Principal's Message 

Julie Crawford 

What a wonderful few weeks we have had at WPPS!  So many highlights and exciting things happening.  We have had the Grade 3/4s have an amazing time at Camp Weekaway – a huge congratulations to our students who showed such a great willingness to give everything their best shot and get to know others that they many not have had the opportunity to work and play with before.  What great memories they will have of new skills learnt and special times with their friends and teachers. A special thank you to our teachers and ES staff who made it possible for our students to have such a great experience. Thank you Meryl, Mr. White, Mrs. Philp, Mrs. Sledge, Miss Kiefte, Mrs. McGreevy, Mrs. Norman, Mrs. Brice, Tim, Miss Jess, Nina, Miss Anker, Georgette, Mr. Crawford and Mr Read.

District Athletics was another great opportunity for 66 of our students to represent WPPS.  We are very proud of you and know you all did your very best!  We wish those of you who get through to the next round of competition to compete at the Divisional Aths all the very best!

The Expressions Program is in full swing with many programs already completed and some still to come. The huge volume of applications for multiple programs is a testament to the interest our students have in such a wide variety of endeavours. So far we have had many students enjoy Calligraphy, Dream City, Planks and the Clay Flowers and Vase session.  Coming up in the weeks ahead is Cookie Art, Clay Houses, Treetops Adventures, Ninja Parc, Kitchen Chemistry, Forensic Detective and Mythical Creatures.  Enabling students to follow their passions and talents is important to us, so it is great to see so many exciting programs on offer.

As well as our Expressions Program there are many other opportunities for students to hone their talents.  In the technology space we have many students enjoying the Everyone Can Create Club that runs before school on a Thursday morning with Mrs. West, Miss Anker and Mrs Brice. In the physical education space we had a talented group of netballers compete at the Vic Champs this week and in the music space we also have a dedicated group of 30 students who have been working hard with Mrs Lambden and Mrs Salisbury over the last few months to be part of the mass choir at the State School Spectacular to be held on the 9th and 10th of September at the John Cain Arena. The title of the show – ‘Time To Shine’ is essentially what we hope all of our students achieve – the opportunity to shine at something they love! 

Mrs Salisbury and Mrs Lambden have also been very busy working with the Preps and Grade 1/2s on their upcoming musical performances at Clifford Park on October 13th. Pop the date in your diary!  Many thanks to the many parents and friends who are busily making costumes for the performance – your help is greatly appreciated.

Grade 3/4 Fund Raiser – Afternoon Tea, Thursday September 14th, 2:30pm

As part of our ‘Big Idea’ of Country, the Grade 3/4s have decided to upgrade our current River Garden space to create a ‘Welcome To Country’ garden.  It will include a river, indigenous and bush tucker plants, a welcome sign and information plaques.  We have applied for a Bank Of Bendigo grant for the project, but to supplement this the Grade 3/4s are holding a fund raiser on Thursday, September 14th at 2:30pm. To celebrate some of the knowledge that students have gained through learning about First Nation People’s culture, students are making lemon myrtle scones and herbal tea in their Stephanie Alexander Kitchen classes and selling them at a special afternoon tea event. All families are welcome to attend to support this exciting project.

Prep 2023 Transition Begins

Next week we begin our Prep 2023 Transition Program with the kinder children and their parents coming along to watch the ‘Dreamer’ Puppet Show on Monday, September 5th. We look forward to welcoming our 2023 preps for the first time before they begin their classroom transition experiences next term.

Parent Opinion Survey

Each year schools invite families to participate in the Department of Education Parent Opinion Survey. All surveys are confidential and anonymous, and the feedback we receive provide us with rich insights and perspective which we value enormously. This year we have elected to invite all of our families to participate and we would greatly appreciate it if you could complete the online survey by September 16th.  Please check your emails for your link to the Parent Opinion Survey.

Happy Father’s Day 

Thank you to all of our dads and special people who came along to the Father’s Day Breakfast this week. It was wonderful to see our kids having such a special time with their dad/special person. Thank you to the mums and teachers who came along to help with the breakfast and thank you to Mrs Salisbury who has been very busy ensuring every child has had the chance to make a special present for their dad/special person. We wish our dads/special people a very special day on Sunday! 

Just a reminder too that the next Fathers Of The Oak event is the Dads/Special People and Kids Movie Night at Reading Cinemas in Chirnside Park on Thursday, 15th September at 6:30pm.  Please register at https://www.trybooking.com/CCJAM 

Sunsmart

It is that time of year again – hats are needed from September 1st.  Please have a look for your hat or ask mum or dad to get you a new one from PSW if it’s gone missing.

Have a wonderful weekend

Julie