Hello Everyone,

Congratulations to our Year 6’s who had their graduation ceremony this week. 

Student Voice
No awards or house points  this week due to swimming.

Our Staff
Introducing Ms Lauren Neilsen who has been doing some work at WPPS recently and who will be teaching Year 4A in 2025:

Hello Wattle Park Primary School community! My name is Lauren Neilson and I am thrilled to join this wonderful school as the teacher of 4A in 2025. I feel so fortunate to officially become part of such a warm and welcoming community. During my time as a learning assistant and casual relief teacher at Wattle Park this term, I was immediately struck by the positive and supportive environment. It’s clear that this school is a special place, and I can’t wait to contribute to its vibrant culture.

Before discovering my passion for teaching, I completed a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science. It took me a little while to find my true calling, but as soon as I began my Master of Teaching (Primary) and stepped into the classroom, I knew I had found it. Teaching is incredibly rewarding, and I enjoy getting to know each child as an individual. My goal is to create a classroom where every child feels valued, supported, and excited to learn. I believe in working closely with students, parents, carers, and the school community to ensure every child thrives academically and socially.

Outside the classroom, I love surfing, relaxing by the beach, exploring new places, playing and watching sports, and spending time with family and friends.

I cannot wait to start this exciting journey at Wattle Park in 2025. See you then!

Notices

Canteen
You may recall a few weeks ago we surveyed the community regarding when would be best to have our Canteen open, We did this to create more turnover so we can continue to have our canteen  operate. As a result, in 2025 our canteen will operate on Thursday and Fridays. 

Also,  a reminder to update your child’s new class on Flexischools once school has finished. All you need to do is go to ‘profile’ click on your child’s name and change the grade and class. 

https://user.flexischools.com.au/home

Wattle Park Primary’s Cookbook
We're excited to announce that Wattle Park Primary's very own Cookbook is available for purchase. This special collection of delicious recipes is a must-have, and it's available for only $20. You can easily grab your copy by visiting the office or ordering over the phone. But hurry – these cookbooks are sure to sell out fast! Don't miss out – get yours before they're all gone!

Second Hand Uniform Shop
If items of lost clothing were needles, our ‘Lost and Found’ would currently look like 14 families of echidnas at Christmas lunch. Please head to the hallway outside Year 2A (Ms Downes Room) to locate any lost items. This pile will be culled, and what is of high quality will be laundered and go to our Second Hand uniform shop by the end of the school year.

Semester 2 Reports
Reports go live on Compass on Monday, 16.12, at 4 pm.

If you would like a hard copy of your child’s report, please email your classroom teacher and your child will be given one on Monday, 16.12.

Click HERE to learn how to access your child’s report on Compass.

New Mathematics Victorian Curriculum 2.0
The Victorian Government has recently changed the F-10 school Mathematics curriculum to raise Australian learning outcomes to meet higher international standards.

The former Mathematics curriculum represented students’ progress with a dot in each one of three strands of Mathematics:

• Number & Algebra
• Measurement & Geometry 
• Statistics and Probability

This new curriculum breaks this up into 6 strands and only requires one dot to represent all of a students’ Mathematics progress:

In the interests of keeping parents and guardians informed, WPPS has decided to represent each of these six strands, mark each one, and give a dot to indicate overall progress. Therefore our reports look like this:

As the new curriculum is more challenging it may mean your child achieves a lower level this year than they did last year. It is unlikely your child’s achievements in Mathematics have regressed - rather, the curriculum targets have been raised. We look forward to working in partnership with you to further educate our students. 

Grounds Works
You may notice we are renovating the area outside the entry to Team Kids. We are doing this to solve the OH & S issues created when water sits on top of the gravel compelling everyone to walk along the pavers, which can be quite slippery. 

Most of the pavers will be replaced with recycled brickwork and most of the gravel replaced with asphalt which will drain into the surrounding trees. The small middle square will become a lawn around the Mulberry tree, creating a welcoming space for our community and solving a drainage issue at the same time.

Work due to be finished before the beginning of next term.

School Policies
The Victorian Government has announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safety across organisations, including schools. The new standards recognise the critical importance of families and the broader school community in maintaining and promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Wattle Park Primary School has reviewed and updated our child safety policies and procedures in consultation with the School Council to ensure they meet the requirements of the new standards. These are available to view on our school’s website.

We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and wellbeing and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures and practices. 

If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, please contact Wattle Park Primary School at wattle.park.ps@education.vic.gov.au or by phone on 03 9808 2165.

Have a great weekend.

Steve Donohue

Principal

Wattle Park Primary School

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