Across Oliver's Desk 

Dear Parents,

As this is the final newsletter of the term, I’d like to congratulate our whole school community on making their way through the first fully completed term in two years without interruptions, circuit breakers and remote learning!  It's been a welcome change from the past two years.  We have just been so pleased that we've been able to get some solid teaching and learning occurring as we slowly rebuild the stamina of the children. The children are rebuilding their connections with each other and you can see the sheer delight and happiness in being back at school. 

This term certainly hasn't been without its challenges.  After coming out of the last two years where we have been isolated from each other, it has been noticeable how susceptible we have all become to the bugs that are an ever-present part of being a member of the school community. We have had numerous daily cases where children have had to isolate for a week and in some cases more.  At present, we have 3 staff away with COVID with others off with other ailments.  In my time as principal we have never had so many staff and student absences in a term. 

I want to thank our parent community and the children for their understanding as they discover that their teachers are not robots and do need to take the time to get well again. I want to especially acknowledge our staff who have just banded together and supported each other through this term.  Some staff have arrived daily to find out which class they are taking as it is changed overnight due to another positive COVID case coming in.  We have tried to keep the same teachers in the classes as much as possible to ensure continuity and give the children the best possible education they can receive.  We have also worked really hard to keep our intervention programs running and not use those teachers to fill gaps but unfortunately at times we have had no choice. I reported to School Council this term of the drastic shortage of teachers across the state as the epidemic and other bugs have taken their toll on the teaching workforce, leaving schools scrambling to find teachers to cover. It has been a challenge but as always our staff have risen to the occasion. They are simply the best team of teachers in the state. 

As far as next term goes, we have just been informed that rapid antigen tests kits for schools will be supplied for the first four weeks of term two. I’ll let you know if they extend the program further, which I think they should due to issues I think we will have in winter. 

Having the children participate in school camps, athletics days, swimming carnivals and having so many families attend our house sports and Veronica’s assembly has been a massive win.  While we’ve had to modify some of the events, at least we've been able to run them.  All I can do is thank everyone for their support and the hard work this term in giving our kids the best experience they could. I'd encourage all of you to make the most of the 17 days (ANZAC Day Monday prior to returning) away from school and come back ready and re-charged for a great term 2.

LISA SYME

As you are already aware we have a number of staff changes next term with Mr Mac leaving us and Veronica retiring.

Lisa Syme will also be leaving us after this term due to her being successful in gaining a promotion position within the Department of Education. This position will see Lisa working across three schools to coach teachers and help them to improve their practice.  We cannot be more proud of Lisa, who has been a brilliant teacher/leader here at Woori and has now been promoted to a very important position.  We will of course miss her greatly, but it is a two year contract and, therefore hopefully one day we will have Lisa’s services back.  Although, I have a feeling that Lisa will go on and one day to lead her own school as Principal. 

Congratulations Mrs Syme, we wish you all the best with your new challenge. 

DISTRICT ATHLETICS

Last Friday our grade 3-6 children competed in the district athletics carnival. Although we didn’t win the carnival, we were winners on the day as I had a number of teachers/parents comment to me about how wonderful our students’ manners were. Something I love to hear.  We also without doubt looked the best with our flashy new sporting tops.

It was fantastic to see our students doing their best and striving hard. Thank you as always to Mr Gibbons, who does and outstanding job organising all the sporting events for the school.

BREAKFAST CLUB

We are very keen to get our breakfast club back up and running.  We hope to give you a date early term two when we can safely run the program again. Watch this space for more updates. 

THE WOORI EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Woori Excellence Award is the highest honour a student can achieve in their grade each term. Teacher’s judge who they believe has strived for excellence academically, socially and upheld our values of high expectations and respect. 

The recipients of this award will have their award (and their picture) displayed in a frame in the office area until the following term.  They will also receive a special pin to be worn with pride on their uniform.  Pin colours are determined on how many previous excellence awards a child has received. Winning one of these awards is a major achievement. The colours for this award are:

1st –    White

2nd –   Green

3rd –    Pink

4th -     Yellow

Congratulations to this terms winners:

STEPS WINNERS FOR THE TERM

The following students received the most “step ups” in their classrooms this term and therefore will be invited to have sumptuous morning tea with me on Thursday!

PREP WRITING

In the last newsletter we highlighted some grade 5/6 writing. This week we are highlighting some Prep writing. What a fantastic job our students, teachers and parents are doing when you consider these little guys have really only been at school for around eight weeks.

ANZAC DAY - 2022

This year ANZAC day falls on what would have been the first Monday after the holidays. That Monday will of course be a public holiday.  This year the Upper Yarra RSL will go back to staging their very child friendly ceremony.  Students are encouraged to march down the main street of Yarra Junction to the Cenotaph where a service will be held.

I would like to invite students of all age groups to participate.  Please join us on Monday the 25th of April at 10am in front of the Commonwealth Bank in Yarra Junction.  We will march behind our Woori Yallock Primary School flag.  Children are encouraged to wear medals belonging to grandparents or other relatives. 

I wish you all a very safe and happy Easter, I hope you all get time to read and relax.

I hope to do the same and I also hope to see Carlton continue to win lots of games, which brings me so much joy!

Oliver Thockloth

Principal