Willoughby Public School Newsletter

At Willoughby Public School we empower students to demonstrate creativity, collaboration, curiosity and persistence to become successful life-long learners. Students will be challenged in productive and innovative learning environments promoting inclusivity, resilience, respect and confidence.

• STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY TUESDAY 28  JANUARY  2020 - No students at school
  
• STUDENTS YEARS 1-6 RETURN ON WEDNESDAY 29 JANUARY 2020
• BEST START INTERVIEWS FOR KINDERGARTEN   -  29, 30 & 31 January & 3 February
• KINDERGARTEN WILL COMMENCE ON TUESDAY 4 FEBRUARY
  

The school has five school development days per year and we ask parents/carers to make alternative arrangements for their children. These days are invaluable for whole school planning and Professional Learning and they usually occur on the first day of Terms 1, 2 and 3 and on the last two days in Term 4.

World Teachers’ Day is celebrated on 25 October in Australia. I would like to acknowledge our outstanding teachers we have at Willoughby Public School. Our teachers know value and care for every student in our school, providing a positive learning environment which allows every student to achieve their personal best. They collaborate, care, inspire, support our students and each other every day. It’s my privilege to work with our awesome teachers at Willoughby.

Congratulations to our amazing students in our creative arts groups: dance, choirs, ukulele, recorder, guitar/ harp who performed with such joy and enthusiasm.

Thank you to our outstanding music team for co-ordinating such an inspiring event – celebrating our creative students.

Regular attendance at school is essential for children to achieve their educational best, increasing career and life options. I would like to remind you that the Education Act (1990) requires parents to ensure that children of compulsory school age attend school each day it is open for instruction. Class rolls are marked every morning and parents are required to sign their child/children in at the school office if they are late and out if they are leaving early. Thank you for your ongoing support with this issue.

Attending school every day = 100% attendance

Attending school 4 ½ days a week = 90% attendance = 4 weeks missed per year

Attending 4 days a week = 80% attendance = more than half a term missed per year.

Attending school 3 ½ days each week = 70% attendance = more than a quarter of the school missed per year.

An average attendance of 80% or less across a child’s school career adds up to missing a whole 2 years from school.

Being late for school reduces learning time.

If your child is 5 minutes late every day they will miss three days of learning each year.

If your child is 15 minutes late every day they will miss 2 weeks of learning each year.

At Willoughby PS we have teachers rostered on duty from 8:35am. Students are reminded to walk into the school playground where the teachers are on duty and remain there. Only handball games are allowed in the playground before school.  

 If you are planning on leaving Willoughby PS at the end of 2019 (other than Year 6 students) please let the office know in writing – addressed to the principal. This information helps with class organisation and planning for 2020.

We are currently seeking kindergarten enrolments for 2020. If you have eligible children or know of neighbours who have school age children please contact the school office for enrolment information. Our kindergarten transition meetings / school sessions are:

·         Monday 28 October and Thursday 31 October – 9:30 – 11:00am

·         Monday 4 November and Thursday 7 November – 9:30 – 11:00am

·         Monday 11 November and Thursday 14 November – 9:30 – 11:00am

Our aim is to have our new kindergarten students attend every session along with their parents. We will be presenting information about our school and the learning programs as well as providing opportunities for new friendships to begin prior to starting at Willoughby in 2020.

All students are reminded to wear correct school uniform, please see the attached sheet outlining the uniform expectation. The additional options for the girls – shorts and long trousers will be available Term 1 2020, until then the girls can wear the sports uniform. The Uniform Shop has advised they have a range of quality second hand items available. The lost property boxes in the corridor of Block C are overflowing – a good place to check first for any missing items.

Jennifer Simmonds

6 November                                            P&C AGM - 7.00 pm in library

22 November                                          Starry Night Movie Night