Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Carers,
VOLUNTEERS
Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who assist us with all of our school programs and events. We are having a Morning Tea, on Monday 30th October at 11am in the B.E.R building, in appreciation of the work that our parent and grandparent volunteers have done this year. Invitations have been sent and upon receipt of your invitation, we ask that you let the office know if you are attending as soon as possible.
We have had great support in classrooms, on excursions, camps, at sporting days, School Council, Parents Association, working bees, fundraising events and many more.
REFERENDUM - SATURDAY 14TH OCTOBER
Our school is a polling station for the referendum vote being held tomorrow, Saturday 14th October. We will be holding a sausage sizzle from 10am-2pm.
If you are able to assist even for a short while or you are looking for an easy lunch please drop by.
GOVEMBER
November is fast approaching and we at Warrnambool Primary School are setting ourselves up for the inaugural Govember fitness challenge. There will be more information shortly but the main aim is to get everyone running/walking/moving and to record their efforts for the month of November.
Students and staff will be involved and we encourage parents to do likewise. The WPPA are organising a super Monster raffle which will be drawn at the Christmas Extravaganza on Thursday 7th December 2023. So please stay tuned for more information about the exciting month ahead.
NEW UNIFORM
There is much anticipation surrounding our new uniform for next year. Please know there has been a lot of detail and hard work gone into the design and quality of the items, which takes time. While we know families are wanting to purchase items now, they're not quite ready. More information will however be provided in the coming weeks.
WORKING BEE - SATURDAY 21ST OCTOBER 9am to 12pm
The hard working Buildings and Grounds Committee led by Clinton Brown have scheduled our next Working Bee for Saturday 21st October from 9am to 12pm. If you are able to assist even for a short while that would be fantastic.
YEAR 6 GRADUATION AND FINAL ASSEMBLY - THURSDAY 14TH DECEMBER
We are coming to the end of a very busy year which means there are some significant celebrations coming up. On Thursday 14th December we will hold the following:
9:30am - Year 6 Graduation (Year 6 Families, School Council and Staff only)
12:30pm - Whole School Final Assembly
Please put these in your diaries as we would love to see as many parents and family attend.
Invitation for the Year 6 Graduation will be given to students very soon.
KOORIE ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE
Eligible Year 6 students were given an envelope this week, containing information about the Koorie Academy of Excellence (KAE). The KAE is an out of school hours program supporting young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in secondary school to develop a connection to culture, leadership skills and their academic capabilities. Students wishing to join for Year 7 need to complete the application form inside the envelope by Monday 20th November.
If you have any questions please email Mrs Mills gina.mills@education.vic.gov.au
CHILD SAFE STANDARDS
This week we reference Child Safe Standards 7, 8 & 9. There are 11 in total.
In complying with Child Safe Standard 7 at Warrnambool Primary School we ensure:
7.1 The organisation has an accessible, child-focused complaint handling policy which clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of leadership, staff and volunteers, approaches to dealing with different types of complaints, breaches of relevant policies or the Code of Conduct and obligations to act and report.
7.2 Effective complaint handling processes are understood by children and young people, families, staff and volunteers, and are culturally safe.
7.3 Complaints are taken seriously and responded to promptly and thoroughly.
7.4 The organisation has policies and procedures in place that address reporting of complaints and concerns to relevant authorities, whether or not the law requires reporting, and co-operates with law enforcement.
7.5 Reporting, privacy and employment law obligations are met.
In complying with Child Safe Standard 8 at Warrnambool Primary School we ensure:
8.1 Staff and volunteers are trained and supported to effectively implement the organisation’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy.
8.2 Staff and volunteers receive training and information to recognise indicators of child harm including harm caused by other children and young people.
8.3 Staff and volunteers receive training and information to respond effectively to issues of child safety and wellbeing and support colleagues who disclose harm.
8.4 Staff and volunteers receive training and information on how to build culturally safe environments for children and young people.
In complying with Child Safe Standard 9 at Warrnambool Primary School we ensure:
9.1 Staff and volunteers identify and mitigate risks in the online and physical environments without compromising a child’s right to privacy, access to information, social connections and learning opportunities.
9.2 The online environment is used in accordance with the organisation’s Code of Conduct and Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and practices.
9.3 Risk management plans consider risks posed by organisational setting, activities and the physical environment.
9.4 Organisations that contract facilities and services from third parties have procurement policies that ensure the safety of children and young people.
REF: https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards
SMOKING/VAPING BAN - VICTORIA
In Victoria, a person must not smoke or use e-cigarettes on school premises or within 4 metres of any pedestrian access point to school premises.
Inhaling vapour from an e-cigarette is known as ‘vaping’. When using an e-cigarette, the user inhales and exhales the vapour, which can look similar to smoking a cigarette. The prohibition on smoking includes the use of e-cigarettes (vaping) and applies whether or not the e-cigarette contains nicotine.
Cigarettes and e-cigarettes cannot be sold to people under 18 years of age.
The legislation defines smoking to include the use of an e-cigarette.
In Victoria, a person must not smoke in a motor vehicle if a person under 18 years is also present in the motor vehicle.
Smoking and vaping are also not permitted during school events and excursions held off school premises.
REF: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/smoking-vaping-ban/policy
Have a great weekend!
Peter Lee
Principal