Dear Parents/Carers,

NATIONAL SORRY DAY

Every year on 26th May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.

National Sorry Day is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation. While this date carries great significance for the Stolen Generations and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is also commemorated by Australians right around the country. At Warrnambool Primary School we remember this day and acknowledge it with a display of purple flowers in the front foyer of the school. The five-petal Native Hibiscus (Native Cotton, Desert Rose) is the official national symbol of the Stolen Generations and the colours symbolise compassion and spiritual healing.

RECONCILIATION WEEK 27TH MAY TO 3RD JUNE 2023

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise. For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, let’s choose to create a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.

Research shows that large community support for the next steps in Australia’s reconciliation journey, including the Voice to Parliament, treaty making and truth-telling. This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, Be a Voice for Generations, urges all Australians to use their power, their words and their actions to create a better, more just Australia for all of us.

REF: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week

Warrnambool City Council are holding an opening ceremony on Saturday 27th May 2023 at 12pm on the Civic Green Liebig Street for those interested in attending.

There's also a great colouring-in poster if you wish to do as family. https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/posters-and-resources/

Warrnambool Primary School will also be represented at the National Reconciliation Week 2023 ceremony at TAFE on Monday 29th May. JSC representatives and selected Koorie student leaders will attend the ceremony with Mr Lee and Mrs Mills. There will be a Welcome to Country, Story Telling of Kooyang (Eels) and Bush Tucker samples.

On Thursday 1st June, we will have a special school performance to acknowledge reconciliation Week. Local Indigenous musician and performer, Lee Morgan, will speak to students and perform a song he has written about Reconciliation. This will take place in the school gym at 3pm.

BIO CATS EXCURSION

Thank-you to the Koorie Engagement Support Officers, Gina Mills and Bobby Cunningham for organising and attending another Bio Cats excursion to the Geelong Football Club this week. We sent a large contingent of our indigenous students from across the Network to be inspired by Geelong footballers regarding the life of top athletes. The free full-day program delivered by the Deakin Cats Community Centre provides students and teachers with an opportunity to experience a day in the life of an elite athlete through GPS data tracking and analysis, the skill of handballing and the importance of nutrition and hydration and the benefits that come from sports participation.

Well done to all involved.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR

Our Scholastic Book Fair finished on Wednesday evening and all we can say is Thank-you!

We managed to sell an amazing $2,721.00 worth of books and other assorted goodies. It has been wonderful to see so many students and families coming in and having a look around. Reading is such a fundamental part of learning and this is just one of many celebrations we have had during National Family Reading Month. We hope you all enjoy your purchases and we look forward to another great book fair next year.

NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 23rd successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

This year NSS took place on Wednesday 24th May 2023 with the book being the Speedy Sloth. Students across the school participated with Foundation A and B joining classes to read the speedy sloth story and made these fun hanging sloths and 5C also drew some sloths.

FIRST AID IN SCHOOLS

This week students from across the school participated in the St John Victoria First Aid in Schools Program.

This free program teaches primary school students the importance of First Aid and what to do in an event of an emergency. Focusing on the DRSABCD, Samantha and Alicia took students step by step through practical skills that empowers them to act. The sessions were fun, interactive and hands-on and students even received a certificate, an information card and magnet. Thank you Samantha and Alicia for teaching our students these valuable skills.

DIVISION CROSS COUNTRY

Congratulations to Eli Doukas, Zac Traill, Starla Lilley, Hugo Philpot, Calvin Traill and Asher Dawe for representing Warrnambool Primary School so well at the Divisional Cross Country last Friday in pretty challenging conditions. They were up against strong opposition but didn’t flinch and kept going until the end. Well done to all and to their parents for supporting them. On an individual note, Asher Dawe came second in the 12 yo boys group and will compete on Monday at the Regional CC championships which is also at Reid Oval. This is a great achievement and we wish him all the very best.

REPORT WRITING DAY/ PUBLIC HOLIDAY FRIDAY 9TH AND MONDAY 12TH June 2023

Warrnambool Primary School will be closed to students on Friday 9th June 2023 for assessment and reporting purposes. It backs onto the Long weekend, King’s Birthday which is an Australian Public Holiday on Monday 12th June 2023. Please note that ‘Their Care’ will operate on Friday 9th June 2023 for the Pupil Free Day but will be closed for the Public Holiday.

COVID/FLU and other BUGS

Many in our community have been hit with an array of Covid, Flu and other Bugs at the moment and our students and staff are no exception. It seems to happen in waves and when we see a pattern like we do at present we endeavour to implement strategies which may prevent spread. With winter around the corner, although it feels as though it is already here, we can expect further outbreaks. We ask all families to keep your children home if they are unwell and please enter that on compass or contact the office or your child’s teacher. The Department of Education strictly monitors absences and reasons for that absence.

FOUNDATION 2023 BAG SURVEY

Have your say about this year’s Foundation bags in a short survey, closing Sunday 9th July.

Each year, the Department of Education gives every Foundation student attending a Victorian government school a bag full of goodies to celebrate this milestone in their education journey. The information and educational resources in the bags are designed to help Foundation students and their families thrive from the start of Term 1.

The department is inviting parents and carers of current Foundation students to participate in a short survey about the 2023 Foundation bags, by 5 pm on Sunday 9 July 2023. Your feedback will help the department learn what families liked about the Foundation bags and what can be improved in 2024. You can have your say at 2023 Prep Bags – Evaluation Survey.

The survey takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete, and responses are anonymous. For more information on this year’s Foundation bags, refer to Foundation bags.

STEP UP TO SCHOOL FORUM 2023 - MONDAY 29TH MAY, 7PM VIA ZOOM

The Step up to School Forum is delivered by the South West Healthcare School Readiness Allied Health Team and the Department of Education and Training.

The forum is targeted at families and caregivers of children who will start Foundation in 2024.

The forum includes early childhood experts as guests, who will discuss ways you can support children in their transition to school.

Guest speakers include - Foundation Teacher, Kindergarten Teacher, Transition Support Worker and Allied Health Clinicians.

For more information - email the SWH School Readiness Team Leader Danili Dwyer at danili.dwyer@swh.net.au

Have a wonderful weekend!

Peter Lee

Principal

Student Birthdays