Weetangera Primary School Newsletter | Week 1, Term 4 2023
From Mel
Dear Weetangera Families
How nice it is to see all our students back, refreshed and energised after the spring holidays. I hope you all got the chance for some relaxation and fun family times together.
New Staff
We have some new staff with us this term that I'd like to introduce. Sarah Baird has joined as the new team leader for years P-2. Sarah has come to us from Giralang Primary School and has a wealth of knowledge gained from a range of teaching and school leadership experiences across Canberra. I hope you will make her feel welcome.
Laura Vernon has returned from maternity leave and will be teaching in year 2. We would also like to welcome back Samuel Langley, who is also teaching in year 2, and Emily Michell, who will be working 2 days a week across a range of year levels. Sam, Alice and Renate are also continuing their regular roles across the school.
Term 4 is HUGE!
I’m sure you’re aware, but term 4 is a very busy one! Not only do we have our usual amazing learning experiences, fun activities and excursions, but also throw into that mix our year 6 graduation, end of year reports and the 50th birthday celebrations and we know it’s going to be hectic! I mean, just look at this week! Phew!
Skipping our way through week 1
Students in years K-4 started the Footsteps Dance program this week, and they have been busting out some great moves together. Put this together with some fabulous heel and toe-ing with Rhonda King and we just know they will be amazing at our concert in week 4 (more about that later).
You might have seen some notes come home about the Jump Rope for Heart program. This is a fantastic program that has been around for years (I think many of us – including me – will have done it at least once at school! Weetangera students have been right into it, trying out our skipping skills, and on Thursday we were lucky enough to get a visit from the “Jazzy Jumpers”; Maverick, Violet and Ella, who with a combined age of only 40 are already world champion skippers!
Not only did they give us a great demonstration of their skills, but they also showed us what hard work and practice can achieve. All three of these young people have already travelled overseas to compete in international competitions, and they gave our students a great message about finding a sport that might be outside the norm, but is still full of growth and opportunity.
Fun fact: Did you know that 10 minutes of skipping is equivalent to a 5km run??
What's coming up?
There are many othere events coming up over the coming weeks. Tomorrow there is a cake stall and BBQ for the referendum, so don't forget to come and buy a sausage or a delicious cake when you vote.
Next week (Thursday) we will have our Lapathon, which is always a big hit with the kids. We'd love to see you hear cheering the kids on. You can see more information about these events in the P&C update below.
We're also looking forward to our 50th Birthday celebrations, which are fast approaching. We'll have a special assembly on the Monday morning (30 October) and our community celebration concert on the Friday (3 November). You can see more information below. Please mark these dates in your diary!
Final Thought
Like many of you, I spent some very enjoyable hours in my garden during the spring holidays. I highly recommend it! It struck me that gardening is a little like teaching. It takes hard work, the right conditions and perserverance. But it is also very rewarding. Thankfully, our skilled and hardworking teachers get to see their impact in so many ways, but also we also have to have a little faith. That the seeds we plant will one day bear amazing fruit. We love that we can work you with you and your children every day to complement the amazing 'growing' that you do with them too!
Have a wonderful term 4.
Regards
Mel
Melanie.Bezear@ed.act.edu.au
Book Club
Scholastic Book Club Issue 7 is out now and orders are due by Friday 27 October 2023. You can also view the latest catalogue online at Book Club | Scholastic Australia
Canteen
Wow we have made it to the last term and what a great term year we’ve had here in the Weetie Canteen. Our Flexischools and P&C Facebook is where I post our specials, counter sales and upcoming special lunches, follow us and keep in the loop of what’s happening in your kiddos school, community and events. We have a special lunch planned for Wednesday Nov 1st for our schools 50th Year birthday. Currently we have a tuckshop special and many families and kiddos have already got their orders in, we will also have another option that will be available to order via Flexischool. This is a Party Lunch Pack available in Small and Large
|
*This will be available soon through Flexischool, so keep an eye out for it in the same section you find the ‘70s Tuckshop Special’
I am so appreciative of how the school community continues to support this canteen services, we are run by our incredible Weetangera P&C & Managed by a school parent.
This is a unique service we are operating, every lunch order, every volunteer and every year 6 helper keeps us operating and makes it possible for us to host awesome fun events like this for the kids of Weetangera.
Thank you as always
Martina Fleeton
Canteen Manager
Weetangera Birthday Celebrations
Communication at Weetangera
P & C
Referendum BBQ and cake stall
The Referendum Day P&C fundraising BBQ and cake stall at the school is tomorrow, Saturday 14 October. Come down for a hot and tasty sausage to complement your democracy. It is not too late to volunteer to help: https://signup.zone/weetangera-pandc.
We will also welcome donations of baking to sell on the day. Individual items such as cupcakes, slices and biscuits are preferred, and can be dropped off directly to the canteen on Friday afternoon 2.30 - 3.30 or at the stall any time from 7am on Saturday morning.
Lap-a-thon
The Lap-a-thon is next week on Thursday 19 October. The theme is Wear-Your-Favorite-Sports Team's shirt/colors.
Notes and sponsor sheets came home before the school holidays, so now is the time for children to ask their grandparents, aunts and uncles and those close friends of the family they call aunts and uncles to sponsor them. All money raised will go towards the new school playground.
Spectators are welcome to come and encourage the happy lappers on the day.
Community Notices
At the Expo you can discover how to save money on your energy bills and live a happier, healthier, more sustainable life. Some of the activities include:
- Discover the latest sustainability products and services from over 60 exhibitors
- Test drive an electric vehicle and hear from owners and suppliers
- Learn about induction cooking with MasterChef finalist Simon Toohey alongside five of Canberra’s favourite chefs
- Get free expert advice on how to save money at home or at work
- Learn a new sustainable skill, like composting, in a free workshop
- Hear from inspiring speakers and see live demonstrations on the latest innovations in sustainable living.
- Find out about government support that could help you make your home more energy-efficient
- The kids can enjoy face painting, a Questacon pop-up, an art workshop and take home a tomato seedling.
- Enjoy delicious food and drinks from Canberra providers.
Public transport to and from the Expo on Transport Canberra bus and light rail services is free. Just let the bus driver or light rail customer service officer know where you’re going, and you won’t need to tap your MyWay card on or off.
This edition we are having conversations – we are celebrating International Day for Sign Language this coming Saturday, reporting on some of what we have heard from children and young people about their right to play, and letting you know about a new way that children and young people can contact me.