December 6th, 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 |
| Mon 4th - Fri 8th | Gratitude Week |
| Wednesday 6th | Day Tour Trail Ride. Great Vic Rail Trail - Consent/Payment due - Selected Students only |
| Thursday 7th | Grade 6 Graduation - Consent and Payment due |
| Friday 8th | Foundation 2023 Pyjama Day |
| Friday 8th | Foundation 2024 Transition Day #4 - 9.10am - 10am |
| Friday 8th | Day Tour Trail Ride. Great Vic Rail Trail - Selected Students 9am - 3pm |
| Monday 11th | Pizza in the Park 2023 Consent due - selected students only |
| Monday 11th | Parent helper morning tea in the Library 11am - 11.30am |
| Tuesday 12th | Whole School Transition Morning - 9am - 10am |
| Tuesday 12th | 2024 Foundation Transition Day - Teddy Bear Picnic at 9.15am |
| 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
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.
Early Arrivers
As the term has progressed, we have seen a steady increase in the number of students arriving early and left to their own devices in the yard – well before any other students have arrived. This is a reminder that staff supervision does not begin until 8:50am before school. After school, supervision is from 3:30pm until 3:40pm.
Library Books
Don’t forget to return all library books and other reading material as soon as possible. This 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 2023. We have our graduation on Thursday the 14th, our whole school fete on Monday the 18th from 2:30pm and our end of year Funfields Day on Tuesday 19th. On Wednesday 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.
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 2023. 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.
Please join us for morning tea in the library on Monday at 11:00am.
Classes for 2024
The classes for 2024 will be advised on Tuesday, December 12th, 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 2024 teacher in their 2024 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’.
https://au.reachout.com/articles/7-tips-for-dealing-with-change
https://theconversation.com/coping-with-change-teaching-adaptability-will-help-kids-grow-19726
https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/help-kids-cope-big-life-changes
WELLBEING
In SEW last week, the 3/4 students were exposed to change! We flipped our classroom floor space and delivered the teaching at the back of the room. This was in preparation of our upcoming class transition session. We explored a variety of concepts and skills that help people navigate transitions and adapt to new situations. This lesson provided a holistic approach that addresses the emotional, cognitive and behaviour aspects of dealing with changes.
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
