Girls 'Dockers Cup' Carnival
On Tuesday our Senior Girls football team, consisting of Year 5 and 6 students, competed in the ‘Docker’s Cup’ football carnival. The girls team consisted of some experienced players and some players new to the game. During the qualifying games, the girls won all 4 games, qualifying for the semi-finals.
They defeated South Halls Head in the semi-final, which set up a Grand Final clash with Frederick Irwin Anglican School. In a tough and physical game the girls defeated Frederick Irwin by 23 points, making them champion team of the ‘Docker’s Cup’.
This is a fantastic achievement and the participating girls are to be congratulated for the way they competed and conducted themselves throughout the day. A special thank you to Miss Sanders and Miss Harman for coaching and managing the team and to the parent helpers on the day who also assisted with the team.
Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week
This week we celebrate National Reconciliation Week. This week, we take the time to acknowledge and celebrate the history and culture of Indigenous Australians and work towards Reconciliation through activities and discussions. The theme for Reconciliation Week is, ‘Be Brave, make change!’. Reconciliation Takes Action’. It urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.
Upcoming School Closure Day
This Friday 3rd June, the staff will be engaging in a Professional Development day, focussing on main themes for the day. Firstly, all staff will be engaging in a school visit (to one of three selected schools) to view their Literacy lessons. This will provide the staff the opportunity to view and discuss varying models of teaching and learning taking place in differing schools.
Following this, the staff will be engaging in a follow-up ‘Vision for Learning’ session, facilitated by CEWA consultants. This session will enable staff to review the feedback provided by the parents, students and staff in recent times and lead to identifying some key themes and elements of learning at St Damien’s CPS.
Staffing Update
At the end of this term Mrs Shelley Rasmussen, teacher of the Year 3 Gold classroom, will be leaving the school, returning with her family to work in Saudi Arabia. Mrs Rasmussen has had a great experience in the Year 3 classroom and will be dearly missed.
Mrs Ashleigh Gilleland, who is currently on parental leave from the Year 3 Gold classroom, will return as the classroom teacher beginning next term.
South-West Principals Network Meeting
As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, we hosted the South-West Principals Network days last Thursday and Friday. All visiting Principals were suitably impressed with the school environment and facilities and more impressed with the work they observed going on in the classrooms. It is great to hear and be affirmed what a fantastic and privileged place St Damien’s is to be a part of.
PSSA Sport
Last Friday 27th May, the students in Years 5 and 6 competed against Pinjarra Primary School in the PSSA Winter Sports program. This was a home fixture, with all St Damien’s teams playing very well against Pinjarra.
Our next fixture is against Assumption College next Friday 10th June. Venues for games being played will be corresponded in next week’s newsletter.
Extra Long Weekend School Closure
A reminder to parents that the school will have additional closure days attached to the long week next week. The school will be closed from Friday 3rd June, with students returning on Wednesday 8th June. I hope all families enjoy the extended long weekend break.
Principal's Awards
Over the past week some students have been sent to my office to receive a Principal’s Award for completing some exceptional work. I congratulate Isla Pike and Frankie Wilson-Kennedy from Year 1 Blue for their great work in Italian; Isla Pike and Fiona McLaren, from Year 1 Blue, for their great work in Writing, Emerson Bell, Darby Sachse, Hudson Amery, TJ Mackintosh and Indi Elliot, from Year 2 Blue and Zara Steeger, Ruby Gillard, Lily Spadanuda, Nixon Kuzich, Platon Ipatyev and Nixon Riley from Year 2 Gold, for their great work in their Writing; Venice Chambers, from Year 5 Gold, for her great work in Religion; Arlo Caine, Lucy Muletta, Grace Lloyd, Louie Heap and Riley Shutz, from Year 5 Gold, for their fantastic work in HASS and Liam Tuffin, from Year 6 Blue, for his great work in Mathematics. Well done and keep up the great work!
God Bless,
Daniel Gooch
Principal
