Principal's Column

Welcome back to an exciting Term 4 at Westgrove!  Even though this term will be quite long it will be super busy with a number of things happening to support the learning and connection of our community. Please make sure you have reviewed the Important Dates page of this newsletter and noted down anything relevant to your family.

Are you leaving us at the end of this year?

As much as we don’t want to see any of our families leave us, we understand that some of our families may be moving on to other schools in 2024. Therefore, if your child will be leaving us at the end of this year, can you please notify the office either by phoning Reception (9749 8233) or emailing (westgrove.ps@education.vic.gov.au) ASAP as this significantly impacts our decisions around staffing and class sizes for next year.

2024 Student Placement Considerations 

As we prepare for 2024 our team will commence the process of establishing classes.  Families are invited to advise us of any considerations that they would like us to take into account for their child's 2024 placement. 

Please put your consdieration in writing, and enclose it in an envelope, marked confidential, and addressed to the Principal. Alternatively, you can send an email to the school email address (with attention Principal – confidential in the subject line).   

Please submit your consideration in writing by Friday 27th October to be considered (we are unable to consider requests after this date).

Please note we cannot meet requests for specific teachers and, although we try our best to meet all requests, we cannot give guarantees.

As you can appreciate this is quite a complex and time consuming task as we are work towards meeting the needs of all our learners, therefore there will be no changes to classes once they have been finalised.

Our Class Placement Policy can be found on our website for further information - please use the link below: 

https://www.westgrps.vic.edu.au/_files/ugd/6dad92_dabe4962812e44288f3ea4c0db6e6178.pdf 

Student Smart Watches & Mobile Phones

Of late we have noticed an increase in students wearing smart watches to school. A smart watch is considered as a mobile device due to the similarity in functionality that they have with a mobile phone. Therefore, students are not to be wearing these at school. Students may wear pedometers and watches. Our Mobile Phone Policy can be found on our website for further information - please use the link below:

https://www.westgrps.vic.edu.au/_files/ugd/6dad92_cd11c3302d464768b788e27a45a1c330.pdf 

Grade 4 Camp

This week we had 68 of our Year 4 students and 8 of our staff attend camp at Camp Oasis in Mt. Evelyn. Even though it was cold and wintry, the students and staff had a brilliant time. They enjoyed a range of activities including the flying fox, candle making, crate climb and the reptile house, just to name a few. These activities provided students with a range of experiences and in some instances pushed them a little out of their comfort zone. A big shout out needs to go out to our wonderful staff, as without their dedication this learning experience would not have been made possible for our young people! 

'Mad Monday' @ the Canteen 

This term we will be introducing 'Mad Monday' at the canteen. Every Monday we will be having a different hot food snack available during the second break which can only be purchased over the counter (no orders will be able to be made via Qkr). This will be commencing this Monday!

SunSmart Hats 

Just a reminder that all students require a SunSmart hat for all outdoor activities during Term 4. Please ensure your child has a navy blue wide brimmed hat with their name clearly written on it for this term. Hats are available through our school uniform supplier, Noone, however feel free to purchase a plain navy blue hat from places like Kmart or Big W if that is a more affordable option for your family.

Prep Transition Dates 

As of next Friday we will begin welcoming our 2024 Preps as part of our Transition Program (please see dates below). If you or anyone you know are yet to enrol your child/ children for 2024 please contact the office ASAP.