21 May 2020

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Families,

Thank you so much for your continued support of the school since the beginning of our COVID way of life! I have been so impressed with how the students have continued to adapt to the many changes while maintaining their happy attitude. They have shown such independence when coming into school, and I hope this is visible in their confidence at home as well.

Recently we surveyed the students, to ask them what they thought of the gate changes, were they feeling safe at school, how were they feeling about leaving mum/dad/family at the gate and getting themselves to class. Overwhelmingly, the results indicated that they were enjoying the changes in routine, felt safe at school and love being greeted at the gate in the morning by a staff member. Interestingly, many of our junior primary students were not happy at having to unpack their own school bags! While our senior students don’t like being walked to the gates in the afternoon, because they are old enough to do it themselves. I intend to share this information in more depth with the School Board and P and C at a later date, as it provides many insights into our students thinking, along with a few laughs!

Parents will still receive a Semester One report this term, however it will look quite different. The format will be the same, and there will be generic written comments for English and mathematics, and any specialist areas the class have attended. Class teachers will also write an individual comment for each student and provide information on attitude, behaviour and effort. There will be no other comments written and no grade allocations in learning areas.

We have permission from the Department of Education to allow some health related specialists onto the school site to work with students, under strict hygiene and movement protocols. AIM OT, onPsych and Therapy Focus are back. At this stage no other private providers will be permitted.

Please remember that our school playgrounds remain closed to the public, and are being regularly cleaned throughout the school day. We ask families to not use them before or after school or on the weekend.

Once again, I wish to thank the Landsdale school community for their support and patience during the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate that a lot of information is constantly coming home and ask that families take the time to read everything carefully. Please always call the office if you have questions. We continue to be grateful that all our staff, students and families remain healthy and safe. Please find in this newsletter some introductory information from the school’s new Principal, Josh Jashari. We look forward to welcoming him to the Landsdale school community next term.

Happy parenting!

Kind Regards,
Mrs Cass Disisto
Principal

Newsletter Articles

From the Incoming Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians and Community,

I feel very honoured and privileged to introduce myself as the new principal of Landsdale Primary School. I am looking forward to meeting the community and working in partnership with parents, staff and students to ensure the school and the students continue to flourish.

In these very uncertain times I am also keen to focus on the health and well-being of all members of our school community.

I have 40 years of experience in education which has included teaching roles, Regional Advisory Role, Associate Principal and for the last 25 years as Principal of a number of schools, mostly within the North Metropolitan Region. During the last 5 years I have had the pleasure of opening a new school (Rivergums Primary School) in Baldivis. This was a very rewarding experience which I thoroughly enjoyed. As I live north of the river I am also looking forward to working closer to home.

I am well aware that Landsdale Primary School has a team of dedicated and passionate staff who work tirelessly to establish a reputation of quality education within its community. It also works very closely with a very effective P&C and School Board who explore the flexibilities afforded to it through the Independent Public School initiative. I believe that this not only supports governance and accountability across the school but also allows for community engagement and focuses on supporting Landsdale Primary School’s vision. The school has a strong team orientated culture which enables it to implement programs and strategies that are evidence based and well researched and are proven to work. It also involves itself in research with outside agencies to enhance the learning opportunities of its students e.g. Griffith University. This has led to strong whole school performance gains when measured against similar schools in a number of key curriculum areas. It will be my role to ensure that this focus continues. I also believe that students should be the centre of all school based decisions and these should be made with their interest at heart.

I would like to thank Mrs Cass Disisto for her strong leadership over what can only be described as a very difficult period this year. We should also acknowledge the Associate Principals for their leadership and support throughout this as well as the Office Administration team, the teaching and non-teaching teams. You all have done (and are still doing) an amazing job.

Finally, I am very much looking forward to working with you all and being a part of the wonderful Landsdale School community. I will be working with Mrs Disisto and visiting the school on a number of occasions over the next few weeks to assist with the transition.

Yours sincerely,

Josh Jashari
Incoming Principal.
20th May 2020

School Calendar

2021 Kindergarten Enrolments

Kindergarten enrolments are now open for children born 1/7/2016 – 30/6/2017.

Please complete and return the application to the front office as soon as possible. Emailed applications are preferable at this time.

A copy of the child’s birth certificate, Medicare Immunisation Schedule and Proof of Address (eg. electricity bill, rates notice) is required.

The application period WILL CLOSE 3.30pm, Friday 24 July 2020. If you have any further queries, please contact the administration team.

Library News

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS)

Every year, for the last 20 years, a picture book by an Australian author and illustrator is enjoyed simultaneously by thousands of children around Australia. The National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) will be celebrated on Wednesday 27th May (Week 5). This year, the featured book is Whitney and Britney:Chicken Divas by Lucinda Gifford. We have six copies of this picture book in the Library. You can also share the story online with your child at Story Box Library. Click the link below to hear Emma from the Wiggles reading a preview of the Whitney and Britney: Chicken Divas:

Scholastic Book Club

Issue 3 of Book Club has now closed. Ordered items will be delivered to classrooms as soon as they arrive from Sydney. Please be aware that Australia Post is currently experiencing delays in delivery due to increased demand.

Canteen Messages

CANTEEN INFORMATION

Canteen Manager: Sue Uyen
Phone: 0410 894 457
Opening hours: 8:30am to 1:45pm

To stay in the loop for daily menu specials watch the P&C fb page

Cheers,
Sue

School uniform shop is closed until further notice. However, online orders can still be placed. All orders will be ready for collection every Monday afternoon. You will be notified via text message when your order is ready to be picked up from school reception.

Current Markdowns

Faction Polos now $12 ea (all sizes avail)
Bucket Hats now $ 7.50 ea
Fleece Pants now $10 ea (size 4 - 10 avail)
M/F Pants now $10 ea (all sizes avail)
M/F Shorts now $10 ea (most sizes avail)
M/F Skorts now $10 ea (limited sizes avail)

These are available to purchase through uniformswest.com.au

Sandra

Behaviour Tonics Information

Please see below and flyers attached for 2 fantastic course we have available for parents.

LIVE AND INTERACTIVE WEBINARS

Please note – these courses are also available In House.

NO SCAREDY CATS PARENT COURSE – Reducing anxiety and building resilience skills in 2-12 year old children.

Saturday 13th, 20th & 27th June, 2 – 3.30pm. $160 for up to 2 people.

PARENTS WILL LEARN

• An overview of how a well-honed theory of parenting (what you need to repeatedly do) can assist parents to manage children’s worries.
• Coverage of how some misguided policies are making parents and children more anxious.
• The brain, including how the pre-frontal middle cortex and the amygdala operate, and where fear and anxiety originates.
• Commonly misused phrases and cognitive distortions used by children and their peers.
• A helicopter view of what risks we can allow and which require us to keep children safe.
• ‘Traps and trip wires’: what to do when a child’s amygdala starts to play-up.
• Memorable strengthening sayings, questioning strategies and mindfulness exercises.

1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching Parent Course

To help manage difficult behaviour in children, calmly and effectively. Learn how to use empathy so kids begin to identify their emotions and become better at managing them. This enables them to take more responsibility for their own behaviour.

Wed 27th May, 3rd & 10th June 2020, 7 – 8.30pm. $160 for up to 2 people.

PARENTS WILL LEARN

• The two approaches to parenting.
• How to discipline without arguing, yelling or smacking.
• How to handle kids testing behaviour.
• How to show empathy while developing emotional intelligence in your child.
• How to teach and encourage positive behaviour, social skills and independence.
• How to strengthen the relationship with your child.
• How to manage obnoxious behaviour.

Register here

Kind regards

Lisa Williams
P: (08) 9285 8100
W: www.behaviourtonics.com.au
PO Box 1431, WEST LEEDERVILLE WA 6901
352D Cambridge St (Entrance off Simper St), WEMBLEY WA 6014