Across Oliver's Desk 

WELCOME BACK

Welcome back everyone! I trust that everybody had some quality time with family and friends and kept warm! Term three is an exciting term for Woori Yallock P.S. as we head into poetry mode. The grade 3/4 camp to Sovereign Hill is next week and Hoop Time is also around the corner. I’m positive it will be a great term without disruptions.

We do welcome a new student to the school this term. Riley Burton has joined Rachael Cantwell’s grade. I’m one hundred percent sure he will love his new school. 

NEW BUILDING

The rain has been a problem for our builders who are now a little behind schedule which we assumed would always happen. Once the weather gets a bit better you will begin to see the building start to take some sort of shape. I thought I would include a picture of the plans so that you can see the design. 

If you look carefully you can see the new building will have 8 new classrooms, as well as new art, science and cooking rooms. It will also have a new library, admin area, toilets and the staff get a new staffroom. There are also plenty of spaces for students to work in smaller rooms for small group work. 

Once we have moved into the new building, our current building will be demolished (except for the hall) and new basketball courts will be built. Long term, we even hope that a basketball stadium will be built on the east side of the school. Although that is only a hope at the moment. 

The building is planned to be finished this time next year.

This view is from the courtyard

NEW MASK RULES

It is strongly recommended by the Victorian Department of Health that face masks are worn in indoor settings, with face masks mandatory only for those aged 8 and over who are household contacts and attending school. This is because the wearing of masks is effective in reducing the transmission of COVID-19.

It is the department’s expectation that, through to the end of winter, students aged 8 and over and staff will wear masks when in class, except where removing a mask is necessary for clear communication or when a particular activity requires the removal of a mask.

I want to assure parents that ‘students’ will not be forced to wear a mask at WYPS. Masks will be available in every classroom, but we do encourage students to bring their own masks. 

If parents are entering our building it is again strongly recommended that parents wear a mask. 

I am all for the school having less students and staff away sick. 

ENROLMENTS FOR 2023

I believe that as our teachers continue to do an ‘outstanding’ job with our students we will continue to be the destination school for local families. This year we have already capped our numbers in the 5/6 area and have had to say ‘no’ to some families that wanted to enrol their children. Along with our school’s leadership team, I will begin planning for next year this term (time flies). If you know of any families that wish to enrol for the 2023 school year, please ask them to fill in the paperwork ASAP. The cut off day for Prep enrolment paperwork is the 12th of August. 

COMMUNICATION 

The next round of formal parent teacher interviews will be the first week of term four. I would like to remind parents that our teachers are available via email if you have any questions or quires about your child’s learning. If there is something you are worried about or if you would like to know how you can help your child with their learning at home. Please email or arrange for a meeting with your teacher. 

PAYMENTS TO THE SCHOOL

Sometimes as a school we have to ask parents for payments and permission for extra-curricular items or activities. The reason why our office send so many reminders is so we can plan for these event which includes staffing ratios, buses, and even to make up teams if it is a sporting event. It is for these reasons that we will now not allow parents to make payment past the allocated time to pay on compass. If the event has reached the payment expiry date and you can no longer pay for the event through compass, your child will not be able to attend the event. I would really hope you can please support the school with this. It is simply too difficult to add late students to an activity, or on the day of the event.  

STEPS MORNING TEA

This week I had morning tea with all of last terms ‘Steps’ winners. We all ate lots and had a ball. A big thank you to our chef Sandy!

Have a great week!

And remember when life gets a little difficult, escape to the wonderful world of a book!