We have truly been going full steam since day one this year and the students have settled in so well into their new classrooms and with their new teachers. There are always nerves and some students struggle more than others with changes, but the students have pushed through these feelings and seem to be settling in well.

We started the year with some very important news – the big reveal of the 2024 musical production @ WPS. In a special ‘Reveal Assembly’ the students were told that The Little Mermaid will be the production in Term 3. Kirsty has begun the paperwork, signed the forms and begun the initial phase of the auditions. The feedback from the students I have spoken to is very positive and they are very excited to be doing The Little Mermaid, which is a much-loved Disney story.

STEM @ WPS

You will see on our Specialist's page that Warrandyte Primary School has announced the launch of its new STEM program. STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is an innovative educational approach that promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills among students. The program aims to empower students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the rapidly evolving world of technology and science.

Through the STEM program, we will aim to provide students with hands-on learning experiences that integrate the four disciplines of STEM. Students will engage in real-world projects and experiments, using cutting-edge technology and tools to explore and solve complex problems. The program will also focus on fostering creativity and encouraging students to think critically, as they collaborate together to develop innovative solutions.

We are very excited to be able to offer this additional component of our strong and much-loved specialist program. Jo Fecondo will be running the program and as you can see, she has passionately set up the space and planned for an engaging first term as all classes explore 'Plants in Action' as their first topic. You will find more information in the Specialist Newsletter.

First day of School - Preps

There was a mixture of smiles and tears on Monday as our Prep students arrived for their first day of school. There was a buzz in the air outside the stone building as each child walked up the stairs to their classrooms. Both Meg and Steph's friendly smiles and welcoming energy was contagious. The big day was finished off with a little picnic with their parents (indoors due to rain). I have been very pleased to see how well the Preps have settled in and how comfortable they seem in their new surroundings. There is a lot that is new for them, and it can be overwhelming, so it is understandable if some children struggle in the initial transition into school.

I would like to welcome out new families to our school and I hope that your first week at WPS has been a positive experience. We look forward to getting to know your child and your family. We are incredibly privileged that you have chosen for your child to join our community.

Dogs in School Program

Winston had a great summer holiday and discovered how much he loves the water. The beach has become a favourite destination. Upon returning to work, the children have all been surprised by just how big Winston is now. At 6 months we well over the 30kg mark and has grown into the huge paws he had as a little puppy.

Winston has graduated to the next level of training. On Saturdays I take him to the training centre and he has begun following hand signals without treats in my hand. We continue to work on getting into a heal position and towards 100% recall when called. He loves his food, which has made him an ideal puppy to train for this role.

He is also now big enough to move through and visit the classrooms, which he has been doing much more of this year. He no longer feels overwhelmed when in the room and the trainer has been very impressed with how much noise and movement he is able to ignore when in a classroom. The new Preps have particularly enjoyed getting to see Winston. The transition into the classrooms has been supported by Winston being there to provide emotional regulation as students adapt to saying goodbye to their parents. He has certainly had a positive impact on the school.

On our 2nd Curriculum Day, the staff all participated in some professional development the related to inclusion in the classroom. The session was incredibly informative and gave us all a better understanding of the needs of neurodivergent children and how we can best support them as educators.

Psychologist speaker, Emma-Rose Parson's delivered an engaging workshop to the staff, and provided a number of strategies that can be used to build a classroom culture that allows for a learning environment that caters and address the needs of all students. Inclusive education is complex and we certainly don't expect to learn all there is to know in one day. However, as we build our knowledge, we can feel more confident in knowing why some behaviours happen and work with the child to find solutions to help them thrive.

The staff all found the day to be a valuable use of time and came away with a much greater understanding of how needs link to sensory needs, anxiety, physiological needs and triggers. Of course, there is no one size fits all and the teachers know that there needs to be a strong relationship between the teacher and the child first and foremost.

One of the key messages that was received was that 'clear is kind.' We don't always provide a clear instruction, or we assume implied instructions are understood. Emma-Rose used the 'go and get dressed' analogy. For some children, this instruction is simple but for others there are so many implied steps and an order to things that it makes the demand too complicated. I have heard several of the staff talk about how they have taken this message and adapted the way they deliver instructions to students (and to each other). Emma-Rose was very complimentary of our teachers and ES staff and their willingness to receive the information and advice.

Anxiety in children was a very common theme on the day and many of the questions the teachers asked were related to how to help students with anxiety. I know that from my perspective there were many students last year who needed support from the teacher and/or myself that was directly linked to their anxiety and trying to push through and cope with these feelings. System wide schools have seen such a dramatic increase in anxiety across all age groups.

In response, I have booked Emma-Rose to come and present a workshop to any parents who would like to learn more about anxiety in children. She will provide some very practical ways we can address the anxiety at home and school. I highly recommend coming along to the workshop on the Wednesday 6 March @ 7pm. She is a wealth of knowledge on this topic and also a very engaging public speaker. There will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have. The session is free but booking required so we know numbers.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/824885995217?aff=oddtdtcreator

Heat Health Policy

I sent a Compass post home regarding the Heat Health policy that the Department have which outlines how a school should respond to Heatwaves or extreme heat. The purpose of the policy is to ensure we are assessing the risks on hot days in relation to playing outdoors, sport and excursions. Where the forecast is to be at or above 32 degrees the school will determine what actions need to be taken. More often than not it will be an adapted program to allow for morning activities, indoor play on very hot days and indoor activities during PE lessons.

Speaking of heat, it's going to be a warm weekend. I hope you all get a chance to enjoy the sun together.

Take care,

Nieta

Dates to Remember