September 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
| SEPTEMBER | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 13th | Whittlesea Show Sign up Expression of Interest Closes |
| Wednesday 13th | Wandong Gratitude Games #tabloidsportsday Consent & Payment Due |
| Wednesday 13th | STEM Quantum Victoria Excursion - FK & FI |
| Thursday 14th | R U Ok? Day - Yellow themed dress up day |
| Thursday 14th | ARE U OK? PIZZA Day - To order on Compass Canteen (Select this date) |
| Thursday 14th | Whittlesea Show Artwork - Last day you can submit artwork to the office |
| Friday 15th | Wandong Gratitude Games #tabloidsportsday |
| Friday 15th | Last day Term 3 – 2:30 Dismissal |
| Saturday 16th – Friday 29th | School Holidays |
| OCTOBER | 2023 |
| 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 | Dance Club/Choir - Selected students |
| 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 |
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
SunSmart
I’m sure you are all with me in warmly (well somewhat) welcoming the beginning of Spring. I’m excited to welcome some sunnier days this week, that’s for sure! With this change, it’s crucial that we keep the health and safety of our students at the forefront of our minds. It is time to retrieve, perhaps find under the bed, the old sun smart hat. It may need a good wash or perhaps you might need a new one for your child. Your child may also need a new hat if it is not fit for purpose, covered in graffiti or broken. These can be purchased through the office.
Term Four is a “No Hat, No Play” term and we encourage children to apply sunscreen before your child leaves for school and please encourage them to reapply during the day.
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.
Time Online
Managing the challenges of setting and maintaining rules and expectations around computers, tablets and mobile phones is hard work. The E-Safety Commissioner (esafety.gov.au) has a range of great advice and guidance regarding all things cyber. It is absolutely normal for families to be struggling with their children/s online/computer time at home and we often get asked about ways to develop their own family structures and expectations. We must all acknowledge that each and every family have varying expectations, and this is not a one-system-fits-all solution.
The following is taken from the E-Safety website. Set boundaries for digital device use in your home. Device-free zones and times can help you manage screen time. For example, your family plan could include rules like this:
- no devices in the bedroom for younger children
- all screens off in bedrooms after a certain time for older children
- all screens off at least one hour before planned bedtime
- all family members switch off at dinner time
- devices charged overnight in a place your child cannot access
REMINDER - Mobile Devices - Ministerial Order
Last year, we attended the principal forum. In this meeting we were briefed about the importance of implementing this order with fidelity. We can understand that many students carry or wear devices to and from school for safety reasons, however; we must ensure that all smart devices (capable of connecting to another device, making calls or texts or taking photos) are handed into the office upon arrival to school by students. We will store these devices and have them ready to hand back to students at the end of the day.
We are aware of smart watches that can be put into ‘school mode’ and this disables the ‘smart’ features of the watch. We ask that these devices are also handed in for secure storage also. It is not possible to check so many individual devices and ascertain if they are being correctly configured to adhere with this policy.
All classrooms have clocks to enable them to access the time.
Curriculum Contributions – HAVE YOU ACTIONED?
Thank you, THANK YOU… we are chipping away…
Next 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.
GRADE PLACEMENT FOR 2024 - REMINDER
At this stage, we have not assigned teachers to grade levels for next year and, in fact; still need to select a few teachers to fill those roles. There are no guarantees that teachers currently teaching at certain grade levels will be teaching there next year, as leadership needs to take into consideration a range of factors including the differing experience of our teaching staff and teacher preferences before this allocation is completed.
The school always sets out to create classes that have:
- A balance of academic levels (children at, above and below the level)
- A balanced social and behavioural mix (children who will get on well together with as little interruption as possible)
As you can imagine the process of grade placement is extremely tricky and time consuming. What is in the best interests of the school and all our children and families is paramount.
Process:
- Children will be asked by their teachers to nominate children they would like to be with in 2024. During the process the teachers will ensure that every child is with at least one of these preferences.
- Classroom teachers will rank children according to ability and highlight behavioural/social concerns along with any relevant information they have gathered throughout the year. All this information will then be used to develop the 2024 classes.
- Specialists will check the lists for any anomalies and then the leadership team will then confirm grade placements.
- In the last weeks of term, children and their new teacher will visit their 2024 classroom. The children and new teacher will complete an activity in this session notifying parents of their new grade.
Parent Considerations:
- Obviously, the classroom teacher has the most information regarding individual children. As a first port of call, please speak to your child’s classroom teacher if you wish to discuss anything about your child’s placement.
- Occasionally we may not be aware of special circumstances that need to be considered during the class selection process. Such special circumstances might include, but are not limited to; health, emotional or learning matters, peer or sibling relationships or changes in the home situation. Selecting a particular teacher does not fit within the realm of special circumstances. If parents want to provide extra personal information to be considered in the process you will need to email the school office. Letters should be addressed to “The Principal” and reach the office no later than September 22nd. Please note this is not about requesting or selecting your child’s teacher for next year. Please note that letters received after this date will NOT be accepted.
- This will exclude the friends the children will want to be with which has already been gathered by the teacher.
Finally, if you consider you have special circumstances, please make the request in writing EVEN if it has been made before – as much as we would like to think so, we can’t remember everything from years gone by! We do appreciate your trust in our professionalism in these regards. Once our grades are finalised there is no negotiation and no changes will be made unless there has been an error in our process. Changes, after we have finalised the complex task of allocating classes, is incredibly difficult. It is a complex process with many changing scenarios, and when a request is made after the fact, it requires more than one combination of students to be moved to accommodate it. This then creates a chess game of up to seven other moves. The hard truth about accommodating all requests is that helping one, comes often at the expense of someone else’s child.
End of Term Three – Gratitude Games
Just a quick reminder that this week is the last week of Term Three. The children will have lunch from 1:00pm-2:00pm and return to their room for the last half hour of the day before being dismissed at 2:30pm.
Have an amazing break and take some time out. Rest, relax and do something fun. We are ready for a big Term Four. School will resume Week One Term Four on MONDAY 2nd October.
WELLBEING
SEW in 5/6C – playful teasing vs. hurtful language
This week in SEW, 5/6C have been learning about the difference between harmless or playful teasing between friends and hurtful language. We talked about how it makes us feel when someone makes a ‘joking’ comment that actually hurts our feelings. We looked at a few different scenarios to identify if the comments being made were playful teasing or if they ‘cross the line’ and become hurtful.
Teasing has become hurtful when…
…one of the people isn’t laughing. (Ethan)
…it is spread through a bigger group. (Holly, Maddison and Addisyn M)
…you say stop and they don’t. (Braxton)
…it’s about something that the other person can’t change. (Annabelle, Ruby L and Matilda)
…you constantly say it and make fun of them lots. (Sammy and Chanelle)
…the only person laughing is the one making the jokes. (Zac and Riley)
…it becomes personal. (Zara and Poppy)
…when the person is looking uncomfortable. (Addison B and Lola)
…you’re just doing it to entertain your other friends. (Kade)
…when you’re saying it to be mean. (Rubi M)
…it’s rude about something bad that happened in your life. (Ollie)
…the tone of voice changes. (Kobe and Travis)
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
ARE U OK? PIZZA DAY: Thursday 14th of September.
Large pizza slices $3.50
(Margherita, Hawaiian or BBQ Chicken)
Apple or Orange Juice Box $1.50
Order on COMPASS CANTEEN.
IMPORTANT: –
Select 14/9 and choose Pizza Day to order.
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