Principal's Report

We sincerely thank all parents who took time out of their busy schedules to attend our parent information session on Monday night. We were thrilled with the numbers and hope you feel just a little bit more connected to school. We are looking forward to publishing our inaugural WEPS handbook for parents, which we intend to update each year. We are in the process of creating and publishing with the intention of sending it home in the last week of term. We understand that not all parents were available to attend, the handbook will provide a detailed overview of the evening. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your classroom teachers and introduce yourselves if you haven’t already done so. We are looking forward to feedback, so we can continue strengthening the way we work with you all. 

At the beginning of our evening together, I emphasised the importance of continuing to strengthen our connections with parents, and outlined how proud we are of our diverse and inclusive school. I want to make sure all parents know that we feel incredibly supported by our families and know that you speak so positively about our school out in the community – this is evident when we have a new family come in and enrol when they say – we have heard so many great things about WEPS. Things do go wrong, and we want to reiterate that we will always work with you to make work things out.

Please complete the feedback survey (even if you didn’t attend the information session) as best you can. 

https://forms.gle/ii48QLwgrETRJN298

We also hope you begin to notice some changes resulting from some of the feedback from the parent forum in November last year. 

Use of Seesaw

• Class timetables uploaded to Seesaw each term
• 5 week learning outline (starting this week) 2 times per term 
• At least one Seesaw post a week showing a class, group or individual activity
• Specialist subject Seesaw posts (each subject a couple of times a term)

Learning, Wellbeing and Behaviour Support at WEPS

• Outlined in the Annual Handbook (sent home last week of term)

Increased opportunities for parents to connect with school in 2024

Other

• Lunch Order plan in progress, starting in term 2 – watch this space! Thank you Wilba & Co

Merits 

We are very excited to share that we have updated the merit system process. Children will be awarded single merit points linked to our school values. Teachers have spent a significant amount of time developing statements reflecting what would earn a merit point under each school value. When a student is awarded 1 merit point, a notification will be sent home to parent via Compass. Our certificate system is still in place for every 25 merits awarded and these will be announced at our monthly assembly. 

Compass and Seesaw 

It is essential that each family is connected to Compass and Seesaw. Compass is for administration (whole school communication, permissions, payments, semester reports) and behaviour monitoring purposes. Seesaw is for classroom and learning community information and learning updates. Please remember to click like or leave a comment in response to posts on your child’s page. 

Facebook 

Facebook is used as a platform to connect and celebrate school events with our school and wider community. Facebook is also a promotional tool for prospective families. We love it when you click like or leave a lovely comment. 

Monthly assemblies are back…we are looking to having our first monthly assembly for the year Thursday next week (7th March). 

School council parent member ballot  - Candidate Statements 

You child will bring home information about the school council parent member ballot tonight. Please see candidate statements below, complete the ballot page and return to the office (using the envelope enclosed) by 4pm on Thursday 7th March. 

Elisia Nichol

I've been a member of the amazing WEPS community since 2023 when our son, Thomas, commenced school. I'm excited by the opportunity to be a parent member of council. I pride myself in being approachable, collaborative, empathetic and innovative. I have leadership experience in public health and also run my own speech pathology business. Having been president of Warrnambool Toy Library, I have a good understanding of governance and experience in grant writing.  Best of luck to all those who have put their hands up to be part of school council. 

Clinton Hill

I have been a member of the school council since 2017, including the role of school council president for the last 2 years.  My strengths are in governance and understanding the details behind the scenes.  Should I be voted back onto the school council, I will bring continuity, experience and an enthusiasm for continuous improvement.

Rebecca Faris

After a little break for travel, I am now back and excited to again nominate for school council. During my last term, we successfully navigated the transition to new school leadership. This time I look forward to building on WEPS’ reputation as leaders in positive education and science in our region. It is important to me that we continue to advocate for the wellbeing of our students, staff and parents through an inclusive vision where all in our school community feel they belong and thrive. I look forward to working with the council to identify initiatives that bring our school community together, build our academic excellence and foster personal growth.

Emma Charlton

I have nominated to sit on the WEPS school committee primarily because my children have just started in Foundation in 2024. However, I am also keenly interested in the work that schools do in my role as Lecturer in Education at Deakin University, working predominantly with the primary teaching students. I see immense value in supporting schools to meet the needs of the community, and I am excited to embark on this schooling journey as both a parent and an educator. 

Michelle Lyons

Recently I expressed my interest in applying as a parent representative on the Warrnambool East Primary School (WEPS) council for the new term of office. Often, I reflect that we chose Warrnambool City to live in for its coastal and extensive environment, facilities complementing a healthy active lifestyle, opportunity, diversity; and a strong sense of community connection. WEPS reflects these important aspects, along with a high-quality learning environment and are proud our 2 children attend WEPS. Past representation on committees have been in the healthcare sector and local community groups; which I have found rewarding. As a parent member it would be a great opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of how the school functions whilst contributing to decision-making that shapes the progressive school WEPS is. I strongly believe hard work behind the scene leads to results in better school outcomes as a whole and for individual students. To be a parent advocate and representative on this council would be a privilege.