Across Oliver's Desk 

Dear Parents,

A big thanks to all our parents for being patient with our kiss and drop.  The kiss and drop does seem to be running well at the moment although I know there is 10 minutes each night where it stagnates. I’m sure you are all aware that we do our best every day to keep the traffic moving. Particularly Mrs Menta who is much better than I am at keeping the traffic moving. 

BUILDING WORKS

We currently have extra fencing up at the moment because our builders have brought forward the work of moving the portable that currently houses, 5/6A and 5/6B. It will mean that 5/6A and 5/6B will move into the hall for around a week starting next Monday the 16th. The building is moving to the east boundary of the school near where our shed is.  Before and after school care will run out of the Art room and the German room for the week. Mr Gibbons will run his P/E classes outside.  If it rains he will use the undercover area.  Once the portable is moved earth works will begin, which is exciting.

CURRICULUM DAY

I would like to remind you that our next Curriculum Day is coming up.  It is on Friday the 20th of May.  At WYPS we invest heavily in our teachers being up to date with the best teaching practices.  We believe this is why we continue to receive great student results and the reason so many teachers from other schools want to come and see what we do at Woori. 

We do understand that Curriculum Days can be annoying for parents but we do have to use four per year, which is government mandated. Dates are approved by our school council. 

ANZAC CEREMONY FOR GRADE SIX STUDENTS

I was a very proud Principal last week. Each year the Upper Yarra RSL runs an ANZAC ceremony for all of the grade sixes from all the schools in the Valley.  Each school is asked to present something at the ceremony. Our school’s topic was local serviceman in the Valley. Tia and Belle presented for our school. They were the only students that didn’t read off notes and the delivery of their speech was perfect.  It left people holding their hearts as their speech talked about some local families that lost two or three sons during the First World War.  After the ceremony I had a number of RSL members come over to congratulate me as well as Cindy McLeish our local state member. 

All of our grade six students were extremely respectful throughout the service which made me so proud of them. 

NAPLAN

This week our grade 3 & 5 students have been working very hard on their NAPLAN tests.  It is the first time our students have ever had to do them online which has been a little different. The attitude of our students however, has been fantastic, with all of them trying their best. 

Our school has traditional performed extremely well in the NAPLAN tests. The results of the tests don’t become available until later in the year. 

We are all very proud of them!

AMY CLEARY

Our much loved grade 1/2 team leader Amy Cleary will be leaving us on Friday the 20th May to go on maternity leave.  It is such a special time for Amy as she is about to become a first time mum. So many of our students have benefited from Amy’s wonderful teaching style and we will miss her greatly. Amy of course will be back in the future, but for now we wish her every happiness.

Amy will be replaced by Vicky Barnard and Stephanie Verhoef. Vicky is returning from having her second child last year and Steph is currently working at the school as a tutor. 

WINTER IS COMING

I already notice that some of children are coming to school in the mornings without wearing a jumper.  I don’t know how they do it when I have two tops on and a big overcoat.  It is definitely getting chilly.  I do love the school beanies that are still for sale at the office.  I just bought one myself! 

Have a great week!

And remember when life gets a little difficult, escape to the wonderful world of a book!

Oliver Thockloth

Principal