Holbrook Public School

As we enter the last weeks of the academic year, I am pleased to bring you updates on the happenings within our school community.

Colour Run Fundraiser

Holbrook Public School was full of colour and excitement for our K-6 Colour Run on Friday. Students and families came together for lively activity, fun, and fundraising. I sincerely thank Miss Lavis for orchestrating this joyful event that was a tremendous end-of-year celebration for our students and contributed substantially to our school. The funds raised during the Colour Run will be directed towards acquiring a portable PA system. This system will significantly enhance our ability to conduct outdoor events, ensuring that the entire school community can actively participate in and enjoy these occasions.

Gathering Feedback for Strategic Planning

We've been actively conversing with our students, staff, and parents this term. From face-to-face meetings to the invaluable insights gathered through Tell Them From Me surveys, your feedback is an integral part of shaping the strategic direction of our school. The data collected aids us in developing informed plans for school operations, programs, and initiatives. Your input is vital, and I appreciate the collaborative spirit of our school community in working together to create the best possible learning environment. Streamlining communication platforms and informing parents about student academic achievement and behaviour will be a priority in 2024.

Presentation Night

Our presentation evening this Thursday, 7 December, allows us to come together and celebrate our students’ achievements and the dedication of our exceptional staff. It is a time to reflect on the year's accomplishments and acknowledge the hard work and commitment that have defined our school community. I look forward to celebrating the 2023 year with you all on Thursday evening.

Planning for 2024 and 'Step Up' Sessions

Looking ahead to the 2024 school year, we are excited to announce that we will accommodate seven classes. This strategic decision reflects our commitment to maintaining an optimal student-to-teacher ratio, facilitating personalised learning experiences for all our students. We look forward to the positive impact this will have on our students' educational journey. We are still working on the class structures across our K-6 classes as this is impacted directly by student numbers in each age group and takes into consideration our students' academic, social, and emotional well-being.

Next week will see 'Step Up' sessions for 2024, where all students will spend a few hours in different learning environments for next year. This proactive approach minimises student anxiety and allows our staff to explore optimal combinations of students for the upcoming year. As we often see changes over the Christmas break, these classes will not be finalised until the start of next year.

K-2 Swimming Week

In Week 9, our K-2 students will make a splash during their dedicated swimming week. Thank you to Miss Hemphill for excellently coordinating this important activity and ensuring our young learners can develop essential water safety and swimming skills.

Holiday Works

Over the holiday break, several important infrastructure projects will be undertaken. These include the installation of a car park fence, carpeting for the remaining classrooms, office, and library spaces, new computer desks, and adding a security light for the car park gate. These enhancements ensure a safe, comfortable, and modern learning environment for all.

Year 6 Graduation

Wednesday, December 13, we will be celebrating the Year 6 Graduation. This momentous occasion marks the transition of our graduating students, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements and wishing them well on their continued educational journey. I would also like to take the opportunity to bid some of our families farewell from Holbrook Public School. Thank you for contributing and connecting to our school community for many years.

I look forward to celebrating our students' achievements and our school community's success in the remaining weeks of the academic year.

The staff at Holbrook Public School wish you all a safe and merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Regards

Louise Purss-Semple
Principal

On Monday, 27 November 2023, students in Years 5 and 6 adventured to Ian Geddes Reserve to participate in the annual Great Southern Bioblitz. The students were divided into four groups led by some of Holbrook's Landcare enthusiasts: Kylie, Rachel, Peter and Paula. Each group had the opportunity to check tree boxes, collect water bugs and insects, and bird watching. They found many fascinating creatures in Ten Mile Creek, including water fleas and water scorpions; one group even spotted some fish! Nesting in the tree boxes, the students found multiple brushtail possums and one squirrel glider. A highlight of the day was catching different types of butterflies. All the animals and insects found were photographed and uploaded onto iNaturalist, an online platform for identifying the different species of creatures. It was a fantastic day out in nature, learning about the importance of every native animal in our local area!

Several incidences have occurred of parents/carers and children walking between the buses at afternoon pick-up.  Our bus drivers have asked us to remind you of the following safety procedures.

Remember:

• School-aged children might seem independent, but they still need a hand.
• Always meet your child at school or the bus stop. Never wait on the opposite side of the road and call them across.
• Always supervise your child and hold their hand when walking to and from the bus stop/interchange and when crossing the road until they're at least ten years old.
• Wait until the bus has gone, then use a safe place to cross the road.
• Encourage your child to sit quickly when they get on the bus and buckle up if the bus has seatbelts.

Talk to your children about using Stop! Look! Listen! Think! every time they cross the road.

• Stop one step back from the kerb.
• Look continuously both ways.
• Listen for the sounds of approaching traffic.
• Think whether it's safe to cross and keep checking until you're safely across.

Our account with Audiri will be decommissioned on Wednesday, 6 December 2023, and we will no longer use it. You can remove this app from your phone or remove Holbrook Public School from your list of schools.

What you need to do so you don't miss out on important information:

• If you haven't already done so, create an account for the Sentral and School Bytes apps.
• Ensure the school has your best email address so you don't miss our emails.

We will use School Bytes to send reminders, posts, excursion information and payment requirements. School Bytes also contains several popular forms that you can now complete electronically:

• uniform orders
• student health condition support
• request for students to carry their asthma, adrenaline autoinjector
• change of details
• refund application
• declaration for child-related workers
• application for extended leave

We will continue to use Sentral for attendance notifications, the parent calendar, newsletter and reporting.

In the past, the children and families of Holbrook Public School have generously donated gifts to go under our Giving Tree, believing that Christmas was a time to be caring, sharing, and reaching out to people.  

Our school community has shown that kind gestures can go a long way, and we have donated more than 140 gifts to children who are not as well off as ourselves. 

This year, our Giving Tree will again go up, and we can again show how caring and generous we are as a school community to our local families.   

Once again, our pupils are encouraged to consider purchasing a small gift to leave under the tree by Tuesday, 12 December 2023, for an unknown student their age. This year, we are asking for the gift NOT to be wrapped.

Mrs Dionysius and Mrs Jones 

Students in Kindergarten to Year 6 are invited to our annual school dance.

This year, we are doing things differently and holding it during the day (from 2:10 p.m.).

Students are invited to dress casually (no singlet tops), a hat and sensible enclosed shoes.

On Friday, 15 December 2023, students in Kindergarten to Year 2 will celebrate the end of the school year with a fun day. Below is an outline of how the day will look.

Students are invited to come dressed casually (no singlet tops) with a hat and sensible enclosed shoes. We also encourage you to send in a sturdy bag for your child to take home some of their books and projects.

9:20 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Fruit break
Roll
Christmas story

10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Sport: Games on the oval 20-minute rotations (parachute games, obstacle course and ribbon dance)

Lunch
Students bring a picnic Christmas lunch

12:10 p.m.
G-rated movie
Popcorn

Recess
Students bring snacks

2:10 p.m.
G-rated movie
Pack up
Bubble making and bubble dance
Ice blocks (Zooper Doopers)

If you do not wish your child to participate in the movie or eat the food provided, please advise the school by 9:00 a.m. Thursday, 14 December 2023.

To celebrate the end of the school year, students in Years 3 to 6 will walk to the Holbrook War Memorial Swimming Pool for lunch and a fun afternoon of structured activities.

Students are invited to come dressed casually (tops must have sleeves) with a hat and sensible enclosed shoes. They must bring their:

• swimmers
• towel
• sunscreen
• Broad-brimmed hat
• and plenty of water.

According to the Department of Education Sun Policy, students must wear a swimming shirt when swimming in the pool. Please ensure your child has a swimming shirt for Friday, or they will not be allowed to swim.

Please collect your 10-cent recyclable bottles, cans and fruit boxes and bring them to school for collection in our newly delivered big green drums.  

Please ensure that these items are clean and free of food, liquid or other contaminates. This is a simple, easy way to help raise more funds for our students.  

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