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BALCATTA PRIMARY SCHOOL Telephone: 9253 4900

NEWSLETTER

Number: 18 21 November 2019

ORIENTATION DETAILS

PRINCIPAL’S PATTER

Hello Everyone,

With the end of the school year fast approaching, we still have lots to do

before the students break up on Thursday December 19.

The Year 6 Graduation will be held on Friday December13, commencing at

9.00 am, and we would like to invite parents, grandparents and friends of

our graduating class to this special event.

Also, our annual class awards will be held on Tuesday December 17,

commencing at 9.00 am and everyone is invited to attend.

The P&C is also funding a water fun day for all students on Monday16th

December. They have hired a bouncy castle, water slide and obstacle

course for the day and all students will get the opportunity to come down to

the oval and play!

Please note that the school security gates are locked at approximately

3.30 pm each day, so parents need to ensure that they have left the school

grounds by this time – your assistance in this matter is much appreciated.

A reminder also that sporting equipment is not to be played with before or

after school.

Have a great weekend,

Peter Gates

Principal

SCHOOL ASSEMBLY

Our next Assembly will be held on 22 November commencing

at 9.00am with our Year 1 students performing an item. Parents,

grandparents, friends and community members are very

welcome to attend.

KA: Wednesday 27 November Time: 9.30am Place: Kindy

KB: Thursday 28 November Time: 9.30am Place: Kindy

Pre-Primary: Wednesday 27 November Time: 2.15pm – 2.40pm

Place: P/Prim

The Balcatta Book Club, which began at the start of this term, has been hugely successful in promoting the fun & love of reading in our Year 6 & Year 3 students. It is wonderful to witness these students engage in literature and share the joy of books together.

Narelle Dowling (Yr 6 teacher)

YEAR 6 GRADUATION AWARDS - 2019

The Graduation Ceremony for our Year 6 graduating classes of 2019

will be held on Friday 13 December commencing at 9.00 am in the

undercover assembly area. The Year 6 students are invited to attend

a special morning tea with their parents, grandparents etc., along with

staff and our special guests at the conclusion of the awards

presentation to be held in the school library.

ANNUAL SCHOOL CLASS AWARDS - 2019

Our Annual School Class Awards will be held in our undercover assembly

area on Tuesday 17 December commencing at 9.00 am. We would like to

invite all our parents, community members etc. to attend this very special

morning for our students.

The Balcatta Book Club

November

8

There was a lot of fun

& grooving at the

recent disco held a

fortnight ago

DISCO

THE THEORY OF LOOSE PARTS

The theory of “loose parts” first proposed by

architect Simon Nicholson in the 1970's has begun to influence child-play experts and the

people who design play spaces for children in a big way. Nicholson believed that it is the 'loose

parts' in our environment that will empower our creativity.

In a play, loose parts are materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined

up, and taken apart and put back together in multiple ways. They are materials with no

specific set of directions that can be used alone or combined with other materials.

Loose parts can be natural or synthetic. In a preschool outdoor environment, we can provide

an array of loose parts for use in play such as stones, stumps, sand, gravel, fabric, twigs, wood,

pallets, balls, buckets, baskets, crates, boxes, logs, stones, flowers, rope, tyres, balls, shells and

seedpods.

Having "loose parts" available in a play space allows children to use these materials as they

choose. Often you will find that children would rather play with materials that they can use

and adapt as they please, rather than expensive pieces of play equipment.

Encouraging children to use resources as they choose can provide a wider range of

opportunities than one that is purely adult led. Children playing with loose parts are using

more creativity and imagination and developing more skill and competence than they would

playing with most modern plastic toys.

It may take a very open mind on our part (there is often a lot of cleaning up involved as

materials end up in places you would never expect them to be) but when children cross play

materials and areas in creative ways, it is our responsibility to support and encourage their

work and ideas.

Loose Parts should –

* Have no defined use and play workers must support the children when they decide to

change the shape or use of them.

* Be accessible physically and stored where they can be reached by children without having to

ask the play workers. The children should know that they can use them whenever and

however they wish.

* Be regularly replenished changed and added to.

‘Loose parts’ theory is about remembering that the best play comes from things that allow

children to play in many different ways and on many different levels. Environments that

include ‘loose parts’ are infinitely more stimulating and engaging that static ones. The play

environment needs to promote and support imaginative play though the provision of ‘loose

parts’ in a way that doesn’t direct play and play opportunities, but allows children to develop

their own ideas and explore their world.

Robert Croft

Students have been busy using their

imaginations & inventiveness forming

interesting constructions using some

loose parts equipment.

LIBRARY – SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB

Scholastic Book Club Issue 8 will be the last Book Club for 2019. All

orders must be in by Thursday 28 November to ensure the order is

delivered before the end of the school year.

Thank you,

Kay Keen

Library Officer

ENTHUSIASM – Virtue for NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

What is Enthusiasm? Enthusiasm is being inspired – full of spirit. It is being cheerful and happy. It is doing something wholeheartedly, with zeal and eagerness – being enthusiastic is being excited about something, looking forward to it. It comes from having a positive outlook.

Why Practise It? Everything becomes boring to a person without enthusiasm. A person without enthusiasm becomes boring, too. Enthusiasm is catching. When you are enthusiastic, other people like to be around you. Enthusiasm makes life more enjoyable.

Signs of Success Congratulations! You are practising Enthusiasm when you:

• let yourself enjoy looking forward to something

• think of imaginative ways to get things done

• do things wholeheartedly

• smile, laugh and enjoy what you do

• enjoy the wonders of life

• are full of positive spirit

Breakfast Club Undercover Area each Tuesday morning.

Everyone is welcome to come along between 8.15 – 8.45. VOLUNTEER HELP WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED!!

Larissa McCarthy (Chaplain)

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BalcattaPSPandC

LOOSE PARTS PLAY

Have you spotted the 6 bright yellow boxes near the big kid’s playground and wondered what they are for? Have your children told you about the fun they have been having outdoors, building and creating with Mr Croft? We are excited to be able to provide this for the students. Loose parts play is a type of play that supports invention, divergent thinking, problem solving and offers a sense of wonder to children. They are materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, and taken apart and put back together in multiple ways. They are materials with no specific set of directions that can be used alone or combined with other materials. Loose parts can be used in so many ways, the possibilities are as endless as a child’s imagination. What a great way to help them grow their skills in communication, problem solving and team work. Loose Parts Play invites students to explore & discover, imagine & create, enquire & experiment, play & tinker about as they build on their development skills.

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE We have been let in on a secret from Santa… he says that the most children have asked for a new Bicycle for Christmas. We have decided to help with the magic of Christmas and have a Raffle. And you guessed it … The first prize is a $300 BikeForce voucher, plus more amazing prizes thanks to our local Member for Parliament David Michael (MLA), Bikeforce Balcatta and Reid Cycles Balcatta. Look out for more details to come.

BANKING Our new Banking Co-Ordinator, Leah D’Cruze will be taking deposits on

Tuesday mornings!!

FUN DAY

Our water fun day will take place on Monday, December

16.

There will be a bouncy castle, slide, obstacle course….and

lots ofFUN!

Stay tuned.

P & C NEWS

DATES TO REMEMBER

NOVEMBER

Friday 22

• Assembly – (Yr 1)

Wednesday 27

• Year 6 Orientation Day at Balcatta SHS

• P/Primary Orientation (2.15pm)

• KA Orientation (9.30am)

Thursday 28

• KB Orientation (9.30am)

• Volunteers Morning Tea (10.30am)

DECEMBER

Tuesday 3 • Dance/Social Yrs 5/6 (7pm)

Wednesday 4 • Football clinic

Thursday 5

• Newsletter 19

Friday 6

• Assembly – Yr 2, Rm 9

Tuesday 10 • Graduation Dinner (5.45pm)

Friday 13 Assembly – Graduation (9am)

• Graduation Ceremony (9am)

Monday 16 • Fun Day

Tuesday 17

• Book Awards (9am)

• Reports Home

Thursday 19 • Newsletter 20

• Last day of the year for students

TERM 1, 2020 BEGINS MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY