Wattle Grove Public School Fair May 7, 2017. Email: wgpsfair@gmail.com

Wattle Grove Public School Newsletter

Thursday 16th February 2017

Term 1 Issue 2 Website: www.wattlegrov-p.schools.nsw.edu.au Phone: 02 9731-1355 Email: wattlegrov-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Fax: 02 9731-1377

Diary Dates 2017 Monday 20th February

• Normal finish time for Kindergartens 3.15pm

Wednesday 22nd February

• Scripture commences

Thursday 23rd February

• K-2 Assembly 12.45pm Superkids

Friday 24th February

• PSSA commences

Thursday 2nd March

• 3/6 Assembly 12.45pm • Zone Swimming

Carnival

Principal’s Message

I would like to thank everyone in our school community for helping to achieve a smooth start to the school year. Our talented teachers and support staff are all working incredibly hard to ensure we have the best possible learning environment. We are very much looking forward to the coming days when our school will be into our regular routines such as assemblies and sport. Our Library sessions have commenced and our students are enjoying using our new cloud flip tables. Through the SOLE (Self Organised Learning Environment) program our students are enjoying using the table to record their finding with whiteboard markers and then flipping the tables to present their work to their peers.

School Contributions and payments The beginning of the year can be a difficult financial time for families with large amounts of money being asked for sports registrations, after school activities, schooling costs, etc. On the 3rd February we sent home information about making payment for textbooks and School Contributions. In order for all classes to commence lessons with these resources, we asked families to finalise payment by yesterday. If you have not yet paid, you can download another copy of the note from our Skoolbag app and pay online through our website. If your family is experiencing financial hardship, please contact the office for confidential assistance. It is hoped that all families can finalise the payments so that learning materials can be distributed on Monday.

Swimming Carnival

Last Tuesday’s annual Swimming Carnival was a great success despite the wet conditions. We were able to run all events and gave an opportunity for our non-swimming students to have some fun in the water park. I’d like to acknowledge the terrific work of Mrs Fuller, Mrs Finn, Mrs Dodd and Mrs Bartram who coordinated such a successful day.

Working With Children Check (WWCC)

At our Meet the Teacher evenings this week, teachers distributed information regarding Working With Children Check (WWCC) clearance. If you are interested in volunteering your time in the school, it is essential that you either complete a Volunteers declaration and supply sufficient proof of identity at the office or supply your WWCC clearance letter issued by the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian. If you have any questions regarding this process, please see Mr White or the Administration Staff for assistance.

P&C Meeting

Thank you to all the parents and carers who were able to join us at our first P&C meeting for 2017. Everyone is always welcome to attend the meetings and assist in the governance of our school. I value the input made last night and appreciate the way the community have made me feel so welcome. Our next P&C meeting will be held on Wednesday 15th March and will also be our Annual General Meeting.

Anaphylaxis in schools

We have a number of students enrolled in our school who have been diagnosed with Anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe and sometimes sudden allergic reaction. It can occur when a susceptible person is exposed to an allergen, such as a food or insect sting. In order to minimise our students risk of a reaction, we ask that parents and carers consider the welfare of other students and do not send items that contain nut products. Whilst we aim to reduce the risk to our students, we cannot completely eliminate exposure to nuts from our environment. More information available at https://www.allergy.org.au/ You can help by:

• Avoiding sending nuts and packaged foods that contain nuts which must be stated on the label. This includes nutella spread and peanut butter.

• Always taking food allergies seriously • Encourage your children not to share food. • Encourage your children to wash hands after eating

School Crossing

We have been notified that Liverpool Council is trying to fill the vacant Crossing Supervisor position for the crossing on Cressbrook Drive. Please be aware that until this position is filled, there may be days when the crossing flags are on display but the crossing is not actively supervised. Please be extra vigilant when driving around the school. Morning Routines It is essential that students who arrive at school before 8:45am remain seated before supervision commences. When teachers commence duty, the grass area is out of bounds for students and we ask them to play in the COLA and artificial grass. Over the next week we will be monitoring student’s play habits in the morning to ensure our students stay in the play areas.

School Communication Our Skoolbag app is our main form of communication from the school. Our fortnightly newsletter will undergo some enhancements this semester, but will remain published each Thursday fortnight and available through Skoolbag.

This year we will be expanding our use of social media to inform our community and highlight our achievements and learning progress. You can follow us on Twitter with the handle @WattleGrovePS or on our Facebook page Wattle Grove Public School.

We would like to remind you that our Facebook page is specifically to showcase the talents and achievements of the students at Wattle Grove Public School. We encourage parents to 'Like', or where appropriate, post positive feedback. This forum is not designed

to be an enquiry or information based site. Matters concerning the operation of the school should be forwarded directly to the school. Please support our students and our school through your positive reflections.

Student Wellbeing

Life can be very busy and hectic sometimes, even for our school-aged children. Four of our classes trialled a positive wellbeing class on Tuesday held in the school hall by LifeSkills Group. The lesson focussed on mindfulness, self-regulation, breathing and yoga. Students that participated in the session found it beneficial and enjoyable, able to focus more on their learning following the lesson. Thought for the fortnight

“Quality is not an act, it is a habit”. Aristotle Clint White Sam Wilson Principal Deputy Principal

PRINCIPAL AWARDS

5 MERIT AWARDS – Shennae (3J) 15 MERIT AWARDS – Charlie (4K) 25 MERIT AWARDS – Baljeet (6SK) 30 MERIT AWARDS – Samantha (5/6R), Charlie (5S), Baljeet (6SK)

Date Year/Class Notes sent home this past fortnight Permission Note YES/NO

9/2 Kindy Parent Information Evening No 9/2 Eldest Fair Newsletter No 10/2 Dancers Holsworthy High COS Yes 10/2 KR, 1F, 3J, 6SK Lifeskills program No 16/2 Kindy Kindergarten Finishing times No 16/2 5-6 Dictionary Note No 16/2 3-6 ICAS Yes 16/2 Eldest Disco note No

Merit Awards

KB Lilli, Aleisha, Heba, Caleb, Zac. KG Nate, Declan, Benjamin, Serena, Hayley. KP Rawiri, James, Aria, Audrey, Georgie. KC Hunter, Ayman, Charlee, Kaitlyn, Ava. KR Molly, Riley, Oliver, Matthew, Addison. 1A Lachie, Ella, Jack, Poppy, Samuel, Aliyah. 1C Nicholas, Max, Ava, Mollie-May, Kesaiah, Holly. 1F Emily, Chloe, Ruby-May, Koby, Lincoln, Ben. 1G Jennae, Joshua, Shyla, Thomas, Arielle, Ben. 1S Amelia, Du, Suchita, Jack, Nandish, Allegra. 2B Riley, Marley, Sotiris, Eia, Emmi, Saxon. 2FM Antonio, Isabella, Jessica, Connor, Noah, Erika. 2K Ailene, Piper, Jai, Annabel, Chloe, Emma. 2R Anbbie, Aleah, Jacob, Makenzie, Christine, Allegra. 3C Alice, Jack, Isabella, Nihal, Dean, Rhianna. 3J Draven, Julian, Dimitri, Zaahid, Shennae, Stevie. 3S Will, Cooper, Shreeya, J’aime, Grace, Makayla. 4K Caitlyn, Annalisa, Bailey, Mikaylah, Sean, Leilani. 4C Javier, Irene, Jim, Anannya, Savana, 4D Kayla, Gabby, Luke, Andy, Marcos, Gabriella.

Year 2 Report

Year 2 have had an exciting start to the year! They have enjoyed settling into their new class and making new friends. We are learning about two-dimensional shapes and whole number and have begun looking at Australian picture books. They are learning dances from all around the world and have really enjoyed decorating their rooms. All of Year 2 agree that it is going to be a spectacular year! Year 2 teachers

Lilli (KB) Resilience Award Positive Behaviour Learning recipients Mia (4C) Act Of Kindness

Wattle Grove Public School Fair May 7, 2017. Email: wgpsfair@gmail.com

Mr White presenting awards at his first assembly at Wattle Grove.

Defence Transition Mentor Holsworthy High School

Applications are sought for the position of Defence Transition Mentor (DTM) at Holsworthy High School. The occupant of this position will provide information and support and develop a range of activities for children of Defence members and families to ease the impact of mobility and service related parental absence. The DTM is a school employee and is responsible to the principal or nominee for everyday activities. Written applications including personal details, the names and contact details of two referees and addressing the following selection criteria should be submitted to Mark Watkins (Principal) at Holsworthy-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au by 4pm Monday, 27 February. Selection Criteria

1. Sound oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with school staff, adolescent children, Defence Members and their families.

2. Demonstrated ability to organise own work, set priorities, meet deadlines, maintain confidentiality, work independently and as a team member.

3. Ability to plan, organise and deliver activities and resources relating to the needs of Defence families. 4. Current working with children check.

For further information please contact Mark Watkins on 9825 2888 or collect a duty statement from the school.