August 28th, 2024
'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 | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 28th | Father's Day Stall |
| Thursday 29th | Father's Day Stall - Catch up day |
| Thursday 29th | NAPLAN Award Ceremony for 3-6 Students in the Hall 2:30pm - 3:30pm |
| Friday 30th | 2024 Mitchell District Athletics Championships - selected students only |
| SEPTEMBER | 2024 |
| Sunday 1st | Pizza Day orders close today |
| Tuesday 3rd | Foundation Excursion - Animal Land |
| Tuesday 3rd | CERES - 5/6 Incursion - Session 1 |
| Wednesday 4th | Foundation Water Safety Program - Consent due |
| Thursday 5th | Pizza Day |
| Thursday 5th | Scholastic Book Club - Issue 6 - Orders Close |
| Friday 6th | Grade 5/6 Interschool Sport - Term 3 Tournament |
| Friday 6th | Billie G's Cookie Dough pick up from AUSLAN room |
| Monday 9th - Friday 13th | Foundation Water Safety Program |
| Tuesday 10th | Community Connections Yoga Free Event for our School Community 9am -10am |
| Wednesday 11th | CERES - 5/6 Incursion - Session 2 |
| Thursday 12th | R U OK? Day |
| Friday 13th | Working Bee - FA, 1/2G, 5/6E 2.30pm- 3.30pm Parents welcome |
| Friday 20th | FOOTY COLOURS DAY - Wear your footy colours today, all codes allowed, AFL, NRL, Soccer, Local leagues |
| Friday 20th | Last Day Term 3 |
| Saturday 21st | World Gratitude Day |
| OCTOBER | 2024 |
| Monday 7th | First Day Term 4 |
| NOVEMBER | 2024 |
| Friday 1st | Foundation Day Camp - Consent and payment due today |
| Friday 1st | Grade 1/2 Camp - Consent and payment due today |
| Friday 1st | Grade 3/4 Camp - Consent and payment due today |
| Friday 1st | Grade 5/6 Camp - Consent and payment due today |
| Monday 4th | Curriculum Day - No Students – If your child requires care, please book in at https://theircare.com.au/ |
| Friday 8th | Foundation transition #1 |
| Friday 8th | Working Bee - FC, 1/2W & 5/6B 2.30pm- 3.30pm Parents welcome |
| Friday 15th | Foundation transition #2 |
| Monday 18th | Foundation 2025 Information Session - Webex 5pm - 6pm |
| Monday 18th - Wednesday 20th | Grade 3/4 Camp - Log Cabin Camp |
| Friday 22nd | Foundation Day Camp |
| Monday 25th -Tuesday 26th | Grade 1/2 Camp - Overnight Camp "Camp Weekaway" |
| Friday 29th | Foundation transition #3 |
| Wednesday 27th - Friday 29th | Grade 5/6 Camp - The Ranch |
| DECEMBER | 2024 |
| Monday 2nd | Professional Practice Day (Student Free) - If your child requires care, please book in at https://theircare.com.au/ |
| Monday 2nd | Foundation 2025 Meet the Teacher BBQ - 5pm - 6pm |
| Tuesday 3rd | Whole School Colour Run Day @ L B Davern |
| Friday 6th | Foundation Transition #4 |
| Friday 6th | Funfields - End of Year Pool Party - Consent and payment due today |
| Friday 6th | Working Bee - 1/2L, 3/4G & 3/4B 2.30pm- 3.30pm Parents welcome |
| Tuesday 10th | State Wide Transition Day |
| Tuesday 10th | Foundation 2025 Teddy Bear's Picnic |
| Thursday 19th | Funfields - End of Year Pool Party |
| Friday 20th | Last Day Term 4 |
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Pizza in the Park 2024 – 200 nights of reading
A major encouragement for students to complete home reading at Wandong Primary School is the opportunity to share Pizza at the Park with their friends and teachers.
This is celebrated in the last week of school and this year the children will do this in cohorts. Doing this as a whole school is no longer logistically feasible. Later this year, we will announce what day each cohort will be doing this activity and the families of students attending will be notified on compass and consent will be required, along with the child’s pizza choice. Each cohort on their day, will leave school at 1:00 p.m. and walk to L.B. Davern Reserve.
Once there, the children will enjoy pizza together. All students will then have the opportunity to play on the play equipment, or with some sports equipment, before they head back to school at 2:00 p.m. (If it is raining we will eat pizza at school).
Version 2.0 Victorian Mathematics Curriculum
You may have seen or heard that the Mathematics Curriculum has been updated and version 2.0 of the Victorian Mathematics Curriculum has been released. Wandong is already planning for 2025 implementation and what this looks like not only in what is being taught, but how and what we are assessing.
The expectations in many of the Mathematics areas is accelerated, and by beginning to shift our expectations, we aim to fast-track our students’ learning and ensure they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead. This staged and strategic shift will benefit our students and help them excel in their Math education.
Additionally, please note that the reporting for Math will be altered to accommodate the new content and we will explain the changes when we transition in full.
Attendance, Family Holidays, Principal Approval REMINDER
Please note that any absence where a child is not sick or has an appointment, requires Principal approval as per DET policy (see last week’s newsletter). As we know, attendance directly correlates to student achievement and engagement in learning. It is important that students are not missing learning and we ask that family holidays are planned around the holiday periods. Together, we can achieve great things. We really need our little people at school.
Dates – Staying Organised
Please ensure that you are staying ahead with all our upcoming events. At the top of every newsletter are our confirmed dates and we always try to ensure these events are given as much notice as possible. Often teams are sending multiple reminders and are still getting late requests to attend events after the closing date. When events close on Compass, teams have completed their risk assessments, organisation and payments for all oncosts. It is imperative that all consents and payments are made prior to the closing date, as staff are unable to accept these after closing.
Facilities
It’s been exciting to watch our playground improvements take shape. With our new rock retaining walls, our sand river playground and now the finishing touches to our new oval. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has prioritised the curriculum payments, as this has allowed us to strategically allocate other funding opportunities to this much needed work. Unfortunately, there is never enough government funding to complete any of this work and it relies on parent payments, voluntary contributions and fundraising. When curriculum consumables aren’t paid, it means this money has to be directed to cover the cost of basic student resourcing. THANK YOU again for your fundraising and continued support in investing into our wonderful Wandong facilities.
2024Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey – Reminder
Don’t forget that the 2024 parent/caregiver/guardian opinion survey is now open. 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 families’ 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.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL THE AMAZING DADS IN OUR COMMUNITY!
This weekend we honour fathers and father figures in everyone’s lives. Dads hold a special place in our lives, be that our own fathers, the fathers of our children, or the men who become like fathers to us because of their care and attention. The day gives thanks to all that dads do for us every day. It celebrates the diversity of what it means to be a father and simply reminds us to treasure those around us for all they do in our lives. This Sunday is a lovely tradition and a great excuse to tell a special person how much you care about him. Thank you to PAFA and all our wonderful supporters and helpers who gave our students the opportunity to purchase gifts. Thank you for your unending support
GRADE PLACEMENT FOR 2025
At this stage, we have not assigned teachers to grade levels for next year and, in fact; still need to select a few teachers to fill those roles. There are no guarantees that teachers currently teaching at certain grade levels will be teaching there next year, as leadership needs to take into consideration a range of factors including the differing experience of our teaching staff and teacher preferences before this allocation is completed.
The school always sets out to create classes that have:
- A balance of academic levels (children at, above and below the level)
- A balanced social and behavioural mix (children who will get on well together with as little interruption as possible)
As you can imagine the process of grade placement is extremely tricky and time consuming. What is in the best interests of the school and all our children and families is paramount.
Process:
- Children will be asked by their teachers to nominate children they would like to be with in 2025. During the process the teachers will ensure that every child is with at least one of these preferences.
- Classroom teachers will rank children according to ability and highlight behavioural/social concerns along with any relevant information they have gathered throughout the year. All this information will then be used to develop the 2025 classes.
- Specialists will check the lists for any anomalies and then the leadership team will then confirm grade placements.
- In the last weeks of term, children and their new teacher will visit their 2025 classroom. The children and new teacher will complete an activity in this session notifying parents of their new grade.
Parent Considerations:
- Obviously, the classroom teacher has the most information regarding individual children. As a first port of call, please speak to your child’s classroom teacher if you wish to discuss anything about your child’s placement.
- Occasionally we may not be aware of special circumstances that need to be considered during the class selection process. Such special circumstances might include, but are not limited to; health, emotional or learning matters, peer or sibling relationships or changes in the home situation. Selecting a particular teacher does not fit within the realm of special circumstances. If parents want to provide extra personal information to be considered in the process you will need to email the school office. Letters should be addressed to “The Principal” and reach the office no later than Friday September 20th. Please note this is not about requesting or selecting your child’s teacher for next year. Please note that letters received after this date will NOT be accepted.
- This will exclude the friends the children will want to be with which has already been gathered by the teacher.
Finally, if you believe you have special circumstances, please make the request in writing EVEN if it has been made before – as much as we would like to think so, we can’t remember everything from years gone by! We do appreciate your trust in our professionalism in these regards. Once our grades are finalised there is no negotiation and no changes will be made unless there has been an error in our process. Changes, after we have finalised the complex task of allocating classes, is incredibly difficult. It is a complex process with many changing scenarios, and when a request is made after the fact, it requires more than one combination of students to be moved to accommodate it. This then creates a chess game of up to seven other moves. The hard truth about accommodating all requests is that helping one, comes often at the expense of someone else’s child.
WELLBEING
SEW in 3/4C – Peer Pressure
In Grade 3/4, we have been exploring the concept of ‘peer pressure’. We started by identifying safe & helpful behaviours compared to unsafe & unhelpful behaviours. We learned about why peer pressure might occur and how it can lead us to make unsafe or unhelpful choices. Lastly, we learned lots of strategies that we can use when we encounter peer pressure, such as:
- Using humour to break the tension
- Being an upstander and calling out unhelpful behaviours
- Using distraction to change the topic
- Using compromise to find a middle ground
- Ask for help.
We practiced using these strategies, using a roleplay scenario, to show how we can be STAR students!
PAFA
Next Meeting: September 11th, 2024 @ 9.15am
Father’s Day volunteers needed. If you have a few hours on Wednesday August 28th to spare, please let us know!
Pizza Orders now open on Compass Canteen by selecting the date 5/9. Order early so you don’t forget!
OFFICE NOTICES
Office Hours :- 8:30am until 3:55pm
Picking Up Children – 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 – 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 – Student Information
It is very important we have up-to-date information for all students. Please check Compass and update current home & email address, phone numbers & medical details.
Wet Weather
We would like to request parents/guardians of students to pack a set of spare uniform items in their child’s bag, including a waterproof bag. We have limited spare uniform at the office. If your child has recently needed to borrow items from our sick bay, please wash and return them to the office as soon as possible.
Thanks Administration Team
UNIFORM
IMPORTANT
**Please remember to put your child’s full name on their uniform. Please don’t use initials, as this makes it harder for us to find the owner.
If you order a bag, the order can be placed in your child’s or siblings’ tub for convenience. If not, you will need to supply a bag or make arrangements to collect your order.
COMPASS – CANTEEN 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.
Click on the Canteen button.
COMPASS CANTEEN ORDERING
Log into the Compass App.
On home screen select Canteen or select the more button and then Canteen.
Click on the Canteen button.
Select Get started.
Select Student and then next.
Select Sitting—Select next date if current date is cut off for uniform or select date given for ordering e.g. Pizza Day.
Select sitting e.g. Uniform, Team shirt, Pizza Day etc.
Select next.
Click on item you require e.g. Bomber Jacket, pizza etc.
Add item.
Repeat for other items e.g. Short sleeve polo, drink.
Proceed to review order.
Select Customise when ordering Uniform or Team shirt.
Select Sizes.
Select Add to order button.
Note: If ordering Team shirt put Number in Special instructions.
Select Add order.
Add another order or select Confirm and Pay and follow the steps for payment.
CHURCH CARPARK MAP
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 877 771 Your Service coordinator will be available during sessions times. 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
MUSIC
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!
Students may choose from the following
Please find below, the conditions of our program and Enrolment form.
Please read carefully to ensure your child’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 term’s fees.
