From the Assistant Principal
Adele Brice
Dear Parents/Carers,
In this edition of the newsletter I will share the following information:
- Literacy at WPPS
- Digital Learning policy
- Disability Inclusion 2025
- Child Safe - Cyber Safety Project webinar series
- Child Safe - eSafety Commissioner -
- Child Safe - eSafety Commissioner webinar series update
- Volunteer Childsafe training remaining session for Term 4
- Arrival time for students in the morning
Literacy at WPPS
WPPS has been committed to strengthening our approach to the teaching of literacy.
A number of years ago, the principal class along with several members of our teaching teach participated in training around The Big 6 presented by Anne Bayetto, an academic leader and highly sought after expert speaker on literacy and numeracy difficulties in children. Our approach to teaching literacy is based on an Evidence Based Approach, The Big 6. The Big 6 including; Oral Language, Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Fluency and Comprehension.
Through learning gained in participation in a Masters of Inclusion program we have worked with staff to strengthen our practice. At a Curriculum Day at the beginning of Term 2 we unpacked Reading. Although our delivery was based on an Evidence Based Approach, our dose for phonics needed to be increased and explicit. As our parents in Prep to Grade 3 are no doubt aware through the Wonga Weekly, we commenced implementing UFLI . UFLI is an explicit and systematic program that teaches students the foundational skills necessary for proficient reading. UFLI occurs daily in our Prep – Grade 3 classrooms. UFLI has weekly progress monitoring which allows our staff to track growth of our students.
We have introduced Dibels, a universal screening tool, for all students (beginning, middle and end of year). Dibels is a set of procedures and measures for assessing the acquisition of literacy skills. The CUBE-3 assessment has been introduced from Grade 2 – Grade 6. CUBE-3 is a family of screening and progress monitoring tools that accurately, reliably and efficiently measure language comprehension and word recognition and their products – reading comprehension.
We are excited about the changes that have taken place and are proud of what we have achieved this year.
Childsafe update
Digital Learning Policy
Our Digital Learning Policy has gone through the appropriate consultation and has now been finalised. You can view our Digitial Learning Policy on our website.
Disability Inclusion 2025
The Victorian Government is investing nearly $1.6 billion in Disability Inclusion.
Disability Inclusion is better responding to the needs of students with disability to ensure they can participate and achieve their full potential at school and in life.
Next year Wonga Park PS transition to the new Disability Inclusion approach. Here is a link to a great video to explain our move to Disability Inclusion.
CYBER SAFETY PROJECT Webinar Series 2024
We partner with trusted eSafety Provider Cyber Safety Project to support parents and guardians with their understanding of all facets of cyber safety. The Cyber Safety Project and special guest experts have presented a diverse range of topics pertinent to raising children in a digital age. You can rewatch on-demand by revisiting the registration page and clicking on the ‘Watch Now” button available after the webinar has concluded (within 24 hours).
FIND OUT MORE: https://cybersafetyproject.com.au/parents/
Protecting Children Online Kristi McVee (Child Abuse Prevention & Education) & Trent Ray (Cyber Safety Project)
The Se*ual World of the 21st Century AdolescentDaniel Principe (Collective Shout) & Trent Ray (Cyber Safety Project)
Talk to Me First: Exposure to Explicit Content Justine Keily-Scott (Sex Education Australia) & Sam Macaulay (Cyber Safety Project)
Game Aware – Healthy Gaming
Andrew Kinch (Game Aware) & Sam Macaulay (Cyber Safety Project)
Building Digital Resilience Ash Manuel (Growing with Gratitude) & Trent Ray (Cyber Safety Project)
My First Mobile Device Luca Gennai (Cyber Safety Project) & Trent Ray (Cyber Safety Project)
eSafety Commissioner
The eSafety Commissioner has created an Online Safety Book for parents which covers some key online safety issues for young people and includes a range of practical tips and advice on what to do if things go wrong. You can access the book online here, it is also shared below for your reference.
eSafety Commissioner Webinar Series
We encourage you to explore the eSafety Commissioners website which contains invaluable information for parents regarding online safety.
The 2024 parent/carer webinar schedule is listed below for your reference;
Remaining Term 4 Volunteer Childsafe training session on offer
We are mandated (without exemption) to provide training for all volunteers working in our school. It's a requirement that our staff and volunteers are equipped with knowledge, skills and awareness to keep young people safe through ongoing education and training. Training is required to be updated annually. All volunteers need to complete annual training prior to working/supporting with students in any capacity.
The remaining Term 4 Volunteer Training session is listed below. Please be aware of when your annual training expires and join one of the online sessions. The details for the sessions are listed below, you can also find the link on the Sentral Parent Calendar.
Tuesday 12th November 5.00-5.30pm (online)
https://eduvic.webex.com/eduvic/j.php?MTID=mb68e5bebbcf9777175a270e453d54484
Arrival time for students in the morning
Now that the weather is getting warmer, it's time to check in again regarding the time that students are dropped off at school in the mornings.
Parents are reminded that students should not be in the school grounds unsupervised before 8.35am. Staff are on duty in the school grounds from 8.35am.
Should students arrive prior to 8.35am they will be asked to wait in the office and parents will be contaced
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you would like to chat about anything I have shared in this edition of the newsletter.
Adele Brice - Assistant Principal