Willoughby Public School Newsletter

Term 4, Week 4 - Friday 29 October 2021

OUR SCHOOL VISION

At Willoughby Public School we aim to cultivate socially-aware learners who are critical and creative thinkers, within a safe, respectful and responsible learning community.

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Dear Parents and Carers

World Teachers’ Day

Today, we celebrated World Teachers’ Day with a BBQ breakfast. We are very fortunate to have such hard working, dedicated and diligent teachers in our school who support our students with their learning. 

Return of Willoughby PS students

We have to say that the last 2 weeks at WPS have been the best all year. Happy, noisy, laughing children reconnecting with their classmates and teachers. It is wonderful to walk around our school and see the engagement of our students in their learning – it almost feels like Term 3 lockdown didn’t happen. See below for some lovely photos of students learning and playing together, snapped this week by Emily Wong.  

Thank you parents and carers for your positive response to our school’s COVID safety plans. Staggered release times, different entry and exit gates for different cohorts, spread out meeting point areas along the school perimeter have helped limit the mixing of grades. It has been nice to see some students choosing to wear a facemask. I appreciate the effort everyone is making to keep safe and adhere to the restrictions that are still in place. 

Ventilation Report

Representatives from Asset Management completed the ventilation check at the beginning of the term. The report identified a number of windows that over time have been painted shut, this will be rectified in the next few days – so all windows can be opened and rooms ventilated properly. From this report we received some air filters which have been placed in the identified rooms in Block D and Block C. We will continue to monitor the ventilation throughout the school. All classes have very clear protocols around hand washing, we have an onsite clearer who regularly cleans all touch sites – door knobs, stairwells across the school.

Canteen Update

Our successful canteen contractor has started this term, currently operating from offsite to supply lunches for our students. The upgrade of the canteen facilities has started, we are hopeful that the installation of the new gas cooktop, industrial oven, fridge and freezers will occur over the next couple of weeks to allow the canteen to fully operate from the canteen. Thank you for your patience as this building work occurs with our limited canteen access.

The P&C/ OOSHC kitchen will have a cooktop and oven installed during this time as well.

Metro renewal building funding

We have had a representative from Schools Infrastructure look at the Block C classrooms identified for an upgrade. This project is jointly funded by P&C, school and SI funds. We look forward to seeing a scope of works for this project.

Jennifer Simmonds

Principal

 

Welcome back to all students and staff. We missed you all!

Not returning to WPS in 2022?

As we begin our plans for 2022 classes it is important that we have a clear idea of the number of students anticipated in each year group.

If you are expecting that your son or daughter will not be returning to Willoughby Public School next year (other than those heading to high school) it would be greatly appreciated if you would indicate this as soon as possible, either by completing and returning the attached form, or emailing the office.

This information will be held in confidence by the Principal and Enrolments officer.

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New School Canteen - online orders open

Flexischools for new school canteen

Setting up a Flexischools account is easy. See attached flyer for info. 
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Some Natural Disasters Science work from Year 6

Year 6 are learning about Natural Disasters in Science. Their challenge was to design and build a structure that could withstand an earthquake.

The structures were made from a variety of objects such as spaghetti, toothpicks, mini marshmallows, cardboard, tape and straws and each structure had to withstand a "jelly" earthquake or the "shake table".

Scroll through some photos below.

Earthquake-proof structures

4/3T and 4/3C Spooky Art

LIBRARY NEWS

Can my child borrow? 

Borrowing will restart in your child’s first Library lesson back at school. Please make sure all books from Term 2 are promptly returned so that they can take part. Now is the time to do your last big hunt for any Willoughby Public School books they have at home, and place these in your child’s school bag ready to return. Our books have a Willoughby Public School barcode on them, and are usually stamped inside with our school name. If you are unsure what books they have out on loan, your child can log into their student portal and go into Oliver Library. You will see a dropdown for current loans.  

Lost Library Books 

What if you can’t find a Library book? Firstly – it is highly likely to be in your house somewhere in these times when we have been in lockdown. Look under and next to the far wall behind beds, under and on bookshelves, kitchen bench and lounge room piles of paperwork/reading material, the back seat pockets of the car… and the myriad of places that reading can occur in your house. If it has not turned up by the first lesson, then you may wish to pay for the lost books so that your child can clear their borrowing record, and we can buy replacements so that others can borrow them. Alternatively, you can buy replacements of the books yourself. If the books do turn up, we will happily refund your money to you. You only pay for them if they truly are lost. This makes it a win-win situation for you and for us. 

E-Book Platform 

We are thrilled to announce that during the remote learning period, well over 1000 e-books have been borrowed and enjoyed by our students. Our most frequent borrowers have been our Yr 3 and 4 students! Some students have really taken to the online format, finding it a great way to vary their reading in both content and style. You can access it here Willoughby Public School - Willoughby Public School (eplatform.co) . See flyer in this newsletter for more info. Please contact me at if I can be of any assistance on Contact Us | wpslibrary (librarywps.com) . 

Mrs Debbie de Silva  

Teacher Librarian 

Mrs Debbie de Silva 

Teacher Librarian 

Accessing the new WPS Digital Library

WPS Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is open for online orders. Orders can be picked up at the school office or will be delivered to classrooms on Wednesdays and Fridays.https://wps-uniform-shop.myshopify.com/.  

Please contact our uniform shop manager Lynda Morris with any questions - Email uniform@wpspandc.com.au or mobile 0416 046 181

WPS Training Band - 2022 recruitment

Please see attached information about joining the WPS Band in 2022
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Wellbeing information - useful links

Are you juggling life in lockdown with being a parent, home schooling, or working from home? If yes, you may find some helpful links in this where to guide*, when you can’t go anywhere. We have compiled a helpful list of resources, groups, and activities that you can participate in both online and offline from home or in your neighbourhood. We hope they bring inspiration and fun to the day for you and your family.
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Department of Education guide to mental health & wellbeing resources

Resources for Students, Parents and Carers. 
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Parent Guide to NSW Syllabuses

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School Travel passes 2022 - applications open

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Important Road Safety tips from Willoughby Council

Welcome to the final edition of the School Zone newsletter for 2021! In this edition we will share some bus safety tips for both drivers, parents and carers. See file attached. 
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Ethics Bites

NUT & PEANUT ALLERGY (ANAPHYLAXIS)

At Willoughby Public School we have a number of students with a

LIFE THREATENING NUT / PEANUT ALLERGY.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Even a small trace of nut, peanut or nut/peanut product may trigger a severe allergic reaction called Anaphylaxis, which attacks the immune system leading potentially to death within minutes.

This reaction can happen by taste, touch and sometimes can be airborne. All of these students have access to an adrenaline injection in the form of an Epipen, which can save lives. Photo posters are displayed in the classrooms, canteen, staffroom, playground bags and sick bay for easy identification of these children.

Willoughby PS works with parents/carers to support students in developing an awareness of their allergies and what foods to avoid. Students are encouraged not to share food and to always check with a parent/adult/teacher if unsure at any time. 

HOW CAN YOU HELP TO KEEP WPS STUDENTS SAFE? 

Please help us by not including peanut or any nut products in your child’s lunchbox. This includes peanut butter and Nutella. 

Please avoid products with any nuts/peanuts listed as an ingredient. 

Explain about nut/peanut allergy to your child and encourage the ‘no food sharing’ rule. 

Please consider what you are sending for birthday treats to share with the class, checking there are no nut products included. 

The school canteen does not serve products containing nuts. 

It is only with the continued support of all parents and staff that we can effectively maintain a safe school environment for these children.  

Thank you for your understanding. We know you will want to support the school and these children.

Put safety ahead of convenience. Always.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

North Steyne Nippers - 7 November start

Northbridge Swimming Club

GORDON JUNIOR CRICKET CLUB

Hi mums, dads and carers – Gordon Juniors is the local cricket club for girls and boys in the Willoughby LGA area. We are about to get the green light from Health NSW and the State Government to commence games hopefully on 30.10.2021. 

We have teams for all age groups from six to seventeen and we are a family club giving each player equal opportunity no matter what their ability is. We have strict policies in place regarding the safety of children as well as a strict Covid -19 safety policy. 

Our website is www.gordonjuniorcricket.com.au  and all information including how to register can be found when you visit our website. If you have any questions, please email me -  gordonjuniors@hotmail.com   - regards to all Dave Bezer - President 

How to install the SkoolBag App

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HOW TO APPLY FOR SCHOOL OPAL CARD

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