WPPS Newsletter 14th May 2021

#46


Principal's Report - 14th May 2021

Dear Parents and Carers,

It’s been a busy but different week at school with the Year 3 and Year 5 students participating in on-line NAPLAN assessments.

This year the on-line process has been smoother than in 2019 although there have been slight but resolvable issues. A huge thank you to Assistant Principal Mr Steve Donohue, Mr Richard Abell and Ms Amy Easterbrook who have managed the implementation of the assessments at the coal face.

By all accounts, NAPLAN is proposed to be on-line for all schools in 2022.

Next Thursday the school is involved in the School Review process, hence leadership staff and classroom teachers’ programs will be interrupted to accommodate the requirements of the review. Our School Council President, Mr Angus Mackinnon is required to be part of the process also. The school is so fortunate to have supportive and committed School Council members who are active contributors to our school. That is certainly not the case in all schools.

Mr James Feather, one of our Year 6 classroom teachers is a participant in the Primary Mathematics and Science Specialists Initiative. It is by invitation only to be part of this program and Wattle Park Primary School was chosen because of its passion and focus to improving students’ mathematics learning. Unfortunately this means that Mr Feather is out of the classroom for 0.5 of his week at school. However the aim of the initiative is to improve all teachers’ mathematics teaching with Mr Feather being the mentor with specialist knowledge and skills.

Conversations around mathematics teaching and learning have certainly ensued along with a mathematics’ activity for staff each week at staff meetings. On Tuesday afternoon’s I take a Maths Olympiad class for Year 5 & 6 students and two Year 4 students. I am staggered at their ability to problem solve what at first seem simple problems but are actually quite challenging. I have included some problems we attempted and solved this week.

Our Foundation teachers; Ms Emma Tan and Mrs Robyn Heeps are off to visit Kindergartens on Monday. Enrolments are steadily coming in for 2022. Ms Tan and Mrs Heeps are such impressive early years’ educators, in my many years in the educations system I have not encountered better teachers. The patience and encouragement they show towards their students as they learn is extraordinary.

The school is celebrating Education Week by having our traditional Open Day on Saturday 29th May from 9:00-11:00a.m. Open Day was traditionally set aside as a day that prospective families to the school can view the site and meet the teachers. However it is also a day for current families to pop by and see their child’s classroom and chat with their teacher informally. A Devonshire Tea is served in the staffroom by community members as a special treat.

It’s interschool sports day for the Year 6 students against Our Lady of Good Council where students compete in T-ball, netball and AFL football. Hope the rain holds off!

Enjoy the weekend and don’t forget to have an attempt at the mathematics’ questions.


Warm Regards

Gayle




WPPS Notice 14th May 2021

Please scroll through to see all of our latest notices! In particular, please note Parent Contributions are overdue. See notices below for more details about:

1. Parent contributions - overdue
2. Financial Assistance for Parents
3. Open Day 2021
4. Second Hand Uniform

6. Hats are not required to be worn May to August



1. URGENT - Parent Contributions

2021 Parent Contributions now overdue.  Final Parent Contributions were due on the 14th March 2021.

Wattle Park Primary School purchases, and has paid for, every student’s stationery requirements for 2021. 2021 Parent Contributions are reduced due to the school’s ability to buy in bulk and save GST costs, passing on the saving to our students.

At the moment nearly 25% of families have not paid their Parent Contributions and the school is now out of pocket. Family statements will be sent home early next week and your prompt attention would be greatly appreciated.

For a confidential discussion about accessing any of the above options these services, please contact Ms Gayle Cope, Principal, on 9808 2165 or gayle.cope@education.vic.gov.au

2. Financial Support for Families

School Council understands that some families may experience financial difficulty and offer a range of support that may assist:

  • CSEF Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund - Families with current Health Care cards - See school office - Applications by 25th June 2021
  • WPPS Second Hand Uniform Shop
  • State School’s Relief responds to School Principal requests for assistance for students. Eg school uniform/shoes
  • Individual Payment Plans

Payment Methods

  • EFTPOS
  • BPay – contact the school office for your individual reference number
  • Cash/Cheque






3. Open Day 2021





4. Second Hand Uniform 

Second Hand uniform shop will be open Monday 17th May and 7th June, 3.30 - 4.00pm. This is located in the school gymnasium.


Diary Dates 14/5/2021

Please put these dates in your calendar!
 
MAY 
Monday
17th
Second Hand Uniform 3.30 - 4.00pm (in the Gym)
Tuesday
18th
Running Club 8.15am
Thursday
20th
Running Club 8.15am
Friday
21st
Yr 5/6 Interschool Sport
Monday
24th
Education Week
Tuesday
25th
Running Club 8.15am
Tuesday
25th
Yr 3-6 Selected Students District Cross Country 
Tuesday
25th
Running Club 8.15am
Thursday
27th
Running Club 8.15am
Friday
28th
No Interschool Sport
Saturday
29th
Open Day 9:00-11:00am
 

JUNE 
Tuesday
1st
Yr 1 Then and Now Incursion
Tuesday
1st
Running Club 8.15am
Thursday
3rd
Running Club 8.15am
Friday
4th 
Yr 5/6 Interschool Sport
Monday
7th
Second Hand Uniform 3.30 - 4.00pm (in the Gym)
Tuesday
8th
Running Club 8.15am
Thursday
10th
Running Club 8.15am
Friday
11th
Yr 5/6 Interschool Sport (on compus)
Monday
14th
Queen's Birthday Public Holiday
Tuesday
15th
Running Club 8.15am
Thursday
17th
Running Club 8.15am
Monday
21st
Foundation Fairy Tale Dress Up
Tuesday
22nd
Running Club 8.15am
Wednesday
23rd
Yr 5/6 Night of the Notables
Thursday
24th
Running Club 8.15am
Friday
25th
Last day of school, 2.30pm finish


Community Notices 14th May 2021

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