Willoughby Public School Newsletter
Thursday 6 November 2014
Term: 4 Week: 5
DATES FOR THE COMING WEEK
Thursday 6 November
Kindy Orientation Day L - Z - 9.30 to 10.45am
Dr Shoe at Uniform Shop
K - 2 assembly - KM & KS - 2.00 pm in the hall
Friday 7 November
Monday 10 November
Year 6 Fete - see inside for more details
Thursday 13 November
Friday 14 November
Kindy Orientation Day A - K - 9.30 to 10.45am
Dr Shoe at Uniform Shop
Kindy Orientation Day L - Z - 9.30 to 10.45am
Dr Shoe at Uniform Shop 8.30 - 9.30 am
Year 3 - 6 assembly - 3D - 2.00 pm in the hall
BAND CUPCAKE FUNDRAISER
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Monday 17 to 28 November
Monday 24 November
Friday 28 November
Friday 5 December
Monday 8 December
Wednesday 10 December
Thursday 11 December
Friday 12 December
Monday 15 December
Wednesday 17 December
Year 1 Group 2 (1AC, 1BR, 1D, 1L, 1W) Badger Swim School
Year 2 Group 2 (2W) Badger Swim School - North Sydney
Year 3 Group 2 (3D, 3L, 3M, 3S, 3U, 3T) Badger Swim School
Kindergarten - 8 day Swimming Program at Lane Cove
WPS P&C Starry Night Movie & Markets, from 5.30 pm
Year 5 & 6 Surf Education at Collaroy Beach to 3 December
Dr Shoe at the Uniform Shop 8.30 to 9.30am
Annual School Chess Championship
Year 6 End of year Picnic - Manly Kayak Centre
Year 6 Graduation Dinner Dance
Volunteers at Willoughby PS - Thank You Breakfast
Scripture assemblies
Year 4 End of Year Picnic & IMAX at Moore Park
Year 5 End of Year Picnic Bowling and Movie at Chatswood
Year 3 End of Year Picnic Sports Day at Homebush
Kindergarten and Year 1 End of Year Picnic Day
Year 2 End of Year Picnic & Movie at Chatswood
LAST DAY OF TERM 4
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2015
Wednesday 28 January
Monday 2 February
Year 1 - 6 Students commence school
Kindergarten students commence school
2015 Start of Year Dates
Staff Development Day (no students)
Tuesday 27 January
Kindergarten Best Start appointments
Tuesday 27 January to Friday 30 January
Year 1-6 students (& new WPS students by appointment) commence school – Wed 28 January
Kindergarten students commence school
Monday 2 February
30-34 Oakville Road, Willoughby NSW 2068 Ph 9958 1355 Fax 9967 2381
Newsletter submissions by Monday 5.00 pm to: [email protected]
Email: [email protected] Website: www.willoughby-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
P&C Website: www.wpspandc.com.au
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong.
Mahatma Gandhi
School News
Last Thursday K to 6 assembled in Area 2 at 12.30pm to sing Paint You A Song with 500 000 other
students from around the world. All classes learnt the words in class and sang with much
enthusiasm on Thursday. Thank you to Maree Lyons as team leader for this event.
World Teachers’ Day
Thank you on behalf of the teachers to our wonderful community for your kind wishes, lovely
surprises and good humour on Friday at school for World Teachers’ Day. Staff walked into the
administration building to a fabulous big sign pinned to the outside of the building recognising World
Teachers’ Day, they saw terrific signs around the school and everyone had a smile on their faces for
fabulous Friday.
Festive Flag Competition
Congratulations, below are the winners of the Willoughby Festive Flag Competition,
Samuel B 1W, Jaisy C 5K, Claudia C 2W, Milan D 2A, Anjali D 5K, Ella D 4T, Maya G 4T, Freda H
4M, Madoka H 6S, Ella H 5M, Matthew L 1L, Lara McE 3S, Ainsley M 6R, Oscar S 1AC, Alexandra
S 2S, Georgia T 4I, Nicole W 4T.
Council had an overwhelming response of 1,158 entries for this competition. There were a total of 40
winning flags which will hang throughout the Chatswood CBD from 20 November 2014 until early
January.
Foyer Display
Spring has sprung in the foyer with some gorgeous flower paintings from KS. Come on down and
have a look.
Cold - A Poem from Charlie R and David B in 3S
Cold
Cold keeps the night awake
Cold fights day like a dark bite in light
Cold finds gold in a field of fire
Cold nights are hard, sleep is hard
Cold eats shadows, consumes time
Cold sleeps
Kills
Great poem boys – well done
What is a homonym?
Let's face it, English can be a crazy language. Take homonyms, for example. These are words that
are identical in pronunciation and spelling but have different meanings. This homonym list will
provide some clarity. Find out more: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/homework-and-study/
english/english-a-to-z/-/english_glossary/8Qum/1084/homonym
Sun safety
This spring has seen temperatures soar. A new information pack with the latest advice on sun
safety is available for schools and parents. Find out more: http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/
studentsupport/studenthealth/sun-safety/index.php
Digital citizenship
We're the first generation of parents responsible for equipping our children with digital citizenship
skills – how to use technology safely and responsibly, and how to evaluate, manage and use the
information and tools they find online. Here are some tips to get you started:
http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/technology/using-technology/raising-good-digital-citizens
Patricia Petterson
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Breakfast for Volunteers – save the date!
The students of Willoughby are fortunate to have the ongoing support of so many wonderful parents
and carers who have volunteered during the year. As a special thank you to all volunteers, the
teachers extend an invitation to join us for a breakfast on Wednesday 10 December from 8 –
8.45am in the hall. We hope to be able to say thank you in person to all our fantastic volunteers.
Kindergarten Orientation
Lots of excited pre-school children enjoyed their morning with us this week, exploring our Kindy
classrooms, meeting some of our current Kindy teachers and making new friends.
Thank you to our fabulous Year 6 buddies for the great job you did helping out with name tags,
classroom activities and making sure everyone had a lovely morning.
The remaining dates for Kindergarten Orientation are:
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Monday 10 November for those children with A-K surnames.
Thursday 13 November for those children with L-Z surnames.
All Kindy Orientation sessions start at 9.30am and finish by 10.45am. The meeting place is just
outside the hall.
End of Year Events - Some dates for your diary:
K-2 Presentation Assemblies
To celebrate the end to another busy year our K-2 classes will be having special grade assemblies
in the WPS hall.
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Kindergarten Thursday 11 December 9.10-10am
Year 1 Thursday 11 December 10.10-11am
Year 2 Thursday 11 December 11.30-12.30pm
Year 3-6 Presentation Assembly
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Tuesday 9 December 9-11am WGHS hall
Group Photos
All of our group photos are currently on display at the office. There are two options to order the
photos.
Option 1: Order and pay $14 online. Please ask at the office for an order envelope with the details.
Option 2: Ask at the office for an order envelope, pay $18 by cash and return to the school payment
box by tomorrow, Friday 7 November.
Michelle Verhagen
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
School Surveys -2014 Annual School Report
It is a requirement for all NSW schools to undertake annual evaluations related to various aspects
of the school. Our 2014 focus areas are indicated in brackets.
●
●
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school culture – (Learning)
curriculum– (Mathematics)
general school satisfaction
Our annual surveys are also available to all parents/carers online through the school website and
through the parent email system. Staff and students will also be accessing similar surveys
online. The web addresses below are also hyperlinked for those of you reading this newsletter on
your computer. Please take a few moments to complete these surveys.
For those reading the paper newsletter, please type the link below into your web browser.
If you cannot access the survey online and wish to complete the surveys, a limited number of paper
copies will be available from the office .The on-line surveys will be ‘open’ for responses until
Wednesday 12 November.
(Parent/Carer Learning survey)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BNPHYTH
(Parent/Carer Mathematics survey)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BFGVLYT
(Parent/Carer School Satisfaction Survey)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BGQMTFP
Thank you in anticipation of your support.
David Trevena
COMMUNITY NOTICES
CARTOON CAMPS - North Shore
We cater for children 4 - 15 years. For further information - please email
[email protected]
CHINESE LANGUAGE CLASSES
Ambassadors Multicultural Chinese School. Mandarin and Cantonese classes from K - 10
www.ammchineseschool.org
MARY MEETS MOHAMMED FILM SCREENING Thursday 27 November 7.30pm at St Stephen’s
Anglican Church, 211 Mowbray Road, Willoughby. (A light supper will be provided from 7pm.) This
film follows the arrival of Tasmania’s first detention centre through the eyes of local Christian woman
and knitting club member Mary and Muslim Afghan Hazara asylum seeker Mohammad. It is the
winner of the 2014 United Nations Media award and a Walkley Award Finalist in 2013. This is a
FREE COMMUNITY SCREENING but we ask that you bring along donations of groceries and
other everyday items which will be donated to asylum seekers via the Simply Love
www.simplelove.com.au. For more information about the film www.marymeetsmohammad.com.au
For any other queries contact Ros Bell 0410 337 479.
WPS CHESS CLUB NEWS
Congratulations to Nicholas Choy from the
Advanced class who was presented with his Golden
King award for collected 20 Merit awards in 2014.
Well done Nicholas.
Week 5: Chess Club Supervision (Tuesday 11 November)
Clinnick (Parent 1), Ley, Harsany, Hooper
Emily McCutcheon, Tues AM Coordinator
For details about class supervisions and other Chess Club info
including enrolment forms, please go to http://www.wpspandc.com.au/
chess/ or mail [email protected]
WPS P&C BAND NEWS
Those who wish to apply for Training Band in 2015 should download and read the Band Information
Booklet at www.wpspandc.com.au/band. Information about the band program, costs, expectations and
registration instructions are detailed in this booklet.
Final Reminder: Training Band 2015 Expressions of interest close at 3 pm Friday 7 November 2014.
No applications received after this due date will be considered.
Training Band
Concert Band
Performing Band
Tuesday
Monday
Thursday
Wednesday
Friday
11 November
10 November
13 November
12 November
14 November
T Stocks, A Yeoland, S Dean
M Gock, S Woodworth, R Papastamatis
J Parker, M Viol, C Cook
F Crowther, L Woods
J Herrman, A Tzioumis
For details of the weekly rosters, please see the WPS P&C website:
www.wpspandc.com.au/band/
Convenor – Caroline Herrman
[email protected]
Secretary – Nikki Templeton 0488 660816
[email protected]
www.upstairsdownstairs.net.au
Infectious Disease Factsheet Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Pertussis affects people of all ages, but can be very serious in babies. It can be prevented by
immunisation at two, four and six months of age. Booster shots are needed for four-year-olds
and teenagers, and adults living or working with small children.
What is pertussis?
Pertussis (or whooping cough) is a disease caused by infection of the throat with the bacteria
Bordetella pertussis.
What are the symptoms?
●
Pertussis usually begins just like a cold, with a runny nose, tiredness and sometimes a mild
fever.
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Coughing then develops, usually in bouts, followed by a deep gasp (or "whoop"). Sometimes
people vomit after coughing.
●
Pertussis can be very serious in small children. They might go blue or stop breathing during
coughing attacks and may need to go to the hospital.
●
Older children and adults may have a less serious illness, with bouts of coughing that continue
for many weeks regardless of treatment.
How is it spread?
Pertussis is spread to other people by droplets from coughing or sneezing. Untreated, a person with
pertussis can spread it to other people for up to three weeks after onset of cough.
The time between exposure and getting sick is usually seven to ten days, but can be up to three
weeks.
Who is at risk?
Anyone can get pertussis. People living in the same household as someone with pertussis are more
likely to catch it. Immunisation greatly reduces your risk of infection, but reinfection can occur.
How is it prevented?
Immunise your child on time
The vaccine does not give lifelong protection against pertussis, and protection is sometimes
incomplete.
Children need to be immunised at two, four and six months (the first dose can be given as early as 6
weeks of age). Boosters are needed at four years of age and again at 15 years of age.
Immunisation is available through general practitioners and some local councils.
Keep your baby away from people who cough
Babies need two or three vaccinations before they are protected. For this reason, it is very important
to keep people with coughing illnesses away from your baby so they don't pass on pertussis or other
germs.
Get immunised if you are an adult in close contact with small children
A vaccine for adults is available. It is recommended:
For both parents when planning a pregnancy, or as soon as the baby is born
For other adult household members, grandparents and carers of young children, and
For adults working with young children, especially health care and child care workers.
If you are a close contact of someone with pertussis:
Watch out for the symptoms. If symptoms develop, see your doctor, take this factsheet with you and
mention your contact with pertussis.
Some close contacts at high risk (e.g., children under one year, children not fully vaccinated, and
women at the end of their pregnancy) and others who live or work with high-risk people may need to
take antibiotics to prevent infection.
If you have pertussis:
Get treated early while infectious, avoid other people and stay away from young children, e.g., at
child care centres, pre-school and school.
For more information see http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/
WPS P&C Band Coming soon
CRAZY CUPCAKE DAY!
Friday 14 November.
Bring $1 per cupcake to school on the day to enjoy a
Crazy Cupcake and help raise much needed funds for
the Band.
Children will be brought class by class to our bake stall.
Plus all band members get one free cupcake!
If you can bake please text Helen on 0408 692208 to request a cupcake
box.
Baked goodies to be dropped off to the lower canteen
14 November from 7:30am
Any queries to Carly on [email protected] or
Caroline on [email protected].
YEAR 6 FETE
FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER
2014
We are looking forward to a fantastic fete this year, but we still need
your help! Do you have anything at home that we can sell? We are looking
for good quality
Books, Toys, Games and items for the
White Elephant stall.
Please send any donations to the area outside 3S (near Senior Computer
Lab) during the next week.
Please come along and enjoy our sausage sizzle and cake stall!
Tokens for the fete will be sold in your child’s class next week.
$5.00 for 10 TOKENS
Please note, there will NO REFUND of unused tokens.
As an example most activities, sausage sizzle, cakes, spiders are 3-4
tokens.
■ All funds are used to purchase additional equipment and
resources for the school.
■ Extra tokens up to the value of another $5.00 will be on sale on
the day.
Thank you - Year 6 students
$5.00 for 10 TOKENS