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Everyone in! Penbank Letter Home

We have reflected on an amazing finale to the term celebrating Cultural Diversity and Wugubank Week. In addition, our Year 3 and 4 students in Katherine and Justin’s groups have enjoyed a wonderful experience this week camping at Golden Valleys Ranch. Our final day was also a special one with both Junior Campuses gathering for a combined sports day. A wonderful conclusion to the term!

Term 1 Reflection

Settling children back into school has involved a learning curve for children. School has been a significantly busier place! Although some camps were able to go ahead in previous years, mostly the curriculum has been depleted of the external experiences that were an important function of school life. For parents too, there has equally been an adjustment. Working collaboratively with parents, we are consistently developing programs and providing appropriate boundaries to ensure that all children learn in the best possible way.

The school’s 3R’s – Respect for Self, Respect for Others, Respect for the Environment - are fundamental principles and beliefs that guide our children and our work. Being a responsible member of a team is a critical life skill and one that is prioritised as children learn the skills to be considerate and respectful members of our community. The Learner Profiles of the PYP ensure that these skills are developed as children mature in their ability to cooperate and learn within a collaborative approach.


Everyone in! A wonderful Wugubank Week

Cultural Diversity Week reinforces that ‘Everyone Belongs.’ We saw this togetherness in action throughout Wugubank Week and the Harmony Day Picnic. A family afternoon at Point Leo, a fun-filled day at Luna Park, school days, Melbourne experiences including Sky Deck, the Zoo, and the Harmony Picnic, all contributed to a fantastic experience for the Wugularr children, their host families, staff from both schools and Penbank students.

The purpose of the Wugubank Collaboration is the uniting of our two schools and their communities through a cultural relationship that connects our communities through community and school engagement. Wugubank provides experiences that enable people to learn through a meaningful two-way experience promoting long-lasting relationships, friendship, and opportunity.

When we’re together, everyone belongs. Younger children enjoyed the visits by Joyce and Justine who loved teaching the children their language (Kriol) through activities and stories. School Meeting was celebrated together led by Savannah, Year 6, and Fiona, a Wugularr student. We concluded the meeting singing the Torres Strait Islander song, Kaiapi, with great heart.

I especially thank Andy for her coordination of the Harmony Day Picnic and thank all staff and families from both schools for the trust and support extended to the Wugularr children while at Penbank last week. It is a massive effort all round and an incredible commitment. Such a huge journey from the Top End to the bottom - in all, it was an incredible time.

Boh boh, Wugularr mob!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Achievements


At the end of the term, we congratulate several students on their sporting achievements.

A very big congratulations to the Penbank Lightning basketball team who won the Grand Final for their division.


A special congratulations to Kaya Khoza (Year 5) who was awarded, Player of the Match. Well done, Kaya!



Olivia Bam (Year 6) has been highly successful in the term’s school and inter-school swimming competitions, most recently coming second in breaststroke in the Southeast Regional SSV Swimming Carnival. This is an outstanding achievement, with Olivia recognised for her excellence as a swimmer at a regional level.



Jimmy Gleeson (Year 5) has been chosen to represent Team AKAW at the MIC International Tournament to be held in Girona, one hour away from Barcelona, Spain. Jimmy will be playing soccer against teams from across the world in front of academy coaches. We wish Jimmy great success and look forward to hearing all about this amazing experience when he returns!

Again, thank you for a wonderful term. My love and best wishes to you all for a relaxing and refreshing Easter break.


VIVIENNE
Head of Penbank Campus

Key Dates:

TERM 2 2023


WEEK 1

Monday 24 April - Staff Professional Learning Day (student-free day)

Tuesday 25 April - Anzac Day Holiday

Wednesday 26 April - Term 2 commences for students


WEEK 2

Thursday 4 May - Penbank Cross Country

Friday 5 May - Hands On Science Incursion (Year 3 & 4)


WEEK 3 - CANBERRA CAMP WEEK (Year 6)

8 – 12 May - Canberra Camp Year 6

Wednesday 10 May – PFG Meeting 1.45pm

Sunday 14 May - Mother’s Day


WEEK 4

Tuesday 16 May - District Cross Country @ Penbank

Wednesday 17 May - ECC 4 Photos (School PIx)

Wednesday 17 May - IDAHOBIT Day

Thursday 18 May Mother’s Day Out Lunch

Friday 19 May – ECC 3 Photos (School Pix)


WEEK 5

Thursday 25 May - Body Safe (Year 5)

Friday 26 May – Sorry Day


WEEK 6 - National Reconciliation Week

Wednesday 31 May - Division Cross Country @ Hastings

Thursday 1 June - Body Safe (Year 5)


WEEK 7

Thursday 8 June - Body Safe (Year 5 & 6)

Friday 9 June - Report Writing Day (student free, ECC 3 as normal) TBC

WEEK 8

Monday 12 June - Queen’s Birthday Holiday

Wednesday 14 June - Regional Cross Country @ Hastings

Wednesday 14 June- PFG Meeting 1.45pm

Thursday 15 June - Body Safe (Year 5 & 6)

Friday 16 June - Winter Lightening Premiership, various venues

Friday 16 June - Reports distributed


WEEK 9

Tuesday 20 June - World Refugee Day

Tuesday 20 June - Parent/Teacher Interviews in response to reports

Thursday 22 June - Body Safe (Year 5 & 6)

Friday 23 June - Term 2 Ends