16 December 2020

Newsletter Articles

A Note from the Principal

What a year 2020 has been. We have travelled through a very unpredictable year, having weathered the COVID-19 restrictions to meet the challenges of Australia and Western Australia’s response to the global pandemic. Not in my teaching career, have I witnessed such wide-spread impact of an external event on teaching and learning.

Special thanks to all of you who have contributed in ways small, large and unimaginable! So many of you have supported our work in countless ways. In a year where things were changing daily, our P&C Executive Team were truly amazing. You are simply the best! To our wonderful parents who continue to be such strong advocates for our school. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for getting your children to school on time each day, for kind notes of encouragement that mean so much, for sending your kids with healthy lunches obviously packed with love, for making sure homework gets done… and handed in. Thank you for providing rich and engaging, well-rounded experiences for your children and knowing that education is about joy, wonder and fostering curiosity, along with the development of social skills so needed to succeed. For these, and a million other things, the Staff at Butler are truly grateful.

To those of you who are leaving us for new places and adventures, we wish you all the best. Congratulations to our very capable Year 6 students who are venturing onto a new stage in their academic career!

And, best-wishes, albeit with saddened hearts, to Mrs Emily Brown, Ms Jaine Strophair, Ms Belle Thompson, Ms Lauren Defty, Mr Matthew Radford, Marcella Roberts, Wendy Clements, Brooke Anderson, Alison Thorncroft, Natasha Jones and Riza Suryandari as they move to embrace new experiences and opportunities. Butler Primary School has been extremely lucky to have had such outstanding professionals as part of our team, and we would welcome you back any time in the future.

Student reports will be emailed on Wednesday 16th December and class lists for 2021 will be displayed on Wednesday 16th December and Thursday 17th December. Kindergarten to Year 2 class lists will be displayed outside the under covered area in the Pre Primary yard. Year 3 to 6 class lists will be displayed outside the office. The class lists are subject to change depending on any variations in enrolments.

On behalf of the staff I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a terrific New Year. Stay safe and healthy and we look forward to welcoming everyone back at the beginning of 2021

Julie Woodhouse
Principal

School Calendar

Term 1 2021

PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT DAYS 2021 (PUPIL FREE):

Term 2 - Friday, 4 June
Term 3 – Friday, 13 August
Term 4 – Monday, 11 October & Friday 17 December

Notices for all Families

What’s On In

Kindy

We have had a wonderful, exciting and eventful 2020 in Kindy. All the teachers are so proud of how well each and every one of the students adapted to COVID changes. Their first year at school had only begun when they were required to stay at home. Once we could return to classrooms, students settled back into routines with ease and they have thoroughly enjoyed soaking up each and every learning experience since then.

We have learnt about farm animals and got to meet some very cute ducks, goats and more. We learnt about plants and how they grow and even explored mini beasts and bugs. Kindy has been full of fun, play and exploration. We are so proud of all of our students and can’t wait to watch them continue to grow in Pre Primary.

Miss Scally, Mrs Johnston & Mrs Saunders

Pre Primary

This term, the Pre-Primary students visited the wonderful world of pirates. We learnt a poem about the life of a pirate, and a story about a pirate searching for treasure. It was fun dressing up like a pirate and singing pirate songs. We learnt lots of new words such as ‘journey’ and ‘exploring’, which helped us to say and write interesting sentences.

In Week 8 we performed our assembly. We loved singing Christmas songs and saying our Talk for Writing recount about making yummy gingerbread cookies. Special thanks to Mrs Morris for helping us learn the songs and to play the musical instruments. We would also like to thank our families who came along to cheer us on.

We have had a fantastic year of growing, learning and visits from the Tooth Fairy! Now we are ready for a much deserved holiday.

On behalf of all Pre-Primary staff and students, we wish the Butler Primary School community a very Merry Christmas and a safe 2021.

Ms Strophair, Miss Brennan, Miss Defty and Mrs Pierce.
Pre-Primary Teachers

Year 1

In Year 1 this week we have been putting our procedural writing and measurement knowledge to use by baking gingerbread men for Christmas.

First, we wrote out the recipe using the structure we learned in our Talk For Writing unit ‘How to Make Witches Bread’. We included a hook, list of materials, instructions and a finishing statement.

Then we used our measurement knowledge to measure and weigh the ingredients we needed for our recipe.

Next, we mixed the wet ingredients, then the dry ones to form a soft dough.

After that, we rolled the dough out, cut out a gingerbread man and decorated it with mini M&M’s.

Finally, we baked our cookies and enjoyed eating the delicious gingerbread men!

From all of us in year one, we wish you a safe and happy Christmas holidays,

The Year 1 Team

Year 2

This Term in Year 2, we have had a great time learning the rhyming story Rumble in the Jungle in our Talk for Writing lessons. We have learnt all about rhyming, alliteration, wow adjectives and powerful verbs. We wrote some awesome Spine Poems.

On Friday of Week 6, we performed Rumble in the Jungle for our assembly. We also performed a lovely song about resilience that we learnt in music - You won’t bring us down. Mrs Morris also taught us how to play the ukulele and different rhythm patterns on percussion. We shared a funny song called - My Ant Has Fleas.

We have really enjoyed our time in Year 2.

Year 3

What an interesting and busy year it has been in Year Three! The year started as any year would, with excited students finding their feet in a new class with a new teacher. Then Covid-19 came through and things changed. Our Year Three Students took to the online learning environment excellently and then adapted to the changed classroom and school situation just as well. Once things started to get back to normal, our students were back to working hard. They showed their amazing story-writing abilities through Talk for Writing, which was on display at the Year Three assembly. They improved their mathematical abilities in their Beat That Challenges. They all enjoyed Book Week, Science Week, the Faction Carnival and many other events that were slightly changed this year. As their teachers, we are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved and how they have grown and matured. The Year Threes are more than ready for the challenges of Year Four. Good luck next year!

Year 4

This year in Year 4 we haven’t been able to do some of the normal activities we would do in Year 4 due to obvious reasons.

However, that hasn’t stopped us doing many fun activities throughout the year including book week, fun maths activities for maths week, sports carnivals and many hands on activities.

Students in Year 4 have really adopted to the Talk for Writing style in English and have produced some outstanding work as a result.

The students have really taken this year in their stride and made the most out of it, enjoying another fantastic year at Butler Primary School.

Year 5

Term 4 began with our Year 5 Assembly. This was based on having a growth mindset and how we’ve all had to be resilient to overcome the challenges of 2020. The students performed beautifully on the day and made their teachers proud. The Year 5s have also made some incredible art work with Ms Banfield. Hopefully, you’ve seen their masterpieces that have been coming home. It did get a little awkward this term whilst learning about Puberty in Health. However, all of the Year 5s demonstrated great resilience and maturity throughout the unit. Well done guys!

Although it’s been a strange year, we have loved our time together and are sad it’s coming to an end. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Stay safe over the holidays and we’ll see you around in 2021!

The Year 5 Teachers
(Miss Parker, Mrs Thompson, Mrs Bruce, Miss Anderson and Mrs Roberts)

Year 6 Graduation

The Year 6 Graduation Ceremony was held at Butler College on Friday 11th. It was a lovely morning and the students can be very proud of themselves. Congratulations to the students who received awards acknowledging their exemplary achievements.

We had a large audience of very proud parents and families supporting the students. This was possible due to the generosity of Butler College offering the Pavilion as a venue for our ceremony.

After a challenging year it was a delightful and gratifying way to end of the year with the students. Congratulations to all of the students. We are very proud of you.

Year 6 Teachers

Sport

INTERSCHOOL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

On Wednesday 28th and Friday 30th of October, East Butler hosted Alkimos, Butler and Merriwa Primary Schools in the A Division Interschool Athletics Carnival.

The Athletics day on Friday was a hot day, so to compensate, all long distance events were shuffled to the morning and students did their best to stay cool and hydrated throughout the day. Overall, the behaviour and sportsmanship of all students in the bays and events was excellent.

The final points saw East Butler winning with the following scores; 4th – Merriwa 373, 3rd – Butler 396, 2nd – Alkimos 483, 1st – East Butler 514.

Congratulations to the following Butler Primary students for their Individual Championship Awards:

Alexis (Year 4 Runner Up Champion Girl)
Mia (Year 6 Runner Up Champion Girl)
Lucas (Year 6 Champion Boy)

Thank you to the parents that came down and supported both carnivals and to the following staff members that made the day possible; Mr Piperis, Mr Carpenter, Miss Anderson, Mrs Martin, Miss Carey and Mrs Bruce.

Mr Milner
Physical Education

Students pictured from left to right: Ava, Sophie, Elsie, Amarna, Mia, and Lia (front)

Music

On Friday 4th December, the Butler Primary School Choir teamed up with Quinns Beach Primary’s choir to perform their very own One Big Voice concert. Some changes were made to the festival this year and it did look quite different to how it usually takes place. Although it wasn’t at the RAC Arena we were still lucky enough to perform for a small audience.

The choir students worked tirelessly throughout the year not knowing whether it was possible for the show to go ahead. The two choirs put on amazing show, singing a range of songs. A fantastic effort was put in by each and every Choir member.

Well done to you all – I am super proud of you!

A huge thank you goes out to Mrs Horncastle (Music Teacher, Quinns Beach PS), Mrs Burke (Principal, Quinns Beach PS), Mrs Woodhouse, Mrs Smith, Miss Scally and Mrs Rowlinson for all of their help and support surrounding this event.

And lastly, thank you to the parents - the endless rehearsals would not have happened without you!

Mrs Morris
Music Teacher

Library

Thank you to all students who have returned their library books. There are still a number of student book loans outstanding. Please return them to the library as soon as possible.

We would like to wish all families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Mrs Pengelly and Mrs Dowrick
Library Officers

Information for Families

Parent Resource

Letter and Sounds Instructional Video Links are now on our website as a parent resource. You can find them under the Parents and Students Tab under Links

School Payment Options Available

Payment methods for charges and contributions can now be made via:

• Eftpos in person at the office.
• Cash or Cheque (please use the school money envelopes and place the sealed envelope in the black letter boxes. The boxes are located in the wet areas of each of the blocks and the office)
• Direct Deposit (reference student name and payment description.)
  BSB: 066040
  Acc: 19904285

Absentee Messaging Service

Please send absentee messages through to 0419 091 075 by 10.00am with all of the following details so we can correctly update student records:

* Full name of your child/children
* Explanation for absence
* Date of absence

Absences can also be phoned through to the office on 9561 7700, emailed via the website or a message sent via the Absentee tile in the School App.

As per Department of Education policy, it is the parent’s responsibility to notify the school of the reason for your child’s absence/s within three days of the absence. Failure to do this will mean that the absence will be marked as “unacceptable reason” affecting your child’s education and attendance record.

School Parking Information

To help ease congestion around the school during peak times we encourage families to walk their children to and from school wherever possible, especially in fine weather or park at the Community Centre car park and walk your children across the oval.

All Staff park at the front of the school which frees up all the bays in the public car park off Camborne Way.

Families are reminded that parking is not permitted on grassed kerbside areas around the Pre-primary car park and along Tollesbury Avenue, as well as the bricked median strip in Camborne Parkway or across any footpaths. Parking is also not permitted in bus bays. Please consider the safety of all other road users and pedestrians when parking and leaving schools grounds.

Please also give consideration and respect to owners of properties surrounding the school and do not park on their properties or verges without the permission of the homeowner.

All usual road and parking rules apply around the school and parking fines are issued by rangers (who visit the school frequently) to those not adhering to the road rules. We encourage you to obey all parking and road rules for the safety of all families.

Please refer to the City of Wanneroo for Parking Information:

Please also refer to the City of Wanneroo’s ‘School Parking, School Road and Safety Awareness’ Brochure. This brochure details parking do’s and don’ts around schools and also details what parking situations are fineable offenses.

School Security

Please call School Watch Security on 1800 177 777, or the Police on 131 444, if you see any suspicious behaviour around the school.

P&C News

P&C Facebook Group

Canteen Information

Online ordering will close at 9.00am.

Any orders placed after this time will not be processed for that day. The order will go through the following day. Please ensure orders are placed on time. Late orders can be placed by calling QuickCliq direct on 1300 11 66 37.

The Canteen is currently only supplying online orders for Lunch.

Please do not hesitate to contact me on 9561 4255 (Butler College Canteen) if you have any queries.

Thank you
Carla Andretta

The online ordering system is available via the link below. Please refer to the above menu link.

Butler Out of Hours School Care

Please feel free to drop into the centre or contact us on 0403 347 952 or butler.oshc@ymcawaa.org.au for any queries. Information is also available at the school office.

Kind regards
YCMA