2021 TERM 1 – Week 6

ENDEAVOUR

NEWSLETTER OF WEST RYDE PUBLIC SCHOOL

‘nothing left unattempted’

Principal’s Message.

Official Opening

On Thursday 25th February 2021, The NSW Premier - Gladys Berejiklian, The

Education Minister – Sarah Mitchell, MLC and our Local Member of Parliament –

Victor Dominello officially opened the new learning facilities. The best comment from

Sarah Mitchell (Education Minister) that morning was about how it felt when she

walked into the school. The level of professionalism and the behaviour demonstrated

by our Captains and Vice-Captains were exceptional. They engaged very well with the

Ministers and Premier, demonstrating their love and enthusiasm for the school and

the quality of school life here WRPS.

UPCOMING DATES: Mon 8th March Canteen open Dental check visit Tues 9th March Canteen open Dental Check visit Yr 1 Child Protection Program Wed 10th March Uniform Shop Bookings Canteen open Zone swimming Dental check visit Thus 11th March Canteen open Dental check visit Stage 1 Sydney Zoo Fri 12th March Canteen open Dental check visit Summer PSSA Mon 15th March Canteen open Swim School Tues 16th March Canteen open Swim school Yr 1 Child Protection Program Wed 17th & Thus 18th March Uniform Shop Bookings Canteen open Swim school P & C Meeting Fri 19th March Canteen open Swim school Summer PSSA

Working in partnership with parents

Meet the teacher night was as an exciting opportunity for parents to see the new learning spaces, understand

how classrooms are collaboratively used to support the varied learning styles of students, and the teaching modes

used to engage students in their learning. Connecting with your child’s teacher/s is an integral part of school life.

Make sure you are connecting with them regularly, discuss concerns openly and resprctfully as early as possible to

ensure that we are all able proactively support and nurture their development.

Learning Partnership

In Week 10 of this term our teachers will be holding meetings with parents to share information and discuss plans

for each individual student’s learning this year. This Term 1 meeting will be an opportunity to discuss points such

as how students are settling in to the classroom, details from last year’s learning progress report, concerns and

suggestions parents have for their child, learning goals already negotiated with the students, and ways the

teacher and the parents/carers can work together in partnership to maximise the growth that every student in

every class can make in 2021. As our teachers are still getting to know your children support them by providing

some of your own deep and exact knowledge of what works best for your child, your own hopes for their learning

this year.

Watch out for the booking note.

Student Leadership Induction

Student leaders play an important role at our school in developing a culture of learning and responsibility within

our school. This year’s formal induction of our student leadership team was so personal for parents, as students

proudly received their badges. This year I have set a challenge for them to capture what WRPS is about, which will

be transferred into a Mural. Please watch this space as our student leadership team consult with their peers.

Sakuna Pho Principal

Deputy Principal Report

We have had a busy fortnight at WRPS! The students are engaged in rich learning experiences in the classrooms and have numerous opportunities to extend their learning through the varied groups at school. - The Student Representative Council (SRC) held their first meeting, Waikiki Dance troupe training is well underway and you can hear the melodic tunes from band rehearsals after school.

Student Sickness/Illness and Attendance at School

In accordance with advice from NSW Health, parents and carers are reminded NOT to send children to school if they are unwell for any reason. We currently have members of the school community who are immunocompromised and are at high risk of infection and sickness.

Students with flu-like symptoms will need to be tested and provide a copy of a negative COVID-19 test result and be symptom-free before being permitted to return to school.

Students who have other contagious/infectious conditions ie. chickenpox and gastro, must remain away from school until all symptoms are clear.

Students who have seasonal allergic rhinitis or another condition that presents similarly to flu-like symptoms are still required to get tested for COVID-19 and return a negative test result. Where their symptoms continue beyond 10 days, students should provide documentation from their GP confirming their symptoms are typical for their condition. If the student develops new or changed symptoms, they should get tested for COVID-19.

Thank you for working with us to maintain the health and safety of all our students and staff at West Ryde Public School.

Selective High School Placement Test

Applicants for Year 7 placement in a selective high school in 2022 are required to take the Selective High School

Placement Test to be held from 9:00am to 1:30pm on Thursday 11 March 2021. The test centre for students from

our school is: Marsden High School Winbourne St, WEST RYDE 2114

Road Safety

The safety of your children, our students is paramount. We ask that all families continue to be safe when dropping off and picking up students. A reminder to check signage and adhere to all road rules. Please park in designated areas - the kiss and ride zone as well as visitor parking sections of local residents cannot be used for parking. We thank you for your ongoing support with this.

Swimming Carnival Ribbon Ceremony

Congratulations to all students who placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th at the school swimming carnival. They all received

their ribbons at a special award ceremony in Week 6. Thank you to Miss Ham for organising this event.

We have 29 students attending the Zone Swimming carnival on Wednesday 10th March. We wish them every

success for their events.

Lunar New Year Celebrations

Our Lunar New Year celebrations were a highlight of the week with students in 1-4 given the opportunity to

participate in our ‘Lantern Fair’. There were numerous activities for students to undertake including solving

riddles, traditional games, craft and wearing traditional costumes. Stage 3 students did a wonderful job hosting,

ushering and running the event. Thank you to Miss Liang, Miss Park and Mrs Chaudhary for their overall

organisation of this event, as well as the Stage 3 team for ensuing such a successful day!

Swimming Carnival Ribbon Ceremony

Congratulations to all students who placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th at the school swimming carnival. They all received

their ribbons at a special award ceremony in Week 6. Thank you to Miss Ham for organising this event.

We have 29 students attending the Zone Swimming carnival on Wednesday 10th March. We wish them every

success for their events.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held in Week 10 of this term. All bookings must be made online via www.schoolinterviews.com.au A separate information sheet has been sent with booking codes and how to access the online booking system. If you require an interpreter, please indicate this when booking. We will try our best to accommodate your request.

Tell Them From Me Surveys

At WRPS, we embrace and value the feedback we receive from students, staff and community, what's really working, and where we can improve. Your involvement is important as we work together to drive school improvement. Students in Years 4-6 will soon undertake the Tell Them From Me student survey. More information, as well as an opt out form will be sent home shortly. Parents and carers will be surveyed later in the year.

Upcoming Events

● Monday 8th March - Friday 12th March: Dental Check Visits

● Wednesday 10th March: Zone Swimming Carnival

● Thursday 11th March: Stage One Zoo Excursion

● Monday 15th March - Friday 26th March: Swim School

● Wednesday 17th March - P&C AGM

Julia’s Story

Julia, one of our Year 5 students has had a challenging few months. Her story was highlighted in the Sydney Morning Herald this week ( https://bit.ly/3sK7U2i ) She has shown courage, resilience and has managed to retain her sense of humour and positivity throughout the entire time. She has returned to school for a few days and we look forward to having her back full time soon!

PLEASE CONSIDER BEING A BLOOD DONOR AND BECOME ONE OF "LIA'S BLOODY LEGENDS".

At only 10 years old, Lia has already faced more than her fair share of life threatening situations, from emergency surgery for a twisted bowel (at 2.5 weeks old), severe allergic/anaphylactic reactions to dairy, and now with her latest diagnosis of Aplastic Anaemia (bone marrow failure).

Aplastic Anaemia is a rare blood disorder affecting 1-2 people per million. It is fatal if left untreated. As her bone marrow is unable to make enough blood for her body, she is classified as transfusion dependent, relying on the kindness of generous blood donors to survive.

Lia has recently completed her first round of immunosuppression therapy. It will be a few more months before we know if treatment has been successful. If not, she will likely undergo further rounds of treatment while a bone marrow match is found. The Transplant team are currently searching for a match.

Lia requires weekly platelet transfusions and every few weeks, red blood cell transfusions. There was a time where her platelets would not last, such that she required daily transfusions.

With the help of Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, a Lifeblood Team called "Lia's Bloody Legends" has been created. Your blood donations will be counted under her name and we will be able to see your generous contributions.

If you are already a donor and are not on a Lifeblood Team (or wish to switch teams), please join "Lia's Bloody Legends". Log into your account, go to "My Details" and "Manage Preferences".

If you are a first time donor, or haven't donated for a long time, you will need to register. You can do this either: online at https://www.donateblood.com.au in person at one of their locations, or by calling 13 14 95 -Ask to join "Lia's Bloody Legends".

While your blood donations may not get to Lia directly, you will be enabling thousands of others to simply get through each day.

With *deepest* gratitude, Phill, Jo, Ben and Lia

Miss Albina Lee and Miss Kate Young Deputy Principals

PSSA Results – Round 3 - 26.02.2021

Junior Cricket vs Denistone East – Lost 41:31

Senior Cricket vs Denistone East – Won 45:24

Volleyball vs Denistone East – Won 2:0

Junior Newcomb Ball vs Denistone East – Lost 1:2

Senior Newcomb Ball vs Denistone East – Lost 1:2

Junior Girls Tee Ball vs Boronia Park – Lost 16:7

Junior Boys Tee Ball vs Boronia Park – Lost 16:3

Senior Girls Softball vs Boronia Park – Lost 17:0

Senior Boys Softball vs Boronia Park – Lost 12:1

PSSA

Coaches

Lunar New Year Celebration

Last Friday, WRPS celebrated the Lunar New Year with the Lantern Fair hosted by the amazing Stage 3 students and the Language teachers. Students from Year 1-4 participated in a variety of fun activities, including the riddle guessing, Korean Handbook photo-booth, traditional games, Chinese calligraphy, wishing tree and Gudi craft making. It was an excellent learning opportunity where WRPS students engaged with the different ways cultures celebrate Lunar New Year. It was wonderful to see many students come to school in their traditional costumes on the following Monday to conclude our Lunar New Year celebration.

Learn A String Instrument At School!

If your child is interested in learning a string instrument at school then we would love to have them join the WRPS

string program. We have vacancies in the program for both new beginners and students with prior experience

learning violin, viola, cello and double bass.

New Beginners – can join our beginner group tuition program on Tuesday afternoons OR enrol for private tuition

with one of our experienced string tutors

Students Who Already Learn – can join our string ensemble which also rehearses on Tuesday afternoons

For further information on the WRPS string program please contact Steven Lavis from Teaching Services Australia

who co-ordinates the program – steve@teachingservices.com.au / 9651 7333

If you could also push this information out on the school app that would be fantastic.

Regards,

Steve

Kiss and Ride Information

Students leaving school early Any parent wanting to take their child out of school early for any reason, a DoJo message must be sent to your child’s teacher as early as possible stating the precise time you will pick your child up. Please avoid picking up children at lunch time (from 1.10pm to 2.00pm) You are required to come to the office to sign your child out. Your cooperation would be very much appreciated.

Students arriving before 8.30am Parents are reminded there is no supervision of students on school grounds prior to 8.30am. Any students arriving at school prior to 8.30am must not wander around the playground and must be seated on the bench near the COLA until the 8.30am bell.

Making Online Payments It is now possible for parents to make online payments to the school for amounts owing for students, via a secure payment page hosted by Westpac. Payments can be made using either a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card. The payment page is accessed from the front page of the school’s website by selecting ‘$ Make a payment’ or via https://quickweb.westpac.com.au/OnlinePaymentServlet

New On-line Enrolment System The Online Enrolment System is designed to provide flexibility for our parents to submit an enrolment application

online and at the time that best suits you. The application can be accessed on all browsers and mobile devices

including iOS and Android.

The online application process is currently restricted to:

Enrolments into local schools only

Children who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or permanent residents

Children who live in NSW.

We offer our support and encourage you to complete your application to enrol online. If, however, you do not

feel comfortable completing an application online, a paper copy will be available for collection from the front

office or can be downloaded from the Department’s going to a public school site.

Further information about online enrolment can be found on our website here

Uniform Shop Uniform Shop is closed to all public until further notice, however, it will be taking orders. If you would like to order any uniforms you will need to complete the ‘Uniform Order Form’ together with the correct payment (CASH ONLY) or alternatively, you can make a booking via Skoolbag. Please be aware that there is only limited appointment times. Please place Order Form and payment in an envelope and bring to the school office. You will be contacted to collect your order once filled.

Canteen News The Canteen will be operated by Bespoke School Canteen and will be open every day.

All orders must be given to the Canteen in the morning, prior to school commencing and no orders will be taken at the office. Check out their daily menu and daily specials on the West Ryde Website.

Bespoke Canteens are in the process of setting up a new online ordering system called School24. This will take a couple of weeks to be set up and more information will be communicated in the next few weeks. If you have any questions, please contact BSC: - Email: contact.bsc.westrydeps@gmail.com Ph: 9874 8454

Communication At West Ryde PS we use a range of communication methods to keep our community up to date: Newsletter – The newsletter is sent out to families via the Skoolbag app. The newsletter can also be found on our website and a hard copy in the office foyer. School Website – The website provides a platform to locate general information about WRPS. Permission notes, photos and new stories are uploaded throughout the year.

Skoolbag App. – The Skoolbag app provides notifications to your phone. The app is used to provide you with reminders about school events. For information on how to download the app, please see the instructions in the newsletter or go to the website.

Could we please ask that you do not come to class lines or to classrooms and expect the teachers to talk to you while supervising the children or teaching the class.

Our staff are more than happy to talk to you at a time that is suitable to both parties and affords enough time to discuss any issues that you might have.

We do understand if the issues are urgent. If this is the case please see the office staff so that they can communicate this urgent information to your child’s class teacher.