Willoughby Public School Newsletter

Dear Willoughby Public School Year 6 students,

From the bottom of our hearts we would like to thank you for your thoughtful and kind letters.

When we received them yesterday we could not believe how generous these letters were. Whilst we have had a terrible time up here in northern NSW with the weather and floods your beautiful letters have given us a sense of hope.

We have been so looked after by our close community and the wider community of wonderful Australians. We really do live in the best country.

We loved how you shared your own personal stories and interests with us. We read your letters over and over yesterday and then took them home and read them to our families last night. Some happy tears were shed.

Thank you so much for think of us. You can’t imagine how this act of kindness has helped us. You must be part of a beautiful school.

Warm regards,

All the children of Tumbulgum

Last week, 60 Year 6 students participated in the CSIRO Bebras Challenge. Bebras is an international initiative aiming to promote informatics and computational thinking among school students at all ages. Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding results:

High distinction – Nandita Nair and Kalen Stevens

Distinction – Jack Nixon, Daniel Cho, Alanah Ta, Sylvie LaBresh, Lynn Soon, Joseph Thundiyil

Credit – Sean Byrne, Sierra Fletcher, Dia Singh, Lola Hanson, Victoria Flintoft, Heath Kitto, Sterling Parekh Wilson, Sasha Paris, Joshua Ruiz-Lansdell

Bebras Challenge Round 2 will be held at school between 22 August - 4 September 2022.

Mrs Dixon and Mr Atkinson

2022 Premier’s Reading Challenge 

The Challenge is now underway for the year, concluding in August. Years 3-6 Students are challenged to read 20 quality books between now and August, and our K-2 students read 30. For our Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students the Challenge is completed at school, during their Library time. All students take part and we read the books together. There is nothing that needs to be done at home. Our Years 3-6 students complete the Challenge independently, whilst well supported by Library staff. We teach the students how to enter the books they have read onto the PRC website, so that they can continue to do that at home until completion. We validate all completed entries online, then towards the end of Term 4 students receive their Certificates. More information can be found by visiting the PRC website. 

Mrs Debbie de Silva 

Teacher Librarian 

The bands were excited to return to in-person performances on Monday morning, with the traditional Term 1 Easter Band Welcome concert. We were also delighted to welcome the Mayor, Tanya Taylor, back to Willoughby School for the concert and thank her for her support.

The program was kicked off with the first ever performance by the Training Band, who have only been playing for 6 weeks. The band showed off how much they have learned, including the old favourite "Hot Cross Buns".

They were followed by Intermediate Band, and due to the pandemic, this is only their second concert in person - the first was the Easter concert last year! Despite reduced numbers it was amazing how far they have come and they had a great sound.

Performing band performed their first concert under their new conductor Mr  Scarborough, and showed an impressive array of show tunes including "Rolling in the Deep" and "Ain't no Mountain High Enough".

The raffle held at the end of the concert raised nearly $700!

Thanks to the school exec, including Ms Simmonds and Mr Michaeil for their continued support for the band. Well done to the conductors, Mr Marsden, Mr Scarborough, Mr Brinsmead and Ms Parke for their work with the band. A huge shoutout to Meredith Robson for organising a very smooth event. And well done parents and students for getting up early on a Monday morning!

Netball’s back and there was excitement across the Club for Round 1 matches which were played last weekend!

This year we have over 170 children from grades 2 through 6 playing across 19 teams in the Northern Suburbs Netball Association (NSNA)competition. Matches are held at Willoughby Leisure Centre with our Year 4, Year 5 and most Year 6 Netball teams battling it out under lights on Friday evenings (two Year 6 teams play on Saturday mornings). Our youngest registered players – Year 2 and Year 3 Club members – play in the NetSetGo competition held on Sunday mornings.

Despite some inclement weather, teams are settling into their new training schedules which will resume from week 1 of term 2, with the exception of public holidays. It’s been wonderful to see the kids back on the school courts most afternoons and some mornings having fun, keeping active and learning new skills with their coaches and peers.

We’re a volunteer-run club so it’s also been heartening to see families putting up their hands to get involved. From Team Managers who play a vital role in sharing information between the Club and their teams, to our volunteer parent umpires and coaches who’ve attended weekend training and refresher courses ahead of the season, parents attending our Term 1 Committee meeting and, of course, our players who come with energy and a positive sporting attitude to training and matches. It takes all of us to make the season possible and enjoyable – so, thank you.

A few reminders:

• The 2022 training and match calendar is available on the P&C website.
• Team fixtures can be accessed here on PlayHQ by selecting the NetSetGo or Netball competition, then your team.
• Round 2 matches are scheduled for this weekend (weather permitting). If you’re away, please let your Team Manager know so they can confirm numbers and borrow additional players as necessary.
• In the event of non-friendly netball weather on match days, be sure to keep an eye on both the NSNA website and WPSNC socials (Facebook and Insta) for any updates which are generally posted after 3pm on Fridays, 7am on Saturdays and 7:30am on Sundays. No message generally means games are ON.

·         After two years with restrictions, spectators are invited back to the sidelines. Please keep comments positive and encouraging, ensuring you remain well away from the edges of the court to allow the umpire room to move and see. And remember, furry friends are not allowed at the netball courts on game days.

• Our Term 2 Committee Meeting is scheduled for 7pm on Monday 16 May. Please mark it in your diary as we’re keen to see you there!