News Articles

This week, our school community came together to honour the remarkable individuals who dedicate their time and energy to making a difference in our students’ lives. Over the course of this year, more than 40 people have generously volunteered with us, and we were thrilled to welcome many of them to our annual Volunteer Appreciation Afternoon Tea.

The event was a celebration of connection, community, and gratitude. Our volunteers enjoyed a delightful spread of treats, lovingly prepared, as a token of appreciation for their invaluable contributions. The Principal presented each volunteer with a certificate of appreciation and a small gift, a gesture to acknowledge the profound impact of their time and efforts.

The afternoon was also an opportunity for reflection and conversation. Volunteers were invited to pair up and share their thoughts on two key questions: “Why do you volunteer?” and “What keeps you coming back?” The responses were inspiring and spoke volumes about the strength of our school community:

• A desire to be actively involved in their child’s education.
• The joy of connecting with other parents and families.
• A shared commitment to making a meaningful difference.
• A sense of pride in being part of our vibrant school community.
• The fulfilling sense of belonging that comes from contributing.
• The positive impact on their own mental health and wellbeing.

These heartfelt reflections underscore the vital role volunteers play in fostering a connected and supportive environment for our students, families, and staff. Their dedication not only enriches the school but also strengthens the sense of unity that defines our community.

A special thank you to Maryteresa Higgins for her thoughtful organisation of this celebration, ensuring our volunteers felt the deep gratitude of the entire school.

To all our volunteers: thank you for your kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to our school. Your contributions make a lasting difference, and we are so fortunate to have you as part of our community.

This summer, the City of Armadale Libraries—Armadale, Kelmscott, Piara Waters, and Seville Grove—invite students to discover ancient worlds with the Summer Reading Quest! Running from December 1 to January 31, the program offers exciting activities, hidden treasures, and plenty of prizes to win.

Students aged 5 and older can pick up a Reading Log, while younger readers can grab a Summer Steps card to get started on their reading adventure. Visit your local library to join the fun and ignite your imagination over the holidays!

Don’t miss this opportunity to make reading a part of your summer story. Find more details by scanning the QR code on the flyer.

Our Christmas Hamper Appeal is now underway, and we invite our wonderful school community to help spread joy to families in need this festive season. Every year, Westfield Park Primary School rallies together to collect non-perishable food items and festive treats, ensuring that families in our community have a special holiday experience.

Donations can be brought into the school from now until 6 December. We welcome anything from Christmas cakes and puddings to everyday essentials like tea, pasta, and tinned goods. Your generosity will help create hampers that make a real difference to families who could use a little extra support this Christmas.

Join us in making the holiday season brighter for others — your kindness matters!

This week, students from the Junior Block had an exciting and educational experience during a special incursion with Armadale Community Police Officer, Sergeant Steph Higgins. The children were thrilled to see a real police vehicle up close and were eager to ask questions about the role of the police in our community.

Sergeant Higgins took the time to explain the various equipment she carries and the vital ways in which the police work to keep everyone safe. The students listened attentively and were highly engaged, raising their hands enthusiastically to ask about her duties and the day-to-day responsibilities of a police officer.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity for our young learners to connect with an important community service, fostering a sense of safety and trust. The school extends a big thank you to Sergeant Higgins for her time and dedication to educating our students.

This memorable experience is one of many ways we aim to enrich the learning environment and strengthen our ties with the broader community.

On behalf of the staff and students of Westfield Park Primary School, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Parents & Citizens Association. Your unwavering dedication and tireless efforts play a pivotal role in shaping the vibrant and supportive community we cherish.

Your contributions are visible in every corner of our school – from the enriched learning environments you help create to the memorable events that bring our community together. Whether it’s through fundraising, volunteering, or advocating for our students, your commitment makes a profound difference in the lives of our children.

The collaboration and partnership we share with the P&C are invaluable. Your hard work not only enhances the educational experiences of our students but also fosters a sense of unity and belonging among families, staff, and the broader community.

We are deeply grateful for your continuous support and the countless hours you invest in ensuring that Westfield Park remains a place where every student can thrive. Thank you for being the backbone of our community and for your unwavering dedication to our school.

With sincere appreciation,

The Staff and Students of Westfield Park Primary School

Understanding Your Child’s Brain

• Does your child not fit into the educational box?
• Does your child seem to be learning differently?
• Does your child not enjoy school?

Explore different learning styles, identify how your child learns best and how their brain functions. Gain strategies to support your child’s learning journey and the partnership between home and school.

Discussion will focus on the primary school years.

Wednesday 15 May 2024

6:00 – 8:00pm

Maddington Community Centre, 19 Alcock Street, Maddington

This workshop is free, but booking is essential.

Booking: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1215097?

Online spaces should be safe for everyone, but you may sometimes come across content that is distressing  Following recent events in Israel and Gaza, you may see things that depict harm or violence.

If you see violent, distressing or harmful material:

 Don’t share it further – even if your intention is to help or raise awareness, you may cause distress to others.

 Report it to the platform to help get the material removed quickly.

 If the material is not removed, or if it’s seriously harmful, you can report it to eSafety: eSafety.gov.au/report eSafety can notify the platform to either remove the content or block access from within Australia.

 Reports about terrorist and extreme violent content can also be made to the National Security Hotline by calling 1800 123 400.

Your actions could protect you and others from seeing that content again. Find more guidance and information at: eSafety.gov.au/help-with-distressing-content

 Parents and carers may want to take extra precautions against their children seeing disturbing content online. eSafety has a range of helpful resources on:

 Having agreed rules as a family: eSafety.gov.au/parents/resources/family-tech-agreement

 How to get started with parental controls: eSafety.gov.au/parental-controls

 What young people can do themselves: eSafety.gov.au/young-people/disturbing-content

 Schools can circulate our guidance to their educators, wellbeing staff, and parents and carers, to provide them with strategies to reduce the risk of children and young people being exposed to this content, and to support those who are.

If you or a child have seen disturbing content online, talking to someone can make it easier to decide what to do and how to deal with its impact. Get support: eSafety.gov.au/about-us/counselling-support-services

Maryteresa Higgins is a transformative school-based social worker with over 11 years’ experience at Westfield Park Primary School. She employs trauma-informed, attachment-aware practices to holistically support the mental health of students, families, and staff. Her initiatives range from specialised therapeutic groups to preventive programs focused on resilience and Social and Emotional Learning. The scope of her work extends beyond immediate relief to long-term coping strategies, profoundly impacting academic performance and emotional wellbeing across the school community. 

The school is proud of her achievement in being selected as one of three finalists in the Western Australian Association for Mental Health, 2023 WA Mental Health Awards in the Mentally Healthy Education category. 

Finalists: 

• Halls Head College Education Support Centre  
• Kinross Primary School 
• Maryteresa Higgins from Westfield Park Primary School 

https://waamh.org.au/awards/winners-and-finalists

Turning 3 years old is the start of a very busy and exciting stage in your child’s development.  

Every day, your child is learning new skills that will help them prepare for starting school. Although every child grows and develops at their own pace, some children will need extra support. To help you know if your child needs a little help with their development, Child and Adolescent Health Services have created this short video. It describes the developmental skills that most 3-year-olds will have reached.  

The video also tells you who to contact if you have any concerns. 

If you would like to discuss your child’s development with a trained professional, drop into the Child and Parent Centre to see our Child Health Nurse