23/10/2026
Principal’s Update – Week 2 of Term 4
Week 2 was another productive week at PDHS, with students engaging in a variety of learning experiences across the school.
In Ms Thoo’s Pre-Primary students focused on learning everyday words and using them in sentences, while Mathematics activities explored fair sharing using teddy bears. Students also enjoyed a construction challenge during their Year 6 Buddies session, working together to build an impressively tall tower.
Mrs Barnsby’s Year 1/2 students continued strengthening their mental Mathematics skills, practising a range of strategies through timed activities and challenging themselves to improve their previous scores. Year 2 students also focused on narrative writing, learning how to structure their stories using paragraphs and incorporating increasingly interesting vocabulary to engage their readers.
In Ms Dowson’s Year 3/4 class, students began an exciting new Design and Technology project called Astro Olympics. Working in small groups, students will create their own imaginary planets before designing flags, uniforms and sporting events for a class competition. In Maths, students consolidated their understanding of division, using the split strategy to divide two-digit numbers by one-digit numbers. Year 4 students also explored decimal place value, focusing on tenths and hundredths, representing numbers on number lines and making connections between fractions and decimals.
Mrs Schmidt’s Year 5/6 class welcomed visiting teacher Ms Tiana Jones, who is completing her Graduate Diploma teaching qualification. Ms Jones brought valuable knowledge of conservation and the natural environment, providing opportunities for students to make meaningful connections with their current novel study of “Storm Boy” by Colin Thiele. Students also enjoyed participating in new games and learning activities throughout the week.
In Mr Cervoj’s Year 7 Science class, students investigated the effects of detergent on the surface tension of water. Using five-cent coins, they counted how many drops of water could be held on the surface before and after the addition of detergent. The investigation provided an opportunity to explore the properties of water and consider how waste disposal can affect waterways and the insects that depend on them.
In Mr Harger’s Year 8 Science class, students began exploring crystals, minerals and rocks as part of their Earth and Space Science unit. They prepared saturated solutions, which they will use to grow their own crystals before examining them under microscopes next week. Meanwhile, Year 9/10 Science students investigated the different densities of materials and how these relate to the formation of the Earth. Students also applied their mathematical skills to calculate the densities of different rock samples.
In Year 9/10 Agriculture, students were busy restoring the hothouse after the school holidays and Country Week had given the weeds an opportunity to flourish! Plenty of weeding and transplanting of new seedlings took place as students prepared the growing areas for the term ahead.
Year 9/10 Outdoor Education students returned to the trails, making the most of the excellent riding conditions to continue developing their mountain biking skills.
In Year 7–10 Physical Education, students continued preparing for the upcoming Athletics Carnival, practising their throwing techniques in javein, shot put and discus. Many students recorded their throwing distances, providing a benchmark as they work towards improving their performances ahead of the carnival.
A highlight of Week 2 was the participation of our primary students in two interschool Mathematics competitions.
At the Numero competition in Bunbury, eight Year 5/6 students represented PDHS, competing against 18 teams across four categories, including mathematical games, team challenges and group relays. Our two teams achieved excellent results, with the Pemby Pentagons placing third and Pemby Products placing fifth. Congratulations to Hattie, Avarni, Phoebe, Ayla, Owen, Jackson, Arlo and Bodhi for their efforts. Thank you to Mrs Schmidt for preparing the students and to Mrs Schmidt and Mrs Edwards for supervising and supporting them on the day.
On Thursday, Ms Dowson and Mr Lister accompanied a group of Year 3–6 students to the Mathademic competition at Manjimup Primary School. Students worked collaboratively to tackle a range of mathematical challenges, applying their knowledge and problem-solving strategies under competition conditions. Congratulations to our Year 5/6 team, which placed third, and to all students for their participation and teamwork. Well done to Layne, Joel, Finlay, Harper, James, Enzo, Patrick, Bodhi, Angelo, Phoebe, Avarni and Owen.
Congratulations also to our students recognised at today’s Primary Assembly with a Challenge Yourself Award, recognising them for asking for help: Gus, Ashley, Finlay and Conor
Looking ahead to Week 3, we have several events on the school calendar. Our P&C Canteen Day will take place on Tuesday, followed by our whole-school assembly on Friday, which will be hosted by our Year 9 students. Friday is also World Teachers’ Day, providing an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication, professionalism and care of our teaching staff and the important contribution they make to the lives of our students.
Finally, we wish Mrs Brooks the very best of luck at tomorrow evening’s 2026 7NEWS Western Australian Community Achievement Awards, where she is a finalist for the Curtin University School of Education Teaching Excellence Award. This is a wonderful recognition of Mrs Brooks’ dedication to her students and her passion for the Performing Arts. We are incredibly proud of her achievement and will be cheering her on!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Lee
