Newsletter - Issue No.119

Mr Smith – Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers, 

As we reach the midpoint of term, it has been pleasing to see our students show energy and enthusiasm for learning. Term 2 is always a significant one in the school year. Routines are well established, and we’re now focused on deepening learning, strengthening connections, and continuing to work together to ensure every child thrives. 

Student Leaders 

At East Butler PS, we provide leadership opportunities to our students through various roles, Student Councillor, Faction Captains, PBS Rangers and Sustainability Leaders. These students are doing a fantastic job in their roles by supporting staff and students as well as providing feedback for how our school can improve. Well done, leaders! 

Appropriate Footwear 

Even with swimming completed, we still have a number of students wearing crocs. This is a friendly reminder that this footwear is not endorsed as part of our uniform policy. Please ensure your child is in the appropriate footwear listed in our endorsed policy. Below is the link to access the policy. 

Policies and Documents | East Butler Primary 

Year 6 Leaver Shirts

The new Year 6 Leaver shirts have now arrived and are being proudly worn by our Year 6 Students, and they look amazing!

Kindergarten and Pre-primary Enrolments 2026 

If you have a child born between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022 please make your way to the front office to collect an enrolment form for Kindergarten 2026.  We are also accepting enrolments for Pre-primary. These applications need to be returned by Friday 25 July 2025.  

Having a clear understanding of the amount of student enrolling in Kindergarten and Pre-primary helps us plan our class structures across the school effectively. If you have any questions, please contact our friendly office staff who will be able to talk you through the process. 

With today being a School Development Day and Monday a Public Holiday, we look forward to welcoming our students back on Tuesday 3 June. 

Kind regards, 

Reece Smith

Principal

Deputy Principal

Remembering Malcolm Skeggs

It is with great sadness and fond memories that we celebrate Mr Malcolm Skeggs who passed away recently. Malcolm was a welcome member of our school community for many years. He gracefully shared his war experiences with our Year 6 students, volunteered in the Support A Reader program to develop literacy in our young students for several years. Malcolm then became a member of our School Board and founded our School Choir which is named in his honour. We are so grateful for his generosity of time over the years, and our condolences extend to his family and all who knew him.

WA P&C Day

On Friday 23^rd May, we celebrated WA P&C Day and thanked our amazing P&C Committee!!

Our P&C Committee members work tirelessly throughout the year on initiatives that benefit the children at our school.  They are involved in many activities including organising fundraising projects which provides important resources to the school, facilitating parent participation and acting as a forum for parents to discuss school issues.

Our P&C contribute so much to our school and community. Their dedication and passion are incredible and we’re so grateful to each and every one of them and we would encourage others in our school community to get on board and join!

Kind regards

Michelle Head
Deputy Principal

Manager Corporate Services

2025 Voluntary Contributions – 32% Received

A big thank you to the families who have already paid their 2025 voluntary contributions — we truly appreciate your support! So far, 32% of families have contributed.

These contributions make a real difference in our classrooms by helping provide valuable resources that directly benefit your child’s learning. Funds received go towards:

• Reading resources – $15
• Maths resources – $15
• ICT programs and equipment – $30

Every contribution received helps us create a richer, more engaging educational environment for all students.

If you'd like to contribute but are finding things a little tight at the moment, please feel free to contact the front office, we're happy to arrange a payment plan that suits your needs.

Thank you for supporting our school community!

Kind regards,

Jae Halden
Manager, Corporate Services

New Attendance System

This term, our system for recording student information and attendance has changed. On Tuesday 13 May, we began the transition to our new system “Compass”.  Most of the changes with the new system will be in-house, however you may notice the absentee text messages coming from a different sender. 

Parents will now receive an SMS with a link if their child is marked absent without an explanation. Parents should use this link to add attendance notes about their child’s absence. Please note that the link will be valid for only 48 hours. Do not reply to this message via SMS as the school will not receive it. The school will receive your response via the link provided. Ensure the phone is connected to an Internet data plan or has WIFI access to use the hyperlink.

The old Absentee SMS number should now be deleted to avoid confusion and should not be used to communicate with the school. Parents can continue to use the Schoolzine SZapp to submit advance notice absences.

Dates To Remember!

School Development Days in 2025  

Friday, 30^th May 2025

Friday, 29^th August 2025

Monday 13^th October 2025

Last Day of Term 2, 2025  

Friday, 4th July is the last day of school for students in Term 2.  Students will return to school on Monday, 21st July 2025.

School Photos - Monday 30th June 2025

This year our school has chosen to use 3p Photography for our school photos which will take place on Monday 30th June.

Forms containing a unique Shoot Key have now been sent home with your child.  To order online you can log on to www.3p.net.au and place your order using your unique Shoot Key. You also have the option to make a cash payment on the day by placing your exact payment in the photograph envelope (please note that no change can be given).  Unfortunately, card payments cannot be accepted.

You can also have a sibling photo taken on the day between 8.15am and 8.35am and these can also be ordered online using the older sibling's order form.  

If you have any queries, you call contact 3p Photography direct on 9250 6244 or you can visit hello@3p.net.au.

Kindergarten Enrolments

Kindy enrolments are now open for 2026.  If you have a child born between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022 please make your way to the front office to collect an enrolment form for Kindergarten 2026.

Applications need to be returned by Friday 25 July 2025. Having a clear understanding of the amount of students enrolling in kindergarten helps us plan our class structures across the school effectively. If you have any questions, please contact our friendly office staff who will be able to talk you through the process.  

P&C News!

Donut Day

On Friday 6^th June our P&C will be celebrating National Donut Day with a selection of Krispy Kreme donuts which will be available for students to purchase at recess and lunch time at a cost of between $3 and $5 each.  

The funds raised with go towards the annual End of Year Fun Day for students.

RAC Road Safety Incursion

RAC Road Safety Incursion – A Fun and Educational Experience! 🚦🚗🛴

At the end of last term, on Monday 7 April and Tuesday 8 April, our entire school from Pre-Primary to Year 6 took part in an engaging and educational RAC Road Safety Incursion — and what a fantastic experience it was!

Throughout the two days, students had the opportunity to learn about important road safety messages in fun and interactive ways. From understanding pedestrian rules and how to stay safe near roads, to learning about bike and car safety, each session was tailored to the age and stage of our learners.

The RAC team did a wonderful job delivering their messages in a way that was both informative and exciting, with hands-on activities and real-life scenarios that helped students connect with the content.

It was great to see the students so engaged and eager to share what they learned. Their enthusiasm showed just how valuable these sessions were in helping build awareness and responsibility when it comes to road safety.

A big thank you to the RAC presenters for visiting our school, and to our staff for supporting this important learning opportunity. We know these lessons will stick with our students long after the incursion!

National Walk to School Day

National Walk to School Day – A Morning to Remember!

What a fantastic morning we had celebrating National Walk to School Day on Friday 16^th May 2025.

Students arrived full of energy and excitement, ready to get moving and have some fun. With beautiful weather and lots of smiling faces, the day kicked off with our Walk to School Scavenger Hunt. It was great to see so many students participating, keeping their eyes peeled for clues along the way.

Those who completed the scavenger hunt were rewarded with some awesome prizes, thanks to Act, Belong, Commit and Your Move. Students traded their completed sheets for a choice of goodies including footy balls, pens, drink bottles, and even clap hands – and let’s just say, they were thrilled with their loot!

The fun didn’t stop there! We had the music cranking and the good vibes flowing as we kicked off our Odd Shoe Parade. There were some seriously creative combos, from sparkles to slippers – and yes, even our very own Principal Mr Smith joined in the fun, proudly strutting his mismatched footwear!

After all that activity, it was time to refuel. Everyone enjoyed a delicious breakfast of spaghetti jaffles, cheese toasties, and smoothies that hit the spot. The perfect reward after a walk well done!

A massive thank you goes out to all our teachers and parent volunteers – we couldn’t have pulled off such a successful and fun-filled event without you. Your time, energy, and smiles helped make the morning truly memorable for our students.

Events like these remind us how fun and rewarding it is to get active, connect with others, and build healthy habits for life. Let’s keep the momentum going – every step counts!

Room 7 - Limerick Competition

Announcement of Limerick Competition Winners!

We are excited to share the winners of Room 7's limerick competition: Tyler and Lily!

All participants showcased their talents with remarkable performances. The children had the honour of impressing three esteemed judges: Mrs Head, Mrs Allen, and Mrs Rowe. Congratulations to everyone for their hard work and creativity!

Mrs Peskett

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club is available to all students each term from Week 2 to Week 9 on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8.00 am until 8.15 am in the Undercover Area next to the Canteen.

All students are welcome to come along, and we look forward to seeing you there!

School Canteen Lunches

School lunches are available to order 5 days a week!   The lunches are supplied by Alecrim Kitchen from Butler College and can be ordered online via Quickcliq.com.au

ACT, Belong, Commit

Have you ever noticed how good it feels to help others or set and achieve personal goals?

Making our health a priority and improving our mental wellbeing in 2025 is a great idea! Setting a goal is the first step in making a change.

Some tips to get started include:

1. Choose our approach:By setting a positive frame of mind, we are more likely to achieve our desired outcome.
2. Set mastery goals as well as performance goals:Performance goals (e.g. learning the piano in six months) may work for short-term objectives and are measurable. Mastery goals (e.g. learning each of the major piano chords) is a smaller, milestone achievement that can keep us motivated.
3. Set well-defined goals:Try using the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timed). An example of this is “I will do 30 minutes of jogging, 5 days a week, for the next 4 weeks."
4. Have an action plan:Specify where, when, and how a goal will be implemented. 
5. Plan for setbacks:Anticipate barriers and challenges that may interfere with action plans and decide how you will overcome them.

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

OFFICE NEWS

Voluntary Contributions

Thank you to those parents who have already paid their voluntary contributions through the booklist and other methods– this certainly helps the school to ensure that resources are made available to the various year groups for this school year. Please remember that you are always welcome to enter into a Payment Plan with the school.

Online Payments to the school

Online payments are our preferred method of payment.  If you would like to make an online payment to the school (for contributions, excursions, etc), please use the following bank details:

Can you please ensure you provide the student’s name and what the payment is for when you make any payments.  More information is below regarding paying money to the school.

Daily Absences

If your child is absent from School, can you notify the school via the Schoolzine SZapp.  Alternatively, you can call the school on 9561 7777 or send an email to Eastbutler.ps@education.wa.edu.au.

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

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.

Lost Property

The lost property box can be found in the Administration block.    The P&C have kindly offered to go through the lost items every week and return any named items to the students’ classrooms.  At the end of every term any items still remaining in the box will be donated to charity.

SCHOOL DATES 2025

MEDICAL PLANS

If your child has a medical condition which requires a medical plan, we would like to refer you to the documents below.  Please complete the relevant plan for your child’s medical requirements. 

If your child is taking medication on a permanent basis, please complete the Form 2 Generic Health care plan. Should your child require short-term medication (i.e. antibiotics, Panadol) please come to the office to fill out an “authority to administer form”.  All medication is to be kept at the office.

If your child requires a long term plan, this will need to be signed by their doctor prior to bringing it into the school.  Once we have the information we will then draw up a plan and circulate this information amongst the staff at East Butler Primary School to ensure that the medical needs of the student are met in accordance with their personal plan and Department of Education Policy.

COMMUNITY NEWS

13YARN

13YARN [Thirteen YARN] is a first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. They offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 13YARN empowers our community with the opportunity to yarn without judgement and provide a culturally safe space to speak about their needs, worries or concerns.

If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, we encourage you to connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.

 www.13yarn.org.au

Triple P Parenting Program

Triple P is the parenting program that helps make raising kids easier. It gives you tips and ideas to help raise happy and confident kids; see more of the behaviours you like and less of the ones you don’t; and have better relationships with your family.

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is available to parents and carers of children in Western Australia, thanks to the Department of Education, Child and Adolescent Health Service, WA Country Health Service, and the Department of Communities. Private providers also deliver Triple P.

Free Triple P Seminars are being offered in various locations. Other Triple P programs may be available in selected regions, with more to come in the future. Most providers offer free sessions. Some sessions may be offered in a virtual/video conference format.  Please follow the links below to Triple P courses available near you.

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 

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying: what is it and how to get help

Cyberbullying is bullying that is done through the use of technology. For example, using the Internet, a mobile phone or a camera to hurt or embarrass someone is considered cyberbullying. 

What does cyberbullying look like?

A cyberbully can be someone you know, or a stranger. They might send mean or hurtful text messages through social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, or through sites where people can ask / answer questions.

Cyberbullying can also involve people sending photos and videos of you to others to try and embarrass or hurt you.

People spreading rumours about you via emails or social networking sites or text messages.

People trying to stop you from communicating with others.

People setting up fake profiles pretending to be you, or posting messages or status updates from your accounts.

How you can be safe from bullies online

Do not share private information like passwords, name and address, phone numbers with people you don’t know. This can also include sharing of photos of yourself, your friends and your family

Do not respond to messages when you are angry or hurt. Log out and stop messaging if you feel you are being harassed.

You can block, delete and report anyone who is harassing you online and on your mobile.

Find out how to report bullying and harassment on each of the different social networks that you use.

Keep a record of calls, messages, posts and emails that may be hurtful or harmful to you.

Set up the privacy options on your social networking sites like Facebook in a way you are comfortable with

Get help

Lawstuff provides legal information to children and young people in Australia. 

You can also go to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Cybersmart Program

If you have been bullied or witnessed others been bullied and need help, you can contact Kids Help Line (1800 55 1800), which is a free and confidential, telephone counseling service for 5 to 25 year olds in Australia.

Lifeline (13 11 14) is a free and confidential service staffed by trained telephone counsellors. 

The Australian Human Rights Commission (1300 656 419) has a complaint handling service that may investigate complaints of discrimination, harassment and bullying

OSH Club

Achievers Club WA

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: