Dear Parents and Carers,

Last weekend the school received a very important announcement from the organisation ‘One Giant Leap Foundation.’ You’re probably wondering what the ‘One Giant Leap Foundation ‘is and why Wattle Park Primary received the news, so read along-

In collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) the seeds will live in space for six months, returning to Australia in time for Science Week 2021.

Supported by the Australian Space Agency, the "What’ll happen with the wattle??!" programme is being offered to more than 150 schools, Scout groups and Australian Air Force Cadets across Australia. Wattle Park Primary School was chosen as one of those schools to receive wattle seeds that have flown to space, plus seeds that have not. The seeds are from the same seed lot. Students are asked to germinate and grow their seeds, recording data about the germination and seed growth. Data will be uploaded to the ‘What’ll happen to the wattle??!’ app.

Throughout the programme, One Giant Leap Australia Foundation will run teleconferences and provide educational support to participating groups.

The 12-month to 2 year project will result in the creation of a nationwide map identifying the location of Australia‘s 'space wattle’ trees.

The project is an historic opportunity for Australian schools and students and Wattle Park Primary School was chosen!

To be a successful school we had to create a 1-2 minute video, write a script and then write a 200 words submission of why we should be involved.

It was certainly a team effort with Ms Statkus Year 5 teacher actually discovering the competition, Dr Karl Jenkinson who wrote the script, videoing by Mr Justin Wong, written submission by Gayle, the Principal and tremendous acting by Year 6 students Coco P and Alice C with a star performance by Year 6 teacher Mr James Feather.

As a state primary school, our school’s Science curriculum is highly regarded as all students receive weekly science lessons with their class teachers who have a strong science knowledge. We have been involved in research projects with CSIRO, Deakin and Swinburne Universities but never one involving space. So we are all so very excited!

It is a two year project so it will involve the current Year 5 and Year 4 students.

The video is uploaded on our website.

On Tuesday the School Council’s Finance Committee met to confirm the Parent Contributions for 2021.

2021 Wattle Park Primary School Parent payments will be sent home next week and up loaded onto the school website. 2020 has been a very different year for all of us. 2021 Parent payments will look slightly different to previous years. The balance remaining for 2020 Educational Experience Levy (Excursion Levy) will be credited to 2021 school fees. This means there will be no charge for 2021 Educational Experience Levy unless you are new to Wattle Park Primary School or have not paid 2020 Educational Experience Levy. If for any reason you would prefer a refund of 2020 Educational Experience Levy please contact myself, Gayle Cope, via email gayle.cope@education.vic.gov.au

On Wednesday the school shared a virtual ‘Remembrance Day’ led by Literacy Leaders Claire Z and Max B. Thank you to all of the community members who purchased tokens of poppies and wristbands for the Returned Services League. The poppies and wristbands sold out quickly!

Enjoy this weekend, our first weekend of freedom beyond 25 kilometres. The simple pleasures we now appreciate.

Warm Regards


Gayle

Scholastic Book Club catalogue has been sent home this week . Please be aware that it is ordering ON LINE ONLY. Delivery will be POSTAGE ONLY for this issue.
Deadline for ordering on line is by Friday, 20th November 2020

It’s that time of year, 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 it's important to have sun protection from now until May.

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