Weetangera Primary School Newsletter | Week 5, Term 4 2024

From Mel

Can you believe that there are only 22 more days left of school this year?

It’s been an amazing year, and we are determined to pack in 22 more days of amazing. This week, our year 2 students are very busy with aqua safe lessons in the pool, the pre-schoolers are doing lots of visiting and getting to know the school, year 1 are mastering forensics, kindergarten are hitting their reading goals, year 4 are discovering democracy, and year 3 are creating codes and games. Our year 5/6 students presented an out of this world assembly this morning, chock-full of highlights from a year of learning that was a second to none. They might also have shared their love of a good idiom! Well done year 5/6.

Student-Centred Improvement Review

In week 1, WPS had its student-centred improvement review. Thank you to those members of our community who were able to participate and provide input to the review panel. The report is now available on our school website, or you can access the report here.

We need your help!

Our PBL focus this week is RESPECT in outdoor play spaces. For the most part, our students do pretty well with this, though we could be better with putting our rubbish in the right places. The other thing that has been disappointing lately is the treatment of some of our young trees and shrubs. Unfortunately, they regularly have their branches broken off.

These trees are an important part of our school environment and we want people to enjoy them for years to come. We love that our community uses our grounds so well, and so I’d like to ask you a favour. If you are visiting the school outside of school hours and see people treating our grounds disrespectfully, please help us by speaking up and letting them know it’s not OK. Thank you!

See you at the Fete!

Just a reminder our fete is this weekend! See you there!

Mel

Melanie.Bezear@ed.act.edu.au

WPS Fete is this weekend!

It’s FETE WEEKEND! We are all excited - not even the threat of a little rain can slow us down! The fete will be on no matter what the skies throw at us, we’ll just be ready to move a few things around to fit activities in undercover areas. 

Thank you to those of you who have been holding on to those donations of second hand books, toys, white elephant items and plants - the time to bring them to school is here. Please drop off items between 3-5pm Friday, 8am-12pm Saturday, and 8-10am Sunday. We’ll have greeters in the school foyer ready to point you to the right spot for your items.

We are also looking forward to seeing all those baked goods, both to sell at our cake stall and the wonderful creations of students entering the cake decorating competition. Items for the cake stall can be dropped off to the cake stall in the old hall, 8am-12pm Saturday and 8-10am Sunday, and competition entries to the front of the stage in the old hall, 8-10am Sunday. 

Be sure to check out the many activities on fete day! The fete will run from 10am-2pm, with activities like a reptile zoo at preschool, free face painting, grass head cutting at the plant stall and cupcake decorations. As always we’ll have the BBQ, pick-a-jars, and an art show with items from every student at Weetangera for sale for $2 in the main school corridor. 

Our fabulous raffle has 18 excellent prizes, with first prize a 5 night stay for the whole family at Culburra Beach. You can buy raffle tickets in Unit 3 (year 2) on fete day, or until 1pm on fete day at: 

https://www.raffletix.com.au/weetangeraps-fete24

Finally, thank you to the many people (94 of you!) who have put your hand up to help on fete weekend. We have a handful of slots that we could still use some help with - if you’ve been waiting for the last minute, email weetangeraprimaryfete@gmail.com to help with one of these options, or simply show up!

BBQ sales - Sunday 11-12, 12-1 or 1-2

Toy stall - Saturday 11-12:30 or Sunday 1-2

General helpers - Saturday 9:30-11 or Sunday 2-3 

Cake stall - Sunday 8-9

Book stall - Saturday 11-12:30

See you at the fete!

What's Happening in the Caterpillars

The 2024 school year is almost done,

The summer break creeps closer with every rising sun.

It’s time to look back on the things we’ve learned,

And celebrate the progress that we’ve earned.

The Caterpillars know more sounds than they did before,

We can segment, manipulate, and blend for sure.

Whether it’s digraphs, long vowels, or something odd,

With practice and patience, we’re a super speller squad.

We can use this spelling knowledge when reading, it really is great.

To connect the sounds we know to the stories we rate.

Being a good reader means choosing a strategy from C.A.F.E,

And off we go, you can’t stop us, we’re readers, HOORAY!

Writing can be where the pressure starts to mount,

It’s hard to remember the letters for all the sounds.

This year we used our skills to draw, write, edit and publish,

Our writing goals have helped us make sure it’s not rubbish!

A different type of thinking is required for maths tasks,

Games have helped us answer questions the teacher asks.

We’ve measured, collected, identified and worked out sums in our heads,

We’ve added to our skills so Year 2 maths isn’t something we dread.

On top of all that… we’re detectives, historians, athletes and artists.

The Caterpillars have worked hard this year to be their very smartest.

“I’m so proud of you!”, that’s what Izzy said.

This year we’ve built a solid foundation for all that lies ahead!

Izzy Dunn 

What's Happening in the Fantastic Foxes

The 2024 school year is almost complete, and our Fantastic Foxes are on the home stretch to wrapping up Year 2!

This week Year 2 have been participating in the ACT Royal Lifesaving’s Aqua Safe Water Safety and Awareness program. Students enjoyed various activities in and around the pool to develop their confidence and knowledge of water safety.

Thank you, Year 2, for displaying such respectful and responsible behaviour this week during our sessions. Here are a few of our highlights.

I enjoyed being in the pool and making my instructor laugh. I especially liked being on the boat- Suki

I liked swimming with the life jackets. – Neeka

I liked doing the sinky. Our instructor threw the toy and we had to swim and dive to get it from the bottom of the pool. – Arush

I went on the boat where we had to fall backwards and we got to find a sinky. We got to do some diving and fall ins. – Hayden

I enjoyed doing the dives and the pin drops. – Aarya

Our Global Concept of Voice this term explores why health information is important for making choices. The Fantastic Foxes have been learning about the digestive, muscular and skeletal system ahead of analysing existing health messages. Here are some take aways from our learning so far this term and some of our digestive stories. We look forward to exploring some of our wonderings throughout our unit of work!

It's important to take care of our body systems because our bodies experience life where we move, eat and play. – Mae

It’s important to care of it you can get sick and possibly shorten your life. By looking after it you can extend your lifespan. – Suki

We can stand up and move around much quicker than if we don’t look after our body systems. - Liam

Digestive Narratives

“Help! A baby is eating me. I am going to die!”. Before I knew it I was in the esophagus and was going to the stomach. The stomach acid was breaking me down. Then, I went into the small intestine. It took an hour. The vitamins are so….. In the large intestine the water flushed me out and I ended up in cold water.

Henry G

Once upon a time there was a cherry sitting on a plate in the fridge. She was very, very bored while all the other cherries were having fun… until the fridge door opened. It was petrifying! In the blink of an eye, Cherry and a few others were gone. They started I the mouth where they got all mushy and squashed. Once they got into the esophagus, it was like a water slide. It was so fun. Once they got down they arrived into the small intestine where Cherry got stuck.

Neeka M

One day there was a tomato. The tomato’s name was Tomato. Tomato loved his family. One day she got taken out of the fridge and she wanted to go back into the fridge. Her whole family got eaten. She was sad that they got eaten too.

Ellise D

The sun was bright and I found myself in a big brown blob. I opened my eyes and saw a shiny plate with my feet placed on it. Oh, and I just noticed I was rising up into the human mouth. Sticky was surrounding me. Huge white bricks were high above my head and then I got swallowed down a long tube. I felt so weird as I continued to try to climb up.

Maya S

Rosie Kingelty 

What's Happening in the Wedge-Tail Eagles

This term, Year 3, we have been learning about the Global Concept of Voice and how authors use their voice in writing. We have also been focusing on how we can add more detail and descriptive language within our writing. To support us, we learnt the writing strategy of ‘Show, don’t tell!’ to describe an emotion. We also learnt about similes too! Here we are showing our voice in writing with Show, don’t tell!

Can you guess the emotion?

At the dead of night, I rushed to the bathroom, my hands were so sweaty, it’s like having butterfingers. My feet touch the cold stone floor, and they go numb. My mouth feels like I have a creature in my mouth, my eyes blur, my nose is blocked. My heart beats as loud as a lion. My stomach feels like a nuclear power plant, spitting out nuclear waste by the second. Suddenly my mouth explodes. I stayed in the bathroom for what felt like years but was actually hours.

By Marcus 

My heart is beating so fast I feel like it is going to explode.

I jump up and down like a kangaroo, I can’t control myself.

My hands are sweaty, and I have a big goofy smile on my face.

I am so pumped up I can’t wait.

By Pippa

I scrunch my hands up into balls.

I scream for help.

I flip upside down on the inside.

By Riley

A little droplet fell down my face. As I sighed, why couldn’t he be more careful?

Sniffle, sniffle, sniffle. I slowly crawled into bed. My eyes were dry as an elephant. I wiped up my soft streaming tears. My heart slowed down, ever so slowly. I clamped up into a ball. I was as still as a rock. I felt like this was the worst day ever. I heard a knock on the door. “Come in”, I said slowly. It was my brother coming in to say sorry.

By Marley

My heart is pounding like a loud firework. My dog is having puppies today. My palms are sweaty. I’m bouncing like a cheetah, I’m filled with energy. I was grinning from ear to ear. My jaw was hurting from smiling too much. The pups were as cute as a newborn baby!

By Silvie

It is the day my family and I are going to the beach!

My feet are literally about to burst. I thought that my heart was thumping one million times a second. I woke my mum up and she said “Why are you up so early? I have never seen you with this big of a smile.” “Mum,” I said. “Did you forget what day it is we are going to the beach !!!!!!!”

Me and my brother's hands were waving up and down the whole time. 

By Jacob

We also had to sell a haunted house by drawing images and using our knowledge of descriptive language to persuade people to buy our house. Would you buy a house?

When you enter the dining room, you will hear a haunted jingle of music, and you will see some lovely festive spider webs.

By Jhanvi

Rumours are heard that the house is alive. The house has been haunted for years. The only way to enter is if it eats you first. The first room you will see is the cursed kitchen, where you will find blood curdling screams and a handy butler that will help you cook.

By Alexa

So, there is a backyard full of carnivorous plants that eat humans. 

By Hesara

Welcome to the mansion of Jack the Ripper, where his ghost embodies the house. In the front window you get a good view of the “endless” cornfield. 

By Alex

Thanks for coming along our literary journey!!

Megan Ferdinand

What's Happening in the Wishing Spells

This term, Year 4 went on an excursion to the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House as part of our work on the global concept ‘Voice’. As the cohort was too large to do the tour all together, we split into two groups. During the day the groups switched over so they both were able to experience the Franklin River Workshop as well as the New and Old Parliament Houses.

Beginning with the "Franklin River Workshop", this interactive session taught the students about the role of different voices in a democracy. We discussed what groups would be impacted by the Franklin River and the reasons why some groups would be for and against the river. Emphasising how democratic governments make decisions that aim to serve the best interests of the majority. During the workshop, students explored artefacts representing the different perspectives and went into Senate to set the scene for how the government would have debated the cause.

Meanwhile, the other group explored the surrounding area, observing the local flora and fauna and sketching the landmarks around the Parliamentary Triangle. After completing these activities, the students walked up to New Parliament House. There, they compared the old and new buildings, learning about the architectural differences and history of both. One of the most exciting facts discovered was that the Australian flag flying above New Parliament House is as large as a double-decker bus! Following this, students had some fun playing on the large grassy hill in front of New Parliament House, enjoying a well-deserved break. After their playtime, the group walked back and had some lunch in the rose gardens before catching the bus back to school.

This excursion provided Year 4 students with a deeper understanding of democracy in action, as well as an appreciation for Australia’s political history and natural environment. The combination of learning, exploration, and hands-on activities made for an enjoyable and memorable day, giving the students a new perspective on the importance of democracy and the role of government in shaping society.

Alex Spencer 

What's Happening in the Thingamabobs

Corinne Hannan

ICAS 2024

In term 3, students from years 2-6 participated in the annual ICAS (International Competitions and Assessments)  tests in English, Spelling, Maths, Science, Digital Technologies and Writing (years 3-6 only). Well done to everyone who participated. To achieve a distinction, a student's results are in the top 10% of results for students across Australia. To receive a high distinction, their results are in the top 1%. Congratulations to our high achievers! The Principal's Award goes to the student with the highest overall percentage. 

English

Mathematics

Principal's Award: Henry M

Writing

Spelling

Science

Digital Technology 

Weetangera Primary Volleyball Team

On Sunday 3rd November Weetangera Primary entered two teams in the OzSpike Junior beach volleyball tournament at Lyneham.  In hot and very windy conditions, the teams displayed great team work in their six hard fought matches.

It was wonderful to see so many families braving the conditions and cheering on the teams.

Congratulations to all the players and we look forward to playing in more tournaments in 2025!

Parent Portal App

Parent Portal at Weetangera

Parent Portal is now available. It is a secure online platform used to share student information between you and your child’s teachers.

Some reminders about Parent Portal:

• If you already have a Parent Portal account, use this Parent Portal access link to start using the great features.
• You can’t access Parent Portal directly through the ACT Digital Account website, you need to use the link above.
• When you are logged into Parent Portal, we recommend saving the browser as a favourite or to the homepage on your mobile phone for quick access in the future.
• The website can only be viewed using a web browser on your computer, mobile phone or tablet. An app is not available at this time.
• If you still need to register, you will need an access key and a Parent Portal registration link via email to link your existing account to your child’s records. If you haven’t received this, please contact the school’s front office team for assistance.

Head to our website for all the details:

https://www.weetangeraps.act.edu.au/For_Parents/parent_portal

Scholastic Book Club

Scholastic Book Club Issue 8 orders are due by 4 December 2024

Online catalogue: ISSUE PREVIEW | Scholastic Australia

PBL News

P&C Update

Communication at Weetangera

Community Notices

What is Saver Plus?

Saver Plus is a program for people on lower incomes. It’s about enhancing financial skills, to develop (and keep) good savings habits.  Since 2003, Saver Plus has supported more than 60,000 people to start saving.

Saver Plus has helped overcome the barriers around education expenses. And sets families up for a brighter future.

To be eligible You must have all of the following:

• A Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card  
• an eligible Centrelink payment*
• Be studying yourself OR have a child in school (can be starting school next year)
• Have regular income from work (either yourself or your partner)* including Carers Payment / Child Support / Cash in hand
• Be 18+ years old
• Agree to join in free online financial education workshops called MoneyMinded
• Not completed Saver Plus previously

* Many types of income and Centrelink payments are eligible, see the Saver Plus terms and conditions for more information.