September 2025
Principal
I am very pleased to share the wonderful news that Durham Road School has successfully passed all Domains of our recent Public-School Review, with a review in three years. This achievement reflects the incredible care, dedication, and commitment of our whole school community.
At the heart of everything we do are our students. Kids come first, and our focus remains on supporting our families and students so they can reach their full potential. This review has reaffirmed our shared commitment to student outcomes and success. The recognition we received is a direct reflection of the way we work together with a strong moral purpose, which truly drives our success.
A heartfelt thank you goes to our staff, whose care and dedication ensured we were well-prepared and showcased the very best of our school. We also deeply appreciate the parents and community members who joined us for the validation process yesterday, as well as the staff who represented everyone so proudly. Your involvement and support made a meaningful difference.
We received some wonderful feedback during the review, and it has reaffirmed how fortunate we are to be surrounded by such a collaborative and committed team. The timing of this review has also been significant, aligning with the conclusion of our current Business Plan and guiding us as we move into consultation and writing of our next plan.
We are extremely proud of what we have achieved together. Thank you once again for your continued support in making Durham Road School the thriving and caring community that it is, always with our students’ success and potential at the centre of all we do.
All Individual Education Plans (IEPs) have been sent home with your children this week. For families whose children have been absent, we have posted their IEPs directly to your home to ensure you receive them without delay. These plans provide an overview of the learning goals and the range of activities your child is engaging in at school. We hope you enjoy reading about the opportunities they have to participate in meaningful, tailored learning experiences. As always, if you have any questions about the IEP, or if you would like to discuss any aspect of your child’s learning further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your child’s teacher or with the Deputy Principal. We value your partnership in supporting your child’s education and welcome your feedback.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone back at school safe and well on Tuesday 14th October.
Kind Regards,
Ellen McAllister
Principal
From the Leadership Team
On 2nd September, our Satellite students took part in their Jumps and Throws event, followed closely by their Sports Carnival on 5th September. Both days were filled with energy, determination and plenty of smiles, and it was fantastic to see the hard work of students and staff come together so successfully.
On 12th September, Rooms 12 and 16 led a fantastic assembly. The students performed beautifully and demonstrated such confidence in front of their peers, staff, and families. A big well done to all of the students for their efforts, and a thank you to the parents and carers who joined us—it is always so rewarding for the students to see the support of their families at these events.
On 18th September we paused to acknowledge R U OK? Day. This was an important time to check in with one another, reminding us all that a simple conversation can make a big difference. Supporting staff wellbeing remains a priority for us, and it was heartening to see the care and encouragement shared across the school.
The very next day, 19th September, we enjoyed the Primary and Secondary Sports Carnival. The turnout from parents and carers was wonderful, and the students gave it their all on the track and field. It was a day full of team spirit, determination, and encouragement, and we are sure many students went home happily exhausted after running and cheering all day.
On 23rd September the Early Years Sports Carnival brought its own burst of joy and excitement. The younger students showed great effort and enthusiasm, supported every step of the way by our fantastic staff. On the same day, the Secondary Assembly was held, where we were able to once again highlight the achievements and contributions of our students. We are still not quite sure how the school managed to run four carnivals in one month, but what a wonderful display of community, energy and teamwork it has been.
Finally, on 26th September, the last day of term, the admin team cooked lunch for staff to celebrate the outstanding result of the recent school review and all the efforts they have put in throughout Term 3. This was a small way of showing our gratitude for the dedication and hard work of every staff member, whose collective efforts continue to make our school such a special place for students and families.
This term we have held a number of events to raise money for Telethon, and they have been a wonderful success. A very big thank you goes to Montel Millar for his time and effort in organising these opportunities. Supporting Telethon is such a worthwhile cause, and it has been fantastic to see our school community come together, have fun, and contribute to something that makes a real difference. You can read more about these events in the articles below!
As we move into the holiday break, the executive team would like to extend our warmest thanks to all staff, students, and families for a busy and successful term. We hope everyone takes the time to rest, relax, and recharge. We look forward to welcoming students back refreshed and ready for another exciting term of learning and community in Term 4.
Susan Moran (Associate Principal)
Cassie Camacho (Early Years + Satellite)
Simon Hume (Primary + Satellite)
Sharon Peach (Student Services and Operations)
Carl Gregory (Secondary)
Justine Loggenberg (Secondary)
EYLC
What an incredible Sports Carnival for our Early Years students! A huge thank you to Jesse for capturing all the action during the races — your photos truly brought the day to life. The students had an absolute blast, and the icy poles at the end were the perfect treat. Thank you to all the families who came along to support!
Room 4
What a busy and exciting Term 3 we have had in Room 4! We started the term by celebrating NAIDOC Week, where students participated in a range of engaging activities.
Next, we enjoyed Pyjama Day, raising money for the Telethon Institute. Room 4 had a fantastic time making popcorn during cooking and sharing it together in our pyjamas.
Book Week was a highlight, with everyone dressing up and having fun in the library with Sian, trying on all sorts of funky hats. Science Week was another favourite, especially the VR incursion. We found it so relaxing to explore all the different planets.
A special moment this term was our collaborative cooking lesson with Room 2. After spending the week reading about the fantastic cake, we finally got to make one ourselves. Cracking the eggs was a crowd favourite but we enjoyed decorating the cake with sprinkles the most.
Friday afternoons are always a treat when we head up to Room 30 for special play. This term, we have especially loved the big swing in their playground!
Room 4 has been working very hard, and this term has been full of fun and learning. We can’t wait for more exciting things to come in Term 4!
Room 18
It has been a busy, but wonderful Term for Room 18! This term we started by celebrating NAIDOC week. The students enjoyed the engaging art activities and enjoyed reading the book ‘Big Rain Coming’. Pyjama Day was a highlight this term for Room 18, with all the students and staff coming to school in their pyjamas to help raise money for Telethon. Book week was a fun time, with everyone coming dressed as their favourite character- we even had two Spidermans! Weekly art sessions have been incredible, with the students exploring different ways to create art using different forms of matter. Wednesday afternoons are a loud but fun time in Room 18, with our students playing the drums to some of our favourite songs. We had Science Week this term, that had fun activities for us to engage with, with some of us loving the VR incursion.
The Fun Run this term was a great experience, with everyone getting involved and getting completely covered in different colours! We enjoyed the activities, with some of the class favourites being the Slime n Slide, Tunnel of Terror and Mexican Stand Off.
Room 18 has also had a fun time preparing for the Sports Carnival in the last couple weeks of the term. We have enjoyed getting out onto the senior oval and primary playground with the other Primary classes and demonstrating our skills.
Room 18 has had an amazing term that has been a mixture of learning and fun.
Room 19
Room 19 has had an incredibly vibrant and colourful term! Colour became our theme, inspiring a wide range of exciting activities.
To celebrate NAIDOC Day, we decorated sugar cookies with Indigenous-inspired prints using deliciously sweet frosting — a creative (and tasty!) way to honour culture. We also joined in the Colour Run, where we delighted in the sensory fun of coloured powder, a slippery slime slide, and racing through streamers.
In the classroom, we explored the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, using bright playdough to recreate the characters and bring the tale to life.
It has been a wonderfully colourful term filled with laughter, learning, and creativity — and we’ve loved every moment!
Room 20
Term 3 has been a whirlwind for Room 20 – where has the time gone?! We have had so many events on which our students have enjoyed thoroughly. We have had the Outer Space VR incursion, Pyjama Day, Science Week, Book Week, NAIDOC week, AFL clinics, the Colour Run and swimming lessons, just to name a few. We have been learning about clocks and time in maths, and for science we have been investigating life cycles and what living things need to survive and thrive. Our class has been growing flowers so we can put into practice what we have been learning.
Room 21
Term 3 in Room 21 was packed with energy and creativity.
We began with NAIDOC Day, where students explored and celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through storytelling and art. Science Week ignited curiosity with hands-on experiments and engaging activities, while the Colour Run added a splash of excitement, turning the school grounds into a vibrant celebration of movement and fun. The term wrapped up with the Faction Carnival, where students showcased their athleticism, teamwork, and house pride in a day full of friendly competition and encouragement. It was a term filled with learning, laughter, and memorable moments that showcased our classroom spirit.
Room 22
Spring is here! The days are getting warmer and we've had a busy and enjoyable term.
We would like to welcome our new student Zavier to our class and school.
We've joined in many special events. Some favourites were the Colour Run, Father’s Day Breakfast / activities, Pyjama Day, Science Week, NAIDOC Day with Indigenous dancers, and our school discos with music and lights.
In Science, we've been learning about living things and planted flowers, beans, herbs and giant Russian sunflowers. Everyone participated in touching the seeds, soil, watering the plants, and helping them grow.
In HASS, we've been learning about Special Events and Celebrations and were excitedly awaiting the upcoming Faction Carnival and R U OK? Day.
With the beautiful weather now upon us, we are also making the most of outdoor play opportunities, which the students are really enjoying.
Room 23
It’s been a busy term in Room 23. We’re thrilled to share some of the amazing things our students have been involved in over the past few weeks.
In class, students have been working hard across all learning areas. We’ve been focusing on life skills, communication, and numeracy, with plenty of hands-on and interactive lessons to keep everyone engaged. Highlights include our group projects, and creative writing tasks where students have been expressing their thoughts and ideas with growing confidence.
One of the biggest hits this term was the Colour Fun Run! Our students enjoyed getting messy, colourful, and active. It was wonderful to see everyone participating with huge smiles on their faces, showing off their school spirit and celebrating inclusion and fun.
Book Week was a magical time in Room 23. We explored this year's theme and celebrated the joy of reading through storytelling, a dress-up day, and activities based on our favourite books. The students enjoyed dressing as beloved characters and sharing stories with each other
During Science Week, Room 23 became a hub of curiosity and discovery. From simple experiments to exploring the world of nature and energy, our students had hands-on opportunities to ask questions, predict outcomes, and observe changes.
We proudly celebrated NAIDOC Day as a class and as a school. The students took part in meaningful activities that honoured Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture, and achievements. We listened to Dreamtime stories, created Indigenous-inspired art, and took part in an Assembly with Aboriginal Dancers from Trinity College.
We are incredibly proud of all the students in Room 23 for their efforts, growth, and enthusiasm this term. As always, thank you for your continued support. We look forward to finishing the year strong with more exciting learning and events ahead.
Warm regards,
The Room 23 Team
Room 24
As Term 3 comes to a close, we would like to reflect on all the wonderful activities and events our class has participated in over the past weeks.
This term, our students engaged in numerous activities to raise money and awareness for Telethon, showing great community spirit. We enjoyed Pyjama Day and the Colour Run, and celebrated a range of important events including Book Week, NAIDOC Week, Science Week, Father’s Day, and R U OK? Day.
We also had the exciting opportunity to attend a Kalability excursion, where we played basketball with students from another school. These experiences provided excellent opportunities for teamwork, social interaction, and fun.
Looking ahead, we are excited about our annual Sports Carnival and can’t wait to participate in more activities next term.
We wish all our families a safe and relaxing holiday break!
Room 28
This term has been filled with joy, learning, and opportunities for students to build independence and friendships.
One of the biggest highlights was our Daylight Disco. Students loved expressing themselves through music and movement, and it was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the lights, dancing, and the sense of community.
We also went on exciting excursions to the bowling alley. These outings gave students the chance to practise social skills, teamwork, and turn-taking, while also enjoying a fun and active game together.
Within the school grounds, students have been making great use of activities of leisure, such as visiting the school gym. These sessions have supported physical fitness, coordination, and confidence in a safe and structured way.
Room 29
Room 29 are powering through Term 3 doing all sorts of things and having fun! The students have been working through their ASDAN, going bowling and learning new skills. The students have done their assembly where they were awarded merit certificates for their amazing work. They are looking forward to a well-deserved holiday!
Satellite 3
We’ve had a busy and exciting Term in Sat 3! Our students kicked off the term with Cross Country, showing persistence and determination, and enjoyed NAIDOC Week with dance, art, and theatre activities. Book Week was another highlight, with children dressing as book characters, taking part in campfire reading, and meeting local author Norman Jorgenson. Incursions such as the Worm Farm and Science Alive gave students hands-on experiences with recycling, composting, and energy.
In class, our students explored Australia’s states and territories in HASS and brought stories to life in Literacy by creating story maps and retelling KooKoo Kookaburra through our Talk for Writing program. Science lessons encouraged hands-on discovery as they investigated living things and life cycles both inside and outside the classroom. In Music, students explored beat, rhythm, and tempo while experimenting with different sounds on percussion instruments, adding a fun and creative element to their learning.
The term wrapped up with the Faction Sports Carnival, where students enjoyed team games and activities while supporting one another. Weeks of preparation were evident as they showed enthusiasm, skill, and great team spirit, making it a memorable celebration of our shared achievements!
Satellite 4
This semester, Satellite 4 students enjoyed an array of activities and events at Embleton.
During Book Week, students dressed as their characters and took part in a variety of themed activities, including a costume parade and a campfire reading session.
Satellite 4 students, Indiana and Alexander are members of the Embleton Djidi Djidi Choir. They represented our school at the One Big Voice Music Festival, held at RAC Arena. They performed alongside choirs from other schools and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
In August, Indiana participated in the Morley Rotary Club Four-Way Speaking Contest, choosing “Inclusion in School” as her topic. She delivered her speech confidently and shared thoughtful perspectives on the importance of inclusion.
Last week, Embleton Primary hosted its annual Faction Carnival. All Satellite students joined in events such as tunnel ball, pass ball, leader ball, and sprint races. Daniyal has been selected to represent our school at the Interschool Carnival this Friday.
Additionally, our students attended a Science Alive incursion focused on energy and a worm farm incursion. These sessions were both informative and engaging.
Satellite 4 students had a busy and productive Term 3, consistently giving their best effort in all areas.
Family Liaison Officers
Father's Day Breakfast: I hope that all the dad’s enjoyed their Father’s Day on Sunday the 1st of September.
A Big thankyou to all the dads who attended our annual Father’s Day BBQ Breakfast at Durham Rd School to make it a HUGE success.
All dads and their child enjoyed the bacon and egg burger, a coffee for the dads and a fruit box for the students.
Lots of noise and a lot of very proud students, excitedly introducing their dad to staff and showing off their school.
It was a joy to hear dad’s chatting with dads about their children and sharing experiences.
New Service: I have recently had the pleasure of meeting Sonny Randall, who has introduced me to a new service from Uniting WA.
Sonny Randall is a Community Navigator who can assist our Durham Road families.
If you need support with
- Difficulty paying rent, bills or for groceries
- Asking for payment extensions or falling behind
- Avoiding services or appointments due to cost concerns
- Sudden changes in employment or reduced work hours
- Relying on payday loans, buy-now-pay-later services or borrowing from friends/ family
- Receiving disconnection notices for utilities (electricity, gas, water.)
Library News
This year’s book week theme was “Book an Adventure”.
Monday 18th August staff and students participated in a dress up day. We had book characters from our favourite books as well several superheroes who were stepping up to save our day. We continued dressing up throughout the week in our library sessions.
At Durham Road we are extremely lucky to have a wonderful library and literacy skills are taught every day in every room. It doesn’t matter what you read, books will help you grow into the person you are meant to be.
Please enjoy the photos, “Pictures are worth a thousand words” (author unknown).
Thank you all for supporting our book week at Durham Road School.
Sian
Future Pathways
Building Connections Beyond the School Gate
At Durham Road School, we understand that preparing for life beyond school is a journey—one that can be made easier through shared experience and support.
Recently, we surveyed parents of past students to learn what helped them most in this process. A clear theme emerged: the value of relationships with other DRS families. Many parents shared how connecting with families of older students gave them insight, reassurance, and practical advice during times of transition.
New Opportunity for Families to Connect
In response, we’re excited to introduce a new initiative:
After each Secondary Assembly, we will be offering coffee and biscuits for parents who would like to stay and have a relaxed chat together.
This will be a casual, friendly time for parents and carers to meet, share experiences, ask questions, and—most importantly—build supportive connections with one another.
There’s no pressure or obligation to attend. This isn’t a school meeting, and we’re not asking anything of our families. We simply hope that by creating space for conversations, friendships and peer support can naturally grow.
When and Where?
Secondary Assemblies are held on Tuesdays in Week 10 of Terms 1, 2, and 3.
Coffee and biscuits will be available directly after the assembly concludes.
We warmly welcome any parents or carers who would like to join us—whether for a quick cuppa or a longer conversation. Sometimes, a simple chat can make all the difference.