Willoughby Public School Newsletter

Dear Parents and carers

Welcome back to Willoughby PS for another exciting year of learning. We have had a settled start and have welcomed 35 new students into Years 1 to 6 and 137 kindergarten students. Thank you for your patience during our holding pattern. We formed our 2021 classes Kindergarten to Year 6 on Thursday 4 February.

Support Staff and Administration
Library		James Thorn, Deb DeSilva and Kiki Pandelas
EALD		Elizabeth Andrews and Sandra Murphy
Community language		Simy Chen
Learning and Support Teacher		Nicole Winkler
Teacher Mentor		Michelle Tingle
Maths Specialist teachers		Alisoun Garrard K-2, and Sandy Stericker 3-6.
Music		Maree Lyons and Kath Mills
School Learning and support officers:		Kate Andrews, Tina Kitromilides, Lis Robertson, Ros Sutton, Emily Wong, Roxana Pop, Alina Galoustian, Simone Mattison and Maddie Andrews
Business Manager:		Snez Thomson
School Admin Manager		Ruth Rosebery
School Admin Officers:		Denise Voysey, Sue Uzelac, Cherlye Millynn, Pauline Godfrey and Diane Cole
General Assistant		Graeme Hancock

Congratulations to our amazing kindergarten students for their successful start to school last Thursday. The children have settled really well into their classes and started making new friends.

Our Year 6 leaders have been present in the playground before school, recess and lunch, and when needed in the classroom, providing a reassuring and caring presence for those children who are a little overawed by big school.

Kindergarten parents were greeted at home time on Friday with big smiles from their children and the teachers.

I would like to thank our kindergarten teachers for providing a warm and nurturing environment for the kindy children. Thank you also to kindy parents for your positive support of this important milestone in your child’s life.

We are happy for students to ride their bikes to school and have bike storage racks along the Keary Street fence line, beside the Kindy block. Bike locks are recommended. 

Please see below some handy links to road rules and cycling safety to help guide conversations with your children. 

Please take some time to revise expectations and safety to help keep everyone safe. 

https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/bicycle-riders/laws.html

https://bicyclensw.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/532-1218-B-KIds-Safety-Brochure.pdf

A word from our P&C President

Welcome back to another great year at Willoughby Public School. I hope you all had a relaxing break and weren't too hindered by State border closures and wet weather!Unfortunately, due to current COVID restrictions, our Term 1 P&C events (Kindy Morning Tea, Parent's Welcome Drinks, Family Fun Day) are all currently on hold, as per the guidelines from the Department of Education. We will keep you updated as this changes throughout the year.I'd like to personally invite you to our Term 1 P&C Meeting on Wednesday 3rd March at 7pm, in the School Hall. A zoom link will also be sent via SkoolBag closer to the time. Our quarterly meetings are a great opportunity to hear what's happening in and around our school and to have your say on important issues. We hope to see you there!

Daniel Barber

Please feel free to contact me at: president@wpspandc.com.au

HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR PAVER YET? 

We’re bringing back the chance to buy your very own Willoughby Public School commemorative paver! Students and staff, past and present, are invited to purchase a personalised paver. They’ll sit alongside the existing pavers in the Rose Garden, to record your place in WPS history.Find all the details of the project and purchase your paver here: https://vicepresidentcomms.wixsite.com/makeyourmark

CHESS CLUB

Chess Club classes are run at WPS in face-to-face classes. Classes are fun and involve combinations of interactive lessons, puzzles, reviewing tournament games and playing with other students. The classes will be run by Sydney Academy of Chess professional teachers on the following days during term times:

• Years K-3: Tuesday 7:45am to 8:45am
• Years 4-6: Wednesday 7:45am to 8:45am

Kindy kids are encouraged to join starting in Term 3. No prior chess playing experience is necessary. 

To register, please head to the Sydney Academy of Chess website and enter one of the codes:

• https://sydneyacademyofchess.com.au/payment
• Years K-3: Tuesdays enter this code: LOEZRVAXWL
• Years 4-6: Wednesdays enter this code: 4R02OD3JJF

Note that Chess Club will be adhering to WPS and Department of Education and Department sanitising health requirements.If you have any questions head to the P&C site here: https://www.wpspandc.com.au/chess/ or feel free to get in touch - contact details on site. We look forward to welcoming back the students in face-to-face classes,Chess Club Exec.

NETBALL CLUB

Registrations closing soon for Season 2021 ?♥️☀️We welcome girls and boys from Year 2 for Net Set Go, and from Year 4 for Netball.It’s a new registration process compared to previous years so please read instructions carefully.Active Kids Vouchers accepted!Please go to our WPSNC website to register: https://www.wpspandc.com.au/netball/

UNIFORM SHOP

The current Uniform Shop opening hours are:

Wednesday 8.30-9.30am

Friday 8.30-9.30am

We encourage you to order online if possible. Your items will be delivered to your child's classroom on Wednesday and Friday each week.

Please put your child's name and class in the notes area when you order.  

Order online at https://wps-uniform-shop.myshopify.com/

If you need to come into the shop, we are located in the corridor on the left, just past the office (near the library). Donations of second-hand items are being accepted and can be left in baskets outside the Uniform Shop.

Any questions please contact Lynda Morris, our Uniform Shop Manager on 0416 046 181 or Uniform@wpspandc.com.au

At Willoughby Public School we have a number of students with a

LIFE THREATENING NUT / PEANUT ALLERGY.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Even a small trace of nut, peanut or nut/peanut product may trigger a severe allergic reaction called Anaphylaxis, which attacks the immune system leading potentially to death within minutes.

This reaction can happen by taste, touch and sometimes can be airborne. All of these students have access to an adrenaline injection in the form of an Epipen, which can save lives. Photo posters are displayed in the classrooms, canteen, staffroom, playground bags and sick bay for easy identification of these children.

Willoughby PS works with parents/carers to support students in developing an awareness of their allergies and what foods to avoid. Students are encouraged not to share food and to always check with a parent/adult/teacher if unsure at any time. 

HOW CAN YOU HELP TO KEEP WPS STUDENTS SAFE? 

Please help us by not including peanut or any nut products in your child’s lunchbox. This includes peanut butter and Nutella. 

Please avoid products with any nuts/peanuts listed as an ingredient. 

Explain about nut/peanut allergy to your child and encourage the ‘no food sharing’ rule. 

Please consider what you are sending for birthday treats to share with the class, checking there are no nut products included. 

The school canteen does not serve products containing nuts. 

It is only with the continued support of all parents and staff that we can effectively maintain a safe school environment for these children.  

Thank you for your understanding. We know you will want to support the school and these children.