Term Four is racing by and we are already creeping up to the end of the school year with only a little over four weeks to go!! There are many events coming up over the last few weeks of the term, so please ensure that you check our Facebook page for the details of these events including Arts on Stage, Swimming Carnivals and the Principal’s Awards Assembly.  

This week, the weather bureau has warned us to expect a lot of rain.  Although we have been lucky so far, apart from a storm that hit during assembly when we were all safe and dry inside the EPAC, we are expecting heavy rain over the next two days.  Please speak with your children about safe behaviour during rainy days.  This includes not playing in puddles, moving safely up and down stairs, walking on wet surfaces and staying out of the rain.

A friendly reminder to parents that students should not be arriving at school before 8am in the morning.  There are no staff on duty for supervision before 8:15am so this is the better time to be arriving after if possible.   It is a long time for students to be waiting to start school if they arrive before 8am and this is when issues can arrive with behaviour. 

If you require before or after school care for your child you can contact OSHC on 0418 747 960.

Once the rain has cleared, it is highly likely that the weather is going to get significantly hotter for the remainder of the term.  Please ensure that your child is bringing a drink bottle to school with water that can be refilled at the bubblers.  Students will be encouraged by their teachers to drink water throughout the day to remain hydrated. 

As we head into the final weeks of school, our children can become tired and emotional.  They can be experiencing sadness about leaving their current class teacher and nerves about moving up to their new year level next year.   They will have been working hard on their assessment in all subject areas as well as participating in swimming lessons!  This can result in some out of character behaviours happening from time to time.

Tips for helping your child finish strong:

1. Put a countdown on your fridge so they know how long they have to go
2. Talk about their day – sharing positive experiences
3. Listen to what is causing them any stress and offer reassurance and advice
4. Remind your child about the school pillars – Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be a Responsible Learner and ask them to tell you how they are demonstrating these at school
5. Ensure they are getting to bed at a reasonable hour and getting enough sleep
6. Limit screen time
7. Encourage outdoor play – fresh air and sunshine
8. Create and stick to routines in your home right to the end of the term where possible
9. Check they are drinking lots of water especially as the weather gets hotter
10. Give lots of cuddles and praise positive behaviours!

When is Remembrance Day?
Remembrance Day falls on the 11th of November each year. 

On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a minutes’ silence is observed and dedicated to those soldiers who died fighting to protect the nation. 

In Australia and other allied countries, including New Zealand, Canada and the United States, 11 November became known as Armistice Day – a day to remember those who died in World War One. The day continues to be commemorated in allied countries. 

After World War Two, the Australian Government agreed to the United Kingdom’s proposal that Armistice Day be renamed Remembrance Day to commemorate those who were killed in both World Wars. Today the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated on Remembrance Day.

What is the origin of Remembrance Day?
11 November is universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the First World War. This conflict had mobilised over 70 million people and left between nine and 13 million dead and as many as one third of these with no grave. The allied nations chose this day and time for the commemoration of their war dead.

At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. The allied armies had driven the German invaders back, having inflicted heavy defeats upon them over the preceding four months.

In November, the Germans called for an armistice (suspension of fighting) in order to secure a peace settlement. They accepted the allied terms of unconditional surrender. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month attained a special significance in the post-war years and became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war.

Why is this day special to Australians?
In 1997, Governor-General Sir William Deane issued a proclamation formally declaring 11 November to be Remembrance Day, urging all Australians to observe one minute silence at 11.00am on 11 November each year, to remember those who died or suffered for Australia's cause in all wars and armed conflicts.

On 11 November at 11.00am, we will pause to remember all of the men and women of the Australian Defence Force who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

We will remember them. Lest we forget.

Poppies for sale
Tomorrow morning, our school captains will be selling poppies for 50c under D Block to raise money for the Defence School Mentor Program.  We will be observing a minute’s silence at 10:57am just before first break and Defence Family students will be laying a wreath with Mrs Robinson in the Remembrance Garden at the front of the school.  The students made the wreath with Emma Ryan the Defence School Mentor. 

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Emma who will be attending her swearing in ceremony at Defence Recruiting tomorrow next to ANZAC Square for the Royal Australian Air Force. 

Tina Burrows
Deputy Principal