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2020 IS THE YEAR OF GRATITUDE AT WPS

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Issue 18 – 18 November 2020 Term 4 Week 6 PRESENTATION ASSEMBLY This year, our presentation day will be held on Friday 4 December. Unfortunately, we are unable to invite family and community members to the event. Although Department of Education (DoE) regulations allow for end of year award ceremonies to be conducted, we must comply to all of the NSW Department of Health regulations regarding attendees including following the 4 square metre rule. Neither our school hall nor the multi-purpose centre at Erina High School have sufficient capacity to accommodate the number of people necessary for such an event.

These restrictions also mean that unfortunately we will not be able to have a whole school assembly for the students either. Instead, student achievements will be acknowledged and celebrated within each stage cohort. All assemblies will be held in our school hall and will be recorded. These recordings will be uploaded on the school website shortly after the conclusion of each assembly, for a period of one week. The outline for presentation day is as follows:

9:15 am – Years 5 & 6

11:45 am – Kindergarten, Years 1 & 2

12:45 pm – Years 3 & 4

Brisbane Water Local Management Group of Principals have agreed to be consistent in our approach with presentation day. This includes only two dignitaries at each assembly.

Tomorrow notes will be sent home to parents and carers of students who will be receiving an award, leadership badge or an EBS plaque at one of the ceremonies. The school band will be performing at the Year 5 & 6 assembly. Unfortunately, there will be no choir performances this year.

Dates to Remember 2020

School banking on Tuesday Uniform Shop open Monday and

Thursday 8:30am-9:30am

Thursday 19 November

Stage 2 Basketball Gala Day

Friday 20 November

Stage 3 Basketball Gala Day

Friday 20 November

Smith Family Y6 Transition Program

Tuesday 24 November

Kindy Information Evening Online

Tuesday 24 November Basketball

Thursday 26 November Basketball

Friday 27 November

Smith Family Y6 Transition Program

Monday 30 November Book Club Due

Tuesday 1 December EHS Orientation Day

Tuesday 1 December

EHS online Parent Information Night

Thursday 3 December

Last day of Scripture/Ethics

Friday 4 December Presentation Day

WOODPORT

Public School Phone: 4367 7324 Email: woodport –p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Principal: Judy Boland

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YEAR 6 FAREWELL

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Year 6 farewell will be held in our school hall on Thursday 10 December. The theme is ‘summer on the coast’. A team of dedicated parents and staff have been meeting regularly to plan and coordinate the event to ensure it is memorable for our students and that it complies with Department of Health regulations. Year 6 students will receive their invitations by the end of the week along with formation for parents. We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with them before they head off to high school and the next phase of their

schooling. Unfortunately, parents will not be able to gather in groups before or after the event. KINDY START GRADUATIONS On Monday we congratulated our 2021 Kindergarten children for completing the Kindy Start program. This is truly a unique transition program. Our Kindy Start program is all about the school working together with families and young children to help facilitate a smooth transition into school and, I believe, all these children certainly will have no trouble settling in next year. I would like to welcome our new families into the caring, committed Woodport community and hope they have a long and happy association with us. A big thank you to Liam A and Lily C for compering the ceremonies and sharing their memories of when they were in Kindy Start eight years ago and to Leilani M for presenting her own Acknowledgement to Country.

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REMEMBRANCE DAY

A Remembrance Day Service was held at the school on Wednesday 11 November. Two of our school leaders Liam A and Lily C proudly led the school through reflections of war and the importance of remembering all the service men and women who have served our country.

The entire school respectfully listened to the service and discussed the significance of the day during class lessons. Thank you to Liam and Lily for their extensive preparation leading up to the service. They did a magnificent job.

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAMS FOR 2021 Congratulations to the following students who have been elected by the student body to form our Leadership Team for 2021 Oliver Z, Toby F, Lazar N, Riley D, Macaela P, Tiana R, Zoe S and Lea N. The positions of School Captains, Vice Captains and Prefects will be announced at the Major Presentation Assemblies on Friday 4 December. HOUSE CAPTAINS Congratulations to our senior and junior Sport Captains for 2021. Students in Kinder and Year 1 elected the junior team, while the senior team was voted in by the Years 2 to 5 student body. They are listed below in no particular order. Captains and Vice Captains will be announced at the Major Presentation Assemblies on Friday 4 December.

Mackellar Eden S, Josh S, Isabella H, Chloe H, Brody M, Cruz S, Sophie F and Amelia G Lawson Ramsay G-C, Ruary M, Sophie W, Lucinda D, Xavier W, Mason S, Kaylee W and Sasha F Paterson Elih S, Ethan K, Holly A, Charlotte S, Charlie K, Mitchell R, Indi S, Summer N Gilmore Harry C, Oliver K, Olivia M, Isabelle H, Kylan H, Wavier B, Alori-Joh A, Chloe R LIBRARY MONITORS Congratulations to the following Year 5 students who have been elected as Library Monitors for 2021 – Emilee A, Ema R, Ivy S, Rosa F, Jakeb B, Mason R, Sofya S, Kristine B, Tahnee M and Devlan G-V. This is another leadership opportunity we have in the school for our Year 6 students. The Library Monitors will be responsible for assisting younger students in the library and helping the librarian with borrowing, returning, organising and shelving books. Students are asked to dedicate one lunch-time per week to fulfil their duties. Students will receive their badges at the Stage 3 Presentation Assembly on Friday 4 December.

Each elected member of the school’s 2021 leadership team will receive a contract outlining the expectations and roles and responsibilities of each position. Please return these forms to the front office by the end of the week.

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CLASS STRUCTURE 2021 Due to the continuing fluctuation of our numbers the start of next year will commence with the students returning to their 2020 classes where they will remain for the shortest time possible until our numbers are confirmed. We have found this to be the best solution for our students as it is extremely unsettling and upsetting if they are placed in new classes with a new teacher, only to have to move classes again because enrolment numbers change. During this time students do have planned work that assists with their transition to their new class. If you are having an extended holiday and your child will return in 2021, but not in the first two weeks of school, we need this information in writing for auditing purposes. This helps the school let the Department know the exact number of students who will be with us in 2021 to ensure we can form the correct number of classes (we can’t count students in our numbers who are on holidays without written notice from parents indicating their return). Soon we will be starting to look at the school structure and the formation of classes for 2021. Students are allocated to classes in consultation with the school executive, class teachers, learning assistance and support teachers and the principal. The following criteria are examples of what is considered by the school, to ensure that the classes that are formed are in the best interests of all the students. ► Academic needs – grouping students within a class to ensure the best use of school and

teaching resources. ► Behaviour needs – some students are best separated so their learning and the learning of other

students is not affected. ► Gender balance - we like to keep a balance of boys and girls in each class where possible. ► Friendships – whilst we take into account friendships, students who are too friendly with another

student or group of students may be separated so all students can concentrate on their learning. If you have any queries regarding this please do not hesitate to contact Mr Day or me. Judy Boland Principal NEW PARENT & CARE HUB: DISABILITY The Department of Education has launched a new hub for parents and carers featuring information about the supports available for students with additional learning and support needs or disability. This one-stop online resource will ensure parents and carers are able to easily find up-to-date information about how to access support.

The hub will soon have a tool to help parents and carers know when their child can start school and help with enrolment. Parents and carers will get a personalised timeline when they enter their child’s date of birth. The timeline can be saved to email and SMS reminders can be set-up.

The live resource will continue to be tested and improved to ensure it meets families’ needs. The Department is keen to receive feedback from parents and carers on the hub.

Below is the link that will take you directly to the online hub.

https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/inclusive-learning-support

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2020 IS THE YEAR OF GRATITUDE AT WPS

SEASONS FOR GROWTH Last week our students who participated in Seasons for Growth celebrated the program completion with Mrs Yeo. Seasons for Growth is an innovative grief and loss education program that uses the imagery of the seasons, to illustrate the experience of grief. It aims to strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people who are dealing with significant life changes by:

• exploring the impact of change and loss on every-day life • learning new ways to respond to these changes

All students were pleased they had the opportunity to discuss their feelings in a caring, supportive environment with others that are experiencing similar things to them. Throughout the 8 weeks, students have realised they are not alone in dealing with the effects of change, loss and grief and they have had the opportunity to build their communication, decision making and problem-solving skills within a supportive peer group. A very big thank you to Mrs Yeo, who is one of our fabulous School Learning Support Officers, for facilitating the program and supporting our students. If you would like your child to participate in the program next year please see Mr Day or your child’s class teacher.

ORIENTATION DAY: ERINA HIGH SCHOOL Students attending Erina High School in 2021 are invited to attend their Orientation Day on Tuesday 1 December. The day is designed to familiarise students with secondary school routines and facilities as well as giving students the opportunity to build friendship groups with children from other schools. In the evening, the parents are invited to attend an online parent forum and question session. See the flyer on page 12 of this newsletter. NAIDOC WEEK Last week, as we do every week, we acknowledge that our school sits on land that was, is and always will be Aboriginal land. We pay our respect to Elders past and present and extend our respect to all First Nations people in our school community and beyond. At Woodport we ensure that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rich 65,000-year history and culture is part of learning for all students so that they engage in reconciliation, respect and recognition of the world’s oldest living culture. Throughout the year all classes have been reminded of the NAIDOC week theme, “Always Was, Always Will Be”

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SPORTING SCHOOLS BASKETBALL PROGRAM Our school recently secured funding from Sport Australia to run a Sporting Schools program - Basketball. Students in K-6 will participate in four basketball sessions led by accredited basketball coaches which started last week. Please see timetable for when your child’s class will participate. Group 1 – starting Week 5 Tuesday 10, 17, 24 November and 1 December Classes participating include: 3/4A, 4D, 2/3J, 4K, 1/2R, 1S, 1B, 3P, 6B Group 2 – starting Week 5 Thursday 12, 26 November and 3,10 December Classes participating include: 2C, 2E, 5M, 5O, 5/6S, KB, KT, KM, 6E

Students will need to wear their sports uniform and bring a water bottle to school. APPLIED LEARNING IN KINDERGARTEN Kindergarten students have been applying their computational thinking skills to create picture algorithms to demonstrate how to make a salad. The students deconstructed the salad making process and used branching arrows to communicate each step. It is important for students to develop and demonstrate these thinking skills because it helps them to visual program and debug digital devices.

Once the students created their picture algorithm, it was time for them to pick the fruit and vegetables from our garden. The students have been watering and watching their plants grow for several weeks. The students were very excited to harvest their own lettuce, tomato and carrots to put into their salad.

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2020 IS THE YEAR OF GRATITUDE AT WPS

Several students washed the fruit and vegetables while others sliced and diced. Finally, the students referred to their algorithm when choosing their salad options. It was wonderful to observe students apply their understanding in a real-world context. We had many satisfied tummies!

Towards the end of the term, the students will create an algorithm to decorate a Christmas biscuit.

URBAN SHAPER! – 5/6S As part of our Urban Shaper unit for Term 4, 5/6S has designed a sustainable suburb incorporating renewable energy, sustainable materials and futuristic design. They are coming along beautifully!

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P&C News P&C CHRISTMAS RAFFLE The P&C are running their annual Christmas raffle and tickets will go home this Friday 20 November with every child. Prizes are vouchers from Casey’s Toys and New Heights Café. Every child who sells a book of tickets will be eligible to enter into the prize sellers draw to win an $80 Art pack. Please make sure all tickets, sold and unsold are returned to school by Wednesday 9 December, 2020. The raffle will be drawn at our morning assembly on Friday 11 December. Thank you to the Awad family for donating the café voucher, please show your support to this Woodport family business.

CASEY’S FUNDRAISING EVENING P&C FUNDRAISING NIGHT On Wednesday 11 November we held our Casey's Shopping Fundraising evening in conjunction with three days of online shopping. It was a great opportunity to take advantage of 10% off your shopping and our school also received 10% back in vouchers for fundraising. In such a tough year to be able to fundraise, the P&C would like to say a huge thank you to those school families and friends who shopped either in store or online, your support is hugely appreciated.

GOLD BOOK – CONGRATULATIONS! At Woodport PS the Principal, Mrs Boland has a very special book, called ‘The Gold Book’. Students are given the opportunity to share their work with her. Mrs Boland is always so very proud of their efforts and she thoroughly enjoys this special time with them. Listed below are the students who were sent to Gold Book over the last two weeks.

Jasper F – KT Ethan H – KT Floyd P – 3P Khye J – KT

Dylan H – KM Sierra F – KM Abigail T – KM Remi B – KM

Adam G – 4D Skye L – 4D Ava S-B – 4D Bayley D – 4D

Micah L – 1B Jack R – 1B Koda H – 1B Freya S – 1B

Isabella K – 1B Remi B – KM James H – KM Havana D – KM

Oliver T - KM

SELLERS ONLY PRIZE Make sure your name is on the front of the raffle ticket book so you will be in the draw for an Eckersley’s Art Pack.

1st prize - $200.00 Casey’s Toy voucher 2nd prize - $100.00 Casey’s Toy voucher 3rd prize - $50.00 New Heights Café voucher

5/372 The Entrance Rd, Erina PLUS PlayStation voucher

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2020 IS THE YEAR OF GRATITUDE AT WPS

The Entertainment Book is now digital!

The best thing about it going digital is that you have it right there on your phone. It updates every time you open the App. You can search by your location, or find restaurants of a certain cuisine, save favourites, etc.

It keeps a record of your savings which is a new feature. Environmentally sustainable, convenient and super easy to use PLUS Woodport Public School receives 20% off all sales so it’s a win-win! Just select Woodport School when activating your membership.

Thank you for your support.

Woodport P&C

EBS AWARDS To receive an Effort Brings Success (EBS) certificate, students need to return three merit certificates. Four “Effort Brings Success” (EBS) certificates are required to earn a plaque.

This fortnight the following students have received an EBS certificate:

Evan P-B – 6E x 2 Eden M – KT Brody M – KT Mila T – KT

Harper M – 2C Sophie F – 1S Ella-Rose M – 2/3J Lenny P – KT

Harlow S – 3/4A Owen N – 6B Kane D – 6B Jaxson S – 3P

Toby F – 5O x 4 Leon V – KT Willow M – KB Phoebe M – 1B x 2

Emily G – 2E Harry L – 4D x 2 Lily J – 1/2 R Brigitte W – KB

Emma J – KB Jennifer G – 1S Lucinda D – 5M Zoe S – 2C

Nixon H – 3P

UNIFORM SHOP The uniform shop will open on Monday and Thursday mornings from 8:30am – 9:30am. If you wish to access the uniform shop, please sign in at the front office and collect a visitors’ badge before making your way to the shop. Alternatively, you can order online through the school’s website and the clothing will be delivered to your child’s class. Cash and EFTPOS are accepted. Hats are also available from the school canteen. Slouch hats and legionnaire hats $16.00.

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STUDENT AWARDS STUDENT OF THE WEEK YOU CAN DO IT

KB Amy S Callum J

KM Edward S Cleo S-B

KT Isabelle B Alex M

1B Parker M Abigail J

1S Cruz S Sasha F

1/2R Lacey B Ava G

2C Zara K Lacey A

2E Seth H Dylan H

2/3J Charlie V Noah M

3P Aoife D Charlotte M

3/4A Zali H Chima H-D

4D Neridah M Harper S

4K Victoria F Dexter K

5M Isabella H Konna C

5O Cameron W Ashton S

5/6S Isaak G Massimo B

6B Leilani M Tyger C

6E Farley D Bella R

KB Trinity L James F

KM Havana D Henry W

KT Niamh V Jasper F

1B Abigail J Kaydenn F

1S Xavier W Orestes M-C

1/2R Chloe R Emily H

2C Zoe S Harper M

2E Avneet B Matilda P

2/3J Marlon W Caden M

3P Lincoln C Beatriz B

3/4A Harlow S Harlow S

4D Bayley D Nicola F

4K Joshua M Sarah A

5M Lucinda D Chloe S

5O Joshua S Oliver K

5/6S Bethany P Keylee F

6B Charlie G Emily G

6O Sky A Farley D

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LIBRARY NEWS Last Book club for the year is Issue #8. Please submit your orders by Monday 30 November. Kerianne Williams Teacher/Librarian

Join the Band! Is your child interested in joining the school band? The school band is now taking enrolments for 2021 and is open to all students currently in Years 2-5. No prior experience is required. Next week, students will see a demonstration concert that highlights the different instruments available for tuition. They will receive a green School Band Program note providing introductory information. What do you need to do? Return the expression of interest from the bottom of the green note to try a variety of instruments with trained music tutors, to help your child find the instrument to which they are best suited. The results of this instrument trial will be sent home with comprehensive enrolment information. Learning an instrument in an ensemble is a great way to experience the social, educational and personal benefits that music and the arts have to offer! TSA provides a quality instrumental program, with full ensemble rehearsals, great value tuition and rent-to-buy instrument hire. For more information on your school instrumental program, please contact TSA below. Email: info@teaching services.com.au Phone: 9651 7333 www.teachingservices.com.au ETHICS TEACHERS At Woodport we are pleased to be able to provide lessons in Ethics for children from Kindergarten to Year 6, however the demand for these classes far exceeds the number of volunteers we have. Ethics classes are taught by volunteer ethics teachers. If you would like your child to learn these valuable lifelong skills, then consider volunteering so that we can offer the program to students in all grades.

The classes are every Thursday. Lesson plans are provided by Primary Ethics, so you don’t need to create your own. Each week the children discuss a topic from the approved Primary Ethics curriculum. Volunteers can attend training locally or in Newcastle or Sydney.

If you have been considering teaching Ethics or you know of a friend or family member who might be interested in volunteering, please visit the Primary Ethics website at https://primaryethics.com.au/volunteer/ethics-teacher/ or contact the Volunteering Manager, Fiona Branscombe at fiona.branscombe@primaryethics.com.au or 0438 134 124

S TE PS TO BECOMING AN E THI CS TEACHER 1. Submit an online application 2. Successfully complete the interview and approval process 3. Obtain the required Primary Ethics criminal history check and a Working with Children Check 4. Complete online training 5. Successfully complete a two-day ethics teacher training workshop 6. Review our Guidelines for Volunteers and sign our engagement form 7. Participate in Continuing Professional Development as required

TO PI CS CO VER ED I N ETHI CS T EACHER TRAI NI NG I NCLUD E

• Facilitation skills, e.g. procedural questioning, neutral responses, non-verbal communication, small groups and activities

• Child protection awareness • Behaviour management strategies • Philosophical framework overview • Community of inquiry approach to learning

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HELPING YOUR CHILD AT HOME – How You Can Help

Each fortnight we will include some tips for helping your child at home.

Being Ready for the End of the Year– How You Can Help.

The end of the year is a very special time with many celebratory activities scheduled. Both teachers and students eagerly await a well-deserved break. For some students, however, it can be a time of mixed feelings, sometimes including fear and anxiety. It is the perfect time to set your child up for a smooth transition from the end of one year leading to a great start for the following year.

As the end of year stresses begin to pile up, we must remember that an excess of caffeine, junk food and sugary drinks do not help children cope, nor parents cope with their children. Try hard to stick to the normal after-school routine. There tends to be more balls to juggle than usual which requires a commitment to maintaining routine and organisation.

School and the classroom culture can be an island of stability supporting a child’s social and emotional needs. Some children may find the end of year frightening and quite stressful. Classrooms that nurture social-emotional growth and expression create a kind of belonging and when this comes to an end, students can feel an escalation of end-of-year stress.

Concerns may be vast, varied and personal. Some could be:

• What will my report say and how will my parents react? • What if I do/don’t get an award? • Who will be my teacher next year? • Who will be in my class and how will I make new friends? • Will I feel good in my new class? • How can I keep in touch with my old friends? • Will I be accepted into my new class? • Who can I trust and how will I know? Children can start feeling uncomfortable and it may look like anger to an outsider. Children can have a powerful need for social contacts and the thought of leaving these close relationships can cause anxiety.

Strategies to lessen stress and ease the transition to the unknown could be helpful. Use a symbolic gift to help say so long for now. A talisman symbolizes ritual and ceremony, which our brains enjoy. A token such as a coin, stone, shell or a small hand-made object shared with another says that our relationship doesn’t end – it simply changes. This could be a great resource for transition as students leave a class knowing that their friends will always be part of their journey even if they don’t see each other daily. Use photos to send positive messages to friends that can be kept long after the end of the year.

Be sure your child knows you are proud of his or her accomplishments throughout the year and take the time to reflect. Give children specific praise for the skills they have improved upon and for their efforts during a unique year. A parent has the power to validate the feelings of their child in respect to both the difficulties and the upsides of the pandemic.

In this year of COVID, there have been and will continue to be, many changes. The end of the year is usually a time to showcase progress, celebrate accomplishments and reflect with classmates and teachers. For those receiving awards, no parents will be at the presentation assembly. Your child may need to be prepared beforehand to help him or her accept the new conditions.

Dopamine is a powerful chemical in the brain that brings feelings of satisfaction and increased motivation. Promote this chemical by setting your child up for the new year with a positive mindset. Talk about the positive side of having a new teacher and new class friends and the fabulous new challenges ahead.

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WHAT IS POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING (PBL)?

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) provides the framework for a whole school evidence-based approach to behaviour support. Woodport PS takes an instructional approach to behaviour, recognising that we need to teach the behaviours needed for success at school and beyond.

At Woodport PS, we believe a positive school environment, where all students are included and feel safe and supported improves student learning outcomes. Our new signage displayed around the school reminds students of positive behaviours that help to make all students feel safe, included and happy at school.

For the next two weeks all students will engage in lessons on P3 and wet weather

P3 ERNIE SAYS …

As Safe, Respectful Learners, students should always follow the

school wide expectations while playing on P3

SAFE

hands and feet to self right equipment, right area, right way wait for teacher at P3 Wait Zone

RESPECTFUL

follow teacher instructions food free zone use yarning circle appropriately

LEARNER

include others play fairly return equipment promptly

Wet Weather

ERNIE SAYS

As safe, respectful learners’ students should always follow the school

Wide expectations during Wet Weather.

SAFE

walk right place, right time take care on wet surfaces

RESPECTFUL

move when the bell rings polite talk listen to others

LEARNER

follow teacher instructions

know your area

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SCHOOL BANKING School Banking rewards final date for Reward Ordering

The rewards available during 2020 are: o Terry Denton’s Activity Book o Mini Soccer Ball o Treetop Stationery Set o Treetop Handball o Tomato Seed Kit o Magic Mist Drink Bottle o Emoji Wallet o Snakes & Ladders Game

Final date which orders can be made is 2/12/2020

Casey and I are working hard to ensure we have the slips for ordering with your child each Tuesday after banking. Commonwealth bank have given us the above date for the final order, if it falls past this date we will have new slips for them early next year. Thank you for supporting the School Banking program and remember School Banking day is every Tuesday.

ERNIE REWARDS DAY

TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 80 ERNIES NEEDED