Dear Parents/Carers,

YEAR 4 CAMP - ROSES GAP

We had a fabulous Year 4 Camp to Roses Gap this week. Very warm weather greeted us in the Northern Grampians where the adventurous activities were never ending.

The camp-site is in the heart of the Grampians National Park and the native wildlife certainly put on a display for us. We were greeted by curious Kangaroos, Wallabies, Reptiles, Insects/ Spiders and Birds of many varieties.

The activities included the flying fox, aerial playpen, giant swing, ropes course, bush walk to Beehive Falls, crate stacking and canoeing. The weather was so warm I think most students thought canoeing was the highlight because we all ended up in the water.

The Roses Gap staff are so experienced and meticulous with their planning that we all felt safe in their hands- even at extreme heights.

We have talented staff with resident DJ Mr Tomkins providing exciting after dinner entertainment in the form of a disco and on the alternative night we had Mr Kluver lead an outdoor singalong.

All students are to be commended for their resilience and have a go attitude. It was a pleasure to take them away.

Thankyou to our parents for supporting our camping program and trusting us with your children.

A huge thankyou goes to Ms Hann, Mr Tomkins, Ms Thompson, Ms Haugh and Mr Kluver especially for co-ordinating and organising a great camp for us to enjoy.

COTTAGE BY THE SEA

Cottage by the Sea is our final camp for the year and we are looking forward to sending our selected 5/6 students to Queenscliff next week with Mr Williams and Ms McMeel.

We look forward to hearing about all of their adventures upon their return.

ABORIGINAL SURVIVAL TECHNOLOGY SHOW

Yesterday Year 3-6 students welcomed Philip Green who delighted them with his Aboriginal Survival show.

The show was a 90 minute eco-science program that demonstrates how the aboriginal people survived across the varied challenging environments around Australia before white settlement, by virtue of their amazing knowledge of the world around them. It was hands-on, interactive and the students thought it was fantastic!

They loved that they got to touch the artefacts, and that Philip was an energetic and inspiring presenter.

SCHOOL SAVING BONUS

The School Saving Bonus for Government school students can be accessed via the School Saving Bonus online system in November 2024.

Families can choose how they spend the School Saving Bonus. It can be used towards 2025 school costs, which may include:

camps, trips, excursions and incursions
swimming and sporting programs
outdoor education programs
graduations
school uniforms
textbooks.

The School Saving Bonus information will be emailed directly to parents and carers in November 2024. Please check your junk folder if you cannot locate the email. If you do not receive information by 25 November 2024, please contact the school office for support.

Families can allocate all or part of the bonus to help with the cost of school activities. This allocation will be made within the online system.

The bonus can also be used at your school’s designated textbook or uniform suppliers in-store or online, or through State Schools’ Relief until 30 June 2025.

If any amount allocated to textbooks or uniforms is unspent as at 1 July 2025, it will become a school activities credit for you to use through your school.

GOVEMBER 2024

We are very keen to commence Govember next Friday 1st November 2024. Our school target is a combined 14,000km. Together we are certain that we will get there.

WALK TO SCHOOL DAY - FRIDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2024

In 2024, Walk to School Day in Victoria, Australia, is typically celebrated in October. For Warrnambool Schools we celebrated today.

This event encourages students and families to walk to school as a way to promote physical activity and sustainable transport. It was fantastic to see so many students and families joining in.

CLASS SEPARATIONS/ REQUESTS 2025

As we start creating classes for 2025 we invite you to submit the names of three students you believe your child would benefit from being in a class with in 2025.

Teachers will consider this information in addition to several other parameters that create successful classes. While all information is carefully considered placements are at the discretion of school staff and friendship choices can’t be guaranteed.

Please email or write to your child’s teacher with your child’s three preferences by Tuesday 5th November 2024. Where no names are received your child’s teacher will make suitable selections on your behalf.

Any separations or other specific requests should be sent directly to warrnambool.ps@education.vic.gov.auand marked Attention Principal and not sent to the classroom teacher.

Have a great weekend.

Peter Lee

Principal

Student Birthdays