Term 1 Interim Reports
On Wednesday 27th March, class teachers will be sending home Interim Reports with students. These brief reports are intended to be a snapshot of each student’s progress in English and Mathematics, as well as an indication of work habits and the way they are meeting the school’s behaviour expectations. Parents may choose to arrange a meeting with class teachers on the basis of these Interim Reports, and these should be scheduled within the first three weeks of Term 2. There will not be a dedicated interview afternoon or day off in 2024.
News from the Science Room
Our newest members of the Duncraig Primary School community have arrived, with several eggs hatching last week in the Science Room. Our chicks are now growing rapidly, and the students are enjoying watching them grow and develop. These observations are supporting the Biological Sciences curriculum that Mrs Jackson is teaching this term. Students and parents are welcome to pop in before and after school to meet and name our chickens.
Assembly Super Stars
Congratulations to all of our Merit Certificate winners for this fortnight! You are all superstars!
Our Student Of The Month winners all stood out by showing our focus value of Kindness this month. Well done all of you!
Harmony Week at Duncraig PS
We celebrated our diversity during Harmony Week at the school this week. Each class completed activities together to celebrate & rejoice in our collective backgrounds, cultures and experiences. It was a wonderful way to include everyone in a conversation about our differences and how these can make us all special – together and apart!
Our school Chaplain, Rumbi, helped us with a great whole-school activity where we coloured in paper hands, drawing pictures and making representations about our cultural background and / or what ‘Harmony’ means to us. We planted our hands in the community garden together, symbolising our collective growth in diversity. Thanks to Rumbi for helping us make this a special day!
Parenting Information Night
Thank you to all parents who registered and attended Wednesday night’s PPP parenting workshop ‘Fearless’. A huge thanks to our presenters for giving up their evenings to deliver this valuable information session.
For parents that missed this opportunity, we encourage you to find out more about the ‘Positive Parenting Program’. Please visit the website to attend free seminars across the metropolitan area and online, containing parenting hints, strategies and contacts. https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au/free-parenting-courses/triple-p-parenting-in-wa/
Save the date – ANZAC Service 2024
Please save the date, Monday 22nd April 2024, for the Duncraig Primary School ANZAC Service. This service is entirely student-led and features our school choir. The service commences at 9.00am in the Assembly area. All parents and families are welcome. For any parents who are currently serving, or have previously served, in the defence forces, you are welcome to wear your uniform, service medals and sit as a ‘special guest’. Please contact me if you would like to take up this offer or contribute to our service.
PBS Focus – We encourage others
During weeks 7, 8 & 9, our behaviour expectation that we have been focusing on is, ‘We encourage others’. This means that:
- We help and support each other in the classroom.
- We play fairly and congratulate each other in the playground.
- We use positive language, free from put-downs.
School Board Update
On Monday 11th March 2024, the DPS School Board held their Annual Open Board Meeting.
The Board welcomed a number of new parent and staff representatives to the Board membership for 2024. Thank you, Lisa Corbellini (parent representative), Megan Klaver (staff representative) and Nadine Jackson (staff representative) for joining the Board. We are very much looking forward to working with you this year. The Board also elected Maria Rudolph as the new Board Chair and Brad McCallum as the Vice Chair. Profiles of our new Board members will be updated on the DPS Board website in due course.
We would also like to acknowledge and thank the outgoing Board members for their valuable contributions to the Board over the last few years. We are very sorry to say goodbye to Tom Hockley who served as the Board Chair and parent representative for a number of years. A big thank you also to Tara Phillips (staff representative) and Tash Burke (staff representative) who have contributed their time and experience in serving the Board.
During the meeting, the following items were also covered:
- The Board agreed to updating the School Board Terms of Reference to establish a Vice Board Chair role.
- We heard from the Principal, Ms Nicole Borbas, who presented the Principal’s report, noting the improved student progress in English and Mathematics during 2023, with NAPLAN results also starting to show achievement levels with like schools. Other achievements such as PBS, the Duncraig Instructional Model and interventions with lower literacy students were highlighted . The 2024 priorities were outlined and an update provided on new teaching staff and students enrolment.
- The Board discussed and noted the 2023 Board Report.
- The Board discussed the priorities for 2024 regarding building and grounds items, including painting of walls, rooves, downpipes and poles to occur during holidays, bitumen to be pressure washed and old canteen to be repainted.
- The Board noted the P&C’s success in securing City of Joondalup funding for a bike shelter to be installed in July school holidays as well as new ropes and cargo net in the nature playground. Also, an application for $25,000 works grant for female toilet upgrades (staff and students) has been applied for.
- The Board members contributed in the setting of Board directions and priorities for 2024, including timing of the 50 year celebration planning, continued policy framework review and ongoing Board Self-Assessment Modules.
The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday 22nd April 2024.
Good Standing Activity
On Thursday 28th March, the final day of term, we will be celebrating students’ Good Standing with extra play at lunch time and an icy pole treat. Congratulations to all students who have maintained their Good Standing during Term 1.
WA Student Assistance Payment
Please note; Parents of Pre-primary or Kindy students who may have not yet received an official report for their child will not be aware of a WA Student Number (WASN). Please contact us and we can provide you with a WASN in order to support your claim.
Current Payments Available through Qkr!
- Voluntary Contributions
- Year 5 Parliament House Excursion
A reminder to parents that we have changed bank accounts. Please use this account for any direct deposits: BSB – 066192 Account – 10659523
The Android Phone issue has now been resolved. Parents/users can now download the App from the Google Play Store.
Upcoming Events
- Thursday 28th March – Good Standing activity: Extra play and Icy Pole
- Thursday 28th March – Last day of Term 1
- Monday 15th April – Student Free Day
- Tuesday 16th April – Students commence Term 2
- Thursday 18th April – Year 5 Excursion to Parliament House
- Monday 22nd April – ANZAC Service
- Thursday 25th April – ANZAC Day Public Holiday
Kind regards,
Nicole Borbas
Principal
Nicole.Borbas@education.wa.edu.au