WALLACIA PUBLIC SCHOOL 1573-1585 Mulgoa Road

WALLACIA NSW 2745 Tel: 4773 8433 Fax: 4773 9050

Email: Wallacia-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Principal: Mr Trev Mason ______________________________________________________________________________

‘Today is for Tomorrow’

SAFE RESPECTFUL LEARNERS

NEWS FROM WALLACIA PUBLIC SCHOOL

Term 1 Week 7 Monday March 11, 2019. ANZAC Day – Donna Sweeney has volunteered to lead our students from Wallacia Public School

at the Warragamba ANZAC Day service on 25 April (during the school holidays). She will lead the

students in the march on ANZAC Day. Students will need to wear full school uniform for this event.

Everyone is invited to attend ANZAC Service in the Memorial Park at Warragamba on Thursday

25 April, 2019 (week 2 of school holidays). All students who wish to march are asked to meet at

the Warragamba/Silverdale neighbourhood Centre @ 10.30am.

Easter Hat Parade - We will be holding our Wallacia Public School’s Community Easter Hat

Parade on Thursday 11 April. We would like to invite all parents, family and friends to attend

Wallacia Public School’s Easter Hat Parade for 2019. All students will participate in a simple hat

making exercise in class to ensure all students have a hat at the parade. Donations of any craft

materials that would assist us to make these Easter Hats would be greatly appreciated. It would be

great if each student could please bring one item to share with their class. All Students will

participate in the parade. The P&C will hold the annual Easter Raffle on the day. There will be

baskets provided in the rooms for any Easter egg donations for the raffle. Any studens who donate

an egg will go into the raffle draw.

UWS First Foot Forward - The team from UWS came out to visit and engage with our Stage 3

students last week as part of the First Foot Forward program which is aimed at exposing kids to

the possibilities of going to University after finishing High School.

Kindy Parent Survey – We have provided a Survey to our 2019 Kindy parents to seek feedback

about the transition to school processes for our Kindergarten students and their families at

Wallacia Public School. We are specifically looking at what transition activities assisted their child

to settle into school. And secondly, what improvements or additional strategies should we consider

to strengthen the Transition Program in the future. We would appreciate the Surveys returned to

school as soon as possible please.

The school offered the following activities or services to assist families and children in the

transition from kindergarten to school. School Information Booklet and package, School tour,

Meeting with Principal, Website Information, Newsletters, Advice from current parents, Tissue and

Tears event, Initial short school days (9.00am – 12.30pm & 1.20 p.m), In class Transition to

School Program, Year 6 & Kindy buddies process, informal meet the principal during Transition

Program, Formal Kindergarten orientation Program, and Individual Best Start Assessment session

with class teacher.

GPLA Student Leadership Day – as part of our involvement in the GPLA we have been able to

nominate 7 Year 6 students to engage in the GLPA leadership day to be held at Glenmore Park

High School on Tuesday 19 March. The day is focused completely on the students to share, build

skills and mindsets to enhance their leadership roles. The day includes many activities from high

profile guest speakers to activities designed to enhance leadership, team work and cooperation.

Glenmore Park High School is having their Year 7 information evening on Tuesday 12 March.

Flyers have been sent home with the students.

District Representatives – Well done to Hannah Ison who has made the PSSA District touch

football team.

School Networks – Our school culture is strongly focused on learning, the building of educational

aspiration and ongoing performance improvement throughout the school community. In order to

build our school’s capacity for an integrated approach to quality teaching, curriculum planning and

delivery, and assessment that promotes learning excellence and responsiveness in meeting the

needs of all students.

Our school is actively involved and enhanced by learning alliances with other schools and

organisations. We are part of the Nepean Valley Small Schools Network (NVSS) which includes

Wallacia PS, Luddenham PS, Mulgoa PS and Orchard Hills PS. We maximise this network and

relationship as a resource to enhance, share and lead Professional Learning, develop collaborate

planning and building leadership capacity across schools, and to provide extra-curricular

opportunities such as Carnivals, Camps, and special enrichment opportunities that would

otherwise be very challenging for a school our size to implement on its own.

We are also an a highly active member of the Glenmore Park Leaning Alliance (GPLA) which

includes Wallacia PS, Glenmore Park HS, Glenmore Park PS, Regentville PS, Surveyors Creek

PS, Luddenham PS, Mulgoa PS & Warragamba PS. This network provides a range of

opportunities to support our Year 6 Transition to High school program. We are also able to access

leadership opportunities for students, staff and community to build and share expertise through

parent, staff and student enrichment workshops and experiences. This year the focus includes

access to leading and engaging in Teach Meet sessions, Professional Learning in Choice Theory,

Smalls Schools High School experiences and enrichment days, and a student leadership day.

Our School is also part of the MacArthur Principals Network and the Penrith and Blue Mountains,

and NSW Primary Principals Association networks. This supports our school voice to engage as

part of the greater network of public schools across NSW.

Swimming - We had a strong turnout of 14 students (that’s double from last year!) for our

swimming carnival this year. All our teachers were able to attend the competition and engage to

support the event and see first-hand the terrific efforts and results the kids were achieving. It was a

wonderful evening of having a go, inclusion and trying your best! A big congratulations and hats off

to our students. A big thank you to all the parents who were able to come along and encourage

the kids on the day. And a huge thank you to the teachers for all preparation work and

organisation, and follow to ensure a wonderful opportunity and memory for our kids. Special

mention to Miss Carroll, who entered all the data, wrote and organised notes and liaised regularly

with Orchard Hills PS to ensure we were all able to super organised. I know she was expected to

get home after the carnival and enter all the results, names and data for the district carnival in

order for our students to be included. Love it! Special mention must go out to all our students who

were successful in making the District Swimming team. There was some mix up in the information

we were given but it was all sorted out in the end. Also thank you to Mr Rush for his leadership up

to and including on the day at the District carnival. The feedback from Mr Rush, families and

students, was that the District carnival was a very exciting and engaging event! Thank you.

New School Counsellor – I would like to introduce our new school counsellor for this year. A

warm welcome to Karli Beswick. Karli also works as the School Counsellor at Jamison High

School and York Road PS. Karli will work for 2 hours each fortnight at Wallacia PS.

School Photos – Everybody looked their best for the School Photographer on Tuesday. I was

very impressed with the service and choice that was made available. I can’t wait to see how the

photos turn out. Please share any feedback you have so we can build on this for next year. Thank

you to Mrs Tritton who liaised and lead the organisation of the day so we are able to provide these

special memories for families.

NAPLAN – the 2019 NAPLAN test will be held in week 3 next term – May, on Tuesday

14th,Wednesday 15 & Thursday 16th.

2019 Penrith Council School Leaders Reception – Our school captains Hannah Ison and Adam

Parsons, with their families, are invited to attend the Penrith Council School Leaders Reception at

the Evans Theatre. I am really looking forward to attending the 2019 Penrith Council School

Leaders Reception on the evening early next term. Date to be advised.

Harmony & Grand Parents Day – I am looking forward to meeting our more experienced

supporters in the near future for our special Harmony & Grand Parents Day. We will have a few

treats and cuppas available. We will kick off the proceedings at 12 o’clock on the grassed area on

21 May (Term 2). Many thanks to Mrs Tritton for organising this special school event.

Swim School – Last week students were invited to engage in the Special Swimming Scheme,

which is an intensive learn-to-swim program. The Swim Scheme was held at Warragamba Pool

under the instruction of qualified teachers. Students were transported by the Warragamba

Workers Club Courtesy Bus, driven by their volunteer driver and accompanied by a teacher. Due

to strong take up of student enrollments we needed to seek parent helpers to transport everyone

to access the program. We are very grateful to Warragamba Workers Club and our parent helpers

for their generous support transporting our students to this valuable program.

Meet the Teacher - Our Parent Class Information Session was held across two sessions to

accommodate parents with children in different classes. We lead this opportunity for families to

gain a greater understanding of what their child is doing in class and the expectations for the year.

It was also an opportunity for any questions from families. Each class received between two and

three parents each per session.

Scripture – This started in Week 5 – 26 February Tuesday from 12.50 – 1.20 p.m. As we have

fewer staff, and some of the student numbers engaging have been small, our Scripture classes

have had to condense into two groups (from the previous four), into Catholic and Protestant. We

also provide a Non Scripture group.

Bullying – No way – You may have noticed your child(ren) coming home talking about bullying.

We have been working with children about bullying as part of our student wellbeing approach. Our school is participating in the National Bullying – No Way campaign. It is important children know what bullying is, so they know what to do about it if it happens and it is important they know they are not alone in dealing with it. If your child talks to you about bullying: 1. Listen calmly and get the full story. 2. Reassure your child that they are not to blame. 3. Ask your child what they want to do about it and how you can help.

4. Visit www.bullyingnoway.gov,au to find some strategies. 5. Contact the school. Check in regularly with your child. Questionnaires – If you have not been able to hand in your Questionnaire yet, please complete

your Questionnaire to support us to best know your child. Please see a copy below. We would

appreciate these completed and returned to classes as soon as possible so we can make the best

use of this information.

Child’s Name ___________________________

Wallacia Public School

Tell Me A Little Bit About Your Child Questionnaire

What is the most important thing I should know about your child?

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What is your child passionate about?

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What would you love your child to get better at?

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Overall how does your child feel about school and this grade?

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My child learns best when the teacher is....

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My child does not work well when...

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Which fears does your child have? (Big or small)

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What is the best way to motivate your child?

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Tell Me A Little Bit About You and Your Family

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What are you looking forward to with this year/grade/class?

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How would you like to be involved with your child’s education?

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What is your preferred method of communication (email, phone call, meeting, note...)

What subject/area did you dislike when you went to school?

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What subject/area did you love when you went to school?

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A typical afternoon after school looks like this in our life...

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___Who else lives at your house (siblings, pets etc.?)

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Anything else you would like to tell me that will help me make this a successful year?

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Small Schools Swimming Carnival and PSSA Zone Swimming Carnival Reports

The Combined Small Schools Swimming Carnival was held on the evening of Tuesday 19 February. Well done to all our students who took part! Congratulations to all students who qualified to swim at the Zone Carnival on Thursday 28 February. Our students who competed were: Owen Sweeney Ivy Keough Oscar Zizik Jayda Fonokalafi Tayah Fonokalafi Lani Micsko Olivia Zizik Adam Parsons Dane Micsko Jack O’Hara Blaike Keough Hannah Ison Thanks to Miss Carroll, Mr Rush, and Mrs Jayne Parsons for assisting with our team on the day. Thanks also to all parents who transported their children and assisted in other ways. Our students would not have the opportunity to take part in these special events without your support.

P & C News After our annual AGM we welcomed the committee members of 2019, President Mrs Jonmarie Gray Vice-President Melanie Parsons Secretary Kerrie Middleton Treasurer Kelly Ison Fundraising Michelle Norris

We thank the support and parents who have attended the first two meetings of the year and look forward to a productive school year supporting the teachers, students and parents of Wallacia Public School.

Term one will see us conducting a number of activities to begin our fundraising efforts. The NSW State Election is approaching. On March 23rd the P&C will be holding a ‘Breaky Barbie’ for the local community, offering egg and bacon rolls and working with the Year 6 students with a cake stall offering sweet delights. We ask that anyone who is able to contribute their time or their cooking skills to write their name on the volunteer contact form located in the office by Monday 18th March. If you are interested, all donations (cakes, slices, cakepops and cupcakes to name a few) will be appreciated by Friday 22nd March 3pm or the morning of the election.

Wednesday 13th March students will receive a note informing families of upcoming Easter celebrations. We ask students to participate in the fun and provide a donation to the school Easter raffle in the form of chocolate eggs and/or Easter related novelty items. Each donation will receive an extra entry into the raffle draw. All donations to be given to the class teacher and will be collected Friday 29th March for basket creating. The draw will take place after the Easter Hat Parade Thursday 11th April.

Thank you to Donna Sweeney for volunteering her time in preparation for ANZAC DAY 2019. Wallacia Public School students are encouraged to attend the Warragamba Dam service and we will lay a wreath on behalf of the school community.

We encourage all parents to consider joining the P&C and contributing to our

efforts in supporting all students in a safe and supportive learning environment. Ensure you keep up to date on events by liking the schools Facebook page and/or downloading the Skoolbag App.

Kind Regards, The P&C Committee

SICK CHILDREN AND SCHOOL If your child is unwell, please do not send them to school, if necessary seek medical attention.

Please remind children to wash their hands with soap, before meals and after using the toilet.

Statement of Accounts Student statements of accounts have been sent home recently. Thank you to those families who have made prompt payments.

2019 VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION NSW government primary and secondary schools request contributions from parents to enhance educational, extra-curricular and consumable supplies; such as tissues and other items not covered in book fees and sporting programs. This school contribution is voluntary and payment is discretionary for parents and guardians. The level of contribution is set by the School P & C. This year the level of voluntary contributions are set at; $35.00 1 child $60.00 2 children $70.00 for 3 or more children. Please note there has been no increase in levy of Voluntary Contributions since 2012. We understand that some families are not in a position financially to make such contributions. However, we greatly appreciate those families who are able to make a voluntary contribution payment. Payment/s can be made by direct credit via the school website “$Make a Payment”. Please note that payments can be included when paying your child’s book and material fees. Alternatively, payments can be made by completing a payment envelope and posting it into the red payment box in the school office foyer.

MAKE PAYMENTS ONLINE What expenses can be paid online? Voluntary School Contributions Textbook & Exercise Book Fees Excursions Sport /Swimming carnivals

Excursions Sales to Students (Yr 6 Shirts etc.) Other (can be titled to suit) H O W ? ?

Log onto the School web site –Google Wallacia Public School or log onto http://www.wallacia-P.schools.nsw.edu.au/. Click on “$Make a Payment” and follow the prompts to make a payments via Visa or MasterCard.

Make a payment for each child separately. Enter student name, class and date of birth. You do not need to enter the student registration number

NO! NO!

Wallacia Public School currently has a number of students enrolled with severe allergies to nuts and nut products. To allow these students to participate fully in all areas of school life we are requesting that parents/caregivers do not allow any students to bring any peanuts or any other nuts (e.g.: hazelnut etc.) or nut products to school at any time, (this includes peanut butter, Nutella sandwiches or muesli/fruit and nut bars that may contain peanuts or any other nuts). Thank you for considering the welfare of these students when sending food with your child/children to school, school excursions and school functions at any time.

HEAD LICE

Please check your child’s or children’s hair carefully. If lice and/or nits are present, please treat with a commercial lice product according to its instructions, available from the chemist and retreat if necessary. All “eggs” should be removed from the hair. The eggs resemble a grain of

rice or dandruff.

Once the hair is treated, students may return to class. Please repeat the treatment in 7 days. Wash all bed linen, pillow slips and hats.

Year 7 2020 Year 7 Expression Of Interest Form, for enrolment in Year 7 in 2020.

Could you please complete the form and return it to the office no later than Monday 18 March 2019. Additional forms are available from the school office.

All students are required to complete an “Expression Of Interest Form”, even if they are applying to enrol in a Selective High School or applying to enrol in a Private School.

5/6 Camp 2019 This year the students in 5/6 are invited to attend the Small Schools camp. The trip is not until Term 4,

however, we need to establish how many children are interested in attending.

This note is to ask for your commitment to send your child to our camp.

Where – Canberra

When – Wednesday 30th October – Friday 1st November

Transport – Transport will be by bus.

Cost – We do not have final costing, however we expect the cost to be around $400.00

Further information will be available closer to the date, along with a payment plan.

A non-refundable deposit of $50 will be needed to secure your child’s position.

The $50 non-refundable deposit needs to be made by Wednesday 3rd April (Week 10).

If you are paying via POP on the school’s website, please tick the excursion box and pay by 6.00pm on Tuesday,

2nd April 2018.

Mr Trev Mason Mr John Rush

Principal 5/6 Teacher

5/6 Camp 2019

My child _________________________will be attending the Stage 3 camp.

□ I have enclosed a $50 non-refundable deposit.

□I have made an online payment of $50. My receipt number is ________________. Date paid

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OR

□My daughter/son will not be attending the 5/6 Canberra camp.

Signed ________________________ Date _____________________

Wallacia Progress Association

Community Information Evening

Thursday 14th March

7.30 pm

Wallacia Progress Hall corner Roma Ave and Greendale Road

All welcome

The proposed cemetery development on our golf course which will destroy our village

and environment has been recommended for approval ‘in the public interest’ by the

NSW Planning Department but

WE HAVE NOT GIVEN UP

Come along to hear how the fight is continuing with important new

information and how YOU can help

Email: wallaciaprogressassociation@gmail.com

P.O.Box 3030

Wallacia Our Community

(Facebook)

--

Margaret Stepniewski

Secretary Wallacia Progress Association inc.

KEY DATES

Glenmore Park High School Year 7

Information Evening

Tue 12 March 6.30 pm

Year 6 students and their

families

No cost

School Assembly Fri 15 March 2.15 pm

All welcome

GPLA Leadership Day

Tue 19 March Selected students

NSW State Election

Breaky Barbie

Sat 23 March

8-1 pm

Volunteer

helpers needed

Small Schools

Combined Cross Country

Thurs 28 March All students

turning 8 and over

See

permission note

Easter Hat Parade Thurs 11 April All welcome

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‘Today is for Tomorrow’

SAFE RESPECTFUL LEARNERS

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