Principal's Message

Welcome back to Semester 2

It does feel very strange to be once again, welcoming everyone back to restart Term 3. Please keep a close eye on our new fridge calendar, as we have had to change a number of events and activities.   However, being a glass 'half full thinker ' I am looking forward to a number of events listed on our Term 3 & 4 Calendar.  

I am particularly looking forward to the Primary School Mini Olympics to be held next Friday 6th August. Keep an eye out as to which country your child/children will be representing. Look out for all information this week. Also, we will be hosting a special Bird Day fundraiser 31st of August, there will be more details to follow about this unique show shortly.

Attached to this week's newsletter is a one page updated 'FRIDGE CALENDER' listing major events for the term, including dates that have been changed due to current COVID restrictions.  Keep reading Compass and the school newsletter to stay informed. Please note, we do need to add in a few more information sessions, such as when we can hold meetings on site for Year 7 and reorganise a date for VCAL interviews. 

COVID lockdowns effect many students and adults in different ways, please don't hesitate to contact us at the College if we can be of any support.   We have a fantastic Wellbeing Team who can cater for your children's needs and we have the ability to use one of many health experts that service our school regularly free of charge.  Should you need to make contact or arrange an appointment with any staff members please call the school on 

5494 3011.  

COVID RESTRICTIONS

Restrictions apply to schools in our current COVID climate and unfortunately regulations need to be adhered. 

Parents/Visitors are not to come onsite unless prior arrangements have been made, until further notice. If you are attending onsite, all visitors must check in using QR Code, sign in through Passtab and wear a face mask. Please contact our front office for further information. 

School Musical

Due to our recent lockdown and restrictions that may still be in place in a few weeks time,

we have decided it is best to cancel this year’s production of ‘Wind in the Willows’.  We haven’t made this decision lightly, but have made it in the best interest for all those who would have been involved.

But there will be a performance towards the end of the year of Wedderburn College Idol. Watch this space for further details later on.

Surveys - please Give Us Your Important Feedback

Today we are sending out a couple of surveys to  parents/guardians via the newsletter and on compass. Please fill in each survey asap.  These  are  two major changes that we would like to implement at our school as we move forward.  

Survey 1:  

The first survey is involved with students and technology devices.  Wedderburn College is looking at ending its current BYOD - Bring Your Own Device  system and replacing it with a computer device (Netbook/Chromebook/Laptop) lease arrangement between students and the school.    This means that every student from Year 3 - Year 10 will have the opportunity to access a device at school and at home.   Senior students will be able to use larger machines that have already been purchased or they can also participate in the new leasing program.  Students in Year 7-10 who currently have BYOD device will need to talk to the School Principal to see if they are suitable.    Ipads and Tablets will be phased out and not used at school from 2022.  More information will be shared shortly after we have collated our survey results.   My advice at the moment is not to purchase a new machine especially a tablet.

Computer Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeI74TsTtNKZ4Ltb7mc5I18rJLPKsT1Ahgjm9B7zJHOuw_dWA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Survey 2:  This survey asks whether you would use a 'Before or After School Childcare Facility' at Wedderburn College if one existed.   We are currently exploring whether or not to apply for a start up grant for after school care.  I urge you to complete and return the survey indicating if you would be interested in using this service, either as a fulltime or casual participant.    Other school childcare operates from approximately 7:15 am until 9 am, then from 3:30 pm until 6 pm.   If this is something you are interested in, please let us know.

Childcare Survey Link:   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdi3tLLfRlWEevHj0Ye_TJKNblsYhfUXycC1VlIB79R6zGWYQ/viewform?usp=s

Building Upgrades Continue

The recent Lockdown presented us with a solid amount of uninterrupted time to finish a number of internal and external building works.  The new Mathematics Room and moving VCAL to a central hub is 99% complete. Thanks to the hard work of several members of staff and a large number of tradies.   New storage added to Room 25 English, refurbishment to Business Manager's office and Library spaces are now fully operational and look amazing.  The new maintenance shed only needs the power to be connected for it to be completed.  It was also great to have staff clean up and reorganise all resources in the KLC and BER areas of the school. 

We have recently been very lucky to gain some extra funding from the Department of Education. This will enable our college to continue the development and refurbish our learning spaces. The following projects that are currently in progress or for future planning:

• College Café to replace the current canteen.
• BER  new  storage room.
• new Wellbeing space and Meeting room.
• a Careers room.
• a new Recycling and Rubbish bin area.

Primary Children Must Read to make it happen!

Mr Lockhart & Mr Forrest will be re-issuing a challenge to the children in the Primary area of Wedderburn College to read a total of ****nights combined before book week. At our primary assembly next Monday we will issue the reading challenge.  Reading sessions have to be signed by a parent and extra bonus reading sessions will be awarded over weekends.     Remember, if the students are successful, Mr Forrest has to dress up as a princess and Mr Lockhart as a fairy - (I'd like to see that).  Stay tuned and continue reading.  

Please Support the Wedderburn Communities  Push for Childcare, Before & After School Care 

For many of you childcare is not a major issue as you have your children enrolled at school.  What we really need is for you to support the concept of having a Childcare Centre in our community for future generations to benefit from  - 'big picture thinking.'   I encourage you all to please sign the petition and fill in the survey, as all forms of childcare would make a huge difference to families in Wedderburn and surrounding districts.   

Special Petition  Date  Extended until this Friday

Thanks to those families who have already completed it.  The deadline for petitions has been extended so please take your time over the next month to have family, friends and neighbors sign.  Forms can be returned to School or to Steel's Butchers.  the petition will be send off to Melbourne to be presented in parliament.