Newsletter 8

Dear Parents and Carers

We hope that all mothers and mother figures in our community had a happy Mothers’ Day where their love, commitment and dedication were acknowledged and celebrated by their families. On Friday 8^th May, we were privileged to host our school mothers, grandmothers and mother figures at the Mothers’ Day Breakfast on the O’Connor Oval. It was lovely to see so many in attendance enjoying breakfast with their children and with each other. We thank you for all that you do for our students, school and community. Thank you also to the Whitty Dads for coordinating this very special event, Mr Garner for preparing the grounds, the school choir and Mrs Chapman for their performance.

Congratulations to all students for their participation in the Junior and Senior Cross Country Carnivals last week.  They were outstanding events and provided the students with the opportunity to have a go, try their best and demonstrate great sportspersonship.  Thank you to Mrs Richards and Mrs Knox for their tireless efforts in organising training sessions before school and for coordinating the carnivals.  Thanks also to Mr Garner and Mr Rutley for preparing the grounds and to staff and families who assisted in settting up and packing away.  It is great to see the leadership demonstrated by the sports captains and everyone’s perseverance to overcome their nerves and the distance to complete the course.  We wish our interschool team well as they compete in the SSWA Primary Cross Country Carnival today.

National Reconciliation Week begins on the 27^th May and runs until 3^rd June.  This week marks two important events in our year as Australians and begins immediately after National Sorry Day on May 26^th.  National Sorry Day is a time where we apologise for the poor choices of past generations in the treatment of Aboriginal people.  It is an opportunity for us to appreciate the contributions of the first Australians and to acknowledge that decisions of the past have had great negative effects on the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Extending this apology is an important step in the process of reconciliation.  May 27 is the anniversary of the 1967 referendum in which more than 90 percent of Australians voted ‘Yes’ to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census and give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples the right to vote and have a say in the government of the country. June 3 marks the anniversary of the historic 1992 Mabo decision in which the High Court of Australia recognised native title – the recognition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights over their lands did survive British colonisation. The theme for 2026 “All In” calling on all Australians to commit to reconciliation actions, learning and reflection.

To participate fully in the school program, it is crucial that attendance is maintained at close to 100%.  We understand that if children are unwell, they will need to stay home and get well but it is unfair to expect growth from children if they are not present to further develop their skills.  Attendance reports will soon be sent to families providing your child’s percentage of attendance.  The aim is for your child’s attendance rate to be as near to 100% as possible.

Please note that if students arrive late at school, they are required to sign into the office and take a late pass with them to their classroom.  This will ensure our system logs their attendance.  When signing students out early for an appointment, please also sign them out at the office and your child will be called up to the office to meet you.

Well done to our Whitty Dads for hosting a soccer clinic on Sunday on the school oval.  A number of families from Kindy to Year 6 participated in some drills and games.  Thanks to Shane Ukich and Colin Gormley for coordinating this great opportunity for our dads and kids to spend some quality time together.

Families are welcome to attend the 3W Senior Assembly on Friday afternoon.

Best wishes and God Bless