Across Oliver's Desk  

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to term 2. We had a busy and successful first term with swimming, grade 5 and 6 camp, athletics and lots of face to face learning. Our school continues to do it’s best to provide a great education to our students. We also always do our best to help the system at large. Last term our school hosted teachers from all over the network. Our reputation across the system continues to grow. I do feel privileged to work at Woori Yallock P.S. with such awesome staff.

My favourite time of every day is being outside before school listening to our wonderful students laughing, playing and looking forward to the day ahead. It is impossible for me not to start my day with a smile on my face as I scan our playgrounds. The best thing about our school is definitely our happy, motivated children. 

READING AT HOME

Reading has always been an important skill. In our modern world it is more important than

ever. Children learn about the importance of reading as they watch family members use reading and writing for everyday purposes. Reading with your child at home will help your child in all learning areas of school.

TIPS TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME

• Be yourself. Involve children in everyday conversations.

• Read aloud to children. It helps them to learn the language of books and will encourage them to enjoy books and reading.

• Talk about books, read together and make reading an enjoyable, shared activity.

• Make sure there is a wide range of reading material for your child at home, both fiction and non-fiction.

• Make a ritual of reading with your child before bed. Doing this makes children look forward to bedtime and finishes the day on a really positive, fun note.

ANZAC DAY

Thank you to all the families who participated in the Upper Yarra RSL ANZAC Day march at Yarra Junction on Saturday.  It was wonderful to see our students attend in their school uniforms and be so respectful during the march and the service. To me, Anzac Day is one of Australia’s most important national commemorative occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. I feel it is really important for our students to understand the history behind ANZAC Day. 

Rory McHale and many others attend the service every year.

ALPHABET PARTY

Our Preps took part in their alphabet party last week. They came dressed in their special letter, paraded in front of teachers and parents and went off on a letter scavenger hunt. It was such a fun morning which was brilliantly organised by the Prep team. We are very proud of our current Preps. They are a wonderful group of children.

MOTHERS DAY STALL

Our Mother’s Day stall will operate next Thursday 7th May. Gifts are priced from $1 to $6. Thank you as always to our ‘Parents and Friends’ group that coordinates the Mother’s Day stall every year. It takes a full day for them just to wrap the presents. Our parents are amazing!

SCHOOL PHOTO DAY

Just a reminder that school photo day is on Thursday 21st May. Please see the Compass posts on purchasing the photo packs. 

CURRICULUM DAY

Just a reminder that we have a curriculum day next Friday 8th May. I do understand that these days are annoying for parents, but they are essential for the school to continue to get outstanding results. 

AEU INDUSTRIAL ACTION

The AEU has put in place some work bans for this term. In the media they are talking about a half day stoppage on the 6th May. A few parents have asked me about this. The stoppage they are talking about will only effect schools in the Western Suburbs as they are rolling out stoppages in regions. I will of course communicate well ahead of time when the stoppage happens in our area. Hopefully the Union and Government can come to an agreement, and we can avoid the bans.

Have a great week, and remember when life gets a little difficult, escape to the wonderful world of a book!

Oliver Thockloth

Principal