a privilege to induct our new group of Student Leaders at the Leadership Assembly last Friday, when we announced all leaders and captains and presented them with their badges.
We are very much looking forward to working with the following students in the leadership group this year:
Student Action Team 2023
Emma Clark
Principal
Emerald Primary School will be acknowledging and celebrating Harmony Week from Monday 20th – Sunday 26th March.
‘Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds.
It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.’
Staff will be completing activities in their classroom to celebrate diversity and encourage inclusiveness.
Friday 24th March 2023 will be an out of uniform day, where students can wear orange, rainbow colours or traditional cultural clothing to bookend our celebrations of Harmony Week.
This month Elliot Goldsmith from grade 6 is participating in Laps for Life in support of the youth mental health service ReachOut. He is aiming to swim 10km during March and is fundraising for the challenge.
ReachOut provides resources, information and counselling to kids and teens struggling with mental health issues. If you are able to help this organisation please donate through his page: https://www.lapsforlife.com.au/fundraisers/elliotgoldsmith
Thank you for your support to keep Elliot moving in the pool!
Community News
Canteen Special!
Friday Meal Deal
Green chicken and Caesar salad wrap
&
Green jelly cup
$6.50
Breaking up is hard to do!!!!!!!!
It’s time for the canteen to break up with single use straws, these will not be available in 2023
More than 8 million tonnes of plastic enters the world’s ocean every year and over 90% is single use plastic.
So let’s say bye bye to straws and hello to BYO. We highly recommend reusable options over all disposables. Students can purchase a reusable silicone straw in its own case with the school Emblem for $4 from the canteen (over the counter or via online) or uniform shop.
