Dear Parents/Carers,

MEET THE TEACHER - DAVID TOMKINS YEAR 4

What are your initial thoughts about Warrnambool Primary School?

It is a very supportive community. The children are excited to learn and are always happy in class. We get along well.

What were you doing before you came to Warrnambool Primary School?

Teaching Foundation - Year 2 at Coleraine Primary School. I was lucky enough to only have 14 students.

What do you like doing outside of your work life?

I like to go to the gym and beach. I love reading books and drinking coffee.

I also work as a DJ on weekends. If anyone needs a DJ I am available.

What are you hoping to achieve this year?

I’ve really enjoyed my time so far at Warrnambool Primary School and look forward to some excellent professional learning and developing my teaching in a very supportive team.

GEELONG CATS VISIT

We were fortunate to have a visit from the Geelong Cats players on Wednesday. Year 1 and 2 students were able to participate in a clinic with the AFL and AFLW players and they certainly enjoyed themselves.

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

This photo popped up during the week on an historical Victorian Facebook page and was sent in.

Warrnambool State School circa 1876 at the time of its official opening. It was and still remains one of the most impressive buildings in Warrnambool.

LITTLE ANGLER KITS - JACINTA ERMACORA MLC VISIT

Our Year 6 students were incredibly fortunate to receive fishing rods and tackle equipment as part of the Little Angler State Government Initiative.

Over 90,000 kits have been supplied state-wide which encourages students to switch off their devices, get off the couch and explore the outdoors with their families.

Member of the Legislative Council for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora was on hand to present the kits to our Year 6 students.

They were delighted with their new rods and many have said they are keen to get fishing right away.

FOUNDATION - SCHOOL CROSSING INFORMATION SESSION

This week our Foundation students made their way to the front of the school for a school crossing session with Toyah. Students learnt how to safely cross the road using the marked school crossings.

SMOKING NEAR SCHOOL

Smoking and vaping is banned in and around schools. The Tobacco Act 1987 bans smoking or vaping on school premises or within 4 metres of any pedestrian access point to school premises. The smoking and vaping ban applies to anyone present on school premises during and outside of school hours including students, teachers, and school visitors all activities that take place on school premises.

Smoking and vaping are also not permitted during school events and excursions held off school premises.

REF: Smoking and vaping: Advice for parents | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au)

BASKETBALL/NETBALL COURT APPROVAL

The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) has finally approved our basketball/ netball court project. We are now into the quotation stage.

If you know of any local businesses who would be interested in quoting for the job please contact me at school or alternatively ask them to contact and we will set up a meeting.

It’s very exciting for our school community.

SCHOOL COSTS

Thank you to those families who have supported the school by paying the curriculum contribution costs for 2024. Payment of the curriculum contributions helps the school purchase supplies students use in the classroom and specialist classes.

If you have not yet paid the school costs for 2024, these are showing on the home page of Compass when you log in. There is the option to pay via termly payments, if you require an individual arrangement, please contact the school office and we can organise that for you. Families who already have payment arrangements organised either through Bpay or Centrepay are welcome to continue with that arrangement. If you would like to set up either of these payment options, please contact the school.

CAMPS, SPORTS, EXCURSION FUND (CSEF)

Camps, Sports and Excursion funding is available to families who hold a current Veterans Affairs Gold Card, an eligible Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC), Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holder or are temporary foster parent.

A payment of $150 per student is paid to the school for families to use towards swimming, excursions or camps.

If you applied for CSEF last year, you do not need to re-apply as applications are rolled over each year. If you are new to Warrnambool Primary School in 2024, an existing family with a foundation student or are newly eligible for this funding, please contact the school for an application form.

CSEF eligibility will be subject to the parent/legal guardian’s concession card being successfully validated with Centrelink on 29th January 2024 and/or 15th April 2024.

Please contact the school office for further information.

ATTENDANCE – LATE ARRIVAL AND EARLY DEPARTURE

While it is important that students are at school on time every day, we know that this isn’t always possible. If your child is arriving to school after 9.00am, they must come to the school office to sign in and collect a late pass. This will mark them as ‘present’ at school. If a child goes straight to the classroom, they will still be marked on the roll as absent.

If you are collecting your child early for any reason, they must be signed out from the school office before collecting them from the classroom.

SICKBAY NOTIFICATION

From next Monday 19th February, parents and carers will be notified via email if their child has attended sickbay. Information will include student’s name, details of the injury, sickbay check in and check out time and treatment provided.

Parents will still be notified via phone call if your child has a knock to the head or is unwell and needs to be collected from school.

UPDATING FAMILY CONTACT DETAILS ON COMPASS

To ensure we are able to contact you, or your emergency contacts should an emergency arise, please ensure you update your contact details in Compass. Please check to confirm the phone numbers and email addresses on your details are correct, or alternatively amend as required. Our office staff can support families who need some guidance on using Compass.

Have a great weekend!

Peter Lee

Principal

Student Birthdays