Dear Parents and Carers,
Every year the Year 5 & 6 students have a showcase of either a history unit or a science unit called the ‘Night of the Notables.’In previous years parents have been able to attend to view all the students dressed up in character, listen to presentations and ask questions. Unfortunately due to Department of Education Operation guidelines we were unable to have parents attend due to the social distancing requirements. However the show must go on and it did!
We renamed the occasion the ‘Day of the Notables’ and students from all levels were scheduled to be the audience. The Year 5 & 6 students’ presentations were phenomenal! I was so very, very proud of their efforts and at the same time certainly increased my knowledge of notable Australian inventions. Will D Year 6 researched the origin of the ‘ute’, Charlotte B and Eloise I Year 6 & 5 investigated the origins of the refrigerator by James Harrison and Jade M Year 5 impersonated Elizabeth Kenny, a bush nurse who developed a new approach to treating polio. Congratulations to the students, parents and teachers for ensuring that the students were given the opportunity to produce a body of work around a notable Australian of their choice. It was a most successful event.
Mr Nic Lindsay our Physical Education teacher has just emailed through the results of the Division Cross-Country results yesterday. How well they did! An excellent effort by all of the competitors; Lachlan C, Lucia V-D, Mae P, Riley E, Henry C, Tom P, Ayman R, Samara S, Tiana B, Charlotte B, Scarlett M, James T, Eva L, Olivia T and Catherine W. Henry C, Tom P, Samara S, Eva L, Olivia T and Catherine W have successfully qualified for the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Finals next term.
I must admit that the staff, myself included are very pleased that we are commencing a holiday break at the end of today. It has once again been a disruptive term with students, parents and teachers having to adapt and be flexible with their learning and teaching approaches. Perhaps that is the way of the future? I do often read the words of the skills displayed in our foyer area of futurist John Mahaffie and reflect on how relevant they are, more so now: Love of Learning, Skill at Learning, Self-Knowledge, People Sense, Communication, Worldliness, Comfort with Complexity, Goal Setting and Open Minds. Not sure I’m comfortable with complexity yet!
Earlier this week, Mr Barrie Dege informed me that he has been the successful applicant for a teaching position in Queensland, beginning term 3. So it is farewell to Barrie today! I was definitely taken by surprise however people are now re-evaluating their lifestyle and making alternate choices. Mr Barrie Dege has been at Wattle Park Primary School for 2 and ½ years teaching in Year 1 and this year in Year 6. Barrie has made valuable contributions to the school as a classroom teacher with expertise in curriculum particularly Mathematics, Information Technology and Mandarin language. Barrie will certainly be missed. We wish Barrie and his wife Fion all the very best for the future. Staff and students will have many fond memories of Barrie’s time here.
As one door closes another opens and with that I would like to announce the return of Ms Catherine Churchward to the school! Catherine has spent the last two years teaching in Japan and was expected to return at the beginning of term 3. So Catherine will be taking over the role as Year 6 teacher with Mr James Feather and Ms Philippa Statkus. The students Catherine previously taught are now in Year 5, 4, 3 and 2. I’m sure they will all be very excited to reacquaint themselves with Catherine.
This week there were a number of celebrations to conclude integrated units. On Monday in Foundation it was a dress up ‘Fairy Tales’ day and Year One dress up’ Olden Day’s day. The students were so excited and it was a delight to see them confident and comfortable to dress up as another character in time. A number of photos are attached to this week newsletter. They are sure to brighten up your day.
A reminder that Monday 12th July is a Curriculum Day and students are not required at school. Assistant Principal Mr Steve Donohue will be taking Long Service Leave for the first week of term 3. Hopefully Steve will be able to squeeze in some local travel!
Thank you everyone for supporting the reopening of our canteen. Today we have 180 orders! Students and staff certainly gave it the thumbs up on Monday, so well done to our new canteen manager Charlotte Stilve!
Have a restful holiday everyone and looking forward to seeing you all on Tuesday 13th July.
Warm Regards
Gayle
After the twists and turns of 2021 we are pleased to announce our School Fete will go ahead this year on the 27th November from 3pm – 9pm. With your support, we can make this a fantastic event!
We need a team to make this happen!
We'd love your help, and have a number of behind the scenes roles on the Fete Committee. You will receive support from a friendly team of parents and helpers, and access to information from previous fetes.
You can also assist with:
For more information: https://www.wppsfete.com.au/ or https://www.facebook.com/wppsfete.
Thanks for helping make this a success!
JULY | |
Monday 19th | Yr 5/6 Hoop Time Basketball |
Thursday 22nd | Cross Country (Yarra Valley Race Course) |
Monday 26th | House Athletics Carnival |
AUGUST | |
Wednesday 4th | Foundation Chesterfield Farm Excursion |
Monday 9th | Dental Van |
Tuesday 10th | Dental Van |
Wednesday 11th | Dental Van |
Monday 23rd | Book Fair |
Tuesday 24th | Book Fair |
SEPTEMBER | |
Wednesday 1st | Yr3/4 Camp Phillip Island |
Friday 10th | District Athletics |
Week of 13th | Yr5/6 Camp Coonawarra |
Friday 17th | Last day of Term 3 |
Families are kindly asked to donate any used spare jars.
The Year Three and Four children are preserving fruits and vegetables at the moment for the kitchen and also the fete.
We require jam sized jars and smaller.
They need to be clean and label free.
Leave them near the office in the container labelled ‘USED JARS’.
Thank you
A big Thank You to you all for the Causal Clothes Day, Gold Coin donation. $341.95 has been collected and will be donated to State School Relief.
We operate a first aid room at Wattle Park Primary school. In order to keep our First Aid Room clean and tidy, we require parent volunteers to assist us each Friday. We'd love 40 families to help - so you only have to help once a year!
For only around 15 minutes we appreciate you checking the area, changing the sheets, and returned washed sheets the following Monday.
How to assist