WPPS Newsletter 30th April
#44
Principal's Report - 30th April 2021
Dear Parents and Carers,
On Wednesday the Department of Education and Training released updated Operations Guidelines. The main amendment for our school is that parents and visitors are now welcome at assembly without masks. A distance of 1.5 metre is still recommended.Our assemblies are held on a Monday afternoon at 3:00p.m. sharp and if all is running smoothly end prior to 3:25p.m. Assembly is the one time where all of the school gathers together to celebrate student achievements and initiatives.
Some school events commencing next week include before school running club on Tuesday and Thursday morning’s beginning at 8:15a.m. This is an initiative instigated by our Year 6 House Leaders in preparation for a term of cross country events for students in Years 3 to 6. All students are welcome to attend and a teacher will be assigned for supervision.
The school’s cross country event for Years 3 to 6 students is scheduled for Thursday to start at 10:00a.m. This event is held at Cooper’s Reserve located on Warrigal Road, a quick walk from the school. Parents are most welcome to attend. Students are encouraged to wear House Colours. If students are not sure of their house or colour please don’t hesitate to contact the school office. House Colours are assigned randomly by CASES our computer program when students enrol. Cross country events are usually held rain, hail or shine. Hopefully the day is more shine!
Yesterday at lunchtime, Foundation to Year 3 students performed in a student led Talent Quest. Special thanks to Mrs Kathy Skantzos and Mr Daniel Watts (convenors of the Student Representative Council) who organised the event. It is great to see students even in Foundation class who have the confidence to perform publicly in front of their peers. As part of our English curriculum specifically ‘Speaking and Listening’ we encourage all students to be able to confidently speak publicly and express their opinions respectfully to a large audience. By the time our students are in Year 6 all of our students can conduct assembly as if they are newsreaders! They do a great job.
Last Tuesday night I accompanied Ms Amy Easterbrook to a Rotary meeting of Mont Albert and Surrey Hills. ‘MASH’ as they are called are great supporters of local state and catholic school initiatives. Ms Easterbrook wrote a successful grant enabling the school to purchase $300.00 worth of literacy material for Years 3 & 4 students. Each year ‘MASH’ have provided literacy grants of which we have been recipients for the past 12 years. Many of our extra resources that we have purchased are due to their generosity. It was lovely to see one of our former students, Rose Mackinnon present on behalf of Koonung College about their grant which they used to purchase titles for their student-led book club.
Please be aware that Whitehorse City Council Parking Inspectors are making spot checks at morning drop off time and afternoon pick-up time fining motorists who are parking illegally. Some of our local residents have made official complaints to council of people parking across and up driveways as well as on nature strips. Please be respectful of our neighbours and most of all be mindful of our students’ safety. I must admit I do sometimes gasp in horror at some motorist’s behaviour manoeuvring around the streets to ensure a close car spot. If you can walk or ride to school, the better it is for everyone. If not, drive safely and park legally a few streets away if necessary.
Enjoy the weekend everyone- I may bump into you at the Box Hill Bunnings store on Saturday purchasing a sausage or two! Many thanks to the PFA team led by Anthony Hall for organising this fundraiser for the school.
Warm Regards
Gayle
WPPS Notice 13th June 2025
2. School Saving Bonus reminder
3. Australian School Dental
1.Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.
If you have a valid means-tested concession card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. Means-tested concession cards must be valid on the first day of Term 1, 2025 (Tuesday 28 January 2025) or Term 2, 2025 (Tuesday 22 April 2025).
A student aged 16 years and over who is considered a mature minor and holds a valid concession card is also eligible to apply.
Eligible families will receive a payment of $154 per year for primary school students. The funds will be paid directly to the school to be used towards camps, sports and excursion costs for the benefit of your child.
If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
If you would like to apply for the first time, please contact the school office on 9808 2165 and ask for an application form. Please return completed application forms to the school office as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Steve Donohue
Principal
2. School Saving Bonus reminder and allocation to school activities
The Victorian Government is delivering the School Saving Bonus (SSB) – a one-off support of $400 for eligible government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025.
The SSB can be used for uniforms and textbooks until Monday 30 June 2025.
Any funds remaining after 30 June 2025, including online voucher amounts that have not been redeemed, will become a credit to use on school activities. However, the credit will not be available on your family account at our school until late July.
To use any remaining SSB funds to cover the cost of school activities in July, please refer to the SSB online system and allocate the funds to school activities before 30 June 2025.
To learn more about the SSB online system, download the step-by-step System guide for parents and carers (DOCX, 945KB) or watch this School Saving Bonus video. System guide translations are also available in 14 languages.
The Department of Education’s SSB contact centre will remain available until 30 June 2025. The contact centre can be reached by:
- completing the School Saving Bonus enquiry form
- calling 1800 338 663, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm on weekdays.
Thank you,
Steve Donohue
Principal
3. Australian School Dental
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Australian Dental Health will be visiting Wattle Park Primary School!
ADH will be providing free dental check-ups and treatment for eligible students. Regular dental check-ups are essential for keeping your child’s teeth healthy—preventing cavities, spotting issues early, and encouraging good habits.
This service is provided at no cost to eligible families through Medicare’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). If you have neither, Australian Dental Health will still provide a free check-up for your child.
It only takes a few minutes! All form submissions will be conducted online only. There will be no paper forms or in-person submissions.
Deadline for Online forms: Jul 1, 2025 11:59 PM.
Any forms received after this time will only be accommodated if time permits.
Don’t miss the chance to keep your child’s smile healthy!
If you have any questions, please reach out to ADH at info@adhv.com.au or 03 93239607.
Diary Dates
Community Notices 30/4/2021
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