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From the Principal

Welcome back everyone! We are absolutely thrilled to see our students return to

onsite learning and we think they were quite chuffed

with the return also. It has been amazing to see so

many beaming smiles and the joy of being back.

During this first week back onsite, our staff and students

have been enjoying Camp Week.

Designed by our School Chaplain, Graeme O’Connor

and our Specialist Teaching Team, Ruth Chambers, Pirili Chapman, Will Rankin and

Alanna Besley, the week long program has aimed to support everyone transitioning

back to school and prioritise wellbeing for all. (See page 4 for more pictures).

Along with transitioning, this week’s planning has also taken into consideration that

re-engaging with onsite learning was going to present different challenges for

everyone. For some, it was the re-establishing of routines and for others there were

concerns and worries about being in such a large space. By holding a series of fun

activities that involved everyone, we had the time and space to reconnect with

each other and the school space.

The program has included:

Making and enjoying damper

(cooked on the fire)

Kite flying

Decorating a car and new marimbas

Zumba

Drumming

Archery

Team building games

Alongside all of the excitement of returning to school, we have also taken

delivery of a new double classroom. Situated near the large sandpit, the double

classroom will provide us with extra learning spaces to accommodate our

steadily growing enrolment numbers.

This time of year is also about planning. We are looking carefully at our student

numbers and planning for grades and their placement around the school. If you

know anyone that is looking to enrol at our wonderful school for the 2021 school

year, now is the time to make contact.

Did you know that our Step into Prep program is up and running. While we await further easing of restrictions, Step into

Prep students are enjoying a range of activities on Seesaw with Christie Smith and Chris

Blundell. If you know of anyone looking to enrol in Foundation for 2021, please encourage

them to make contact with the office so that the children can join in with Step into Prep.

While restrictions are still in place, please remember that if you need to speak with your

child’s classroom teacher, just call the office. Our wonderful office staff will ensure that the

teacher receives the message and will give you a call to chat.

See you at the gate!

Warm regards,

Wendy Bradley Principal

Number 14 12th October 2020

Wonthaggi Primary News

WE ARE CURRENTLY TAKING ENROLMENTS FOR 2021 SEE PAGE 4

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Billson Street (PMB 101) Wonthaggi, 3995

Phone: (03) 5672 1600

Principal: Ms Wendy Bradley

Email: wonthaggi.ps@education.vic.gov.au Website: www.wonthaggips.vic.edu.au

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Our School Core Values: RESPECT SELF AWARENESS CREATIVE THINKING GROWTH

Any entry to the school is by appointment only

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IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

OCTOBER

FRIDAY 23rd

Public Holiday - AFL Grand Final Eve.

Next Newsletter Published.

SCHOOL COUNCIL AND SUB-COMMITTEE MEETINGS

AUGUST

Finance – Wednesday 14th October - 4:00pm.

Buildings and Grounds – Wednesday 14th October - 4:30pm.

Policy – Thursday 15th October - 4:00pm.

School Council Meeting

- Tuesday 27th October - 6:30pm.

NOVEMBER

MONDAY 2nd

Student Free Day—No students attend school.

TUESDAY 3rd

Melbourne Cup Public Holiday. No School today.

MONDAY 8th - SUNDAY 15th

NAIDOC WEEK.

DECEMBER

TUESDAY 8th

STATE WIDE TRANSITION DAY.

UNIFORMS As the weather is becoming increasingly warmer, it is time to consider ordering uniform for

your children.

Our school uniforms and sports polos are supplied by TWW—Totally Workwear in Wonthaggi,

located opposite Safeway Petrol at 11 Murray Street. Turn around time for orders are

generally 10 days so please get your orders in. Orders can be made directly at TWWorkwear.

All public entry to the school by appointment only.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL PARENTS

The following is some important information to keep in mind when children return to onsite school in Term 4.

IS YOUR CHILD FEELING UNWELL? If your child is displaying ANY of the following symptoms we ask you to please keep

them at home and consult your doctor. Runny nose, stuffy nose, sore throat,

headache, cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills or sweats, fatigue, muscle

soreness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea or loss of sense of smell. If your child

attends with any of these symptoms we will call to ask you to have them collected.

Please make sure you mark an attendance note on Compass or alternatively call the school to advise the

office.

NO TOYS No toys are to be brought to school. In light of the current climate we are asking that no toys, including

such things as collector cards, dolls, figurines etc. are to be brought to school. Please discuss emotional

comfort toys with your classroom teacher.

DRINK BOTTLES Don’t forget to send your child with a drink bottle every day. The bubble taps are still closed.

DROPPING OFF AND COLLECTING CHILDREN

Calling the Office is the way to go! In the current climate we are trying to keep traffic in

to the school to an absolute minimum. This means we now have a ‘we come to you’

process in place. If you need to drop off your child late or pick them up early, or for any other

reason you can simply call the office on 5672 1600 and a staff member will meet you at the

Front Gate.

PAYMENTS AND PURCHASES

If you need to pay for anything such as parent payments or are wanting to purchase a school

bag, reader bags etc., please consider that we can take credit card payments over the phone

and will arrange to send the item home with your child or bring the items out to you at the front

gate.

Any entry to the school will be by appointment only.

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STUDENT OF THE WEEK

00A Jenessa G. For always taking care of others and being kind.

00B Izabel L. Being a kind friend to her classmates and encouraging them to do their best.

00C Oscar T. Making great choices for his learning.

00D Eli W. Being a fantastic friend to his classmates.

12A Zandah B. Trying new things with a positive attitude

12B Ethan C.

Taj B.

For a brilliant first week of Term 4.

Welcome to our School!

12C Alexander O.

Kori B.

Taking on feedback to improve his handwriting.

Settling in well to his new classroom.

12D Lilah K. For leaping into Learning.

12E Curtis S.

Amelia H.

Darcy P.

For his wonderful handwriting on Thursday.

A great start to Wonthaggi Primary School and 12E

Settling in well to 12E.

34A Ben S. For settling in to learning at school with a positive attitude.

34B Molly M. A very positive transition back to onsite learning.

34C Sian H.

Axel D.

For using the Zones of Regulation to identify her emotions and get into the green

zone.

For a fabulous start to Term 4 in 34C.

34D Jarvis D. For returning to school with a positive attitude.

56A Zach L. For having the confidence to act out a fantastic charade in front of our class.

56B Jed G. For leading by example and settling back into school routine.

56C Laci G. For putting great effort into her autobiography.

56D Manix B. For doing an excellent job of recording his thinking while reading our class book.

9th October 2020

FOUNDATION GRADE 1/2 GRADE 3/4 GRADE 5/6

Harley H

Alix B

Fraser J

Laci G

FOUNDATION GRADE 3/4 GRADE 5/6 GRADE 1/2

Samuel A

Zavier G

Arieta F

Makayla O

Elise T

Ayva H

Luka G

Cameron K

READING AWARDS

100 NIGHTS READING CERTIFICATE WINNERS ARE:

200 NIGHTS READING CERTIFICATE WINNERS ARE:

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CANTEEN NEWS It is great to be back in the canteen, cooking yummy food for our school.

A big thank you to those people who are using the online ordering

system at My Kids Lunch Box just a reminder that orders must be placed

online before 8:30am. I will be starting the canteen student of the week

again and the child chosen receives a canteen voucher. To receive the

award I look for children using manners, saying hello, asking how my day

is, or placing a lunch order) the voucher must be presented to Canteen.

Your canteen Manager

Liza Sweet

CONNECTING AND RE-ENGAGING We have had an exceptional start to Term 4!

We made the decision to run a school-wide, informal camp-like program

with a focus on re-engagement and well-being this week. The program

includes activities such as damper making (and eating), kite flying, car

decorating (car kindly donated by Bass Coast Metal Recyclers in

Wonthaggi) drumming, marimba decorating, archery, camp games,

gratitude activities, Aunty Fay and Zumba dancing.

Children have been re-connecting in so many wonderful ways. Some

students moved from working on their own, to sharing their creations and

ideas to create a mobile wind turbine. So good to be back!

WE LOVE SCHOOL

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BE SUNSMART HATS

If your child needs a hat, a new

one can be purchased at the

office,

- Broad Brimmed Hats $10.00

- Bucket Hats $10.00.

Remember

Not Hat No Play

HELP ‘Click Here’

LOGIN ‘Click Here’ Login ‘Click Here’

Help ‘Click Here’

FROM THE OFFICE Need to pay fees or buy a hat/school bag for your child? No Problem!! Contact the office to pay over the

phone with credit card or to transfer into the school account. Although parents cannot come onsite at the

moment, the friendly office team are happy to help.

CSEF (Camps Sports Excursions Funding) can be used for 2020 Essential Items. CSEF eligibility has been

extended and we can accept applications for those who are eligible and have not received it already this

year. CSEF forms are available on our website or call the office to send one home with your child.

If you have received a statement for overdue fees and you wish to discuss allocating CSEF, a payment plan,

Centrepay applications, or you just want to check something, please contact Georgie Kibble, Business

Manager for a confidential discussion.

FROM SCHOOL COUNCIL News from School Council Meeting - 15 September

The WPS council met via Webex on the last Tuesday of Term 3. Items discussed included:

1) OSHClub’s slow but steady growth and successful program last school holidays.

2) P&F AGM - congratulations From the school council to re-elected and incoming office-bearers:

President- Jane Miles

Vice-President- Leticia Laing

Treasurer- Carly Johnson

Secretary- pending confirmation

The council recognised the difficulty in fund-raising throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and thanked the

P&F committee, volunteers, and the school community for their patience and generosity expressed in

support of the school.

3) The first round of remote parent-teacher-student conferences were held and feedback from families and

staff was overwhelmingly positive. The council noted the school community’s willingness to embrace this

different model of communication.

4) A warm welcome to children and families joining WPS via Step into Prep: version 2020! The council is

looking forward to seeing 2021 Foundation students on-site ASAP!!!

If there are new (or existing!) parents/families wishing to be involved in school governance or other school

activities; please contact the WPS office for information.

Regards,

Caroline Moore

School Council President

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Welcome to Step into Prep!

While life is a little different, we are commencing Step into Prep for our future Foundation students a

little differently.

Enrolments for 2021 are being accepted now.

Once enrolled, families receive their special log in code to meet Christie and Chris and engage in some

fun activities together.

WE ARE CURRENTLY TAKING ENROLMENTS FOR 2021

Enrolments for Students in 2021 are well and truly open and we are very excited to already be receiving enrolments for students for the 2021 year.

Due to the current climate, we are unable to offer traditional enrolment tours.

We have posted a Virtual Tour Video on our Website so that you can enjoy a walk around tour of our

school from the comfort of your home. http://www.wonthaggips.vic.edu.au/images/WPSVirtualTour1.mp4

If you wish to enrol your child for 2021 simply download the Initial Enrolment Form from our School

Website or simply follow this link, complete the form and email or drop this in to the office.

http://www.wonthaggips.vic.edu.au/documents/Enrolment_2021.pdf

Once the Initial Enrolment Form is returned to us we can organise an enrolment pack to be sent to you via

email or one can be collected from the Office at your convenience. This pack will include information

about our canteen, uniform ordering, a school hand book and a full detailed information form that will

need to be completed and returned with a copy of your child's birth and immunisation certificates to

finalise your child's enrolment. We will also organise for Wendy Bradley, the Principal, to give you a call to

follow up on any questions you may have.

You can contact us via email at

wonthaggi.ps@education.vic.gov.au for an online enrolment pack to be emailed to you.

Don’t hesitate to call our friendly office staff on (03) 5672 1600 if you need any assistance.

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HELPFUL INFORMATION FROM PARENTZONE GIPPSLAND

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COMMUNITY NEWS