9 May 2025

Principal’s Update

Dear families,

It has been a busy start to the term with students settling back into routines and school life.

The beginning of the term marked the start of Djeran (season of adulthood). Djeran season sees a break in the really hot weather. A key indicator of the change of season is the cool nights that bring a dewy presence in the early mornings. The winds will also change, especially in their intensity, with light breezes generally swinging from southerly directions. Many flying ants can be seen cruising around in the light winds.

Djeran is a time of red flowers, especially from the red flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), as well as the smaller and more petite flowers of the summer flame (Beaufortia aestiva). As you travel around the Perth area, you may also notice the red 'rust' and seed cones forming on the male and female she-oaks (Allocasuarina fraseriana). Banksias start to display their flowers, ensuring that there are nectar food sources for the many small mammals and birds that rely upon them. Traditionally, foods at this time of year included the zamia seeds that had been collected and stored for treatment during the previous season. The root bulbs of the yanget (Bullrushes), freshwater fish, frogs, and turtles were also common foods.

As the season progresses, the nights will become cooler and damp. The onset of cool and rainy days meant that traditional mia mias (houses or shelters) were repaired and updated to make sure they were waterproofed and facing in the right direction in readiness for the deep wintery months to come.

I would like to share with you all that Ant James, Teacher of Room 15, has been successful in securing a substantive Deputy Principal position at Kenwick School, commencing later this term. I wish her all the very best as she embarks on this new journey and transitions her students to their new classroom teacher. This staffing position, along with my parental leave backfill, will be communicated with families once confirmed.

This year, the school has commenced our PLD literacy journey. As part of this journey, we are seeking donations of storybooks which will aid the teaching and learning of the program for your children. Please see the attached book list below, and if you are willing to donate any of the books, please send them in with your child or drop them off at reception. Each newsletter following will share a new list of books as we seek to build our resources.

Friday, the 23rd of May 2025, is P&C Day. On this day, we recognise our amazing P&C for the work and fundraising they do within our school. If you see our P&C members around, please extend a 'thank you'—it goes a long way. We are looking forward to supporting them moving forward with specific funding projects that provide opportunities for our students.

As we head into the cold and flu season, thank you to families for advising us when your child is sick. You can do this through the school website, by phone, email or SeeSaw. This helps us to ensure we are following our attendance guidelines.

Have a wonderful weekend ahead.

Kind regards,
Natasha Naylor
Principal

Messages from the Front Office

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thank you to everyone who has paid their voluntary contributions and charges. Your support makes a difference for our school, and we appreciate it! If you still need to make a payment, you can find a copy of the voluntary contributions and charges by clicking on the link below or by going to our website.

Thank you for your continued support! Hope you have a fabulous Term 2!

Warm regards,
GPESC Administration Team

Community Information for families

Women’s Health and Wellbeing Services

BreastScreen WA are visiting Armadale

From 7th April to 14th July, BreastScreen WA will have their mobile van parked at Haynes Shopping Centre at the corner of Armadale and Eighth Road.

If you’re a woman aged 40 years and over, make your appointment now for a FREE screening mammogram.

Go online or call 13 20 50 to book. 

Find your Voice – Learn how to be Assertive (May 2025)

Wednesday – 7th May – Wednesday 28th May (4 sessions) @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

*Online registrations are essential FIND OUT MORE

ADHD Therapeutic Group for Women 2025

DATE and TIME to be confirmed

*Expressions of Interest Open FIND OUT MORE

Girl Power (May 2025)

Tuesday 27^th May – Tuesday 1^st July (6 sessions) @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

For other Classes and Events that we offer, click here.

City of Armadale Community Health and Wellbeing News and Events

Health events in your City

Yoga & Mindfulness Classes

Alternating Fridays Harrisdale & Piara Water's Pavilion 

The City is supporting AMURT Australia to bring FREE Yoga and Mindfulness classes to Harrisdale and Piara Waters. Running every alternate Friday from January to June, these classes are suitable for everyone including beginners. 

For more info and to register, WhatsApp Jas on 0490 341 797 or click on the link.

Active Ageing Programs

Tues 29 Apr - 24 Jun | 10:00am - 11:00am
Seville Grove Library, Armadale 
Thurs 1 May - 26 Jun | 10:00am - 11:00am
Creyk Park Pavilion, Kelmscott

These FREE 9 week programs are a progressive workout that includes a range of exercises suitable for people aged 60 years and older. To express your interest in the program click here or email health@armadale.wa.gov.au.

EOI close 5pm Friday 11 April. Places are limited and you must be registrated to attend. For more info, contact Kirsten Beckingham on 08 9394 5495.

Street Games Armadale

Fri, Starting 2 May | 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Don Simmons Reserve, Brookdale 

Join Reclink Australia for their FREE youth drop in sports sessions. Come down every Friday until 4 July to enjoy a variety of different sports each week, while spending time with your friends or making new ones!

No registrations required, just come along!

To find out more, visit our website here. 

Street Games Kelmscott

Tues, Starting 6 May | 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Rushton Park, Kelmscott

Join Reclink Australia for their FREE youth drop in sports sessions. Come down every Tuesday until 1st July to enjoy a variety of different sports each week, while spending time with your friends or making new ones!

No registrations required, just come along!

To find out more, visit our website here. 

Armadale Women’s Health & Wellbeing Day

Tues 13 May | 10:00am - 1:00pm
Champion Centre, Seville Grove

Come along to the Champion Centre to celebrate women, wellbeing, health, culture and community. There will be free activities, food and drink, health checks, information and giveaways!

Click here to find out more.

Cultivating Gratefulness

Tues 13 May | 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Armadale Library, Armadale 

Each month we explore and cultivate the practice of grateful living. You'll learn how to approach life moment by moment with gratitude, leading to great ease, resilience, and joy. Come support each other in this transformative journey.

Bookings are essential for each session. For more info and to book, visit the website.

Move Your Body

Thurs 15 May | 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Seville Grove Library, Seville Grove

Join Injury Matters WA for their three-part Stay on Your Feet series and learn practical strategies to prevent slips, trips and falls. In this session you will learn ways to improve your balance and posture, and strengthen your muscles and bones for overall good health and wellbeing.

Bookings are required. For more info and to book, visit the website. 

Learn to Line Dance

Fri 16 May | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Kelmscott Hall, Kelmscott

Tag along with Step2It Line Dance for a FREE two hour line dancing workshop. This event is suitable for people aged 18 years and over and we encourage everyone to wear their best country outfits!

No registrations required, just come on down! For more info, check out the website. 

All Abilities Pilates

Thurs, Starting 29 May | 1:30pm - 2:30pm
John Dunn Pavilion, Kelmscott

Experience our FREE six week pilates program. Suitable for people of all abilities, including seniors and individuals living with disabilities, pilates is a series of strength and mobility based stretches and exercises that can improve posture, flexibility and balance.

Places are limited and bookings are essential. For more info and to book, visit the website. 

Seville Grove Connect

Wed 21 May | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Seville Grove Library, Seville Grove

Monthly gatherings where you can have yarn, share stories, and find ways to live a happier and more meaningful life. This month's theme is Anger Management - Learning to recognise anger and how we can manage it.

No bookings required, morning tea provided. Click here to find out more

Remove Hazards

Thurs 29 May | 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Seville Grove Library, Seville Grove

In this final of the three-part Stay On Your Feet series, you will learn how to prevent falls by removing common hazards to make your home safer. Afterwards we’ll test your knowledge with Bingo-cise, and finish with an afternoon tea provided by the Injury Matters team.

Bookings are required. For more info and to book, visit the website.

Aqua Skills 55+

Wed, Starting 4 Jun | 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre

Royal Life Saving WA are running a water safety and lifesaving skills initiative for people aged over 55 years.This FREE four week course provides the skills to deal with emergency situations, personal survival techniques and much more. It's a great way to meet new people, learn new skills and have fun!

For more info and to book, visit the website. 

Nom! Children Program

Fri, Starting 6 June | 9:15am - 12:00pm
Piara Waters Pavilion, Piara Waters 

Are you a parent or carer of a child aged 0-5 years? Join Foodbank WA for their FREE five week healthy eating and cooking program. You'll learn the tools to create positive eating experiences for the whole family and enjoy a shared meal at the end of each session.

Places are limited and bookings are essential. For more info and to book, visit the website here

Chair Yoga Term 2

Fri 2 May - 20 Jun | 1.30pm - 2:30pm
Armadale Recreation Centre

Facilitated by accredited yoga instructor Diane Jones, chair yoga is a fun and gentle way to achieve great health results including increasing flexibility and reducing stress. Places are limited and registrations are essential.

Bookings open 9am, 10th April. To find out more and how to register, visit the website.  

Armadale Bike Rescue

Do you have a bike gathering dust in your garage or a bike you’ve outgrown and no longer use? Donate it to the Armadale Landfill at our Drop n Shop location. 

Bicycles for Humanity Western Australia (B4HWA) is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organisation who are working to ensure bikes are diverted from landfill and are given a second life to communities in need.

Heroes Academy

Heroes Academy seeks to support West Australian children with diagnosed additional needs and their families.

Heroes Academy supports these families in the following ways:

Mega Play Dates

Mega Play Dates are organised for primary school aged children with diagnosed additional needs (and their siblings).
Find out more

Playgroup

Playgroup sessions are for parents and children 0–5 years old with diagnosed additional needs (and their siblings).
Find out more

Heroes on Sundays

Support is offered for children and adolescents with diagnosed additional needs and their families to go to church.
Find out more

Finding Your Brave – Year 6 & 7 (July 2025)
Tuesday 8^th of July 2025 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
For other Classes and Events that we offer, click here.

Other News

Recipe Recommendation

A popular savory muffin to have on the go or as a lunchbox snack. Easy and quick to prepare and cook – you won’t regret whipping these up!

Click here to check out the recipe.

Livelighter Habits

Small changes to our eating habits can lower our risk of developing diseases like fatty liver disease, cancer and heart disease. Thankfully there are many small ways we can incorporate healthier habits into our daily routines. Healthier “fast food” is a lot cheaper, more nutritious, and just as quick as takeaway. For example, stop by the supermarket on your way home to pick up a cooked chicken, grainy rolls and coleslaw veg or try breakfast for dinner.

Get tips to empower you to make healthy your new habit here.