Weetangera Primary School Newsletter | Week 1, Term 2 2024

From Julie

Dear Families

Welcome, welcome welcome!  Here we are again beginning another Term 2, and the Year 3 team and our school leaders have delivered to the whole school a thoughtful, age-appropriate and connected ANZAC Day Assembly.

There are big concepts and ideas involved in ensuring that we connect our students to the purpose of ANZAC Day commemorations and providing students time to reflect, create wreaths and listen to stories.  Participation in our annually held assembly gives students the opportunity to remember those who came before us.

A special and significant thank you to Dr John Aspley-Davis, husband of Mrs AD (affectionately known as the teacher who accompanies Paddington Bear to school) who brought along his bugle, explained the significance of The Last Post, the minute’s silence and the Rouse and performed them for the school.

A special thank you to all of our students, some who understand and those who were being introduced to the ANZAC Day concept for the first time. They sat, listened, participated where required and may have some observations and questions for you when they return home today.

Positive Behaviours for Learning - PBL

A good school is one that sets out clear expectations for behaviour and academic performance. Weetangera Primary School is a good school that works hard every single day to develop safe, respectful learners. Our school’s values are Respect, Responsibility, Resilience and Inclusion. And each student understands the significance of our values in ensuring that we develop a safe, respectful learning environment.  We explicitly teach these values to our students to promote positive behaviours and we clearly outline what each of these four values look like in all of the different parts of the school.

You may have noticed that there is new signage, across the school, that clearly demonstrates the values and behaviour expectations for all in students in all settings.

Here are some of the updated signs:

In the front office:

At the front of the school:

Outside in the playground:

And on the door of the library:

There are plenty more out and about and around the school. Please enjoy the colourful additions to our school environment.

A reminder re:   Mobile Phones at School

At Weetangera Primary School, we are a phone-free space to focus on teaching and learning.

Since term 1, 2024, a new policy has been in place which changes the way mobile phones are to be managed in all ACT public schools.

The new Personal Use of Communication Devices in ACT Public Schools policy will mean students in years P-10 may not use or access mobile phones or other personal communications devices at any point during the school day, or during school authorised events.

Students in Years P-10 at ACT public schools may not use or access personal communications devices at school, including recess and lunch, or during school authorised events.

• Students are strongly encouraged to keep their phones and other personal devices away from school.
• It is acknowledged that some students require access to their phones or other personal devices immediately before and after school to help them get to and from school safely.

Weetangera Primary School  acknowledges the educational value of digital devices and online services in supporting and enhancing educational outcomes and learner wellbeing. We also recognise they may cause harm if used inappropriately and that we need to support our learners to use them in safe, responsible and respectful ways.

Mobile phones are not to be used during school hours between 9.00am - 3.00pm.

The Physical Activity Foundation is gathering on the synthetic oval on Sunday, 5 May from 10am for the first of their four community activity events. Please join the team; free coffee, fruit and time for a quick walk and a chat is on the cards. Bring along your families to enjoy the first of these events.

My thought for this week, shared with all staff was the following: 

Rita Pierson was an extraordinary educator who had the gift of building confidence of ‘self’ in every student in her care and never ever stepped away from the important work of building the learning capacity of all students. Watch her inspirational TED Talk here: https://youtu.be/dnnOCijLjF4?si=ALGv6GDqJEXIoHQA

Have an amazing week

And as always contact me for questions, queries, commentary on the work of the school.

Regards

Julie

Julie.Cooper@ed.act.edu.au

Book Club

An exciting Issue 3 is coming!

Everyone who orders earns a $5 promotional credit to spend on Issue 4!*

If you still have an existing $5 credit, you can spend it on this issue as well before it expires. 

View latest catalogue: Book Club - Parents | Scholastic Australia

Orders are due by: 20 May 2024

Communication at Weetangera

P&C Update

Mother’s Day Stall

Our Mother’s Day Stall is back on Friday May 10. We know the cost of living is biting hard, and to help ease the squeeze this year all items are $5 or less. The stall will be cash only.

We’re also asking families to send only $5 for each child please - we know all our children love the women in their lives very much, and we’d like to make sure there’s plenty of choices left for the classes that come later in the morning.

Movie Night – Save The Date!!

We’re excited to announce that we will be hosting a Winter Warmer Movie night on Friday 21 June kicking off at 5:45 in the main hall. Further details to come and tickets will be available via Flexischools!

Next Meeting

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 14 May @ 6pm in the staff room. Be sure to clear the calendar and come along and share your ideas or just listen in to whats happening around the traps.

Key Dates

Movie Night – Friday 21 June

Trivia Night – Friday 9 August

Lap a thon – Thursday 26 September

Fete – Sunday 17 November

Stay Connected

Stay up to date with what is happening with the P&C and the canteen by following us at:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WeetangeraPandC

Instagram: www.instagram.com/WeetangeraSchoolPandC

Community Notices