December 7th 2022
'The Puggle Post'
OUR SCHOOL VISION:
"Wandong Primary School...Making a difference by developing confident, independent and resilient learners who strive for personal excellence."
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Watchful Eye and January
For those of you who live near the school I would appreciate you keeping a watchful eye on our school over the holiday break. If you notice anything suspicious, please notify D24 on 000 or Wallan Police on 5783 0400. Especially keep a look out for the graffiti artists who tend to visit schools each holiday period, and for those people who decide climbing on the roof is a challenge they can’t resist. Please call the police immediately if you see either of these things happening.
Library Books
We have a busy end to this year in 2022. We have our graduation on Thursday the 15th and our end of year annual Pool Party on Friday the 16th. We know that Monday will be a very quiet day and many of our staff will take the opportunity to move classrooms. Tuesday the 20th, students who attend will be dismissed at 1:30pm.
Don’t forget to return all library books and other reading material as soon as possible. Might be a good chance for children to clean up their rooms and look for missing books under their beds
December Reports
Remember that Student Reports will be loaded onto COMPASS next week.
End of Term 4
It’s a long term! Our students are beginning to tire… but we are almost there 😊 We have a busy end to this year in 2022. We have our graduation on Thursday the 15th and our end of year annual Pool Party on Friday the 16th. We know that Monday will be a very quiet day and many of our staff will take the opportunity to move classrooms. On Tuesday the 20th, students who attend will be dismissed at 1:30pm.
On this day we will run an alternate program where children will only have one break at 11.00 am. It would be best if they were provided with a substantial snack for this break, as lunch will not be eaten at school. Children will be dismissed at 1.30 pm.
I SEE YOU.
To the child that conquered their fear of heights, or sleeping in the dark, or riding without training wheels or sleeping out for the night for the first time this year, I SEE YOU.
To the child that managed to resolve more conflicts than at the start of this year, to the child that learnt to say the impossible; "I'm sorry", and to the child that walked away from the fighting instead of getting involved, I SEE YOU.
To the child for whom school is a huge struggle, you get up every day and you go, I SEE YOU.
To the child that battled all year with the maths, or reading, or concentration, or speaking out in class, or learning their words, but persevered anyway, I SEE YOU.
To the child that found the kindness in their heart to reach out in any way to another person, or to an animal in need or in pain, I SEE YOU.
To the child that learnt to give and to share for the first time this year and even found joy in these, I SEE YOU.
To the child that battles to make friends and to be social, you made new friends this year and for that, I SEE YOU.
To the child who wanted so much to please, but was just out of sight of an adult who perhaps was too busy or too distracted, I SEE YOU.
To the child who lost a friend or a loved one this year, but carried on everyday bravely even though their heart ached, I SEE YOU.
To the brave parents that try every day to do the best for their kids, I SEE YOU.
May you and your children revel in small but significant victories that you have both experienced this year. For every year there is progress and growth, we don't need a podium or handshake or a hall of applause, to be seen.
I SEE YOU.
2023 Classrooms
2023 Classrooms Just like grade placement, classroom organisation also goes through quite the debate in looking at every single pro and con. In forward planning around such decisions, there are so many factors that come in to play. Some years, depending on class structure, number and school layout/design it is easy and some years and schools this is hard. Considerations and conversations amongst staff include and are certainly not limited to:
• The need for cohorts to be working within close proximity to one another (this supports collaboration and connectivity within the teaching team).
• Natural flow of ages throughout the school.
• School landscape and classroom placement in terms of outdoor spaces.
This year we are buoyed to have our Foundation classes closest to our administration and leadership support area. This includes having our four Foundation classrooms placed adjacent to the Wellbeing Hub as an additional supportive factor. This is mostly needed at the beginning of the year as our youngest students transition to school. Having the foundation classrooms within very close proximity of toilets and drink fountains is also an added benefit. The 2023 structure has also allowed us to have our 1/2s, 3/4s and 5/6s flow from the current central administration hub of the school with our most senior students towards the top of the block.
Whilst there are always positive and negatives to weigh up, in looking at the positioning of classrooms, the final decision always acknowledges the best possible outcome for our students.
Thank you to our wonderful Parent Helpers and Volunteers
On behalf of the students and staff, I would like to thank all of the family members, friends and volunteers who have assisted at the school in 2022. Wandong is very fortunate to have volunteers who are willing to give up their time to assist with:
• Reading, Spelling and other activities in the classroom
• Camps and excursions
• PAFA and School Council
• Sausage Sizzles, Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls
• Working Bees
• And an array of other events and activities.
Classes for 2023
The classes for 2023 will be advised on Tuesday, December 13, as has been common practice for the last few years. Our Grade 6 students will be attending their secondary colleges on that day for a full day of transition. Each other class in our school will get to meet their 2023 teacher in their 2023 classroom for the morning session, most importantly to meet their classmates, discuss expectations with their teacher and to prepare for a smooth transition into next year.
Change
For those of you with children who may be anxious about the year ending and a new one starting, now is an excellent time to start talking about change at school.
Change is generally a good thing as it makes us adaptable and stronger as people. As adults, we have all had to experience change – mostly for the good, sometimes not. In many cases, change cannot be avoided, but there are things we can do to manage our (and to co-manage children’s) emotions and thoughts about it.
Below are a couple of links to websites that may be of use. Some suggestions in the articles will resonate more with you than others, and that is ok. Pick what works best for you and your child as it is more about having a number of ‘tools in the toolbox’ to use. While we can use a big screwdriver to hammer a nail in (been there!), it is not the most efficient way of doing it if there is a better tool.
The Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus said about 2500 years ago: ‘The only constant in life is change’. For a more contemporary quote on the same subject: Melissa Etheridge (singer songwriter most active in the 80s and 90s) said: ‘Change is the only thing that stays the same’.
Festive Box Car Night
Our return of Box Car night is scheduled for TOMORROW, the 8th of December. Fingers crossed for some nice weather, not too cold and cross everything that the wet stuff stays away. We are excited to have Crumbs ‘n’ Co and Meltdown Toasties joining us to supply some picnic snacks. Please ensure that you set up your family picnic space in the picnic zone and ensure all family members remain behind the bunting when our races start around 6:30pm. Please ensure all children, including non-school age siblings are properly supervised.
NOTICES
Office Hours
Please note that the school office hours are 8:30am until 4:15pm.
With the current inclement weather, we would like to request parents/guardians of all students to pack a full set of spare uniform items in their child’s 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.
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.
Picking Up Children – Please help our admin tea
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 1:30-2:30pm. 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.
WELLBEING
PAFA
Many thanks to The PAFA Team
