Newsletter - Issue No.115

Principal - Mrs Gallagher-Simeons

Dear Families,

We have almost come to the end of the 2024 school year.  It has been a fantastic year at East Butler with so many exciting activities that have engaged our students. 

The end of year is always a busy time for everyone as we wrap up with our special assemblies, Christmas events, classroom changes and organisation for the following year.  We genuinely appreciate your patience with all our communication to ensure our students opportunities and experiences to add value to their educational experience at East Butler.

Year 6 Students Farewell 

Year 6 students graduating and transitioning into high school marks an exciting and important milestone in their lives. After years of primary school, they have grown in knowledge, developed friendships, and taken on responsibilities that have prepared them for this next big step. Moving into high school brings new challenges and opportunities – students will explore a wider range of subjects, meet new classmates, and start discovering interests that will shape their futures. Though the transition can be both thrilling and a bit nerve-wracking, Year 6 graduates can feel proud of how far they have come and look forward to the journey ahead. High school is not only a time for academic growth but also for building independence and confidence, as they begin to form their own paths. On behalf of myself and all the staff at East Butler Primary School, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the parents for their unwavering support throughout the year. We wish each child continued success and fulfilment in the next chapter of their educational journey!

School Uniform Policy

We take pride in our school and our students wearing our school uniform. We have noticed that unfortunately, some students are not abiding by the dress code. Please note that bike shorts on their own are not part of the school uniform and clothing should be of a suitable length as to not reveal underwear or private areas of the body. 

Also, students are expected to wear all parts of the school uniform which permits plain blue jumpers. If your child is unable to wear the school uniform, we do have some spares for borrowing and the office staff will contact you to see if you can drop off the appropriate attire. 

Click here to view our School Uniform Policy

Mrs Wendy Gallagher-Simeons
Principal

Deputy Principal - Mrs Head

Achievers WA

We are so privileged to have the Butler Chapter of Achievers Club, held each Saturday morning at East Butler Primary School. We have many different, successful people volunteering their time as mentors to support our students to be the best they can be. 

Being part of Achievers Club is a big commitment. It is a requirement that parents drop off and pick up their child from school each Saturday morning of the school terms. This means if your child participates in sport on a Saturday at any time of the year, Achievers Club is not for you.  Once your child has commenced Achievers, they can continue this support and tutoring program until they finish high school.  

There are a number of spaces becoming available at Achievers Club. If you and your child are interested, are in Year 3 or above and would be committed to attending each Saturday, please express your interest via email to eastbutler.ps@education.wa.edu.au.

Technology Upgrades

We are delighted with the new installation of interactive whiteboards in our Carnforth block.

Please also note that we are undergoing a system upgrade tomorrow, Friday 8^th November. With our system down, please reserve contacting the school only in the event of an emergency via the school mobile: 0408 514 533.

Michelle Head
Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal - Mr Williams

Everyday Matters Lunch Time Program

This term we introduce a lunch time program on Wednesday.  Everyday Matters is YouthCARE’s Christian Values Education program developed in western Australia specifically Western Australian Schools. The program covers practical topics such as friendship, acceptance, resilience and courage from a faith perspective. For more information, please scan the QR-code below.

The feedback has been very good from our students. They truly enjoy the time spent with the counsellors and their peers.

Communication Survey November 2024

Thank you to all the families who completed the survey.  We appreciate the time that you have taken to complete the survey and we would like to share the results with you.  We had a total of 49 parents respond and it took an average time of 4 minutes and 52 seconds to complete.  This feedback is extremely helpful, and it will go a long way to helping us improve our communications with all parents and carers.

In Summary

• Timelines of information supply need to be improved
• SMS/TEXT and emails are the most useful and popular way to receive communication
• Our school website needs to be more user-friendly and accessible
• Most families reported receiving information regularly is just right
• We will look into providing even more timely information for all families
• Create More opportunities for face-to-face meetings

Finally, as a result, the school will look into devising a strategy for continued improvement in communication.

Interschool Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to all our students who competed in the Interschool Athletics Carnival.  It was a very good day. We are proud of the fantastic team spirt and sportsmanship displayed by all our wonderful students. A massive thank you to all the teachers and staff who helped to make the day special.

A HUGE Congratulations to Sienna Kehoe Year 6 and Selena Kehoe Year 4 for winning Champion girl in their year groups. 

Michael Williams
Deputy Principal

Manager Corporate Services

2024 Contributions

Thank you to all the families who have contributed to the 2024 school year. Your support is greatly appreciated, as these funds have already enhanced your child’s education by allowing the school to invest in additional materials, services, and resources.

While the school receives funding for core curriculum needs, it does not cover supplemental learning materials, which are often provided through contributions and the support of our teaching staff.

Every voluntary contribution goes directly into the classroom, enriching educational opportunities and experiences for the students. The more we receive, the more we can offer – every penny truly makes a difference. It comes down to just $1.15 per week over the course of the year.

We are able to offer an "Instalment Agreement" for those families who wish to pay their contributions through a payment plan.

Payments can be made via

1. EFT
2. Cash, or
3. Directly deposited into the School Bank Account.

Account Name:         East Butler Primary School
BSB:                           066 058
Account No.:             10024364

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries regarding your contributions or other needs of your child.

Jae Halden
Manager Corporate Services

Blue Footprints

On Monday, 21^st October, we were fortunate to welcome Sam from WestCycle to our school for the stencilling of blue footprints along our designated safe routes.

Mayor Linda Aitken and Councillor Glynis Parker joined us, offering their support to our students throughout the day. Students, along with Mr Williams and Ms Head, participated in painting these footprints, which will guide students along safe routes to school and serve as a visual reminder of the areas to stop and walk.

A big thank you to WestCycle and the Your Move team for making this initiative possible!

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P&C Bake Stall

A huge THANK YOU to those who provided the P&C with lots of delicious treats and also to those who made purchases at the Bake Stall Fundraiser on Wednesday 6th November. The P&C raised $828.55 from your generosity, which will be put towards our End of Year Fun Day next month. Thanks again for supporting the EBPS P&C.

AusBike Incursion

Today we were incredibly lucky to have the wonderful Ben and Richard from AusCyling treat our students to a bike incursion. The students from Room 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12 were able to practice their skills and understanding of bike and road safety. The incursion began by checking our bikes, making sure they were safe to ride and making sure our helmets were well fitted and protected us. The students were then lead through many activities, such as breaking, balancing, and manoeuvring through small obstacles. The students have loved it! Thank you to AusCycle and the Your Move team for this incredible opportunity!

Mayors Christmas Appeal

The City of Wanneroo Mayors Christmas Appeal is back to support community members facing hardship during the holiday season. 

Donations can include non-perishable food items, clothes, toys and living essentials. Which can be dropped in the red bin, located in the front office or to the classroom teacher. A kind gesture can go a long way, any donation big or small is greatly appreciated.

Let's make this a memorable and meaningful Christmas for everyone. The collection will end Friday 22nd November 2024.

Year 6 Transition - Butler College

Registrations are now open for the Butler College Transition Day which will be held on Thursday 21^st November for current Year 6 Students. Transition Day is a wonderful opportunity for your child to meet their teachers, connect with future classmates and become familiar with the campus.

The free event is open to Year 6 students even if you have not yet enrolled. Register your child by Wednesday 13^th November.

Alkimos College

Applications for the Gifted and Talented programs at Alkimos College are now open for parents of students in Year 5 in 2024 who will be entering Year 7 in 2026.

Please review the flyers below for further details about the opportunities and enrichment the Gifted and Talented program can offer students as well as endorsements of the program from parents of students currently enrolled in a Gifted and Talented class.

The link to apply is: https://www.education.wa.edu.au/gifted-and-talented

Aussie of the Month

Congratulations to Arshi in Room 8 who has been awarded our prestigious "Aussie of the Month" award for October.

Aussie of the Month recognises and celebrates personal endeavour, achievement, and contribution to the community and reflects the universal values we share as Australians, such as fair go, mateship, respect, and inclusion.

Arshi consistently demonstrates all the values in our Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Matrix. She has a can-do attitude and consistently works to a high standard. She takes on teacher feedback and uses this to better her understanding and displays exceptional playground behaviour, often being a source of support for her peers. Well done!

Special News

Congratulations!

We would like to say a big congratulations to our Year 6 student, Kaelan!

Kaelan recently took part in a music audition at Irene McCormack College which led to him being shortlisted and invited to attend an interview with the Principal and Head of Music. 

We are delighted to announce that during Kaelan’s interview, he was given the good news that he has been chosen to receive the 2025 Instrumental Music scholarship.  Well done Kaelan!

Your Move

Your Move school – benefits of Your Move

We are a member of the Your Move Schools program.

Your Move encourages students and their families to get active by walking, scooting and riding to school. Making a small behavioural change a few times a week can result in huge benefits for your child and the community, including:

• Reduced congestion, travel times and parking problems around schools;
• Improved safety for everyone at drop-off and pick-up times;
• Reduced carbon dioxide emissions around the school;
• Lifelong improved health and emotional well-being due to instilling positive exercise habits at a young age;
• Improved concentration and academic performance;
• More sustainable and cost-effective transport outcomes, such as reducing the need for investment in parking that may only be utilised for a short period each day, and reduced road infrastructure maintenance costs.

We earn Your Move points by posting stories and photos of our active transport adventures on the website; these can translate into grants to fund active transport facilities and activities for the school and other rewards. If you’re interested in volunteering to be part of our school’s Your Move program, get in touch with our Your Move Champion Mrs Utley.

We are delighted to inform you that East Bulter Primary School has been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2024 Your Move Awards, in the School Achieve Award category. This award recognises a Your Move school that has achieved a positive increase in, or maintained, active travel results, and delivered activities that promote sustained cultural change towards active travel.

East Bulter Primary School were long listed for an award based on their Your Move points/stories, activities, and Hands Up Survey results across 2023 and 2024. Mrs Utley then nominated East Bulter Primary School, providing additional evidence to support their nomination.

Office News

Daily Absences

SMS Absence Line - 0417 962 399

If your child is absent from School, can you please advise your child’s name, room number and reason for absence.  This number is accessible 24 hours, and we would be grateful if you could please notify us as early as possible of any absence or lateness.

Late for School?

If you have students who arrive late for school, please sign them in at the office on the iPad and ensure they collect a late slip to hand to their teacher. This will update the system and ensure that you do not receive a text message advising that they are absent from school.

Connect Notifications

Connect is a fantastic tool for the school to keep in touch with families of East Butler Primary School.  If you are not receiving Connect messages, please contact the front office and we will be happy to help.

In Term Leave

For any in-term leave, a form is required to be submitted to the school.  This form is available for printing below or in hard copy from the front office.  If you are taking your child/ren on holiday during school, the absences will be marked as “unauthorised vacation”.  This is a Department of Education directive.

School Dates 2024/2025

Community News

City of Wanneroo

The City of Wanneroo will be hosting a free community event in Ridgewood Park on Saturday 9th November, 4pm to 8pm.

City of Wanneroo School Crossing Survey

Your input will help us create safer routes for our students. The survey will be open from the 4 November to the 1December.

Saver Plus Community Program

What is Saver Plus?

Saver Plus is a free online community money skills program funded by ANZ and the Australian Government, and delivered by The Smith Family in WA:

• helping people to hit their savings goals,
• develop life-long savings habits, and
• receive up to $500 in matched savings from ANZ to assist with school expenses.

The Saver Plus community program has helped over 55,000 Australians take the stress out of back to school time. It’s free for eligible people to join.

At Saver Plus, we pair you with a savings coach while you budget and save over the next 10 months. You attend online workshops to learn tips, tricks and information to grow your budgeting and savings skills. Once you reach your agreed savings goal, ANZ matches your savings dollar-for-dollar, up to $500. You can use that money towards education costs such as uniforms, text books, laptops or extra-curricular activities such as sport or music.

You could be eligible to join Saver Plus if you:

• have a Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card
• are at least 18 years old
• have some regular income from work (you or your partner) including casual, part-time, full-time or seasonal (we also accept child support and carer’s payment as income)
• have a child at school or attend vocational education yourself.

If you’re eligible, start now and we’ll help take the stress out of next year’s back to school.

To find out more, or to apply, go to www.saverplus.org.au or call  1300 610 355 

Installing the Schoolzine App

Our Newsletter is available through the Schoolzine App on your Apple or Android device.  This is a great way to keep in touch with everything going on at East Butler Primary School and we encourage you to download the app.  The details for downloading are as follows: