Willoughby Public School Newsletter

Positive Behaviour Engaging Learners (PBEL) is a system we have had in place at Willoughby for many years. 

The philosophy of this program aims to improve outcomes for all students by creating sustainable school-wide, classroom and individual systems of support that acknowledge the link between positive behaviour and enhanced learning environments.

As part of our future direction planning for Willoughby Public School, the PBEL system has been reviewed, and some exciting changes are on their way. 

We'll be announcing these in coming newsletters. Stay tuned! 

Last term 3S investigated some of the tools in Microsoft 365.

One app we really like is Sway. It is a cloud based presentation app that is similar to Powerpoint.

Sway is simple to use. It is easy to add images and information.

You can change the design or order of the slides easily. And, guess what?  You never have to worry about saving because it does it automatically for you.

It is also great because you can access it at home and at school by the cloud.

We really like using it and think you should give it a try.

3S are experts in Sway and are happy to help.

Click on the link to see our presentations.  

We hope you enjoy them.

Aidan, Kiran and Sarah 3S

https://sites.google.com/education.nsw.gov.au/3s-science-sways/home​.

Book Week

It’s Book Week! Yaaaaaayyyyy!!!!

Welcome to yet another beautiful, magical, inspirational week of celebrating brilliant books, classic characters, and sensational stories!

Or, if you’re a parent, an exhausting, stressful, weirdly competitive week of hot glue, expensive outfits and debates over whether Minecraft outfits are appropriate for Book Week.

This week saw our whole school turn up in our typically awesome way, and I for one, could not be more impressed with the incredible outfits and exuberance shown by our staff and students. Despite the fact that a walk through the playground meant encountering witches, villains, nannies, princesses, crayons, spies, the undead and (for some reason) Darth Vader, this time felt so wonderfully NORMAL. To have a day full of silliness and celebration in a year full of chaos and disruption certainly put a smile on more than just my face.

We were unable to have our regular assembly this year, but if you want to hear the speech Mr Thorn prepared, please head to the library site to check it out (www.librarywps.com). Fair warning, it’s a weird one.

Thank you to our wonderful WPS community for their generous support of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. We raised the magnificent amount of $1288.05!! If you forgot to donate on Wednesday and would like to help us support a great cause, you can donate online from the WPS library Homepage (www.librarywps.com).

James Thorn & Debbie de Silva - Teacher Librarians 

If you have a 2021 school-ready child at home who will be starting Kindergarten next year, please commence the registration process by visiting our front office and filling out a registration form, or preferably completing the new Online Enrolment.

The Online Enrolment System is designed to provide flexibility for our parents to submit an enrolment application online and at the time that best suits you. The application can be accessed on all browsers and mobile devices including iOS and Android.

The online application process is currently restricted to:

• Enrolments into local schools only
• Children who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or permanent residents
• Children who live in NSW.

We offer our support and encourage you to complete your application to enrol online. If, however, you do not feel comfortable completing an application online, a paper copy will be available for collection from the front office or can be downloaded from the Department’s going to a public school site

Further information about online enrolment can be found on the NSW Department of Education's website here.

The WPS band program starts with Training Band and gives children in Year 3 and up the opportunity to discover music and learn a musical instrument in a fun, group setting.

For students currently in Year 2, we run a series of events introducing them to the instruments in our band:

1)    Introduction to WPS Band and band Instruments via short film shown in class.

2)    Rhythm Test- Tuesday 10th November for students wishing to try out for percussion. Only required if your child is interested in percussion instruments.

3)    Welcome to Band - Information Night (for students and parents) on Tues 17th November via Zoom.

This year, due to COVID restrictions we are unable to provide an opportunity for Year 2 students to see our Performing Band perform live or to try the instruments. As a substitute, please click on the following links to see our WPS Performing Band 2019 and to familiarise yourself with the instruments on offer, please watch the NSW Police Band Video.

Please subscribe to the Band 2021 Mailing List, to receive all the information necessary to decide whether your family would like to join the band community in 2021. Our timeline is limited, so please make sure you join the mailing list by Wed 4th November.

If you have any questions, contact the co-secretaries Anita Ackerman and Kevin Wong at band.secretary@wpspandc.com.au  

Kind regards

Meredith Robson and Jason Jones

WPS Band Co-Convenors

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.