Connected

The weather is heating up and so has the learning at Wattle Grove. Our students continue to amaze me daily with their learning and attainment of personal and social learning goals. The highlight of my days is having students visit my office to share great work or visiting classrooms where the action is taking place. Last week the Kindergarten classes went on a Principal Hunt, and they found me busy in my office. I also had students share me their amazing writing, which showed both imagination and technical skill. A huge shout out to the teachers and students for their brilliant work so far this term.

This week, saw me in a very different context, as I headed out west with Mrs Cook and a group of Principals and teachers from the Chipping Norton School Network. After an 8-hour trip on Monday, we arrived at Coonamble, where we stayed for the week, arriving back this afternoon. The purpose of this trip was one of learning and establishing connections to further enhance our work in Aboriginal Education and the wellbeing space, and much more. I am looking forward to sharing my learning with staff, students and community. Mrs Cook and I have also shared our journey so far in implementing the new K-2 syllabus documents and how we use whole school data to drive teaching and learning programs and specific interventions.  I have included some photos following my report as a starter. It was an amazing experience that will not only stay with me for many years to come but also positively impact my work as a Principal. Thank you to Mrs Valensise who relieved as Principal for the week, allowing me to engage in this opportunity.

Smile, it’s school photo time! 
School photos are on Monday 27 March. The code for ordering has been sent home and is also available via the SkoolBag app. This also included the code for sibling photos. Please ensure your child is dressed in their full school summer uniform, which includes black shoes and white socks and appropriate hair accessories if being worn. Your support is greatly appreciated.

School Assemblies are Back
Mrs Valensise and our brilliant school leaders ran two successful assemblies during weeks 6 and 7. It was wonderful to award both Principal Awards and Super Kids Certificates to many students, recognising their hard work and achievements this term. I would like to also acknowledge our Year 6 tech crew and chair monitors who ensured the assemblies ran smoothly. Thank you also to our families who were able to attend. Our next 3-6 assembly is Week 9, where the SRC representatives will be inducted. 

Ready, set, go - Regional Swimming Carnival
This week a group of students attended the Regional Swimming Carnival at Gordon Fetterplace Swimming Centre Bradbury. The students did an amazing job and displayed outstanding sportsmanship! A special congratulations to our swimmers who made it to state: Patrick M, Abby F, Josh G ! 

A huge thank you to Mr Wilson for managing the Liverpool Zone team and Mrs Bartram, Mrs Sommerville and Mrs Farah for their support in attending the carnival. These events are not possible without teachers going above and beyond their regular classroom work.

NAPLAN has come early!
As part of planned changes to improve NAPLAN, these ‘point in time’ assessments have been moved from Term 2, to Term 1. This was part of review initiated by NSW in 2019 to make NAPLAN a more effective diagnostic tool. It is hoped that with the assessments being implemented earlier in the school year that the information generated can be used sooner to inform teaching and learning programs. Our Year 3 and 5 students engaged in NAPLAN assessments this week, with both grades completing the writing assessment and Year 3 also completing Reading and Language Conventions. Next week will see Year 3 and 5 completing the mathematics assessment (Wednesday) and Year 5 the completing Reading and Language Conventions tests (Monday). All we ask is students give it their best and that’s exactly what they have done so far – well done Year 3 and 5 students, I am super proud of you all!

Learning Conversations
Learning conversations are fast approaching. They will be held on April 3 (3-6) and April 4 (K-2). There will also be timeslots available on other days to accommodate families. Please note there is a variation to dates for 5 Lilac. Learning conversations are a fabulous opportunity for parents/carers and children to come together to discuss achievements and future learning goals with the class teacher. One of the greatest influences on school success, is the formation and continuity of school-home partnerships.  Information on how to book your conversation, as well as a form to complete about your child, which will support this process was sent home with every student yesterday and also posted on the Skoolbag App. Bookings open on Monday 20 March.

A busy end to Term One
As well as Learning Conversation, there are a number of other events planned to round off Term One. Please keep an eye out for more detailed information relating to these events in the SkoolBag App. A school calendar has also been included further on in the newsletter. 

Third Party Software Consent (repeated item)
If you have not yet returned this consent note, it would be greatly appreciated if this could be done as soon as possible. If you did not receive the note or have any questions, please contact the front office and we will be able to help you. Thank you for your support.

School Physical Activity (repeated item)
A note was sent home earlier this term containing important information relating to physical activity in school and a consent form to be signed and returned to school. If you are yet to return this note, please do so as soon as possible. Your support is greatly appreciated.  

Have a fabulous fortnight!

Nicole Cameron
Principal

A road trip with Mrs Cook and other Principal's to Coonamble. 

Welcome to this fortnight’s newsletter. It has been a busy and very hot week but not as hot as where Miss Cameron and Mrs Cook travelled to this week- Coonamble, in North West NSW. I have already heard about all the amazing things they have learned in just five days and they will be sharing their experiences with the staff early next term.

The next three weeks are going to busy ones as we wind down to the end of Term 1. Please be sure to check your child’s bag for notes as well as the Skoolbag app.

Learning Conversation Bookings go Live Monday 20 March
Every child received a Learning Conversation note this week which will be held in the last week of term. You will need to book an interview time using the School Interview instructions on the note. You are also asked to answer some questions about your child, which need to be returned to the class teacher prior to the learning conversations. Learning Conversations are an integral part of the reporting to parents process with parents, teacher and the child involved in the conversation to discuss progress so far as well as goals they are working towards.

New Feature on Skoolbag
You may have noticed a new feature on the Skoolbag app. The ‘events’ tab at the bottom of the screen was not activated. Thank you to the parent feedback at P&C this week and notifying me of this so I could investigate. Mrs Hankin in the office sprang into action and we now have the events feature which you can sync to your calendar. Check it out!

Personalised Learning Pathways
I do love this time of year when we organise our Personalised Learning Pathway (PLP) meetings for our 22 Aboriginal students. Conversations are planned with the student, parent and teacher to discuss cultural and learning goals which are aspirational and celebrated when achieved. I love learning about our families’ connection to culture and country and seeing the smiles on our students’ faces when they see their network of people together for these important meetings.

Harmony Week

Next week is Harmony Week and we are celebrating Harmony Day on Tuesday 21 March. We ask students to wear orange or their national costume as we celebrate inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all Australians, from the traditional custodians of the land to those who have come from many countries around the world. Thank you to Mrs Brunner and Mrs Lyon for organising the day’s events.

NAPLAN – Years 3 and 5
Well done to our Years 3 and 5 students who started NAPLAN this week. This will continue into next week with Year 5 completing Reading and Language Conventions on Monday 20 March and Years 3 and 5 completing Numeracy on Wednesday 22 March. Thank you Mrs Cabrera and Mrs Finn for your organisation.

Attendance Matters
Every fortnight I analyse the school’s attendance data with the executive team and look at the attendance of our students. I know I do write and talk about this a lot, but school attendance is crucial for student’s to feel a sense of belonging, establish and maintain friendships and of course to ensure continuity of learning. Absences need to be explained via the Skoolbag app or if you prefer a handwritten system, please contact your child’s teacher or the front office so we can send you one. At the moment we have 85.1% of our students attending 90% or more of the time. The Department’s benchmark is to have 90% of our students attending 90% or more of the time. I do believe this is an achievable goal if we all work together to promote the importance of attending school.

Year 7 2023 Expression of Interest High School

Thank you to Mrs Dodd who hosted a Year 6 parent information session last week to explain how to apply for Year 7 entry for 2024 via the Expression of Interest process. This is now online and is a completely different process to how students were enrolled into Year 7 in the past. Please ring the front office if you require further clarification.  

Kiss and Drop Zones
Can I please remind all our parents and carers that the Kiss and Drop Zone  is designed for a quick entry and exit. These zones minimise congestion and risk and operate under the same conditions as no parking zones which means you can only stop to drop off or pick up children for a maximum of 2 minutes. Parents and carers are required to remain in, or within three metres of the vehicle.  

Have a great fortnight everyone, 

Vicky Valensise
Deputy Principal

We are holding our Anzac Day service on the 5th of April at 10am.  Our students have been busy making decorations for our school to show our respect. Our older students helped our younger students cut out the hands and the poppies. They worked together to make these lovely wreaths that will feature in our service.

We will continue to make more artwork and it will be displayed in our school hall and all attendees are welcome to enjoy light refreshments after our service.

If any parents have any glass jars like jam jars or old glass coffee jars, could you please donate these for a craft project for our students.

Mrs Kiri Dorr
Defence School Mentor