It is hard to believe we are in week 5 – middle of term 1. Student learning across 4 learning communities (20 classrooms) is well underway and I must commend the foundation (prep) students who have settled into school life. They are still having a rest day every Wednesday until the March long weekend, after which they become full time school students.

One thing that has stood out to me over the past couple of weeks is the number of students who continue to walk into school with a smile, friends waiting for each other at the school gate so they can walk in together and the number of students who walk past an adult and stop to say ‘good morning’ or ‘have a good day’. These very small interactions make WEPS a positive place to be, learn and work.

Curriculum Day Friday 17th February

Last Friday 324 teachers, leader, principals (across 23 schools in our Network) and DET Service Support Staff came together at Brother Fox, Deakin University Warrnambool to work with behaviour analyst Dan Petro. Dan shared his expertise of developing positive behaviour support for students. We are extremely fortunate to give parents the opportunity to hear Dan Petro speak at Warrnambool East Primary School on the evening of Thursday 15th June. Please save the date, it will be an invaluable experience for all parents.

The Fathering Project

We had a very special visitor at WEPS on Thursday evening last week – Rodney Eade came down to re-launch the Fathering Project (initially launched before COVID). We had 15 dads attend and listen to some important messages about the role dads/father figures play in children’s life. The purpose of the project recognises that fathers, and father figures, play a vital role in children’s lives. The evidence demonstrating fathers’ potential to positively influence their children’s health and mental health, social success and academic achievements is now robust, indisputable, and compelling.

I would like to thank James Chapman and our Wellbeing Team (Lesley Keilar and Kerry McCarthy) for getting the re-launch off the ground. We anticipate one catch up a term and the opportunity to join the group through a link sent out via Compass yesterday. It’s not too late to get on board – the more the merrier. We are proud to engage our dads/father figures in a community based initiative.

School Council Meeting – Tuesday 21st February

Last week we had our final meeting with the 2022 school council. School Council reviewed and approved the following items;

considered the Camps feedback (from 2022) and finalised the WEPS camps plan for 2023
WEPS Annual Implementation Plan 2023
reviewed the Parent Opinion Survey data 2023
approved curriculum, professional practice days and report writing days (please check the LINK calendar)
reviewed the buildings and grounds plan

Parent Opinion Survey Data

Connection and Progression 83% positive endorsement
Parent Community Engagement 75% positive endorsement
Safety 73% positive endorsement
School Ethos and Environment 77% positive endorsement
Student Cognitive Engagement 74% positive endorsement
Student Development 78% positive endorsement

Thank you to the 63 parents who completed the survey. We are always looking for ways to improve and our focus this year is to strengthen connections between home and school. Ways we have focused on strengthening partnerships between home and school (some plans are still in progress (watch this space);

Beginning of school year information sessions for each Learning Community (February)
Learning Community newsletter published at the beginning of each term
Monthly whole school assembly (parents always welcome to attend)
End of term 1 celebration – family picnic and Easter hat parade (coming up)
Annual Art show (term 2)
Fathering Project (each term)
Reviewing use of Seesaw and what students are learning (in progress)
Progressive reporting (interim reports published at the end of term)
Annual end of year parent forum to celebrate and evaluate (November)
Colour Run/annual end of year celebration (term 4)

Parent Helpers

If you would like to volunteer your time and help at school you are more than welcome - please make contact with your classroom teacher and they will find a suitable time and session to support. Volunteer Working with Children’s check is a pre-requisite and must be submitted at the office prior to assisting. We will also provide you with a parent helper handbook to support understanding your role in the classroom.

Buildings and Ground update

We are in the process of getting works approved for a replacement undercover area between the grade 5/6 classrooms. We are hoping to have this finalised by the end of term. It has been a long process and we are finally starting to the see the light at the end of the tunnel. The staff and students are looking forward to the removal of the temporary fencing once works are completed.

Camps feedback

Camps plan 2023

Grade 2	Twilight School 4-7pm	Term 4 (date to be confirmed)
Grade 3	Warra Gnan Warrnambool	Term 2 May 10-11 (1 night)
Grade 4	Port Fairy	Term 4 Oct 16-17 (1 night)
Grade 5	Tandara	Term 2 May 22-24 (2 nights)
Grade 6	The Ranch (M’ton Peninsula)	TBC (2 nights)

Thank you to the 83 parents who completed the survey, with most parents understanding the time in lieu challenges. We have worked with school council to create the most achievable plan. We are looking forward to providing these additional experiences and appreciate every staff member for giving up time with their families to enable camp experiences. Given that bookings are difficult to secure, we have done our absolute best to provide students with a range of experiences which are always unique (even when they are local) when they have them with their peers and teachers. We also appreciate that most parents are supportive of a rest day following each camp (except for grade 2).

School Council 2023/2024 update

We are in a very fortunate position to have 10 school council parent self nominations for 4 positions followed by 2 withdrawals. Thank you for submitting your ballot, votes will be counted next week, followed by an announcement informing the school community of the 4 successful members. As one parent put so eloquently ‘I’m sure the council will be in safe hands whoever ends up with the votes’.

Grade 3-6 Athletics day

We are getting very excited for the upcoming athletics day on Tuesday next week. Mr Burton has been working very hard to get all events/timetables organised and making time for additional coaching sessions. Please come along and cheer your child/children on if you are available.

Family Picnic and Easter Hat Parade

We are very excited to invite all parents/family members to our end of term 1 celebration on Thursday 6th April from 1pm whole school assembly and Easter Hat Parade, followed by family picnic until 2pm. More information about Easter Hats will be provided in the next week (start thinking about designs).

Kindness Not Violence