Willoughby Public School Newsletter

Week 8 - Friday 22 March 2019

School Vision Statement

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.

Principal's Report

Parent Teacher Meetings

           

Willoughby Public School was buzzing last Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with parents and teachers at our annual parent / teacher information evenings.

Our teachers shared information around class/ school organisation, learning and expectations. Parents were able to see how our school-wide expectations encourage students to:

Show respect

      Be responsible

          Do your personal best

          These expectations are reflected in every class with the students and teachers developing their class expectations together – joint ownership. The class expectations become the language of positive decision making. As a school we are implementing restorative justice questions: What happened? What were you thinking at the time? Who has been affected by what has happened? What could be done to make things right? We would like all students at Willoughby PS to reflect on their own behaviour and decision making at all times – making good choices. We are the guides – helping our children make good decisions that positively impact on their learning and behaviour.

          Thank you to our wonderful teachers for preparing the information sessions. Thank you to Mr Michaeil and Miss Upston for attending each evening and helping me lock up the school.

          School leaders represented WPS at Rose’s memorial

          On Tuesday 26 February our school leaders Elise, James, Eddy, Scarlett, Mrs Thomson, Mr Michaeil and I attended with Willoughby Mayor Ms Gail Giles-Gidney, Mr Hazelwood, Mrs Taylor, Mrs Bowen and a small group of community members to dedicate a plaque to Rose Hazelwood. The group recognised and acknowledged the huge contribution Rose made within the Willoughby community with her vigilance as the pedestrian crossing supervisor for 25 years on High street.

          CAUGHT YOU BEING GOOD

          Our positive reward system has been working well. It’s great to see so many caught you being good awards in the bucket each week. Keep up the great effort! The more you earn – the higher the probability of having your name drawn out of the bucket for the canteen voucher.

          SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

          Thank you to our Willoughby PS students who have been showing respect for our school environment and putting their rubbish in the bin or taking it back home in their lunch boxes. I can see an improvement across our school playground. So keep doing the right thing and put the rubbish in the bin!

                  

          SCHOOL UNIFORM EXPECTATIONS

          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!

          KINDERGARTEN UPDATE

                         

          Congratulations to our fabulous kindergarten students! We are very impressed by the way you have settled into school life at Willoughby PS. We have painted colourful class lines on the asphalt for you to place your bags along as you have a little play before the bell rings. We ask that parents move away from the lines allowing the children space to line up ready to move to class with their teachers. Parents can assist their child to develop independence by leaving before or as soon as the morning bell rings. We have teachers rostered onto playground supervision each morning to supervise the students.

          BEFORE SCHOOL PLAYGROUND AREA

          A reminder that the playgrounds are open each morning from 8:35am. Students are encouraged to move to less crowded areas for before school play, and be mindful of younger and smaller students. Handballs are fine, but no larger balls can be played with before school.

          Parent Guide to NSW Syllabuses

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          Dates for your Diary


          • Monday 11 March                      SCHOOL PHOTOS - Years 1 - 5
          • Monday 11 March                       C.A.R.E.S Road Education Years 5 & 6 at St Ives
          • Thursday 14  or 21 March         Year 4 Botany Bay Excursion (2 groups)
          • Thursday 14 March                    Year 5 & 6 Billionaire Boy  - Concourse Chatswood
          • Friday 15 or Mon 18 March       Year 2 Coastal Walk Narrabeen   (2 groups) 
          • Friday 15 March                          WPS Zone Swimming Carnival   
          • Monday 18 March                       WPS SCHOOL PHOTOS - Kindy & Year 6
          • Wednesday 20 March                 Years 5 & 6 Paul Kelly Cup
          • Wednesday 20 - 22 March          2/6R Camp - Mowbray Park - Picton
          • Thursday 21 March                      HARMONY DAY
          • Monday 25 March - 5 April         PARENT/TEACHER Interviews - information to follow
          • Friday 28 or 29 March                 Year 3  Botany Bay Excursion (2 groups) 
          • Friday 28 March                            Sydney North Swimming Carnival     
          • Tuesday 9 April                             WPS Band Welcome - 7.15  to 8.45 am  
          • Wednesday 10 April                     Sibling Photos & catch up individual photo day   
          • Thursday 11 April                         ANZAC DAY Assembly         

          PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

                     


          Parent Teacher Interviews will be held during Weeks 9 and 10, Monday 25 March-Friday 5 April.  Interviews are booked using an online system. Information on how to book an interview with your child’s teacher will be provided next week.

          Michelle Upston

          MEDWAY LANE (Post Office Lane)

                     

          Dear Parents/Carers,

          I am writing to bring to your attention a very serious near-miss which occurred late last week in Medway Lane, and to again ask for your support in NOT walking into or out of the school via Medway Lane.

          After school on Friday a student exited the school via the Medway Lane driveway and ran in front of an assisted-transport taxi that was driving up the lane to collect students.

          Thankfully the driver was able to stop, however both he and the student were extremely shaken. 

          The school has been asking parents and carers not to use the laneway driveways as entry and exit point to the school because of the danger that vehicles pose. I remind everyone that Medway Lane is a public road and is used by construction trucks, delivery vans, taxis (for student transport) and cars. There is no footpath and it is not safe for pedestrians. 

          We constantly educate and remind students about road and pedestrian safety and ask you to support our efforts to keep students safe by setting a good example and using the footpaths and school entry gates on Oakville Road and Keary Street. Please do not use Medway Lane as an access point to the school. 

          Please put safety ahead of convenience. 

          HARMONY DAY

                         

          Willoughby Public School students will be celebrating Harmony Day on Thursday 21 March. Harmony Day is a celebration of Australia’s multiculturalism. It is a day for all Australians to celebrate our cultural diversity, take a stand against racism, share the values of Australian democracy and promote community harmony.

          Orange is the colour associated with Harmony Day. Students are encouraged to dress in mufti (casual clothes for the day), wearing something orange.

          Classes will display art in their classrooms inspired by native tree leaves. Each grade will visit each other’s classrooms to view the Harmony Day art and buddy classes will visit each other’s classrooms as well.

          Class Map 2019 Willoughby PS

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          SkoolBag App

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          SPORTS NEWS

                     

          Sports News – North Shore Zone Football Trials

          Last week the North Shore Zone Football Trials took place at Cammeray Oval. The following students were selected to represent our zone in PSSA trial matches.

          Charlie Mackintosh, Saskia Burrough and Dom Brown. Congratulations to these students.

           

          Mr Talbot, Mrs Dixon & Miss Stanley 

          WPS SWIMMING CARNIVAL

                      

          Swimming Carnival 2019

          Our swimming carnival was held on Tuesday 5 March at Macquarie University Aquatic Centre. We would like to thank our wonderful students who created a fantastic atmosphere of sportsmanship throughout the day.

          Our House Captains and Vice Captains in their colourful outfits were busy all day competing, leading their houses in cheers, helping students make it to their races and much more. Thank you also to all the teachers who worked throughout the day to make it a successful carnival. Our parent volunteers and supporters were very much appreciated and another integral part of making our carnival a success.

          We had some records broken on the day (one record was broken not once but twice!):

          Open 100m Freestyle                     Amelie Constantian        1.12.39  (previous record 2009, 1.11.84)

          11 Years Girls 50m Butterfly         Amelie Constantian        35.84 (previous record 2013, 45.00)

          11 Years Girls 50m Freestyle        Amelie Constantian        32.48 (previous record 2008, 36.04)

          11 Years Girls 50m Backstroke    Olivia Corr                       43.86 (previous record 2013, 44.54)

          11 Years Girls 50m Backstroke    Amelie Constantian        38.81 (previous record 2019, 43.86)

          The Zone Swimming Carnival will be held at Drummoyne Pool on Friday 15 March. More information regarding our Zone team to come. Students who have qualified for the WPS Zone Swimming team will receive a permission note later this week.

                  
                         

          ATTENTION – IMPORTANT NOTICE

          NUT & PEANUT ALLERGY (ANAPHYLAXIS)

           

          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.

          WE ARE AWARE

          Download

          KILLARNEY HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL OPEN NIGHT

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          FLEXISCHOOLS HEALTHY CANTEEN MENU

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          HARMONY DAY WILOUGHBY CITY COUNCIL

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          2019 Welcome Picnic and Party

           



          Events in 2019

           

          Don’t forget to put these important dates in your diary so you don’t miss them:

           

          9 March Welcome Picnic and Party NEW DATE

          23 March Election Day BBQ 

          9 May Mothers Day Stall

          22 May P&C Meeting

          23 June Dads night out

          29 June Mums night out

          14 August P&C Meeting

          24 August Parents Party - A Night in Vegas

          29 August Fathers Day Stall

          28 September Bunnings BBQ

          6 November P&C AGM

          30 November Starry Night 

           

          We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

           

          Jenni and Tanya

          WPS P&C Co-Presidents

          President@wpspandc.com.au

           

           

           

          WPS P&C CHESS CLUB

          Chess Club is now open

           

          Chess Club is on Tuesdays (years 1-3) & Thursdays (years 4-6) 7:45am - 8:45am.

           

          Benefits:

          - Kids learn Chess under professional Sydney School of Chess tutors

          - It’s an opportunity to expand your kids creative and strategic minds'

          - Kids love it and it’s fun, plus it’s another game they can play together!

           

          Over 100 kids participating each year. There are also opportunities to enter inter-school competitions throughout the year.

           

          Register here:

          http://www.wpspandc.com.au/chess/chess-registration/

           

          See you at the boards!

           

          Chess Club

          Willoughby Public School