The West #5 2025
- Principal's Preface
- TA18 Assembly
- Making a Splash – Swimming Lessons Success!
- Walk Safely to School Day
- West Balcatta Cross Country
- Year 1 'Play in the Past' Incursion
- Zoo-tastic Fun for Year Six!
- Reading Challenge Winners!
- Rodeo Disco – A Yeehawin’ Success!
- National Reconciliation Week
- Welcome to Makuru
- Nanna Bingo - Get Your Tickets!
- Young Engineers Club
Principal's Preface
Despite unfavourable weather predictions, our annual Cross-Country Competition went ahead with great success. This year, Mr Dwyer expanded the event to include our Year 1 and 2 students, and they embraced the opportunity with great enthusiasm and determination. True to the West Balcatta way, all participating students demonstrated our core values throughout, showing persistence, resilience and respect for their fellow competitors. From Year 1 to Year 6, every student rose to the challenge of completing the demanding course. It’s clear we have some very talented runners at West Balcatta, many of whom made the course look easy! With that in mind, I’m excited to see what they achieve at the Interschool Cross Country Competition next term.
For those who found the course more difficult, the support from their peers was heartening. It was particularly moving to witness students cheering on those who finished last, with some even running alongside their classmates during the final stretch. This empathy and support speak volumes about the character of our students and is something we can all be proud of as a school community. A big thank you to Mr Dwyer for organising such a fantastic event. It was a thoroughly enjoyable morning. It was also lovely to see so many parents attending to cheer their children on. Your support is greatly appreciated by both students and staff.
Talking of parents, I would also like to acknowledge you all for actively supporting our school. A perfect example is the parents who recently worked with Mrs Annette Dimitrovski to create a ‘Zen Den’ in the C Block Wet Area, spending hours sanding, priming and painting. Similarly, our new School Board, generously gave up their time last week to participate in additional training. Alongside representatives from other local schools, our dedicated parent representatives spent time learning about their roles and how best to support our school. Parents bring valuable perspectives that help shape a rich educational environment and your contribution to the Board, P&C and other volunteer groups is truly valued. Thank you to all who freely give your time; it makes a real difference.
If you’ve had the chance to visit our old assembly area recently, you’ll have noticed the exciting progress on its makeover. Last week, our much-loved muralist Sally Ridge returned to paint unique game grids and designs on the floor. Students thoroughly enjoyed watching her work and spent their recess and lunch breaks chatting with her. She was clearly touched by the interaction, as shown in her parting message:
"I wanted to thank you and your whole school community for such a warm welcome and for commissioning another mural from me! I have had a delightful time painting and chatting with the students and staff."
This new floor mural adds a vibrant and engaging touch to the area, encouraging games and conversation.
As you read this, I am away on long service leave. Mrs Kim Chrimes, supported by Mrs Lee Tanner and Miss Sharon Pearson, is covering my role during my absence and I know you’ll agree that the school is in very capable hands. I look forward to seeing you all again in Week 10.
Caroline Booth, Principal
TA18 Assembly
In Week 4, TA18 took us on a fun and lively adventure around Australia in “The Amazing Race: Persuasive Edition. Using humour, drama and a touch of Aussie flair, they showcased the persuasive writing techniques they’ve been learning this term, from emotive language and rhetorical questions to tackling counterarguments and using expert opinion. Each “stop” on their journey across Australia highlighted a different strategy, convincing the audience that Australia truly is the ultimate travel destination. Some students in TA18 have shared their thoughts about the assembly:
“I was so proud of everyone as they spoke very fluently and everyone did the actions. It was so much fun!” - Bonnie
“I loved how we added actions, envelopes for the clues and travel tickets for the end (sunnies too!).” - Lucy
“I enjoyed the script and the persuasive language that was used for our assembly. I liked convincing you to visit Australia to see the fauna and historical landmarks” - Dino
Making a Splash – Swimming Lessons Success!
Over the past two weeks, our Year 2–6 students have taken the plunge and participated in swimming lessons—and what a fantastic time they've had! Despite the chilly weather, our students embraced the experience with enthusiasm, resilience, and big smiles.
Teachers were proud to see how quickly students adapted to the routines, supported each other and demonstrated responsibility and independence. The excitement was obvious as students returned from their sessions each day—wet, tired, hungry, and most of all, happy.
Each day brought new opportunities to build water confidence, practise stroke techniques and most importantly, reinforce vital lifesaving skills that all children should have. From floating and treading water to safe entry and exit strategies, students gained hands-on experience that they will keep forever.
We’d like to celebrate the students who braved the pool and highlight the enormous value that these lessons provide. Learning to swim is more than just a school activity—it’s a vital life skill, especially in a country like Australia, where water is such a big part of our lifestyle.
A big thank you to our staff and parents for helping students arrive prepared each day, and to the instructors for delivering such high-quality, engaging lessons. We are already looking forward to November, when our Pre-Primary and Year 1 students get their turn to dive into the fun!
Walk Safely to School Day
Thank you to all the students and families who participated in Walk Safely to School Day last month! It was fantastic to see so many children walking, riding or scooting their way to school. By choosing active travel, our students made a positive impact on their own health, helped reduce traffic congestion, and showed care for the environment.
In total, 217 students walked to school—an amazing effort that represents almost half of our student population! The buzz at the school gates was noticeable, and the quieter roads around the school made for a much safer and calmer start to the day.
A special congratulations goes to TA7, who had the highest number of walkers, with 72% of the class participating. Well done, TA7! We hope you enjoy your well-earned certificate.
Each student who walked also earned a point for their faction. The final results were:
🟢 O’Connor – 64 points
🔵 Forrest – 59 points
🔴 Stirling – 51 points
🟡 Hannan – 43 points
Well done to O’Connor for taking out top place! Thank you once again to everyone who supported this initiative. Together, we’re making small steps toward a healthier, safer school community.
West Balcatta Cross Country
On Friday 23rd May, all students from years 1 - 6 competed over various distances in the Annual Faction Cross Country event. This was the first year that Year 1 and Year 2 students competed in the Cross Country Event. The cold and wet weather provided students with challenging conditions on the day. All students who competed tried their best and should be proud of their individual efforts. Each student from Year 3 – 6 who finished in the top 5 runners in their race earnt a spot in the Interschool Cross Country team. Thank you to the staff who volunteered their time to set up equipment and supervise the races.
The Interschool Cross Country will be held on Tuesday 29th July (Week 2 Term 3) at Charles Veryard Reserve, North Perth. Students are encouraged to train at the school oval during Running Club on Monday and Wednesday mornings 8:15am – 8:30am in preparation for the Interschool Cross Country Race and School Faction Athletics Carnival next term.
Year 1 'Play in the Past' Incursion
TA6a, TA6 and TA5 had a wonderful time at our Play in the Past incursion! The children dressed up in olden-day clothes and had so much fun exploring toys, typewriters, walkmans and other interesting items from the past. There was lots of laughter and learning as we played and talked about how things have changed over time. Thank you so much to the P&C for funding this incursion for our students and thank you to those parents who volunteered to help. What a great way to bring History to life!
Zoo-tastic Fun for Year Six!
On Wednesday the 21st of May, the Year 6 students went on an excursion to the zoo!
As we arrived, all three classes scavenged through the ferocious dinosaur land, and we had the option to find dinosaur bones in the sand using interesting tools. We were put into two groups, which then split up to go on an exciting adventure! One group turned into brave rangers and set off to save the Asian rainforest animals. We were given tasks to complete in order to move on, while the other group explored the amazing wildlife spread across the zoo.
We saw animals from Australia, Africa, and even all the way to Antarctica, where we saw the adorable penguins. We went through a dark, tunnel-like area filled with scary but cool nocturnal creatures, as well as a large room of reptiles. This included enormous snakes and creatures like frogs, lizards and even some small tortoises! We saw huge elephants and a few giraffes. We also caught a glimpse of the royal Queen Juliana (the ring-tailed lemur) and many other different types of monkeys. Although most of us missed out on seeing the Australian animals, we already know our leaping kangaroos and snuggly koalas!
Meanwhile, as the rangers completed their tough duties of keeping the Asian animals safe, they came together and settled down at the base to reflect on their responsibility to protect animals.
Later in the day, the groups reunited and ate a well-deserved lunch in a sunny, grassy area at the zoo. Some children then gathered together and marched to the playground. There, a water feature trickled down our skin. Underneath the playground, there was a swing that many students enjoyed, as it made them feel like they were flying.
As lunch came to an end, the groups swapped their journeys. One group went to explore the animals while the other headed to the base. Each group did similar activities as the day came to an end.
Together, we hopped onto the bus and arrived back at school.
We loved the excursion. Many students mentioned their favourite animals, including the rhino, the adorable red panda and even the cool Komodo dragon. We had a fantastic day!
Misri, Alannah and Amelia
Reading Challenge Winners!
Over the April school holidays, our students were invited to take part in our Holiday Reading Challenge – and what an incredible response we had!
Congratulations to Lucy from TA12, who was the top reader across the whole school, clocking up an impressive 2,616 minutes of reading! What a fantastic effort, Lucy!
TA16 took out the award for highest percentage of participants, with 87.5% of the class joining the challenge. Their enthusiasm and team spirit earned them a special certificate in recognition.
The class with the most minutes read overall was TA12, who collectively read for a whopping 22,151 minutes! To celebrate their amazing achievement, the class enjoyed a fun reading party.
Well done to everyone who took part in the challenge. Your dedication to reading over the holidays has been inspiring. Keep turning those pages!
Speaking of reading challenges, congratulations to three of our Year Two students, Zain, Oscar and Adalee! Zain and Oscar each won a $10 IGA voucher in the Premier’s Reading Challenge, while Adalee took home a $50 Australian Geographic gift card. Their love of books and dedication to logging titles into the PRC website has paid off – well done, reading champions! Don’t forget to keep logging your books between now and 27th June. You never know, we could end up with another winner from West Balcatta PS!
Rodeo Disco – A Yeehawin’ Success!
What a night to remember! West Balcatta Primary School’s Rodeo Disco Night was a boot-scootin’, toe-tappin’ celebration that had students of all ages hitting the dance floor with big smiles and even bigger moves. From our energetic junior cowboys and cowgirls to our enthusiastic senior students, everyone embraced the theme and brought their best country flair to the party.
The atmosphere was electric, thanks in large part to our incredible Student Council. Their enthusiasm was contagious as they led games, encouraged participation and kept the fun rolling all night long.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our amazing P&C and the dedicated parent volunteers who worked behind the scenes to help create such a fun-filled and memorable event. From setting up and decorating to supervising and serving snacks, your contributions made the night truly special.
Events like Rodeo Disco Night are what make our school community so vibrant. Thank you to everyone who helped make it such a success. We’re already looking forward to the next one!
National Reconciliation Week
Last week, West Balcatta Primary School marked National Reconciliation Week with a series of meaningful experiences, encouraging our whole school community to learn, reflect and take action.
We began the week with a flag-raising ceremony, led by our dedicated RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) team, who shared the significance of Reconciliation Week. It was a moment to reflect on the importance of building respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. As the Aboriginal flag was raised, students and staff stood in quiet reflection, acknowledging our shared history and hope for a more inclusive future. The ceremony concluded with a powerful rendition of the chorus from “Solid Rock”, sung by our students.
Throughout the week, students participated in classroom-based learning and activities centred on reconciliation; deepening their understanding and strengthening connections to Country, culture and community.
In a highlight of the week, families were invited to contribute to our Reconciliation Bridge by completing a leaf-shaped reflection activity together at home. We were overwhelmed by the response; so many families returned their leaves that the bridge is now completely covered, symbolising our collective commitment to reconciliation. This display is now featured in the school as a shared pledge to continue walking together towards a better future.
At West Balcatta, our Reconciliation Action Plan guides us in recognising the vital role we play in shaping a unified and respectful Australia. We thank our students, staff, and families for embracing this important week with such thoughtfulness and heart.
Welcome to Makuru
As we head into June and July, we enter the Noongar season of Makuru.
Represented by the colour dark blue, Makuru is the coldest and wettest time of the year in the south-west of Western Australia. Strong winds, frequent rain and chilly days signal the arrival of winter, and for many of us, it’s time to pull out our warm jackets and rain boots!
During Makuru, the land begins to rest. Many native plants slow their growth, but you might notice some stunning colour from the deep purple and blue flowers of the native wisteria and the bright yellow wattles beginning to bloom. The wetlands fill with fresh rainwater, providing essential habitats for frogs, birds and other wildlife.
Makuru is also the time of year when Noongar people traditionally moved inland, away from the coast, to avoid the storms and hunt animals like kangaroos and emus. It was a season of renewal and gathering, as families prepared for the colder months ahead.
At West Balcatta Primary School, we can embrace Makuru by observing the changes in the environment around us - puddles in the playground, clouds rolling in and the fresh, earthy smell of rain. Let’s continue to learn from the wisdom of the Noongar seasons and appreciate the beauty of each unique change in nature.
Image Credit (below): australiassouthwest.com
Nanna Bingo - Get Your Tickets!
“Nanna Bingo - a Bingo, Music and Comedy show straight from Fringe Festival; it’s run by Nanna herself so be prepared for a lively show!”
Time to channel your inner Nonna & Nonno; where “Walking Canes & Zimmer Frames unite”!
Our beautiful West Balcatta Choir has really expanded this year with over one hundred voices! They’ve asked us for new choir shirts so they can ALL be properly outfitted and we thought that was a brilliant excuse for a Kids Free Night Out!
Tickets on sale until sold out via:
www.spriggyschools.com.auThis is licensed adults only event. Drinks will be available to purchase. No BYO.
Tables are welcome to bring their own food.
A night of games & prizes for ‘best dressed’
Please bring cash and card to join in the fun!
Once your table is booked, please email your booking name and fun table name to: events@westbalcattapc.org.auEOI: to find out about single ticket purchase options please email: events@westbalcattapc.org.au
Young Engineers Club
Curious about how things work? Love to tinker and build? Join us for hands-on STEM fun using motorized LEGO® models and electronics kits!
Create racing cars, motorbikes, amusement park rides, monster trucks—even your own working radio! Discover how machines and systems come together—while having a blast.
🛠 After-School Club: Weekly sessions packed with exciting builds and creative challenges - Wednesdays
❄️ Winter Holiday Camp: Extra STEM fun during the break—new builds, cool projects, and more - 14 & 15 July
Let’s invent, explore, and build something amazing together!
