Dear Parents and Carers
Unfortunately, I was called away from Friday’s assembly and missed Room 9’s item. I am told that they did an amazing job of their retake of Hansel and Gretel. Miss Allan has been off sick most of the week and I would like to thank Miss Cox, Mrs Walker, Mr Leslie and Mr Logan for helping the class prepare for their assembly without their teacher. I also extend thanks to the students of Room 9 who led the way all week in preparing for their assembly – you have shown great persistence and leadership all week.
Congratulations to our award winners for this week:
| ECE1 | Alison |
| ECE1 | Lachlan |
| ECE3 | Matheus |
| Rm 1 | Mainavi |
| Rm 2 | Rose |
| Rm 4 | Tiara |
| Rm 5 | Reggie |
| Rm 6 | Emi |
| Rm 7 | Sherab |
| Rm 8 | Sofia |
| Rm 9 | Daniel |
| Rm 10 | Daniel |
| Rm 11 | Jud |
| Rm 12 | Moaz |
| Rm 13 | Rex |
| PE Award: | |
| Rm 10 | Jonty |
| PBS Medallion Award: | |
| Rm 10 | Cole |
| Rm 11 | Hamish |
Fear Less Seminar
For some students the transition to high school can be a time of increased anxiety and worry about what to expect as they leave the safety and predictability of their primary school years. We are offering a Fear Less Seminar for parents. This is free and will be held in our School Library on Tuesday 6 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm. There are limited places available, and registration is essential. The seminar is presented by our School Psychologist, Serena Whisson. I have completed this course, as have most of our staff, and I can highly recommend it. It is open to all parents but has a particular relevance for Year 5 and 6 parents.
Book Week
The Book Week parade is on Thursday, 22 August at 8.50am in the Undercover Area.
New Fence and Gate
If you have been at the school in the last few days, you will have seen our new gate and fence between the Junior Block and the Administration Building.
The main reason for the installation is for the safety of students.
- We have students across both schools who can become dysregulated and one of their instincts can be to run. We have had a near miss with a child running through the car park.
- Many of the dog walkers who use the oval after school and on weekends do not clean up after their dogs. We frequently have students step in dog poo and it is very upsetting for both the child and the staff who need to clean it up. It is also inconvenient for parents who are called to ask to bring a clean pair of shoes down to the school.
- Over school holidays we are having more frequent intruders to the site causing damage and leaving rubbish and graffiti.
Unfortunately, there is one unintended consequence and that is families will not be able to access the playground or the basketball courts on the weekend. Families can still access the school grounds after school. Please be advised that all gates will be locked at 6pm, when OSH Club closes for the day.
Book Builder’s Challenge Book Launch
“I loved letting my ideas flow into my book.”
“I loved that this program gave everyone a chance to experience writing a book.”
“I loved meeting all the different authors and illustrators, and that the challenge was so fun”.
These are the perspectives of just a handful of the Year 4, 5 and 6 students at East Victoria Park Primary School who participated in the pilot Book Builders Challenge program and can now proudly call themselves authors.
The program, devised by lead creative and award-winning junior fiction author Kristy Nita Brown, ran during Semester 1 and was delivered to over 150 of our students in Year 4, 5, and 6. Each class attended 22 workshops with award-winning authors and illustrators and learned every aspect of publishing a book.
On Monday 29 July, at the Town of Victoria Park Library, the hours of effort committed by students were on display, with their final books proudly sitting on the shelves, ready for patrons to borrow. The Book Builders Challenge Book Launch event was a genuine celebration of local young authors and illustrators and an opportunity to showcase their work.
“It is an absolute delight to be here,” enthused the Hon David Templeman MLA, as he opened the launch, which also saw the winners of the Challenge announced and professionally printed versions of their books available for sale.
“Funded by a $37,354 grant from for the Cook Government’s Creativity for Schools program, the high standard of works produced clearly shows the benefits for students of learning from industry professionals.”
“The Creativity for Schools program supports young people in discovering and developing their creative potential through culture and arts projects while also building skills applicable to other areas of their learning,” he added.
Consequently, the Book Builders Challenge went beyond developing practical writing skills and immersed students in all aspects of book creation, including illustration, editing, printing, publishing, marketing and distribution.
“I created the Book Builders Challenge to bridge the gap between the classroom and the real-world of independent publishing,” says program powerhouse Kristy. “The Book Builders Challenge is more than just a competition; it’s a journey into the world of books from conception to the readers’ hands. Children learn the intricacies of bringing a book to market and my goal is to ignite a lifelong passion for reading and writing in these students, giving them a platform to shine. I can’t tell you how thrilling it is to see these library shelves behind me filled with books for kids, made by kids,” she added.
Alongside the Hon David Templeman MLA, dignitaries including the Hon Hannah Beazley MLA (alumnus of East Victoria Park Primary School), Katherine Dorrington and staff from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, staff of the Town of Victoria Park Library and Council, parents and families of the young authors, and the students themselves, who greatly enjoyed reading the newly created books and marvelling at the creativity of their peers.
Keynote speaker, award-winning children’s book author Ash Harrier, perfectly captured the sentiment of the event when she encouraged the newest members of Victoria Park’s circle of authors and creators to, “Go out into the world and use your storytelling powers for good.”
Following the successful pilot at East Victoria Park Primary Schools, plans are underway to expand the Book Builders Challenge to more schools in 2025. The 2024 program was made possible through funding from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries as part of the Creativity for Schools (Collaboration Category) funding round. Schools interested in participating in the Book Builders Challenge for 2025 are encouraged to express their interest at www.kristynitabrown.com.au
East Victoria Park Primary School has already expressed their interest in being part of the Challenge in 2025.
Winning Author’s Jessica M and Phoebe L have had their books published. They are now available for purchase in the School Office for $15 each. All proceeds go the P&C, which means the money goes back into the school.
Please read on now for the Student Councillor messages delivered at the assembly this morning.
Zane: Good morning, everyone, I would just like to talk about the interschool cross country. Congratulations to everyone that made it to interschool, and even though we didn’t come first, everyone who participated should be happy that they tried. Our school is getting better at carnivals every time.
Jess: Hi everyone, welcome back, guess what? Years 1 and 2 have been having a Potato Olympics! On the first day years 1 to 2 dressed up their potatoes in Olympic clothes and created Olympic medals. The next day, they did running races and measured the length of the rolling potatoes and by Wednesday, it was time for weightlifting! Students found out how much their potatoes weighed and how much the potatoes could lift. On Thursday there was diving and today is the closing ceremony. Thank you to anyone who participated, and I hope you had fun.
Annabelle: On Monday we attended the Book Builders Challenge Book Launch at the Victoria Park Library. I would like to say a big thank you to all the distinguished guests that included- The Honourable David Templeman, Minister for Culture and the Arts; Sport and Recreation; International Education; and Heritage and the Honourable Hannah Beazley, Minister for Local Government; Youth; and Minister Assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development.
We are very grateful for everyone that came- parents, carers, staff and students. I would also like to thank Sean E Avery and Kristy Brown. We are very appreciative that we had the opportunity to create our own books and to go through the whole process of making our books.
Mira: Good morning, everyone, on Monday, years 5 to 6 participated in the book launch, where they got to see their books on display. Another congrats to Jessica M and Phoebe L for winning the Book Builder’s Challenge. Their books have been professionally published and are available to purchase from the school office – they are $15 each.
Today is Principal’s Day and we would like to read you our poem:
We recognise principals.
On this great special day
The things that they do for us
We would like to repay
For all these years they’ve worked hard
Guiding us through learning
We praise you for your effort
You keep our brains turning
We have a group of Year 5 students who have started a gardening club in the early childhood playground area. They have addressed the following to our parent community:
Are you going to Bunnings soon? We were wondering if you could be kind enough to offer a donation.
If you are going, could you get gardening gloves – student size, hand tools, vegetables or flower seeds, slow-release fertilizer, potting mix, watering cans, or plastic buckets.
Please donate because we are making a better world.
The Sustainables are a group of year fives who are making this world a little better for the generations after us. We plant seeds, grow plants, pick up plastic, and teach kids to care for nature.
Thank you for you for reading, we are grateful for donations.
Charlotte B, Edith W, Milly M, Zadie M and Teannah S.
Have a great week ahead, our next assembly is on Friday, 23 August, hosted by Room 6.
Please be reminded that Monday 19 August is a School Development Day for staff and that no students attend school on that day.
Kind regards
Kim Knowles