WPS Newsletter Engage, Explore, Excel

Newsletter 1

Diary Dates 2020

Please make sure you have logged onto Compass THIS YEAR because in 2020 we will not be having FlexiBuzz

JANUARY Parent Information Night—Thursday 13th February 6.00— 6.45pm Twilight Sports— Thursday 13th February 7.00—7.45pm FARMERS AND MAKERS MARKET Sunday 16th February 8am— 1pm BDSSA District Swimming Carnival Years 3—6 Thursday 20th February

School Banking Starts Wed 12th Feb

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow

belongs to those who prepare for it today.” Malcolm

X

Welcome

We welcome back existing families and those joining us, either at the end of last

year or in 2020. Bui (Ngo), Dawoodjee, Kelly, Lekamwasam, Londrigan, McManus,

Jiang, Howes, Li and Xiao families have had a smooth transition to their new

classes or to Foundation and we look forward to getting to know you at our up-

coming community events.

International Students

Wantirna Primary School is hosting some International Students from China this

term. This week we both greeted and farewelled four students: Tina, Joe,

Kingsley and Jack. We were lucky to have the support of Cheryl Chang (Beyond

Educational Tours) with two after school activities. Students were invited to

participate in Chinese Lantern Making and a First Aid Course for Kids. We wish

the students all the best for their safe return to China.

Joe, Fay Daniel, Michelle and Jarrod remain with us for the next few weeks.

∞LOST PROPERTY∞ HAVE

YOU NAMED ALL ITEMS.

OUR LOST PROPERTY IS

LOCATED IN THE SCHOOL

OFFICE

Principal’s Report from the Princi-

New staff

We welcome Ms Aimee Topp who is teaching in Year 1/2 and Mr Eric Zhang who is our new Languages (Mandarin) teacher.

Our appreciation is extended to all our families who ‘looked after’ our school over the holidays. Thank you to Peter Gilbert who

has also been working over the summer to ensure our main building and school grounds are looking fantastic for the students’

return. Peter had an especially challenging job keeping up after the tradesmen!

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the staff who have created such bright, welcoming and positive learning environments for the students’ return. To

Pip whose work doesn’t stop when the students are on holidays, thank you for keeping the administration going during January.

Students have completed activities from ‘The Way To Go At Wantirna’ start up program and have been setting goals they wish

to achieve this term.

New deck, ramp and stairs

The entrance at the end of the main building has been replaced with a new timber decking, ramp and stairs. The workmanship

is superb and we are really pleased with the result. We appreciate the patience of students, staff and families whilst this work

was being completed.

Safer Trees Program

A government initiative to ensure that all trees in schools are safe has been undertaken at Wantirna Primary School over the

holidays. A very comprehensive inspection and thorough removal of dead branches and trees has been completed.

Staffing for 2020

Principal: Ms Sue Fergeus

Business Manager: Mrs Philippa (Pip) Lewis

Cleaning and Maintenance: Mr Peter Gilbert

Foundation: Miss Brogan Badrock

1/2 T : Miss Aimee Topp

3/4 P : Mr Warwick Peluso

5/6 F : Miss Kath Faichney

WPS Newsletter 1 Engage, Explore, Excel

Visual Arts: Mrs Lisa Poulter

Performing Arts: Miss Kath Faichney

Physical Education: Mrs Melitta Elliott

Languages (Mandarin): Mr Eric Zhang

ES Staff: Ms Tash Hill

Mrs Shirley Thompson

Mrs Katrina Page

Chaplain: Mrs Serene Chisholm

OSHC: Mrs Lida Gerami Pour

Extra-curricular Activities

Instrumental Music: Tuesday

Magic Club: Wednesdays after school

Student Leader Clubs: TBA

Ukulele: Mondays after school

Other: TBA

School Council Elections

Information will be coming home in the next few weeks with regards to vacancies on School Council. We have some parents

whose term has come to an end. Please give consideration to self-nominating or if you prefer you may ask another parent to

do so. Any questions about this can be directed to Hamish Smith (current School Council President), Leisa George (current

Vice School Council President, Trish Rist (current School Council Treasurer) Yvette Preyser, Sam Loten (current PFN Co-

convenor), Victoria Blundell, Brogan Badrock, Kath Faichney or myself.

Parent Information Night

Please save Thursday 13th of February in your diary as the first important date for first term. From 6.00 – 6.45 pm the teachers

will be holding a Parent Information Session in the Performing Arts/Library Building.

Twilight Sports

Twilight Sports Evening Thursday 13th February will begin on the school oval at 7.00 pm. Families are invited to stay after the

Information Evening to have a picnic dinner and watch their children participate in fun team events. Students are encouraged

to wear their house colours and to enjoy ‘competing’ in such games as the Tunnel Ball and the Hula Hoop Challenge.

Questions to ask your child instead of “How was school today?”

What made you smile today?

Can you tell me an example of kindness you saw or showed?

Did everyone have a friend at lunchtime?

What was the book about that your teacher read?

What did you do that was creative?

What was the most popular game at recess?

Who inspired you today?

What was your least favourite part of the day?

Tell me something new that you learned today?

How did someone fill your bucket today? Whose bucket did you fill?

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

What made your teacher smile?

What was the best thing that happened today?

WPS Newsletter 16 Engage, Explore, Excel

If you could swap seats with someone who would it be and why?

Did you help anyone today?

Taken from 50 questions to ask your kids instead of “How was your day?”

Choosing a primary school – why Wantirna?

The characteristics of a good school;

visibly and substantively improves the community in which it is embedded

adapts quickly to social change.

Uses every resource, gift, advantage, and opportunity it has to grow students.

Has students who get along with and support one another towards a common goal – and they can articulate that goal.

Produces students who can read and write because they value literacy.

Is full of students who know what’s worth understanding.

Speaks the language of the children, families and community it serves.

Improves other schools and cultural organizations with whom it is connected.

Understands the relationship between curiosity, inquiry and human change.

Makes certain that every student and family feels welcome and understood on equal terms.

https://www.teachthought.com/learning-models/the-characteristics-of-a-good-school-great-school/

Regards,

Sue Fergeus

Principal

WPS Newsletter 16 Engage, Explore, Excel

WPS Newsletter 16 Engage, Explore, Excel

Student Class Award

Friday 31st January Week 1

James J. 1/2T For settling in and contributing really well to class.

Zoey Y 1/2T For always trying really hard with her work and making new friends.

Zech H. 5/6F For settling quickly into ‘ Wantirna life’ so effortlessly.

Friday 7th February Week 2

Jade M. 5/6F For thoughtful questioning during our ‘Me in an Nutshell’ Home learning presentations.

Oscar J 5/6F For his careful planning and a well structured recount on his Christmas during writing this week.

Mason L P.A. For his intelligent questioning about Performing Arts elements this week.

Marcell D. FB Asking interesting and curiuos questions to find out more.

Ben P. FB For supporting others with their learning in a kind and helpful way.

Michelle C. 5/6F For settling into ‘Wantirna life” quickly and always trying her best in all her learning. Well done!

Reeti K. 3/4P Displaying CARE values.

Katie S. 3/4P Fabulous recount.