Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

This has been a week filled with learning, testing and some fun thrown in for good measure.

We started the week with NAPLAN for Years 3&5.  In fact, NAPLAN testing operated across every day this week.  This is a massive logistical challenge and takes many hours of preparation.  Mr Meijboom, Mr Juhl, Year 3&5 teachers and all of the support staff are the reason that it went so smoothly again this year.  Well done to all of them.

Parent-teacher interviews followed on Monday evening.  This was a wonderful opportunity to meet with families and begin to build those partnerships that are vital for success at school.  While it became a 12 hour work day for many teachers, every minute was worthwhile. 

School photos followed on Wednesday and Thursday.  Making this timetable work smoothly takes a lot of effort from our staff.  Not only is timing important, but so is preparation of uniforms for the photos.  Our teachers made the program look much simpler than it is in reality.

And then there was... 

Colour explosion

Thank you to our P&C for coordinating a wonderful activity for our school.  Students and staff all enjoyed getting mucky - the weather was perfect and the smiles were infinite.  

Next week is also looking busy so please keep checking the school calendar of events.  Headlining Week 9 will be...

School cross-country (Tuesday)

The first house competition for 2025 starts next Tuesday at cross-country.  Be sure to wear your house colours and be sunsmart:

• Colman - Red
• Foxwell - Blue
• Pedley - Yellow
• Siganto - Green

Not sure of your house?  Check with your class teachers.  

Our focus for the carnival is participation.  While we are sure to have some very talented middle distance runners, the distance for many will be a challenge.  These runners will need your positivity and cheering.  

Because runners start and then run off the oval, cross-country is not the same level of spectacle as an athletics fun day. We will do our best to keep things moving smoothly.  

We would love as many families as possible to attend.  Bring:

• A chair or picnic rug,
• Portable shade if you are able,
• SUNSCREEN and hat and
• Your cameras.  You can take as many videos or photos as you wish - so long as your children ar in them.  

The Crusader's Cafe & Coffee Shop will be open and is looking forward to a super day of trade.  

May is our Family Reading Month

This year marks the 29th Scholastic’s National Family Reading Month (NFRM), which encourages families to read together on a regular basis to create strong reading habits. Most of us know how important reading together is and its long-term value to our children’s success in school and in life. However, we also know it is not always that easy to put into practice with our busy schedules and increasing competition with screen time.

That is why we ask you to take the 31-Day Challenge— to inspire you to make reading together for at least 10 minutes every day a focus, to create positive, long-lasting reading habits and lifelong readers!

NFRM will launch on, THURSDAY 1 MAY 2025, AT 11:00AM AEST where it will be livestreamed all across Australia and New Zealand via Facebook and YouTube. Mr Luke will read his book Guess What We Are Doing Today? together with illustrator Chris Kennett and kick off the 31-Day Challenge, as we read every day in May.

You are invited to go to our website to download more assets and join the 31-Day Reading Challenge with us. Visit HERE for downloads, reading tips and exclusive content from Mr Luke.

Let’s encourage the 31-Day Reading Challenge and celebrate National Family Reading Month together.

Spelling Bee

Oval project update

The area is really starting to take shape with a majority of the hardscaping completed.  A cement stage area, shade sails, gardens and outdoor learning areas are still to be created.  The project is due for completion by the end of vacation or early in Term 2. 

Then we will look at installing some more playgrounds.  Stay tuned as we will ask families for their ideas with these too.

Kind regards

Vic