A Message from Vassie 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land, the Wurundjeri, Woi Wurrung and Boonwurrung Peoples of the Kulin Nation and pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Aboriginal people have a deep and continuous connection to the place now called Victoria. Aboriginal people have lived in the Maribyrnong River valley for over 40,000 years.

This past fortnight at our wonderful Wembley Primary School has been our HITS (High Impact Teaching Strategies) and HIWS (High Impact Wellbeing Strategies) student free day, students attending divisional swimming, year 5 & 6 beach program completion, (Department of Education mandated) year 1 english online assessments continuing, and concrete and structural steel works.

In the next fortnight, we will see school photos on Friday 8 March, NAPLAN assessment beginning for students in years 3 and 5 from Wednesday 13 March, our preps attending school 'full time' from March, teacher data days where they will set student learning SMART goals for the year, and Student Support Group Meetings occurring for students with Individual Education Plans, disabilities and learning difficulties in the final two weeks of term one. Our leadership and office team will be in contact with families to arrange appointment times. 

A reminder about the Labour Day Public Holiday on Monday 11 March. School will resume on Tuesday 12 March. 

In my Principal's Message today, you’ll find information regarding:

• Wembley Parent's Association (WPA) - Easter Raffle and 2024 Calendar of events
• School Photo Day - Friday 8 March
• Student Free Day-Wednesday 28 February-HITS AND HIWS
• International Women's Day
• NAPLAN - Years 3 and 5
• Capital Works Building Update
• Disability Inclusion Leading Teacher Appointment
• Teacher Data Days
• Divisional Swimming
• Road Safety Reminder
• Annual Privacy Reminder
• Office News: Voluntary Parent Payments, and Permission notes reminder, Wembley Junior Basketball Club-Fundraiser
• Student Acknowledgement

Wembley Parent's Association (WPA) - Easter Raffle and 2024 Calendar of events

I'd like to thank Sam Rovis, Shelley Botterill and Linh Krygger from the WPA for their efforts in organising the Easter Raffle. Thank you to the families that have already kindly contributed to the raffle. 

Also thanking Lisa Filippin and Kelly Dean for their support in arranging the WPA 2024 calendar of events, and seeking input into future events. 

Please visit the WPA tab of the newsletter for more information. 

School Photo Day - Friday 8 March

Say CHEESE - This is a friendly reminder that School Photo Day is this Friday 8 March!

The photography company that is taking our school photos this year is Advance Life Photography. This is a different company to last year, and as such the ordering process has changed. See the sentral email containing ordering information and a schedule of the day. 

The Advanced Life Photography team have asked us to share a reminder about sibling photos. ONLINE ORDERING FOR SIBLING PHOTOS WILL CUT OFF ON THURSDAY 7 MARCH.  

We have had a handful of parents ask for the schedule of photo day as they have appointments or prior engagements, and as such it has been shared in the sentral email. 

If students will not be attending school on photo day, the Advance Life team have said that they can be contacted to arrange an Easter school holiday in studio session. They will also return later in the year to take student leadership photos and can take further photos at that time. 

If you have any questions regarding ordering, please contact Advance Life Photography directly, or the school office on 9314 7054. 

We look forward to seeing the hair styles and smiles on school photo day! 

High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS) & High Impact Wellbeing Strategies (HIWS) Student Free Day 

Last week on Wednesday 28 February, all staff members engaged in professional learning about our School Strategic Plan key improvement strategy relating to the High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS), and High Impact Wellbeing Strategies (HIWS), during our student free day. 

I would like to thank our executive leadership team, Katie McClue, Mel Irons, Renee Johnson, Adriana Jankulovski and Phoebe Moore, for facilitating the professional learning and collaboration. It was a great day of collaboration which will benefit the learning and wellbeing of each and every student at Wembley Primary School. 

School Council has approved the following remaining student free day for 2024, on Wednesday 24 July. 

International Women's Day - Friday 8 March

Friday the 8th March is International Women’s Day and this year’s theme is Inspire Inclusion. We will be acknowledging this day at Wembley in a variety of ways. All year levels have lessons and activities themed around IWD24 so students will have the opportunity to learn about, discuss, draw and write about the incredible achievements, discoveries and the ways in which brilliant women have changed and improved our world. 

Wishing all women in our community a very Happy International Women's Day. 

See some IWD snapshots from 3A (Anna's class) below. Well done to Michael, Leo, Hayley, Luna, Talia and Zali for sharing these reflections with me. 

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2024 for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students will begin next week. The test window commences on Wednesday 13 March (Week 7) and will conclude on Monday 25 March. NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy. 

Our Wembley PS intended test schedule is as follows: 

*Catch up test sessions will run in the week following, however it is important to note that catch up tests in writing are only allowed for Year 3 students. 

For more information about the tests, please visit the VCAA website or the NAP website athttps://www.nap.edu.au/naplan, furthermore, we encourage you to engage with the informative PDF attached to this communication. Please do not hesitate to contact either your classroom teacher or Katie McClue (Assistant Principal & Naplan Coordinator) if you have any questions or would like further information katie.mcclue@education.vic.gov.au. 

Capital Building Works

We are making great progress in our Capital Building Works Project. 

This week, structural steel and roofing works are occurring onsite via a crane which has been quite a site with many students, staff members and families enjoying watching the historic works. 

The projected stage 1 handover date is 29 July, and we are tracking well towards this date. Following this date, we will move into the new building and then the demolition of the existing building will take place, making way for a landscape design and more play space for our students. The estimated project completion is October 4. 

Watch this space for some community fundraising to assist with furnishing the new building!

Disability Inclusion Leading Teacher Appointment

The Disability Inclusion Leading Teacher role has been filled by Georgia Phillips who has worked at Bellaire Primary School, and Greenfields PS in the UK as teacher, team leader, literacy coach, and student wellbeing leader. Georgia will begin next week on Tuesday 12 March, and I'm sure our community will join me in welcoming Georgia to Wembley PS.

I thank Sofia Courtney, Vanessa Hancock, Nathan Welsh and Katie McClue for assisting me on the panel. 

Teacher Data Days - Professional Practice Days

Professional Practice Days (PPDs) are an element of the Victorian Government Schools Agreement. PPD days entitle teachers to be released from their scheduled duties, including teaching, to focus on the improved delivery of high quality teaching and learning. Each teacher will have one professional practice day per term, pro rata. 

At Wembley PS, our collaborative teaching teams will have their term one PPD days through the next three weeks, collaborating around student learning data and setting SMART goals. 

On assigned PPD days, you may notice that your child’s teacher is at school, however they are not teaching the class on that day. Teachers have been replaced with casual replacement teachers (CRTs) on their PPD day. Teachers will inform students of their scheduled PPD.

Divisional Swimming

Congratulations to all the students that participated in divisional swimming on 23 February. It was noted that the students demonstrated great effort, pride and support of one another. We thank Gus (PE teacher), Tom Li and Sophie Molan to attended and supported the students, and we thank the parents that attended and supported. I'm told that Kylie Feely was a great parent helper to the students and staff members in the lead up and on the day. 

Global Citizens

Our wonderful 2023 environmental and sustainability captains, Lola and Tilly, participated in the MEG languages Global Citizenship project last year. We were highlighted as a 'best practice' school for our work with launching our composting and waste initiatives at Wembley PS. See the pages featuring our school below. I'd like to thank Sofia Courtney for leading this partnership together with our environmental and sustainability captains, and Wembley Waste Warrior Parent and Student Volunteers. 

We are certain that our 2024 captains, Macy, Marley and Rose will continue the legacy.

Road Safety

This is yet another reminder to all Wembley Primary School community members about the importance of road safety at all times.

I continue to have contact with the Department of Education, Maribyrnong City Council, West Gate Tunnel Team, Vicroads, Department of Transport, and our local member Hon. Melissa Horne MP, to discuss road safety and work through solutions, to enable safer travel to and from school, and ease traffic flow, for all community members.

We thank you for your understanding during this time regarding Capital Building Works, Bradmill Estate Construction, Westgate Tunnel Works, and subsequent road closures, which affect our immediate community, and I ask for your cooperation in the following matters regarding road safety, in this interim period, and at all times.

PARKING

We have been informed by a number of parents and local residents that some Wembley PS community members are parking on nature strips, footpaths, no parking zones, and close to pedestrians. We have also been informed that community members are parking in driveways, or across driveways and leaving the vehicle, restricting residents from entering and exiting their properties.

We ask that people are mindful of safety at all times, and we ask that all community members park legally, and/or in neighbouring streets and walk around to the Wembley PS, to drop off/collect your child/ren safely.

We understand that schools are congested during pick up and drop off times, and that the mornings can be busy, however the safety of all community members is paramount.

If you are able to commute by walking, or parking, and then walking to school, this may alleviate some of the traffic congestion.

IDLING

We have been informed that some parents park and wait for their children to enter the car, and leave the car ignition is left on, and the car is running idle for a period of time. We have 493 families at Wembley, and 648 students, and if for example 300 cars on average are running idle at drop off and pick up, this provides an indication of the significant air quality risk. The pollution associated is a health risk and we encourage parents to turn the ignition off as they wait. 

See some references to car idling here, kindly shared from a parent within our community:

Sources: 

• Fuel quality in Australia: https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/australias-fuel-is-among-the-dirtiest-in-the-world-and-were-not-doing-anything-about-it#:~:text=Australia%20is%20one%20of%20only,95%20and%2098%20premium%20unleaded.
• Idling: https://www.edf.org/attention-drivers-turn-your-idling-engines
• Past media coverage regarding idling surrounding schools: https://amp.theage.com.au/national/victoria/call-to-fine-parents-who-idle-car-engines-near-school-and-childcare-zones-20170410-gvhvky.html

DOUBLE PARKING

It has also been reported that a number of parents are double parking and allowing students to enter and/or exit the car whilst being double parked, particluarly on Hawkhurst Street ad St Leonards Avenue. This is not safe, and we are told that parking inspectors are monitoring this. 

BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS

We ask all parents to have a conversation with their child/ren about the importance of road safety.

We have seen a number of students cross the road beyond crossings, and not following the safe crossing procedures of, 'Stop, Look, Listen, Think'. We have reminded them of the importance of exercising road safety procedures at all times, and have made contact with their parents.

We also ask that community members that ride their bikes or scooters to school, to wear a helmet at all times, and to 'walk' their bikes around the perimeter of the school to ensure that all children and adults are safe and that no one is hurt by people riding at high speeds. We also note that electric scooters have an age restriction of 16+.

CROSSING SUPERVISORS

We are aware that Francis Street is the busiest road in Victoria, and again remind all community members to exercise safe crossing procedures at all times.

Road crossing supervisors are on duty from 8:15-9:00am, and 3:15-4:00pm on both Francis Street, and Wembley Avenue.

Crossing supervisors have reported to us that some community members can be distracted when driving, or crossing the road, by being on their phones. Again this is a timely reminder to take good care whilst travelling to and from school.

AIR QUALITY

We are also aware of the air quality impact, and we partnered with Breathe Melbourne and Deakin University to assess the local air quality. More information regarding the findings will be shared with our community in due course, regarding safer routes to take with lower levels of pollution, vehicle settings to cycle air, etc.

We thank you in anticipation of all community members working together to ensure our collective safety and wellbeing.

Please contact me if you have any further information to share to assist us in keeping all community members safe in travelling to and from school.

Annual Privacy Reminder For Our School Community

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and the Schools’ Privacy Collection Notice.

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy, describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn. We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use Google Workspace for Education safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Google Workspace for Education, please contact the school. For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. 

Office News

Voluntary Parent Payments, Permission Notes Reminder &  WJBC Fundraiser

Voluntary Parent Payments

Information has been distributed to all families in relation to Voluntary Parent Payments, which are now live on the Sentral Parent Portal.

Payments can also still be made via the Sentral parent portal (preferred), at the Office for EFT, and/or via Bank Transfer.

When activities or charges are created you will receive a notification from Sentral to action. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the office on 

03 9314 7054.

Permission Notes Reminder

We ask that parents return permission notes at their earliest convenience as this assists teachers with beginning processes and programs within and beyond their classrooms. 

• Code of Conduct
• Digital Acceptable Use Agreement
• Local Walks 
• Photo Permission
• Copyright Permission (Artworks)

Wembley Parents Basketball Club - Fundraiser

Our gym has also been resurfaced, and is polished to perfection, with thanks to the Wembley Junior Basketball Club.

This month the Grill’d Yarraville Local Matters program has a jar for the Wembley Junior Basketball Club!

The club has the opportunity to raise some funds to help cover the cost of the recent hall floor resurfacing and upgrade.

We’d love for our WPS community to support the cause and help the club whilst eating burgers!

2024 Term Dates 

In order to assist parents with planning for holidays the following are the school term dates for this year. Parents are asked to be mindful of the term dates when booking family holidays.

Term 1: 29 January to 28 March

Term 2: 15 April to 28 June 

Term 3: 15 July to 20 September 

Term 4: 7 October to 20 December

Student Newsletter acknowledgements

We LOVE to hear about student achievements outside of school. If there are any acknowledgements that parents/students wish to share with us and can be celebrated with our wider community, we ask that you email us at wembley.ps@education.vic.gov.au with the student/s name/s, a summary of the acknowledgement and any photos that you would be comfortable sharing and we will aim to include it in our fortnightly WPS newsletter.