Mr. Pickett, Acting Principal

Dear Families

REMINDER: Monday, September 5 is a common professional practice day for all staff and no students are required at school. Parents will need to arrange alternative supervision for their children on this day. Our out of school hours program will be running – please contact Big Childcare should you need to book your child in for care.

Book Week Parade

It was fantastic to see so many students and teachers celebrating book week by coming dressed as their favourite book character on Tuesday. The parade was a colourful showcase of school spirit, creativity and fun. There were an assortment of characters from texts past and present, we had dinosaurs, magicians, princesses and comic book heroes. Some of the outfits were out of this world! I would like to acknowledge the work of the team of teachers that organised this event and thank all the members of WVPS community who came to support the event. Photos of this event will be under the School News tab within the newsletter.

REAL Robotics and ICAS

Last Thursday ten Grade 5 students represented our school. In the REAL Robotics League - a competition held between 11 local schools. Students were required to complete a range of challenges involving innovation, team values and design. The team won the best robot design award and were runners up in the overall Champions award. Well done!

We are currently administering the 2022 ICAS Tests for over 150 students. The tests are optional for Grade 2-6 students and paid for by the parent. If your child is sitting one of these tests please ensure they are at school on time for the day, as we can not guarantee the test can be rescheduled at school. If you wish for your child to take an ICAS test in 2023 look for the updates on COMPASS.

A huge thank you to Annabelle Fist and Sarah Nolan for their coordination of this event.

District Athletics Carnival and Western Region Hockey Finals

Yesterday we had around 40 students represent our school at the District Athletic carnival. Our PE teachers were extremely proud of how our students competed and displayed our school values throughout the day. WVPS won the overall competition on the day. Students who placed in their event may be given the opportunity to represent the school at the next level athletics carnival later this year.

On Monday, 11 students competed in the Western Region Hockey Finals. This is the highest level of competition a WVPS sports team has represented the school, which is a tremendous achievement. I know Mrs Buck was super proud of her team and so are we!

Full results are later in the newsletter under the House captains tab.

Fathers’ Day Stall

Some advance notice: Our Parents and Friends are holding a father’s day stall to enable children to purchase gifts for dad, or other special adults in a child’s life, in preparation for Father’s Day on Sunday 4th September. Gifts will range in price from $1 - $6. The stall is scheduled for -

Thursday 1st September - F-2 students

Friday 2nd September - Grade 3-6 students.

A big thank you to our parents and friends group for organising this special event.

R U OK Day

Some advance notice: On Thursday 8th of September, we will celebrate and recognise R U OK? Day by wearing a splash of yellow! R U OK? Day is an annual day to promote awareness, engagement and connection between all people within our school community. Full details will follow later in the newsletter.

Art Show

A reminder about our upcoming art show. This event is scheduled every two years and is the opportunity for children to showcase some of their creative talents. This year the art show is being held between 3.00 – 6.00pm on Thursday 15th September . All children will have a piece of art on display; entry is via gold coin donation at the door, and our parents and friends group will have snacks available for purchase on the night: along with the opportunity for children to have their faces painted. I would like to thank the organising team of teachers and P&F group for all their hard work in organising this whole school event.

NAPLAN Reports

Reports which indicate student achievement for children in years 3 & 5 following student participation in the NAPLAN tests back in May are expected in the school in early September. We will forward these to you as soon as we receive them. Please file these carefully when you receive them as they are often asked for when children are entering secondary school – particularly if your child is hoping to attend a private school.

Full school uniform

A reminder as the weather starts to warm up that full school uniform is expected each and every day. This is inclusive of navy blue (not black) track pants and windcheaters, with the only permissible logo being the school one. Hoodies and other coloured jumpers are not to be worn under polo shirts. School shoes must also be ALL black: not white bands

around the bottom, or visible logos, etc.

Face masks

It is strongly recommended by the Department of Health that face masks are worn in indoor settings, with face masks mandatory 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 recommendation that, through to the end of winter, students aged 8 and over and all staff will wear masks when in class, noting that exceptions to the recommendation apply to teaching circumstances when clear communication or when a particular activity requires the removal of a mask.

Masks are not required to be worn outdoors but can be worn when physical distancing is not possible. This expectation should not constrain student participation in the full range of school activities, including music, sport, and performances. Household contacts of a positive COVID-19 case who are attending school and are over 8 years of age are required to wear face masks indoors unless they have a valid exception.

2023 Enrolment Survey

Next week we will be sending out a short enrolment survey to find out what your intentions are for 2023 and beyond.

With two new schools opening locally, we understand families may choose a school closer to their home. The results of the survey will help us plan for what our school will look like in 2023. Look for the update on COMPASS next week and follow the link for the survey. Thanks in advance for your ongoing support.

Have an enjoyable and safe weekend everyone.

John Pickett

Acting Principal

First Aid