August 16th, 2023

'The Puggle Post'

OUR SCHOOL VISION:

"Wandong Primary School...Making a difference by developing confident, independent and resilient learners who strive for personal excellence."

What's on What's Due

AUGUST 2023
Monday 14th Scholastic Book Club - Open for orders
Monday 14th โ€“ 18th National Science Week
Friday 18th National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence
Friday 18th CRUMBS & CO DRIVE - Orders to be collected from school in the afternoon from 3pm - 3.45pm
Monday 21st Mitchell District Athletics Championships Payment and Consent Due - Grades 3-6 Selected Students only
Monday 21st โ€“ Friday 25th Book Week โ€“ Read, Grow, Inspire
Wednesday 23rd Book Week Parade 9.10am - Dress up as your favourite book character (Weather permitting)
Wednesday 23rd Book Week Open Classroom Afternoon will be 3:00-3:30pm (Come and enjoy a book with your child in their classroom to celebrate Book Week. One adult guest per student)
Wednesday 23rd - Tuesday 29th Book Fair
Friday 25th Mitchell District Athletics - Grades 3 - 6 Selected Students only
Monday 28th Scholastic Book Club closes
Wednesday 30th Fatherโ€™s Day Stall
Wednesday 30th ARTC Inland rail reference design sharing with community and feedback in church car park 2-30pm - 4pm
SEPTEMBER 2023
Thursday 7th ARTC Inland rail reference design sharing with community and feedback in church car park 2-30pm - 4pm
Friday 8th Working Bee - 5/6E, 3/4N, 1/2E, FK
Wednesday 13th Wandong Gratitude Games #tabloidsportsday Consent & Payment Due
Thursday 14th R U Ok? Day
Friday 15th Wandong Gratitude Games #tabloidsportsday
Friday 15th Last day Term 3 โ€“ 2:30 Dismissal
Saturday 16th โ€“ Friday 29th School Holidays
OCTOBER 2023
Friday 13th Grade 5/6 Surf Camp - Consent & Payment Due
Friday 13th Grade 3/4 Camp โ€“ Consent & Payment Due
Friday 13th Grade 1/2 Camp โ€“ Consent & Payment Due
Friday 13th Foundation Day Camp โ€“ Consent & Payment Due
Sunday 15th Dance Club/Choir - Selected students
Monday 30th Grandparents Day (All day)
NOVEMBER 2023
Wed 8th โ€“ Fri 10th Grade 3/4 Camp
Mon 13th โ€“ Tues 14th Grade 1/2 Camp
Wednesday 15th Parent Event โ€“ Susan McLean โ€“ Cyber Cop, Keeping our Kids Safe Online. Please email or call the office to book in for this event
Friday 17th Foundation Day Camp
Mon 20th โ€“ Wed 22nd Grade 5/6 Surf Camp
DECEMBER 2023
Monday 4th Foundation 2024 Meet the Teacher
Thursday 7th Grade 6 Graduation - Consent and Payment due
Tuesday 12th 2024 Foundation Transition Day
Thursday 14th Grade 6 Graduation

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK IS THIS WEEK: 12th- 20th August 2023

The school theme for National Science Week in 2023 isย Innovation: Powering Future Industries. The theme incorporates the advancement in technology in all industries, especially using artificial intelligence (AI).

The curriculum focus of the theme is on:

  • Science as a Human Endeavour
  • Chemical Sciences
  • Physical Sciences
  • Earth and Space Sciences, and
  • Biological Sciences.

Along with the Sustainability cross-curriculum priority, it is versatile and accessible to all students and teachers.

Parent Opinion Survey

Our school is conducting a survey to find out what the parents/caregivers/guardians think of our school. The Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education and Training that is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of familiesโ€™ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. We encourage all families to participate in this survey. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.

A random sample of approximately 30 per cent of parents/caregivers/guardians have been selected to participate in this yearโ€™s survey.

ย The Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey will be conducted from Monday 7th August to Friday 8th September.

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the fieldwork period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. Please speak to your childโ€™s teacher if you would like more information.

Book Week 2023 will be celebrated the week beginning Monday 21st August this year at WPS. We have a number of celebrations happening across the week, with the theme being โ€˜Read, Grow, Inspireโ€™.

  • Our Book Fair will be operating from Tuesday 22nd until Tuesday 29th, 8:30-9:00am and 3:30-4:00pm each day in the music room end of the hall.
  • Our Book Week Dress Up Day will be on Wednesday the 23rd Our children are invited to come dressed as a character or theme from a childrenโ€™s book. I know that there is already some planning going into this.
  • Our much looked forward to Book Week Costume Parade will be on Wednesday the 23rd August at 9:10am on the Basketball Court, weather permitting.
  • Finally, our Book Week Open Classroom Afternoon will be on Wednesday the 23rd August, at the end of the day, 3:00-3:30pm (come and enjoy a book with your child in their classroom to celebrate Book Week. One adult guest per student).

Uniform Nag โ€“ TAKING PRIDE IN OUR SCHOOL

Wearing full school uniform is an important aspect of our school values โ€“ specifically, Pride. As we enter the colder months, I want to draw your attention to our uniform policy, as there seem to be lots of students out-of-uniform and not wearing clothing appropriate for the season.


The following seem to be becoming a common occurrence; various coloured hoodies, multi-coloured socks, nail polish, jewellery, branded clothing and in-appropriate footwear. The following items are not school uniform:

  • Active wear/bike shorts/hot pants โ€“ It is important that shorts and skirts alike are of an appropriate length e.g., mid-thigh
  • Blue jackets and other windcheater/hoodie tops
  • Coloured leggings
  • Caps
  • Sandals
  • Boots

Specifically, I would like to mention that 3-6 students are to be wearing their sport tops only on Friday and their timetabled P.E. day.

If there is a valid reason that your child is unable to wear the correct school uniform, we kindly ask that you contact a member of the leadership team to discuss this further. If this isnโ€™t provided and your child is out of uniform, you will be contacted directly.

Thank you for supporting us in upholding our school values and ensure that all students are actively taking pride in our school.

Infectious Diseases – Gastro is Out and About!

We have recently had a number of children who have the dreaded Gastroenteritis. This common condition affects the gut and is highly infectious. If your is child is unwell, vomits or has diarrhoea you must keep them at home until they have not had a loose bowel motion or any other symptoms for 24 hours. They may need to stay home for 48 hours until the cause has been identified.

Communication – Reminder

At Wandong, what we value most is open communication between staff, students and families. The best way to ensure amazing outcomes is by being on the same page in all we do. As Iโ€™ve mentioned many times before, please ensure you reach out to your childโ€™s teacher if you have any questions whatsoever. We are always here to support you and provide our families with the information they need regarding their child and their personal and academic achievement.

As you would be aware, Wandong transitioned to ongoing Progress Reports on Compass two years ago. Parents are receiving regular updates about student learning and achievement against ‘I Can’ statements based on the Victorian Curriculum. Parents will receive Progress Reports from classroom teachers in English and Mathematics and specialist teachers will update Progress Reports in Art, PE, Science and Auslan. These continuous Progress Report updates mean that Semester Reports are much shorter and will only comprise of the following information:ย 

  • Progression points achievements against Victorian Curriculum Standards (the dots)ย 
  • A General comment about student learning behaviours and dispositionsย 
  • Classroom Teacher comment about Integrated Studies/Inquiry
  • Your childโ€™s attendance data

During Term Two and Term Four teachers assess and moderate student learning achievement and progress to finalise the Semester One and Two Reports. These are released on Compass in the final weeks of Term Two and Four each year. All other assessment information will continue to come via the Compass Progress Reports and supporting student work samples will be uploaded to Seesaw. Please speak to your childโ€™s teacher if you have any questions about this.

Staffing

I just wanted to take a brief opportunity to thank the amazing, talented, and hard-working staff at Wandong. In recent days, the number of advertised vacancies in government schools has jumped to a record high for 2023 with 1855 positions currently advertised on recruitment online. Like all schools we have been feeling the pinch. However, with our staff always going above and beyond for our kids, we have managed to be fully staffed for some time now and our results in the core areas of learning and wellbeing have been exceptional. Our internal measures are incredibly pleasing with the attitudes to school survey showing huge increases in positive endorsement in almost every measure and our recent NAPLAN scores showing that we have outperformed our surrounding schools in every single learning area. We are now challenging our Melbourne counter parts in the area of Literacy, which is exciting, it is an absolute testament to our staff that our students are doing so well. Congratulations to our whole community of learners. Your resilience has allowed you to triumph during adverse times. I continue to be overwhelmingly grateful for our families who continue to partner with us and support us, along with our community of learners and staff who are nothing short of exceptional.

Building Friendships

The following information is from the Raising Childrenโ€™s Network regarding how to support your child to build positive friendships.

About school-age friendshipsย Your childโ€™s world gets bigger when they start school. Relationships with other people โ€“ like the children in your childโ€™s class at school โ€“ become more important.

Friendships are good for your school-age childโ€™sย self-esteem. When your child has close friends, your child feels like they belong. Your childโ€™s friends care about your child, and this helps your child feel good about themselves.

Friendships also help children develop important life skills like getting along with other people and sorting out conflicts and problems. Children with these skills are less likely to have social and emotional difficulties later in life.

Play is a big part of how children connect with others and make friends at school. Taking part in playground games can help your child get to know their schoolmates and settle into school more easily. Your child will learn about taking turns, sharing and cooperating.

School friends and parents: why children need both

Young children enjoy playing with their friends, but they still need their parents. In fact, during the early school years, family relationships are still the biggest influence on your childโ€™s development. Good family relationships are what your child needs to learn and grow.

Family relationships give your child a stable, safe base through the ups and downs of making and losing friends. In fact, the care and love you give your child at home helps your child manage other relationships.

If your child is upset at being left out or has had a fight with a friend, your child knows that youโ€™re still there. You can help your child work it out by talking with your child about what happened, how they felt and how to handle situations like this in the future. For example, โ€˜How did you feel when Ali wouldnโ€™t let you play?โ€™ This helps your child understand and manage their own feelings. Or sometimes just listening or giving your child a hug can be enough.

If youโ€™re not sure who your childโ€™s friends are, just ask, or watch who your child goes to in the playground before or after school. You could also talk with your childโ€™s teacher. If youโ€™re able to help at school sports, or in the classroom, this can also give you a chance to see who your child gets along well with.

Supporting school-age friendships: tips for playdatesย 

Playdates outside school can be a great way to create new school friendships and strengthen existing friendships.

You can help your child arrange playdates and sleepovers by asking your child whether thereโ€™s anyone theyโ€™d like to invite to your home. You could encourage your child to invite their friend, and you can talk to the friendโ€™s parents at school drop-offs or pick-ups or other school activities.

Here are tips to help playdates at your home go smoothly:

Before the playdate, help your child to put away any precious belongings that they might not want to share or that might get damaged. This can prevent any upsets.

Invite the friendโ€™s parent to stay. Some parents feel more comfortable if they can stay for a little while and get to know you.

Start with a snack or drink. This can help children feel comfortable with each other.

Talk with the children about what areas of the house or garden they can use. This can help to prevent tension about what children are allowed to do in your home.

Be available in case the children need help, but give your child and their friend time and space to learn how to get along with each other.

Plan some activities. It could be craft, cubbyhouses, ball games and so on. You might not need to use these activities, but itโ€™s good to have them ready in case you sense children getting restless.

If your child finds playdates tricky, try keeping them fairly short โ€“ for example, 1-2 hours.

Sometimes you can useย digital technology to support your childโ€™s social life. For example, depending on your childโ€™s age, your child might be able to have a virtual playdate that involves playing aย video gameย online with a friend.

When children need help to make friends or keep friends

Most children find it hard to make friends sometimes. If your child is finding it hard, there are a few things you can try.

Sometimes a simple social reminder might help. For example, you could encourage your child to introduce themselves when they meet new children โ€“ โ€˜Hello, Iโ€™m Kaia. Whatโ€™s your name?โ€™

Often children make friends at school through playing the same game together โ€“ but itโ€™s hard if you donโ€™t know the rules. You could make sure your child knows the rules of games they want to join in with. If your child doesnโ€™t like the games other children are playing, you could suggest your child starts a game that they do like by asking classmates to play it with them. Some children find it helps to take a ball or game to share.

If your child needs help finding their friends or isnโ€™t sure of what to play, your child could try asking their buddy for help, seeing the Peer Mediators or talking with their teacher.

If your child has additional needs, your child might also need extra help with friendships. You could try making friends with other parents and getting together after school at a playground. Give the other parents and children some ideas on how to include your child. For example, โ€˜Bill loves watching people play soccer. He can throw the ball in and be the scorerโ€™.

If your child finds it hard to make friends at school, you could look for extracurricular activities that give your child opportunities to meet children with similar interests. There are many things your child could try โ€“ sports, dance, art classes, Scouts and so on.

Friendship troubles: what to do

If you can tell your child isnโ€™t happy about going to school, isnโ€™t eating lunch or seems to be socially anxious, this could be because your child is having trouble making and keeping friends.

Talking with your childย gives you a chance to hear about whatโ€™s going on. Some children will be happy to tell you, but others might find it hard. You can encourage your child by telling them about a friendship trouble you had as a child or by reading a story about friendship troubles. If your child isnโ€™t ready to talk, let your child know they can always come to you.

It can also be good to ask your childโ€™s teacher whether theyโ€™ve noticed anything different in class or in the playground.

If you suspectย your child is being bulliedย or yourย child is bullying others, you need to help your child by speaking with their classroom teacher.

If youโ€™re concerned about your childโ€™s friendships โ€“ for example, your child and your childโ€™s friends are doing things that are unsafe โ€“ talking with your child is the best first step. For example, โ€˜Is it a good idea to jump from the top of the slide? You might get hurtโ€™. This can help your child learn to make their own decisions, rather than just following friends.

Having friends who donโ€™t go to the same school โ€“ for example, children from art class, neighbours or family friends โ€“ can boost your childโ€™s confidence, especially if theyโ€™re having friendship troubles at school.

Some children might prefer their own company. They might not need a big group of friends or want to play with others at lunch time. If your child seems happy with their social life, you might not need to worry about trying to find friends for them.

WELLBEING

SEW in 5/6H!

Throughout Term Three, students have worked to recognise and appreciate the uniqueness of all people, including themselves. They have explored how individual, social and cultural differences may increase vulnerability to stereotypes and prejudice. More recently students have explored the role gender plays in fairness, equality, opportunities, rights and treatment.

This week our Senior Students shifted their focus toward human rights and the role of the United Nations, understanding that human rights are the fundamental freedoms and protections that people are entitled to simply because they are human beings. They belong to everyone, regardless of age, race, sexuality, citizenship, gender, nationality, ethnicity, or abilities.

They aim to create a world that is fair, just and equal.

During the SEW lesson this week, students worked in small groups to unpack one of six key concepts in the development of ideas about human rights becoming the โ€˜expertโ€™ and presenting to the class about their convention.

  • 1948 โ€“ Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  • 1965 โ€“ International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
  • 1979 โ€“ Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
  • 1989 โ€“ Convention of the Rights of the Child
  • 2006 โ€“ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
  • 2014 โ€“ UN Resolution on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
SEW Human rights

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SRC

The SRC are excited to be partnering with ‘Lids4Kids’ for the remainder of 2023. This volunteer organisation help rescue plastic bottle lids from landfill and recycle them to protect our environment for future generations to come.

Please bring CLEAN milk, water or soft drink lids to school and place them in your classroom collection point.

We canโ€™t wait to make a difference, one lid at a time!

NOTICES

Office Hours

Please note that the school office hours are 8:30am until 4:15pm.

Picking Up Children โ€“ Please help our admin team!

In exceptional circumstances and emergencies, at times children need to be collected from school early. Please help our wonderful administration team by ensuring that this is not done during the break times of 11:00-11:30am and 1:45-2:30pm. When children are outside playing with their friends, they do not hear the announcements and it is difficult to have a staff member unlock classrooms to collect bags and belongings. Please help support our classroom programs by waiting until 3:30pm to collect children. The admin area is growing quite hectic in the afternoons with families collecting children early Thank you in advance for your support and understanding.

IMPORTANT โ€“ Mobile Phone/Watch/Device Policy

In 2020, DET introduced strict restrictions on the use of any device with access to a cellular system, with or without a physical connection to a network. Where students bring a device of this type to school, it MUST be placed in secure storage at the office.

IMPORTANT โ€“ Student Information

It is very important we have up-to-date information for all students. Please check Compass and update current home & email addresses, phone numbers & medical details.

Uniform Orders

COMPASS – CANTEENย  UNIFORM ORDERING

When ordering uniforms through Compass, use Canteen. See below for how to order

Going paperless will reduce waste & conserve our natural resources.

Please Note:

Select the following day as your order date if the current date is closed, even if it’s a weekend!

Log into the Compass App.

Select more at bottom of screen.ย 

Click on the Canteen button.

ย 

ย 

Select Place Order at bottom of screen.

Select Student.

Select Date. (Will have to select next date ifย  current date is cut off)

Select sitting e.g. Uniform

ย 

ย 

Click on item you require e.g Short Sleeve Polo.

Select how many you want and then select the size.

Add to cart.

Repeat for other items e.g. Bomber Jacket.

View Cart

Proceed to Checkout or create another order.

PAFA

Our Spare Change challange raised a total of $1824.85. The winning classroom 3/4 S won a special movie afternoon with snacks.

Thank you to the generosity of our students & families.

DONATIONS WANTED FOR FETE 2023

Donations of great condition books and soft toys can be dropped at the office.

SPONSORS FOR THE SCHOOL FETE 2023

If you would like information on becoming a sponsor for the 2023 fete please text Steph on 0408 039 935.

CRUMBS & CO DRIVE โ€“ TERM 3 COLLECTION 18TH AUGUST

Details will be pushed out via compass

FATHERโ€™S DAY STALL

Wednesday 30th August. All gifts are priced $1 – $12. Cash only. Bring a reusable bag to keep your purchases safe!

PIZZA DAY

Thursday 14th of September. Details will roll out soon!

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC INFORMATION

Wandong Primary is pleased to offer instrumental lessons for students from Foundation to grade 6.

Thank you for your interest in the Instrumental Music Program at Wandong
Primary School.
Our program provides students with the opportunity to develop musicianship
skills, build confidence and collaborate with others to deliver performances.
Above all, we aim to foster peoples love of music, have fun and stay creative.

ย 

Please find below, the conditions of our program and Enrolment form.

Fee Description 2023 Term 1 (10 Weeks) Term 2 (10 weeks) Term 3 (10 weeks) Term 4 (10 weeks)
Individual Lessons $390 $390 $390 $390

Please read carefully to ensure your childโ€™s maximum involvement and development.

In order to continue and develop their skills, students are encouraged to
show evidence of regular practice. Below is a recommended guide for weekly
practice times:

Beginners: 15-20 minutes, 3 days a week
After one year: 30 minutes, 4 days a week
After two years: 40 minutes, 5-6 days a week

Payment Terms & Withdrawal from the Instrumental Music Program

1. An invoice will be sent at the beginning of each term and is to be paid,
in full, via Direct Deposit.
2. Fees must be paid by the due date. Failure to do so will result in lessons
being stooped until payment has been made.
3. Unless notified, the instrumental teacher assumes all students in the
program will automatically continue lessons each term. A verbal or written
notification to the instrumental teacher is required to withdraw students
from the program. Notice needs to be received 2 weeks prior to the end
of the term, to avoid incurring the next termโ€™s fees.

AFTER SCHOOL CARE

About the program

TheirCare provides adventurous and stimulating Before & After School Care Programs in a safe environment for all children. During sessions children develop life skills, friendships, confidence and creativity through play.

Wandong Primary School has partnered with TheirCare to provide this service to your school which includes quality care, booking flexibility, amazing programming for your children and commitment to deliver on our promise to your school community.

Operation Times Fees* Out of Pocket Average^
Before School Care 6:30am - 8:45am $21.00 $3.15 - $21.00 $4.83
After School Care 3:30pm - 6:30pm $23.00 $3.45 - $23.00 $5.29
Pupil Free Day 6:30am - 6.30pm $103.00 $15.45 - $103.00 $23.69
Holiday Program 6:30am - 6.30pm $103.00 $15.45 - $103.00 $23.69
Late Booking Cancellation Fee Within 48 hours $5.00
Cancellation Fee Same Day Full Fee See BSC/ASC

Service Phone Number: 0497 877 771ย  Your Service coordinator will be available during sessions times.ย  TheirCare support is available during office hours if required on 1300 072 410

How to Enrol

Visit Theircare website: www.theircare.com.au and click on ‘Book Now’ in the top right hand corner to register your child’s details

*Standard fees excluding incursions/excursion costs

^Based on ABS published average family income for the suburb the school is located

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