Principals Report

What a great FETE!

It certainly was an amazing effort to bring together this year’s fete. A big thank you to Rebecca Hede and Erica McElhinney  and all the stallholder coordinators: 

• Simon Mariani
• Lisa Mio
• Michael Gibson
• Dee Laverack
• Emma Porter
• Alice Moore
• Sally Hynes
• Heather Rai
• Anthony Aspiridis
• Olivia Ingram
• Clarissa Moreira
• Rebecca Scott
• Christine Jones
• Suzy Sagar
• Lilian Bishop

This amazing team met each week and were so  well prepared for the event, even managing to compete with a referendum! The weather didn’t deter the crowds and it was a huge success. 

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped support the stall holders by working a shift or two on the day. We had a large turn out of families and local community and the day's success was due to the community coming together to make this a favorite annual event. 

We hope to explore the options of upgrading our boat playground in the near future with the funds raised from this year's fete.

It was great to see Kat Theophanous and Ged Kearney at there in support of our school community.

MONDAY November 6– Professional Practice Day 

There will be a professional practice day (PP Day) for all teaching staff on Monday 6 November (Cup Eve). This is traditionally a day of low attendance, as many people take advantage of a long weekend for the Melbourne Cup.

In the current Victorian Government Schools Agreement (VGSA2022), all teachers are entitled to two professional practice days for 2023. We had a day of nonattendance in term two for the first PP Day and we have scheduled the second PP Day for teachers this term. 

A survey link was sent out on Monday via Compass. If you have not responded, please use the link here. 

School Sports Australia

Marcus was representing the u12 Victorian team last week at the school sports Australia football (soccer) championship. The team took home gold which was a massive achievement. 

Northern Region Athletics

Congratulations to Otis Backwell (Discus), Hannah Thornton (800m 4th place), Emma Ling (long jump 10th), Liam Taylor (Hurdles 9th), Emily Wright (Hurdles 10th), Finn Robinson (Hurdles 4th) and Etta Cordell (Hurdles 6th, 100m 5th) who all made it into the Northern Region Athletics comp, Wed 10 Oct at Meadowglen Athletics stadium Epping. A fantastic effort by all these students to make it so far, and it was great to have them all do their best representing Wales Street PS. 

2024 planning

Could Parents/Guardians who currently have children attending Wales Street but do not plan for them to return in 2024 please notify the school office by Monday 30 October? It is vital that we have accurate information as it impacts the planning of class numbers and staffing next year.

Grade 5 camp to Cave Hill Creek

Grade 5 will be going to Cave Hill Creek near Beaufort next week from Monday to Wednesday. This is a wonderful adventure style camp and the second time we have been to the site. We hope the weather is good and that everyone has a safe and happy time at camp.

Class formation for 2024

Learning to work and interact with others is an important life skill that builds resilience and fosters relationships with a broader range of individuals as children grow and change over their seven years at primary school. Often the friendship choice overrides the process of trying to balance the classes evenly and causes distress for some students. Last year, the teachers formed the classes in a collborative process, taking into account the many factors that provide balance across a year level.  

After considering the results of this year, we have decided to continue the same process as last year and will not be asking the students for friendship requests.

Student placement is something we take very seriously and is initiated according to a process involving time and careful thought, concerning the best interest of every child in each classroom. To create balanced classes of students, the following factors are considered: 

• gender
• ability levels,
• student needs,
• social connections
• behaviour concerns, 
• and special program needs. 

Student placement letters are neither encouraged nor discouraged but provide parents a means of expressing exceptional circumstances that might need to be considered. Parents have this opportunity to provide information regarding their child that may need to be taken into account as they progress to the next year level.

We ask that you carefully read the policy information. Only letters that have followed the guidelines of the policy will be considered.

We use a software program, Class Creator, to store information that we gather to make decisions about the classes to be formed for 2024 including historical requests and recommendations. Classes undergo extensive review to produce the best outcomes for all students. 

Please note that the final decision on all student placements rests with the principal. For letters to be considered, please submit via email to: wales.street.ps@education.vic.gov.au

With subject heading: “Parent Request for Student Placement Considerations 2024”.

Thunderstorm Asthma- be prepared

Grass pollen season, which typically runs from October to December each year in Victoria, brings an increase in asthma and hay fever symptoms. It also increases the risk of thunderstorm asthma. For people with asthma or hay fever, especially those who experience wheezing or coughing with their hay fever, thunderstorm asthma can be sudden, serious and even life threatening.

We will implement a range of measures to keep our school community safe as the risk of thunderstorm asthma increases.

Many of our staff are trained in asthma first aid, and we will monitor the VicEmergency app to receive thunderstorm warnings, and, where appropriate, keep students indoors when weather forecasts identify greater risk.

During the season, there are some things you can do to prepare and protect yourself and your family:

• ·If your child has ever had asthma, talk to your doctor about what you can do to help protect them from the risk of thunderstorm asthma this pollen season, including updating your asthma action plan. Taking an asthma preventer properly and regularly is key to preventing asthma, including thunderstorm asthma.
• If your child has hay fever, see your pharmacist or doctor for a hay fever treatment plan and check if you should have an asthma reliever puffer. These are available from a pharmacy without a prescription.
• If your child has hay fever and experiences wheezing and coughing, it is important to make sure they don’t also have asthma. Speak to your doctor about an asthma action plan.
• Where possible, avoid being outside during thunderstorms from October to December, especially during the wind gusts that come before the storm. Go inside and close your doors and windows. If you have your air conditioning on, turn it to ‘recirculate’

Protect yourself this pollen season – managing asthma and allergies matters.

Find out more For more information, speak to your doctor. You can also visit the Better Health Channel website.