Hello Everyone,

Our Yr 5/6s  left for Arrabri Lodge for a 3 day adventure camp this week. They departed on Wednesday morning and are returning today around 3pm.  This camp includes a Flying Fox, Low Ropes Course, Minigolf, Orienteering and various other outdoor activities. This outdoor environment was chosen as a more COVID safe environment because of its outdoor activities and its proximity to Melbourne (120 mins drive). The former Canberra Camp was plagued by risk assessments involving the whole thing grinding to halt if one child or teacher was to display symptoms while on the bus or whilst in Canberra. Well done to the Year 5/6 teachers who sourced, organised and planned in such a way as to mitigate as much as possible, the associated COVID infection hazards.

PFA Event

Our PFA are responsible for achieving many objectives that support our students. Most recently you’ll notice we have had soccer nets installed. These were financed from money the PFA raised and are a direct result of the students in Year 5/6 writing a persuasive text about how they thought the school could be improved. Student voice in action! Here we have Roger, who built the nets onsite , displaying with pride, the enviable Eiffel Tower equivalent of the global soccer world's greatest ever goal snaring edifice.

Of the many ways the PFA raises money, the ‘Christmas in July’ trivia extravaganza  is one of them. This event has been on hiatus of late for obvious reasons, but last Saturday night it returned with a vengeance! What a spine tingling example of social effervescence it turned out to be. Many people came together to make this possible. Its smooth running was a triumph made possible by Emily Beard, ably assisted by her partner Ben, and Anthony Hall who is also an active member of the PFA. Many thanks to them both for applying their skills to promote a vital and dynamic WPPS community.

School Calendar (Go on, click on it..)

Lots of events happening this term including School Camps, and various excursions. Events can be clicked and downloaded to your phone.

Our Students

100 Days of School

A message from our Foundation Team Leader, Ms Catherine Churchwood regarding a milestone reached by our Foundation students this week:

On Monday our Foundation students celebrated 100 days of school. They have been counting the days since their very first day of school back in January, and so it was certainly a much anticipated day!

They had a fun day making crowns, exercising with their Year 6 Buddies and completing a ‘100 book’. Students also brought in 100 items for their maths lesson, ranging from 100 pieces of pasta, to 100 beads – and everything in between! The day ended with a special cupcake (thank you Sjaan!) and a box of Smarties (thank you Hyejin!) .

We are very proud of all they have achieved in just 100 days and look forward to seeing what they’ll do in the next 100!

Tree Planting

A message from our Yr 2A teacher, Ms. Kelly regarding a recent excursion: 

Friday 29th July the Year Two’s walked to Back Creek and joined members of the council and The Friends of Back Creek organisation, in planting trees for National Tree Planting Day. The students learnt about the importance and benefits of planting trees. With the help of our volunteers, the Year Two’s managed to plant close to 600 new trees. Their hard work was rewarded with a cup of cordial and a slice of cake!

   

Our Staff

Continuing getting to know our staff at WPPS we introduce Mr Monea:

A warm welcome to WPPS Community,

My name is Dominic Monea and I currently teach 3A. The students call me Mr M, a moniker that has stuck since I first became a teacher in 2009. My wife and I have a son, Harvey, and are expecting our second child (another boy) in late October. I enjoy quality family time, watching sports and barbecuing.

I am in my fourth year at WPPS, having taught at various schools in Melbourne and overseas. The roles I have had at Wattle Park include; SRC, Numeracy Coordinator, Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Coordinator and now, Team Leader of the Year 3’s and 4’s. Within my classroom, I endeavour to create a warm, stimulating and engaging environment and I encourage my students to be risk takers and forward thinkers.

I look forward to working with my current 3A students, watching them develop and grow in all aspects. An upcoming highlight is going to be camp at Arrabri Lodge!

Thank You’s

Book donations 

Aiesha Gand Duncan Gray have been drumming up a lot of support for the school's reading program of late resulting in Duncan securing a large donation of 200 school readers through his workplace being the Royal Children’s hospital.

These are a mix of brands being; Scholastica, Reading bug book, Macmillan, Oxford reading owl and a few smaller brands utilising the learning style adopted by WPPS.

Aiesha has already dropped off 50 Foundation level readers a few months ago to Ms Catherine Churchwood for her review which she graded and distributed between the two Foundation classes.

We thank Aiesha and Duncan for their work and industrious pursuit of readers to enhance our F - 3 Literacy Program.

Seat Fixed and Trees Chipped

Last Friday l was out after school having a chat with a few parents. As l was prothletising my garden ideas for the school, one of the parents mentioned a bench seat needed fixing. Drew Noakes happened to be close by. He said he would fix it. Not only that but he said he’d chip the trees below the art room window that l had mentioned needed to be removed so we could put in a succulent garden.

Violah! Monday morning we have a new seat AND the trees have been chipped! Thank you Drew and Felix.

Memorial Garden

Some years ago a memorial garden was planted for a former School Council Member, Susan Davies. Ms Davies was in this role from 2014 - 16.  This garden, located in the bed in front of the staffroom, hasn’t fared well as it might have, so it has been moved. Larissa King has not only found a new location but purchased new roses and lavender. A poignant reminder not only of Ms Davies, but because of its new placement, of our ANZACs too.

Monday, 22nd August  - Student Free Professional Practice Day

A whole school Professional Practice day has been mandated for term 3 by Deputy Secretary of Education, David Howes. On Tuesday night the School Council approved Monday, 22nd August. This is also noted on our school calendar.

Please note that this will be a student-free day and therefore students will not attend school on this day.

To assist families, TeamKids will operate. Please contact TeamKids directly to make bookings. Tel: 1300 035 000

Face masks

Current advice from the Victorian Government recommends face masks are worn in indoor settings (except for close contacts, who must wear a mask indoors unless an exception applies). Students who are close contacts and want to attend should still take 5 RATs over 7 days and wear a face mask whilst indoors if they are aged 8 years or over. A letter provided by the Department of Education and Training has been sent out this week via COMPASS to explain DET’s current position. 

Chickens

However, the students are not always onsite so we need volunteers to help look after the lambs and the chickens. 

Sheree Spiteri, a parent of one of our Foundation students, is currently organising a weekend roster for our school chickens in her role as Chicken Care Coordinator and she is now seeking volunteers for the weekends throughout Term 3. Everyone is welcome to volunteer and support is available if required.

Responsibilities:

• Let the chickens out in the morning and bring them in late afternoon
• Check for eggs
• Empty water containers and refill with fresh water
• Check food and grit containers and ensure there are adequate amounts of food for our 8 fabulous ladies
• Clear any chicken droppings/feathers from the laying boxes and water/food/grit containers
• Replenish hay in the laying boxes 

The chickens are such an important part of the WPPS community and the SAKGP. Ensuring they are cared for outside of school hours is essential to their health and wellbeing… and egg laying! If you are interested, please contact Sheree at: shereespiteri85@gmail.com  and advise of the following:

• Name
• Email address
• Mobile number
• Availability (even one weekend will help)

2023 Enrolments

2023 school planning has commenced. We are having quite a few families who are asking to enrol from outside our zone due to various factors - all of which are inherently a very positive reflection on WPPS!  So, if you have a child/children due to commence school in 2023 please complete a school enrolment and forward to the school office along with a copy of their Birth Certificate & Vaccination Certificate ASAP. A  2023 School Enrolment form is available HERE on the WPPS website or the school office.

And one more thing!

We are padlocking shut the gate to Warrigal Rd. after 9.15am every morning. It opens again around 3pm. We are doing this because we have a student who has a penchant for running out of the class and out of the school grounds. There are processes in place to ameliorate this issue but the safety issues are abundantly evident. Thanks for your understanding on this one.

Have a great weekend.

Steve Donohue

Principal

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Please scroll through to see all of our latest notices!



1. Second Hand Uniform Shop
2. Recording Compass Student Absences on Your  Mobile Device
3. School Council Dates for 2022
4. Banksia Street Parking - Please avoid driveways!
5. Volunteers Needed for First Aid Room
 


1. Second Hand Uniform Shop
Monday, 29nd August 8.30-9am

2. Recording Compass Student Absences On Your Mobile Device
To record that your child/ren will be absent form school on your mobile app is easy!
Click on the tab SMS called "Shortcuts", this will take you to the site to record your child's absence.
If no reason is given prior to 9.30am, an automated SMS message is sent alerting you to the fact your child has not been marked present at school.
If you receive this SMS, please enter the absence on Compass - via the app or on line or give the office a call.
As a Dept requirement a follow up phone called is placed to parents where no reason has been recorded in Compass, by mid morning.

3. School Council Dates for 2022

Tuesday, 23rd August, 7pm
Tuesday, 18th October, 7pm
Tuesday, 13th December, 7pm

4. Car Parking, Banksia Street

Parents, out of courtesy to our neighbours please do not park across their driveways in Banksia Street, when dropping off or picking up your children. Whitehorse Traffic Officers will be patrolling during these times.

5. Volunteers Needed for First Aid Room

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

• Click on the link below, choose the date you can assist, and sign up.
• You will not require an account or to keep a password. 
• If you would prefer not to use your email address, please email the school and your details can be entered manually to include you on the roster. 
• To assist with tidying the First Aid room please sign up here: 

https://signup.com/go/bpUzddO

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