December 13th, 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
| DECEMBER | 2023 |
| Thursday 14th | Grade 6 Graduation |
| Friday 15th | Pizza in the Park - 200 Nights of Reading 12.30pm - 1.30pm - Selected students only |
| Monday 18th | School Fete 3.30pm - 7pm |
| Tuesday 19th | Funfields - End of Year Pool Party |
| Wednesday 20th | Last Day of Term - 1.30pm dismissal |
| JANUARY | 2024 |
| Tuesday 30th | First Day Term 1, Grades 1 - 6 |
| February | 2024 |
| Friday 2nd | First Day Term 1 - Foundation |
| Monday 19th | School photo day - Whole school |
| Wednesday 21st | Alternate day - Meet the teacher 2pm - 7pm |
| Monday 26th | Foundation 2025 Touring Wandong - 6pm |
| March | 2024 |
| Monday 4th | Foundation - start full time |
| Monday 4th | School photo catch up day |
| Monday 5th | School photo catch up day again! |
| Monday 11th | Labour Day Holiday - No students |
| Monday 18th | Foundation 2025 Touring Wandong - 6pm |
| Tuesday 26th | Foundation 2025 Touring Wandong - 10am |
| Wednesday 27th | Curriculum Day - No Students – If your child requires care, please book in at https://theircare.com.au/ |
| Thursday 28th | End of Term 1 |
| April | 2024 |
| Monday 15th | First Day Term 2 |
| Monday 15th | Foundation 2025 enrolment applications can be accepted |
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Final Reminder URGENT
Next Tuesday, the whole school heads off for our annual end of year
Funfields Pool Party! Mr Fearn has re-opened Compass for those last minute payments and consents. If our child is NOT attending, please decline the event. Compass will be re-opened until Friday 15th December. Just a reminder that there will no classes running on Tuesday and no students on-site.
Curriculum Contributions – payment due February 1
Please remember that the Curriculum Contributions should be paid as priority over any Optional Education Items, including camps and special events. The Curriculum Contributions are items that your child/ren take temporary or permanent possession of and amounts to less than $4 a week. This is less than a coffee once a week. Please ensure that this is paid promptly to ensure our program leaders are able to purchase the required resources for 2024. Thank you to everyone who have already paid this in full or has organised a payment plan.
Farewell Year 6 Wandong Legends
While I have the chance, I would just like to say a few words before our Year 6 leaders depart – Thank you to your parents and teachers for bringing you to this point. For being a role model, for at times being a friend and other times making the hard call when our students couldn’t. Thank you for being an encourager and at all times a teacher in all that we do.
Our students are growing up in times where friends are made and lost with the click of a button. Where celebrities and how people look seem more important than who we actually are. As our students leave Wandong, a beautiful safe haven where friendships have been forged, memories made and foundations laid, I would like to encourage you to ask yourself these questions: What do I believe? AND just who will I be?
Just who will YOU be? Will you be the person who worries about having the best clothes and the best shoes or will you be the person who has good values? Will you be the person who cares about others or will you be the person who just doesn’t bother? This is your choice and it is never too late to be who you want to be. Ask yourself now and decide early. Our journey will be made much smoother and the difficult decisions we will face, made much easier if we know what we believe and who we want to be.
The last seven years have brought you all to this point and you have made incredible friendships. However, people come and people go, but that’s just life. Your primary school journey has come to an end, but true friendship and bonds stay strong through change. Stay true to yourself and hold tight to those bonds that matter.
You were in Year 2 when I came to Wandong and I still recall the morning conversations and after school stories. Your genuine interest when you asked, “how are you?” High school may prove difficult or daunting at times, there may be bad days, hectic weeks, or even crazy long terms. You might even have good ones that you want to share with others. You know where I spend my days and I’d love to be the one you sometimes call on to share this with.
Now I just want to leave you all with that question….. Just who will you be??? It’s your decision and yours alone.
December Reports
Remember that Student Reports will be loaded onto COMPASS on Friday.
Student Leader’s 2024
It has been extremely positive to establish roles, responsibilities and leadership positions now in readiness for 2024. We have a well-defined process and description of each position. Obviously, every year we have many children who are obviously disappointed, and this is all very natural. Some children strive year after year for these positions, but sadly don’t end up being voted in. Even as adults we know this is hard and it’s important that as teachers, parents and carers we encourage the very important skill of resilience and persistence. I read an interesting article by Tim Elmore, titled “Three Huge Mistakes We Make Leading Kids” Elmore concludes by saying “So let them fail, let them fall, and let them fight for what they really value. If we treat our kids as fragile, they will surely grow up to be fragile adults. We must prepare them for the world that awaits them. Our world needs resilient adults not fragile ones.” – See more at: http://growingleaders.com/blog/3-mistakes-we-make-leading-kids/#sthash.6R2opR7f.dpuf
Last week we had the absolute pleasure of being part of our 2024 student leadership selection process. Every single student took themselves out of their comfort zone and gave it their all. They persisted despite nerves and a whole lot of insecurities for some. This persistence is what makes a person. Someone who stands up to be counted and knows that they can be knocked down just as fast. Today I congratulate our most worthy 2024 leaders that were selected unanimously by their peers and teaching staff. What makes me prouder is the disposition, strength and tenacity shown by those who weren’t successful on this occasion.
The process of selecting the student leaders and the important roles that they play throughout the year at Wandong are regarded as a very important part of our school culture. Congratulations must go not only to the students who were elected, but also to all students who nominated for these positions. We look forward to introducing our Peer Mediators and Student Representative Council in the first few weeks of 2024.
Bring On 2024
On Tuesday, our students transitioned to their 2024 classrooms with their 2024 teacher and friends, some who might even be new friends. Please find attached our 2024 staff list and map.
Principal Certificate of Excellence
Once again for Semester 2, when I finalise reports, all the children that have been awarded an ‘EXCELLENT’ for behaviour and effort in every class, including specialists will have a certificate uploaded to Compass. Please make sure you check your child’s dashboard.
Academic Excellence
This year, for the second time we will also be highlighting overall academic excellence in English and Maths. Each area of the school, teachers in Foundation, Year 1/2s, Year 3/4s and Year 5/6s will moderate all available data for each child in both areas of the curriculum and award one student in each year level.
English Academic Excellence – Students who achieve predominantly excellent standards of achievement in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
Mathematics Academic Excellence- Students who achieve predominantly excellent standards of achievement in Number, Algebra, Measurement, Geometry, Statistics and Probability.
Recognising a student’s personal achievements for their ongoing and consistent high achievements over the year is of the upmost importance to our school. These will be announced in our final assembly and this certificate of achievement will be awarded to these students and uploaded to their Compass dashboard.
A MESSAGE FROM THE 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.
Reminder:
Hats must be worn throughout Term Four outside. If your child has taken their hat home, please make sure it’s brought back to school.
Uniform Orders
****Please remember to order a bag for smaller orders & for larger orders select two.
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.
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
OUR SCHOOL FETE IS COMING!!!
Here’s how you can support our fundraising efforts:
- Bring some friends on the day
- Volunteer 30 minutes at a stall via this link https://signup.com/go/rKRmMTO
- Buy raffle tickets prior to the event at https://rafflelink.com.au/wpsfete or at our raffle table on the night
- Token packages are available now via Compass Canteen
GET YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS NOW TO BE IN THE RUNNING!
Have you got your raffle tickets? Our Christmas raffle is live with over $2700 worth of prizes up for grabs this year! Tickets are available online now at https://rafflelink.com.au/wpsfete or at the Wandong Primary School Fete (1 token per ticket). Our raffle will be drawn live and winners announced at 6.45pm at the fete.
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
WANDONG PRIMARY SCHOOL FETE SPONSORS 2023
