Dear Families,

Another great couple of weeks at Wyndham Vale Primary school with lots of extra curricula activities and many more to come…

Principals’ Day-Friday 4th August

A huge big thank you to all the students, teachers and families that surprised the Principal Team with so many generous gifts, thoughtful messages, wonderful crafts and even a delicious breakfast. We were overwhelmed with treats all day and feel very proud to be part of the amazing community of Wyndham Vale Primary School.

Ensuring a safe and positive online environment for our students

As a school community we must continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology and its impact on our lives and more importantly, the lives of our children.

In recent times, we have become aware of instances where students are engaging in the misuse of technology and social media platforms outside of school hours. While we recognise the benefits of technology for learning and communication, we also acknowledge the potential risks and pitfalls that come with its use, especially for young children.

Social media platforms can be engaging and entertaining, but they also pose significant risks, especially for children. Some of these risks include:

Cyberbullying: Inappropriate comments, hurtful messages, and online harassment can negatively impact a child's mental and emotional wellbeing.
Privacy Concerns: Sharing personal information, photos, or location details online can lead to privacy breaches and even potential dangers from strangers.
Negative Influences: Exposure to inappropriate content, unhealthy comparison, and unrealistic standards can impact self-esteem and mental health.
Online Predators: Children might inadvertently come into contact with individuals with harmful intentions, putting their safety at risk.

Important: Most social media platforms (Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram etc) require users to be 13+ years old. It is illegal for students under 13 to be using these platforms.

Creating a safe online environment at home:

As parents and guardians, you play a vital role in shaping your child's online behaviour and ensuring their safety in the digital world. Here are a few steps you can take to help create a safe online environment at home:

Open Communication: Have open and honest conversations with your child about the potential dangers of social media and technology misuse. Encourage them to share any concerns or experiences they encounter online.
Setting Boundaries: Establish clear guidelines for screen time, online activities, and the use of social media platforms. Help your child understand the importance of balance between online and offline activities.
Monitoring and Supervision: Keep an eye on your child's online activities. Utilise parental control tools to limit access to inappropriate content and track their online interactions. Young children should be using technology in common spaces within your home, avoid them using technology in bedrooms or unsupervised spaces.
Digital Literacy Education: Teach your child about responsible online behaviour, including the significance of respecting others' privacy, reporting inappropriate content, and verifying information before sharing.
Leading by Example: Model healthy online behaviour yourself. Show your child how to engage positively, respectfully, and safely on social media and other digital platforms.

We, as a school community, are committed to fostering a safe and nurturing environment for your child's growth and development. By working together, we can empower our students to make informed decisions about their online activities and ensure their safety in the digital age.

For additional resources and information on creating a safe online environment for your child, we recommend visiting the Office of the eSafety Commissioner Website. They provide valuable guidance and tools for parents and guardians. You can access their resources at https://www.esafety.gov.au/

Thank you for your continued support, cooperation, and partnership. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Together, we can create a safer and more positive online experience for our children.

A friendly reminder that any students bringing mobiles phones to school must hand them in to the office at the start of the day and collect them prior to going home.

Swimming Program

Well done to the Grade 1 classes who did a great job representing our school when they attended Aqua Pulse for their swimming lessons last week. Next week the remaining Grade 3 classes will undertake their swimming lessons, with the Grade 5 students and remaining Foundation classes due to attend in Term 4.

Non swimmers have also been busy back at school

learning about water safety.

District Athletics

On Wednesday 2nd August, 33 students from years 3-6 competed at the District Athletics. It was a great day down at the VU Wyndham Sporting Complex with a full report on all our achievements further on in the newsletter under the School News tab.

We wish all the students who have made it through to Divisions all the best!

Book Week Parade

A reminder to dress up as your favourite book character on Friday 25th August!

There will be a parade held at 9am which we invite parents/carers to come along to. Two awards per class will be awarded for the following categories:

Best Character Representation: This award recognises the student who best embodies the character they are dressed as, with attention to detail and authenticity in their costume.

Best DIY Costume: This award recognises the student who has created the most impressive and creative costume by utilising only DIY materials and techniques, such as recycled items or handmade accessories, demonstrating resourcefulness and ingenuity.

AFL Clinic

Our 3-6 students who have Physical Education on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are lucky to be involved in various AFL clinics over 3 weeks. Each week students will get a chance to take part in various drills to learn about and strengthen their skills in Aussie Football.

ICAS

Once again Wyndham Vale Primary School has offered all students in years 2-6 the opportunity to participate in ICAS. This is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling and Digital Technologies. For those who have chosen to participate and have registered online the following dates apply:

English-Thursday 17th August

Science-Wednesday 23rd August

Maths-Monday 28th August

100 Days of Foundation

On Friday 28th July, Foundation students and teachers celebrated 100 days of school by dressing up as what they thought they would look like when they were 100 years old. The day was filled with lots of fun celebrations including a parade. Photos can be found under the School News tab.

Bunnings Sausage Sizzle

Thanks to The Parents and Friends Group that organised and ran our first sausage sizzle for the year down at Bunnings Hoppers Crossing. We are very grateful for all the volunteers that took time out of their weekend to support our schools fundraising efforts.

Fathers’ Day Stall

This will run over two days, Thursday 30th August and Friday 1st September. More information about pricing of gifts and what day your child will attend coming soon.

Tell us what you think…Parent Survey

Today 30% of parents, caregivers and/or guardians were selected to participate in this years survey. The survey is optional, but we encourage all families to participate. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the survey period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. Those selected families that complete the survey will go into a draw to win one of three $100 Coles Myer gift vouchers. Instructions on how to do this will be provided with the introductory email.

It is now official – Lollypop Creek Secondary School have their school name!

Lollypop Creek Secondary School (Interim Name) has officially been named

Walcom Ngarrwa Secondary College. (Pronounced wel-cum nar-wa)

This name comes from the words of our traditional owners, the Wadawurrung People, meaning steps to knowledge. They look forward to welcoming Year 6 students from our school to Walcom Ngarrwa Secondary College when they open for their first Year 7 students in January 2024.

Congratulations!!!

Elly Henderson from our office, her partner Brandon and daughter Zara, welcomed the arrival of their baby daughter/sister Kendall who was born on Sunday 30th July.

Have a great weekend.

Jodie Gauci

Acting Principal

Canteen