Principal’s Message Welcome back to another exciting year of high quality educational opportunities for the students and staff of Wallacia Public School. I trust that all of our families had a safe and restful Christmas holiday break and enjoyed quality time together. It was great to see many of the students returning to school with big smiles on their faces, obviously happy to be back at school, to play with their friends and to engage in learning. It was also great to see so many of them in their new uniforms. The students looked really smart and appeared proud to be wearing them. Welcome to Wallacia Public School This year we have several new students who are embarking on their learning journey with us. I would like to take this opportunity to personally welcome: Lillian Bastoli (Kinder) Courtney Dennis (Kinder) Xavier Eades (Kinder) Rachel (Kinder) Tayah Fonokalafi (Kinder) Jayda Fonokalafi (Kinder) John Wayne Parker (Kinder) Oscar Zizik (Kinder) Jamie Brabin (Kinder) Luke Kelly(Kinder) Mili Presentado (Kinder) Takaiden Nicholson (Kinder) Jack Patterson (Kinder) Hamish Johansson (Year 1) Preston Lane (Year 1) Alexis Gatt (Year 2) Taylah Hosking (Year 2) Baxton Lane (Year 3) Sienna Gatt (Year 4) Loretta Johansson (Year 4) Josiah Fonokalafi (Year4) Pelenaise Johansson (Year 5) Jennifer Johansson (Year 5) I know that all staff and students will make them feel extremely welcome and that they will thoroughly enjoy their time at Wallacia Public School.

Newsletter Week 2 Term 1

February 2 2016

Class structures 2016 We currently have 79 students enrolled this year. This will mean that a restructure of the current three classes into four will be necessary if these numbers are maintained after 10 February. Should this occur, four classes will be formed in consultation with teaching staff and the community. Until 10 February, which is the day the Department Of Education counts enrolment numbers, students will remain in their current classes. I appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition period. Should we have a further 4 students enrol, a fourth class would need to be formed and would lead to a restructure of the current classes. Getting children to school on time I would like to start the year by reminding everyone of the importance of getting your child or children to school on time every day. The very first part of the school day is a time when teachers provide an overview of the day to prepare students for the day ahead. Teachers will explain what is expected of students and provide important reminders about expectations. Teachers will then move into their Literacy Sessions. Students who are consistently late to school miss vital information and are immediately put at a disadvantage when it comes to preparing for, and engaging in, the day’s learning activities. I understand that unforeseen events occur occasionally that impact on being able to arrive at school on time and these circumstances are not generally of concern. Students who are consistently late are flagged on our Sentral computer software, and when this occurs I am required to put in place strategies to improve the persistent lateness. School Communication Wallacia Public School will continue to use the School Website Service as its main avenue for communication throughout the 2016 school year. As in the past, all notes will be published on the school’s website including the school’s newsletter. The Skoolbag application will continue to be used to ‘push out’ alert reminders of events. In addition, the school’s Facebook page is an excellent medium for viewing photos that show some of the things we do on a daily basis at school. To access our page, simply google Wallacia Public School Facebook or follow the link from the school’s website.

School Information Evening On Tuesday 16 February all classroom teachers will hold information sessions where they will provide an overview of their teaching programs for the year, as well as library times, release from face to face times and other important information about your child’s class for the year. These sessions will be held in your child’s classroom between 3.30pm and 4.30pm. Where you have children in different classes, I would suggest that couples split between the two, or alternatively, make an individual appointment with your child’s teacher at a later date. Please note that these information sessions are not parent teacher interviews where specific questions regarding individual students can be asked. If you would like to ask specific questions about your child, please make an appointment with your child’s teacher. I will be offering child minding in the library for Wallacia Public School students for the duration of the meetings. During this time students will watch a G rated DVD. Not Hat, No Play A reminder that we expect that all students will be wearing a hat if they are to play in the sun during recess and lunch breaks. If students arrive at school without a hat, it is expected that they will remain seated in a shaded area during playing times. This is in line with sun smart guidelines and protects and educates all of our students about the importance of protecting their skin from the damaging long term effects of over exposure to the sun. OHSC Our OHSC service is now operating both before school, after school and for vacation care during the school holidays. This service operates between 6.30am and 8.30am in the morning and 3.00pm and 6.30pm in the afternoon. Please be advised that places are limited and will fill fast. If you believe that you might require care during the year, it would be advisable to register your child with the service to secure a place. The contact number for OHSC is 47741940.

Swimming Carnival Next Tuesday, the Nepean Valley Small Schools will hold their annual swimming carnival at Glenbrook Swimming Pool. I would like to wish all of our competitors the best of luck as they compete against the students from Orchard Hills Public School, Mulgoa Public School and Luddenham Public School. It would be great if any families present could thank the staff from Orchard Hills Public School for their organisation of the event. Whole School Student Welfare and Development Excursion On Wednesday February 17, the school will travel to the Camden Park Environmental Education Centre to participate in a team and resilience building day. The day will consist of a series of inclusive activities intended to empower younger students while encouraging older students to nurture their younger peers. Students will rotate through activities in small, cross stage teams to encourage older students to care for and support their younger peers as well as empowering younger students through their essential involvement for team success. A permission note will follow shortly with more information regarding this school event. P&C Meeting Our first P&C meeting for the year will be held on Monday 8 February at 6.00pm in the school library. Our P&C work tirelessly to raise funds that support all students in the school. It is important that we have new families join our P&C in order to allow this group to replenish its numbers as several hardworking members have moved on as their children have started high school this year. I would encourage you to consider coming along to this first meeting to learn more about how you could support the P&C to support our children. Computer Coding Information Session On Thursday 18 February, Wallacia Public School will be hosting a computer coding information session run by The Game Training Roadshow and hosted by noted gamer Jeff Ayling. It is specifically designed for students, and parents of students, in Years 3-6. This information session will be held in the 4/5/6 classroom and will run from 10.00am – 10.45am. If, after attending this session, parents are interested in having their child participate further in this initiative, there will be a cost involved, however, the initiative will further support computer coding activities being undertaken by all students at school. We look forward to seeing you there.

Welcome Miss Carroll I would like to take the opportunity to welcome Miss Carroll to the Wallacia Public School teaching team for the 2016 school year. Miss Carroll has been teaching at Comleroy Rd Public School and is looking forward to a great year at Wallacia PS. Please take the time to introduce yourself and to welcome her to our school community. In conclusion, I would once again like to welcome everyone back for another exciting school year and remind the community that my door is always open should community members require assistance with any issue of concern to them regarding the school. Mark Davies Principal

News From 2/3/4 C Welcome back to everyone in 2/3/4C. Thank you to the students, staff and community for making me feel so welcome. I am really looking forward to a wonderful year. Our regular routines, such as Reading Groups and Homework will begin in Week 3. If students could bring in their homework books this week that would be great. Please feel free to contact me at any time. I look forward to a busy term ahead. Miss Talia Carroll 2/3/4 C Teacher

Library News Term 1 2016 Welcome to all our new students and returning students! Library classes will commence shortly. Students are encouraged to borrow books from our library, which has an extensive collection of Junior Fiction, Senior Fiction, and Non-Fiction books. Students will need to bring a cloth or strong plastic bag if they wish to borrow. Books may be borrowed for two weeks. Students are also encouraged to take part in the Premier’s Reading Challenge. PRC books are displayed on separate shelves. Parent support of our students’ reading is much appreciated. If parents can assist with covering new books, please let Mr Davies or Mrs Mullen know. Thank you for your support.