Principal's Report
Kaya.
It is so nice to have our classrooms and playgrounds filled with people again learning, laughing and working together. A big welcome to all new students and staff who are joining us this year, and welcome back to all those students who are now in a new year group.
We have had a really smooth start to the school year, and students have adjusted to the routine of the classroom well. Teachers will predominantly be using SeeSaw to communicate with families. If you are unable to access SeeSaw or are not getting any messages please get in touch with the school so we can work it out with you.
Please also download the Schoolzine app on your phone.
You can use Schoolzine to view the Term Planner, notify of absences and change of details and link to the Canteen ordering system.
Please find instructions to instal below
Congratulations to Anna Eason who has won the principal position at Mt Hawthorn Education Support Centre. Anna will not be returning to Joondalup, and we wish her all the very best at Mt Hawthorn. Welcome back, Sean Whitehead, who will be replacing Anna for this term at present.
Staff stories
Last week staff were busy preparing classrooms and activities for students. We took a little time out to spend with Sammy Wyborn, an Aboriginal artist from Broome, who taught us how to write our own stories through art. It was a great way to learn about each other and spend time together.
Smoking Ceremony
Yesterday students, staff and families participated a Smoking Ceremony ledby Jason Barrow. It was a fantastic way to start the school year. Jason told us the significance of the ceremony, the importance of the leaves that we used, and what we put into the fire. It was a lovely way to bring everyone together, and to get our bodies and minds ready for learning in 2023.
Updated student information forms
These forms are being sent out over the next couple of days. It is really important families spend the time to ensure that all the details on the forms are correct. All families need to complete and return the form, even if all the details are correct. If nothing has changed for you there is an option to tick that everything is correct. Thank you in advance for getting these forms back to us as soon as possible.
Assembly update
The first school assembly will be held on Tuesday 14 February 2023 commencing at 2.15pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. This assembly is being presented by the school captains. Our assemblies are shared together with Joondalup Primary School, and everyone from pre-primary – year six attend.
Joondalup Schools P&C Association Annual General Meeting and General Meeting
The P&C Association will be holding their AGM on Wednesday 15 February 2023 from 7.00pm. All P&C meetings are held at the school in the staffroom. Rest assured, no one likes a long meeting and a good meeting is productive! Coming to the meeting does not automatically mean that you get a job so please come and hear about the work of the P&C
Therapy at school
At the end of last year families will have received some information about therapy sessions at school. This is for families who have therapists, and would like the therapist to come to school to work with your child during (or around) school hours. Below is the letter you may have received. Attached are the forms, just in case you need them.
Joondalup Education Support Centre understands that parents may engage external service providers to deliver services for their children when they require additional health, disability, and wellbeing support. In some circumstances it may be appropriate for these services to be delivered at school to ensure their child receives the best support and can participate fully in school.
Joondalup ESC has developed a Therapy Philosophy for our families, therapists, and school, as a guide for best practice for therapy to be successful. After meeting with therapy providers at our annual service meeting, this philosophy was presented and supported.
We ask that prior to completing the request form attached that due consideration is given to :
- Therapy services must align with or compliment the reasonable adjustments being provided by the school to facilitate the student’s access to education. Where the service does not link with the student’s learning needs or enhance access to education, the service may be better delivered outside of school time.
- Therapy should be engaged by families outside of school and not just in school, to maintain a strong relationship and assist the student to practice skills in an ongoing basis outside of school hours.
This year the requests for therapy provided at school has grown substantially. We will try to accommodate all requests and provide suitable areas for therapy, however this may not be possible to meet all requests.
Should you wish to request a therapy provider see your child at school during 2023 please complete and return the attached request form and read our Therapy Philosophy, therapy will commence week 5 of term 1.
If you have any queries please contact the school and ask for Kellie Carter, our School Liaison Officer.