October 4th, 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
| OCTOBER | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 11th | 5/6 Incursion - Lauren Kathage |
| 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 | Whittlesea Division Softball Finals - Consent due - Selected students only |
| Sunday 15th | Dance Club/Choir - Selected students |
| Monday 16th | Whittlesea Division Softball Finals - Selected students only |
| Monday 30th | Grandparents Day (All day) |
| NOVEMBER | 2023 |
| Monday 6th | Curriculum Day - No Students – If your child requires care, please book in at https://theircare.com.au/ |
| Tuesday 7th | Melbourne Cup Holiday - No Students |
| 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 |
| Thursday 23rd | Professional Practice Day - No students required - If your child requires care, please book in at https://theircare.com.au/ |
| 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 - Teddy Bear Picnic at 9.15am |
| Thursday 14th | Grade 6 Graduation |
| Monday 18th | School Fete 3.30pm - 7pm |
| Tuesday 19th | Funfields - End of Year Pool Party |
| Wednesday 20th | Last Day of term - 1.30pm dismissal |
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
I just love the September school holidays… what is there not to love? We had absolutely perfect weather and the anticipation of daylight savings starting Term Four is a highlight in my world. As much as I am still not cleared to ride the horse, I have now begun working him on the ground, along with my baby horse. I enjoyed some rest and relaxation in Sorrento, and what a beautiful part of the world that is.
When I say rest and relaxation, it was filled with a crazy number of steps, many meals out and fun times with my husband, four legged kids and friends.
Term Four is notoriously busy so please keep up to date by:
- reading the newsletter every week
- checking the event calendar at the top of the newsletter
- ensuring events are read and paid for on COMPASS BEFORE THE DUE DATE
- following our official Facebook Group
- ensuring your information, including your email, is kept up to date in the office
- remembering that teachers and leadership are always happy to chat, please phone the office to make an appointment.
REMINDERS
CURRICULUM DAY (ASSESSMENT & REPORTING) – MONDAY 6TH NOVEMBER
MELBOURNE CUP PUBLIC HOLIDAY — TUESDAY 7th NOVEMBER
Tuesday the 7th of November is Melbourne Cup Day, this is a PUBLIC HOLIDAY. The school will be closed on this day. The Monday prior to this is generally a very quiet day at school, with many of our families opting to use this as a long weekend. As a staff have allocated the day for our mandated requirements around Assessment and Reporting.
HATS – NO HAT NO PLAY!
Don’t forget that children need to wear a school hat in Terms One and Four as part of our Sun Smart Policy. To avoid the risk of hats going missing, it is a good idea to write your child’s name inside the hat.
World Teachers’ Day 2023
On Friday 7th of October, the world celebrates teachers. Wandong is blessed with the best teachers in the world (I’m not biased either ) so please find a way to cherish your child’s teacher. We have a strong culture of gratitude and I know that every note, email, card, token gift, kind word does not go unnoticed. In fact, it is often shared far and wide in our staffroom. Our teachers arrive early, leave late, miss personal functions to attend school events and constantly put in well and above for our wonderful kids. Please show them you care in your own small way!
Infectious Diseases – Chicken Pox
We have recently had a confirmed case of Chicken Pox. This common condition is contagious, and children are excluded for 5 days, or until blisters have dried. Any child with an immune deficiency or receiving chemotherapy should be kept home for their own protection.
Planning for 2024
Just prior to the holiday period each September, the Department of Education and Training provides schools with their indicative budget for the coming year. Using this information and an electronic planner, I can illustrate a variety of scenarios that will provide the best learning opportunities for the children at Wandong, and the teaching staff required to implement these. The funding of these programs is determined directly by our student enrolment figures for 2024.
With a projected enrolment of 500 students for 2024 we have already made some staffing decisions and are currently in the process of interviewing and determining other positions that need to be advertised. It is important to do this early, as we need to have the best available field from which to select new members of staff.
When planning the different programs, we would like to offer, it is amazing the difference that can be made by having five students less (i.e., less students, means less funding, means less money to employ staff). Therefore, it is important that if you do not think your child will be attending Wandong in 2024 that you let me know as soon as possible in writing.
Important Dates – Term Four
Please ensure you are keeping abreast of ‘What On and What’s Due’ at the top of our newsletter. There are a number of events in Term Four and many of these need to be actioned on Compass. There will be no extensions or last-minute additions after events have closed. All events require the organiser to complete a ‘Risk Assessment’ with the children, staff and volunteers attending and this document must be finalised by this date.
SAVE THE DATE! COMING TO WANDONG! SPECIAL PARENT EVENT
Susan McLean – CYBER COP, KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE ONLINE
BOOK IN NOW WITH THE OFFICE
It’s an Online World!
Kids today have access to and are accessible to many millions of people worldwide via the vast array of websites, applications and online games. The unprecedented amount of personal information available on these sites makes them a perfect place for people who would happily identify their victims and gain their trust. Other identified dangers include exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying and harassment, exchange of inappropriate images and identity theft. Teens are often not aware that their words and or photos, which may have been intended for a small audience, sometimes find their way to a larger one, often with both the unexpected and undesirable consequences.
Today’s parents grew up in a world devoid of these technologies. They often have little knowledge on how best to assist and guide children and, when interest or concern is shown, suspicious kids ‘fob’ them off with the typical responses of ‘You won’t understand…..’ ‘Go away its private……’or ‘You have no idea…..’.
Internet and mobile phone technology is fabulous and provides us with the ability to connect with people all around the world. We can explore and learn about the world like never before, however, cyberspace does have its problems, and unfortunately for kids, they are the primary targets for people’s warped ideas and bad behaviours. Young people are often targeted and groomed without the ability to recognise that this is occurring.
Kids’ technical skills are superb. Adults today cannot even aspire to the level of technical knowledge inherent in today’s kids, but we do know that this skill is not matched by cogitative development. Nothing we do can ‘put an old head on young shoulders’ and the ability to perceive risk, and foresee consequences, is limited.
Kids need to appreciate and accept that just as in the real world, there are dangers in cyberspace. Parents need to teach kids that cyberspace is permanent. Everything that they write, post and send can be traced and will remain there forever. Do they want that comment, or picture from Saturday night’s party on the desk of the person conducting a job interview in 10 years time? Are you happy for that naked picture, sent trustingly to their boyfriend who loves them dearly and will not share it with anyone (until he has it or you break up or both) on the computer of a paedophile? Kids need to think before they click and parents and teachers need to educate them to ensure that where possible, the correct decisions are made in the first instance, not after a moment of madness.
Don ’t be afraid of technology. Learn about it and embrace it as your children do. Accept that they will access content that might upset them, often not because they went looking for it and make sure that they are comfortable coming to you when this happens. Spend time online with them. Cyberspace can be a lot of fun.
Please ensure you have called or emailed the office to book in for this special event.
Curriculum Contributions – HAVE YOU ACTIONED?
Thank you, THANK YOU… we are chipping away…
This 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.
PLACEMENT FOR 2024 REMINDER – THIS IS NOW FINALISED
At this stage, the timeline for parent considerations has now passed. Please be assured that a lot of thought is being put into both the class structure and the allocation of students into these classes, taking into account academic needs, friendship groupings and special considerations in terms of student learning. Input by the teachers, who know the children well, is contributing to the final placement of students. Children will visit their 2024 classrooms during the second last week of school and meet their new teachers. How exciting! Please note: As communicated last term’s newsletters, once our grades are finalized there is no negotiation, and no changes will be made unless there has been an error in our process.
WELLBEING
S.E.W IN FK
In Foundation K, we have been learning about a variety of things to support our Social, Emotional and Wellbeing.
Our favourite topic we have learnt about is ‘R U OK DAY?’
We have been learning about the importance of helping our friends, classmates and family, by having conversations and asking R U OK?
In Foundation K, we have listened to stories and songs about ‘R U OK DAY?’ The students also created pictures of someone who is ok and someone who is not ok.
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
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
