Dear Parents and carers
Our Vision – the future of learning at Willoughby
A huge thank you to our WPS P&C co-presidents Tanya and Jenni for organising the Willoughby Building update meeting on Wednesday evening. School Infrastructure - Tim Shand, Clare Sowden and Rebecca Wickham, School Learning Environments and Change - Jeffrey Lambert and I presented an overview of our building project at Willoughby PS preparation, professional learning that the teachers are undertaking in readiness for 2020. Thank you to the interested parents and teachers that attended, everyone had great opportunities to ask questions around their concerns. We will add information to our school website and a flythrough of the new classrooms shortly.
Extracurricular creative arts!
The Willoughby Soiree was postponed due to wet weather. We hope you have added the new date to your diary Wednesday 16 October starting at 7pm. An opportunity to have our magnificent students perform in their various performing arts groups.
Staff news
Today we farewell Mrs Lowe and Gracie – thank you for your hard work and dedication to the students and staff at Willoughby PS. We wish you the very best as you relocate back to the UK. We also farewell Miss Mahoney and Mr Gortley – thank you for your great work and support throughout Term 2 and Term 3. Thank you also to Miss Michelle Upston for relieving in the Deputy Principal role for Terms 1, 2 and 3. We welcome Mrs Emma Blake starting at Willoughby PS on 14 October as our new Deputy Principal. Miss Melissa Cho has been appointed as a permanent teacher to Willoughby PS and Miss Regina Chen will be taking up her permanent teacher position on 28 January 2020.
Thank you and happy holiday
I would like to congratulate all students at Willoughby PS – we have had a great term of learning. I have been very impressed to see students: showing respect, being responsible and working towards their personal best. Thank you to our wonderful teachers, enjoy a relaxing holiday! I’m hoping to read a few books during my break ……..I hope you do as well.
Before school safety
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.
Planning for 2020
If you are planning on leaving Willoughby PS at the end of 2019 from Kindergarten to Year 5 please let the office know in writing – addressed to the principal. This information helps with class organisation and planning for 2020.
Kindergarten 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 21 October evening meeting for parents.
GROUP A-K Surnames - 9.30 - 10.45 am
Monday 28 October
Monday 4 November
Monday 11 November
GROUP L - Z Surnames - 9.30 - 10.45 am
Thursday 31 October
Thursday 7 November
Thursday 14 November
Our aim is to have our new kindergarten students to 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.
School Uniform
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.
Attendance
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.
Jennifer Simmonds
