Hello Everyone,

As you may already be aware, we have soccer nets concreted into either end of the Top Oval. These were made possible by the dynamic and vital Parent and Friend’s Association, (PFA) the president of which is Anthony Hall, ably assisted by Emily Beard. 

So these may last longer than a surprise discovery of a Tim Tam in the fridge on a hot day, there are two rules I’ve talked to each class about. 

1) No swinging from /leaping up to touch the crossbar of the nets - they were not built to swing from and will break.

2) No climbing the nets - dangerous as the extra weight will cause the wire used to hold on the cyclone mesh to come unravelled and possibly poke someones eye out.

To our students' credit, no one has done either of these things - well done to everyone!

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

Lots of events happening this term. Events can be clicked and downloaded to your phone.

Our Students

5/6 Camp Newsletter Summary - School Ambassadors 

On Wednesday the 5th to Friday the 7th of August the Years 5 and 6 left on a bus ride to Arrabri Lodge, East Warburton. We were allocated a cabin group which was combined with neighbouring cabins to create your activity group where you spent most of your time completing different challenges such as mini golf, archery and orienteering. Some of the main highlights were the giant swing, damper cooking and the Puffing Billy (from Emerald to Belgrave). We are very fortunate to have been on this camp, everyone put so much work into guaranteeing that we had an amazing time. We would like to say a special thanks to all the teachers and volunteers who made this camp possible, especially to Mr. Abell who put in so much effort to organise this camp for the senior students.

By Atticus, Sumayyah, Liam and Charlotte 

 The whole experience of  Arrabri Lodge was amazing, I will never forget all the adventures and experiences. But one thing stands out to me. The giant swing. It was not all about the fun of the activity, but the mental journey towards it. I always set in my mind that I would go to the top of the giant swing, even years before camp. But it being the very first activity I did not know if I could generate the courage to not say one word: stop. But watching all my friends reach the top I started to get more confident. There was only one attempt, and I was going to the top, no matter what. My heart raced as I was lifted into the air. I went up so fast, determination and adrenaline merged into me not thinking about how high I was going, or the drop coming. My adrenaline overpowered my fear. Once I got to the top, I said I was ready without thinking at all. I’m shocked at how absent-minded I was going up. Then the drop came. It felt like I was free-falling for the longest 3 seconds of my life. At the last second, the harness caught me and I swung. I screamed so much! My adrenaline was still pumping as I got off. It was so fun! I knew I would regret it if I did not go to the top, so I take pride in my courage. That’s why the giant swing is my highlight of the entire camp experience.

By Eloise Irlicht, 6B

While Jade, Sulima, Anggia, Hannah and Ayman put on their harnesses, I sat on the wooden bench, deciding if I should go on the 20m Giant Swing. The lady started giving instructions on how to use the swing, while what ifs flashed through my mind: What if the harness wasn’t clipped on properly and I fall off? What if I didn’t go on and everyone would tease me for being scared and being a wimp? But just as I had that last thought, the lady said that if you didn’t have to go on the swing. For the next 15 minutes, the others ( teammates ) went on and came off. Then my friends all said that it wasn’t as scary as I thought, so I decided to go on and try the Giant Swing. When it was my turn, I went to the top. When they released the rope, it felt like I was on a vertical slide. For a moment, I thought I was going to hit the ground until it curved again and the momentum swung me something like 10m away from the ground.

 After a few more swings, the lady stopped the swing by pulling the rope attached to the harness. I climbed down the ladder, I was so glad to be on solid ground. Apart from being kind of scary, the giant swing was also a big step for me because I have always had a fear of heights. The Giant Swing was one of my life's scariest but best experiences. 

Trent Zheng 6B

  

  

 



   

Year 1 Melbourne Museum Excursion

On Monday of this past week our Year 1 students took off on a bus to the Melbourne Museum. A message from our Year 1/2 Team Leader Ms Kim Duong who teaches Year 1B:

On Monday 8th August, the Year Ones went to the Melbourne Museum for the day. We are currently learning about minibeasts and their features at school. We started the day with watching Bugs: Mighty Micro Monsters, a 3D movie at IMAX which was a hit! The students couldn’t help getting out of their seats to try and touch what was on the screen. We also looked at the Bugs exhibition and had a wander around the museum. The day was finished off with a lovely lunch and play in the sun next door at Carlton Gardens before heading back to school.

Ms. Kim Duong

        

Students of the Week

FA		Damian H
FB		Mason K
Year 1A		Ethan H
Year 1B		Tyler M
Year 2A		Harry S
Year 2B		Byron W
Year 3A		Justin B
Year 3B		Ngozi L M
Year 4A		Eric F
Year 4B		Sara A
Year 5A		Sophie K
Year 5B		Nicholas A
Year 6A		Liam S
Year 6B		Trent Z

Mathematics

Mr Feather, who teaches 6B with Ms Tuck, spends Monday and Tuesday performing a Maths Specialist Role in other classes at WPPS. Mr Feather has asked we feature some of the work in the newsletter. What a great idea! Here is some of what has been taking place:

Mathematics in Year 3

Students in Year 3 have been working hard to develop their understanding of Multiplication. Our series of lessons covered skip counting, repeated addition, arrays, number sequencing, multiplication problem solving strategies, times tables and vertical multiplication. 

Array City

Learning Objective: We can understand the link between repeated addition and multiplication through the use of arrays.

You may be asking, “What is an array”? An array in maths is where students arrange objects or pictures in columns or rows. Students were asked to make a building for a city that demonstrated their understanding of multiplication, through the use of arrays. 

  

Our Staff

Continuing getting to know our staff at WPPS we introduce Ms Kelly:

When I was studying teaching at University, never did I think I’d work in a school that had its very own ‘prize winning’ chickens; let alone poddy lambs! These are just two examples of the many reasons why I feel so fortunate to be part of the WPPS community. I am currently teaching Year Two, and thoroughly enjoy the topics we get to cover. One of my favourites is our term 3 Inquiry Unit on dinosaurs. I’m never quite sure who enjoys this more; myself or my students. Inquiry provides opportunity to diverge and explore questions and wonderings as they arise. Observing my students getting lost in a topic, always puts a smile on my face!

2022.08.22  - 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

2022.08.26 Book Week Dress Up Day

A heads up about the book week dress up day - coming dressed as a character from a book is encouraged! Normal school uniform rules apply. No open toed shoes or drop earrings. For reference, HERE is our Dress Code Policy. Otherwize - go for your life!

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

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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