6 June 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Welcome to the week six, term two newsletter. I hope you all enjoyed a safe and happy long weekend and took advantage of the stunning weather to enjoy some time outside.

Students have also been enjoying the lovely weather and enjoying outside science, art and physical education activities. The new garden in the Kindy area is taking shape thanks to donations from Bunnings and Ms Hirsiger has been adding a mural to the outside wall of her art room.

Last Tuesday the School Board held the Annual Public Meeting where we presented the Annual Report and discussed exciting events happening at PLDS and the vital role the Board play in the governance of our school. You will find further information in this newsletter about Board membership across all PLDS sites.

Next Monday 10th June will be the Annual Open Day where we welcome visitors and prospective parents to PLDS. The purpose of the day is to provide visitors with information about our school and the referral procedures, along with the opportunity to tour our school and see the work done in classes.

Students have been fully engaged in learning activities across all campuses with students at Bungaree learning about keeping the school tidy and joining in National Simultaneous Story Time. Students onsite have been celebrating Reconciliation Week by using pictures to show how we can care for the environment. Students at Mandurah PS have enjoyed working with clay during art lessons and made musical instruments after listening to the National story. Students have been busy at Pinjarra PS acknowledging Reconciliation Week and supporting awareness for Heart Kids.

There is important information from the school nurse about whooping cough and the flu virus in this newsletter. With so many bugs around at the moment, please encourage appropriate hygiene and allow your child to stay home and recover if they are unwell.

Have a safe and happy week.

Shelley Collins
Principal

Important information for Parents

Bungaree Campus

At Bungaree we have been learning about putting our rubbish in the bin and respecting the school environment. We collected rubbish from outside our classroom and discussed why we don’t leave rubbish around the school. The class came up with many great reasons not to litter as 'it makes the animals sick’ and ‘the rubbish may fly away into the ocean’. The children were very engaged in the activity and suggested we make posters to put around the school.

On Wednesday the 22nd all four Peel classes combined for national simultaneous reading time. We read ‘Alpacas with Maracas’. The children then made Alpacas and spent time looking at what was the same and what was different about the two Alpacas, Macca an Al.

RLPS Campus

D3

National Reconciliation Week occurs on May 27th until June 3rd and is a chance for all Australians to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. During the week, the children in D3 participated in a range of activities to develop their understanding.

The children explored the Aboriginal Flag and as a team, we created our own. We discussed the meaning of each of the colours. Each child added a person on the black to represent the people and a sun on the yellow to represent the sun. We then brainstormed natural environments such as beaches, mountains and rivers to add on the red.

During the week, we read ‘Welcome to Country’ written by Aunty Joy Murphy and illustrated by Lisa Kennedy. As a class we wrote an Acknowedgement to Country that we have displayed in our classroom. The children illustrated their own picture to thank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for sharing and caring for the land, waterways and skies on on which we play and learn.

RLPS School Banking

1.3 Lego Donations

Mandurah Campus

It has been a busy start to Term 2 for the students in Room 14 at Mandurah Campus. During week two students took part in swimming lessons at the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre. The students are to be commended on their participation, success and the exemplary behaviour demonstrated during the lessons.

During art lessons with Mrs Wilkinson, the students were able to experience working with clay. Working with clay was a fun way to allow students to enhance their sensory development, motor skills, self-esteem, self-expression and problem solving skills. Along with lots of discussions, smiles and an amazing sense of pride and achievement.

This year National Simultaneous Story time took place on Wednesday 22 May. The book chosen to be shared this year was Alpacas with Maracas written and illustrated by Matt Cosgrove. Students in Room 14 used this event to inspire some STEAM activities when they designed and made their own versions of maracas.

Pinjarra Campus

Term 2 is certainly flying at full speed here at Pinjarra PLDS. During the past few weeks we have been busy celebrating and commemorating some important events.

Earlier in the term, Rooms 28, 29 & 30 joined together and invited Mums & Grandmas into the classroom for an exciting afternoon of pampering and crafty fun to celebrate Mother’s Day for 2019. Students spent the afternoon visiting the three classrooms and participating in activities including hand pampering, massage, painted hand prints, jewellery making, photo booth fun, a juice bar, and shared drawing. Everybody had a fantastic time.

During week five, Rooms 28, 29 & 30 spent time recognising and commemorating ‘Sorry Day.’ As part of the activities the students completed ‘A Sorry Candle’ as a sign of remembrance for those Indigenous Australians who have been wrongfully treated throughout Australia’s history.

It's been a busy term in Room 28. We have been starting to learn about where we live by looking at our Solar System and our Planet. We really enjoyed seeing what our planet looked like from space and were excited to use Google Earth to find our houses.

The K/PP students and teachers dressed up as superheroes this week to raise awareness for Heart Kids, as we have a Heart Kid student here at Pinjarra Primary School. It was a 'SUPER' effort.

Fun With Language

Crunch & Sip

School Nurse

Whooping Cough

Whooping cough (Pertussis) is a bacterial infection. The infection is spread by droplets that are coughed or sneezed out. The illness usually starts with a runny nose and a cough, with long spells of coughing. The person will have many quick coughs in one spell and there will be an average of 25 coughing spells a day. After a spell, young children may ‘whoop’. They may also vomit. The coughing spells will start to subside after several weeks.

If your child has whooping cough or has come in contact with whooping cough, see your doctor. Antibiotics are usually prescribed to treat whooping cough. Check that your child eats and drinks enough while they are sick.

The child should stay away from school until five days after starting treatment, or if not treated, for three weeks from the start of symptoms. Any children under seven who have not been immunised and have been in contact with someone with whooping cough should be kept away from school for 14 days after the contact, or until they have been on antibiotic treatment for at least five days.

For more information on whooping cough, see the fact sheet at Healthy WA – Pertussis or click on the link below.

Influenza

Influenza, or the ‘flu’ is caused by an influenza virus. It is spread through the air when someone coughs, sneezes or talks. It is also spread by touching something that has the virus on it and then touching your nose, eyes or mouth. Common symptoms include sore throat, cough, fever, headache, chills, tiredness and muscle aches.

People with the flu should rest and drink plenty of fluid. Use paracetamol in recommended doses if necessary - but do not give children any medication containing aspirin.

Be sure to keep your child home from school while he or she is sick. If you require school work for your child contact the school to prepare some for you to collect.

The best way to prevent flu from spreading is by washing your hands regularly and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.

Flu vaccines are available prior to winter starting. For more information, contact your GP or local Immunisation Clinic.

Why should I consider having my child vaccinated against the flu?

The National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia's peak body for health advice, recommends annual vaccination for anyone six months of age or older who wants to reduce their chances of becoming ill with the flu.

Annual flu vaccination is strongly recommended for anyone six months of age or older with a medical condition that places them at higher risk of severe illness from flu. Children and adults with heart, lung or kidney disease or a weakened immune system, are eligible for free flu vaccine through the National Immunisation Program.

Children without underlying medical conditions who become infected with flu can also develop serious illnesses. Flu can cause high fever and pneumonia, and make existing medical conditions worse. Flu can also cause convulsions and diarrhoea in children.

Influenza viruses are always changing. Each year scientists try to match the strains of influenza viruses in the vaccine to those most likely to cause flu illnesses that year. It takes up to two weeks for protection to develop after vaccination against flu and protection lasts about a year.

The seasonal flu vaccine is available on prescription or via GP and immunisation clinics and is provided free for certain groups. Flu vaccines are available prior to winter starting. For more information visit the link below or contact your GP or Immunisation Clinic.

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