Dear Families

Welcome to this week’s Newsletter.  It was great to see so many children doing their best at the School Cross Country Fun Run selection trials last Thursday with Mr Wishart. I was especially pleased to see so many children trying their best, encouraging each other and helping their classmates to make the distance.  Good luck to those students who will be representing the school at the upcoming SPSSA Inter School Cross Country Divison C event on Wednesday 9 June.  Unfortunately parents are unable to attend this event.

Thank you to Ms Field, Miss Vucica and Ms Hudson for organising our Mother's Day stall last week.  Students had so much fun selecting a gift for the very special person in their lives.  We hope all mothers and signficant others had a wonderful Mother's Day last Sunday.

The NAPLAN assessment for grade 3 and 5 commenced yesterday in Literacy and Numeracy.  All assessments will be completed online with the exception of Year 3 Writing which will be a paper-based writing test. 

Also, please remember that Monday 17 May is our school photo day. Please send your child to school bright and early wearing their full school uniform.

It’s all systems go this week as we prepare for our Grade 3-5 students to participate in the Swimming and Water Safety Program starting on Monday 24 May.  Thank you to parents that have already returned their swimming permission forms, if your child hasn’t returned their forms please make sure you send them to the school office before the end of next week.

Full daily attendance is required, as each child is assessed and individual programs are developed to support Department requirements.  The benefits of participation are many and with your support and encouragement, your child will develop swimming and water safety skills and have great fun during the program.

All students attending the program will need to have a substantial morning tea and lunch to support them during such intensive physical activity.  Please make sure all grade 3 students arrive at school promptly as the bus will leave right on 9.00 a.m.  Miss Lovell, Mr Vandermey, Miss Prior and Miss Meissner will supervise and provide support for students.

Participation times are as follows:

Grade 3 students (from 3/4M and 3/4P) - Depart 9.00 a.m. - Return 10.30 a.m.

Grade 4 students (from 3/4M and 3/4P) - Depart 10.00 a.m. - Return 11.30 a.m.

Grade 5 students (from 5/6L and 5/6V) - Depart 11.00 a.m. - Return 12.30 p.m.

Carolyn Brown, Principal

Kia Ora!! That’s hello in Maori! Grade 3/4M have made an incredible start to Term 2 and they have learnt some interesting facts about our neighbour, New Zealand!  This term we have been exploring Australia’s neighbours, the upcoming event of the Olympics and also investigating all the countries that are involved and where it all began.

Ka kite, from 3/4M! (That means goodbye!)

On Thursday last week children across all grades participated in the Cross Country.  Congratulations to all participants, who did an amazing job running the course.

Thank you to Mr Wishart for organising a great event for the children, it was a great day and the weather was very kind.

Reminder that our school photo day is Monday 17 May.  Please return all envelopes, including payment or on-line receipt number to the office by Friday 14 May.

If paying by cash please ensure the correct amount is enclosed.

Photos will commence first thing on Monday morning, please make sure your child comes to school on time, dressed in their full school uniform, wearing their best smiles.

Thank you to families for their on-going support.

Our pre-kinder sessions start this week - Thursday 13 May, in the kindergarten room from 2.00 p.m. - 2.40 p.m. and continue running every Thursday at this time.

If you have a child born in 2017 or know of another member in our community that has a child preparing for kindergarten next year, then please come along.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the after school dance program has been postponed until further notice.

We will notify via Facebook when the program will be back up and running.

Our School Swimming and Water Safety Program will commence for students in grade 3-5 on Monday 24 May and run through to Friday 4 June.

Letters containing important information about the program and consent forms were sent home with students last week.  Please complete your forms and return to the school office at your earliest convenience.  Thank you to parents who have already returned their forms.

The Bridgewater Library is excited to invite families to attend the National Simultaneous Storytime....FROM SPACE! 

This year's chosen book "Give Me Some Space!" written by Philip Buntil will be read live - by NASA astronaut Shannon Walker - from the International Space Station!

There will be craft activities after the reading.

Where:  Bridgewater Library

When:  Wednesday, 19 May

Time:  11.00 a.m.

Please arrive by 10.50 a.m. so everyone can be seated and ready for an 11.00 a.m. start.