4 July 2025

Principal’s Update

Dear families,

It has been a busy end to the term with our end of Term assembly and NAIDOC Day celebrations.

The last few weeks have marked the start of Makuru (season of Fertility). Makuru season sees the coldest and wettest time of year in the South West. Traditionally, this was a good time of the year to move back inland from the coast as the winds turned to the west and south bringing the cold weather, rains and occasionally snow on the peaks of the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges.

As the waterways and catchments started to fill, people were able to move about their country with ease and their food sources changed from the sea, estuarine and lake foods to those of the land, in particular the grazing animals such as the kangaroo.

As well as a food source, animals provided people with many other things. For example, the 'yongar' or kangaroo, not only provided meat but also 'bookas' (animal skin cloaks that were used as the nights became much cooler). Nothing was left. Even the bones and sinews were used in the manufacturing of bookas and for affixing barbs to hunting tools such as spears.

Makuru is also a time for a lot of animals to be pairing up in preparation for breeding in the coming season. If you look carefully, you might see pairs of 'wardongs' (ravens) flying together.

Upon the lakes and rivers of the South West, you'll also start to see a large influx of the Black Swan or 'Mali' as they too prepare to nest and breed.

Flowers that will start to emerge include the blues and purples of the blueberry lily (Dianella revoluta) and the purple flags (Patersonia occidentalis).

As the season comes to a close, you should also start to notice the white flowers of the weeping peppermint (Agonis flexuosa) as the blues start to make way for the white and cream flowers of Djilba. ECU | Makuru : Noongar Six Seasons : Cultural Leadership : Kurongkurl Katitjin : Centres

Thank you ES4, Room 19 and Room 15 for leading this terms assembly and congratulations to all our certificate winners for Term 2.

I would like to wish Natasha Naylor all the best as she embarks on the arrival of her baby and welcome Claudia Boyton to the Deputy Role, as I step in the fill the Principal position. Natasha has left big shoes to fill, however I look forward to continuing our school journey in her absence.

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.

Wednesday, the 30th of July 2025, is our Semester 2 IEP meetings. On this day, the school will have a half day close (12pm) in order to allow for these meeting to take place. The booking system will officially open in Week 1 of Term 3.

Compass is a new Education department initiative that will be implemented in the next term. It’s a new communication and registration system that will bring some changes to the way families will notify absences. More information regarding this change will be communicated with families in the beginning of term 3.

Have a wonderful holidays and see you in term 3.

Kind regards,
Candice Burns
Principal

Kindy / Pre-Primary – ES1

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This term in ES1, our Kindy classroom has been buzzing with exciting activities as we immersed ourselves in the engaging theme of Community Helpers. Our young learners have thoroughly enjoyed exploring the important roles that people play in our community, including Postal Workers, Librarians, Firefighters, Dentists, Chefs, Police Officers, and Construction Workers. In Week 3, ES1 hosted a heartwarming Mother’s Day event, featuring a nail salon, hair salon, cookie decorating, and a craft table. Week 4 brought an extra special treat when Shirley from the Armadale Library visited our class, captivating the students with five animated storybook readings and an energetic sing-along session that had everyone smiling and singing. In Week 8, the whole school celebrated Pyjama Day. Our students were dressed from head to toe in dressing gowns and fluffy slippers—and the teachers had fun too! One of our term’s biggest highlights came in Week 9, when Farmer Mick’s Farmyard on Wheels rolled into school. Students from across the Early Years and Upper Years had the unique opportunity to pet, feed, and hold a variety of friendly farm animals, including goats, geese, guinea pigs, sheep, chickens, baby kids, and miniature ponies—what a magical experience for all involved! It’s truly amazing to reflect on the joy, growth, and learning that have taken place in just one term. On behalf of all the ES1 staff, thank you for your continued support in your child’s learning journey. We wish all our families a safe and relaxing holiday break and look forward to welcoming everyone back in Term 3, where we’ll begin an exciting new theme—Australia!

Warm regards,
Mrs Abbott and the ES1 Team

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Year 5 / 6 – Room 17

Hello parents and carers,

This semester has gone so fast and it is hard to believe we are ½ way through the year. Students in room 17 have worked so hard to achieve their IEP goals and we hope you feel proud reading your child’s reports. To round up the semester we have had a couple of special events. The first is the farm animal incursion. The student got to pat and feed the animal who came to visit GPESC students. In addition, student got to go to Scitech. We went with the other year 6 class. We travelled by bus to Scitech and had a good look around. In science this term student have been learning about space and this excursion gave students the opportunity to explore some space concepts. It was so much fun. After going to Scitech we stopped at King’s Park to eat lunch and have a play. Then to finish off the term room 17 will be having a pizza party. We hope you have a lovely break with your children.

Maura Lori / Kelly Sawyer 
Support staff
Room 17

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Year 1 / 2 – ES4

Dear Families,

We hope you're all doing well! As Term 2 ends, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on all the wonderful progress our students have made this semester. It’s been a busy, exciting time, and we’re so proud of the growth we've seen—especially in confidence, communication, and classroom skills!

Literacy

This term, we’ve been building strong foundations in reading, writing and speaking skills. Students have been learning to recognise letters and their sounds, form words, and write sentences with correct letter formation. They've also been practicing when to use uppercase and lowercase letters.

A key focus has been supporting students’ communication in a variety of ways. Many have been practicing using their communication devices, along with other AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) supports such as visuals on their desks, communication books, and social stories. These tools have helped them express themselves more clearly and confidently throughout the day.

Reading has been a big focus too! Students are choosing books from our class library and diving into topics like community helpers, animal habitats, and the solar system. They’re becoming more confident in expressing their thoughts with classmates and teachers.

We’ve also been working on digital literacy. Using iPads, students have completed interactive learning activities on Seesaw. They’ve learned how to scan QR codes, search for apps, and navigate technology independently valuable skills for today’s learners!

Numeracy

In Maths, students have explored even and odd numbers, skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s, reverse counting, and identifying numbers before and after up to 100. They’ve tackled simple addition using hands-on materials and real-life examples.

Shapes have been another highlight; we’ve been building and identifying 2D and 3D shapes and comparing lengths and weights using informal and formal measurement tools like rulers and trundle wheels. We’ve also been learning the days of the week, months of the year, and matching the Noongar seasons to the English calendar—an enriching experience!

HASS, Health & Social Skills

This term was packed with important life skills! We’ve practiced tidying up after ourselves, using materials safely, and managing emotions. Students are learning to ask for help, take breaks when needed, and use kind words like "please," "thank you," and greetings throughout the day.

We also enjoyed a range of fun and meaningful events, including:

• Swimming lessons (we nailed it!)
• Pyjama Day
• Farmyard on Wheels incursion
• NAIDOC assembly prep and celebration

Students also learned about hygiene (like washing hands before meals), taking turns, sharing, and staying hydrated. It’s been amazing to watch our classroom community grow in kindness and respect.

Art & STEM

In Art, students have created beautiful projects using both natural and recycled materials, often tied to the story or theme of the week. Highlights include our ANZAC Day displays, story character art, and a collaborative visual project on Australia and its states.

In STEM, we explored shapes and puzzles using tangrams, magnetic tiles, and Duplo blocks. Students have been learning how to use STEM tools safely and enthusiastically participated in all activities—demonstrating curiosity, patience, and great teamwork!

Thank you, families, for your continued support and communication. We’re so proud of the growth   we’ve seen and can’t wait to see our students continue to shine next term!

Warmest regards,
Aditya Singhal (Mr S), Mrs Davey, Mrs Zimmer, Mrs King, Miss Skinner, Ms Fieldgate
Class teacher and teaching team of ES4

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Pre – Primary / Year 1 - ES2

This term has been filled with exciting and enriching experiences for our students! A highlight was our visit to the Sensorium for a magical theatrical performance of Wombat Stew, which brought the beloved story to life in a fun and engaging way. Students recreated the Wombat Stew story using sensory items and music, adding their own creative twist to the performance. Our swimming lessons were a big success, with students growing in confidence and developing important water safety skills. We also welcomed a delightful farmyard incursion, where students had the chance to meet and interact with a range of cuddly, furry, and feathery animals, an experience that brought lots of smiles and sparked curiosity about life on the farm. To celebrate National Pyjama Day, students came to school dressed in their cosiest PJs, which added a relaxed and cheerful vibe to the day. They also had the opportunity to explore costumes and characters through engaging dance and drama activities, allowing them to express their creativity and imagination. Another exciting moment was visiting the PBS Shop, where students used their PBS points to "purchase" prizes, recognising and rewarding their positive behaviours in a fun and motivating way.

Sustainability

The Student’s at Gwynne Park Education Support Centre planted over 80 native plants during Term 2. We would like to thank The City of Armadale very much for choosing our school for the Flora for Future program and supplying us with a beautiful array of Australian native plants. The students will continue to discuss the importance of the flora in our learning environment and community. The students and staff all had fun planting, learning the names of native plants, making signs, weeding and watering. We will continue to learn how to look after the native plants. The students can’t wait to watch the plants grow and see how they flower when they are established. Students have had conversations on where we could plant more Kangaroo Paws “along the fence line where the parents and students enter the school grounds”, “we can plant some on the oval”, “in the garden”.  We look forward to participating in the experience again next year.

Ms Williams 
Sustainability Coordinator

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Year 3 / 4 – Room 18

We’ve had a busy and exciting term filled with wonderful learning experiences across all areas of the curriculum! Our students have been making fantastic progress in literacy, supported by the PLD (Promoting Literacy Development) approach. There has been a strong focus on building core skills in phonics, reading, and spelling. We’ve also been working hard on recount writing – students are learning to sequence events, use time connectives, and express their experiences clearly and creatively. It’s been great to see their confidence and writing abilities grow!

 In Mathematics, we’ve been diving into the world of 2D and 3D shapes – identifying, naming, and describing their features through hands-on activities and games. In addition, we’re continuing to build and consolidate addition skills across all ability levels. Whether it’s using number lines, manipulatives, or mental strategies, all students are showing progress in their independent learning goals.

Our recent swimming program has been a splash! Students learnt vital water safety skills and built their confidence in the pool. Thank you to all staff at Armadale Pools for their support in making this program such a success for our students.

The farmyard animal incursion brought learning to life with a chance to meet and interact with real animals. It sparked wonderful discussion and writing back in the classroom.

We’ve also been continuing our cooking life skills, giving students practical experience with measuring, following instructions, and trying new foods.

We’ve been out and about in our local community, walking to Don Simmons Park on Fridays. These outings are a great way to build independence, social interaction, and road safety skills in real-life contexts. Next term, we will continue with our community access, using public transport to visit the Armadale Library and park. Paperwork will go home on the first day of term.

It’s been a term full of learning, laughter, and growth. Thank you for your ongoing support – we’re proud of all the progress our students are making! I look forward to seeing all our happy smiling faces return to school next term. Have a safe and happy holiday break.

Room 18 Staff.

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Year 2 / 3 – ES5

Dear Families,

As we wrap up what has been a vibrant and productive term, we’d love to share some of the highlights and learning adventures your children have experienced over the past few months.

From the excitement of swimming lessons and the fun of Pyjama Day to the hands-on joy of the Farmyard on Wheels incursion, it has been a term filled with memorable moments and rich learning experiences. These special days brought smiles, curiosity, and opportunities to explore the world in new ways.

In Literacy, students have been developing essential early reading, writing, and speaking skills. They’ve been learning to identify letters and their sounds, blend them to form words, and write sentences using proper letter formation. It’s been a joy to watch their confidence grow as they begin to express their ideas through language.

Our Numeracy focus has been on building number skills and understanding shapes. Students have explored different features of 2D shapes, practised sorting them into groups, and worked on counting collections of objects. We’ve also introduced skip counting by 2s, which supports pattern recognition and early multiplication skills.

It’s been wonderful to see each student make progress, take on new challenges, and show pride in their achievements. Their enthusiasm and effort have made this term truly rewarding.

A big thank you to our families for your ongoing support and positive engagement. Your partnership plays such an important role in your child’s learning journey, and we’re very grateful.

We’re already looking forward to the term ahead and can’t wait to see what our students will accomplish next!

Miss Nelson and ES5 Staff

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Year 3 – Room 19

What a busy term we’ve had! We’ve passed the 90 day mark as of Friday Week 10 and it has gone so quickly. We would like to share some of the fun activities we have done this term in Year 3.

Early in Term 2 we had our excursion to Sensorium Theatre at Armadale District Hall. We participated in the performance of ‘Wombat Stew’ with Room 17, where we worked together to make a gooey, chewy, crunchy stew for the tricky dingo. It was so wonderful to see everyone participating in their own way, whether it was tasting the chocolate mud or crunching leaves to put in the stew. Some of us had swimming lessons in the two weeks after, which was very busy but a lot of fun.

Everyone in Room 19 participated in the Your Move colouring in competition. Congratulations to Lucky and Kyron for their creative and amazing creations!

We had a visit from Mick and his beautiful animals from the Farm on Wheels. We had a great time meeting the rabbits, feeding the lambs and keeping our distance from the gander who was giving some of us a very loud honk! Our term concluded with a NAIDOC day assembly, where we performed ‘Kaat, Koongat, Boornitj, Djena’, and then we participated in NAIDOC day activities like painting clay snakes and making bracelets.

Of course we have been busy in the classroom too, learning about very hungry caterpillars, spelling and reading with all the letters of the alphabet, distinguishing between things that are hot and that are cold, counting on and comparing numbers. As reports come home, I would like you to reflect on the progress your child has made this semester. Each report contains stories of amazing achievements that each student should be proud of.

See you next semester,

Tim Horton and Room 19 Staff

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MaCs Mind and Connection space

Lunch-club continues to be a popular choice, offering students the opportunity to enjoy indoor play with LEGO, electronics, toy cars and art activities- bringing engagement and imagination together.  

This term the Satellite groups and Social club have been coming together weekly to foster expressive, creative and social skills. A key focus has been on developing emotional awareness, self-understanding and empathy toward peers.

Through a variety of engaging activities such as board games, collaborative creative projects and group play, participants have explored different ways to express themselves, work together and strengthen their social connections. These sessions have provided a supportive space for meaningful interaction, creativity and emotional growth.   

Student Services

Year 4 / 5 – Room 15

Hi Families

We have had a busy term, welcoming new classmates, and saying goodbye to one of our teachers. There has been a lot of changes to the class, and our students have adapted very well, and welcomed everyone new into class. They are all such amazing little people!

Some of our students participated in school swimming lessons early in the term. It was fun to see everyone enjoying themselves and learning new skills.

The Creative Schools program has been running within our school this term, and several students from our class were invited to participate. They have been creating pieces of art that will be collated and displayed.

Room 15 students also joined the sustainability committee and helped plant new native trees down by the pirate ship playground.

We were lucky enough to have the baby animal farm visit our school last week! Some students were a little nervous of the animals, but they all got to have a turn patting rabbits, holding chickens, feeding a lamb, or talking to the Shetland pony. Children and adults were both very excited to spend the time with the baby animals.

Everyone in Room 15 hopes that our families enjoy their school holidays!

Jasmine Mbewe, Ivy Huang and Room 15 staff

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Year 1 – ES3

ES3’s Term of Learning, Laughter, and Lots of Fun!

This term, ES3 has been buzzing with excitement and growth! Our students have been diving into the world of letters and sounds, building foundational literacy skills through engaging weekly sensory literacy sessions. These hands-on experiences have made learning both fun and meaningful.

We’ve seen wonderful progress in our classroom! From developing pencil grips to confidently speaking and beginning to write. It’s been a joy to watch our students grow in their communication and fine motor skills.

A highlight of the term was the captivating live theatre performance by Sensorium Theatre, which brought stories to life in a way that was both magical and inclusive. We also had some delightful visits from farm animals, sparking curiosity and joy among our young learners.

And who could forget swimming? Our students truly shone in the pool, with giggles echoing throughout the space as they splashed, played, and built water confidence.

It’s been a term full of learning, laughter, and unforgettable experiences. We’re so proud of our ES3 students and can’t wait to see what next term brings!

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Year 5 / 6 – ES6

Term 2 has been packed with amazing achievements, strong growth, and exciting adventures!

Early in the term, our class went on our first community access trip, taking public transport to explore the Armadale Library followed by lunch in the central park and a wander through Minnawarra Park. Weeks 4 and 5 then brought on our swimming lessons. Those brave enough to dive in were duly rewarded with heaps of fun and massive progress. We’re so proud of you all!

In Week 7, we returned to Armadale Library, this time with a bonus “behind-the-scenes” tour of the new Armadale Train Station, courtesy of Craig Brophy, the Rail Extension’s Landscape Officer. Not even the rain could stop us!

Later in the term, we welcomed the animal farm incursion. Baby goats, a miniature pony, chickens, guinea pigs (and more) completely captured our attention and hearts. It was a joy seeing just how gentle and caring our students are. The only real danger? The baby goats being lovingly “kidnapped”— pun intended!

We wrapped up the term with a wildly successful SciTech excursion alongside Room 17. Students engaged in activities like landing Mars rovers, exploring gravity, dancing under UV lights, and racing handmade cars. The live theatre show featured giant fireballs that DEFINITELY didn’t come close to singeing the eyebrows of those in the front row…

On the way home, we stopped at May Drive Parkland (Kaarta Gar-up) for lunch and a play. Students showed their courage on the treetop and waterway walks and struck bold poses atop the giant crocodile and lizard sculptures.

This term has been a blast! We’ve seen so much growth in what felt like such a short time. With Term 3 just around the corner, we hope you all enjoy a well-earned rest and have a safe break.

See you soon! Team ES6

Messages from the Front Office

 Mid-Year Reflections from the Manager Corporate Services

Dear Families,

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared so far and offer a glimpse into what’s ahead for our school community.

This year has been marked by collaboration, growth, and a strong sense of community. From the smiles at morning drop-offs to the enthusiastic participation in school events, it’s clear that our families play a vital role in making our school a warm and welcoming place for every child.

School Improvements

Behind the scenes, our Corporate Services team has been working diligently to ensure our resources are managed responsibly and transparently. We’ve made key investments in upgrading our Sensory Room, improving outdoor learning spaces, and streamlining administrative processes to better support our staff and students.

We’re also proud to report that our budget planning for the second half of the year is focused on enhancing student wellbeing and learning outcomes. This includes funding for additional support programs, professional development for staff, and continued improvements to our facilities.

Community Engagement

We’ve seen fantastic engagement from families in our P&C initiatives, fundraising efforts, and volunteering programs. Your involvement not only enriches our school culture but also directly contributes to the opportunities we can offer our students. Thank you for your time, energy, and generosity. We are always looking for new members, if you would like to join, please contact our school Administration.

Looking Ahead

As we prepare for Term 3 and beyond, we’re excited about upcoming projects including sustainability initiatives, and further enhancements to our school grounds. We’ll continue to keep you informed and involved every step of the way.

On behalf of the Corporate Services team, thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we’re building a school environment where every child can thrive.

Warm regards,
Katherine Chamberlain
Manager Corporate Services

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. 

City of Armadale Community Health and Wellbeing News and Events

Health events and other news in your City

NAIDOC Festival

Tues 8 July | 10:00am - 3:00pm

Bob Blackburn Reserve, Seville Grove

This event is a wonderful opportunity to learn about, appreciate, and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Enjoy live on-stage performances, children's activities, petting zoo, sausage sizzle, and so much more! Everyone is welcome.

Pole Walking Group

Mon 14 Apr | 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Armadale Library, Armadale

Pole walking is a fantastic low-impact exercise that benefits both the body and the mind. It has also been shown to offer particular support to individuals living with dementia or Parkinson’s disease.

If you’re interested in joining the Armadale Pole Walking Group, contact the Perth Hills Armadale Visitor Centre to find details on upcoming dates and times.

Click here to find out more. 

Parkrun

Shipwreck Park, Hilbert 

Joe Saunder Park, Champion Lakes

Did you know there are two Parkrun locations in the City? Parkrun is a FREE, community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. Parkrun is 5km and takes place every Saturday morning starting at 8am.

For more info and to register for your next run, visit the website here. To find out more, visit the website. 

Foodbank Emergency Relief

Thurs 12:15pm - 12:45pm

Armadale Recreation Centre, Armadale 

Thurs 10:00am - 11:30am

Champion Centre, Seville Grove

Foodbank WA's Mobile Foodbank visits Armadale each week making it easier for you to access low-cost groceries. The Mobile Foodbank offers a range of product options including dry goods, FREE vegetables, and assorted frozen products. 

To find out more and info on how to get a referral, click here. 

Recipe Recommendation

A favourite dish for vegetarians and those wanting a meat free meal.
Frozen spinach is found in the supermarket freezer section and is very affordable at around $4 a kilo! 

Click here to check out the recipe.

Catalyst Mentorship Program

Catalyst is a FREE 12-week, one-on-one mentorship program designed to help men regain clarity, build resilience, and take back control of their lives. No waitlist. No complicated application. Just men helping men find their way forward. 
 
Registrations close June 21st. Click here to secure your spot. 

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit you don't have to figure it all out alone.

Better Health Coaching Service

The Better Health Coaching Service is here to help. Eligible adults can get up to 10 FREE 30-minute phone sessions with a qualified health coach.

They’ll support you to eat well, get active, sleep better, manage stress, and more. It's free, flexible, and all over the phone!

Sign up now and take the first step toward better health! To find out more and see if you’re eligible, click here.