Vol 20 12.12.14

Pursuit of Excellence

Yakamia Primary School

Newsletter

Volume 20

12 December 2014

Principal: Julie Blythe

Deputy Principals: Yvonne Height, Helen Walmsley and Paul Murray

Ph: 9841 7533 Fax: 9842 1350

Email: [email protected]

Congratulations to all recipients of these truly prestigious Yakamia awards – the ceremony

was fantastic and a really enjoyable event. It is great to see students striving to do their

personal best throughout the year.

Thank you to all staff involved in coordinating the event and to the Walmsley family for

donating the medallions – we really appreciate your generosity.

Pursuit of Excellence Winners 2014

Room 11 Kali Haese

Room 12 Taleah Ugle

Room 13 Jayden Drew

Room 14 Chloe D‘Addario

Room 15 Cooper Childs

Room 16 Jack Ditchburn

Room 21 Brooke Clarke

Room 22 Sienna Ugle

Room 23 Gemma Ditchburn

Room 24 Amber Wilkinson

Room 25 Daisy Stewart Morgan

Room 26 Tilley Bartley

Room 32 Ella Mackenzie

Room 33 Ruby Young

Room 34 Robbie Johnston

Room 35 Liam Cash

Room 41 Franki Burke

Start of Year 2015

Yakamia will use the same modified start in 2015

as this year as it allowed us to avoid the dreaded

restructure early in the year. It is always

difficult to predict exact numbers and because of

the uncertainty, staff have overwhelmingly

endorsed the modified start to become part of our

school process. Traditionally class lists go up the

day before school starts with lists established

based on children attending the school during

2014 – unfortunately not all students return and

new families move into the area leaving some

uncertainty to final numbers. Therefore, the

following process will be continued for 2015:

Children arrive Monday 2 February

Year 1 to 3 students will meet in the

courtyard behind Administration (near the stage

area)

Year 4 to 6 students will meet in the Hall

Students will be formally welcomed at these

venues

Students will then break into year levels and

move to classrooms to rotate through a series of

pre-organised activities with identified teaching

staff

The only equipment students will need on

these days is a pencil case containing pencils,

textas, glue, scissors and ruler. All other

booklist items can be brought on the

Wednesday once classes are established

Numbers will be confirmed over the first two days

and class lists established. Students will gather

on Tuesday afternoon at mini assemblies where

classes will be assigned and notes issued to

students with details. Students will then visit

their classroom. Regular classes will commence

Wednesday, 4 February.

This initiative offers the school a great

opportunity to have a really positive start,

develop a sense of community and enhance the

excellent culture that already exists at the school.

All students will meet and work with year level

staff giving them the chance to establish great

relationships right from the beginning of the year.

When collecting students on the Monday

and Tuesday the following applies:

Year 1 from Block 3

Year 2 & 3 from Block 1

Year 4 –6, please make arrangements

for a meeting place with your child

If you have any concerns or are unsure about

these arrangements please see the office for

assistance.

Kindy & Pre Primary 2015

Students in Kindy will receive a letter in the

coming weeks with their day and classroom

allocation details.

Students in Pre Primary will have their class lists

posted outside classrooms in Block 4 (Early

Childhood Centre) on Monday 2 February 2015.

Year 6/7 Graduation

The Year 6/7 Graduation will take place on

Wednesday 17 December from 1.00 pm.

Students will be celebrating the completion of

their years at primary school with graduation and

acknowledgment of a range of students for

specific achievements. I look forward to seeing

Year 6/7 parents and family attending and wish

all Year 6/7 students the best for the future. I look

forward to hearing about you as you move

forward to high school next year.

Student Leaders 2015

An important part of the Graduation Ceremony

next week is to announce the 2015 Student

Councillors to their peers. Many students took

the opportunity to stand for the leadership role,

with all impressing staff with high quality

presentations. I am confident that the students

selected will represent the school wonderfully

well – to those who miss out please consider the

many other opportunities presented at the

beginning of next year.

From the Principal’s Desk


2015 Term Dates

Next year the only School Development Days

(Pupil free days) set in concrete by the Education

Department are the first two and the last one.

The others are flexible. Schools in the Albany

area have got together and made a joint decision

in order to have consistency across the town.

Therefore the dates for 2015 are as follows:

Term 1

Start Admin Tue 27 Jan

Staff Thur 29 Jan

Students Mon 2 Feb

End All Thur 2 Apr

Term 2

Start Staff Mon 20 Apr

Students Tue 21 Apr

End All Fri 3 July

Term 3

Start Staff Mon 20 July

Students Tue 21 July

End All Fri 25 Sept

Term 4

Start Staff Mon 12 Oct

Students Tue 13Oct

Student Free Day Fri 13 Nov (Show Day)

End Students Thur 17 Dec

Staff Fri 18 Dec

Booklists & Contributions and Charges

Students have this week been issued with

booklists and contributions and charges

information for 2015. These are also available for

download from our Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yakamia-

Primary-School/346543772144146

2014 School Year Draws to a Close

It only seems like yesterday that the year began,

yet the school year has almost ended and we will

break up for the Christmas holidays on Thursday

18 December. Being the final newsletter for the

year, I would like to thank students for their

active participation in the teaching and learning

programs that staff have generated during the

year.

I would like to acknowledge our hard working

School Council and P&C committees for their

efforts over the year.

Holiday Best Wishes

In closing the final newsletter for 2014 and on

behalf of staff I would like to wish children and

parents a Merry Christmas and a Happy New

Year. To staff, students and families leaving

Yakamia Primary School best wishes for your

move and I trust you take with you treasured

memories of your experiences at Yakamia

Primary School. To everyone have a safe,

relaxing and enjoyable school holiday!

Julie Blythe Principal

From the Principal’s Desk continued


Again next year the newsletters will be emailed out to those who provide their email

address. So if you have changed or not given your email address to the school, please send

an email to

[email protected]

or drop into the office and we will add you to the email list.

Alternatively newsletters will be posted on our Facebook page and in each prac space

At the beginning of the new school year your child might be in a split class. By ―split classes,‖ we

mean putting two consecutive year-groups together in one class. If your child is younger you may

query - will my child be able to keep up? If they are older - will my child be held up?

Over the years split classes have been the source of controversy, with parents sometimes believing

that their child is being disadvantaged in some way if they are placed in a split class.

The key to understanding splits is realising that growth is determined in stages and not magically by

ages.

Split classes doesn't mean your child is dumb or a genius. It doesn‘t mean that they will get work

that is too hard or not hard enough. Split classes provide a range of levels of work, so the needs of all

children can be catered for, while providing a supportive environment for all. At any one time, both

split and straight classes have groups of students at a variety of levels. This is part of the normal

delivery of the curriculum.

Although a child might be chronologically older or younger - their maturity, social needs, academic

needs and behaviour are uniquely their own. All these factors are considered when teaching staff

and school administration determine class placements. It is far better that they be grouped according

to need, in order to allow children to gain confidence and skill by working at their individual ability

level. There is no hard and fast rule that says a ‗straight‘ class will meet a child‘s needs any better

than a split class.

Split classes can provide significant benefits to both the younger and older students in the class.

Older students can benefit from helping younger students in co-operative learning situations. The

younger students have the opportunity of enhanced learning experiences, where they are ready for it.

There are many examples where younger children can show older ones a thing or two! Role models

and leaders can come from both the younger and older children; the children who excel at these traits

do so irrespective of age.

There is no empirical evidence for any assumption that student learning is hindered in split classes.

Ultimately, whether children are in split or straight-age classes, it is not the age combinations that

matter. What matters is the quality of teaching and learning and the relationship between the child

and the teacher. Good teaching isn't determined by whether a class is a split or not. Good teaching is

determined by the classroom dynamics and whether the individual needs are met.

Julie Blythe Principal

Acknowledgements:

http://www.greenbay.school.nz/WebSpace/854

Split Year Levels


Parents of 4 year olds—Immunisations

Children who have turned 4 years of age are

scheduled to received 2 injections, MMR (Measles,

Mumps and Rubella) and DTP – IPV (Diphtheria,

Tetanus, Whooping Cough, and Polio) vaccines.

These are booster doses to ensure good levels of

coverage against these life threatening diseases.

These immunisations can now be given as early

as 3.5 years of age.

From 1 July 2012, families will need to have their

children fully immunized or have an approved

exemption to receive the Family Tax Benefit Part

A end-of-year supplement. The supplement, worth $726 per child each year, will now only be paid once a child is fully immunised at one, two and five years of age, or has an approved exemption.

This means that over the three immunisation

check points, families will have an incentive of

more than $2,100.

If your child still requires his/her immunisations

please see your usual immunisation provider or

alternatively you are welcome to make an

appointment for our Tuesday / Thursday

Population Health Immunisation Clinic, in

Albany. This is a free service, and appointments

can be made by phoning 98427500.

If you have any questions relating to

immunisation please do not hesitate to contact me

on the phone number below or by email.

Anne Taylor, Public Health Nurse –

Immunisations/Disease Control, WA Country

Health Service – Great Southern Warden

Phone 98427511

Email [email protected]

Scholastic Bookclub

A huge thank you to Mrs Renae Armstrong who

has very ably coordinated our Scholastic Book

Club orders throughout Semester Two. The huge

effort that she and her helpers, Mrs Louise

Munro and Mrs Rachel Ditchburn, have put in to

earn extra funds on behalf of the P&C is most

appreciated by the staff, students and parents

alike.

Also a huge thank you to parents who support

this so well. Every time you purchase a book for

your child you earn 20% of the value of the book

for the school. This semester you have earned the

school over $700 worth of resources which have

already arrived and been placed in our Guided

Reading Program. Congratulations and well done

to Renae and her team!

Students Being Creative

During the year, different classes have worked on

iPads making books and movies. Follow the link

to view a sample of children's creative efforts.

ICT SAMPLES

http://padlet.com/mrsamcintosh/tj3kqr0m39uv

School News


http://padlet.com/mrsamcintosh/tj3kqr0m39uv

The Interschool Athletic Sports Carnival was held on the 2 December in Mount Barker. The

Yakamia competitors definitely earned honour for their school. We competed against

Flinders Park, Albany, Denmark, Spencer Park, Mt Lockyer, Little Grove Primary Schools

and Mt Barker Community College.

The Senior Outright Shield was won by Denmark PS. Yakamia came 6th overall.

Yakamia won the Junior Shield and the Junior Handicap Shield. Under the rules, if a school

wins the overall shield and the handicap, the handicap is awarded to the next school down,

which was Mt Lockyer. Well done to all the Years 1-3 athletes who competed!

Mr McFarlane would like to thank parents for their support, those who helped and the

students for being on their best behaviour. He would also like to thank the following teachers

for training and working so hard with the teams:

Junior Carnival Coaches

Year 1‘s, Year 2‘s and Year 3‘s—Mrs Donaldson, Mrs Watson and Mrs Link

Senior Carnival Coaches

Yr 4/5 & Yr 6/7— Mrs Beard and Mr Mackenzie

Interschool Sports


The students worked very hard lead by Miss Scott and Lynda Moylen (Artist in Residence) to

create our entry in the City of Albany Christmas Pageant.

The pageant was last Saturday 6 December and our students looked fabulous and were

outstanding performers! Many thanks to Miss Scott for all her patience and hard work and

to all parent and staff volunteers who helped with the students on the night.

Christmas Pageant


DOWN TOWN in the Kids ArtSpace – walk into a

world where towns are designed and imagined. Open

from January 5-27. Donations are welcome.

Launch of the DOWN TOWN summer school

holiday program at the Albany Public Library.

Tuesday 6 January 10.30 – 11.30 am

Following Story Time, the Vancouver Arts Centre will

present a DOWN TOWN art activity. Artist Nat Rad

will guide children in exploring the fascinating

textures of surfaces in the Town Square. Using

coloured pencils, paper and calico, children will 'rub'

the surfaces to capture textures and make

patterns. All materials provided for this free activity.

Skycraper Scenes.

Monday 12 January 1-3pm

Have fun with wood and foam blocks to print a

skyscraper, then use pens to add details to your

building and create characters who live in it! Who‘s

that looking out that window?

Age 4-7 years $30 members $35 non members

Looking - Drawing - Building

Tuesday 13 January 1-4pm

Create a striking picture of a local building. After

looking closely at the lines and shapes in a building,

learn and apply techniques such as rubbings, pencil

and pen drawing, and collage to make a take-home

masterpiece.


Local Icons

Wednesday 14 January and Thursday 15 January 1-

4pm two afternoon sessions

Look around our town at old and new buildings. Learn

how to make a stencil which captures the shapes and

lines of your chosen building and then use the stencil

to create a dramatic painting on canvas. Make a

decorative tile by drawing an iconic building onto a

ceramic tile.


Roof Top Garden

Friday 15 January 1-3pm

Play with arranging flowers in sand to create a joyful

garden space in the DOWN TOWN Kids ArtSpace.


Street Scenes

Monday 19 January 1-3pm

Imagine your ideal Down Town street – what would be

there? A toy shop? An ice-cream shop? An art

gallery? Create your own down town with interesting

shapes and textures by cutting and collaging paper

and other materials, including rubbings, to make a

street that everyone would want to visit.


Stitch by Stitch

Monday 19 January 1-4pm and Tuesday 20 January 1-

4pm two afternoon sessions

Learn hand-sewing techniques to create your own

fabric building, which you can make into a brooch,

magnet or wall decoration. Beginner sewers welcome.


You are the Architect!

Wednesday 21 January 1-3pm

Design and build your own funky building using boxes

and cardboard. Stick shiny and colourful materials

onto the walls to make sure your building stands out

in the big city!


Streetscape Lino Prints

Thursday 22 January and Friday 23 January 1-4pm

two afternoon sessions

Be inspired by the interesting and curious lines and

textures in the street and buildings around you. After

drawing a picture of the street or building, transfer

your image onto the surface of easy cut lino, cut the

lino and print your picture!


These workshops are presented by Karen Quain,

Serena McLauchlan and Nat Rad, all of whom are

practising artists with strong education backgrounds

and a passion for coaching creativity.

In association with the Albany Public Library,

Summer Reading Club participants receive free VAC

membership.

The workshops for 4-7 years include one place reserved

for a child whose parent signs up to volunteer at this

workshop.

Important Reminder! Concession Card Holders

may be able to access KidsCulture Pilot Project

vouchers to participate in these workshops. This

is the last opportunity as the Pilot Project

finishes at the end of January 2015. Contact the

Vancouver Arts Centre tel 9841 9260 email

[email protected] for more information.

Community News


Please note notices appearing below are not necessarily endorsed by the

school. We provide this space for community groups to advertise to the

school community. It is up to parents to scrutinise the activity and

organisers for their child.

mailto:[email protected]

Due South Surfing Academy

Tony Harrison will be conducting his Surfing and Awareness Lessons over the summer holidays.

Lessons run for 2 hours each day, all equipment supplied. Bookings are recommended with family

discounts, ages 6 upwards. This is an accredited course, certificate and notes supplied. Check us out

on albanygateway.com.au or phone 0427 610 899 or 0427 451 030. Cost is $125 per person or the

family discounts.

Kids Du-Aquathon (Run, Swim, Run)

This event will be held on 9 January at Middleton Beach. You can enter online now—Entry fee $25.

This includes an event t-shirt, a swim cap, a finishers medal and certificate, a 1 day Trl WA race

licence. www.albanyhalf.com.au

Albany Half Triathlon— www.albanyhalf.com.au for details, closes 19 December 2014

Community News


Please note notices appearing below are not necessarily endorsed by the

school. We provide this space for community groups to advertise to the

school community. It is up to parents to scrutinise the activity and

organisers for their child.

Vol 20 12.12.14

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Transcript of Vol 20 12.12.14