A Word from the Principal

A Warm Welcome to our Weeden Heights Community

A warm welcome to our community this week……

I hope that everyone is staying warm in this very cold weather.  The positive and bonus of the weather,  is that we will try to stay inside and isolate during these new restrictions.

What a crazy week with the announcement of Stage 4 restrictions coming into play.  I would like to thank all of our carers at home working alongside our students (& your children) during remote learning.  We do completely understand the challenges that you are facing at home with your families.  Most of the staff have children as well so they are trying to work like you and manage their children’s learning. It is not easier for a teacher as they are parents at home and will experience the same joys and frustrations as you are! It is very tough short period of time but we all just have to do this so that the virus will vanish.

For most of our school there are no changes to our learning.  You are all set up for remote learning and with our new model, have more direct contact with the staff.  The changes have come for students accessing the onsite classroom as most families will not qualify to attend any more so those students will notice the change as they begin to learn from home.   Unfortunately we will not be able to have students come up and change their take home books.  Teachers are aware and making changes to their program.

As I write the newsletter, a permit system is being released including for my own staff and I will update you of any changes through the email.  An onsite remote learning enrollment form for next week should be released by tomorrow for a return on Friday.  I ask that you watch your email carefully and stick to the timelines so I am not in the position of refusing you even if you qualify.  The staff of Weeden Heights PS are working from home so accurate numbers are required to staff the onsite program. 

Contact with the School

As we are working in Stage 4 Restrictions, our office is closed with all staff working from home.  You are still welcome to call the school but you will be asked to leave a message and an email will be sent to the school email where Kerryn and Cindy will access it. 

There will be one teacher on site and an aide in the onsite remote classroom.  Should you need to pick your child up early we have placed the OSHC mobile down in Rooms 1 & 2.  The phone number is 0412 836 571. 

You all have the staff email addresses (see the parent handbook sent out on the term 1 holidays) and your children have access to the teacher through the remote classroom.  Please encourage them to ask questions in that platform as well.

I am onsite every day for school hours then working from home.  I can respond to emails and calls also. 

Please remember if you are needing support at home then you have access to our school’s Wellbeing Officer, Kathryn.  I understand that most of you have not met her personally yet as she started this role in term 2 but she has met many of your children when they returned to school last term and if they have been working in the remote classroom. Please make contact with her if you need support.  She works on Mondays, Tuesday afternoons and Thursday afternoons.  Leave a message at school or send an email and we will forward it to her

100 Days at School!

Next week our Preps will celebrate a significant milestone….. 100 days at school!!!  Look out in the Google Classrooms for some fun activities coming your way.  I can’t wait to see some photos of our gorgeous preps looking 100!.  The preps will celebrate on Monday 17 August.  Woo hoo!

Workforce Planning

Preparations for 2021 have already started.  It is that time of the year when I begin to work out staffing and budgeting for the next year.  I do need your support so that the leadership team and myself can make the best decisions for the school.

If you intend leaving Weeden Heights and your children will be starting at another school next year, can you please let me know, in writing, so that we can make the necessary adjustments to our calculations.  If you also have a pre schooler starting school and you have not enrolled then please do so asap so that they are considered in the plan.   

Please do not leave it to the last minute as it does have a profound effect on the proposed budget.   Having accurate student enrolments is critical in establishing a sound budget

Curriculum Day Update

Last day we had a sensational day with our consultant, Lyn Watts.  The staff were focussed on explicitly teaching inferential comprehension so that we can extend our students further.  We felt energised after the day and it has set the tone for future work in our PLC (Professional Learning Community).  Our PLC for the school is focussing on lifting the student’s inferential comprehension.

DISCO!

Don’t forget the disco is on tomorrow night!  It is free and for the whole family.  Dress up and let’s have some Weeden fun!  See you all there.

To all of our families, please stay safe, isolate and wear your masks.  The virus is close to us with several of our neighbouring schools shut for deep cleaning.  I really want everyone to be well and I definitely don’t want the virus in our school.

Until next time……

Kylie

Ms Kylie Campbell

Principal

Futures are Bright at Weeden Heights!