WPPS Newsletter 26th November
#69
Principal's Report 26th November 2021
Dear Parents and Carers,
Tuesday this week was quite exciting!
For the first time in months School Councillors were able to meet face to face to discuss a broad range of school governance issues. But the best part of the night for me was School Councillors unpacking the air purifiers that are now in 14 classroom spaces!The air purifiers came from Switzerland, and we have been patiently waiting for them to be unloaded from the docks. The air purifiers have been purchased from school funds and we are just so thankful that they have arrived.
With local primary schools and kindergartens around us having to close and then reopen because of the virus, our goal is to make it through the next three weeks without major disruption. The school is taking every precaution to make our school environment as safe as possible.
Last night our new Foundation families attended the school for a tour and/or an information session conducted by our regional school nurse, Ms Belinda Lock. A special thank you to Foundation teachers Ms. Emma Tan and Mrs Robyn Heeps along with Assistant Principal Mr Steve Donohue who ensured that everyone was welcomed and answered very insightful questions about our school.
Next year at every level there will be 2 classes with no class at this stage over 25 students. If you do the mathematics, you will quickly calculate that a number of students have exited the school during the year or at the completion of this year. We are like many schools in the inner east region where enrolments have dropped because of families moving out of the area to live in a different state, a regional area or outer suburb. There are also a number of independent schools in this area too who have lost considerable enrolments due to the same factors as well as the lack of international students coming into the country. So independent schools are extremely skilled at marketing and offering scholarships to lure state government students.
Please be aware that overwhelmingly the research into State Government Primary schools and primary independent schools quite clearly shows that there is absolutely no academic advantage sending your child to an independent school. With 40 years in the Victorian education sector including being a university lecturer I have firsthand experience of what it takes to be a successful learner and it is not whether you attend an independent primary school.
As the end of the year is fast approaching plans for 2022 student and teacher placement are complete. The state-wide transition day is Tuesday 7th December where students will meet their teachers, classmates and classroom for next year. The teachers here know their students well; academically, socially and emotionally. Much time and effort are spent by the teachers placing your child in the best learning environment for them. So please support the school by reassuring your child that next year will be a much better year for learning than hopefully last year and the year previously! Teachers and friends are certainly important but being able to attend school onsite is preferable to the alternative.
It has been lovely listening to people’s accounts of attending birthday parties, weekends away, weddings and major family events. It’s not quite the same as it was but we are certainly appreciative of the lessening of covid-19 restrictions.
We just need to make sure we don’t become complacent and are still adhering to mask wearing in school buildings, washing hands and socially distancing where possible.
Take care and stay safe everyone.
Warm Regards
Gayle
Diary 26th November 2021
No Hat No Play
WPPS Notices 26th November 2021
Please be aware Year 3 - 6 students are required to wear masks at school.
Second Hand Uniform Shop - Gymnasium
Monday, 13th December 3.30-4pm
Exit form
Community Notices 26th November 2021
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