A Warm Welcome to our Weeden Heights Community

A warm welcome to our community

WINTER IS HERE! I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend. Well, the cold weather has hit with a vengeance. I am having to remind the students to wear their jackets and rain coats outside as well. Please remember that it is time for our winter uniform as shorts/skorts/summer dresses are a part of the summer uniform (and please no tights being placed under shorts and summer dresses). Remember the classrooms are warm again and with two air purifiers in each room, the doors and windows are closed.

It is terrific to see students in our school beanie as they look smart and are warm. Don’t forget the sleeveless polar fleece vests add extra warmth out at play time. They also look smart over the top of the maroon bomber jackets. These are available from the uniform shop if you would like to purchase for your child.

Working with Children Clearance (previously Working with Children Checks)

A friendly reminder that all parent helpers (in the classroom, kitchen/garden program and those who attend excursions/camps as a parent helper) are required to obtain a volunteer Working with Children Clearance Card. Please bring into the school office your card as proof and you will be added to the Working with Children Register. A huge thank-you to the parents who have already presented the school with their WWCC or updated WWCC.

It is very easy to apply so please apply via the following link:

http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/home/applications/ If you require any support to do this then please contact the office.

Capital Works Program Update

It’s getting exciting now as we are finalising the plans for our school and we are about to employ a building contractor for the capital works. Students in rooms 2 – 4 will be moving to Block B at the end of term 3 and the removalists will be into assist at the end of next term. OSHC will be moving to the hall and this will be the final and permanent destination for this program. The Art room and STEAM room will operate out of the hall for term 4 only and we are crossing our fingers that the classrooms and art room will be ready for the start in term 1 2023. The administration office will relocate to the library and ICT lab for the next 9 – 12 months and the staffroom will be located in the hall kitchen (shared with OSHC).

We are getting a new shed at the end of the top basketball court to house all of the PE equipment from the current storeroom. I have been showing the shed companies and concreters the new site so the shed will be in place by September.

Once the final plans are ready to show I will include them in the newsletter. My main focus is to ensure that there is minimal disruption to our students and their learning. The improvements to the school will be most satisfying for all.

Reporting to Parents against the Victorian Curriculum

Reports will come home via an email on the last day of school, which is next week. I have spent time reading each child’s report and I am very happy with the progress being made across the whole school.

We have continued to implement across the school, a variety of support programs. The tutor program has continued to enhance the ‘learning catch up’ after remote and flexible learning across the last two years. Our school is also implementing reading support programs, has a dedicated extension and enrichment teacher and an online reading program. An occupational therapist and support aide have also worked with the prep class to build strength and stamina after missing so much of their kinder year.

Further information about your child will be provided during the student led conferences and the work completed in your child’s portfolio on return to school. A notice will be sent home next term which will highlight that our prep to year 2 students will have their conferences at school in week 2 and our years 3 – 6 will have their conferences online in week 3 (after camp). Parents will be given the option to have their student led conference online or onsite.

The conferences will all be conducted via a video conference in the Google Classroom and will focus on the student’s portfolio so we are really going to have to stick to the times so that the teacher is ready for the next conference. Student portfolios will be shared at home, after the conference. Senior students have unlimited access to their online portfolio any time through the Google Classroom.

Our student led conferences are highly successful and support the development of student voice and agency which also includes setting future learning goals.

Professional Practice Day

Just a reminder that next Tuesday is a Professional Practice Day for the staff at Weeden Heights PS. As directed by DET and due to the state wide staffing shortages, our staff will have their professional practice day on the same day. No students are required to attend school on this day so please find alternative arrangements for the care of your child.

Final Day of Term – Early Dismissal

The final day of term 2 will be Friday 24 June at 2.30pm. There will be an assembly to finish depending on the weather. Parents are welcome to attend the brief assembly at 2.15pm at the end of the day but you must maintain appropriate social distancing.

Please ensure you have made arrangements for the collection of your children at this earlier dismissal time. If you are unable to make the 2.30pm finish time then please book your children into the OSHC program.

Well, that’s all from me. While it has been a short term, it has been long and exhausting for all of us. There have been extensive absences on all levels but we have come through this term. I hope that you all have a restful term 2 break. Please stay healthy and safe.

Until next time……

Kylie Campbell

Principal

Futures are Bright at Weeden Heights!

SAKG