WPPS Newsletter 12th March
#40
Principal's Report - 12th March 2021
Dear Parents and Carers,
Every four years schools undertake what is termed a ‘School Review’ to reflect on the achievements of the previous Strategic Plan and to then set the directions for the next four years.
Wattle Park Primary School was to undergo a School Review last year, however due to the effects of COVID-19 the school’s review was postponed to term 2 this year, 2021.
Assistant Principal, Mr Steve Donohue, the leadership teams and I have been scrutinising a range of data sets to assist us in determining what the school does well and other areas that may need addressing. Data sets can include student achievement data, attendance records, parent opinion surveys, focus groups and most importantly student feedback and opinions.
If you take the time to look on our website we have reconfigured and added a number of updated school policies. Perhaps the most significant one for me is the ‘Statement of Values and Philosophy’ that outlines the values of our school community and explains the vision, mission and objectives of our school.
To guide us in our thinking the school researched and adopted the 9 guiding beliefs and principles by Mr. John B. Mahaffie (Leading Futurist LLC). These are based on the beliefs that:
- Our lives and work lives will be swept by regular waves of change
- More work will involve international connections and citizenship will gain a more global focus
- More work will be multidisciplinary, involving new kinds of collaboration
- Far more jobs will mean working intimately with digital machines and intelligent systems
- More elements of work and life will use visual communication
- The world will be battling sustainability issues in ways that will affect most workers
- Citizenship responsibilities will only grow more complicated as societies confront new issues
Reflecting on the past year nothing could be more relevant than the first and last beliefs.
Hopefully as you have walked into the administration block and the two storey building you will have noticed in bold colourful letters the 9 principles that we endeavour to instil in our students as they progress through the school:
- Love of Learning
- People sense
- Comfort with complexity
- Skill at learning
- Communication
- Goal setting
- Self-knowledge
- Worldliness
- Open minds
Additionally we have our school values of are Respect, Encourage, Value, Care, Challenge and to be Responsible. Student certificates that are presented at assembly each week are based around these values.
So schools have many roles and responsibilities other than teaching the 3R’s known as reading, writing and arithmetic!
This morning the Year 5 & 6 students are participants in the ‘Interrelate’ program that addresses the curriculum area of relationship and sexuality education. This is a program that is conducted biannually and subsidised by the School Council to ensure that all students and families have access to the information.
The next few weeks we have a number of events scheduled so please ensure to check the website; Parent/Teacher Interviews, excursions, Harmony Day, Ride To School Day and a PFA Parent gathering just to name a few! Today our Year 2 students are on their first excursion for the year to the Melbourne Aquarium. They were so very excited. Tonight we have our ‘Welcome To School’ barbecue for our 2021 Foundation families. We couldn’t have chosen a better night weatherwise!
Enjoy the weekend everyone!
Warm Regards
Gayle
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent Teacher Interviews are an opportunity to for you to talk to your child’s classroom teacher/s to discuss how we can work together to provide the most beneficial educational experience for your child. They are held in Term 1 and Term 3.
Parents who normally have a Student Support Group Meeting (SSG) each term do not have Parent Teacher meetings.
Student Reports are provided in Term 2 and Term 4.Parent Teacher Interviews this Term will be held in 10 minute sessions on the following days:
Tues 23.3 from 3.50 – 7.30pm
Wed 24.3 from 3.50 – 5.00pm
Parent Teacher interviews will be available to book via your COMPASS portal from 4pm Friday 12.3
Teachers are available to conduct interviews in person on campus or via phone.
If you would like your interview to be on the phone please let your classroom teacher know and they will ring you at the time you have booked on COMPASS.
Thank you everyone.
Foundation Welcome Barbecue - Friday 12th March
A reminder about our welcome barbecue for you and your children on Friday 12th March from 4pm. This will be held at the top playground (near the kitchen garden area).
We will have a sausage sizzle and drinks available for you. Look forward to seeing you there!
Easter Eggtacular Fundraiser!
Prize will be drawn at assembly on Monday 29th March.
Parents Social Night
Our guest speaker, Anthony McQuire, is a dad of two school children (year 5 & 8) and an experienced wellbeing coach. He has embarked on many career changes before settling on his current role in law. His road to this point has had many ups and downs and has fueled his passion in discussing how people can look after themselves, and what you can do to get the most out of life, family and your career.
Come along and meet other parents and carers, we’d love to see you.
WHEN: 7.00pm, Tuesday 16th March
WHERE: Camberwell Magpies Cricket Club 420 Camberwell Road, Camberwell
COST: $20 includes finger food and a beverage on arrival, there is a bar with drinks available for purchase. Pay on the door on the night. Any additional funds go to WPPS.
RSVP: Please respond by 12th March for catering
WhatsApp: (WattleSocialClub)
https://chat.whatsapp.com/
Email: pfawattleparkps@gmail.com
Hot Cross Buns Fundraiser
Hot cross buns will be delivered on Wed 31st March. We will update with more information about how to collect.
WPPS Notice 12/3/2021
Please note that the second instalment due next week.
Notices sent home this week:
- photo ordering envelopes
- Hot Cross Bun ordering envelopes
Harmony Week
Ride to School 
Parents/Carers
You should have received an email regarding Student Enrolment Information for your child/ren. If you did not receive an email, please contact the office to confirm your correct email information.
It is most important we have your latest contact information, so please read through the document carefully for any alterations needed. Please return the form with changes to the office.
Thank you.
Scholastic Book Club
Please note that there will be no Issue 2 for this term.
Issue 3 will be avaliable in Term 2.
Late Students
Please be aware that all late students must report to the office BEFORE going to class, where their attendance will be marked accordingly.
Thank you.
SECOND Hand Uniform Shop
Monday, 22nd March 3:30-4pm.
Volunteer Needed for the First Aid Room
Much appriciated if any one can help clean the sheets in First Aid Room. Your help can make the First Aid room a more safer and cleaner enviroment. Please find the link below for signing up for the First Aid Room duty.
Attention all Volunteers
Thank you to the many volunteers at WPPS. If you are voluntering in any capacity at the School, please note that the Child Safe Code of Conduct Form must be filled in annually.
The Safe Code of Conduct forms can be collected from the office, or print out from below.
School Photo on 19/03/2021
Envelopes have been sent home. For sibling photos, please collect envelope from the office if you are not ordering on line.
Community Notice 12th March 2021
Remember your hat every day!
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.