Annual Report to School Community

On Tuesday afternoon I will present the Annual Report to the School Community. This presentation will provide you with the successes and next steps for the school based on assessment data and surveys. I encourage interested parents to attend as it provides an opportunity to learn more about the measures used to assess the school’s performance.

When: Tuesday May 18^th at 5.30pm (presentation will run for approximately half an hour).

Where: YPS Library

Naplan

I listened with interest this week the debate reported across a number of media regarding Naplan and test anxiety. While there are certainly limitations with this assessment tool, Naplan data does provide teachers, students and families with additional information regarding their student’s academic progress. It also introduces students to the conditions of tests or exams. We can find that a child does not always perform to their full potential and this provides us with more information to support the student and attend to their learning needs. At Yarra the teachers have been very clear that Naplan is ‘only one part’ of the suite of assessment tools we use and their results are not definitive. The calm and focused environment I observed this week during the tests is evidence of our teachers’ reasoned and supportive approach.

Specialist Science Program

Meghann recently shared with me student reflections on their Earth Space Science unit. These beautifully capture the wonder and awe of learning:

Laurence is so very excited to have learnt that the Earth rotates (spins) creating day and night. He stated to the class, this is very important information, describing it as ‘awesome’, because now we know why it is night and day on opposite sides to the Earth. 

Sadie was surprised to learn that the sun does not go up and down, and it is just us viewing it from Earth as we rotate, making it seem like it rises and falls. I am also grateful she had the courage to tell me she was confused and was willing to join me after class for secondary discussion and modelling to consolidate her learning.  

Edward excitedly shared with me he had downloaded the Night Sky app and looked at the constellations.

Science is curiosity. It’s learning about the world around us, asking questions and there are so many ways to start. And science, the big idea, all begins with asking a question.

Reminder: Prep 2022 Information Night

Just a reminder we are hosting an information night at YPS on transition to school for parents of Prep 2022 children. The session runs from 6.30 to 7.30 pm in the current Prep spaces (enter via Main Office). Please let your neighbor and kinder communities know about this opportunity to learn about our early years program in more detail.

Upcoming Events:

Pi(e) Day

Also next Wednesday YPS parent volunteers are running Pie Day. This annual fundraising event runs from our kitchen area and students can purchase a pie and soup for their lunch. Please note children will need to bring their coins with them to school. (The junior students may choose to hand this to their teacher in the morning).

World Bee Day

On Thursday May 20 Yarra Primary School is celebrating World Bee Day. We recognise bees importance to our livelihood as bees are critical for food security, biodiversity and the health of ecosystems. So dress up as a bee next Thursday (or wear yellow and black) and enjoy a range of un-bee-lievably fun activities! Gold coin donation will go to building a bee farm for our kitchen garden.

Looking forward,

Saraid

Students across the school have been so very busy making beautiful artworks for someone special for Mother’s Day.

The Prep and Year 1/2 students created their own stunning photo frames using many different materials to decorate their unique photo.  

Year 3/4 students shaped a clay heart, which they painted and decorated to hang somewhere special. 

Year 5/6 students used their colour knowledge of creating tints and shades to paint a heart image. 

I was enormously impressed with the care, effort and devotion put into these artworks.  I hope they were loved and enjoyed!

Justine Moore

Visual Arts Teacher

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL 2021

The 2021 Athletics Carnival was a huge success. All students, teachers and parent helpers enjoyed a wonderful day out in the sun.

Students actively participated in a number of track and field events throughout the day, including sprints, hurdles, shot put, discus, high jump, long and triple jumps. Those who finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in their age/gender group were awarded with ribbons for their achievements. Teachers also presented Well Done ribbons to students which they believed had tried hard and displayed the school values.

Buckingham House were the overall winners of the day. Davison House took home the Spirit Cup.

Well done to the House Leaders (Jemima, Tan, Ewan, Elijah, Honey, Jack, Rose and Joe) for their efforts in helping to organise the day.

A massive thank you to the following parent helpers and pre service teachers that assisted in the running of the day- Brett, Harley, Tash, Ella, Justine,, Jessie, Eliza, Alan, Caz, Matt, Georgia,  Lauren, Will and Tess. The day would not have been as successful without your help.

2021 VIRTUAL CROSS COUNTRY

Congratulations to the following students for completing the 2021 Virtual Cross Country.

The winners of each age group were-

Lauren will be taking a team of 47 students (Grade 3-6) to the District Cross Country on Friday 14th May. Stay tuned for updates on how our students place against other schools in our district.

ELLA MAKES STATE RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS TEAM

A big congratulations to Year 5 student Ella Nguyen who is currently competing at the Australian Rhythmic Gymnastics Competition for the Victorian State Team. In the classroom, Ella is a diligent and creative student with a love for art and writing. Her quiet and humble demeanour would not let anyone realise that she is also a talented performer on the gymnastics mat! Ella is a passionate and dedicated gymnast. She has travelled to Queensland to compete from the 12th - 19th May, where she will be competing against some of the top gymnasts from around the country, vying for the title of 2021 Australian Champion. We wish Ella all the best and can’t wait to celebrate her success when she returns to school.

Save the date for our whole school community event, ‘Night at the Museum’.

More information to come!

Finbar Garden Workshop Term 2



Box Hill Senior Secondary College Sports Academy Trials/Open Days



Taekwondo Club (Korean Martial Arts)

Our kids & Junior Taekwondo program will help your children achieve greater success in life by providing training designed to enhance physical, mental, cognitive and social development. In a 45-minute class, your children will participate in a number of drills and skills that work on developing strength, flexibility, and endurance while increasing coordination, reflexes, and athletic skills.

Best of all, your children will love the excitement of learning Taekwondo kicks, forms, and self-defence techniques. They will look forward to coming to each class, seeing their classmates, and learning from their instructors. The Best Taekwondo instructors are experts at motivating children to give their best while keeping class fun.

At The Best Taekwondo club, your child will learn:

• Better focus and concentration skills 
• To treat others with courtesy and respect
• Self-control and cooperation
• Coordination and the benefits of exercise
• How to set and achieve goals
• Perseverance and never giving up 

We have a Taekwondo training every Friday and Saturday for everyone at Level 1, 281 Swan Street, Richmond, VIC 3121

(Kids classes) 

Friday - 4.15pm to 5pm / 5pm to 5.45pm / 5.45pm to 6.30pm 

Saturday - 10.15am to 11am / 11.05am to 11.50am / 11.55am to 12.30pm 

We also have adults classes for parents or workers. 

(Adults classes) 

Friday - 6.40pm to 7.40pm 

Saturday - 12.30pm to 1.30pm 

More information 

W: www.thebesttaekwondo.com.au  F: facebook.com/thebest.taekwondo  I : instagram.com/thebest.taekwondo 

Any questions or enquiry  

E: info.thebest.taekwondo@gmail.com  M: 0413 536 980 (Master Choi) 

Melbourne Softball Association - Minor League Fully Loaded T-Ball



Applications now open for School Crossing Supervisors

To be successful in this role, the applicant must have a high regard for the safety of children and pedestrians crossing the road. They will have the ability to follow set procedures and guidelines while ensuring you follow OH&S safety protocols.

This is a rewarding role and if you enjoy working outdoors, short shifts, giving back to the community and meet the below requirements, then City of Yarra would like to hear for you!

• Able to make their own way to the various school crossing located within Yarra City Council.
• Report regularly about matters affecting School Crossings.
• Attend on the job, paid training sessions and team meetings as required.
• Able to complete the pre-employment checks such as Police Check and Medical assessment. They will need to meet the set health and safety standards for vision and hearing (applicants should consider this before applying).

Applications will only be received and reviewed via the link above.

Applications will close on Wednesday the 23^rd of May 2021. Successful candidates will then be contacted for an interview after this time.