A Word from the Principal 

A Warm Welcome to our Weeden Heights Community

I hope that you all had a great day on Cup Day and took advantage of the curriculum day on Monday thus potentially creating a long weekend for your family!  Our staff were busy at school working together to analyse and moderating student assessments and being briefed on the expectations of the final student reports.  It was an extremely productive day and most beneficial for everyone.    

We are very busy at school at the moment writing school reports and preparing and planning for 2024. Thank-you to the families that did let me know about their arrangements for next year.  It was greatly appreciated and allows for no surprises which potentially could negatively impact on our school’s budget and staffing. 

School Review

The school review is about to formally being on Tuesday 21 November.  The staff and I, have already put hundreds of hours into preparing for the review  with data analysis, qualifying for school registration and writing a pre review report for the review panel.   

The second review day is on 29 November and the reviewer  and SEIL will speak with groups of students and parents on this date about our school.  After school they will be meeting with staff.   I will ask parents to attend with an open invitation soon when I have finished the agenda for the day. 

The final review day is on 6 December and the review team will begin setting the targets and directions for the new strategic plan. 

Capital Works

We are getting close to the handover of the administration building which is exciting.  The main office should be finished subject to a few ‘fix ups’ next Friday.  The move down to the new space will be slower as we are in the middle of school review and still waiting for furniture to arrive. 

I hope everyone has been checking the progress photos on Facebook.  The builders were finishing off the external cladding this week, landscaping the space and laying the artificial turf.  The new outdoor learning space will be impressive. 

I will keep you up to date with where the main office will be located along with any other changes that may affect the community.   

It is time to wear our Summer Uniform..... reminder

Students should now be wearing their summer uniform as our weather is beginning to change. Unfortunately I often see a few unapproved changes to our Weeden Heights PS uniform.  Please remember that students are expected to wear the approved polo t shirt with the specialised banding and the school logo.  This has been made especially for our school and we should not see plain pale blue polo shirts.

Also please remember that leggings are not to be worn under our summer girl’s school dress. The only jewellery worn at school is a watch and plain stud or sleeper earrings.  Long hair needs to be tied back and any hair attachments (hair ties, clips – no large bows) need to be in school colours which are blue, maroon or white. 

If you have any questions then I am happy to provide you with a copy of the school’s uniform policy developed by School Council in consultation with the community.  As a reminder, the following uniform is expected to be worn:

Please look out for the second-hand uniform shop that operates from school and they may be able to assist you in supplying some of the summer uniform. 

Remembrance Day

Tomorrow our Year 6 student leaders will conduct an early Remembrance Day Assembly.  Our service is earlier this year as Remembrance Day is on Saturday.   It is important that the school honours and acknowledges the day and the school will observe a minutes silence together in the hall. 

Our assembly/service acknowledges the heroic people who served their countries and gave themselves to the war effort so that we could live in our amazing country, Australia.  We cannot forget our past and I am very proud that Weeden Heights honours these very important days. 

Bright Beginnings Transition and Student Handovers

We had another terrific transition session on Wednesday with all of the kinder students.  They are starting to find their way around the school and they are meeting all of the staff along the way. 

The students are settling at the school and have their final session on 22 November to prepare them for their start in 2024. Our Year 4’s will be allocated their buddies soon and will be ready to build strong relationships and connections with our new students.

All students across the whole school will go through a transition process as they move into their 2024 grades.  The sessions will run at school in week 10 and 11 and we are finalising dates soon as our calendar is extremely busy.   Students will meet over several sessions with their new class and potentially their new teacher.  New students joining us next year will hopefully be able to participate as well as part of the transition program. It is important for them to make a connection with one/some of our students. 

Please be reassured that teachers participate in a hand over process so that new class teachers will be prepared and will be able to challenge students along with the information you provide at the 2024 ‘getting to know you’ interviews at the beginning of the year. 

Building a Great School Community at Weeden Heights PS!

I am very proud of the community that is Weeden Heights PS.  It will be a feature in our school review which formally begins on 21 NOVEMBER.   We work hard to provide avenues for participation, communication and dedication to our school.  It continues to be an ongoing task to rebuild the community after returning to onsite learning.   

I only encourage you to continue to embrace your school as we are your community and parents certainly make a huge to our environment!  Our students benefit significantly from your support at home and also from your positive presence in schools.   Our families are generous with their limited time and support. This is just a reminder but here are some of the ways parents are welcome to become involved in our school:

STRUCTURES WITHIN THE WHOLE SCHOOL

School Council

• Includes: Education Sub Committee, Finance Sub Committee, Buildings and Grounds Sub Committee, Community Building Sub Committee

• Meets monthly
• Represents the parents and wider school community
• Focus is around the governance of the school. Principal sits as member of DE and deals with school operations

Parents and Friends Association (PFA)

• All welcome to attend

• Committee members and members attached to events
• Meet twice per term
• Focus of the PFA is on fundraising 

Parent Representatives (Parent Reps)

• One parent  from each class volunteers to represent the class
• Supports school through emails and notifications to families
• Organising social Events
• Avenue for contacting each other

School Programs

• Classroom Helpers

• School Excursions
• Swimming program
• Camping Program
• Interschool sport
• Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
• STEAM Program
• Inquiry Learning investigations – experts in the classroom
• School Production – parents to support, contribute – props, costumes

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

• Family Fun Night
• Prep and new family social night
• Trivia Night

AFTER SCHOOL BASED EVENTS 

• Education Week                                                                  
• Open Night
• Parent Grade information night
• School Production
• Graduation
• Mathematics Events
• Christmas Concert

WAYS WE COMMUNICATE WITH YOU

• School Stream
• Fortnightly newsletter                                               
• Website
• Emails – from Classroom Representatives and Administration
• Notices
• Facebook and Instagram
• Class newsletters
• School Assembly

ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING PROCESS

OTHER CONTACT WITH THE TEACHER

• Student Support Group Meeting – termly
• Make a time with the teacher/co-ordinator/Principal
• Helping in the classroom programs
• Camping program
• Excursion program and sporting events
• Kitchen/garden program

Building the Classroom Community

• Bright Beginnings Transition Program
• The year before and the first two weeks – finding out about learners
• Classroom Agreement 
• Agreed Learning Conditions – behavioural expectations
• Individual reward system/class reward system
• Individual  education plans for each student with their own educational goals to meet their learning needs

Until next time……

Kylie Campbell

Principal

Futures are Bright at Weeden Heights!