Dear Parents and Carers,
Education week commences this Sunday 23rd May in Victoria. Now in its 77th year, Education Week aims to positively profile and celebrate the strengths and achievements of Victoria's government education sector.
This year’s theme is ‘Building Connections’. The theme celebrates the connections between schools and local communities and strengthens bonds with families and carers.
Wattle Park Primary School has a tradition of opening its doors to the current school community and prospective families on a Saturday Open Day morning. So next weekend from 9:00a.m.-11:00a.m. you are most welcome to pop by your child’s classroom to view their classroom space and have an informal chat with their teacher. Please be aware that visitors to the school will need to record their attendance at their child’s classroom in order to adhere to COVID protocols. You are all most welcome!
As part of the School Review process, that happens every 4 years, panel members arrived on Thursday to evaluate the school’s progress in achieving the goals set in our last Strategic Plan in 2016 and suggesting new goals for the following four years. Panel members visited all classrooms to observe the teaching process and talk with students as they learn. This was the first day of the School Review with 2 more follow-up days on Monday 31st May and Tuesday 1st June. Mr Travis Paterson, Principal of Surrey Hills Primary School and Mrs Helen Hatherley, Principal of Ashwood School are two members of the panel along with our School Council President, Mr Angus Mackinnon. A sincere thank you to all three of them for taking time away from their usual workplace to be part of our School Review. A large proportion of the review process is to celebrate the school’s achievements and there are certainly many of them. All panel members were most impressed with how orderly the school is with regards to movement around the school and with students being focussed and engaged in their learning.
A highlight of the review which will occur on Day 3 is when the reviewer Mrs Heather Norbury conducts student forums to hear their views about the school. Students are so honest in their opinions often making very insightful judgements about the school.
Last week I left you with 6 problem solving questions, similar to the ones Year 5 & 6 students complete in their Maths Olympiad classes. The answers are as follows-
1. 30 2. 48 3..72kg 4.1500 5. 80 6. 1300Hope you had fun solving them. The correct answer is not necessarily the aim but rather the thinking and methodology used to solve. I learn so much from the different ways students use to find a solution. It tells me so much about their mathematical thinking.
The Year 6 students are off to a neighbouring school today to compete in interschool sports. The weather is glorious and the students have so much fun competing. They usually return pleasantly exhausted!
Assistant Principal, Mr. Steve Donohue will be conducting assembly on Monday afternoon as I am taking a group of Year 6 students to the Young Leaders Conference at the Melbourne Convention Centre. It is a wonderful opportunity for the students to hear from people who have been considered leaders in their various fields and the journey they have taken to become a leader.
Ensure to find sometime for yourselves on the weekend to enjoy the sunshine. So important to recharge the batteries.
Warm Regards
Gayle
If you are new to the school, welcome!
The PFA is a group of enthusiastic parents who enjoy supporting the school through fundraising activities (including the veggie boxes and mango drive last year), as well as looking at ways we can enhance the school community through social events. We love to welcome new members to the group, and are always on the lookout for ideas!
Last year we were able to hold a number of great fundraisers including an Easter egg raffle, fundraising Bunnings BBQ and our very popular mango, veggie & fruit boxes. In addition, we have a dedicated group of volunteers who arranged a wonderful Mothers & Special Persons Stall which is always a great success and the kids love choosing their selection!
What’s coming up in 2022?
We'd love you to sign up to part of our committee. We're always looking for people to bring fresh ideas and energy to our merry group!
How to get involved!
Being a part of the PFA is a great way to be part of the school community and to meet new parents. We would love to see you involved – whether it’s organising or assisting with fundraising events, putting together social activities, attending social gatherings or buttering scones during an Open Day!
If you have any ideas about what we can do next, please let me know. We aim to hold regular meetings (virtual), and invite you to come along. Please contact me for details.
To the team again thanks for all your help and I look forward to seeing you in the Wattle Park PS community soon.
Anthony Hall
PFA President 2022
on behalf of the Committee & School
Wattle Park Primary School
M: 0409 806 478 E: pfawattleparkps@gmail.com
MAY | |
Monday 24th | Education Week |
Tuesday 25th | Running Club 8.15am |
Tuesday 25th | Yr 3-6 Selected Students District Cross Country |
Tuesday 25th | Running Club 8.15am |
Thursday 27th | Running Club 8.15am |
Friday 28th | No Interschool Sport |
Saturday 29th | Open Day 9:00-11:00am |
JUNE | |
Tuesday 1st | Yr 1 Then and Now Incursion |
Tuesday 1st | Running Club 8.15am |
Thursday 3rd | Running Club 8.15am |
Friday 4th | Yr 5/6 Interschool Sport |
Monday 7th | Second Hand Uniform 3.30 - 4.00pm (in the Gym) |
Tuesday 8th | Running Club 8.15am |
Thursday 10th | Running Club 8.15am |
Friday 11th | Yr 5/6 Interschool Sport |
Monday 14th | Queen's Birthday Public Holiday |
Tuesday 15th | Running Club 8.15am |
Thursday 17th | Running Club 8.15am |
Monday 21st | Foundation Fairy Tale Dress Up |
Tuesday 22nd | Running Club 8.15am |
Wednesday 23rd | Yr 5/6 Night of the Notables |
Thursday 24th | Running Club 8.15am |
Friday 25th | Last day of school, 2.30pm finish |
3. Book Club
Please be aware that Book Club issue 4 is out now. On line ordering only. Please do not send cash to the office. Delivery of orders will be mailed to the home address.
TUESDAY 25 MAY at 7pm in the Enterprise Centre at Camberwell High School:
Parent Seminar: on Consent
Camberwell High School in collaboration with the Parents and Friends Association would like to welcome parents, carers and teachers from our school as well as from our local Primary Schools to attend a seminar on Tuesday 25th May on the issue of consent.
This has been a fairly topical issue in recent times and CHS has taken a proactive role in addressing this matter with the students. The session will be presented by Chris Jung, the CHS Respectful Relationships Coordinator.
Chris has facilitated sessions on consent to the Years 10, 11 and 12 cohorts over the past month and has implemented consent material into the junior health curriculum.
Content covered in this seminar will include how to promote assertiveness and equity in relationships, the legal framework around sexual activity and consent and what CHS is doing as a school to address the issue of consent.
Suggestions will also be provided on how parents can frame a conversation with their child on consent and how to provide advice on assisting a child to support a friend who may find themselves in a disrespectful relationship.
Please RSVP your attendance to: Vanessa.Chopra@education.vic.gov.au