Hello Everyone,

There have been a lot of highlights at WPPS this week including the Whole School Clean Up Day on Monday (a Year 6 Student Voice initiative), the Year 1 Cameron Close Reading program returning and the Year 2 Science based ‘Toys in Motion’ Incursion. 

More on the Cameron Close reading program later.

These learning experiences all form part of the learning program at WPPS that is tailored to suit each student. 

Students learn by doing and by what they see. What they see is what their parents do.

Students value the significant adults in their lives and will mimic what you do.

Wattle Park Primary school, like all public schools, is a public school on a private government site and there are rules regarding parent behaviour.

Mostly, our school community is a delight. But to reduce all government policies to two words:

Be civil.

The much longer version of this can be found here:

Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy

School is a sanctuary for many members of our community, parents and students alike. This is where everyone has the right to know there is order, people are respected and they are safe.

Now, regarding the Year 1 Cameron Close program!

As a result of discussions held later last year The Age newspaper registered interest in writing an article about our Cameron Close Reading Program. 

Education Editor of the Age, Robyn Grace attended WPPS on Wednesday, 6th March to accompany the Year 1s to report upon the intergenerational reading program that has just begun again this term after a 4 year long hiatus. 

As part of the research about this program Annmaria Antonino (3A on Mondays) was able to shed some light on its origins:

Wattle Park Primary School first established a relationship with Cameron Close in 1996 when a weekly reading program began with a prep class (the teacher was Midge) and Annmaria Antonino’s Year 3/4 class. Students would walk on alternate Wednesdays where they would share carefully chosen books with the residents. I recall Mr Goldsworthy and Professor Anderson. Some lovely memories were made, personal stories were shared, silly jokes were told, games were played and songs were sung. I smile reflecting on those happy days in the early years of the program when I was involved.

Our school’s relationship with Cameron Close was regular and quite strong for over 25 years, which delighted me. The connecting gate was built in time, to avoid walking students along busy Warrigal Road and the reading program itself changed according to needs. Residents would attend our fetes, concerts and Grandparents’ Day. They would host an afternoon tea to farewell our Year 6 students and guest speakers would pass on words of wisdom at the Graduation evening. In recent years residents have helped out in our kitchen/garden too.

Then COVID came along and our regular connection was disrupted but we didn’t forget, we just waited and now the time is right! How exciting!

The resultant article will be in The Age on either Monday or Tuesday.

   

Our Students

District/Division Swimming Competition
Students who placed 1st - 4th in the District Swimming Competition last Wednesday qualified to compete in the Division Swimming event that occurred on Wednesday this week.

Congratulations to Owen and Abigail, who have both qualified for the Regional Swimming Competition in two weeks.

Part 1
On the 28th February, the Year 4-6 students who qualified, went to compete at district swimming at Aquarena in Templestowe. On the day we did all the events such as Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly. We also did the relays which were Freestyle relay and Medley relay. In the end Wattle Park Primary School came up on top, won the trophy and we were all very happy. We had such a great time competing in our events and supporting the school and can't wait to see how we do in division. Thank you to our teachers and helpers for taking us to the day.

6A Lachie

Part 2
On the 6th March, the Year 4 - 6 students who qualified for district swimming last week, went to division at Ringwood Aquanation. On the day we did all events such as relays, medley, freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly in the end we had two people qualify for regionals and they were Abby Frawley and Owen Frawley and a big thank you to everyone who competed and to everyone who were taking their time to host/ help out with this competition/event. 

6A Zara, Abby and Lachie

Students of the week
Well done to all our recipients for actively displaying our school values. Students who are not in attendance to receive their certificate will be awarded at next week's assembly.

Week 6
Class	Student
FA	Storm HS	FB	Georgia N
1A	Liam N	1B	Luca K
2A	Kingsley Z	2B	Indie A
3A	Ben I	3B	Ida B
4A	Kite S	4B	Zan C
5A	Hunter V	5B	Isabella B
6A	Maggie L	6B	Lena Z

Mathletics Champion
Congratulations to Matthew D in 4B who won this week for his excellent performance and regular participation in Mathletics this week. 

House Points
The House Points have been collected for this week.  The winning house decorates the trophy with their colours and has it displayed in the foyer of the school. 

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 Catherine Churchward of Foundation/Prep A:

I am currently a Foundation teacher at WPPS and have taught here for 8 wonderful years.  I have also worked in Queensland, the UK and more recently Japan. Working internationally has helped me develop both professionally and personally, and also helped me to become more curious about the world around me.

I place an emphasis upon positive relationships between the teacher, child and family. I believe a culture of respect and care for all members of the school community has a significant impact on student engagement and wellbeing. I view children holistically and value emotional and social life as important as the academic. Student wellbeing is a driving force in my daily school life. 

Ms Churchward

Notices

Movie Night
Do you have a business you want to promote?

Please sponsor our WPPS Movie Night on Friday, 15th March 2024.

Simply sponsor our Movie Night via the following link and we will advertise your business on the big screen! Plus our Instagram and school newsletter!

https://events.humanitix.com/wpps-movie-night-or-wonka-2024

Once you have confirmed your sponsorship, please email bebeard@bigpond.com a copy of your company logo.

Any queries, please feel free to contact Em Beard on 0408 887 741. Thank you!

Free plants
We have a massive clump of Dietes Bicolour that I’d like to remove. If you’d like to get your shovel and dig some out, please let the office know and we can make arrangements.

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
Welcome to Katrina Longaroux, our new Canteen Manager.
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 long weekend! Monday being a public holiday for Labour Day.

Steve Donohue

Principal

Wattle Park Primary School

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Please be reminded of Compass Actions:
1. For Year 1 - 4 Parents
2. For Year 5
3. For All Year Level Parents
1. Year 1-4 - Student Update Information 
For those Year 1 parents who haven't return/update information, please print off the sheets with any changes to be clearly marked, and return to the office for amendment. If you prefer a paper copy please contact the office.

2. Year 5 - Student Update Information
Today, Year 5 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

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Do you have a business you want to promote?

Please sponsor our WPPS Movie Night on Friday 15^th March 2024.

Simply sponsor our Movie Night via the following link and we will advertise your business on the big screen! Plus our Instagram and school newsletter!

https://events.humanitix.com/wpps-movie-night-or-wonka-2024

Once you have confirmed your sponsorship, please email bebeard@bigpond.com a copy of your company logo.

Any queries, please feel free to contact Em Beard on 0408 887 741. Thank you!

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Please scroll through to see all of our latest notices!

1. Requests for Donations
    - Movie Night and Easter Eggtacular
2. CSEF
3. Student Update Information - Year 5
4. Volunteer Needed for the First Aid Room
5. School Photo
6. School Hat - Remember September to May - No Hat No Play
7. Late Students




1. Requests for Donations

Easter Eggtacular – will be drawn on Friday 22^nd March 2024.

2. CSEF
Welcome, all new families to Wattle Park Primary School for 2024.

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.

3. Student Update Information

Today, Year 5 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.

4. 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.

5. School Photo
Ordering school photos for 2024 is on line and easy. It is the preferred payment option. Please following the above steps for ordering on-line.

Should you prefer to pay by cash, envelopes can be collected from the office.  Please return these envelopes TO THE OFFICE, not the classroom, and preferably ON PHOTO DAY.

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

6. Remember September to May - No Hat No Play
 

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.

7. 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.

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