Message from the Executive Administration Team
Dear parents and caregivers
We have entered a new normal this week with restrictions easing in both the general community and school environment on Friday. It will take some adjustment for many and we will likely continue to see some disruption due to illness with COVID and winter approaching. In relation to the school, it is a relief knowing we can plan ahead with some certainty and rebuild whole school connectedness with our staff, students and community members.
I understand there will be some anxieties in relation to the restrictions easing. We will continue to be vigilant in relation to cleaning, ventilation, following guidelines for staff and students staying home when unwell and making adjustments to keep everyone safe.
I thank the community for continuing to report positive and household cases using the online reporting form listed under the COVID-19 tab on the school website. Due to the changes announced by the State Government, the school no longer conducts contact tracing. However, we are required to report all cases to the Department of Education. Each week the school will inform the community by email about the number of students who have tested positive (if they attended school during their infectious period -48 hours before test).
Since the beginning of the school term, we have only had three students who have attended school during their infectious period. While this is expected to increase with the restrictions lifting, it has allowed the school to have a relatively normal start to the school term. We are experiencing pressure with staffing but we will continue to do all we can to maintain school continuity through our relief teacher workforce.
P&C Mother’s Day Stall: Thank you to the P&C and all the volunteers who ran the event today in our undercover area, particularly Victoria Martelli and the fundraising sub-committee for all the hard work leading up to today. There were lots of lovely gifts for our students to show their appreciation for all the mums, step mums, grandmothers and special women in our student’s lives. Happy Mother’s Day to all these special women in our community for Sunday. Enjoy the special day with your families and I hope you get spoilt with a sleep in!
Teaching and Learning
Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge: The Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge provides students with the opportunity to test their critical and creative thinking skills on computational problems online, mostly in a collaborative team. Round 1 was held last term with most students participating in the Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 divisions. Congratulations to these students!
Year 3/4
Honour Roll – Perfect Score | High Distinction | Distinction |
Raffe, Phoebe and Jasmin | Joel, Harvey, Will A and Harry B
Noah K and Luca Aarya, Curtis and Jeremy William W, Evelia and Madeleine T |
Karma, Arianna and Alice
Chrisette, Isobel and Edith Olivia, Vivek and Amelia Ari G and Mia Maddie, Harrison P and Rachael Wes C and Hina Connor, Dylan B and Evan Sophie, Zoe H and Tarinee |
Year 5/6
Honour Roll – Perfect Score | High Distinction | Distinction |
Damon, Zephyr and Poppy | Aaliyah and Harper
Jasper La, Kai and Felix Yixiang, Thomas and Jamie Erica, Maggie and Claire T |
Eliza S
Abby, Veer and Rosie |
Learning Environment
Year 1/2 bike racks: Last term, parent Larissa Bray contacted me in relation to the bike rack area at the school and the possibility of another area for our Year 1 and 2 students due to the congestion and keeping kids safe during COVID. While our school footprint is small and there weren’t many areas to place them considering accessibility and safety, we will trial a small amount of bike racks near the junior playground behind the sheds. These bike racks will only be for Year 1/2 students. Please encourage your child to park their bike or scooter neatly in this area and if it is full to go to the usual bike racks behind the Year 4/5 block. Thanks to Larissa for working with the school to find a solution.
Community Engagement
School Board Election: Last term we ran an election for the three upcoming parent representatives on the School Board – Tama Leaver, Jeff Gidman, Thomas To, Vimalan Siva and Kellie Pearcey. I thank all nominees for wanting to contribute to our school. I wish to congratulate Tama Leaver and Jeff Gidman who have been re-nominated to the Board for another term. Welcome and congratulations to Kellie Pearcey who has been successful in being appointed to the third position. This will be Kellie’s first appointment to the School Board. I look forward to continuing to work with our outstanding School Board as we work towards our school vision.
‘Collaborate, Connect, Communicate and Care’.
Yours in learning
The Senior Leadership Team
Tamara, Milani, Rachel, Stacey and Natalie
NAPLAN – Weeks 3 – 4
NAPLAN testing begins next week for Year 3 and 5 students. NAPLAN is a nationwide measure through which parents, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the broader community can determine how well young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community.
Students will require headphones for each test to ensure they can access the audio component.
Testing Schedule:
Week 3:
Tuesday 10 May 9am: Year 3 and Year 5 Writing
Wednesday 11 May 9am: Year 3 Reading
Thursday 12 May 9am: Year 5 Reading
Friday 13 May 9am: Year 3 and 5 Conventions of Language
Week 4
Tuesday 17 May 9am: Year 3 and 5 Numeracy
Remainder of week 4 will be catch up for absent students
Quick links for additional information
- Up-to-date frequently asked questions and answers about NAPLAN online: nap.edu.au/online-assessment/FAQs
- Public demonstration site for students to become familiar with the format of the online tests: nap.edu.au/onlineassessment/public-demonstration-site
- Guidance about support available for students with disability to access NAPLAN tests: nap.edu.au/naplan/schoolsupport/adjustments-for-students-with-disability
- Minimum technical requirements for devices for NAPLAN online: nap.edu.au/online-assessment/technical-requirements
- Support for parents and carers on the NAP website: nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support
- Understanding NAPLAN
- NAPLAN online – tailored testing – YouTube online – YouTube
Kind regards
Rachel Cusack
Deputy Principal
Library News
With restrictions easing, the library is once again a hive of activity at lunchtime. Our new ‘Kindness Cart’ was a big hit with students from Years 1-3 busy crafting, playing chess, lego, working on our jigsaw or curled up with a book! Its’ not the quietest library at lunchtime but it’s a lot of FUN!
The library is open at lunchtime Monday and Tuesday for Years 1, 2 and 3 and Wednesday and Thursday for Years 4, 5 and 6. Friday we close for Chess Club.
Students are still welcome to come in any lunchtime if they are just wanting to borrow or return a book! We are also open before school and after school.
Jill Jordan
Canteen
Mothers Day
This year we will be making a simple breakfast pack with Gluten Free Granola and thick and creamy Greek Honey Yoghurt. Seriously, this might just be the best granola you have ever tasted!
We also have our full range of handmade preserves including Ruby Red Raspberry Jam, Orange & Whiskey Marmalade, Chilli Jam and Spicy Sweet Tomato Relish.
Details will be on the P&C Facebook page on Wednesday.
Volunteers
Its Mothers Day week! All the dads out there, please come in to help us prepare our kids lunches and package our Mothers Day treats.
Of course, all volunteers are needed and greatly appreciated. We’d love you to help fill our weekly roster.
Please sign up here
Genna
Canteen Manager
Carols by Candelight
Calling Wembley Primary alumni, parents and members of the community to join our community orchestra for the Carols by Candlelight at the Family Fun Day on Saturday 26 November 2022 at 7:30pm. Ideally we are looking for amateur and advanced student musicians who have some or lots of orchestral experience to play Christmas carols and songs for the event. Rehearsals your need to attend will be 7-9pm on both Thursdays 17/11/22 and 24/11/22 as well as the performance.
For all enquires, please contact Bec on Rebecca.Anne.guy@gmail.com
Mark Lee Football Coaching
Mark Lee’s Before School Soccer is back on Thursday’s 7.30am-8.30am!
Mark and his team are delighted to be back and children from Pre-primary to Year 6 are welcome to attend.
Children will be grouped in their age groups and develop their skills in a sun and interactive coaching environment.
- Thursday’s 12 May to 16 June (6 weeks)
- 7.30am-8.30am
- $119.00 per child
To register or if you have any questions get in touch with Mark on 0430 788 703 or email mark@mlfc.com.au