Assistant Principal's Report

SWPBS REWARDS

Both the junior and senior schools have overwhelmingly voted for Zooper Dooper Day as the end of Term 4 SWPBS reward. All students will receive a Zooper Dooper on Thursday, 18th December.

If you would prefer your child not be given a Zooper Dooper, please notify your child's teacher.

OAK TREE HILL - CHOIR VISIT

On Thursday, 11th December the Senior Choir walked to Oak Tree Hill Retirement Village to perform for the residents. The choir performed a range of Christmas songs along with a couple of other pieces they have been working on.

It was lovely to once again share some Christmas joy with the residents. 

Thank you to Emma Roughton for doing such a wonderful job training our choirs.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our school community for another wonderful year of learning and growth. As we head into the summer holidays, I wish you all a restful and rejuvenating break. Take the time to slow down and enjoy the little things, laugh together, create memories, and cherish these years when your children are young.

Thank you our wonderful teachers, who have worked consistently hard to ensure every child is catered for, cared for and supported to be their best.

Thank you to all of the WHPS students, who make our school such a vibrant and engaging place to work every day.

And finally, congratulations and goodbye to our 2025 Year 6 students. It has been an absolute pleasure to have watched this cohort of student grow and mature over the past seven years. I wish them all the very best as they move in secondary school, with the confidence that WHPS has set them up for every success in the future.

Katrina Spicer

Assistant Principal for Wellbeing and Inclusion

katrina.spicer@education.vic.gov.au

Santa Tightens His Belt

By Dr Justin Coulson

Christmas excitement is building, but so is the cost-of-living. Inflation is soaring, and it’s hitting parents right in the wallet. Life has never been so expensive.

We’re supposed to love Christmas for the memories and experiences, the connection and relaxation. But marketing, materialism, our kids’ expectations (and our parental guilt), combine with our custom of gift giving to imperil us financially. Economic strain casts a dark shadow over what is supposed to be a joyful time.

Who remembers what they received for Christmas when they were 6? Or 14? Or even last year? Nobody.

Sure, we recall some of our gifts for various reasons: it was super special, there was an event associated with it, if it was from someone unique. But percentage-wise, you’ve forgotten 99% of the gifts you’ve received.

What do you remember?

Connection. Excitement (yep, for gifts you no longer recall). Smells. Food. Laughter. Love.

Ok, that’s all correct in theory.

When the kids have disappointment on their faces after opening their presents though, reality bites. There’s a little less connection. Excitement evaporates. Laughter is limited.

Let’s get real. Kids want gifts. And we want to give them gifts. But we’re facing financial realities that can’t be ignored.

By the time they’re around seven or eight years old, kids begin to notice and understand the concept of money. They can compare. They also hear you talking about money and know what it means (and some kids will be very sensitive to this).

When discussing Christmas lists and budgets with your children, remember the Three E’s: Explore, Explain, and Empower. These conversations should be filled with empathy, especially when kids feel it’s not fair.

Explore what they want and why. Ask what they love about Christmas.

Explain what limits are in place. And emphasise the aspects of Christmas that are most important to you as a family.

Empower them to find solutions to their optimistic expectations – and also empower them to develop a plan for bringing joy to others during the festive season.

And if their list is overly extravagant, help them explore entrepreneurial opportunities and teach them the value of earning their own money.

As parents, we often grapple with guilt when we can’t give our kids everything they desire. Remember, it’s your presence and love that matter most to your children, not the price tag on the gifts you can provide.