WNPS School Newsletter

Curriculum Update

Curriculum Areas & People Spotlight

An exciting opportunity in Visual Arts

Hi everyone and welcome to Term Two.

 

I would just like to tell you of an exciting opportunity that is happening in the art space now.

 

The Dairy Industry runs a program called Picasso Cow where teachers are encouraged to teach students about the Dairy Industry and how milk gets from a cow to our supermarkets. I will have the opportunity to teach students about the day in the life of a farmer and dairy cow and explain the sustainability aspect of dairy farming.

 

The year one and two students have picked our beautiful cows name, and they will be the selected learning group for this focus.

 

As for ‘Sunshine’, she will stay in the art room until she is painted with the images students have learnt about along this wonderful journey. Every child will get the opportunity to paint a little space on Sunshine which is very special.

 

Lastly, it is a competition and lots of prizes are up for grabs, which is very exciting for all.

 

Enjoy this beautiful weather,

Until next time,

Sincerely Julie

Term 2 - Wellbeing

At Williamstown North Primary School, we are committed to fostering an environment where every student can thrive, both academically and emotionally. An important part of this commitment is helping our students learn to manage their emotions effectively, a skill that is crucial for their well-being and success. One tool we use to support this is the Zones of Regulation framework.

 

What are the Zones of Regulation?

The Zones of Regulation is a framework designed to teach students self-regulation and emotional control. It categorizes all the different ways we feel and states of alertness we experience into five coloured zones:

  • Blue Zone: Used to describe low states of alertness, such as when one feels sad, tired, sick, or bored.
  • Green Zone: Used to describe a calm state of alertness. It’s the optimal learning zone where we are calm, focused, and ready to learn.
  • Purple/Violet Zone: This zone is used to describe confusion, lack of understanding, or difficulty concentrating. It's often seen when students feel lost or unsure about what they are learning or experiencing.
  • Yellow Zone: Used to describe a heightened state of alertness and elevated emotions; however, one still has some control. This can include feelings of stress, frustration, anxiety, excitement, silliness, or nervousness.
  • Red Zone: Used to describe extremely heightened states of alertness and intense emotions. A person may feel overwhelmed, out of control, or have trouble making good decisions.

Importance of Recognising the Zones

Understanding these zones helps children recognise their feelings and gives them strategies to respond to those feelings appropriately. It's not about changing how they feel but rather about choosing actions that align with their desired outcomes and maintaining control over reactions.

 

Strategies to Practice at Home

Encouraging emotional regulation at home is crucial. Here are some strategies you can practice with your children:

  1. Identify the Zone: Regularly talk about which zone your child is in throughout the day. This can help them become more aware of their emotions and the triggers that influence their state.

     

  2. Deep Breathing: Teach your child to take slow, deep breaths when they feel themselves moving into the Yellow or Red Zone. This can help shift them back to the Green Zone.

     

  3. Create a Calm Down Area: Set up a quiet space at home where your child can go to feel safe, relax, and get back to the Green Zone.

     

  4. Use Visuals: Visual reminders of the zones can be placed around your home to remind your child of the tools they can use to manage their feelings.

     

    Resource for Further Support

    A great resource for families is the website of the creator of the Zones of Regulation, Leah Kuypers. It offers detailed explanations and additional resources that can help deepen your understanding and application of the zones at home. Visit Zones of Regulation Website for more information.

     

    We encourage you to integrate these practices at home to support your child’s ability to self-regulate. This not only benefits their emotional well-being but also enhances their capacity to engage in learning and build healthy relationships.

    Thank you for your continued support and partnership in creating a supportive learning environment for all our students.

     

    Warm regards,

    Matt Feeley

    Well-being and Attendance Officer

    Williamstown North Primary School

Premier's Reading Challenge

The Premiers’ Reading Challenge is officially up and running, and Williamstown North Primary School is excited to be taking part!

 

The Challenge encourages students between early childhood and Year 10 to read a set number of books by 29th August 2025, with their efforts recorded online. A book list recommends age-appropriate texts that children might like to try, but any book counts towards their Challenge totals.

 

Last year, Victorian kids read a huge 3.4 million books between them – so this year’s Challenge sets an even higher goal of 3.5 million books, encouraging children to become voracious readers across different genres, authors and styles of literature.

 

Children from Prep to Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers. Children from Year 3 to Year 6 are challenged to read 15 books.

 

All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers. 

 

Click on the link to read the letter from the Premier Jacinta Allan. To find out more about the challenge, visit www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge

 

Your child's login details to the Premiers’ Reading Challenge platform will be sent home by classroom teachers. Using your child’s unique username and password, they will be able to record the books they have read throughout the challenge.

 

We hope to see as many students as possible complete the challenge! It is such a fun and exciting way to celebrate reading, and it is always such a pleasure to celebrate students’ participation in the challenge at its conclusion. 

 

If you have any questions, you can contact our school’s Challenge coordinators, Irini Mavridis and Ben Roosenboom.

 

Happy reading! 🙂

 

Kind Regards,

 

Irini Mavridis & Ben Roosenboom                              Kaitlyn Hayes

Premiers’ Reading Challenge Coordinators             Literacy Leader

School Choir

STEMM