A Word from the Principal 

A Warm Welcome to our Weeden Heights Community

A warm welcome to our community

We hope that you all had a great day on Cup Day and took advantage of the curriculum day on Monday thus potentially creating a long weekend for your family!  Our staff were busy at school working together to analyse student assessments for developing learning goals, moderating tasks and being briefed on the expectations of the final student reports.  It was an extremely productive day and most beneficial for everyone.    

We are very busy at school at the moment writing school reports and with staff planning for 2023.  Thank-you to the families that did let me know about their arrangements for next year.  It was greatly appreciated and allows for no surprises which potentially could negatively impact on our school.   

Annual Implementation Plan (AIP)

This week co-ordintors began meeting with leadership to assist in the construction of the AIP for 2023. We have taken the opportunity to review school data (which is impressive!) and set goals and targets for the 2023 AIP.   2023 is actually the final year in the current Strategic Plan and next year, the school will go through a school review (conducted every 4 years).  This process will support the direction of the school in the near future.

I would like to thank Mrs Arya (Learning Specialist), Mrs Michalski (Mathematics Co-ordinator) and Mrs Nancarrow (Wellbeing Co-ordinator) for their support in reviewing the current AIP with me.  We have set some aspiring goals for our school and students to meet next year! Thank you team. 

It’s time to wear our Summer Uniform..... reminder

Students may now wear their summer uniform as our weather is beginning to change.  Unfortunately I am starting to see a few unapproved changes to our Weeden Heights PS uniform.  Please remember that students are expected to wear the approved polo t shirt with the specialised banding and the school logo.  This has been made especially for our school and we should not see plain pale blue polo shirts.

Also please remember that leggings are not to be worn under our summer girl’s school dress. The only jewellery worn at school is a watch and plain stud or sleeper earrings.  Long hair needs to be tied back and any hair attachments (hair ties, clips – no large bows) need to be in school colours which are blue, maroon or white. 

If you have any questions then I am happy to provide you with a copy of the school’s uniform policy developed by School Council in consultation with the community.  As a reminder, the following uniform is expected to be worn:

Appendix A

Please look out for the second hand uniform shop that operates from school and they may be able to assist you in supplying some of the summer uniform. 

Year 6 Movie Night

A big thank you to all of those families who supported our year 6 students for their graduation fundraising event last Friday. It was great to have so many attend the movie night and it was wonderful that we are now holding these events again on site!  I believe the ‘Minions’ were a huge hit!  I would like to thank Mrs Alter, Miss Walls and Mrs Michalski for setting up and supervising the event.  Fantastic!

Remembrance Day

Today our Year 6 student leaders will conduct an early Remembrance Day Assembly.  It is a day early due to the WESA Round Robin which is being held on Friday for Years 4 - 6. The school will still have a minutes silence on Friday. 

Our assembly/service acknowledges the heroic people who served their countries and gave themselves to the war effort so that we could live in our amazing country, Australia.  We cannot forget our past and I am very proud that Weeden Heights honours these very important days. 

Bright Beginnings Transition and Student Handovers

We had another terrific transition session on Tuesday with all of the kinder students.  They are starting to find their way around the school and they are meeting all of the staff along the way.

The students are settling at the school and have their final session on 22 November to prepare them for their start in 2023. Our Year 4’s will be allocated their buddies soon and will be ready to build strong relationships and connections with our new students.

All students across the whole school will go through a transition process as they move into their 2023 grades.  The sessions will run at school in week 10 and 11.   Students will meet over several sessions with their new class and potentially their new teacher.  New students joining us next year will hopefully be able to participate as well as part of the transition program. It is important for them to make a connection with one/some of our students. 

Please be re assured that teachers participate in a hand over process so that new class teachers will be prepared and will be able to challenge students along with the information you provide at the 2023 ‘getting to know you’ interviews at the beginning of the year. 

Building a School Community at Weeden Heights PS

Now that we have returned to full time school after remote learning, we are working extremely hard to re build our school community.  There seems to be a little bit of apprehension about coming back in and working in the school as we had ‘struggled’ a little this year with family attendances at events.  We understand that the world is a very different place and we have offered many online events as an option for activities.  I only encourage you to embrace your school as we are your community and we welcome you back!  Our students benefit significantly from your support at home but also from your positive presence in schools.   Our families are generous.

Here are some ways parents are welcome to become involved in our school:

STRUCTURES WITHIN THE WHOLE SCHOOL

School Council

• Includes: Education Sub Committee, Finance Sub Committee, Buildings and Grounds Sub Committee, Community Building Sub Committee

• Meets monthly
• Represents the parents and wider school community
• Focus is around the governance of the school. Principal sits as member of DET and deals with school operations

Parents and Friends Association (PFA)

• All welcome to attend

• Committee members and members attached to events
• Meet twice per term
• Focus on fundraising and school activities for students

Parent Representatives (Parent Reps)

• One parent volunteers to represent the class
• Emails and notifications
• Social Events
• Avenue for contacting each other

School Programs

• Classroom Helpers

• School Excursions
• Swimming program
• Camping Program
• Interschool sport
• Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
• STEAM Program
• Inquiry Learning investigations – experts in the classroom
• School Production – parents to support, contribute – props, costumes

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

• Family Fun Night
• Prep and new family social night
• Trivia Night

AFTER SCHOOL BASED EVENTS 

• Education Week                                                                  
• Open Night
• Parent information night
• School Production
• Graduation
• Mathematics Event
• Christmas Concert

WAYS WE COMMUNICATE WITH YOU

• School Stream
• Fortnightly newsletter                                               
• Website
• Emails – from Classroom Representatives and Administration
• Notices
• Facebook and Instagram
• Class newsletters
• School Assembly

ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING PROCESS

OTHER CONTACT WITH THE TEACHER

• Student Support Group Meeting – termly
• Make a time with the teacher/co-ordinator/Principal
• Helping in the classroom programs
• Camping program
• Excursion program and sporting events
• Kitchen/garden program

Building the Classroom Community

• Bright Beginnings Transition Program
• The year before and the first two weeks – finding out about learners
• Classroom Agreement 
• Agreed Learning Conditions – behavioural expectations
• Individual reward system/class reward system
• Individual  education plans for each student with their own educational goals to meet their learning needs

We have a few events coming up so please lock these dates into your diary:

•  2 December – Prep, 1 & 2 camping program
• 14 December – Graduation for year 6
• 15 December – Christmas concert.

We hope to see our families support these events….it’s tradition!

Until next time……

Kylie Campbell

Principal

Futures are Bright at Weeden Heights!