A Word from the Principal

A Warm Welcome to our Weeden Heights Community

A warm welcome to our community

We are now starting to ‘find our groove’ at school and we are slowly moving back into our routines. Thank you to all of our parents who are managing the drop offs and pick-ups so well. Entering and exiting school is seamless and thank you for remembering to distance yourself and wear a mask. 

This week we received some fabulous news from the government as some restrictions are beginning to be lifted. I’m loving all of the new haircuts I’m seeing around the playground!  We are also now able to bring on site small groups of our future students so that they can begin to become familiar with their new school and meet, in person, some of our staff.  The pre-schoolers have been doing a fabulous job on their monthly video conference so we can’t wait for them to attend our school on Friday.  A big thank you to Mrs Lee and Mrs Michalski for running all of the online transition sessions. 

With our Covid safety plan, and as directed by the Department, the pre-schoolers will not be able to meet with our students.  Equipment and the playground will be wiped down after their use and the children will remain in the same room for the transition session.  These is really important to ensure the safety of our school and current students.  It is exciting to be welcoming these children to our school, even if it is using a very ‘non-Weeden’ approach.  We are all going to have to work hard to welcome these new families next year. 

2020 Parent Contributions 

We have finalised parent contribution documents and they will be available for distribution to our families soon.  Due to our incredibly difficult year for all of our families, School Council was committed to not increasing any of the costs for each student.   The contribution letter will be distributed to families with information and payment details in the coming week.

Hay Fever and Asthma

Just a reminder that grass pollen season is between October and December.  During this time there is an increased risk of seasonal asthma, hay fever and epidemic thunderstorm asthma.  It’s more important than ever for families to manage any hay fever or asthma symptoms of their children, as these conditions can produce symptoms that are similar to coronavirus (COVID-19) such as runny nose, cough or shortness of breath.

The best way to reduce and prevent symptoms of asthma or hay fever and reduce unnecessary absences from school is to follow an up-to-date asthma action plan or hay fever treatment plan.  If you have any coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, even mild, please stay home and get tested.  Also, if you have a new Asthma Plan then make sure that school has a copy.

School Events: Book Character Day and Footy Day

I have loved coming back to school and, although it looks different, we have continued to run the events that we enjoy as a school.  Nearly every student participated in both dress up days from last week and Tuesday.  Amazing! The oval has been a fabulous venue that has allowed us to spread out and distance and we are extremely lucky that we are a smaller school because much more is possible.   

Please check out the beautiful photos on Facebook and movies in our assemblies. I do try and put as much as possible out for our parents so that they don’t miss out.  We would normally let you know about these events and would be welcome to attend.  Fingers crossed for next year! PS congratulations to our Tigers families on the grand final win!

Newsletter

We often ask the students if they saw their work in the newsletter and they generally say no which really surprises us.  I-Newsletter has allowed us to include a lot more of the visuals which the students love.  I encourage you to read the newsletter with your children and celebrate the work from the grades together.   It is always important that they know upcoming events as well.  Enjoy!

School Magazine

Oh gee…. The magazine this year is AMAZING!   If you have ordered your special 40th edition copy with your parent contributions you will be delighted.  This is definitely one to keep and this year, we have included an index so you will be able to locate your children’s drawings quickly.  Most of the illustrating has been done remotely and this is definitely a year to remember!  Families will also have the opportunity to purchase a copy if they did not pay for a copy at the start of the year.  Don’t miss out!

Curriculum Day - 2 November and Cup Day - 3 November

Next week there is a curriculum day on Monday and a public holiday on Tuesday for Cup Day.  Students are not required to attend school on either of those days. 

On Monday staff will be involved in professional learning in the area of Assessment and Reporting.  Teachers are extremely busy benchmarking students to accurately assess their learning and future learning needs.  This day will be invaluable to develop future teaching directions and assessing the needs of individuals.  Don’t forget that OSHC is open on Monday for the whole day to support our families who have returned to work.  We hope that you enjoy the Tuesday with your family!

Ms Kylie Campbell

Principal

Futures are Bright at Weeden Heights!