Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week is acknowledged and celebrated at the end of May/beginning of June each year. It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. This year’s theme is ‘Be a Voice for all Generations’, which encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work/learn and socialise. National Reconciliation week is a time to reflect on the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and to work towards reconciliation. Reconciliation week commemorates two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey—the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

On National Sorry Day (Friday 26th May), commemorating the stolen generation, our students worked in their buddy groups to create meaningful posters and reconciliation day hands to write messages and statements to connect Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. These messages were displayed as we walked together as one on Tuesday last week (acknowledging and celebrating Reconciliation Week).

We were privileged to share Reconciliation Week celebrations with local elder Uncle Rob Lowe Senior, who conducted a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony for our school community.

We finished the celebration off with a whole school sing along to Paul Kelly’s ‘From little things, big things grow’, which is an iconic Australian protest song, paying tribute to the Gurindji people, and becoming symbolic of the broader movement for Indigenous equality and land rights in Australia. We were also fortunate to capture the day on film (by Colleen Hughson – First Ladies Productions) and the Koorie leaders also had the opportunity to interview Uncle Rob and capture his story on film. We are looking forward to sharing the film with our whole school community once it is published.

Sincere thanks to Ellie Clarke and Bree Kavanagh who were successful in an Aboriginal Partnerships grant of $10,000 which enabled the organisation, co-ordination and funding of this event. I would also like to thank our grade 5/6 Koorie Leaders who are leading the way and using their voice to strengthen the integration of First Nations perspectives at our wonderful school. They lead by example and we are incredibly proud of the way they think, share ideas and take action for an improved way of being at WEPS.

Winter Sports

Congratulations to all our grade 5/6 Winter Sports participants who represented Warrnambool East PS last Friday. We are always so proud of our students when we take them out for various activities as they uphold our school values and agreements in the wider community. They lead by example and show high regard for their teachers and staff from other schools. It is important to thank Mr Karl Burton who ensures these sport days run smoothly. I would also like to thank parents who take the time out of their busy work and life schedules and come down to positively encourage all the children during various activities. Please know your attendance only strengthens our connection between home and school. Our teachers are always grateful for parent presence and support on days like this. It is important to remember inappropriate parent behaviour will not be tolerated at school or at community events. Please see DET guidelines for more information – Respectful Behaviours within the school community Policy

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Pages/Respectful-Behaviours-within-the-School-Community-Policy.aspx

Dan Petro is coming to Warrnambool East Primary School

We are looking forward to hosting Dan Petro – Behaviour Analyst for a parent session at WEPS next week. Dan has been working closely with all schools (primary, secondary and P-12) in our Network of Government schools and we are very fortunate to have him share his expertise beyond our community of educators and design a session especially for parents – Making parenting a little easier. This presentation will provide you with flexible alternatives you can draw upon to teach new skills at home, help establish daily routines, and effectively respond to these demanding situations. All parents and carers are invited to an evening with Dan Petro on Thursday 15th June from 6.30-8pm in the WEPS stadium (light supper will be provided) Child minding also provided. Please complete the survey to RSVP. Please RSVP by Tuesday 13th June (we encourage at least one parent from each family to attend).

https://forms.gle/H2px85Vsdp7uNe276

Parent Teacher Partnership Meetings

Parent/carer-teacher-student meetings provide valuable opportunities for the teacher, student, parents and/or carers to share and learn more about the student socially, emotionally and academically. They are an additional means of reporting to parents and strengthen collaborative relationships between parents/carers, teacher and student, regarding the student’s academic achievement, learning and wellbeing. Research has shown that a home-school partnership improves student academic achievement and increased school attendance. Our teachers are looking forward to catching up with parents/carers on Wednesday 21st June. It is a requirement that all parents meet with teachers this term, either by phone or face to face. The booking times are now live on Compass, so please take the time to book in your preferred time as soon as possible. If you are having trouble with this, please contact the office for support.

Congratulations Mrs Bec Etherton

We were thrilled to hear Mrs Bec Etherton and her family welcomed baby boy Louis Lachlan Etherton on Friday 19th May. Big brother Seb is loving his new baby brother.

Farewell and Welcome

We farewelled Mrs Melissa Fisher (Grade 1/2F) on Friday last week, as she prepares for the arrival of her first baby in the coming weeks. Ms Louise McLean will be teaching the class until the end of term. From the beginning of Term 3 we welcome Mr Adrian DeLandre until the end of the year.

Merits

Congratulations to all students who received a certificate of achievement (25 merits) at assembly last week.

Harrison-Gold house, Macy-Red house, Chayce-Gold house,

Liv-Blue house, Ruby-Gold house, Sophie-Green house

Pizza and Paper Planes

WEPS Dads