Dear families,

As we near the end of Term 1, we would like to express our sincere appreciation for the dedication and hard work demonstrated by both our students and staff at Herdsmans Cove Primary School. We have seen tremendous progress and enthusiasm, particularly with the implementation of our new structured phonics reading approach. It's been inspiring to witness the growth and development in our classrooms.

We invite you to take an active role in supporting your child's reading journey at home. Our teachers are eager to collaborate with you to ensure continuity between school and home learning environments. Please don't hesitate to schedule a meeting with your child's teacher to discuss strategies and resources that can further enhance their reading skills.

Additionally, we are calling upon parents to consider joining our school association. By becoming members, you have the opportunity to contribute to the betterment of our school and community. One of our primary goals is to apply for community grants aimed at improving our facilities to benefit both students and the wider community. As government employees, we are unable to directly approach politicians for assistance, but our school association can on our behalf.

We are excited about the prospect of collaborating with the school association to develop a comprehensive HCPS master plan. This plan will encompass various initiatives, including the creation of nature-based play learning spaces, classroom updates, and the construction of a full-size indoor gymnasium. These facilities will not only enhance the learning environment for our students but will also serve as valuable resources for the community. We envision a space where organized sports and community activities can thrive, enriching the lives of residents here in Herdsmans Cove.

Your involvement and support are crucial as we continue to strive for excellence in education and community engagement. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the future of Herdsmans Cove Primary School and the surrounding community.

Warm regards,

Tobin McColl - Principal

Our Kindergarten year started with many of our students showing an interest in insects, that we decided to make this the focus of our inquiry learning for Term 1. Students spent time in the natural environment searching for insects, asking questions, making observations and documenting their findings. 

We looked at pollinators such as bees, butterflies and ladybirds. We talked about a pollinator's role in growing plants, including the foods we enjoy eating each day. We even got to observe part of a butterfly's life cycle as we waited for our three butterflies to emerge from their chrysalises. We planted a special garden to feed wild pollinators before releasing our butterflies at school.

Getting students outside to play in country and create something of their own.  Many different creations came from their minds.

Two weeks ago we had our Upper Primary Athletics Carnival. It was fantastic to see students having a go and dressing up in their house colours. Thank you to everyone for coming along and to those who helped out on the day.

Selected students have been chosen to represent our school next Tuesday at the Domain in the SPSSA Interschool Carnival.  Thanks to parents that have completed and returned their permission slip. Parents are most welcome to attend on the day but will need to arrange transport for themselves. The cost will be $4.00 admission per adult.   Congratulations and good luck to our team:

Lylah, Harmonie, Matayah, Peyton, Deon, Eli, Dayne, Dayne, Will, Clover, Alexis, Shayla, Bella, Edward, Kyden, Zyron, Seth, Dakotah, Ruby, Asha, Lilly-Anne, Jett, Cooper, Jack, Zak, Morrison, Zahley, Amelia, Scarlett, Annalise, Toby, Declan, Naite, Jaxyn, Kaycee and Stella.

This Thursday will be our Easter Carnival for our early years (Kinder - Grade 2). This event will be held on the oval from 9:30 am-11:00 am. Parents and friends are invited to come and support their loved ones and students are encouraged to dress up in their house colours.

We will be holding our first assembly for the year on Tuesday 26 March at 2:00 pm in the GP room.  1/2N will be providing items for this assembly.  Parents and friends are warmly invited to attend.

Respect – caring for ourselves, each other, and our environment.

How do we show respect?

Let's talk about how we demonstrate respect. We must identify our own respectful behaviours that make sense to in our own environment. Even if you feel like you are being respectful, somebody else may not agree and so, agreeing the behaviours as a team helps to resolve these conflicts of understanding and perception.

While having respect for someone can be a feeling - we also show respect through our actions and behaviours. Remember, respect also includes respecting ourselves, others, our past and our environment.

Here are a range of examples:

· The way we speak to people using tone, words and body language

· Giving others their own personal space and allowing for the level of personal space to change, depending on situations and relationships

· Being considerate, open, honest and kind

· Active listening, by first seeking to understand and then be understood

· Valuing diverse opinions and perspectives by …

· Providing a safe place where everyone’s mental and physical wellbeing is cared for

· Following or living within the boundaries that have been set

· Responding to the concerns of others

· Avoiding gossiping or putting others down

· Understanding and respecting that everyone is different

· Valuing diversity and our collective past, both individually and as a team

· Being ethical and professional

. Listening to other points of view

· Consistently modelling respect

· Making decisions and setting expectations that are clear, honest and transparent

· Looking after others’ property

· Asking to use someone else’s belongings

· Ensuring everyone is included, not excluded

· Being sensitive to the thoughts and feelings and others

· Being kind

We wish all our families a restful Easter break from this Friday 29 March through to Tuesday 26 March.  Students will return to school on Wednesday 3 April and the last day for term 1 is Friday 12 April.

Term 1 school holidays start on Monday 15 April through to Friday 26 April.  Students return to school on Monday 29 April.

A big thank you to Alison from COS who kindly donated some lovely new library bags to our school.  They will be amazing for our students to bring their library books home in to keep safe and dry.

A reminder to parents that our School Lunch Program will be finishing for term 1 on Wednesday 27 March, with Macaroni Cheese.  Please make sure you send lunch to school with your child for the last two Wednesdays of term 1.  Thank you for your support.