West Beach Wrap

Consent Forms
Students have taken home a number of Consent and Approval forms during the first week. Parents who may not have returned these forms are encouraged to download the necessary forms and return them to school as soon as possible.
Skoolbag App
As many parents are aware, much of the day-to-day communication between the school and parents is now done through the 'West Beach Primary School' app. This app allows the school to send information, alerts, reminders and documents directly to parent's (and student's) mobile phone. Parents, students and family members are asked to download the app, which is available free for both iPhone and Android, as soon as possible.
Assembly Time
School Assemblies have been scheduled for Friday mornings on 'even weeks' at 9:10am. It is hoped that continuing to have assemblies at this earlier time more parents will be able to 'stay on' after the morning drop-off and enjoy the opportunity to join in this celebration and share the children's presentations and awards.
Allergy Awareness
West Beach Primary School is a Nut Aware school. This means that nut products should not be sent to school for recess or lunch as this could cause an anaphylactic reaction in some of our students. ie Nutella, peanut butter and bars containing nuts as well as peanuts. Some students do have other allergies which are just as important, these are dealt with in individual classes. (ie eggs)
Acquaintance Night and AGM
This year's Acquaintance Night and AGM will be held on Wednesday February 15th.
The format for the evening will be as follows:
Classroom Presentations: 6:00-7:30pm
6.00 pm-6:30pm - Mat Mulree, Tina Nesbitt, Todd Kitto
6.35pm-7.05pm - Monica Zinndorf, Colleen Dekeukelaire and Rebekah Bleby, Tracy Davey and Deb Carmichael
7:10pm-7:40pm - Jenna Baulderstone,Tara Saracino, Rosemary Griffin/ Julie Wright and Carrol Tsioumanis
7.45pm-8.15pm AGM – In Resource Centre
Principal’s and Chairperson’s reports presented and election of Governing Council for 2017 and 2018 (2 year tenure).
8.15pm – Major Prize Draw - School fee winner announced!
Swimming Lessons
Students R-5 will be taking part in swimming lessons during Weeks 4 and 5 of Term 1.
Parents who have not yet returned the attached consent form are asked to do so as soon as possible.
Further details regarding schedules etc will be distributed closer to the date. This is an important and enjoyable component of the curriculum which all students are encouraged to participate in.
Term Planner
Please find attached below the Term Planner for Term 1. As you will see the calendar is already becoming busy.
Great Start Website
Young children are born ready to learn, and they learn and grow every time you interact with them. You can make a difference in your child’s learning and even in how their brain develops. This is especially important in the first five years of their life, and it is through the everyday things that you do with your child that helps them learn.
The 'Great Start' website has plenty of ideas and activities that can help you make the most of everyday learning and events. We all know that families are very busy so the ideas are for activities that you are already doing, ideas that may be new and will only take a few minutes and others that will take longer. It also includes extra information for you if you want to learn more about the literacy and numeracy that your child will be developing and how this will link to learning in later life.
The website is well worth visiting...
http://www.greatstart.sa.edu.au
Helping Children Learn to Read
As students start school parents often ask, 'how can we help our children learn to read?'. Attached below is a wonderful document which parents are invited to read. This guide to helping children at home with reading and writing provides many practical tips and suggestions.
Simple things you can do to support your child:
- Ask your child what they have been learning in class and link it to activities you do around the home
Put up times tables posters around the house and talk positively about science and mathematics with your child
Try to read with your child every day or read the same novel as your child so you can discuss the story together
Encourage your child to share their drawings and projects with you
Provide a comfortable space at home for your child to do homework and support
them to complete it on time
Some helpful resources:
The curriculum your child will be following this year:
http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/
Ideas for helping your child with numeracy and literacy: https://www.literacyandnumeracy.gov.au/parents
An app to help you unlock your child’s learning potential: https://www.learningpotential.gov.au/primary-school
Parent easy guides, including dealing with peer pressure: http://www.parenting.sa.gov.au/
A wide range of parenting information, including healthy eating and creative play ideas:
http://raisingchildren.net.au/school_age/school_age.html
Ideas for outdoor play in SA: https://natureplaysa.org.au/
Materials and Services Charges (School Fees)
Payments: Your assistance in promptly paying your annual school M & S charges is requested. It is extremely important for school organisation, resourcing and cash flow that payments are made early and/or you inform us of your intention regarding instalment payments if you choose. Our School charges for 2017 are $365 per student and include $315 Materials and Services, $50 Excursion and Performance Levy. Payment can be made by cheque, cash or credit card in person or by filling in the credit card portion at the bottom of your invoice & returning it to the front office
School Card: People wishing to apply for School Card you can collect the form from the front office, or print the attached application form and return it with their health card or pension card so that we can take a copy.
School fees can also be paid in instalments by completing the form attached below.
Staffing and Classes
Classes In 2017
Rm 1 - Monica Zinndorf/Rebekah Bleby R/1
Rm 2 -Colleen Dekeukelaire/Rebekah Bleby
Rm 4 - Tracy Davey/ Deb Carmichael 1/2
Rm 5 - Natasha Gilbert Japanese
Rm 6 - Meredith Green (Special Class 3-7)
Rm 7 - Jenna Smith 2/3
Rm 8 - Rosemary Griffin/Julie Wright 4/5
Rm 9 - Tara Saracino 3/4
Rm 10 - Carrol Tsioumanis/ Todd Kitto 4/5
Rm 11 - Tina Nesbitt/ Todd Kitto 6/7
Rm 14 - Matt Mulree/ Todd Kitto 6/7
Performing Arts/ Drama - Julie Wright
English as Second Language Deb Carmichael
Science - Marie Newcombe
Teacher Librarian - Deb Carmichael
Leadership Team
Principal - Katrina Sexton
Deputy Principal - Tina Mouzakitis
IT Coordinator - Tina Nesbitt
Front Office Staff
Admin - Ann Harrison, Anna Arcangelli
Finance- Malcolm Caire/ Paula Walker
SSOs
Denise Murison
Anna Arcangeli
Pina Belmonte
Michelle Belmonte
Anna Collucio
Library - Vicki Taylor
IT - Nathan Stafford
Groundsman - Tony Mortess
Pastoral Care and Choir - Leonie Orum
OSHC - Rebecca Bergus
Canteen Update 2017
Governing Council are currently in the process of exploring the management of the school canteen so that it can continue to operate in 2017. Parents who may be interested in this role or volunteering to assist in the school canteen are encouraged to contact Anne in the front office.
Scootz Cafe at West Beach shops continue to provide us with our lunch order service.
Parking Reminders
Just a few reminders to comply with parking restrictions within our school zone. Our staff car park is for staff only and for parents and caregivers with Disabled parking permits. Council compliance officers will be patrolling our school zone over the next few weeks and may issue expiation notices if need be. Children do not have the same knowledge or understanding of traffic flow and movement as adults do. I ask drivers to concentrate on safe driving and parking so that our students remain safe.