Whitford Catholic Primary School
Newsletter 30 - 23 September 2020
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we head toward the term break, I take this opportunity to thank everyone for your fabulous support over the past ten weeks, making this such a successful term for all. We have had many highlights, lots of hard work and a term full of amazing opportunity for our students.
Again, this is the perfect reminder of the need to remain vigilant with your child/ren’s use of technology over the holidays, and particularly if they access social media apps. As parents of primary school aged children, I encourage you to review the esafety guide for further information: https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide
Beacon Cyber Safety App
Further to the e-safety guide is the Beacon Cyber Safety App. With funding from Bankwest, the Telethon Kids Institute has developed a cyber safety educational App designed to keep parents and carers up to date with trusted, tailored information to help you teach your children to interact safely online. The Beacon App is the result of a decade of WA research on children’s technology use, cyber safety, and parent behaviour. The App aims to provide parents and carers with knowledge and skills to help children thrive in a digital world by building capacity to support children to use digital technology in a positive way. The App delivers reliable information backed by research and behavioural science, as well as ideas, strategies, and personalised support.
We encourage parents to check out this resource, which is available to download now for both iOS and Android. More information about the toolkit can be accessed using this link: Beacon Cyber Safety Toolkit Guide
Interschool Athletics Carnival - 3rd Place
Congratulations to all of our athletes from Years 3-6 who represented the school over the past two days at the Interschool Athletics Carnival. We achieved 3rd place overall which is a fantastic effort and we will have more information in the newsletter next term. Congratulations to all on some amazing results, fabulous behaviour and a spirited team approach to participation. Thank you to Mr D’Adamo and his team for their assistance in preparing the students.
Farewell to Mrs Anca Puiu
It is with some sadness that today we farewell Mrs Anca Puiu from WCPS. It has been such a pleasure working with Mrs Puiu and seeing her strong commitment to not only colleagues, but very importantly, the children. We will miss you Anca and really appreciate everything you have done for us! We wish you well in your new position at Hocking Primary School and know that you'll do an amazing job there. We have reorganised staffing so that Mrs Vanessa Chamberlain, who already works in our school, will now take over this Educational Assistant position.
Artist in Residents: P&F Art Project
Over the past two weeks we have watched the art installation near the Kindergarten area take place. This has been a terrific learning opportunity for the students, many of whom have been practicing their Noongar language and some, helping out with the painting. We look forward to seeing the finished result early next term. All the support of our artist Jade Dolman, by Pina Pettinicchio, Renee Bellamy and Zoe Lee has been very much appreciated.
On that note, I send best wishes to everyone for a relaxing and safe holiday and look forward to seeing you back at school next term on Tuesday 13 October.
Many blessings
Tamara McGougan
Principal
Thank you letter from St Vincent de Paul
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Important Dates
Thursday 24 September
- Year 4W Just Jump
- FINAL DAY FOR STUDENTS
Tuesday 13 October
- FIRST DAY TERM 4
- Soccer Incursion Kindy & PP
Wednesday 14 October
- Soccer Incursion Kindy & PP
Thursday 15 October
- Year 5 Excursion Sacred Heart - Into the Woods
- Year 5 Surf Life saving - Mullaloo
Friday 16 October
- Year 5 Surf Life saving - Mullaloo
- 9am Book Week Parade - Oval
- Book Week Plays PP-2 11:35-12:35 & Yrs.3-6 1:35-2:35pm (Gym)
Saturday 17 October and Sunday 18 October
- Sacrament of First Reconciliation Commitment weekend
Monday 19 October
- Year 2 Swimming Lessons commence
Save the Date - Book Week
Term 4 Calendar
To view Term 4 Calendar please click here
Please remember to always check newsletters and online calendar for up to date information as dates are subject to change.
School Photos
Further information to come next term. A reminder that students will be required to be in summer uniform.
Social Work News
Tuning In To Kids parenting program at WCPS:
Yesterday saw 11 parents complete the Tuning In To Kids parenting program that has been hosted at WCPS and facilitated by Cheryl Marriott from Ngala.
Tuning in to Kids is an evidence-based parenting program that helps children learn to understand and regulate their emotions. The program teaches parents skills in emotion coaching, which is to recognise, understand and respond to children’s emotions in an accepting, supportive way. This approach helps the child to understand and manage their emotions. The program teaches parents:
- awareness and regulation of their own emotions
- awareness of their children’s emotions
- to use children’s emotional experiences as an opportunity for closeness and teaching
- skills in assisting children to verbally label their emotions
- skills in assisting children in problem solving
- to guide children’s behaviour with appropriate limits
The research evaluation of Tuning in to Kids found that when parents learned these parenting skills, this was related to improvements in children’s emotional competence, social skills and behaviour. For children with behaviour or anxiety problems, the program was particularly effective.
The program at WCPS ran for 2 hours once a week over 6 weeks. Parents from across the school signed up to share and learn together to upskill in the important job of parenting. There was plenty of story sharing and laughter as participants learned new strategies and skills and the program received much positive feedback.
“It was an invaluable experience and there were many aha moments for me! I think we as parents expect to be able to know how our children should be behaving, growing, developing etc. but the reality is without the encyclopaedia, why should we! Every age and stage is a new learning curve for every parent. It was good to know that other parents shared the same challenges and frustrations too and to learn strategies for helping us and our kids on this journey.” – parent
Plans at this stage are to have the Tuning In To Kids parenting program at WCPS program again next year so there will be another opportunity for parents to attend. Please keep an eye out for information early next year.
Kind regards
Elaine Mahon
Social Worker
Canteen
Just a reminder that the canteen will be open the first day of Term 4 which will be Tuesday 13 October.
The Canteen will remain open on Mondays and Thursdays for online lunch orders only.
Unfortunately we are unable to offer recess and no cash or paper bag orders will be accepted.
To place your order online please click here
To view our menu for Term 4 please click here
Photography Competition
Congratulations to our winners of the school photography competition. There were many entrants and deciding the winners proved to be very difficult. Special thanks to the Technology Ministry for their commitment in organising the competition.
The winners are:
Nature: Tiana Plichta 5W
Animals: Marina Sgarlata 2G
Sunrise/Sunset: Riley Addario 6W
Action/Sport: Jace Von Bergheim 6G
Teachers: Ms Wheeler & Mrs Limpitlaw
Mike Barns
Year 6 Teacher/Digital Technologies Leader
Congratulations Miss Golisano - Runner Up Grand Final WAFLW
Junior Art Club
Whitty Dads
We all have extremely busy lives, and as a father it is often difficult to spend quality time with your children around the demands of work and modern commitments. The aim of our first Whitty Dads Workshop, is to look at how best we can maximise small windows or odd weekends blocks we get to spend with our children. We hope to create quality enriching experiences that builds the bonds between fathers and their children without an expectation of requiring any additional commitments.
Click here to book for the workshop.
P&F NEWS
LAPATHON
Thank you to all the students that participated in the Lapathon this year and for the families and friends that sponsored them. if you haven't had a chance yet, don't forget you can still either return the envelopes or make a donation via our Everyday Hero Account https://nfp.everydayhero.com/au/whitford-catholic-primary-school#
Congratulations to:
Highest number of Laps Winner - Campbell Cavanagh (45 laps)
Highest fundraiser - Heath Ashworth
All prizes, including being Mr D'Adamo's helper for a day, will be given out tomorrow.
Please click here for the lastest P&F newsletter.
Wishing all Whitford Primary School Families a happy and safe holiday break.
Entertainment Book
Get your new Entertainment Membership today to support Whitford Catholic Primary School. Membership is app only-no books available.
Entertainment Memberships can start anytime (as soon as you download the app) and are packed with thousands of substantial savings on dining, travel and fun family activities. The digital membership is easy to download to start using instantly. New offers are added weekly for ongoing value all year round.
Order today with the link below...
School Banking
Dear WCPS parents,
We are looking for more volunteers to join our wonderful school banking team on Tuesdays. This is a fun way to meet other parents, have a cup of coffee & help out with our kids saving program. Plus the Commonwealth Bank will provide you with a reference as a way to thanks for your participation. You will be rostered on once or twice per term & it will only take an hour or two of your time. If you are interested please email mary1@iinet.net.au. Thank you 😊
OLM Parish News
To view the current parish newsletter please click here
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Community News
Hot Shots Tennis Lessons - Instyle Tennis
Hot-Shots Tennis lessons with InStyle Tennis! Tennis lessons at Whitfords Catholic Primary school are held Tuesday 7.35-8.20am, starting week 2 of term 4. All players receive a free t-shirt! Great fun and all ages/ levels welcome! Details and online registration at instyletennis.com.au/ 0433 777 195
Day: Tuesday
Time: 7.35-8.20am
Cost $145/term (8 lessons)