Hello Everyone,

Our Year 1s, the Cameron Close Reading Program, the ‘Listeners’ and our Year 1 teachers Ms. Easterbrook and Ms Skantzos were more high profile than usual this week with an article in Wednesday's Age and a subsequent radio interview on ABC radio that morning.

You can listen to the interview here:

For the past 24 years students have read to residents at a local retirement village

The article can be accessed here:

Children flock to this Burwood retirement village for a special program. But they’re learning more than just reading skills

A special mention to Ms Annmaria Antonino who coordinated the reigniting of this program and Judy Dunn from Cameron Close who has been our well organised point of contact.

Last week's newsletter included a history of the program as researched by Ms Antonino. As there have been many enquiries, here it is again:

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!

Thank you to our effervescent PFA who have put together Movie Night once again for this evening. This is a great community event as well as a great fundraiser for our school. Once the new building is completed (I am meeting with the senior project manager on Monday to discuss preparatory site works), we will use the money raised by the community to give the Performing Arts Centre a much needed makeover. 

Our Students

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program – SAKG

A message from our yr 34 classes 

Our thriving garden, nestled amidst native flora and fruit trees, is a magical haven. At the heart of our philosophy is the belief in understanding the origins of our food and making healthy choices. 

Weekly garden sessions involve tending to the vibrant array of salad vegetables, including carrots, lettuce, silver beet, parsley, and delightful decorative plants. Classes diligently pull-out weeds, inspect for pests, and prepare the soil for the next crop. The bountiful harvest from each season not only contributes to our kitchen program but also graces our market stall.

An aspect that is undertaken in this enchanting space is that children in years 3 and 4 take on the responsibility of harvesting seeds, which are carefully dried over a few months before being planted or packed for the wider community. 

Currently, our seeds are stocked at Little Things Cafe in Blackburn, who were excited to support our school initiative. See the image below. 

So…. Come and explore the wonders of our school's garden and kitchen program at Wattle Park Primary! If you would like to volunteer for our program, then please sign up here. 

Working with Childrens Check required.

Students of the week

Week 7
Class	Student
FA	Monty E	FB	Cyrus C
1A	Meiyi C	1B	Ned W
2A	Leo L	2B	Wilbur E
3A	Sadie M	3B	Lachlan S
4A	Jamie Y	4B	Tayla M
5A	Zen S	5B	Max H
6A	Flynn DP	6B	June W

Mathletics Champion
Congratulations to Claire Y in 1B 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. 

Assembly
Due to NAPLAN and the upcoming Good Friday holiday there are some changes to Assembly times:

Wk 7 - Friday 15th March - Whole School Assembly at 3:00 pm

Wk 8 - Friday 22nd March - Whole School Assembly at 9.15 am

Wk 9 - Friday 29th March - No Assembly (Good Friday - Holiday)

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 Kathy Skantzos of 1A

Hello Wattle Park Families!

Some of you may already recognise me as this will be my 14th year at our wonderful school. I am currently teaching Year 1A.

During my time here I have taught in almost every year level and seen so many positive additions to our school environment. I am currently Year One and have enjoyed a great start to the year, especially after the past two disrupted years. I look forward to this semester being full of fun, learning, growth and supporting the children. I also help run SRC so it has been great getting to know students from all year levels who are passionate about representing the views of their peers and encouraging student voice. Please feel free to reach out and say ‘Hi!’ as you pass by; I love meeting the school community.

Uniform shop
Uniform shop will be open next  Friday 22nd of March 8.30am.

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 on top oval.

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

Shade
You may have noticed a few trees going in around the place lately. We are doing this to provide natural shade for our students. Some of the students were asking about the trees. This is what they are:

4 xWhite Crepe Mertyls              to provide shade around this seating area

 

They will eventually look like this;

6 Golden Elms to provide shade around the top oval and the bottom court

 

They will eventually look like this:

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

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Please be reminded of Compass Actions:
1. For Year 1 - 5 Parents
2. For Year 6
3. For All Year Level Parents 1. Year 1-5 - Student Update Information 
For those Year 1-5 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 6 - Student Update Information
Today, Year 6 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.

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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Please scroll through to see all of our latest notices!


1. Second Hand Uniform
2. Family Science Games Night
3. CSEF
4. Student Update Information - Year 6
5. Volunteer Needed for the First Aid Room
6. School Photo
7. School Hat - Remember September to May - No Hat No Play
8. Late Students



1. Second Hand Uniform
Second Hand uniform shop will be in the school gymnasium.
Friday, 22^nd March - 8:30am – 9:00am.

2. Deakin - Family Science Games Night
 
DEAKIN IS HOSTING A FAMILY SCIENCE GAMES NIGHT AND YOU’RE INVITED

Join us for an exciting night of science-themed games and activities with family and friends that are designed to be both educational and entertaining. The event will feature many exciting science activities such as VR experience, card games, board games, bingo with something to cater for all ages.

The event will be supervised by Deakin Staff, students and volunteers so that all members of the community can come and enjoy their night and make memorable memories with family and friends.

WHEN
The event will be held on the 3rd April 2024 from 6:30pm to 8pm.

WHERE
Deakin University Burwood Campus at Building M in the foyer. Signs will be displayed on the night to direct people to the correct building from the parking lots.

HOW
Registration is FREE but spaces are limited so don't miss out. The link for registration will be in next weeks email.

Look forward to seeing you there and create another successful Family Science Games Night at Deakin University.

3. 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.

4. Student Update Information
Today, Year 6 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.

5. 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.

6. School Photo
Shool photo has been taken on 14th March, online ordering is still available, please refer to the information below.

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

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

Friday 22nd March - 8:30am – 9:00am.

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Support your local businesses.

DEAKIN IS HOSTING A FAMILY SCIENCE GAMES NIGHT AND

YOU’RE INVITED

Join us for an exciting night of science-themed games and activities with family and friends that are designed to be both educational and entertaining. The event will feature many exciting science activities such as VR experience, card games, board games, bingo with something to cater for all ages.

The event will be supervised by Deakin Staff, students and volunteers so that all members of the community can come and enjoy their night and make memorable memories with family and friends.

WHEN

The event will be held on the 3^rd April 2024 from 6:30pm to 8pm.

WHERE

Deakin University Burwood Campus at Building M in the foyer. Signs will be displayed on the night to direct people to the correct building from the parking lots.

HOW

Registration is FREE but spaces are limited so don't miss out. The link for registration will be in next weeks email.

Look forward to seeing you there and create another successful Family Science Games Night at Deakin University.

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