Last day of Term Friday 21st December—1.30pm Finish

No Canteen on Thursday 20th and Friday 21st December

Principal’s Report Thank You Parent Helpers

I would like to begin this week’s newsletter by expressing our deep gratitude to

the many parents who have assisted the school throughout the year. This

extraordinary help across so many different platforms ensures that we can

continue to facilitate such rich provision for our students. Whether it be support

in the classroom, school banking, Fresh Fruit Friday, swimming, excursions,

costumes for the musical, camps, committees or special events; we are so

grateful for the unequivocal

support provided by so many

parents each day.

We were able to thank some of

you in person at Tuesday’s Thank

You Breakfast, but for those who

were unable to make this event,

please accept our sincerest

thanks for your help this year.

Williamstown North Primary School

Newsletter

133 Melbourne Road, Williamstown 3016 Tel: 9397 5722 Email: williamstown.north.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Website: www.willynthps.vic.edu.au Compass Link—https://willynthps-vic.compass.education Attendance—via compass link

2018 Term Dates Term 4

8th October to 21st December New Dates added to the

calendar this week Monday 10th December

Year 3 to Year 6 Year 3I Performing

* Tuesday 18th December

Foundation EOY Excursion

Calendar of Events *

Mon 3rd to Fri 14th Dec Foundation Swim Program

* Wed 5th & Thurs 6th Dec Beach Program—6D & 6H

* Mon 10th & Tues11th Dec Beach Program—5K & 5R

* Tuesday 11th December

Year 7 State-wide Transition *

Wed 12th & Thurs 13th Dec Beach Program—5G & 5J

* Friday 14th December

Year 4 EOY Excursion & Year 3 EOY Excursion

* Monday 17th December Year 5 EOY Excursion

* Monday 17th December

Year 6 Graduation *

Tuesday 18th December Year 2 EOY Excursion

* Wednesday 19th December

10.30am Meet your 2019 Teacher & Class Mates

* Thursday 20th December Year 1 EOY Excursion & Year 6 EOY Excursion

* LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

FRIDAY 21ST DECEMBER 1.30PM FINISH

5th December 2018

Number 39

Respect — Responsibility — Resilience — Doing Your Best

Free Dress Day

Excitement is building as we begin to anticipate our Fete next March. In support of this event, we have

nominated this Friday 7th December as a free dress day for all students. Students who come in free dress on

Friday, are asked to bring along a block of chocolate, which will be used in the ‘Chocolate Toss’ at next year’s

Fete. (These chocolate blocks will be stored in a refrigerated facility over the Xmas break in readiness for next

March).

We hope all students will be able to come in free dress this Friday and donate a block of chocolate in support of

next year’s Fete.

The Fete is our school’s major fundraising event every two years. The proceeds from next year’s Fete will

target a large interactive screen in the Gym as well as some new carpet in a number of our classrooms.

We are very proud to have Compton Green as the major sponsor of our Fete.

Staff Training Days for 2019

In 2019, all Victorian government primary schools will again be designated four student free days to undertake

whole school professional learning. To assist you with your planning for 2019, please note the following School

Council approved student free days for our school:

Monday 29th January—Staff Briefing, PLT Collaboration & Classroom Preparation

Friday 22nd February—PLC Collaboration & Staff Wellbeing

Friday 24th May—Restorative Practices

Monday 4th November—On Line Professional Learning Programs/Compliance

2019 Camping Program

We’ve had a number of calls recently from families inquiring about the camp

dates for 2019. We appreciate that many families plan well ahead to avoid

clashes with family holidays and to ensure absences are minimised. We hope

the dates below assist you with any planning you might be considering in

2019:

Year 3 – Anglesea Monday 19th to Wednesday 21st August 2019

Year 4 – Anglesea Wednesday 21st to Friday 23rd August 2019

Year 5 – Howqua Monday 7th to Friday 11th October 2019

Year 6 – Canberra Monday 29th April to Friday 3rd May 2019

School Council Thanks

Over the course of 2018, nine parents and four teachers have met on a regular basis as School Councillors to

make important decisions for our school. Their dedication and commitment to this role has been outstanding

and as we reflect back on the year, it is very tangible to see how the school has gone from strength to strength

as a result of a very supportive School Council.

As they meet for the final time this evening, it is fitting to take a moment to thank the following parents and

teachers for all of their hard work and sage advice over the year: Michael Lynch (President), Julia Kaye

(Treasurer and Facilities & Finance Convenor), Simon Gibbs (Community Engagement Convenor), Matt Boyall

& Megan Medved (Education Convenors), Tim Hart, Natalie Hammond, John Curran, Andrew Crichton, Wendy

Emin, Crissy Samaras and Virginia Irvine.

At the conclusion of each year, half of the councillors finish their tenure. Pending any potential renominations

from existing councillors, there are always vacancies on School Council at the start of each school year. Watch

out for this information in the newsletter early next year if you are interested in becoming a councillor.

I would like to take a moment to recognise the contributions of Michael Lynch, who will be retiring from the

council this year. Michael has been on council for many years and held the position of President for the last

four years. Under Michael’s leadership, the school council has been galvanised with a strong common purpose

and incredible synergy. I cannot begin to thank Michael enough for his wonderful support of the school and for

the highly professional support he has provided to me as Principal. He leaves an amazing legacy and should

feel so proud of his contributions.

As retiring councillors, we also sincerely thank both Simon Gibbs and Megan Medved for their fabulous

contributions to the council. Simon has been pivotal this year in helping to shape our community engagement

strategies, whilst Megan ensured all of policies were rigorously updated to reflect the school’s existing

Willy French Club Term 4 Supportive, stimulating and fun learning environment with experienced, native speaking teacher.

Watch your kids feel positive about learning French. Children of all ages and experience welcome.

Wednesdays 3.50pm - 4.50pm

Williamstown Community Centre

14 Thompson Street

Jim Callahan 0432 719 034 jim.callahan@lcfclubs.com.au

Semester Two 2018—Assembly Rotations

Monday 10th December Years 3 to 6 Year 3I

Monday 17th December (Graduation) Unavailable

Awards given out at each assembly are

Thumbs Up & Student of the Week

practices.

Book Returns

A final plea for the return of all library books and take home books by the end of the week, so that we can complete our auditing of these important resources. We would be grateful if you could hunt around the bedroom, check the school bags and any other potential locations to ensure all of these books are returned. Thank you in anticipation of your support with this matter.

Enjoy the rest of the week

Jim Cahill—Principal

Canteen Stock

As the Canteen depletes the stock for the year, the item has been removed from the Qkr app. You will only be able to order items that we have in stock.

Library

Please return all library books and take home readers to the library by this Friday 7th December. However, any books/readers found after this date will be greatly accepted.

Fresh Fruit Friday (FFF) for 2018 This is a very special and

interactive group who

volunteer an hour of their

time each Friday morning.

Fresh Fruit Friday needs

parent volunteers. Please

email Linda Taylor directly, so she can add

you to the roster—

taylor.linda.l1@edumail.vic.gov.au.

Thank you to all parents that assist with Fresh

Fruit Friday each Friday. Parents on the

roster for this week Friday 7th December are:

Kim Pannone, Narelle Rabbidge, Belinda

Wood, Rachael Burgess and Ray Price.

Canteen Julieanne Weir manages our Canteen and is always very appreciative of the time parents or family members can volunteer to help in the Canteen. Julianne can be contacted via the General Office. New parents or family members are always needed and most welcome. So, if you can spare any of your valuable time, it would be greatly appreciated.

The Canteen is open for lunch orders 5 days a week. Parents Helpers are needed each day. If you can help on a Monday or Tuesday, please let Julieanne know.

Thursday 6th December—HELP NEEDED

Friday 7th December—Melanie Dmytrenko

Wednesday 12th December—Jodie Wylie

Thursday 13th December—Georgianna Horsfall

Friday 14th December—Arlene Lawrence

Uniform Shop News Primary School Wear (PSW) is our official Uniform supplier. Uniforms can be purchased at the store located at Unit 1, 128 Bertie Street Port Melbourne. Items can also be purchased online. Email portmelbourne@psw.com.au.

Trading hours are Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Saturday 10.00am to 1.00pm and closed on Sunday and Public Holidays.

School Banking School banking day is Wednesday.

Don’t forget to send in your child’s bank book.

Student Safety

Please take the time to regularly remind your child/ren about safety, especially when going to and from school. Here are the important points to mention:

Do not to talk to strangers and never accept a ride from a stranger, or accept lollies or gifts from a stranger.

Immediately report any issue or problem you may have when going to or from school, to your mum and dad, or to your teacher, the Principal, Assistant Principal or office staff.

Always get permission from mum or dad before going to play with a friend after school and always let mum and dad know where you will be and what time you will be home.

We advise that, wherever possible, children should travel to or from school with an adult or with their friends, rather than travel alone.

Early Release

All children collected from school before 3.30pm must be signed out at the Office. Parents will be handed an ‘Early Release Pass’ to hand to the supervising teacher. If a child is signed out at Recess or Lunch time, the Office staff will call the child to the Office and then ensure the Early Release Pass is given to the supervising teacher.

Bikes & Scooters Many children ride bikes and scooters to school each day. All bikes and scooters must be locked up in either the Bike or Scooter Enclosure to prevent theft. Please ensure your child has a chain and a lock.

All children who ride a bike or scooter must wear a helmet which is a requirement by the Government. The school regularly reminds all children about wearing helmets for their safety.

All bikes, scooters, skateboards, ribstic and helmets must be labelled, with your child’s name and class. Children are reminded they must walk their bike, scooter, skateboard or ribstic to and from the school gates. No bikes are to be brought through the school buildings and we request, where possible, that scooters are also not walked through the building.

Working With Children Cards Cardholders who are required to renew their WWCC will no longer need to go to Australia Post to lodge a paper form and present their current card. Cardholders will go to the WWCC website to complete their renewal application online and, if applying for an Employee Check, pay the fee using a credit card when using the online renewal process, cardholders will be notified by SMS, letter or email 28 days before their WWCC is due to expire. It is important for cardholders to keep their contact details up to date so that they receive this important reminder.

After receiving a notification, individuals continuing to do child-related work should go to MyCheck on the WWCC website and apply to renew their check. Cardholders will be asked to register with MyCheck if they have not already done so. Once logged in to MyCheck, cardholders will be prompted to confirm or update their personal contact and work details, complete the online form and, if applying for an Employee Check, pay the non-refundable fee. More information: an FAQ guide to online renewals will be

available in 'Publications' under 'Resources' on the WWC website,

or contact the Customer Support Line on 1300 652 879 8.30am –

5.00pm weekdays except public holidays.

http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

OSHClub—Update Hello everyone, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you.

My name is Abbey Brown and I am 24 years of age. I will be the new coordinator for OSHClub at Williamstown North Primary School. I am extremely excited about getting to work with you all.

In my spare time I enjoy playing sport and spending time outside with family and friends. My favourite place to go to is the beach. My favourite sport is AFL and I enjoy supporting the Carlton Football Club, watching both the men and women during their seasons.

I currently play for the Laverton Magpies Football Club. This year was our first season and after working extremely hard to establish a team during 2017, we found our inaugural season to be a huge success both on and off the field.

I also coach the Under 15 Youth Girls at the Altona Vikings Football Club and have done so for the past two seasons. I find coaching to be extremely rewarding and such a worthwhile experience where I can share my passion and knowledge of the game with others and also get to watch my players grow and succeed over a period of time. This year we made it into the grand final and were awarded as Runners Up, a huge achievement after only winning two games last season.

This year I was awarded as Hobson Bay’s Young Citizen of the Year. I was chosen based on my ability to give back to my community in a platform I was passionate about and to help make our community a better place through participation in sport. Some of you may have seen me in the local newspaper, on social media or even in person speaking at an event. I am very proud of my local community and look forward to now working within Williamstown.

After completing my Bachelor of Education (P-12) Physical Education at Victoria University in 2016, I gained employment as a Game Development Officer with AFL Victoria, where I worked in all types of settings trying to promote and grow the game of AFL. I worked with young children all the way up to professional AFL clubs. I also worked as a Casual Relief Teacher and thoroughly enjoyed both fields of work. I am passionate about education and making a difference in the lives of others. I found my role with AFL Victoria to be extremely rewarding, it was challenging at times as each environment was different but it pushed me to become a better educator. I now look forward to taking the skills I have gained into this new opportunity.

While I was studying I worked part time for another OSHClub provider. I have close to four years of experience working within the industry and I am very excited to now be returning. I look forward to meeting and working with all students, parents, families and staff. I thoroughly enjoy working as an educator and I aim to make sure that the children have the best time possible whilst in care. I look forward to hearing about the activities and games that the children currently enjoy doing whilst also bringing a few new ideas to the table. I want to continue creating a happy, safe and supportive environment for all students and families.

I look forward to meeting you all and introducing myself in person!

Kind regards,

Abbey Brown