Primary News

Dear Parents

Comradeship, chivalry, candour, loyalty, devotion, patriotism are a few of the words written in the Hall of Memory, which houses the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the War Memorial in Canberra. They are also words which reflect qualities that were seen in the Year 6 students on our inaugural Year 6 Leadership Camp to Canberra last week. The students represented the College and their families with great pride, magnificent manners and remarkable respect for one another.

Whilst on this amazing trip, we participated in a variety of educational programs on Australia's history, culture, heritage and democracy. We visited the New and Old Parliament Houses, the War Memorial, CSIRO, Questacon, Government House, the National Film and Sound Archives, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Museum, the National Dinosaur Museum, the Royal Australian Mint and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

We also managed to fit in some more relaxing activities, such as going bowling, walking around Cockington Green Gardens and visiting Mount Ainslie. At the end of each day, we also enjoyed some peaceful time in our warm accommodation and the whole group shared a very special reflection called the Examen. During this quiet time the students reflected on their experiences during the day they were most grateful for, the experience that perhaps they could have handled better and an attitude of the heart they could commit to the following day.

Congratulations and appreciation to Mrs Fry, Miss Coniglio, Mr Casey, Mr Moylan, Mr Edwards, Mrs Scott and Mrs Joyce who accompanied our Year 6 students to Canberra. Also, special thanks to Mrs Philpot for all her hard work behind the scenes in preparation for this trip. We hope you enjoy looking at some of our beautiful photos of our wonderful week of travel and independent living from our young travellers and superb staff.

The Year 5 classes attended a matinee performance of Mary Poppins on Wednesday. This excursion will be followed up with literacy activities in the Library with Mrs Gardner. The students thoroughly enjoyed the musical and can still be heard singing 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' in the playground! The following positive reviews were provided by our students.

On the 23rd May, 2012 Year 5's had an exciting day out to Mary Poppins! It was an amazing musical but the part I enjoyed most was 'Chim Chiminey' when Bert (Matt Lee) walked upside down around the stage. One thing I have learned from the musical is anything can happen if you let it. It was a memory that I will never forget! Sloan Burton (5G)

On Wednesday 23rd May, the whole of Year 5 and some teachers, along with Mrs Fry and Miss De Pinto went to see the stage production, Mary Poppins, at the Burswood Theatre. My favourite part of this wonderful stage production was when Mary Poppins left the family for the second time and special lights were shone to give an amazing star effect, as Mary ascended to the roof. When I was watching the play, I learned one thing, always be optimistic and things will go well. Overall, I would rate Mary Poppins 4 ½ stars out of 5. Tom Hodge (5G)

Yesterday our Year Five and Six students participated in the first round of IPSHA Winter fixtures leading towards the Carnival. The teams had a successful afternoon competing with Loreto. Congratulations to the teams for supporting each other and demonstrating good sportsmanship. Not only did our students demonstrate exemplary behaviour but they also showed off their sporting prowess, with a win in hockey, and very close games in soccer and netball.

This morning the primary school community started the day with a beautiful Mass. Special thanks to Mrs Fontaine, Mrs Walker and the students from 5B for the work that they put into preparing this lovely liturgy. I would also like to thank the many parents and friends who joined us in the chapel. Fr Gaetan reminded all of us that yesterday was the Feast of "Our Lady Help of Christians" and this Sunday is Pentecost Sunday.

Congratulations to all the Year Three and Five students who participated in the NAPLAN Assessments last week. I'm so proud that the students have all done so well to sit for extended periods of time, remaining focused and trying their very best during the literacy and numeracy assessments. Although these National Assessments are important, we all need to remember that the tests are only a snapshot of students learning in a particular Learning Area on a given day. Our students' learning and development occurs throughout the whole year during all their years in Primary School.

Finally, thank you to all our families for the care and consideration that is taking place in our car parks before and after school. It is important that we always remember that young children are not predictable and in order for them to stay safe, we need to be very aware of the need to drive slowly in the car parks. In turn, we also ask that all parents keep their children close by them when walking to their cars and only park in designated parking bays.

Kind regards

Antoinette De Pinto
Head of Primary

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Thursday 31st May Pre-Primary Zoo Excursion

Friday 1st June 9.00am 2G Assembly Roncalli Hall