Principal's Update

COMMUNITY

It never stops amazing me how lucky I am to be the principal of a school with such a supportive and friendly community. The way our students come together in a united group, the way our staff take on every task with passion and enthusiasm and the way our parents rally around our activities and fundraising efforts. The community feel is always there, but it becomes apparent when we can hold events like the Colour Fun Run. It gives a real visibility to the community culture that is at the heart of everything we do. What a tremendous afternoon it was on Friday. The laughter and pure joy on the faces of all in attendance at our Colour Run was infectious. 

Be sure to have a look at the Colour Fun Run Spectacular - Showcase, which you will find on the Students' Page in this newsletter.  Every family who make a donation towards our colour run fundraising will go into the draw for a fantastic prize (this is in addition to prizes for the top fundraisers) so be sure to get those funds in by tomorrow. No amount is too small, every little bit helps us achieve our goals and improve the grounds for our students and community. The prize draw will take place at assembly on Friday in addition to the announcement of our top fundraisers.   

ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

Each year, school's receive a summary report in term one, of their performance in a variety of categories from the prior year. Principal's then make comments around the school, it's highlights and performance which is then taken to School Council for attestation. Early in term 2 once the Department of Education have approved the report with school commentary, the report is returned to us for sharing with the community. 

Our Annual Report to the Community for 2023 is now available for viewing on our School Website. Scroll to the bottom of the Website and you will find it under School Plans.

www.waverleymeadowsps.vic.edu.au  

WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY

Next Friday 19th May is Walk Safely to School Day.  We encourage all students to walk at least some of the way to school that day. If you normally drive your children to school, consider parking at the back of the school, or at the end of the street so they can practise walking safely and using the crossing. A reminder that all children under 10 should be crossing the road with an adult.  

Please remember to cross Columbia Drive at the school crossing. Many parents are crossing the road between cars, even with their children. Please ensure you are setting a good example of road safety by using the crossing. Our supervisor is there to ensure the safety of all our children and families before and after school. 

We have no crossing supervisor on Chancellor Drive, but we still encourage children and families to cross the road at the marked crossing, checking carefully both ways several times before crossing.

CYBERSAFETY

I encourage all parents to read the information I have shared on the Parents' Page in this newsletter, which comes from the Alannah and Madeline Foundation that we promote as an Esmart school.

The online world is continuing to expand and our children are being exposed to more and more information and online opportunities at an alarmingly rapid rate. The more we can talk to them about their online presence and how to keep themselves safe, the better equipped they are to manage when they are faced with something they are unsure about.  The information I have shared contains 5 general tips for parents and an information page specifically for parents of older children and a page for parents of younger children. 

Student versions of this information will be covered at school as well.