9th October 2019

OUR SCHOOL VISION: “Wandong Primary School … Making a difference by developing confident, independent

and resilient learners who strive for personal excellence.”

‘The Puggle Post’

“We make a

difference.”

www.wandongps.vic.edu.au

Reminders .

Friday 11th October - Bushwazee permission & payment due today

Friday 11th October - Somers Camp forms & payment due today (selected students from Grade 5/6)

Saturday 12th October - 2020 Foundation Welcome BBQ at school from 11:30am-1:00pm

Monday 14th October - Grade 5/6 camp forms and payments due today

Tuesday 15th October - PAFA Meeting (9:15am onwards in the staffroom)

Wednesday 16th October - Northern Metropolitan Regional Athletics Championships

Wednesday 16th October - 2020 Foundation Transition Session #1 (9:15-10:45am)

Dear Families I hope everyone had a wonderful break and are well rested for a fantastic finish to the year. Term Four will see our Grade Sixes visiting their new high schools while at the other end of the school, our 2020 Preps will be beginning their transition.

Proud to be Appointed as Principal of Wandong Primary School

I have to admit that I am absolutely overwhelmed and sitting on cloud nine still, following the announcement just prior to the end of term three. I wanted to extend a thousand THANK YOUS for all the wonderful support and encouraging words from so many of our community.

At the end of 2003 I moved from Portland back to the Melbourne area where I grew up, buying a small property in Sunday Creek. I did my homework on all the local schools in my area and knew that Wandong was the school I wanted to call home one day. Some sixteen years later, this dream has come to pass.

I’ve worked in a vast array of schools over my career and have spent the last seven years leading the community of Rosanna Golf Links. As much as a little piece of me is left at this school I am excited to have now found the ‘perfect fit’; Wandong to me is the ‘perfect fit’. I am looking forward to investing into ‘my’ community.

There is a very real culture at Wandong, which is hard to pin point or put into words. To me it has been a baton of honour that has been built and proudly presented to me to uphold and improve. I am passionate about growing and developing what is already a positive culture and leading Wandong into a new era of excellence and high expectations.

Leading a school is more than managing staff and students. It’s about individual families, the wider community and building sustainable, collaborative, productive relationships. I recognise the primary role of the family in education and promote families and schools to work together in partnership. I believe effective schools have high levels of parental and community involvement, which can be related to improved student learning, attendance and behaviour. I see family engagement as an integral component at Wandong. Henry Ford argues: “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success!”

As we travel through the 21st Century, I find myself as the Principal of Wandong Primary School, charged with the responsibility of preparing young people to thrive in a world characterised by rapid and accelerating change, an amazing explosion of information and choices, and an urgent need for people to build healthy relationships and work together for worthwhile, ethical purposes.

I chose to be a teacher, it wasn’t a second choice degree for me, and I was and always will be adamant on making a difference for as many children as I can. I am also a qualified Foster Care Worker. I voluntarily care for children who are unable to live in their own home for short and long periods of time. I’ve stretched my family circle to give children and young people the necessary care, safety and support that they require during very difficult times in their lives. I have a student/child first philosophy in my work and in my personal day to day walk in life.

I didn’t just choose ANY school. I chose THIS school, THIS staff, THESE kids, THESE families and THIS community. I’m here because I love it!

I’m excited about working together to ‘Make a Difference’.

As we head into Term Four, the Leadership Team will commence planning for 2020. We are looking at the number of students enrolled and considering our structure and the number of classes we will need to best support the learning programs that are provided for students. This planning takes into account the budget that will be available for staffing. This budget is determined by student numbers; therefore it is important to have the best possible information when we are making our decisions.

If you have a child who will be commencing in Prep next year, could you please submit your enrolment form as soon as possible? If you have a neighbour or friend who is intending to send their child to Wandong and has not yet enrolled, could you please encourage them to send along their paperwork.

Conversely, any parents who know their children will not be continuing at Wandong, could you please let me know via email at morrow.kelly.m@edumail.vic.gov.au as soon as possible. Even if you are not sure at this moment, a note about the possibility that this may occur is always helpful. As enrolment numbers affect our staffing decisions and the number of classes we have, it is important that we are able to predict as closely as possible what our expected enrolment will be in 2020.

HATS – NO HAT NO PLAY!

Don’t forget that children need to wear a school hat in Terms 1 and 4 as part of our Sun Smart Policy. Hats can be purchased at the office. To avoid the risk of hats going missing it is a good idea to write your child’s name inside the hat.

GRADE PLACEMENT FOR 2020 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 next year. 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 different experience of our teaching staff and teacher preferences before this allocation is completed. The process of placing students into grades is detailed and complex. Before finalising grades we seek the advice of classroom teachers, specialist teachers, education support staff, our school chaplain and leadership staff. This is all done to ensure that grades are ‘balanced’ and students are placed in an environment that best meets their academic, social and emotional needs.

Process: Children will be asked by their teachers to nominate children they would like to be with in 2020. During

the process the teachers will ensure that every child is with at least one of these. Class teachers use data to categorise students according to ability, highlighting behavioural/social

concerns- along with any relevant information they have gathered throughout the year. This information is then used to develop 2020 classes.

Specialists and unit leaders will check the lists for any anomalies and then the leadership team will then confirm grade placements.

In the second last week of term, children and their new teacher will visit their 2020 classrooms for the day and parents are notified of their child’s new grade for 2020.

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 outside of school such as, serious family conflicts that the school should be aware of prior to placing students. 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 October 25. 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.

All information must be in writing, directed to the attention of The Principal and submitted to the office by October 25. Letters after this date will not be accepted. Thank you for trusting our

professional judgments on these matters.

Can You Help? Coming into a new school is always exciting and the possibilities for us at Wandong is endless. We have a diverse community with an abundance of skills to help make our great school even better. I was hoping that we might have a photographer who might be able to assist with some great professional shots. Please let me know personally or let the office know via a call or email if you can assist in any way in this area.

It’s Looking Fabulous Over the holidays I went on an excursion to the block and visited our new spaces. With some landscaping yet to be done, we are on track for moving towards the end of term. 2020 is going to a wonderful year. The cute kid is my smallest kid, Possum.

And… I loved my first yard duty too! I made lots of new friends

Thank you to our School Captains who presented me this beautiful arrangement on my first day

Kellly Morrow - Principal

WANDONG PRIMARY SCHOOL

SUPER READER’S CLUB:

Congratulations on 50 nights reading: Lachlan Calleja.

Congratulations on 100 nights reading: Isabella Vongixay and Milly Hutchison.

Congratulations on 200 nights reading: Annabelle Robertson.

Congratulations

Sophie Hall on achieving a milestone in her

Scouting journey and earning the

Joey Scout Promise Challenge.

To obtain this top award reflects initiative in

tackling the Challenge, sustained effort

over many months and years, plus self discipline,

teamwork and leadership. Well done Sophie

Hello Everyone

Hope you enjoyed the School Holidays

Hope to see you at the next PAFA meeting - all welcome. A big thank you to Bertocchi Thomastown for donating the

hot dogs for our most recent special food day! Thankyou to everyone who helped.

Kicking off term 4 with something a little different - A Mango Drive! Beautiful Kensington Pride mangoes! $25 per a

box . The number of Mangoes per tray depends on the size of the fruit, and may vary from 12 large Mangoes up to

23 small mangoes. As well as having a great taste, mangoes are packed with nutritional goodness – Vitamin C (one

Mango contains your recommended daily allowance), Vitamine E, Beta-Carotene, antioxidants, Potassium & B

Vitamins. They are low in fat & cholesterol free. Orders are due back on Tuesday 29th October by 4pm, with delivery

in early December.

Chocolate Thursday - If your child would like a treat send in $1 for a chocolate. If you can sell more chocolates ask at

the office for a box.

Volunteers Needed - Wallan Market Stall Saturday 9th November. Are you able to help on the stall for a couple of

hours? More information coming soon

Any Idea's for Fundraising next year? PAFA is researching & checking out what to include. We had lots of terrific

suggestions, keep them coming in.

Next PAFA Meeting: 15th October 2019 (9:15am onwards in the staffroom)

Many Thanks Fiona Scott - PAFA President

PARENT

PAYMENTS

RECEIVED

282 families

at WPS.

205 Completed

payments

= 74 %

Have you

recently

asked your

child/ren..

“What

did you

learn

today?”

What’s gone home recently? The following notices were sent home between

Thursday 19th September to Wednesday 9th October:

Whole school: PAFA Mango Drive Fundraiser information and order form

Selected Families: Nil

Selected Students: Nil

Individual grade levels:

Foundation: Nil

Grade 1/2: Classroom information for 1/2K

Grade 3/4:

Classroom information for 3/4O

Grade 5/6: Classroom information for 5/6O Grade 5/6 Camp deadline reminder

Spare copies of notices are in the school foyer in the grade level trays

Curriculum and Wellbeing Update

Welcome back to another exciting term at Wandong Primary School! As always there are lots of wonderful things

planned for the coming term, centred on teaching and learning, along with other extra-curricular/wellbeing activities

for our students. Some updates and reminders for the coming weeks:

Teaching and Learning: At the end of term three each of our teaching teams participated in a Planning Day, during

which they collaboratively planned new units of work for term four, with the support of the English and Mathematics

Learning Specialists. Our teachers are most excited to get teaching and learning underway this term and as always we

look forward to the delivery of a robust program, designed to challenge and engage our students.

Walk to School Month: This month Wandong PS will join 746 other schools participating in the Walk to School

initiative, encouraging students to develop healthy habits around regular exercise. Along with promoting walking,

riding or scooting to school, students will also have the option of participating in the trundle wheel challenge on the

yard, during which they can try to accumulate as many m/km as possible for our school, by pushing the trundle wheel

around the grounds. Each time the gauge reaches 999m, another hole will be punched in the card attached. We would

like to thank Mrs Andrew for organising this event , in conjunction with the Mitchell Shire Council.

Students Wearing Hats in Term 4: A reminder to families that term 4 is a Sun Smart term at Wandong PS and

students are required to wear hats when playing outdoors, in accordance with school uniform. If your child requires a

new hat, one may be purchased from the lovely ladies at the main office.

Attendance: Every day counts when it comes to school attendance and going to school is the single most important

part of your child’s education! Research shows that each day missed is linked to progressively lower results in Reading,

Writing and Mathematics. Time away from school creates gaps in learning and can also cause disconnects in

friendships. There are always times when students need to miss school, such as when they’re ill. It is vital however that

where possible, attempts are made to reduce absent days and holidays are planned during school breaks where

possible. At WPS we want to encourage all of our students to love coming to school and to value their time spent

learning in class with their teacher and peers!

Foundation Welcome BBQ: This Saturday we will be holding our annual welcome BBQ for our new 2020 Foundation

students and their families. The current Foundation teachers, along with the leadership team will all be in attendance

and we look forward to getting to know our new families, while participating in some fun in the sun (we hope!). This

afternoon is one of many transition events planned for new students, giving them an opportunity to familiarise

themselves with the grounds and begin to develop some new friendships. We would also like to thank our school

captains for volunteering their time to run some games outside on the day.

Kind regards,

David Warren (Assistant Principal) & Stephanie Pollock

A Message from the School Captains.

Welcome back everyone! We hope you had an awesome holiday and are ready for

term 4, because it’s going to be epic!

We would like to welcome Mrs Morrow. We were both very excited to welcome her

on Monday and cannot wait to work with her.

The Grade 5 / 6’s started Bike Ed this week! So if you see us riding around, give us a

wave.

This term we have camps! And we have Surf Camp!!!!!!!!

Lots more coming up this term, so get ready for Bushwazee, Fete and the Pool Party!

We are both looking forward to helping Mrs. Nelson and the Foundation teachers

welcome the 2020 foundation students on Saturday.

Don’t forget, term 4 is a sun smart term so don’t forget your hat!

Xander Fearn and Aurora Sheehy

GRADE 5 / 6 CAMP ALL FORMS MUST BE RECEIVED

WITH FULL PAYMENT BY

4pm MONDAY 14th OCTOBER.

NO MONIES OR FORMS WILL BE TAKEN AFTER THIS TIME, AND PARTICIPATION ON CAMP WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.

** PLEASE NOTE – TO CUT COSTS, NO FURTHER COPIES OF THE CAMP PACKS WILL BE SENT HOME – LAST YEAR, ON AVERAGE

3 COPIES WERE PRINTED PER STUDENT!

IF YOU REQUIRE ANOTHER PACK – ONE CAN PRINTED FROM THE SKOOLBAG APP OR CONTACT CAL FEARN DIRECTLY ON

fearn.callum.j@edumail.vic.gov.au AND ONE CAN BE EMAILED TO YOU.

NO COPIES WILL BE KEPT AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE **

The Kapzikidz are on a mission!

Can you help?

We would like help from our school community

to collect 5000 plastic lids!

You might be asking why...? We will be donating

the lids to Envision Hands to be recycled and

then go on to be made into bespoke aids

(like prosthetic hands) with 3D printers.

One way to collect bottle caps is by utilizing the available beverage caps around you. Our families

have already started collecting lids, we have an old shoe box that we put the lids in. If you can

wash the lids before donating that would be a great help also.

Please drop your clean, plastic bottle tops in to

the Science room, Room 3, to the Office in the

labelled collection tubs.

Thanks for your help!

Together we can

make a difference!

The Kapzikidz

WOW! … WHAT’S ON & WHAT’S DUE @WANDONG Friday 11th Bushwazee permission & payment due today

Somers Camp forms & payment due today (selected students from Grade 5/6)

Saturday 12th 2020 Foundation Welcome BBQ at school from 11:30am-1:00pm

Monday 14th Grade 5/6 camp forms and payments due today

Tuesday 15th PAFA Meeting (9:15am onwards in the staffroom)

Wednesday 16th Northern Metropolitan Regional Athletics Championships 2020 Foundation Transition Session #1 (9:15-10:45am)

Thursday 17th to Friday 18th

Grade 1/2 Camp

Monday 21st School Council Meeting (6:00pm start in the staffroom)

Wednesday 23rd 2020 Foundation Transition Session #2 (9:15-10:45am)

Friday 25th Bushwazee (whole school incursion) World Teacher’s Day

Monday 28th Young Leaders Conference for Grade 6 school leaders (Wallan PS)

Tuesday 29th PAFA Mango Drive orders and payments due today

Wednesday 30th 2020 Foundation Transition Session #3 (9:15-10:45am)

NOVEMBER

Friday 1st Grade 6 Graduation consent and payment due today

Monday 4th Pupil Free Day (no students required at school)

Tuesday 5th Melbourne Cup Day (no students required at school)

Tuesday 5th to Wednesday 13th

Somers School Camp (selected students from Grade 5\6)

Wednesday 6th 2020 Foundation Transition Session #4 (9:15-10:45am)

Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th

Grade 3/4 Camp

Wednesday 13th 2020 Foundation Transition #5 (9:15-10:45am)

Foundation Bounce Camp forms and payments due today

Wednesday 13th to Friday 15th

Scholastic Book Fair

Friday 15th 2019 School Fete (2.30-7.00pm)

Monday 18th to Wednesday 20th

Grade 5/6 Camp

Tuesday 26th PAFA Slushie Day (Foundation to Grade 2)

Wednesday 27th PAFA Slushie Day (Grades 3 to 6)

Friday 29th Foundation Bounce Camp

WANDONG PRIMARY SCHOOL IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

Wallan & Kilmore Community Bank® branches

HEAD LICE The school has been recently notified that a number of parents

are having to treat their children for head lice.

The Department of Education and Training regulations state that students should not

return to school until after a recognised corrective treatment has been commenced.

Please check your children’s hair regularly.

Edition 1, Term 4, 2019

Wellbeing @

Wandong PS