Ever-living God, 

We remember those whom you have gathered from the storm of war into the peace of your presence. May the same place calm our fears. Bring justice to all people and establish harmony among the nations. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen. 

Last week stood out as a particularly proud moment for our school community as we celebrated the culmination of the Year 6 Exhibition. This event signified more than just the end of an inquiry; it represented the journey our learners have undertaken through the Primary Years Programme (PYP), enriched by deep inquiry, personal growth, and collaborative experiences.

Over the past seven weeks, our Year 6 cohort has delved into the complex concept of relationships, exploring its significance in human interactions, our natural world, and global communities. This exploration went beyond conventional learning environments, evolving into a transformative experience that broadened their understanding of self, society, and our planet.

Centred around the PYP’s transdisciplinary theme, "Sharing The Planet," the Exhibition highlighted our learners' insights into global interconnectedness. They tackled questions about resource conservation, societal responsibilities, and ecological awareness, demonstrating remarkable depth in their thinking and research. This journey not only honed their academic abilities but also crucial life skills such as critical thinking, creativity, resilience, and empathy. Below are some reflections taken from our learners:

Lili – “Exhibition was a valuable learning experience that helped me grow and was an experience I won’t forget anytime soon!”

Carrie – “Exhibition taught me to embrace my expertise and be confident in my efforts”.

Finn – “Through Exhibition I developed communication skills – a particular highlight was reaching out to experts and understanding their thinking and views.”

Amelia N – “Throughout Exhibition I learnt about the potential of relationships. One relationship that strengthened my inquiry was with my amazing mentor!”

Zaina – “Throughout Exhibition I enjoyed many different challenges and am grateful for the opportunity”.

Phoebe – “During Exhibition, I took risks that led to greater opportunities. Throughout this I learnt about global problems that has a significant impact on me”  

Grace – “The opening performance was an opportunity to celebrate all that we have learnt throughout our time in primary school”.

The essence of this year's Exhibition was the exploration of relationships, weaving the diverse inquiries of our learners into a collective narrative. This story emphasized the importance of our interconnected roles as stewards of the planet and the power of working together for a sustainable future. We trust that the Exhibition has inspired our school community to reflect on the vital web of relationships that shape our world.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to you, our families and community members, for your presence and support. Your engagement is a vital part of our learners' success and the vibrant life of our school. As we move forward, we are excited to continue supporting the growth and achievements of all our students.

Thank you again for your continued support of our school fete-  selling of raffle tickets and the stall holder's preparation.  A HUGE thank you to our fete committee, who are working tirelessly, and also to our incredibly generous sponsors.  Please see below for all our fete news and information. One more week to go!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend and a peace-filled week ahead with your beautiful families. 

Philippa

Triple P Parenting Course - FREE

Parents and carers are offered access to free online parenting courses developed in Australian by the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, thanks to Australian Government funding.
This link takes you to the program which assists with the everyday challenges parents and carers face raising calm, resilient and happy children.

Early Childhood Australia's Statement on Play

The ECA's Statement on Play reflects the commitment to protect and promote the right of every child in Australia to play. The Statement draws on robust evidence from diverse disciplines on the essential nature of play and its impact on every child's wellbeing, learning and development. This includes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, on the child's right to play.

Each Week the Newsletter will contain one of the 6 principles to promote and protect play for parents and carers.

PRINCIPLE THREE

Play builds each child’s capacity for communication and develops language and thinking skills.

What can we do at home?

• Share your own play traditions with your child or translate games and songs from their early
learning setting using home or first languages.
• Delight in your child’s abstract thinking, creative ideas and problem-solving.
• Get involved with your child’s curiosity about the immediate environment; use readily available
materials—pegs, baskets, plastic cups, cushions—and engage with existing phenomena.

Stay and Play

Stay and Play is a playgroup for pre-preschoolers and their carer each Wednesday in school term 9am-10am in the ELC Adventure Garden (weather permitting). All families and the broader community are welcome to attend.

Our yearly swimming Program Kinder to Year 5 will occur from Tuesday-Friday in Weeks 8 and 9.  Students will travel via bus to their swimming lesson with their classroom teacher. Students will be placed in skill level appropriate groups for the lessons. These groups are likely to change once the swimming program commences and swim instructors assess ability levels. Students can wear their swimmers to school under their uniform and bring a t-shirt to wear to the pool.  Every day students must bring their towel (goggles and swim caps are optional).

Students can bring slip on shoes to wear to the pool, but these should not  be worn to school. Please pack a spare bag for the wet swimmers and towels.  Ensuring all items are labelled will reduce lost property at the pool. 

If you have any questions please email your classroom teacher.

Reminder: Fete raffle tickets

Each family should have received at least one booklet of raffle tickets to sell to help raise funds as part of our fete event.

If you have sold your tickets, please bring the ticket stubs along with any cash payments to the front office so we can begin acquitting sold tickets against the money received. All tickets must be accounted for and must be returned by COB Thursday 16 November. 

If you are using the Qkr! App for your payments, you will be asked to include the ticket number/s for individuals or book number/s for purchase of a book. 

There are also prizes for the families who sell the most tickets:

1st prize: Apple iPad 9th Generation valued at $549 (generously donated by Kids Biz)

2nd prize: $100 Westfield voucher

3rd prize: $75 Lego store voucher

4th prize: $50 Hoyts voucher

Thank you for helping us - your efforts will go a long way in helping us reach our goal!

Donations required to support Countdown to Christmas fete

The Countdown to Christmas Fete is approaching, and we need your help to ensure the day is a success for our community. 

We need donations to support a few of the stalls operating on the day

Tombola

• Clean and empty jars with lids
• Temporary tattoos
• Jokes
• Small toys
• Matchbox cars
• Bouncy balls/marbles
• pencils/erasers etc
• Lollies
• Chocolates
• Glow sticks
• Balloons
• Bath bombs/balls
• Stickers
• Small games
• Cheap jewellery
• Cosmetics

Please email jessmike.talbot@gmail.com or call Jess on 0404 786 372 to arrange drop off/collection of these items.

Secondhand books

• Boardbooks (e.g. thick cardboard baby/toddler books)
• Picture books
• Early readers
• Chapter books
• Books for teens/young adults
• Books for adults

Please collate these into each category when donating to help our volunteers during sorting time. Books can be dropped off at the Front Office anytime before the Fete. 

Craft stall

• Any craft items in quantities of 5 to 20

Craft items can be dropped off at the Front Office. Please contact Kim to discuss required items on 0409 746 936 or email kimmiebowie@gmail.com.

Garden stall

• Planted seedlings 
• Small plants

Please donate these items on Thursday 23 or Friday 24 November. Contact Sarah to discuss required items on 0415 418 989.

Cake stall

Any type of cake or homemade food, e.g.:

• Cupcakes
• Toffees
• Crackles and honey joy
• Slices
• Fudge
• Jams/ Chutney/ preserves
• Scones
  

  All items need to include a label with a list of ingredients and expiry date. Stickers are available at the front office to collect.

  
  

  Donations can be dropped off to the Front Office on Friday 24 November, or by 9am on the day of the Fete.  

  
  

  Please contact Megan on 0402 318 560.

  Easy chocolate fudge

  This is a basic fudge recipe made from pantry ingredients. You can add flavours like orange or peppermint and even add fruit.

  

  Ingredients

  395 g sweetened condensed milk

  50 g unsalted butter (cubed)

  350 g milk chocolate (roughly chopped)

  Method

  1. Line a slice pan with baking paper and set aside.
  2. In a microwave safe bowl, place the butter and condensed milk and heat on high for 2 minutes.
  3. Remove from microwave oven and add the milk chocolate. Stir constantly until chocolate is melted.
  4. Pour mixture into the slice pan. Refrigerate until set which is approximately 2-4 hours. Slice into bite-sized pieces.
  
  

  Haunted house

  The theme of the haunted house is Tim Burton’s ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’. The types of donations include:

  
  
  • Halloween decorations or costumes
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas decorations or costumes
  • Backing sheets to block out natural light
  • Old white sheets
  • Coloured lights
  • Balloons
  • Dark coloured streamers or tinsel
  • Lollies or chocolates, and lolly bags
  • Glow sticks
  • Toilet or paper towel rolls
  • Garbage bags
  
  

  Donations can be dropped off at the Front Office or in 6G’s classroom by Friday 17 November.

  
  

  Please contact Felicity (0402 324 178) or Helen (0414 428 604) for more information.

  
  

  Santa’s workshop

  Similar to the haunted house, we are seeking donations of christmas decorations, including:

  
  
  • Christmas tinsel
  • Baubles 
  • Christmas themed bunting
  • Fake snow/ white felt material
  • Outdoor christmas decorations, such as Santa signs etc.
  
  

  Donations can be dropped off at the Front Office.

  
  We are also looking for an enthusiastic Santa to help out at Santa’s workshop!  If you are interested please contact htpspffete@gmail.com.

Pre-purchase wristbands for unlimited Fete rides – now available on QKR!

Save $5 by pre-purchasing your wristband for $25 via the QKR! app

Unlimited rides from 10am to 2pm include:

• Supa Cha
• Giant Slide
• Cup and Saucer

Each child will receive a hard copy receipt for their wristband on Friday 24 November. This receipt must be brought to the Fete on Saturday 25 November and exchanged for a wristband at the Durkin Amusements Ticket Box.

Wristbands will be available to buy on the day from the ticket box for $30

Individual tickets can also be purchased for the rides:  

Important Dates - Linked to School Calendar

*Please note that dates can change through out the term

Students celebrating this week: Molly N, Austin M, Pia L