PRINCIPAL FOREWORD – What a busy week at our great school. Things are really ‘humming’ at the moment with the term just about done and it will be full steam ahead till we finish next Friday. Our teachers are doing a superb job with their classes and student attendance has been super. This is testament to the great things happening in our school. We have also been excited about the many new families joining our wonderful school and the positive feedback I continue to receive from our wonderful school community. Welcome new families to Weir State School
NEW MUSIC EQUIPMENT – Last week our school took delivery of $4000 worth of audio equipment that will be used for choir, sport carnivals, assemblies, school events and functions. Mrs Wilson is really excited about giving her students a better music experience with the new equipment as it will only enhance the effect of our performances. This is all part of our journey toward school improvement and giving back to the students to ensure the best learning possible
AFTERNOON COLLECTION – The last couple of weeks we have had students being picked up late. Our school day finishes at 2:45 however some students are still in our office at 3:30 pm with no contact from a parent or carer. If you are going to pick up after 3pm please ensure you have contacted school administration to inform when pick up will occur. Please understand if we have students that are repeatedly picked up late every afternoon we will have little choice but to call parents and discuss afterschool care as an option
SCHOOL UNIFORM – School uniforms play a very important part in a school as they represent a sense of belonging, pride and set the scene for order and expectation. Most students wear their shirts with pride however there has been a worrying trend of students, especially girls, wearing colourful shorts and pants. This is NOT our school uniform and unless advised of a free dress day all students need to wear brown/ black shorts, skorts or skirts. Of course there will be times when students will struggle to wear their uniform due to wet weather, school camp or conditions from home that are out of their control. If you can’t send your child/ children in uniform please send them with a note and we’ll attempt to fit with a uniform at school
SCHOOL SPORT BUS FEES – Interschool sport has begun, and our students are enjoying being part of our sports teams. Unfortunately buses are not free and there is a charge for travel each week. We have got the cost down as low as possible and our school is subsidising some of the cost from school budget. I do understand this is another cost however having free buses is simply not sustainable. Could I please ask that if your child participates in sport they need to be bring their bus fees each week. Please remember being part of interschool sport is an important part of our school program and I would encourage every parent to ensure their children take the opportunity to be part of it. Thanks for your understanding and support in sport
CHILDREN AND LEARNING - At the very centre of the school’s work is the individual child. We know a lot about children and how they learn. Through this knowledge, teachers plan for your child’s educational needs and development. We know:
- Children are special: Children truly have a marvellous variety of abilities, interests and characteristics that make each one special. This uniqueness deserves the respect of every parent and teacher.
- Children need time to be children: We should not hurry childhood. Too many pressures, too much emphasis on using every minute productively, on achieving maximum results, can rob children of their right to live fully as children.
- Children pass through stages: As each year passes, they develop new ways of thinking and solving problems; they are able to manage their feelings and their social skills are developing. Children reach these stages at different times. In any one class teachers have to make allowances for a wide range of maturity levels, interests and readiness to tackle new challenges.
- Children want to know: Children are naturally active, curious, creative, searching individuals. They are born learners; learning is what they do best. By the time they start school they have learnt a language and that is a fantastic accomplishment!
- Children have needs: Children need love, acceptance, limits on their behaviour, challenge and success. These all help them to grow and develop their abilities to the full.
- Children need expectations: Children tend to live up, or down, to the expectations of important people in their lives. They thrive on high expectations and as long as they are supported through their mistakes, they learn that successful learning often requires considerable risk-taking.
- Children need to play: Play is a child’s natural way of learning about the world and their place in it. Through informal play, they create meaning, stretch their imagination, practice social skills, try out ideas and learn how to cope with problems.
This week’s proverb – “Not learning from our mistakes is the biggest mistake of all”
Thanks for reading and “GO THE COWBOYS ”
Mr B - Acting Principal
