Dear Parents,

Welcome back to school, and to the start of term two. I am hopeful that you and your family had a safe and relaxing break and are ready for a happy and productive second term.

New newsletter format

You may have noticed that our newsletter has changed a little in its formatting. We have moved to a new platform which allows for easy translation of our newsletter for families where English is not their first language. To make reading of this document easier we have had to simplify the presentation of the newsletter. We are looking forward to this opportunity to improve access for many of our families

School photo day: (DATE: NEXT Tuesday, May 3 and Wednesday, May 4)

Envelopes with information on how to order your child’s school photos arrived at school over the holidays and has come home with students this week. Please note that photo day is scheduled for NEXT Tuesday and Wednesday, May 3 and 4. The exact day for your child/ren’s class is listed below. For parents who wish to take advantage of the opportunity to have siblings (WVPS students only) photographed together you can request a family envelope from the front office. Note, this photo may be taken on a different day to the classroom photo. You may return the photo envelope to the office before the day for safe keeping.

Tuesday 3rd May

Wednesday 4th May

Foundation, Grade 1, Grade 2 and Sibling

Groups

Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Sibling Groups, School Captains, JSC and House Captains

Mothers’ Day Stall: shhh…don’t tell mum!

As a service to our school community, our parents and friends group are running our annual Mothers’ Day stall on Thursday and Friday next week. Gifts will be available for purchase, ranging in price from $1 - $6. Classes will be rostered to go ‘shopping’ so that all students will have the opportunity to purchase something special for mum. The timetable for this is listed below. We are asking that all students bring a sturdy plastic or other bag (in additional to their school bag) in which they can take home their shopping – and hide it from mum until Sunday.

Thursday 5th May	Friday 6th May
Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 5 and Grade 6 (excluding 6SB)	Foundation, Grade 1, Grade 4 and 6SB

Enrolments for 2023

We are now accepting enrolments for the 2023 school year - for all year levels. Enrolment forms are available from the front office and also on our website. Many people would be aware of the new school opening in the Harpley Estate next year, and for new families if their child is zoned to this new school (currently known as Lollipop Creek PS - LCPS) then they will need to attend there. It is anticipated that the new principal for LCPS will be announced very soon, after which time we will be able to direct families to their temporary office should they wish to follow up an enrolment there. Current students of WVPS are not required to move schools should they wish to remain with us, and siblings of current enrolments will continue to be accepted even if the new school now means that pupils no longer live within our enrolment boundary. However, should a shift be your wish you are welcome to investigate this option. To reiterate, details of where and how to enrol for the new school will be made available soon.

Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) Kits

Students were issued with their latest RAT kit on Tuesday and the department is continuing to encourage testing twice a week: Monday and Wednesday morning. Children who have had COVID do not need to participate in this testing program for 12 weeks after finishing their isolation period. This was previously eight weeks. Please ensure you let the school know if your child receives a positive result so that we can inform the rest of the class so that families can look out for symptoms. Note that we do not identify students in this instance.

COVID 19 – Household contacts

Students and staff who are household contacts of a COVID-19 case are no longer required to quarantine. They can return to school as long as they undertake rapid antigen tests (RAT) 5 times within their 7-day period and wear face masks indoors if they are aged 8 and above unless they have a valid exemption.

If any household contact returns a positive RAT result during this period, they must isolate for 7 days and not attend school.

Vaccination requirements for visitors to schools

Parents, carers and other adult visitors (not performing work) are no longer required to show evidence of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine when visiting the school.

NAPLAN testing

Parents of students in years three and five, please be aware that the NAPLAN tests will be conducted between May 10 – 20. These tests, which give schools and parents good indications of student performance are conducted nationwide and assess areas in numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar. Results are expected back in school in early September.

Face Masks – Years 3-6

With the easing of restrictions children in years 3-6 are no longer required to be wearing masks in the classroom. However, they are welcome to do so should this be a family preference.

Grounds works

Over the holidays we had the poles installed on the synthetic turf in our court yard in preparation for the installation of a further shade sail. This sail will create an outdoor classroom space which will be well utilised by our school.

We were also handed the keys to our new portable which frees up a dediated performing arts classroom.

New members of the Wyndham Vale Family

We are pleased to announce the arrival of some of the newest members of the WVPS family – born to four of our staff during March and April:

Lennox Elliot Tirtandi-Linford, son of Kiam Linford

Charlie Mae Hart, daughter of Mel Larcombe

Joey Mavis Hester, daughter of Sarah (McNamara) Hester

Rafael Emilio Lopez, son of Maddi (Costa) Lopez

I am sure you join with me in congratulating the new parents and wish them all the best.

Sue Seneviratne

Principal

School Council