At Kinder we celebrated Mothers Day by having a "Stay and Play" time with our mums. We pampered them, painted their portraits, dressed up for the photo booth and had lots of fun playing and learning with them. We danced and sang and enjoyed celebrating how much our mums mean to us all!!

We saw the opening of the Basketball courts this week, with a new roof and the surrounding areas freshly turfed. I know there are some relieved basketballers in the school who are very happy to see this space ready for everyday use. Big wholehearted thanks go to the school maintenance team who have managed the works.

At Chapel, we introduce a new writing topic for the students for Free Writing. It could be a narrative, a persuasive piece, a labelled picture, a diary entry etc. Exploring creative ideas and writing practice without boundaries are the keys to building a love of writing.

Thank you to all the parents who attended the Parent Teacher Interviews last week. These discussions are so important to help support students with their progress. Teachers value the time meeting with families and building community. If questions have arisen from the interviews, writing notes in the diary is a quick way to get a reply. Teachers, Coordinators and I are all here to support you in your child’s education.

A team of Grade 5 and 6 girls attended the School Sport Victoria (SSV) Football Competition. Their effort and perseverance are to be commended. Some students were also selected to represent Flinders at the CSEN Basketball competition. Well done to all of the players. Thank you to Ms. Howlett for organisng this and taking on the role of Head Coach.

Cross Country was a great success on Monday – perfect weather, a perfect course and a perfectly organised event. Congratulations to the students who completed the course.

Finally, Sunday is Mother’s Day. We value the work of all parents but, just for this weekend, we recognise the love and care of the mums who give endlessly to support their children. I have an idea that our Flinders’ mums will be opening gifts filled with love. God’s greatest blessings to all mums, carers, and grandmothers.

Last term our primary students came to school in their Pyjamas to raise funds for Backpack 4 Vic Kids (B4VK). As a community we were able to donate just over 100 Pyjamas!! These pyjamas will assist B4VK in providing essential aid to displaced children before any arrangements have been made to further support them.

This is an incredible effort by the primary community.

Thank you to all families and staff for contributing.

Come to school with Crazy Hair on Friday 24 May to show your support for the Leukemia Foundation. All funds raised will help people with blood cancer get access to better care, better treatments, and better information.

Students should come to school in their PE uniform and bring along a gold coin donation.

Crazy hair could include wigs, temporary hair colouring and fancy hair ties

Mr Edens has organised the second annual Spelling Bee House Competition. This was highly successful last year. Qualifying rounds will be held at school leading up to the finals on Wednesday 15 May. Only a few students per year level will make it to the final round. Students who make it through to the final round will be able to have parents attend. The class teacher will inform you if your child makes it through to the finals (to be held on the 15 May).

Congratulations to Shanaya and Evie from Grade 4 for receiving a Flinders values award during last week’s Primary Chapel Service. Shanaya received her award for displaying Love and Humility by being a trustworthy member of grade 4 who shows patience and kindness towards all her peers. Evie exemplified the value of Integrity and Humility by willingly serving others without needing recognition and for standing up for what is right.

Primary Production
Our primary school production will take place in the gym on Thursday 21 November. I shall be announcing what the production is to our Primary students next week.

2024 Performing Arts Lessons
Currently for Term 2, our lessons are full. If you would like to avail of lessons for your child in Term 3, please email me diane.ohare@flinders.vic.edu.au.

2024 Secondary School Production
I am delighted to inform you that our 2024 Secondary School Production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR will be taking place at Frankston Arts Centre on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 June. Tickets are now on sale from Frankston Arts Centre and are selling out fast. The cast are doing an amazing job during rehearsals and are excited to perform this family favourite production.

Grade 5/6 Performing Arts Club
This year, our students are discovering the joy of Dance. Under the guidance of Molly they are enjoying classes in Hip Hop. This week we had a guest choreographer who ran a successful workshop.

Performing Arts Captains
Our two captains Mackenzie and Salma are now at the early stages of planning Flinders Got Talent for Term 3. They will also be assisting in our Primary Production and organising our yearly online competition So You Think You Can Dance.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Jake Christie and Zoe Sissons who have been cast in The Hunchback of Notre Dam with BATS Theatre Company and to Harry Watts, Eden Vass, James Overton, Eliza Blashki, Abigail Noden and Emma Hughes who have been cast in Gateway Theatre’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone. We are all so proud of you expanding your theatrical experience outside school.

Some photos of our superstar players who took part in the Frankston, Chelsea & Casey Competitions.

SIS Weekly Sport
Good luck to all of our SIS teams who commence their season this week!
This Term, Flinders Carrum Downs have 7 teams:

Junior Girls Netball - Opals
Junior Girls Netball - Diamonds
Junior Boys Soccer
Junior Boys Volleyball
Inter Girls AFL
Senior Boys AFL
Senior Girls Volleyball

Congratulations to our six swimmers who were selected to compete at the Victorian Schools Association Swimming Championships earlier this week! Noah, Teale, Harry, Maddison, Darcy and Karen all swam extremely well in a highly competitive line up of swimmers. The best of the best in the state were on show!

We would like to recognise and congratulate numerous students who competed at the Cheerleading world championships and Summit Championships over the last week!

Cheerleading World Championships
The Cheerleading World Championship showcases the most challenging performances, positive energy and shared emotions within the All Star community. Every year, event producers from around the globe hosting events sanctioned by USASF and IASF sponsor teams to vye for championship titles across various cheerleading divisions at the highest tiers.

For teams chosen to participate, an invitation to this international All Star competition stands as the highest honour, gathering the most talented athletes on a single stage. This annual event is a dedicated tribute to the expertise, athleticism, determination and shared passion that characterise All Star cheerleading.

We are extremely proud of Tiffany M. (Tyabb) who competed at the cheerleading worlds in the International Open Coed Level 5 division representing Outlaws Allstars, Gen5. Gen5 put on a beautiful routine for Day 1(Semi’s) and were one of the 3 Australian teams to qualify for Day 2 (Finals). Gen5 fought hard in their Finals day and came away with 8th place.

The Summit, founded by Varsity All Star in 2013 provides a unique experience for athletes in the non-Worlds divisions to compete against the best of the best in all levels of competition across the globe. The Championships continue to grow, offering multiple paths for Junior & Senior teams to have a competitive, prestigious and celebratory end to their season.

Teams are also chosen to participate, an invitation to this international All Star competition stands as the highest honour, gathering the most talented athletes on a single stage.

We are extremely proud of Taleah R, April M, Sienna D, Natasha E and Olivia S (Carrum Downs) who competed at the Summit in the U18 Level 3 division representing Upstage Cheer and Dance, Imperial. Imperial have worked so hard, overcoming an athlete injury just days before leaving Australia. Imperial hit 0 on Day 1 (Semi Finals) (they had 0 ‘mistakes’ or deductions), which is an incredible achievement and placed 52nd overall.

We are also extremely proud of Olivia J (Tyabb) who also competed at the Summit in the U16I Level 3 division, representing Outlaws Allstars, Renegades. Renegades have worked incredibly hard and were sitting in 4th place after competing Day 1 (Semi Finals). After spending the night finetuning, cleaning and repping stunts, tumble timing and dance, they went on on Day 2 (Finals) with the most beautiful routine and Hit 0 (they had 0 ‘mistakes’ or deductions). We are so proud of the team and Olivia who came away with 3rd place in an incredibly hard division.