Weetangera Primary School eNewsletter

From Julie

Dear Families

It was so exciting. The students were ready. Plans had been made, re-made, abandoned, changed and then made all over again. Business propositions had been examined, viable options discussed and thought given to resources needed. The $5 required had been paid to the front office. Tickets of participation delivered. All that was left was to cross fingers, keep an eye on the BOM and hope that the rain would stay away. It did!

Year 6 Market Day, held on Thursday 27 October was an amazing sight to see. The various ideas for businesses had come to fruition and there was no turning back. The rain stayed away. Brilliant work Year 6.

Last Friday was the second time this year, in fact in the two years that I have been at WPS that we had families on site, in the hall, beaming proudly while their children conducted their year level assembly. This is what school is about, parents and families coming together to embrace and celebrate successful outcomes. And for our students in Year 1 it was their very first opportunity to look out at the sea of faces to see their loved ones smiling right back at them.

In 2023 Weetangera Primary School will be celebrating 50 years of existence. As we move into 2023 plans will be made and participants requested to work together as a band of volunteers putting together how we will all celebrate 50 years in this place, Our place of learning, Weetangera Primary School.

Belinda is leaving. The very dedicated Belinda who has been running the canteen at WPS is leaving at the end of this year and towards the end of the newsletter you will see an advertisement for a new canteen manager. The canteen is often a service we take for granted in a school, but if there is no viable opportunity to replace Belinda it may be that there will be no canteen at WPS in 2023. If you are interested in the canteen role please read through the duty statement, see what it is that is required to organise and run a canteen and make contact with the P&C connection listed in the advertisement.

The covered outdoor area has had a bit of a stop and start due to the weather progress is continuing and it should be a straightforward roll on to completion. Last week we are also notified of an exciting upgrade that will begin in December. The front office administration area, sick bay, storerooms and printer areas and the staff toilets are to be REFURBISHED! This is exciting news for our school. As the first port of call when welcoming new families, existing families, answering queries and doing our day to day work the administrative area has been looking a little outdated and functionally is not ergonomically appropriate, especially for the front office staff. There will be some minor inconveniences, relocation and interruptions to our day… the plan from the builders is to have everything complete by the beginning of March. Watch this space for updates.

Today is World Teacher’s Day. A day that, worldwide, recognises the impact of teachers in the lives of our children. At Weetangera we include all of our staff in this celebration acknowledging that all staff have a part to play in ensuring a successful and engaging day of learning, each and every day.

My thought for the week this week focuses on:

Understanding. Gratitude. Kindness. Warmth. Joy
An understanding heart is everything in a teacher and cannot be esteemed highly enough.
One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feeling.
The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of a child.
Carl Jung

Have an excellent week

Regards

Julie

Julie.cooper@ed.act.edu.au

We Need You! Help make your fete great!

The Weetangera Primary School fete is fast approaching, and the P&C needs YOUR help to ensure it is amazing. All the information about how to help and what we need is available on the fete website:

https://sites.google.com/view/weetangerafete2022/home

Landscape and Playground Masterplan

We are in the initial stages of a project that will see some big changes to our playground and surrounds. Wellspring Environmental Arts and Design will be working with us to design a range of improvements that will be built over the next 3 years. We need your input!

Please click this link to have your say on what our playground and landscaping will look like in the future.

Weetangera: Purpose | Vision | Mission

During term 2, we surveyed students, staff and our community regarding the skills, knowledge and dispositions that they thought Weetangera Primary School students should possess after their first 8 years of school. You may remember the word clouds that we shared, which gave us a visual of those responses:

Since then, we have been working with our staff to update the defining statements about our school: the defining statements that provide a broad overview of what we - as a school community - want our school to be. These statements guide the decisions that we make about every one of the learners in our school community. To ensure that we all have a shared understanding of these statements, please read the information below.

OVERVIEW_Explainer.pdf

What's Happening in the Magic Hats

Late last term, kindergarten used the artworks of Lizzy Stageman and other traditional Aboriginal Artists to explore their ideas related to their inquiry unit, ‘My Place’.

Lizzy is an Indigenous Artist born and raised on Wiradjuri Land. She is a self-taught Artist and story teller, expressing her life through art with a personal connection to her culture using traditional symbols.

While learning about Lizzy’s painting and the stories that inspire her paintings, Henry, from KLO, was inspired to create a beautiful picture of one of the birds he sees in his garden at home. He told KLO that the illustrations in Aunty Joy Murphy and Lisa Kennedy’s book, Welcome to Country, and Bronwyn Bancroft’s book, The Shapes of Australia also inspired him.

KLO loved Henry’s artwork and so he taught the class about the techniques he used, including how he used swirly patterns coming down from the sun to show the heat of the sun. He also told us about how he used green bands in the background of his picture to represent the algae he sees in rivers. KLO students then looked to the Weetangera Primary School playground to see what birds we could find to use as inspiration for their own artwork.

After completing their outlines of the birds using black sharpie markers, they added patterns and the fine details that helped to tell their story. Then, they experimented with the art materials in our art zone to add colour to the foreground and the background images.

If you would like to learn more about Lizzy’s art, you can go to Lizzy Stageman’s website:

www.lizzystagemanart.com.au

Prints of her original artworks can also be purchased from: www.buyfromthebush.com.au

Leanne Oxley

What's Happening in the Mopokes

Have you ever wondered what school was like in the olden days? How different the classrooms, teachers and lessons were? What the punishment was if you were naughty?

Last Friday, as a final investigation into our semester two history inquiry unit ‘Hopscotch to PlayStation’, the year one students were able to get the answers to all these questions and more, stepping back in time and experiencing a school day in the past!

Each class was greeted by their teacher who was dressed up in ‘Olden Days’ style and discovered their modern-day classroom had been transformed into a classroom set in the 1900’s, with the smart board replaced with a chalkboard, student notebooks replaced with slate boards and chalk, pencils replaced with quills and ink pots and all the group tables rearranged into individual desks and rows. The normal daily learning routine of differentiated hands-on lessons was also replaced with a cursive handwriting lesson on a chalkboard, a penmanship lesson using a piece of paper, ink and quill, a reading lesson reciting an odd poem, an exercise lesson in the hall listening to instructions given from a radio speaker, a maths lesson completing algorithms and a lesson on domestic skills involving threading and woodwork.

Check out some of the highlights of the day in the below photos.

Hayley Dix

This term, the Kookaburras have been learning about how to keep themselves healthy and physically active. During our investigations, we were surprised to find out that different coloured fruit and vegetables benefit our bodies in different ways. We also learnt about the recommended dietary intake for kids our age - for vegetables, fruit, grain, meat and dairy products. We explored why each of these food categories are important for our bodies, especially when we are at school. Using this information, we designed our own lunch box to take to school.

We have also been learning about how to write instructional and procedural texts during our writing sessions. Last week as part of a writing activity, the students had the opportunity to experience making fairy bread. Afterwards as a class, we wrote a procedure about how to make a slice of fairy bread. The final task was for students to write their own individual procedure about how to make a slice of fairy bread.

Lauren Domio and Michelle Robinson

Year 3s have been busy drafting, editing and publishing our texts to entertain. The focus has been on developing our characters using the STEAL technique (speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions and looks) and dressing up our sentences. We have been trying to turn our boring sentences into sentences with flair!

Henry dressed up The mouse ran by changing it to: The quick, nimble mouse skipped across the room.

Zita - The owl flew.

The owl flew from the tree like an angel.

William - The pig rolled

The vicious pig rolled through the mud splashing it everywhere on the farmer.

Alex - The fireman yelled

The sweating fireman yelled loudly at the hose because it had stopped working.

Aarav A - The bat flew

The small, grey bat glided up to the moon.

Evie - The horse galloped

The brown foal gently galloped to the stable.

In mathematics, we have been exploring length and units of measure. We have been using millimetres, centimetres and metres and participating in hands-on activities to help develop our understanding of length and our estimation skills. We have measured dinosaurs, various lines, pencils and pencil tips which has helped our estimating become more accurate.

In one of our lessons, year 3s were given a piece of ribbon to cut into 6 pieces of various sizes. They then had to use their visual measurement skills to place them into order from longest to shortest, followed by estimation of the length of each. Finally students checked their estimations by measuring each piece of ribbon to the nearest millimetre. Students really enjoyed participating in these measurement exploration activities.

This term, we have started tuning in to our Science unit called ‘Night and Day’. Students have engaged with peers; discussing and searching why we have day and night and how they happen. To explain their current knowledge of night and day students drew annotated drawings ensuring they included the Sun, Moon and Earth. It was very interesting to listen to everyone’s perspective, hear them share their knowledge or reasoning of night and day, and watch their curiosity grow.

Bec Spoors

In our recent learning, Year 4 have been looking deep into the earth’s make up. We have looked at soil, rocks, land structures and how they are made. We were very lucky to have access to several different types of rocks and minerals in our cohort and we all really enjoyed learning how they were created and at what phase in the rock cycle they are. The class used this knowledge to learn about how different land features are made. We studied the formation of Uluru and hypothesised on how it would change over the next 100 years. We discussed what would help with the erosion of specific land features and how human activity could influence these changes.

As part of overarching concept of ‘How things change over time’, we went for a walk to find the school’s time capsule and discussed what makes a great hiding spot for our very own time capsules. We wrote stories about our own time capsules, which included why we were burying it, what was inside and where we would bury it and why.

During our art lessons, we have been learning about how important line is in art and how line can be used in different ways. Over recent weeks, we have looked at continuous line art and how we can create interesting facial features. We took inspiration from Pablo Picasso portraits and how he developed the style called ‘Cubism’. This also links in with our learning on geometric shapes in maths.

During maths, we have been improving our understanding of word problems and how to solve them. We learnt the technique called C.U.B.E.S. (Circle the important numbers, Underline the question, Box the key words, Evaluate/Eliminate extra information, and Solve and check the problem). This is just one of the strategies we can use to help us when solving word problems.

Robyn Trenton

What's Happening in the Shooting Stars

This week, we have begun our persuasive writing assessment linked to our Civics and Citizenship Inquiry Unit.

We used the Australian Electorate Tracker to look at different electorates in Australia, who won the seat, and the demographic information for each area. Did you know that in our electorate Canberra, driving a car is the most common method of getting to work, and the most common non-english language in the electorate is Macedonian?

We looked for patterns in which parties won seats in the House of Representatives across different rural and metro areas of Australia and we analysed a range of campaign material to look for persuasive language and any points of interest. We looked at calendar stickers, a ‘sorry we missed you’ that hangs on a doorknob, and some interesting pamphlets that changed their messaging as they were folded and unfolded.

As the unit progresses, we will all choose an electorate from somewhere in Australia and using the demographic information on the tracker above, decide on some party policies. We will then create our own campaign materials using our persuasive language.

We have really enjoyed the unit and look forward to sharing our platforms and policies with you all soon.

Emma Cottam

Market Day

Our school had a wonderful day on Wednesday participating in Market Day. As a culminating activity for the learning they have done about business and the world of finance, the year 6 students worked together in small groups to design a marketable idea, then create a product or activity that they could sell to other students.

The year 6 students worked so hard leading up to the day, and they did great job manning their stalls and supporting their customers to participate. Good fun was had by all!

Here is some feedback from our business people, and our customers!

Miles (y3) - I really liked the turkey toss. I think the tin toss is a scam because they weighted the tins. But Hugo got them all down!

Kaeli (y6) - I loved seeing all the kids and them being happy about it. The hardest part was when people don’t line up properly, because we don't know who's next.

Ashton (y3) - The best thing was going around playing games and getting prizes.

James (y6) - Market day is fun because you get to see all the little kids being happy. We learned that you might need to make sacrifices to your idea, but you might end up with a better product.

James (y6) - I’ve learned not to stand in the way when someone is throwing the ball. Ouch!

Keisha (y6) - The best thing about Market Day is giving presents to everybody.

Phoebe (y6) - I liked seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces. I’ve learned that we don’t have unlimited supplies.

April (Y6) - We learned that candy is very expensive!

Katja (y6) - The best thing was meeting all the kids. We learned how to make sure you don’t sell out before everyone has had a turn.

Zac (K) - I did the hula hoop for 25 seconds!

Sammy (K) - I got so many prizes!

We are very excited to be able to commence a library monitor program. We asked year 5 students to apply for a position as library monitor, with the main responsbilities of the role being to support teachers and students in:

Returning and reshelving books.
Helping people find the books they need.
Keeping the library and bookshelves tidy and organised.
Processing loans and returns.

They have been 'training' and are rostered on in the library one lunchtime each week. They will continue their role in terms 1-3 of year 6, and will train the 'next batch' of library monitors next year.

Our library monitors have lots of great ideas about how they can improve the library and are excited to share their love of books and reading with other students across the school.

In 2022/23, our library monitors are:

Louis Anthoney
James Ferris
Suhaani Gosai
Zalie Guyes
Amalie Haversekara
Jocelyn Kierath
Elliot Roberts
Meg Sweeney
Zea Tassone
Ella Wilkinson

Band Concert - 30 November

Zones of Regulation - Strategy of the Week

Category- CONNECT

Ask for Help

Think of the many ways you can ask for help when you need it:

“Excuse me, I need help.”
“Can you help me?”
Raise your hand.
Tap someone’s shoulder and ask if they are available.

When needed, ask someone to help you!

How do you feel? What Zone could this be helpful in?

Bandanna Day

Well done to our SRC, who organised a very successful Bandanna Day this week. They sold out of all the bandannas, and we even received a few donations. Thank you to our community, who helped us to raise almost $700 for Canteen.

Did you miss the kindergarten health check?

Kindergarten Health Checks were held at Weetangera Primary School earlier this year. If your child was not able to attend at the time can arrange a catch up appointment.

Appointments are held in the City Health Centre, Level 2, 1 Moore Street, Canberra City, and are available from Friday 9^th December until Friday December 16^th.

Parents can call Central Health Intake on 5124 9977 to make this appointment. When there is a queue, they offer a call back service. Parents may choose this option to retain their spot in the queue and receive a call back in turn.

P&C Update

PC_Update_October_2022.pdf

Lapathon Gallery

Position Vacant: Canteen Manager

Canteen Manager

Weetangera Primary School

ACT

Job Description

About Us

Weetangera Primary School is located in Weetangera, and has approximately 540 students. The Weetangera Primary School P&C Association runs the canteen on a not-for-profit basis. The canteen currently operates three days per week as well as for special school events such as school discos. The canteen provides the school community with a fun and healthy menu and has been recognised as a leader in implementing the ACT Healthy Food and Drink Policy and Fresh Tastes Program.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced person to fill this valued role in our community.

About the Role

As Canteen Manager you will have a passion for providing fresh and healthy food and drinks as well as working with children. Working with the P&C Association, Canteen subcommittee, school staff and students, your key responsibilities will be to:

deliver an existing menu and develop seasonal menu options
cook and prepare hot and cold food and drinks
oversee the canteen premises and assets
engage, manage and train volunteers
undertake ordering and stock control
ensure compliance with health, safety, food handling and healthy food practices and policies
maintain records
support school and in-class programs such as cooking science and Sustainability, school sports days
support P&C run events throughout the year
uphold and demonstrate the school’s values and behaviour expectations
communicate and promote the canteen menu and service
maintain current qualifications, and
have fun!

To excel, you will have:

Relevant safe food handling qualifications, eg. SITXSFA201/101 or Certificate III Hospitality.
A working with vulnerable people card, or the ability to obtain.
Experience cooking and packaging food in a busy environment.
Experience with online ordering systems, eg. Flexischools, cash handling and basic accounting.

Preferably you will also have:

Experience applying the ACT Government Healthy Food and Drink Policy in line with the National Healthy Schools Canteen Policy.
Experience using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Hours: Approximately 9am-2pm Wednesdays and Thursdays and 9am to 3pm on Fridays, during school term, plus other events. We are open to considering Mondays and Tuesdays as well.

Award: Fast Food Industry Award 2010 Level 3 (Canteen Manager)

The P&C Association is open to receiving proposals from up to 2 candidates to fill the role on a job-share basis.

Selection Criteria

Demonstrated ability to create and prepare fun and healthy food for sale.

Demonstrated ability to work with children and a school community.

Demonstrated ability to plan and manage the day-to-day operations in a hospitality setting

Demonstrated understanding of the ACT Healthy Food and Drink Policy, including if possible, an understanding of the Fresh Tastes program.

Required safe food handling qualifications and a Working with Vulnerable People card.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for the role of Canteen Manager, please email your resume (no more than 3 pages), a statement addressing the selection criteria (no more than 1 page), and a cover letter to weetangera.pc.secretary@gmail.com

Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview.

Further enquiries please email the Weetangera Primary P&C Association at weetangera.pc.secretary@gmail.com