February 12th 2025
'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
| February | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 12th | Meet the Teacher bookings open online from 9:00am |
| Thursday 13th | PAFA Meeting 9:15am - 10:15am All Welcome! |
| Thursday 13th | Icy Pole Thursdays Term 1 - $1 |
| Thursday 13th | Scholastic Book Club orders close today |
| Friday 14th | Badge presentation Special Assembly at the flagpole - Student School Leaders |
| Monday 17th | Meet the Teacher bookings close 3:30pm |
| Tuesday 18th | Parent INTERVENTION Helper Training 9:30am 10:30am (For parents who have registered) |
| Wednesday 19th | Alternate Day - Meet the Teacher Day - (Student Free) - If your child requires care, please book in at https://theircare.com.au/ |
| Wednesday 19th | Parent Helper Training 6:30pm -7:00pm (For parents who have registered) |
| Thursday 20th | Icy Pole Thursdays Term 1 - $1 |
| Friday 21st | District Swimming Championships - Selected Students only |
| Monday 24th | Photo Day - All Day |
| Monday 24th | Touring Wandong - 6:00pm - 2026 Students |
| Thursday 27th | Icy Pole Thursdays Term 1 - $1 |
| MARCH | 2025 |
| Wednesday 5th | Foundation students start full time |
| Thursday 6th | Photo retake/catchup day |
| Thursday 6th | Icy Pole Thursdays Term 1 - $1 |
| Thursday 6th | Division Swimming Championships - Selected Students only |
| Monday 10th | Labour Day Holiday - Student Free |
| Tuesday 11th | Curriculum Day - (Student Free) - If your child requires care, please book in at https://theircare.com.au/ |
| Thursday 13th | Icy Pole Thursdays Term 1 - $1 |
| Monday 17th | Touring Wandong - 6:00pm - 2026 Students |
| Thursday 20th | Icy Pole Thursdays Term 1 - $1 |
| Friday 21st | Grade 5/6 Reptile Encounters Incursion - Consent/Payment due |
| Friday 21st | 1/2 Incursion - Wildlife Xposure - Consent/Payment due |
| Tuesday 25th | Touring Wandong - 10:00am - 2026 Students |
| Thursday 27th | Grade 5/6 Reptile Encounters Incursion |
| Thursday 27th | Icy Pole Thursdays Term 1 - $1 |
| Friday 28th | Grade 1/2 Incursion - Wildlife Xposure |
| Friday 28th | Working Bee - 1/2N, 3/4F & 5/6H 2:30pm - 3:30pm |
| APRIL | 2025 |
| Thursday 3rd | Icy Pole Thursdays Term 1 - $1 |
| Friday 4th | SRC Easter Bonnet (Gold coin to Good Friday Appeal) and WELLBEING WALK DAY |
| Friday 4th | Last day Term 1 |
| Tuesday 22nd | First day Term 2 |
| MAY | 2025 |
| Friday 23rd | Working Bee - 1/2A, 3/4C & 5/6T 2:30pm - 3:30pm |
| June | 2025 |
| Friday 27th | Working Bee - 1/2C, 3/4G & 5/6C 2:30pm -3:30pm |
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Volunteering at School – Child Safety Standards Induction
Next week we are running our Parent Intervention Helper training on Tuesday 18th February 9.30-10.00am and Parent Helper training on Wednesday 19th of February at 6.30-7.00pm. These sessions are done via Webex and include a presentation on the Wandong Child Safety Policies. At the conclusion of the session, you will be invited to sign and return the WPS Child Safety Standards Induction Checklist 2025.
All adults volunteering at a school must have a current Working With Children Check and have completed the Child Safety Standards Induction Checklist 2025. Both these documents must be sighted at the school office prior to volunteering.
Parent Helper Program 2025
Involving families in our classrooms is a valued part of our community culture at Wandong Primary School. We are currently seeking expressions of interest for our Parent Helper program. If you would like to volunteer your time to support around the school this year, we would love to have you!
To become a Parent Helper for 2025, please complete the attached form and email it to Stephanie Pollock (Assistant Principal of Curriculum) at Stephanie.Pollock@education.vic.gov.au.
New Parent Helpers will also need to:
- supply a Working With Children Check card to the office.
- attend one of the online training sessions below.
- sign a volunteer induction form.
We will be holding the following Parent Helper Training Sessions next week:
- Tuesday 18th February from 9:30-10:30am – This session will also qualify you to assist with the intervention program.
- Wednesday 19th February from 6:30-7:00pm.
These sessions will be conducted over WebEx. To join a session, please use the links below on the day.
- Session One– Tuesday 18th Feb
- Session Two– Wednesday 19th Feb
Please note that these will be the only training sessions to run this year, so if you are looking to be a Parent Helper please ensure you attend one of the sessions above.
What if I am a previous parent helper?
Parents who have volunteered in a Parent Helper role previously, do not need to attend a training session. Simply return the attached form to let us know that you are looking to help again in 2025, and we will get everything organised!
What does the intervention program involve?
Parents who assist in the intervention program provide invaluable support to our students who are needing an ‘extra boost’ with their learning. As a Parent Intervention Helper (PIH), you will visit school regularly to provide intervention support to a set group of students in Foundation-Grade 2. PIHs work with students one-on-one in the classroom centre space, and are trained to deliver intervention support. All resources are provided, and we can work within your available schedule. We do ask that PIHs:
- commit to set days and times, with regular attendance, to enable our students to get the most out of the program.
- be willing to work with students who are not necessarily in their own child’s class or year level.
- are patient and prepared to work with vulnerable learners who need reassurance and encouragement.
Thank you for supporting our teachers and students in 2025.
Your time is invaluable and we are so thankful to have you joining us!
Meet the Teacher Conferences – BOOKINGS CLOSE 3.30PM MONDAY – Don’t miss out!
We are looking forward to our conferences next week. Each meeting will be 15 minutes in duration and bookings are open now through Compass. Please note these are not sessions for reporting as classroom teachers have not yet had time to accurately assess each student’s point of need. However, the individual questionnaire that children have taken home will be an extremely valuable conversation piece for you and your child. They are a great opportunity for you to share information about your children and to open the lines of communication with teachers.
Propel Learning – how can you support our values at home?
In the first few weeks of school, our teachers all run a Start Up program in all classrooms and specialist classes. This program is aimed at creating a culture for learning. It allows each class to identify classroom expectations, protocols and behaviours which are conducive to active learning. Collaboration and teamwork are paramount in preparing our students for the future.
Children will talk about what good learning and teaching looks like, and they will focus on social and emotional learning. A big part of the work at this time of the year is around our school values. We want our children to learn new skills and have a strong knowledge-base in all subject areas, but more importantly, we are passionate about them building their capacity to think creatively, investigate and find out. Our teachers want to build positive thinkers who understand and value their community and the contributions they can make. We hope that you will also discuss and reinforce the learnings from school, at home. Please feel free to discuss this with your teacher and how you can support the school, its values and its vision.
Join With Us! Remember to comment, like and love stuff 🙂
We currently have over 1000 followers on our official school Facebook page. Please head over and ‘LIKE’ us at https://www.facebook.com/WandongPS/
We currently have 589 members in our official school Facebook group. Please head over and join this group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/3619617971385556/
Please ensure you answer the required questions to ensure authenticity of the membership.
National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy
Our Year 3 and Year 5 students will be completing the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) in the second half of March. The schedule has not been finalised as yet, however; the tests will be conducted in the following order from left to right:
Writing
Wednesday 12thMarch
Year 3 – On paper
Year 5 – Online
Reading
Date TBC
Year 3 – Online
Year 5 – Online
Conventions of Language
Date TBC
Year 3 – Online
Year 5 – Online
Numeracy
Date TBC
Year 3 – Online
Year 5 – Online
Duty of Care – Supervision Before and After School
Please be aware that staff are on duty no earlier than 8.40am each morning and 3.40pm each afternoon. Any students who are onsite prior to 8.40am and after 3.40pm will be taken to OSHC. Please ensure you have enrolled your child with Their Care to ensure your child is appropriately supervised.
PAFA
Next Meeting: Thursday 13th February
9:15am in the staffroom
Zooper Doopers will be sold every THURSDAY. Money will now be collected in classrooms at the start of the day. Icy poles will be delivered to classrooms at lunch eating time.
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.
Reminder: –
Hats must be worn throughout Term one & Term four outside. If they don’t have a hat, they can only play in a shaded area.
**Kids can get messy, please be organised & keep an extra set of clothes in your child’s bag for emergencies.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
SOCIAL MEDIA AGE LIMITS SURVEY
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
Social, enjoyable & fun experiences for children
Develop creativity, life skills & confidence through play
Qualified, caring & engaged staff
Exciting & thoughtfully develop programs
Healthy & Yummy food provided each day
Bookings now open!
| Monday - Friday Hours of Operation | Fees before Child Care Subsidy* | Out-of-pocket fees after Child Care Subsidy** | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before School Care (BSC) | 6:30 AM to 8:45 AM | $24.10 | $2.41 |
| After School Care (ASC) | 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM | $26.40 | $2.64 |
| Pupil Free Day | 6.30 AM to 6.30 PM | $118.20 | $11.82 |
| Holiday Program*** | 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM | $112.79 | $11.28 |
*Standard fee costs before Child Care Subsidy/ **Standard fee costs after maximum Child Care Subsidy / *** Standard fee costs excluding incursions/excursions
Cancellation Fees
(No Child Care Subsidy applied to Cancellation Fees)
BSC/ASC within 48 hours of session start time: $5.00
Holiday Program within 5 days of session start time: $10.00
Same day cancellation fee is out-of-pocket session fee.
Late Booking Fees
(Child Care Subsidy is applied to Late Booking Fees)
BSC/ASC within 48 hours of session start time: $5.00
Holiday Program: book less than 5 days from the session start time fee is $10.00
Late Pick-up Fees
(Child Care Subsidy does not apply to Late Pickup Fees)
$1 per minute after service close time
To register visit theircare.com.au
TheirCare support team is available between 6.30am – 9am weekdays (Eastern Standard Time) on 1300 072 410 or info@theircare.com.au
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.
