Hello Everyone,

Charlotte Stilve has been our Canteen Convenor for three years. During this time she has taken the Canteen from strength to strength, upgrading it from industrial to the vision of efficiency and joy we have today.

This coming Monday, 26th February, is Charlotte's last day in the Canteen. Charlotte leaves us for a four day a week position.

We cannot thank Charlotte enough for her attention to detail, her insight and ability to adapt to changing times. 

Charlotte’s position is being very capably filled by Katrina whom you may already know as having been a very helpful 2IC for Charlotte for a very long time.

Thank you Charlotte and thank you Katrina - Our Canteen is a very important part of our school made all the more special with both of you running it as the sparkling hub of gastronomic delight it has become.

Play is a very important part of a child’s development. The New York Times visits this topic on a semi regular basis, most recently in this article.

We have two playgrounds at WPPS which have seen better days. I have had both the top and bottom playground looked at this week. The top playground is being repaired and the bottom playground is having the parts that no longer function, removed. Last year the School Council investigated giving the bottom playground a complete overhaul. This proved financially unfeasible.

So the playgrounds will be maintained to remain safe while we get the new building onsite and then we will investigate further. After all, playing is important!

You may also be wondering why the works outside the Year two and Art room entry seem to have stalled. We are waiting for a handrail to be manufactured and installed so the works are compliant.

Thank you to everyone who turned up to our Parent Teacher Interviews this week, be it via zoom or in person. It is always great to see parents involved in their child’s education. Thank you also to the vast number of parents  who came to our Assembly today for the awarding of the SCARECROW and SRC badges to each child who was voted in by their peers. Well done to all!

Finally.. The chooks!

Our feathered ladies of last year have been retired (egg laying had become a distant memory to them) and we will be getting new ones this term. We hope to enlist the services of the Cameron Close residents to assist in feeding on the weekend to take the pressure off our families and those responsible for timetabling volunteers.  More news as this topic develops. 

Our Students
Congratulations to our School Represenative Council members

FA Mia  Joseph

FB Mihaly Gaanavi 

Yr 1A Arabella Harley 

Yr 1B Isabelle Ned

Yr 2A Charlie Mason

Yr 2B Sridatta Anika

Yr 3A Dorsa Rose 

Yr 3B  Ella Jake 

Yr 4A Ethan Isabelle

Yr 4B Byron Zan

Yr 5A Milli  Sara

Yr 5B Ned Elizabeth

Yr 6A Archer

Yr 6B Ethan 

Congratulations also to our SCARECROW leaders

Yr FA Legan Haris 

Yr FB Vyom  Harvey

Yr 1A Zia  Megan 

Yr 1B Eva Cassie

Yr 2A Jamie Mateo 

Yr 2B Leo Anna 

Yr 3A Rock Mihika 

Yr 3B  Britney Zara

Yr 4A Heidi Oliver

Yr 4B Sophie Lily 

Yr 5A Amber Grace

Yr 5B Isla Dotty

Yr 6A Alfie

Yr 6B Elly Benjamin 

Year 6 Mathematics
An article from June and Issy in 6B 

In Mathematics last week in Year 6, we worked on our understanding of number and place value.

Number Puzzles

During our maths we solved 3 different puzzles increasing in difficulty; In groups of two we would solve these puzzles which consisted of a number chart which had been cut up into pieces. Although these were not normal multiplication tables the counting pattern between each number increased which raised the level of difficulty in each puzzle. We were the first group to progress to the most difficult puzzle which had negative numbers! 

Mastermind 

We played a game in pairs where we would have the challenge to guess our partner’s number and you would get  10 chances to guess your partner's number. During this we were learning about place value. Afterwards you would keep the score of how many numbers you got right and how many were in the same place of your partner's number. Issy was able to beat June! It was questionable whether she won fairly or not…

Year 5 & Papilio Early Learning Reading Program

Last week we went to Papilio Early Learning. There we played with the kids and read to them. Their names were Robby, Elliot, Linh, Daksh, Evie, Dakota and Maddie. There were many different activities that we could do with our new buddies, such as lego, clay, blocks, water play and jewellery making. To finish our time there we read a book and they waved to us through the fence. Meeting the children at the daycare centre was lots of fun and we can’t wait to do it again in the future. 

By Millie, Betty, Lachie, James and Ned

Our Staff
Our series on our staff proved so popular last year, I have requests for it to return as our parents have different teachers this year.  Reintroducing Ms Downes:

I have been part of our school family for so long that it could be said that I am part of the furniture. In fact I am pretty sure that the only person who has been here longer than myself is Ms Antonino, our wonderful 3A on Mondays teacher. 

When I first arrived for my first day at WPPS all the way back in the last century I was very pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a beaming and welcoming Annmaria as we actually went to university together and shared the same majors. Since that day I have made many lifelong friends through our great school and have so many happy and fulfilling memories that have enriched my life both professionally and personally.

Wattle Park was school number four for me. My first year of teaching was at Thorpdale Primary in potato country, followed by Epping and Merrilands. During those early years I mainly taught in the Year 5/6 area and my first grade at WPPS was a 5/6 composite. After a few years I made the move down to Prep (as it was called in those days) which was a huge change from the upper school kids, but one that I loved (after the initial shock).

In December of 1998 I began a new phase of my life when my husband Rick and I welcomed our first little ray of sunshine, Allie, followed two years later with the arrival of Emily. I spent a number of years away from teaching and raising our family which I adored. During this time I sat on committees for our local kindergarten and primary school and volunteered 2-3 days a week for the literacy program when my kids were young.

Our former Principal, Nick Farley (I have seen four Wattle Park Principals so far), finally convinced me to return to teaching when my youngest was in Grade 1. I took over from Julie Gledhill who was about to go on Family Leave in the role of part time Phys Ed teacher. I have had a lifelong love affair with sport so this job seemed absolutely perfect for me. I have played many sports competitively over the years including basketball, netball, equestrian and squash and I still drag this, shall we say mature, body around the tennis court. My other passions include reading, travel, eating out with friends and of course the beach – my happy place.

This year I am looking forward to teaching 2A.

Mel Downes.

Notices

Papilio Child Care Centre
A polite request from our neighbours Papilio Early Learning to be conscious of not using their car park.

Uniform Shop will be open Monday 4th of March 8.30 - 9.00am in the gym

2024 WPPS Annual Permission Form on COMPASS

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Every year, we send out a list of permission questions (see below) to be completed, covering your child for the entire year. Starting this year, the WPPS Annual Permission Form will be moving online using COMPASS.

This form will be sent as an event, '2024 WPPS Annual Permission Form,' and we ask that you complete sections 3 and 4 by Friday 1st March, 2024. This should take no longer than a few minutes to complete.

Please answer the questions below regarding:

• Accident Declaration

• Permission and Authority Form for Walking Excursions

• Media Permission Internal - School Newsletter, Website

• Media Permission External - Newspaper, Television

• Head Lice Check Consent

• Health Management Plan

• Volunteering

Please contact the office if you need assistance.

Thank you everyone.

Wattle Park Primary School

Assembly
Fridays at 9.15am in the gym

903 Bus Route
Up to 20 of our students were using the 903 until it was removed.

In response to this,  the WPPS School Council met with the State Member for Box Hill, Paul Hamer, to establish what could be done about providing access via public transport to WPPS. 

One of the ideas muted was a bus service that ran for limited hours during pick up and drop off times.

Paul said our energy was best placed accumulating stories from those affected explaining how the absence of the 903 bus affects them personally.

Please email me on steven.donohue@education.vic.gov.au with any comment, narrative, impact statement of how the absence of this service has affected you. 

Please do this by Thursday Feb 29th.

We will collate them and present them to Paul to be taken higher up the governmental tree.

HERE is the petition to sign

Canteen
Our canteen operates on Mondays and Fridays for lunch only.

    Ordering - Full Menu

To place an order, download the free Flexischools App from the App Store or Google Play. Once you have downloaded the app you will order and pay online. 

Orders must be placed by 4pm the day before the order is required.

Monday orders   by 4pm Sunday

Friday orders      by 4pm Thursday

Last Chance Ordering - Reduced Menu

If the normal daily service cut off has been missed.  Items such as pies, nuggets, sausage rolls, popcorn and drinks will be available as part of this service with a cut off time of 8.30am the day of canteen.

Please be aware Flexischools does not automatically change the class of your child to their 2024 class. Please ensure you update this information when you next order.

Canteen - Volunteering
Do you have some time to spare? An hour and a half on a Friday would be great!

Our canteen would not be able to run without the wonderful support of the volunteer Parents and Grandparents in our school. We would love to have you volunteer for us, whether you are an experienced hand or an eager learner. Please see below to sign up.

Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on SignUp.com: https://signup.com/login/entry/827030846186224028
2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on SignUp.com)
3. Sign up! Choose your spots - SignUp.com will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!

Running Club
Running club 8am on Thursdays

Volunteers course
If  you’d  like to volunteer in 2024 please obtain a Working with Children’s Check and complete our Volunteers course:

Hats on in Term 1!
With our emergence from the winter gloom into the glorious springtime sunshine comes the need to be aware of the damage rays can do. As per our Sunsmart Policy WPPS states the following:

From 1 September to 30 April, all students must wear a sun protective hat that shades the face, neck and ears for all outdoor activities. 

‘Hats on in September, off in May’

Students who are not wearing appropriate protective clothing or a hat may be asked to play in the shade or in a suitable area protected from the sun.

Have a great weekend!

Steve Donohue

Principal

Wattle Park Primary School

2. Year 4 - Student Update Information
Today, Year 4 Parents/Carers will receive an email requesting parents to check over contact details for their child.

It is imperative we have the latest contact information, along with emergency contact details.

Please print off the sheets with any changes to be clearly marked, and return to the office for amendment.

The office will send out emails to each year level, week by week.

Thank you for taking time to read through contact information.

3. For All Year Level Parents
2024 WPPS Annual Permission Form on COMPASS

WPPS Welcome Event - Barefoot Bowls 2024

WPPS Movie Night – “Wonka”

Friday 15^th March 2024

Gates open from 6pm

Tickets available to purchase via the following link:
https://events.humanitix.com/wpps-movie-night-or-wonka-2024

Food and drinks will be available to purchase on the night.

Card payments preferred.

Ticket sales will close Thursday 14/03 – ticket sales available at the gate on the night, however tickets are discounted if purchased earlier online.

Should you wish to volunteer for a shift on the night, please sign up here:
https://signup.com/go/FgMWEVX

Any queries or concerns, please contact

Em Beard 0408 887 741 or Ant Hall 0409 806 478

Thank you!

If you are the holder of a Govt Concession Card or Health Care Card, you are eligible for Government assistance called CSEF, (Camps, Sports, Excursions Fund).

This payment of $150 is for any school activity including camps.

Please fill out the form HERE along with a copy of your concession card, and hand into the office.

This procedure should also be followed for eligible existing families, for 2024 payment.

If you have  any enquiries, please contact the office on 9808 2165.

2. Student Update Information

It is imperative we have the latest contact information, along with emergency contact details.

Please print off the sheets with any changes to be clearly marked, and return to the office for amendment.

Thank you for taking time to read through contact information.

3. Volunteer Needed for the First Aid Room
Much appriciated if any one can help us clean the sheets in First Aid Room. Your help can make the First Aid room a more safer and cleaner enviroments.We have had no one since mid last term. Please sign up HERE.

Should you have any questions about ordering please contact Advanced Photography direct on 9852 1133.

 

It’s that time of year - September, when all students are required to have on a hat for outside play.  Children will be required to play in the shade if no hat is worn, and being a Sun Smart School its important to have sun protection from now till May.
New hats are available from the office $15.

6. Late Students
All late students MUST report to office before heading to class, to receive a late slip.  Otherwise, your child will be reported as absent and parents will receive an sms notification that their child in an unexplained absence.

7. Second Uniform Shop
Second Hand uniform shop will be in the school gymnasium on