Weetangera Primary School Newsletter | Week 1, Term 1 2023
From Julie
Dear Families
Welcome to 2023. We are all very excited to be back with your children, preparing for their year of learning and getting ourselves back into the mode of ‘doing school’. We have welcomed our new preschool students and kindergarten students and many more students across the school from Year 1-6. Additionally, a special Weetangera welcome to the students from Southern Cross Early Childhood School who join us in Year 3. For some of the SCECS students they have older siblings already at Weetangera PS, while for others it is their first big adventure into upper primary.
All students have begun the year working through our ‘Start Up’ program. This is an across the school 3 week focus on setting up classrooms for learning, connection, success, and challenge. Building a connected environment of learners enables new classes to really know about each member of the class; what their interests are, how the class will be when they learn together and to build an understanding of how to model positive learning behaviours. Together the classes develop a class motto and a Code of Cooperation that will be their guide throughout 2023.
To support the getting to know each other aspect of school every teacher will be sending home to their families a letter of introduction telling just a little more about each other. Please find below a list of staff, their location and role:
Leadership Team
The school leaders (except Julie and Mel) are located in the library office.
- Julie Cooper - Principal
- Mel Bezear - Deputy Principal
- Kate Harvey-Sutton - School Leader P-2 Team
- Kate North - School Leader 3-6 Team
- Erwin McRae - School Leader Specialist Team
- Anastasia O'Donnell - School Leader Inclusion and Engagement
Administration Team
The front office is currently located adjacent to the first speed bump as you enter the carpark. You will also find Julie and Mel in the front office area.
- Patricia Duffy - Business Manager
- Candida Jeremiah - Administration Officer
- Camilla Brown - Administration Officer
- Glen Croker - Building Services Officer
Preschool Team
- Virginia Hambly - Mon-Wed
- Marianne Foley - Wed-Fri
Kindergarten Team
Located in Unit 1 - The top unit at the Shumack Street end of the school.
- Rosie Kingelty
- Nicole Mengel
- Leanne Oxley
- Michelle Robinson
Year 1 Team
Located in Unit 2- The second unit from the Shumack Street end of the school. Located opposite the basketball court.
- Tarnii Boland
- Hayley Dix
- Isabel Dunn
- Chelsea Glenn
- Sarah Masling
Year 2 Team
Located in Unit 3- The third unit from the Shumack Street end of the school.
- Kate De-Mey
- Rhonda King
- Lauren Domio
- Celeste Tunnecliffe
Year 3 Team
Located in Unit 4- This unit is in the centre of the school, next to the hall/canteen.
- Megan Ferdinand
- Joanne Lawson
- Teagan Lovett
- Jessica Yeo
Year 4 Team
Located in Unit 5- This unit is the last shared unit within the main school building. Located opposite the covered playground.
- Gabriel Kearins
- Alex Nicholls
- Louise Tominich
Year 5/6 Team
The year 5/6 team are located in three areas.
- Emma Cottam - Located in the portable unit.
- Emily Dziubinski - Located in unit 7, adjacent to the new hall.
- Corinne Hannan - Located in unit 7, adjacent to the new hall.
- Emily Small - Located in the portable unit.
- Bec Spoors - Located in unit 6, currently located next to the temporary front office.
Specialist Team
- Tyler Beltrame - PE & Health
- Sarah Masling - Music
- Shamim Sabetrafter - French
- Nicole Terry - Small Group Program (located within unit 1)
- Robyn Trenton - Science
Learning Support Assistants
- Heather Boreham
- Morgan Driver
- Jack Eager
- Jude Elston
- Erica Harris
- Tory Henson
- Kerry Saxby-Junna
- Annie Moore
- Caitlin Powyer
- Nicole Ratcliffe
- Nate Tokley
- Katrina ven der Sterren (Preschool)
- Brennan Wade
It has been a great first week for 2023. I saw many happy and excited students on Day One and just as many happy and excited parents as children were dropped off at our school after our long, summer holiday. It was a great indication of how much we appreciate each other’s roles and the opportunity for your children to back at school at Weetangera Primary School: Our place of Learning.
This was Week 1 thought for the week. In the words of Rita Pierson; Every child deserves a champion.
Have an excellent week, Enjoy the sunshine.
Regards
Julie
Julie.cooper@ed.act.edu.au
Our Teachers
This week, you should receive a letter from your teacher introducing themselves. We'd like to introduce some of the other staff working at Weetangera Primary School. Please click the links below to learn more:
Erwin McRae - Specialist Team Leader
Communicating with the School
Good communication involves the sharing of information between home, school and the community, and underpins the successful operation of a school. A common understanding of communication protocols makes it easier for students, parents/carers and school staff to support one another and to support student learning. Effective communication also helps families and staff build a trusting partnership and develop honest and respectful relationships.
Please see our communication guidelines for information about the best way to make contact with teachers and the school.
Portable Electronic Devices
As we begin the school year, it is important to remind families that portable electronic devices (e.g. phones, smart watches) should not be brought to school. However, Weetangera Primary School acknowledges that there may be a need for some students to bring a portable electronic device to school: for managing a specific health condition, for a specific communication purpose (such as an augmentative and alternative communication device – AAC) or to be used before and after school for safety/security reasons.
With the exception of the devices mentioned above, all other portable electronic devices that are brought to school will be collected and stored in a secure location during the school day. Students will not be able to use their device during the day for any reason.
Teaching and learning at Weetangera Primary School must take place in an environment that is free from the distraction of portable electronic devices. Where appropriate, students have access to digital technologies such as Chromebooks for use in the classroom for teaching and learning activities. Consequently the use of portable electronic devices in the classroom or on the playground is not permitted.
It is the school’s practice to pass on important messages to students throughout the day. This can be done by telephoning or emailing the front office and requesting that a message be given to the student.
This inforrmation is taken from our Portable Electronic Devices Policy
Staying COVID Smart in 2023
Being COVID Smart remains a priority for all ACT public schools in 2023.
Students, staff and visitors are reminded to:
- Stay home if unwell and get tested for COVID-19
- Stay up to date with your vaccinations
- Practise good hand and respiratory hygiene
- Physically distance from others when in public places
Individual schools may implement additional measures to manage COVID-19 if deemed necessary in a particular setting. Any changes will be communicated to parents and carers.
If your child has COVID-19, you must let the school know. We recommend keeping your child home for at least five days.
RATs are again available from the school for students in term 1 from the front office.
You can read more about how we are being COVID Smart in ACT public schools at https://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/covid-school-arrangements
Safe Parking Around Schools
The start of the school year is a particularly busy time in our school carparks and surrounding streets. It’s important that we park safely and legally to support the safety of students.
Parking on a footpath, nature strip or roadside verge can:
- Cause safety risks for pedestrians as they are less visible to oncoming cars
- Increase the risk for vulnerable members of our community like children, people who are visually impaired, and those using a wheelchair or pram
- Restrict the line of sight for other road users
- Restrict access for emergency services vehicles.
Parking on nature strips can also damage trees, footpaths, gutters and underground pipes and cables. Please also remember not to park across driveways or block neighbouring residents’ properties.
As students return to school remember to also slow down and stick to the 40km/h limit around our schools between 8am and 4pm.
Parking inspectors regularly patrol school zones to support safe parking and keep students safe.
If you cannot find a car park in our school car parks, we suggest parking a little further away and walking or riding the rest of the way – it’s a quick and easy was to get in some exercise too.
Let’s all work together to keep our kids and community safe!
More information about travelling safely to school is available on the Transport ACT website.
Important- Making Payments
When making a payment for anything at Weetangera Primary School, including book packs, excursions, camp etc, please ensure your payment includes your child's name as a reference. Without this information, front office staff can find it difficult to reconcile the payment.
For all payments by bank transfer, please use the following bank details.
WESTPAC
- Weeetangera Primary School Management Account
- 032 777
- 001885
You can also make payments at the front office. Please speak to our helpful staff.
If you have any questions, please contact the front office.
School Board Information
Weetangera Primary School - SCHOOL BOARD VACANCIES - 2023
Parent representative - 2 positions
Teacher representative – 1 position
Nominations open - 6 February 2023
Nominations close - 20 February 2023
If you are interested in running for a School Board position, please come into the Front Office and complete a nomination form or send in an online nomination form. Click the link below to access the nomination form.
If more than two nominations are received – a voting process will be conducted.
Parent representatives
- May be a parent, carer or guardian of a student enrolled at the school.
- Are elected by the parents, carers and guardians of students enrolled at the school.
Nominations are open for 14 days
If more than the required number of applications are received, the voting period will commence 27 February 2023 to 6 March 2023.
Board functions
|
P&C News
Join our welcome back picnic!
Welcome back picnic
The P&C will be hosting a family picnic afternoon on Friday 10 February from 3pm. All Weetangera Primary families are welcome. There will be food vans and face painting and other fun activities for the kids. Make sure you pack a picnic rug, bring some cash and come along to relax and catch up or meet other Weetangera families.
P&C AGM and positions
The P&C holds meetings twice a term. All parents and carers are welcome to attend to hear what is happening around the school, propose ideas and participate in activities. Our meetings are informal and have a friendly atmosphere. Our AGM will take place on Tuesday 21 February from 6:30 pm at the school. At this meeting the new position holders for 2023 will be chosen –will you be our next President? Below is an outline of each of the P&C positions.
President – Presides over the meetings, manages contracts with paid employees (Canteen staff).
Vice President – Supports the President, helps coordinate fundraising events, is a superstar!
Treasurer /Assistant Treasurer – Manages the finances for the P&C, pays invoices, reimburses members for expenses, provides finance report at each meeting and undertakes an annual review of finances for reporting purposes.
Secretary/Assistant Treasurer – Schedules meetings, sends out agenda, takes minutes and keeps the committee organised and accountable.
Public Officer – submits annual returns with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
Canteen news
The Weetangera Primary Canteen welcomes a new manager, Martina Fleeton, this year who has many wonderful ideas and recipes to share. The canteen operating days will change to Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and orders are via Flexischools. Martina is also looking for Canteen Assistants (paid positions) to help out twice a week. For more information please email weetangera.pc.secretary@gmail.com.
Did you know that the Canteen Committee works behind the scenes to support the Canteen staff? Its Treasurer not only balances the books but pays the canteen staff and manages the canteen’s finances. The Canteen Committee meets twice per term to help plan special lunch orders, canteen days, provide support to school activities like sports carnivals and helps out in the canteen whenever possible. Keep an ear out for when the Canteen Committee will meet to hold their AGM and if you can, please put your hand up for one of the positions available.
How can you help this year?
- Consider joining meetings - we would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
- Ask a current P&C or Canteen Committee member what is involved (we will be at the Family Picnic Day so don’t be shy, we will be there to answer all of your questions).
- Put your hand up and volunteer to help on one of our community events or fundraisers—BBQ’s, sports carnivals, discos, Mother’s/Father’s Day stall and more. In 2023 we will also be working with the school to organise a celebration of Weetangera’s 50th
- Or come along to the AGM and jump right in.
Contact us today!
To keep up with P&C activities please check out and like our Facebook page - search Weetangera School P&C.
You can contact also members of the P&C to raise issues, concerns or ideas. For more information or to make a suggestion please email:
Secretary - weetangera.pc.secretary@gmail.com
Vice President – weetangera.pc.vp@gmail.com
Canteen News
Exciting news! The Canteen will be up and running again from next week (week 2). The canteen will be open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with counter service on Fridays and then on the other days as volunteers become available.
How to order:
On-line orders
The canteen encourages placing orders through an online ordering service. Orders can be placed until 9.00am on the day for recess and lunch. Alternatively, orders can be placed in advance or set-up as a re-occurring order.
Click the "Flexischools" link below to order online. It is very easy to register.
Flexischools is very easy to use and means you don't have to worry about writing orders on paper bags and finding change. Flexischools also provides many benefits to the canteen as it reduces the time needed to count money and tally orders.
Manual orders
We accept cash orders too for recess and lunch Write your child's name, class, and unit and food to be ordered on a paper bag. Please enclose the required money.
Your child can then place the bag in the lunch order box when arriving at school. If your child forgets to put their order in the box, they can come to the canteen so their order can be filled. We do our best to accommodate late orders.
Community Notices
