Dear Parents/Carers,

WELCOME BACK

It has been wonderful to see the students return to school this week in such fine weather. The students enjoy catching up with their friends and teachers.

Our Term 4 program is once again very busy and when you consider our upcoming events you wonder how we can fit everything in.

We are able to do so through the hard work and dedication of staff and parent volunteers.

Events such as swimming, camps and excursions would not proceed without the support of parents and the students.

Once again, I thank you for following up consent, payment and medical forms which is time consuming but are necessary.

HATS, SUNSCREEN AND WATER BOTTLES

Despite the cool change over the past couple of days it appears that we may be in for a long warm summer.

This enhances the need for hats to be worn outdoors this term.

The Department of Education mandates that hats be worn in Term 1 and 4 in Victorian schools.

Please ensure your child has an appropriate hat for school, if you require a new one these can be purchased from the school office.

It is also a good idea to supply sunscreen for your child. We have some at school, where needed, but in the case where skin sensitivity is an issue it is advised that students apply their own which is supplied from home.

Lastly, a labelled drink bottle is vital for all children as they need a steady supply of water daily.

SCHOOL SAVING BONUS - IMPORTANT!

As shared with you previously, parents and carers of every child enrolled in a Victorian government school in 2025 will receive the one-off School Saving Bonus $400 support.

In the coming months, the Department of Education will send you 2 email communications for each of your children enrolled in Victorian government schools.

By Friday 18th October 2024, please ensure that your child’s 2025 enrolment is completed and that your contact information is up to date.

The 2 emails from the Department of Education will be:

1. Confirm your email address between mid-October and late-November.

2. Provide you with your unique $400 School Saving Bonus code by the end of November.

If you do not receive a confirmation email from the department by late-November, please check your spam or junk folders and contact the school if needed.

You can read more about the School Saving Bonus on the Department of Education website, with key information now available in 14 different languages.

YEAR 4 ROSES GAP CAMP

Our Year 4 Camp is fast approaching! The excitement is building as we prepare for three days of adventure and fun from Monday 21st October to Wednesday 23rd October at Roses Gap Camp. We hope everyone is looking forward to this fantastic experience!

As the camp draws nearer, we want to remind parents, carers and students to ensure you are organised and prepared for the trip. Please refer to the packing list that was sent home to help guide your preparations. It's important to have everything you need for a smooth and enjoyable camp. Please ensure everything that comes on camp is labelled.

If you've misplaced the packing list or need another one, please see your teacher as soon as possible. A further update about camp will be sent via Compass next week.

We can't wait to make some unforgettable memories together at camp!

YOUNG PORTRAIT PRIZE

The Warrnambool Art Gallery is showing the Young Portrait Prize which celebrates and fosters the creativity and originality of young artists and provides young people the platform to showcase their artwork and special people in their lives.

If you havent already done so please go to the gallery and have a look at all the wonderful pieces of artwork which is on display until this Sunday 20th October.

SWIMMING

Thank you to Cherine Owen, staff, students and parent helpers for the tremendous start to the Warrnambool Primary School swimming program.

One of the best gifts that we can give our children is the ability to swim and to be safe in and around water.

Students in Foundation and Year 5 will have their program this term.

GOVEMBER

November is fast approaching and we at Warrnambool Primary School are setting ourselves up for the inaugural Govember fitness challenge. There will be more information shortly but the main aim is to get everyone running/walking/moving and to record their efforts for the month of November.

Students and staff will be involved and we encourage parents to do likewise. The WPPA are organising a super Monster raffle which will be drawn at the Christmas Extravaganza on Thursday 5th December 2024. So please stay tuned for more information about the exciting month ahead.

We're still looking for donations for the Monster Raffle so if you're able to assist please contact Skye in the office on 5561 5955.

VOLUNTEERS

Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who assist us with all of our school programs and events. We are having a Morning Tea, on Monday 18 November 2024 at 10am in the B.E.R building, in appreciation of the work that our parent and grandparent volunteers have done this year.

Invitations will be sent this week and upon receipt of your invitation, we ask that you let the office know if you are attending as soon as possible.

We have had great support in classrooms, on excursions, camps, at sporting days, School Council, Parents Association, working bees, fundraising events and many more.

ABORIGINAL SURVIVAL TECHNOLOGY SHOW YEARS 3-6 - THURSDAY 24TH OCTOBER

Award winning eco-scientist Philip Green is bringing his Aboriginal Survival Technology show to Warrnambool Primary School for students in Year 3–6 on Thursday 24th October. .

It is education at its best and fits perfectly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures in the Cross-Curriculum Priorities.

The Aboriginal Survival Technology is a 90 minute eco-science program that demonstrates how the aboriginal people survived across the varied challenging environments around Australia before white settlement, by virtue of their amazing knowledge of the world around them. It is hands-on, interactive (over 250 museum-quality artifacts).

Please note: there is no cost to you for this incursion.

Have a great weekend.

Peter Lee

Principal

Student Birthdays