Term 3 has come to a close and there has been much to celebrate. Too often we can focus on ‘the work’ and the ‘next thing’ without taking the time to pause, ask and acknowledge, “what have we achieved, together?” This is CARES values in action.

• We celebrated NAIDOC week
• Our youngest learners celebrated 100 days of Prep
• Our Primary leaders led the Big Freeze awareness and fundraiser for the College
• We saw lots of book characters for our Book Week parade
• Primary Choir auditions have begun
• Trees were planted for National Tree Day
• Science Week investigations were undertaken
• Athletes competing at Lytton District Athletics
• Sports Aerobics stars continued to win Gold, Silver and Bronze, with Mrs Stankovic taking out National Coach of the Year
• The Environment Club made Bruschetta and Beetroot dip from the garden they have tendered
• Free books selected from our Junior Quota book shop
• Practiced Mindfulness in the classroom by completing jigsaw puzzles with others to encourage focus, patience and calm conversations
• We welcomed our Prep 2026 students at our Prep Explorers day
• We participated in Interschool Gala Sports Day
• Rock and Water round 1 students graduated

As we head into the break, please take time to connect and rest in readiness for term 4.

Term 4 events

Term 4 has key events across the College. We communicate these events through the weekly College Update, School Newsletter, Facebook, where appropriate text messages and QParents. Below are some of the key events for Primary to be aware of.

• Water Safety and Swim Survival for Prep to year 4 students (a parent letter will be sent with the information you need)
• Student leader interviews, speeches and voting
• Primary Awards Assembly (for awards not part of the College Presentation Evening)
• Shuffle-up Day
• Swimming Carnival

Parents in Classrooms

A reminder to all parents that teachers are available to see via booking a time directly with them or through the admin.

Please be respectful that classrooms are a teacher’s work space and parents are not to enter without a prior appointment as often teachers have other meetings to attend or work to do in readiness for the next day.

Beat the Holiday Slump

Students often lose hard won reading gains over a holiday break.  This can be avoided with just a few minutes of reading a day.  Make daily reading a priority in your household this holiday.  Have your child read aloud to you and you to them. 

Phonological Awareness Fun

Car journeys can be long and tedious.  Incorporate a few of the following activities (that need no equipment) to promote phonological and phonemic awareness in your child. 

Rhyme – see if your child can identify words that rhyme or produce words that rhyme.

Syllables – Clap out the syllables in given words.

Syllable Manipulation – Ask your child to tell you what syllable is left when you take away the first or last syllable e.g. Say ‘cupcake’.  What’s left when you take away ‘cup’ or ‘cake’?

Beginning and End Sounds – see if your child can tell you the sound a given word starts with. If that’s too easy, can they tell you the sound a given word ends with.  If they need a further challenge, can they identify the middle sound.

Word Segmenting and Blending – Have your child tell you all the sounds in a word.  On the flip side, you give them the sounds in a word and see if they can tell you what the word is.

Manipulating Sounds in Words – Ask your child what is left when you take away the first sound in a word e.g. Say ‘slip’.  Take away the ‘s’ sound.  What’s left?  Alternatively, get them to add a sound to a word e.g. Say ‘lip’.  Add the ‘s’ sound to the beginning of ‘lip’.  What’s the new word?  This same activity can be done with adding or taking away the final sound or substituting the vowel sound.

Rock and Water

Throughout Term 3, it was my privilege to complete a series of Rock & Water lessons with the classes of 3B, 4B, and 5A. Each of the classes undertook a weekly lesson which consisted of a number of age-appropriate activities and games that were paired with some reflective conversations about why we completed each activities or game. Every lesson would reflect a larger theme (such as body awareness, boundaries, communication, empathy, making choices, etc.) that would challenge each student to grow and develop their sense of self.

The highlights of the program for me as the instructor/leader of each group:

• Students were able to develop a deeper understanding of their breathing and how it can affect their emotional state (being “Centred” was a priority – meaning bringing our breath down to the centre of our body/belly).
• ALL students were willing to work with all other members of their group when required. Each and every student exemplified our WHSC value of “Cooperation” when completing Rock & Water.
• Students engaged readily with our conversations about why we completed each activity and were comfortable to share their own experiences and insights.

The picture below is a reflection of the key words that came to mind for all of the students during the Rock & Water lessons.

 

Working with these classes has been a pleasure and a joy to complete each week.

Coming up in Term 4, the classes of 3A, 4A, and 5B will now have their opportunity to complete the Rock & Water program.

Adam Jessup
Student Support Coordinator

Year 5 & 6 Camp – 2026

A letter has been sent to parents of year 5 and 6 students regarding the bi-annual camp for 2026. Please read this carefully as it has important dates for EOI and payments. The camp is at the end of February. The camp for 2026 is at Tallebudgera.

Tuckshop menu at break time

A small selection of items are available for students to purchase from the primary tuckshop during second break.

• Snack size packet of chips $2
• Popcorn $2
• Jumpies $2
• Grain waves $2
• Waterford ($3.50) and Glee Drinks ($3)
• Zooper Doopers (50c)
• Milo Cups (ice cream) ($3.50)
• Icy pole ($2)
• Mini Drumsticks ($2.50)

While we are excited to see the Primary tuckshop open for these small purchases, please note that students are not able to buy food for other students.

Suncream

Suncream has been purchased for all classrooms for students to responsibly use. Staff are unable to apply suncream to students. If you have a specific suncream you would like your child to be using, then we ask you pack this in their lunchbox or school bag. We suggest a roller suncream is best for students to apply.

Briohny Cuskelly
Head of School - Primary