August 30th, 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 |
|---|---|
| Thursday 31st August | STEM Quantum Victoria Consent due for Foundation & 1/2 Classes |
| SEPTEMBER | 2023 |
| Monday 4th | Whittlesea Division Track and Field Championships - Selected Students Consent Due |
| Tuesday 5th | STEM Quantum Victoria Excursion 1/2C & 1/2E |
| Tuesday 5th | Whittlesea Division Track and Field Championships - Selected Students |
| Wednesday 6th | STEM Quantum Victoria Excursion 12K & 1/2H |
| 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 |
| Monday 11th | STEM Quantum Victoria Excursion - 1/2S & 1/2L |
| Tuesday 12th | STEM Quantum Victoria Excursion - FL & FC |
| Wednesday 13th | STEM Quantum Victoria Excursion - FK & FI |
| Thursday 14th | R U Ok? Day - Yellow themed dress up day |
| Thursday 14th | ARE U OK? PIZZA Day - Order on Compass Canteen (Select this date) |
| Friday 15th | Wandong Gratitude Games #tabloidsportsday |
| Friday 15th | Last day Term 3 – 2:30 Dismissal |
| Saturday 16th – Friday 29th | School Holidays |
| OCTOBER | 2023 |
| Friday 13th | Grade 5/6 Surf Camp - Consent & Payment Due |
| Friday 13th | Grade 3/4 Camp – Consent & Payment Due |
| Friday 13th | Grade 1/2 Camp – Consent & Payment Due |
| Friday 13th | Foundation Day Camp – Consent & Payment Due |
| Sunday 15th | Dance Club/Choir - Selected students |
| Monday 30th | Grandparents Day (All day) |
| NOVEMBER | 2023 |
| Wed 8th – Fri 10th | Grade 3/4 Camp |
| Mon 13th – Tues 14th | Grade 1/2 Camp |
| Wednesday 15th | Parent Event – Susan McLean – 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 – Wed 22nd | Grade 5/6 Surf Camp |
| DECEMBER | 2023 |
| Monday 4th | Foundation 2024 Meet the Teacher |
| Tuesday 5th | Funfields End of Year Pool Party - Consent and Payment Due |
| Thursday 7th | Grade 6 Graduation - Consent and Payment due |
| Tuesday 12th | 2024 Foundation Transition Day |
| Thursday 14th | Grade 6 Graduation |
| Monday 18th | School Fete 3.30pm - 7pm |
| Tuesday 19th | Funfields - End of Year Pool Party |
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Curriculum Contributions – IMPORTANT
We currently have 233 from 463 students who have paid their Parent Payments for 2023. We have 15 families who have opted for a Payment Plan. THANK YOU! We have some our families also contributing to our tax-deductible Facilities and Building Fund, as well as our Library and Technology Fund. These donations have allowed us to move away from a BYOD – Bring Your Own Device program, which requires families to purchase a device for their children to bring to school. We continue to work alongside families to ensure our Parent Payments are paid as priority and that where possible, voluntary contributions are made to support our vision around the educational value of providing an ICT rich learning program.
At the time of writing this newsletter, we have 87 families who have seen this payment on Compass but they haven’t actioned and another 128 who haven’t accessed this information at all. Please, please prioritise this payment over any of our optional items such as camps and excursions. Our Curriculum Contributions is like the bread, milk and vegetables of your shopping list. The items that are purchased before chocolate, chips and cake.
Massive shoutout to her newest Wandong family, Foundation 2024 families who have already actioned this payment ahead of schedule. Next term our 2024 Parent Payments will go live on Compass and I urge our families to speak to our lovely office staff about finalising 2023 payments.
Foundation 2024
We continue to have unprecedented enrolments and this year we have had to enact our Enrolment Policy, sadly having to decline a significant number of families wanting to enrol for 2024. We currently have a confirmed Foundation enrolment of 90. Same time last year we accepted the same number. In 2021 = 79, 2020 = 47, 2019 = 54, 2018 = 64, 2017 = 38, 2016 = 43, 2015 =40.
We continue to be blown away by the feedback we are receiving about our Launchpad Learning sessions. It is absolutely heart warming, a personal dream come true, seeing our families engaging and starting the education journey with us early. It is a wonderful partnership that will positively impact our students as they start and continue their schooling.
National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)
We have received an update regarding the NAPLAN assessments in Term 1 – state results are now confirmed. As you would be aware, there are changes to the way results are now reported. The report will look somewhat similar, but will have clearly identified areas of achievement:
- Exceeding
- Strong
- Developing
- Needs Additional Support
The table below shows a combined percentage of students in the Strong and Exceeding category, compared to schools within our network, as well as schools ‘similar’ to Wandong from across Victoria, including Victoria as a whole for each Year Level.
We are inordinately proud of the students and staff for their achievements. We always acknowledge that NAPLAN is just one data source we celebrate in the field of academic achievement. At Wandong, we are proud to acknowledge all achievements, from the sporting fields to the small individual personal goals made each and every day. We are proud of the breadth of the experiences we provide our students, and this is something we can all be proud of as a school community.
2023 Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey – Reminder
Don’t forget that the 2023 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 and 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 improvements 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. 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 gives dad a reason to kick back and relax. 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
Facilities
It’s been exciting to see the Big Fort retaining wall finally replaced. The sleepers around this playground have for a long time been slowly coming apart. Our extended rock retaining wall feature at the front of the school was extended to surround this playground. This will ensure longevity of this retaining wall rather than a band aid fix.
WELLBEING
This week, in 1/2H we have been learning about personal space. During SEW, we have learned that personal space is the amount of room each person has to feel safe and comfortable. From this learning we were able to identify why a person would feel uncomfortable in situations where their personal space has been violated. We then explained what we could do in a respectful manner, if we were to experience someone invading our personal space.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SRC
Our SRC are partnering with volunteer organisation ‘Lids4Kids,’ to help rescue plastic bottle lids from landfill and recycle them to protect our environment for future generations to come. Lids4Kids partner with many other recycling plastic manufacturers to re-purpose lids into any sustainable recycled plastic projects to benefit the communities in which they were collected.
To be part of this wonderful initiative, please bring CLEAN milk, water or soft drink lids to school and place them in your classroom collection point. Alternatively, you can bring them to the Auslan room or 5/6W.
NOTICES
Office Hours
Please note that the school office hours are 8:30am until 4:15pm.
Picking Up Children – Please help our admin team!
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 addresses, phone numbers & medical details.
Uniform Orders
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.
Select Place Order at bottom of screen.
Select Student.
Select Date. (Will have to select next date if current date is cut off)
Select sitting e.g. Uniform
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
Next Meeting: TBA
ARE U OK? PIZZA DAY: Thursday 14th of September.
Large pizza slices $3.50
(Margherita, Hawaiian or BBQ Chicken)
Apple or Orange Juice Box $1.50
Order on COMPASS CANTEEN.
IMPORTANT: –
Select 14/9 and choose Pizza Day to order.
OUR SCHOOL FETE IS COMING!!!
Ways to get involved:
- Sponsor a stall (starts at $50 and you have your family name on the stall)
- Grab a business sponsorship package ranging from $250-$1000.
- Volunteer your time to PAFA prior or on the day with setup and running of the event
- Help your classroom teacher run a stand
- Donate milo tins or some spooky stuff for the haunted tunnel
- Hold a market stall
- Have a special skill? We’d love to hear about it!
Need more info? Get in contact!
Steph 0408 039 935 or stephanie.domino@education.vic.gov.au
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.
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 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.
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