West Lakes Shore School Newsletter

Term 1, Week 4 2021

LEADERSHIP CORNER

What a fabulous turn out to last week’s ‘Meet and Greet’ Acquaintance Night. A huge thank you to everyone who was able to come along. It was a great opportunity for teachers and families to connect and discuss the year ahead. It was also lovely to see so many families popping in to see our newly renovated Sea Star Unit. (The good news is that our artist designed sensory floor is finally on the ship - from overseas, and will be delivered and fitted soon! - thus will add the final finishing touches to the wonderful early years learning spaces)

$5,000,000 Better School Renovations

We are well underway and working with architects to design innovative classroom and learning spaces across our Octopus, Stingray and Dolphin Units. A huge central courtyard and improved nature play will add a lovely community space. Watch for plans and more news in upcoming newsletters.

3 Way - Parent / Teacher / Pupil Interviews 

Later on this term parent-teacher interviews will be scheduled, however, all families are encouraged to contact your child's teacher at any time throughout the year to discuss any aspects relating to their learning or progress at school.

More information will be coming home in the next week regarding how to book interviews.  Existing families will log onto the Sentral Parent Portal and book them.  

New families to the school will receive an information letter with a link and code specific to your child/ren and how to access the Sentral Parent Portal - here you will be able to book your child's class teacher interviews, and also access semester academic reports at any time for future reference.

Governing Council and AGM

Following Acquaintance Night, the Annual General Meeting and the first Governing Council meeting of the year was held. An overview of the Governing Council, including office bearers, has been provided in this week’s newsletter. 

We warmly welcome new Governing Council Representatives to their roles.

Staff Representatives:  Vlass VLASSOPOULOS ,Lisa ZAPPIA, Jacqui THOMAS  (Non-voting : Helen GRANT and Fay ANDERSON)

Community Representatives:  Eva VARGA , Lynley ZEITZ , Liz RAY

Continuing Parent Representatives:  Bree KELLY, Niamh MELADY, Jillian LEE, Claire THOMAs, Lara BOGACZ, Holly CARTWRIGHT, Mary STEWART, Julia BURLISON, Gayathri RAVIPRAKASH, Kirsty MCKIE, Edith CAMPBELL

Nominations : Kimbalee BRISTOW, Amanda FISCHER, Kerrie GRINDLEY and Juliet HESTER 

Chairperson:  Edith CAMPBELL

Deputy Chairperson: Lynley ZEITZ

Secretary:  Amanda FISCHER (to be supported by other members)

Treasurer: Gayathri RAVIPRAKASH

We thank those parents who filled a role on the Governing Council and have now stepped down. We appreciate all the hard work you have done for our school.

Kind regards

Carol, Helen and Fay

CURRENT SCHOOL NEWS AND INFORMATION

SCHOOL ENROLMENT POLICY

Families of children due to commence Reception in 2022, and seeking a place at WLSS are encouraged to fill out an expression of interest for their child by Friday 21 May 2021. This includes applications for siblings, students in zone, and any students - should they not live in zone - applying to be considered for a place in 2022. All enrolments will be considered in line with the department enrolment policy which can be found on the school website.

It will be a busy school year as we plan the implications of Year 6 and Year 7 having their final primary school year in 2021. All Year 7 students will commence at High School in 2022. 

If you know your child will be commencing at an alternate school, including private High School in 2022, please can you email our enrolment officer Janet Massey at your earliest convenience. This information is vital for our class structures and has implications for staffing, school planning of senior school processes and pre-booked 2022 excursions and camps. Your support with this is hugely appreciated as we plan for the impact of future change. 

PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE 2021

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is underway for 2021.  Each year the Premier challenges students from Reception to Year 13 to read 12 books.  Eight of the books read must come from the Premier’s Reading Challenge booklist and four books are the student’s own choice. The purpose of the “Challenge” is to encourage children to read and to increase literacy skills.  For younger students who are still learning to read, it is about sharing books with their families at home.  At West Lakes Shore School R-7, many students participate in the Challenge and have received awards for their efforts. 

In the Resource Centre, we will be displaying the names of students who have handed in their completed Student Reading Record.

A certificate signed by the Premier is awarded to students completing the Challenge for the first time.  After that, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Champion, Legend and Hall of Fame medals are awarded.  A Hall Of Fame Reader for Life, gold embossed certificate reflecting the number of years students have participated in the Challenge is awarded in following years. 

To find out all you need to know about the Challenge visit: www.prc.sa.edu.au 

On the website you are able to find out information about the books, authors, ambassadors, guidelines and lots more.  The booklists are available on the website and are fully searchable by author, title, category and series in each of the three levels.  The eligible books are easily recognisable in our library as they have a PRC sticker at the top of the front cover and are divided into 3 categories: 

  • Red stickers                 Reception to Year 2
  • Green stickers             Year 3-5
  • Yellow stickers             Year 6-9

The closing date for this year’s “Challenge” is Friday, 3rd September so there is plenty of time to read the 12 books required.

WELCOME TO THE WELLBEING HUB

It was fabulous to see so many families pop in and visit our Wellbeing Hub on Acquaintance Night. The highlight was our new addition to the Hub community – a juvenile Bearded Dragon – who has recently been named ‘Rocko’ – thanks Brock from SD5. 

For those families who are new to the school, the Wellbeing Hub is a quiet place for students to access when they need wellbeing and self-regulation support during the school day. We can also help families with individual concerns and link with community services as needed. 

The Nest is now located in the Wellbeing Hub and provides students with valuable interoception skills and the children have quickly adapted to the new process. 

Students can ask for a Wellbeing Hub Pass from their teacher and have a class break or chat with an adult, usually Penny (SSO/Interoception), Tracey (PCW) or Jacqui (Wellbeing Teacher). 

We are still lucky to have Gordon, our Wellbeing Dog, visit weekly to provide much loved hugs and support. 

WELLBEING HUB

Wellbeing Hub Pass
Gordon the Wellbeing Wonder Dog
Rocko the baby Bearded Dragon

FESTIVAL OF MUSIC REHEARSAL

Dear Senior Choir Families,

This Friday the year 5-7 Senior Choir students will be walking to Westport Primary School to participate in an exciting combined choirs rehearsal and they will meet one of the Festival of Music's conductors! Your singer must return the permission/medical note (spare copies in the front office) to be able to attend, and have a full water bottle and hat as it will be a hot one. YES - please wear your boardies!!!!!

If you have volunteer clearance and would like to come along for this exciting experience, please email me so I can give you more details, thank you.

Wendy Banks - Choir Teacher

wendy.banks795@schools.sa.edu.au 

YEAR 6 / 7 LEAVERS JACKETS - ORDER NOW FROM LOWES

The last day to place your order for Year 6 or 7 Leavers Jackets is Tuesday 23 February 2021.

Important Information:

  • A sample size range is available to try on at LOWES WEST LAKES. Please ensure your size is correct as there is no exchange.  Please do not use your current jacket for sizing as they may vary.
  • Orders can only be placed and paid for at LOWES WEST LAKES. No Orders or payments are to be sent to school.
  • Cut off date is COB Tuesday 23 February 2021 - NO orders will be taken after this date.
  • Payment is to LOWES WEST LAKES at the time of placing the order.
  • Delivery time frame for jackets is approximately the end of April 2021 - you will be contacted by LOWES upon arrival for collection.

JACKET SIZES AND PRICES

  • Child size: 10 - 16 - $69.95
  • Adult size: 14 - 20 - $72.95

Please make sure your child tries on different size jackets to get the correct size as there are no exchanges for different sizes.

Contact LOWES West Lakes on 83552873 for more information.

AFTER SCHOOL FOOTBALL - REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 4TH MARCH 2021

The 2021 After School Football Program registration/ nominations are now open and will close promptly on the 4th March 2021 at 11:30pm.

The first game for the season will start Monday 8th May - more information is provided in the attached link.  Open for girls and boys from Year 2 -7 - pending numbers and volunteers.

Please complete the attached online form https://bit.ly/2ZkIVG8 as soon as you can to secure a place for your child.

After School Football will not go ahead without a volunteer coach and manager. 

 

AFTER SCHOOL BASKETBALL - ADDITIONAL PLAYERS REQUIRED

URGENTLY Seeking additional Basketball players

  • Year 2/3 Thursday afternoon games
  • Year 5/6/7 Thursday afternoon games

Please contact michelle.fearne570@schools.sa.edu.au with Thursday Basketball in the subject, and please provide players full names, year level and class in the email body by this FRIDAY 19 February 2021.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT - SPORTING

BLACK BELT BRILLIANCE

Congratulations to Ashton S, from ST1 who has just recently earned his Black Belt First Dan in Taekwondo.

Ashton who is only in year 2, has been training for 4 years (since the age of 3), also completed intense Cho Dan Bo Training for 3 months in preparation for his Black Belt grading which went for 4 1/2 hours and was successful. 

Some information about Taekwondo Belts from Ashton's dad:

  • Starting belt - White belt
  • Yellow belt - 3 stripes to progress
  • Blue belt - 3 stripes to progress
  • Red Belt - 3 stripes to progress
  • Cho Dan Bo level, and then proceed to Black Belt. 
  • There are 8 Dan levels in the Black Belt. To reach 8th Dan means you are a Grand Master Black Belt.

Ashton has already fought in an international tournament in Melbourne and he recently made the fight team again and may compete in the Gold Coast in May pending on COVID restrictions.

What an amazing achievement Ashton, and we hope you keep up the training and progress to higher levels within Black Belt, and wish you well with future competitions.

2022 HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION INFORMATION

BRIGHTON SPECIAL INTEREST MUSIC

Information Evening for Years 6 & 7

Everything you need to know about auditioning for the Brighton’s Special Interest Music Program

Tuesday 30 March 2021, 5.30 to 6.30pm

Brighton Secondary School Concert Hall

Followed by a free short concert on the front oval (bring a picnic dinner and chairs)

For all enquiries please call Pam Parsons 8375 8215 OR email: pamela.parsons939@schools.sa.edu.au 

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES & SPORTS CLUBS

WESTERN TENNIS ACADEMY

TERM 1 - TENNIS COACHING - SPECIAL OFFER

Come and get some practice in before the WLSS Sports Day

Join the ANZ Hotshots Program

Bring a friend and receive 15% discounts - Also accepting Sports Vouchers 

Email us at hello@westerntennis.com.au 

AUSTRALIAN GIRLS CHOIR OPEN DAY

Look no further than the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) because we encourage, challenge and inspire girls as they learn to sing, dance and perform.

School aged girls are invited to come along to our Open Day on Saturday February 20 to try our fun and inclusive classes and learn more about being part of the AGC!

Please visit our website to register to attend our free Open Day: 
https://ausgirlschoir.com.au/febopenday/

NORTH WEST JUNIOR SOCCER - REFEREE's WANTED

North West Junior Soccer Association is looking for new faces to join our referee team.

Referee meetings are held only on Monday nights,  6:30 to 7:30pm at the Findon Community Centre on Findon Road Findon some Mondays could be held at Jubilee Reserve corner Hawkesbury Way & Bartley Tce West Lakes.

Need to be 12 years and older, no experience necessary, available Saturdays through Term 2 and 3 between 8am and 2pm. 

Call Tony on 0418814524 or email referees@nwjsa.org.au

MORE SPORTING CLUBS AND DANCE SCHOOLS

GENERAL FAMILY INFORMATION AND IMPORTANT DATES

WHOLE SCHOOL PHOTO DAY

MSP photography will be here at school on Friday 12 March to take Individual, Class and Family photos.  Your child will bring home an envelope shortly with price information and how to pay (online or cash).  The back up day if your child is absent is Monday 15 March.  It is not compulsory to purchase class or individual photos.

Some reminders -

  • DO NOT send the order envelope back to school or the class teacher before the photo day. 
  • Payment envelopes are to be brought to school on Friday 12 March and given to MSP photography directly when the class has their photos taken. 
  • If you are paying cash make sure that you have the correct amount in the envelope - we are unable to give any change, and neither is the canteen.  If you have more than one child you can put all the money into one envelope, or order online up to 12pm on the day of photos.
  • There will be family photo envelopes available to collect from the front office once the student envelopes go home.  These cannot be ordered online, and must be paid for in the separate envelope.

PUPIL FREE, PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND SCHOOL CLOSURE INFORMATION

Please find all the Pupil Free Days, Public Holidays and School Closure Days for the 2021 school year.  These have been approved by Governing Council.

PUPIL FREE DAYS

  • Term 2 - 11 June 2021 (Friday)
  • Term 3 - 20 August 2021 (Friday)
  • Term 4 - 19 November 2021 (Friday)

SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY - ROYAL ADELAIDE SHOW DAY

  • Term 3 - 8 September 2021 (Wednesday)

EASTER AND END OF TERM EARLY DISMISSALS

  • Thursday 1 April 2021 - Easter holiday 2pm dismissal
  • Friday 9 April 2021 - End of Term 2pm dismissal
  • Friday 2 July 2021 - End of Term 2pm dismissal
  • Friday 24 September 2021 - End of Term 2pm dismissal
  • Friday 10 December 2021 - End of School Year 2pm dismissal

Contact OSHC for availability and bookings on 82423141

IMPORTANT TERM DATES TO REMEMBER

  • Friday, 19 February 2021 - BOARDIES DAY - Gold coin donation
  • Tuesday, 23 February 2021 - SAPSASA District Swimming Day for nominated students
  • Friday, 12 March 2021 - Whole School Photo Day
  • Monday, 15 March 2021 - Back up Photo Day
  • Friday, 19 March 2021 - Whole School Harmony Day Celebrations
  • Tuesday, 23 March 2021 - SAPSASA District Athletics Day for nominated students
  • Thursday, 8 April 2021 - Whole School Sports Day
  • Friday, 9 April 2021 - Sports Day Back Up
  • END OF TERM - FRIDAY 9 APRIL 2021

WEST LAKES SHORE SCHOOL

Absentee Line: 8449 7574

WLSS OSHC: 8242 3141