From the Principal

Welcome Back!

We would like to officially welcome everyone back for the start of the 2024 school year. We hope that all our families have had an enjoyable break and are energised for what is shaping up to be a fun filled year. It was great visiting all the classrooms on Wednesday to chat to students, hearing about their holiday adventures, as well as at times being involved in some of their learning activities. One class had me asking a range of questions as students engaged with each other trying to find common interests. It’s good to know there are still lots of young Star Wars enthusiast amongst us.

With Day 1 being a non-timetable day, it gave students the opportunity to spend the entire day with their new teacher and classmates. The students were extremely settled and ready to get back into it. I know that they were looking forward to commencing their specialist programs yesterday.

The start of a school year can often bring apprehension and anxiety. This is completely natural for young students, especially after such a long holiday break. A positive though is how quickly students settle back into the routine of school. This is especially evident once they start to reconnect with friends who they may not have seen over the holidays, and start building a relationship with their new teacher. Overall, kids bounce back quickly, and we are looking forward to celebrating and supporting all our Willy Kids throughout 2024.

School Leadership Structure 2024

With the school’s new 4-year strategic plan comes some changes in the school’s leadership structure. In 2024 I am very excited to be supported by an amazing, highly experienced leadership team. This leadership team brings a broad range of experience and knowledge, but most importantly a passion for working with our Willy Kids.

Lisa Leydin (Assistant Principal) will continue to lead the school’s student wellbeing and welfare program, while also overseeing the school’s disability and inclusion program, working closely with students and their families to ensure students with additional needs are receiving the required support.

Steven Puhar (Leading Teacher) moves to the role of Head of Curriculum, with his primary role is to support staff across the school in curriculum planning and implementation.

Rebecca Givogue (Learning Specialist) now takes on the position of Head of Teaching and Learning. Bec will manage student data and assessment, while also overseeing our learning support programs. In addition, Bec will support staff in the further development of teacher practice.

Anna Swan (Learning Specialist) has been appointed as the School Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader. Anna’s core work is to support the implementation of wellbeing programs and initiatives across the school, while also supporting students and families to access resources and support.

Stephanie Keswick (Mathematics) and Andrea Duxson (Literacy) will join the school improvement team in the newly formed positions of Mathematics and Literacy Coordinators. They will support the school’s mathematics and literacy programs, managing key resources, and supporting staff with the implementation of the required curriculum.

The school’s leadership team is further supported by our year level instructional leaders(IL). Our ILs look to support year level teams in all matters of teaching and learning. Their influence as mentors across the school helps to provide a guaranteed and viable curriculum, while supporting consistency in teaching practice across the school.

I am very excited to work not just with an amazing leadership team, but all the passionate educators and support staff of Williamstown Primary School.

Curriculum Day

Last Monday all staff had the opportunity of working with Maths consultant Michael Minas. Michael has worked with the school for several years supporting staff in key professional learning. The day saw Michael dive deeper with staff in developing the school’s new maths pedagogical model. This model, which is known as “launch and explore” looks to strengthen student engagement, provide more hands-on learning opportunities, while strengthening deeper concept understanding for students. Michael will continue his work with school staff when he returns later this month to work with individual teams. 

School Council

This month the current school council will meet for the final time as a group. Members serve a two-year term, nominating for one of the council's 3 sub-committees. With several members’ terms ending, the opportunity to nominate for the school council will be communicated to the school community. We would encourage all interested parents/carers to nominate, as the council’s ongoing success is contributed to by the diverse experience and skills of its members. More information will be provided in the coming weeks, as well as acknowledgement of the contribution of ongoing members.

Preps Commencing

This coming Monday 5th February we will officially welcome our 2024 preps to Willy Primary. I have spoken to several parents recently and I know that there is a lot of excitement among our newest Willy Kids, especially for those looking to follow in their big brother's or sister’s footsteps. Parents will be encouraged to enter the classroom with their child, where the teacher will take the opportunity for a first day photo. After drop-off prep parents and carers will be encouraged to come together in the nearby after hours building to be part of our ‘Cheers and Tears’ event. Light refreshments will be provided and this will give parents/carers the opportunity to come together and socialise.

We look forward to being part of our new Willy Kids school journey.

Timetable

Please find attached this terms specialist timetable. Of note Grade Preps will be undertaking Kitchen Garden with Kate Fedele in term 1, while years 1-6 will participate in the French program.

Meet the Teacher

On Wednesday 14th February Year 1-6 parent/carers will have the opportunity to meet their children’s 2024 teachers. Students will be dismissed at 12:30, with 10min meeting slots for families commencing at 1:00pm and concluding at 7:00pm. These meet the teacher meetings are opportunities for parents/carers to share any particulars with their child’s teacher. This process enhances the understandings of each student’s individual needs. The Compass booking portal will open on Tuesday 6th Feb. If you have any issues making your booking, please contact the school office.

House Swimming Carnival

Next Wednesday 7th February our grade 5/6 students and selected grade 3 & 4 students will head down to the Williamstown Life Saving Club for the school’s annual House Swimming Sports.

This event which is a long-standing tradition at the school sees students compete for their houses, Reid, Gem, Nelson and Ferguson. The event also doubles as the district swim team trials with the selected team heading down to Werribee to compete at the district swimming carnival. 

Holiday and Future Works

Recent holiday works say the replacement of carpet in the year 5/6 portables, gallery, all spaces in the redbrick building and the admin building. It was great to see something so simple excite the students on day one. The upgrade has uplifted the spaces, with the admin building also receiving a painting make over.

Planning now moves towards the school’s 2024 projects, which include the development of the junior quad, the upgrade of the junior toilets and the uplift of school gardens. The school will also work with the VSBA in supporting the school to rectify major maintenance requirements of the redbrick roof and the bluestone windows and external features.

Wellbeing Hub

Next week we are expecting the arrival of our new wellbeing hub. This portable pod will be located against the bluestone building in the back quad. This hub will be home to our expressive arts therapy program, as well has as being the centre for the school’s mental health practitioner, a role we are in the process of filling. On-site beautification work will take place to uplift the surrounding space and this addition will be a great asset in providing another space to support  Willy Kids.

Mobile Phone Policy

Just a reminder to families of the Department and School’s mobile phone policy. This policy also covers smart watches, even when placed in school mode. Phones and watches are required to be handed to the teacher at the start of the day. These devices will then be safely secured away and handed back to students at the end of the school day.

https://www.williamstownps.vic.edu.au/source/Build/POLICY-Mobile-Phones-February-2020.pdf

Warm regards,

Mat