The start of Term 4 has been busy as you would expect with three significant events dominating the calendar.  In Week 1 we were notified of the Crisp’s Art Show winners for 2021 and were delighted that Georgia Robinson, Ella Linstrom and Lana Inch had all received prizes.  It is important for us to be part of this community event which seems to get bigger each year.  In Week 2 we welcomed Uncle Bill and Aunty Judith who spent time with each class, introducing the children to indigenous culture through art, language, story and dance. It was an event which was well received by the children. Thank you to Mrs McLucas for organising this. 

Students in Year 5 and Year 6 spent three days each at Camp Cooby in Week 2 and from the stories that they have returned with, much fun was had as well as a lot of learning.  Whilst the weather was not really conducive to camping in tents and completing outdoor activities, the children still enjoyed themselves and benefitted from the experience.  Some responses from both Year 5 and Year 6 students on their return included: 

I learnt from myself that I am a very good problem solver but I need to be brave enough to get my idea out there. I also learnt that I am very organised because in my group's tent we organised our bags, where our shoes would go, where wet clothes would go and we had policies like no shoes in the bedrooms so the that tent would look tidy.  
Luca - Year 6

This week at camp something I learnt about myself was to believe in myself and that if I do, I can do anything I put my mind to. I will find this very helpful when I am trying to convince myself to do something and I don't trust myself.  
Lily - Year 6

What I learnt on school camp is to not take things for granted and to be patient and not rush things. 
Frank - Year 6

I learnt that I'm better to stand back and think about the activities and what the others are, then once I thought about it I would try and step in and help but also not talk over others.  
Liam - Year 6

I learnt that I can be more of a leader than I thought I could be, and I can express my team work with others more than at school. Another thing I learnt from camp was that I don't like sleeping in sleeping bags. 
Charlie - Year 6

Something that I learnt as I was on camp was that stepping back and thinking deeper is better than diving right in and thinking shallow. When you step back you are not just thinking of one of the possible reasons but you are thinking all around every solution you have. 
Abigail - Year 6

Year 6 students at Camp Cooby

Sometimes the people who just sit back and listen without talking over the top of others are the ones who have the best ideas and understand what is happening and can do it.
Emily - Year 5 

I learned that the quietter kids are the people that have the good ideas and probably know how to work out but they just stand back and let the other kids do it. Sometimes I do stand back and don’t join in and that sometimes I get frustrated when I can’t do it straight away.
Claire - Year 5

What I learnt from camp is that I need to talk more and share my ideas more and listen to my team and believe in myself.
Kobe - Year 5

I learnt to listen to my team better and talk to my team more and my ideas are valuable.
Oliver - Year 5

What I learned at camp was how to work as a team, I used to be quiet and not share my ideas, but Camp taught me to have a go at anything even when it is hard. Camp also taught me to not yell over the top of one another, because otherwise you will get nowhere with sharing other people’s ideas so you can achieve what you were aiming for.
Phoebe - Year 5

What I’ve learned at camp is that it is easy when you work as a team and communicate as a team and give everybody has a job to feel included.
Ted - Year 5

I learnt that I can do a lot of things that are out of my comfort zone and do things I never thought I could do.
Sasha - Year 5

Year 5 students at Camp Cooby

Thank you to Miss Thompson and Mr Fleming who accompanied their classes on camp and also to Miss Day who stayed for the whole week.  Both groups were complimented on their behaviour and attitude whilst as camp, which is a credit to each student. 

This week we held our annual Awards Night celebration where we acknowledged those students who have met the criteria for the numerous awards for which Primary students are eligible.  Congratulations to all these students.  

With God's blessings

Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary