Principal's Report
We’ve had a positive and calm start to term 2 this week.
On Tuesday our staff worked together on a number of priority areas outlined in this year’s Annual Implementation Plan.
Our focus for the day was on strengthening wellbeing and behaviour support practices through the School Wide Positive Behaviour lens and the school’s THRIVE framework.
School-wide positive behaviour support (SWPBS) is a framework that helps schools create positive, safe, and supportive learning environments for all students. It focuses on teaching and reinforcing positive behaviours, providing support to all students, and offering extra assistance to those who need it.
THRIVE@WEPS is a framework that encompasses our approach to promoting student wellbeing and positive mental health in all aspects of school and home life. THRIVE@WEPS connects 4 evidence based, highly impactful approaches – Positive Education, 6 Principals of Nurture, Respectful Relationships and Zones of Regulation. These approaches provide our students with the knowledge and understanding of wellbeing and mental health, life skills to manage their own wellbeing and mental health and how they can positively impact and support the wellbeing and mental health of others.
For more information on THRIVE@WEPS https://www.weps.vic.edu.au/page/40/THRIVE@WEPS
The purpose of the day was to ensure consistency in the way we integrate wellbeing strategies into our daily practice, apply behaviour support strategies, language and expectations across year levels, learning communities and the whole school.
We have also been developing and reviewing our revised Behaviour Response flow chart which we will launch to parents on Monday 12th May 7-8pm through an online forum.
Please click on the link to register your attendance. An email with a Webex link will be sent out the Friday before the event. Please prepare by downloading Webex on your device.
https://forms.gle/EEqgsgX48yTpt7WG6
On Tuesday we also completed our annual professional learning requirements around Child Safe Standards as directed by the Department of Education. It is also imperative our families are aware of our processes to ensure a Child Safe School and the support we provide our whole school community. Please view the link below for more information.
https://www.weps.vic.edu.au/page/41/Child-Safe-Standards
We appreciate the support of our school community to enable us to work together to continue enabling us to engage your children in rich and impactful wellbeing and learning for your children at WEPS.
At the end of last term, we said goodbye to Ms Jodie Abbott after 13 years at Warrnambool East PS. Jodie has been successfully appointed to the Assistant Principal position at Warrnambool West PS beginning this term. On behalf of the whole school community at WEPS, I would like to thank Ms Abbott for her time and dedication to teaching, leading and supporting the successful whole school implementation of Structured Literacy at WEPS. We wish her all the best in her new role – the Warrnambool West PS community are extremely lucky to have her.
In the same token, I would also like to congratulate Mrs Evelyn Baulch, who has been seconded to the Department of Education for the duration of Term 2 (she will return back to us in Term 3). Ev’s new role is part of the team writing Phonics Lesson Plans Units for all schools in Victoria.
And, lastly I would like to wish Ms India Thomas all the best as she heads off on leave to prepare for the arrival of their first baby. We wish Ms Thomas and her partner Thomas all the best during this very exciting time and look forward to hearing their news.
Welcome Ms Mel Coxall, who will be teaching foundation for the rest of the year, as Ms Brooke Halleyburton will move up to grade 5 to teach Ms Thomas’ class.
Sadly Indiana (Grade 1) and Caitlyn (foundation) lost their dad after being unwell. On behalf of the whole WEPS community we express our deepest condolences and are thinking of them and their mum Stacy during this very difficult time.
It is time to start thinking about 2026 for anyone with a grade 6 student or 4 year old kinder child. Year 7 information will be sent home to families today and our Foundation 2026 information session is on next Tuesday night followed by scheduled school tours beginning on Monday 5th May. Even if you are already at WEPS, it is very special for your little one to attend a school tour and we strongly encourage you to attend our information night, as you can share first hand experiences with prospective families. Please remember to register your attendance using the QR codes on the flyer or contact the office.
Over the past 2 days I have had many lovely chats to lots of children across the school about their holiday adventures. It has also been lovely to see how happy everyone is to be back at school with their friends.
I hope you all had the opportunity to spend some quality time with your families and friends. I was fortunate to go away with my family and enjoy 2 weeks travelling right around Tasmania. What a stunning state! For those who have not yet had the opportunity to visit Tassie, pop it on your travel list. After a lovely Easter weekend with my family in Geelong, my break ended on a high watching the mighty Cats take the win on Easter Monday at the MCG – what a game!
A reminder to join us for the ANZAC day parade and service in town tomorrow morning. See flyer for more information. If children will be walking in the parade, please wear school uniform.
One last thing – it is very worrying to see the number of parents turning right when exiting the school car park on Ward St. There is clear signage stating no right turn during school hours (this includes school drop off and pick up times). Please follow the road rules for the safety of our school and wider community.