It is hard to believe we are at the end of term 3 this week. Although we are extremely grateful for our return to face to face teaching and having a year of school without additional disruption, we have still had to juggle staff and student absence due to being unwell, and understand the pressure this may have on families. We sincerely thank you for your ongoing understanding.

Congratulations to our prep teachers and students on their fantastic concert last week. They are definitely a group of very talented little performers and artists. It was wonderful to see so many parents at school to enjoy the spectacular show. Special thanks to Ellie Clarke who supported the prep children with outstanding choreography. It was just delightful to watch.

A reminder our Grade 6 leaders are hosting an Are you OK market stall for students tomorrow. Please remember your silver coins. We will have a whole school assembly at 9.15am to celebrate the end of term 3.

I also thank all our dedicated teachers and education support staff for another positive term at WEPS, and congratulate every student on their achievements over the past 10 weeks (big and small). It is time to recharge over the holidays and be ready for our final term of the year. We have lots happening in term 4, so please monitor the calendar updates.

I wish all our families a happy and safe term break. I am looking forward to a very important footy match this Friday night (fingers crossed for the grand final) and enjoying some time in Geelong with family over the break…..GO CATS!!!

COVID-19 isolation requirements have changed

Any student or staff member who tests positive to COVID-19 must now isolate for a minimum of 5 days instead of 7. If they are asymptomatic, they may return to school on day 6. If they are symptomatic, they must remain in isolation until day 7. If they have symptoms after 7 days, they are strongly advised to stay home until their symptoms have resolved.

As an additional risk mitigation, the Department of Health strongly recommends that those leaving isolation wear a face mask when away from home, both indoors and outdoors, and when they cannot physically distance. Those leaving isolation on day 6 should wear a mask for 5 days but particularly the first 2 days. Those leaving isolation on day 7 should wear a mask for 4 days but particularly the first 2 days.

Those leaving isolation should consider taking a rapid antigen test before attending school.

School Council updates

School Council met this week and approved the following days;

Monday 21st November Report Writing day – pupil free.
WEPS COLOUR RUN Thursday 1st December 5-7pm.
Friday 16th December Assessment day – no formal classes.
Monday 19th December Assessment day – no formal classes.
Tuesday 20th December – Teacher handover day for 2023 – no formal classes.
Please note, the school will close at 2.20 on Tuesday 20th December.

Following feedback on the ‘yard duty and supervision’ policy, we are in the process of finalising a couple of amendments which will be ready for a second round of consultation early next term. We understand that families have busy lives with working parents and life mornings and afternoons are the busiest part of the day. It is important to be aware that students are supervised from 8.45am. Morning arrival to school is not advised before 8.30 and are supervised until 3.35pm after school. As per Department of Education Guidelines;

Parents and carers are responsible for the care and supervision of students:

travelling to and from school
outside the times of school supervision before and after school.

Library