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.

Thank you to the parents and carers and our classroom teachers for taking the time over the past 2 weeks to meet and discuss the learning progress of the children in every class. This communication is vital in continuing the school community partnerships.

Ms Botton has been successful in gaining an Assistant Principal position at Samuel Gilbert Public School. Ms Botton has been a valued member of Willoughby PS since January 2000 she has taught a range of classes during her time at Willoughby as well as relieving Assistant Principal on Kindergarten. Ms Botton will start at Samuel Gilbert PS on Monday 29 April. I would like to wish her every success as she takes up her new role and to thank her for her hard work and dedication to the students at Willoughby PS.

Throughout each term our class teachers are explicitly teaching social skills. We often make assumptions that children do have the necessary social skills to develop and maintain friendships but sometimes they do not and need help to develop these life skills. The lessons develop skills in being positive, co-operating, standing up for self, self-esteem, resilience building and  confidence in all social situations. Our aim is to develop resilient, positive engaged learners. The use of restorative justice questions in all situations at Willoughby PS helps our students to accept consequences and to think about and make better choices.

If your child is experiencing difficulties in any area; learning, social skills or friendships it is crucial that your child’s teacher knows about the concerns and is part of the resolution of the issue. Please do not under any circumstances approach or reprimand any children in the playground that is not your own child. This adult interference often escalates the issue rather than resolve it.  Class teachers seek support from their Assistant Principal or Deputy Principal – Mr Michaeil supervises Early Stage 1 and Stage 3, Miss Upston supervises Stage 1 and Stage 2.

This week I had a delegation of students meet with me to report back on the recent SRC meetings K-2 and 3-6. I was very impressed by the discussion we had and the initiative the students displayed in nominating the Term 1 charity for WPS to support. You will find a flyer in today’s newsletter advertising a Mufti Day for Friday 12 April. Thank you for your support and gold coin donation.

Our Stage 1 classes have had a great time exploring our coastal environment at North Narrabeen Environment Centre. The excursion supports work covered in science and geography. The year 2 students managed the light rain very well, Year 1 enjoyed the sunshine. Everyone arrived back at school bursting with enthusiasm and new information to share. Thank you to the stage teachers and parent helpers for a great learning excursion.

Our Year 5 students attended the C.A.R.E.S bike safety program. I have been very impressed by the perseverance of the students who are participating in the Thursday morning bike lessons gaining confidence with their bike riding skills. Well done!

It is extremely important to ensure we have your contact details up to date. Please notify the office if you have a new phone number, email address, or home address. I hope everyone has downloaded the skoolbag app to keep informed of school reminders.

Regular attendance at school is essential for children to achieve their educational best and 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.

Thank you to the wonderful Willoughby PS students who are wearing their school uniform with pride. You look fantastic! So, keep up the great effort.  Please see the photo below as a reminder of our school sock expectation!

C.A.R.E.S (Community and Road Education Scheme)

Stage 3 students are enjoying the opportunity of attending C.A.R.E.S. with their class. The day includes road safety lessons supervised by police officers from Hornsby. The students participate in important safety lessons before learning to ride on a replica road system at St Ives.

Back at school, staff at Willoughby are working with our students each Thursday morning to continue teaching these valuable riding skills to those children who are new to cycling and just need a little extra time on a bike. Our thanks go to the community members who have assisted with this valuable program. Stage 3 look forward to cycling around a section of Lake Burley Griffin whilst visiting Canberra next term.

Willoughby Public School students have been working with our Cromehurst friends from Lindfield for over 20 years by participating in an interactive learning program. Again this year, there will be three programs running: the Year 5 Buddy Program, The Year 2 shared lesson time and Kindy play. The Kindy program begins next term. 

In the Year 5 Buddy Program two students from Willoughby are paired with a student from Cromehurst for a shared session each week. Activities such as painting, art and craft, movement over an obstacle course and bike riding are just some of the activities set up and supervised collaboratively by Cromehurst and Willoughby staff.

Each Willoughby buddy has a communication book in which they write to their Cromehurst buddy’s parents / carers outlining any activities undertaken each week so that families are kept informed. This program is of great benefit to all participants.

We appreciate the support of the Willoughby P & C who assist with an annual grant to help with the cost of transport between our schools. This is community partnership in action.

CONGRATULATIONS 

Dominique Brown (6S) was selected for The Sydney North, Girls Football Team. This team is competing at the State Championships held in Lismore mid May.

 On Monday 25 March we had the pleasure of taking some Stage 2 and 3 students to the Primary Schools 7s Rugby Union Gala Day at Shore Ovals. These students walked to and from the ovals in the rain, played several physically demanding games and cheered each other on from the side lines. For a lot of students, this was their first taste of rugby. Willoughby students displayed strong school spirit and excellent sportsmanship at all times. They were guided and encouraged by a supportive group of volunteer parents whom enabled the day to be a fantastic experience for all. Congratulations to all involved and a special mention to our Senior Girls team who has made it to the next level. A representative from NSW Waratahs will be visiting the school shortly to present the girls with a prize that recognises their success.

Mhairi Overall

• Tuesday 9 April                          WPS Easter Band Welcome in hall - 7.15  to 8.45 am  
• Tuesday 9 April                          Greg Florimo 7's Gala Day
  
• Wednesday 10 April                  Sibling Photos & catch up individual photo day   
• Thursday 11 April                      ANZAC DAY Assembly 
• Friday 12 April                            LAST DAY OF TERM 1

                                                           SRC MUFTI DAYFUNDRAISER - WEAR ORANGE OR BLUE

TERM 2

• Monday 29 April                            STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY  - No students at school
• Tuesday 30 April                            Students return to school
• Thursday 2 May                             WPS Cares Bike Ed - 5D & 6S
• Thursday 9 May                             Mothers' Day stall
• Friday 10 May                                 WPS Cross Country Carnival
• Wednesday 15 May                       WPS Cares Bike Ed - 6RD & 2/6R
• Wednesday 22 May                       WPS P&C Meeting 7.00 pm
  

Could you be an ethics teacher for WPS? We are seeking volunteers so that ethics classes are available for all families who have requested them. Ethics teachers receive full training by Primary Ethics, the not-for-profit organisation approved to design curriculum and training for the ethics program. Training consists of a two day workshop and short online modules. Lesson materials are provided. Suitable volunteers have an interest in children’s education and development of critical thinking skills and must be available Wednesday morning each week to teach a half hour class. A small amount of weekly preparation (such as reading through lesson materials) is also required. In ethics classes, children learn how to think logically, disagree respectfully and support their arguments with evidence, rather than act according to blind habit or peer pressure.  Children discuss topic such as: -imagining how others feel -how do we treat living things? -what is laziness? -how do we disagree in a respectful way? -fairness   If you are looking for an opportunity to make a valuable contribution to our school, please visit www.primaryethics.com.au or  contact Melissa Budic at willoughbypsethics@gmail.com for more information.

Thursday 9 May                                     Mothers & Others Day Stall

Wednesday 22 May                               P&C Meeting 7.00 pm in library

Saturday 23 June                                   Dad's Night Out

Wednesday 14 August                           P&C Meeting 7.00 pm in library

Saturday 24 August                               P&C Parents" Party - ANight in Vegas

Thursday 29 August                               Fathers' Day Stall

28 September                                         Bunnings BBQ

6 November                                            P&C AGM - 7.00 pm in library

29 November                                           Starry Night Movie Night

We sold over 800 sausages, went through nearly 60 loaves of bread and 12.5 kilos of onions. The BBQ alone raised over $2400 for our school, with the Cake Stall raising $2000 for Band.

It was a super effort that wouldn’t have been possible without all of our volunteers.

A BIG THANK YOU to:

Amanda Ley, Graeme Hancock  (school handy-person & always a fabulous helper to the P&C), Carolyn Loughnan, Lisa Gizariotis, Preet Brar, Michael Bryant, Matt Chase, Maimouna Couroumah, Andrew Robson, Lachie Thomas, Todd Venning, Rebecca Edwards, Dan Meier, Paul Groves-Berry, Swarupa Gupta, James Higgins, Al Kellaway, Mark Ley, Matt Loughnan, Claire Martyn, Joel McInnes, Louise Meijer, Julie Monteban, Peter Newman, Darren Pereira, Rahul Singh, Gemma Ley, Zoe Gizariotis, Adam Robson, David Robson, Lucy Kellaway, Amelia Kellaway, Holly Usher, Rachel Meijer.

Dads and Carers, don’t forget to buy a voucher for your child to ‘shop’ at the Mothers Day Stall.  Buy a voucher at https://www.trybooking.com/488343 before 7/5.  The gifts are gorgeous and the kids love going and choosing a gift at the stall.  The gifts will be beautifully pre-wrapped but please send along a bag to take the gift/s home in. 

Parents Party - Save the date - Saturday 24 August

Save the date for our Parents Party - we’re going to Vegas!  Thanks to our event coordinator Adam Hill, the night is going to be amazing… Tickets will be on sale next term, and they’re going to sell quickly!  Don’t miss out!

Traffic Taskforce

Can you see a way to improve the traffic and pedestrian flow before and after school?  We’d love for you to join a roundtable discussion on how it can be improved.  Please contact Jenni or Tanya president@wpspandc.com.au. 

Position vacant in a great team - Graphic Designer

WPS P&C are looking for a graphic designer to design some event material.  If you’re able to help us out please contact president@wpspandc.com.au or have a chat to Jenni or Tanya regarding the scope of the project.