Heights Happenings
Winston Heights PS - Term 2 Week 2 2023
⭐ PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE ⭐
👨 STAFFING UPDATE 👨
Introducing Mr Jaron Blackie - Wellbeing SLSO
Adding to our wellbeing initiatives this year, Mr Blackie has joined our support and wellbeing teams this term and will be at WHPS every Tuesday and Thursday. Mr Blackie is a fabulous advocate and role-model who will be supporting students during playtimes, sport, and when learning. Here’s an introduction from Mr Blackie:
Well hello. My names Jaron Blackie and I'm a new SLSO at the school. So whats an SLSO? Well pretty much I'm at the school to support the students and staff in anyway I can. Predominantly I'm here due to my extensive sporting background but you'll also see me in the classroom engaging in formal day to day activities as well.
Here is a little background on me. I've been a full time personal trainer for over 17 years. I've worked with pretty much every age group but I just keep finding my way back to working with kids. Currently I run adult group fitness classes at the school and have for over 5 years.
I'm very passionate about all levels of sports and the way that playing sports can teach kids about personal growth. Once upon a time I was a semi professional rugby union player over seas. Currently I am the club coach at Winston Hills Football club. I've really found a passion for football. It's a game that everyone can play.
Watching people grow and learn is something that gets me out of bed each morning. It's even better if I am involved in the process as it allows me the opportunity to see kids grow and mature into confident young people. Becoming part of the team at Winston Heights is a dream come true.
🛑 NEW CROSSING SUPERVISOR ON BUCKLEYS ROAD 🛑
Winston Heights PS was recently notified that our application for a school crossing supervisor on Buckleys Road was successful. Our new school crossing supervisor, Roberta Bell, will help students to safely use the Buckleys Road crossing every morning and afternoon. Please join me in welcoming Roberta to our Winston Heights community!
Road and Pedestrian Safety
It’s easy to become complacent about safety, especially on a familiar route such as on your way to or from school. Taking risks and not being mindful on the roads can have serious consequences.
It’s important to Stop. Look. Think. Cross if safe.
Always use the pedestrian crossing if available, it’s the safest way to cross the road. If one isn’t available, it’s a risky crossing.
If there is no pedestrian crossing
When there is no pedestrian crossing, use these tips to cross safely:
STOP
- Before you cross the road stop at a safe distance back from the kerb.
LOOK
- Look both ways for approaching vehicles before you cross the road. As you cross keep looking both ways and checking until safely across. Just because someone else decides to cross, doesn’t mean it’s safe for you.
THINK
- Is there a pedestrian crossing close by that you could use?
- Think about whether it is a safe place to cross.
- Never assume that an approaching vehicle can see you, or will stop for you – wait until all vehicles have passed before you consider stepping off the kerb.
- Make sure you can clearly see vehicles coming from both directions and make sure drivers can also see you.
CROSS IF SAFE
- Remember to always choose a safe place to cross the road:
- Avoid crossing between parked cars or at the front or back of buses and large vehicles.
- Avoid crossing at a crest of a hill or a bend in the road making it difficult to see approaching traffic and to be seen by drivers.
- Only cross if the road is clear of traffic.
If there is a pedestrian crossing use these tips
Follow the Stop. Look. Think. Cross if Safe advice above and:
- Check for turning vehicles before you leave the kerb, and while you are crossing the road.
- At traffic lights, wait for the walk signal. Pedestrian countdown timers show how many seconds you have left to finish crossing before oncoming vehicles will be given a green light. If you haven’t started to cross, the countdown timers can help you decide if it’s safe to do so. At traffic lights, don’t enter the road if vehicles are moving through the crossing or if the red don’t walk signal shows.
Children’s crossings and pedestrian crossings (link below)
The animation below highlights the difference between children’s crossings and pedestrian crossings, and what motorists need to do on approach to each type of crossing. Understanding the road rules and following them is critical to ensuring safer outcomes on our roads.
COVID-SMART MEASURES CONTINUE
With winter approaching, it is likely we will see an increase in respiratory illnesses.
Our COVID-smart measures continue to be in place to help reduce the risk of transmission for students and staff members and are vital in allowing us to keep our schools operational while prioritising student and staff wellbeing. These measures include:
- Staying home if unwell and test for COVID-19 if showing any symptoms
- Boosted day cleaning of high-touch areas in our schools
- Strongly encouraging masks to be worn by all students, staff and visitors, particularly when indoors or outdoors when physical distancing is difficult to maintain, and if exposed to COVID-19
- Strongly encouraging up-to-date vaccinations for our staff and students, including COVID-19 booster shots for anyone eligible
- Maintaining natural ventilation with windows and doors open whenever possible, including when cooling/heating systems are in use
- Continuing to provide RATs and other hygiene products to schools free of charge.
Please continue to notify our school if your child tests positive to COVID-19 as we will continue to regularly notify the school community of any known positive cases, to prioritise student and staff safety and wellbeing. Although no longer mandatory, NSW Health recommends you register your result with Service NSW; this helps you to access medical support and advice from NSW Health, including antiviral medicines, if eligible.
For further information about the COVID-smart measures in place this term, refer to Advice for families.
Students and staff returning to school after having COVID-19
Students, staff and visitors should only attend school when they are well and symptom free. We strongly encourage all students, staff and visitors to follow the guidance issued by NSW Health if they test positive to COVID-19. Schools should continue to send home students or staff displaying symptoms.
Anyone who believes they have been exposed to COVID-19 is strongly recommended to monitor for symptoms and test if they have any concerns, as well as follow the NSW guidelines for a person who has been exposed to COVID-19. The department will continue to make rapid antigen tests (RATs) available for students and staff who need to test for COVID-19.
Resources to answer parent and carer questions
NSW Health has prepared a range of factsheets to answer questions about what to do if you or your child have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19.
Non-COVID-19 vaccinations reminder from NSW Health
Due to previous COVID-19 restrictions, NSW Health have noted that some children and young people have missed out on the non-COVID school-based vaccination programs that they would have otherwise taken part in. The department would like to remind parents and carers to make sure that all of their child’s vaccinations are up-to-date, including other non-COVID vaccinations. If you are unsure about whether your child has missed any vaccinations, speak to your GP or go to NSW Health’s Immunisation requirements in primary and secondary schools.
Parents and carers who have children with persistent or ongoing symptoms of COVID-19 are encouraged to have these assessed by their local health care professional. These symptoms may be related to other illnesses that require treatment and management by a doctor.
For more information on vaccinations refer to Vaccination requirements for school sites or the Australian Governments COVID-19 vaccines.
⭐📕✏ LEARNING SNAPSHOT ✏📕⭐
This week I had the opportunity to visit KB during a mathematics lesson.
As a warm-up activity to reinforce counting forward by ones, students jumped along a 1-20 number line as they counted in sequence from one to twenty. Mrs Booth then challenged students to count backwards from twenty to one as they jumped back along the number line. I was very impressed with the number sequence skills of our Kindergarten students.
In another part of the lesson, the classroom was buzzing with interest as students explored the concept of 'halves'. Students were able to use their mathematical language to explain that 'a whole has two equal parts'. Our Kindergarten mathematicians love exploring maths concepts and sharing their understanding with their teachers. Love your work, KB!
Mrs Terri Bullock
Principal
🐛📚 NEWS FROM OUR LIBRARY 📚🐛
Premiers Reading Challenge Update
Well done to the 247 students who have registered to participate in this year’s Premiers Reading Challenge. Of these students, 18 have already completed the challenge with 13 students returning their confirmation note to receive their PRC bookmark and have their reading log validated online.
Congratulations to the following students who are the latest participants to have their reading log validated:-
- Clara M 2M
- Neev M 2M
- Angela F 3N
- Chester O 4E
- Mackenzie S 4E
- Xander Y 4E
- John H 4E
- Stella Y 4H
- Jake N 4H
- Ebony M 4H
- Lachlan P 6B
- Anthony F 6B
Keep reading! It’s one of the most marvellous adventures that anyone can have.
Kerrie Pennell
Teacher Librarian
Well done to these PBL Award winners who have been Safe, Respectful & Responsible Learners:
3-6 PBL award winners : Olivia & Neerav
⭐⭐⭐ ASSEMBLY SUPERSTARS ⭐⭐⭐
Week 2 Award Recipients
3N :
4H : Lauren, Sofia, Leo & Benjamin
4E : Yohan, Neerav, Abby & Olivia
5O : Willow, Edward, Annabelle & Sparsh
5P : Lucas, Zarah, Jonah & Amy
6B :
6S :
Library : 4H & Avangeline
Studio :
⭐🧸 PBL BADGE ASSEMBLY - TERM 2 🧸⭐
Exciting PBL Badge Assembly news!
We will be holding a special PBL Badge assembly in Week 10 of this term so that we can acknowledge and celebrate our wonderful students who have earned their PBL badge.
Students receiving a PBL badge will be given a note from their teacher by Week 8 so that the badges can be orgainsed for the assembly. Parents of badge recipients will be invited to attend the assembly.
As this is a very special assembly the 3-6 Dance Group will be performing for us as well as our School Band.
🎯 FROM THE OFFICE 🎯
FEES NOW DUE:
- Year 6 Jacket $70 - now overdue
- Purchase of Recorder $14 - now overdue
- Motive8sports Athletics Program $35.00 - now overdue
- Tennis - $66 - now overdue
- Festival of Instrumental Music - $37
Payments can be made online or via cash or EFT at the Office.
Mrs Leverton, Mrs Calvar and Miss Griffin
📆 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 📆
TERM 2 - 2023
May 2023
Mon 8 - Year 6 Primary Links
Mon 8 - P&C Meeting at 7pm
Thu 11 - Mother's Day Stall
Fri 12 - Winter PSSA - Round 2
Mon 15 - Year 6 Primary Links
Thu 18 - CHPSSA Cross Country
Mon 22 - Tues 23 - Band Camp
June 2023
Mon 5 - P&C Meeting at 7pm
Mon 12 - King's Birthday Public Holiday
Wed 14 - SW Zone Cross Country
Wed 21 - SRC Disco
Sat 24 - P&C Trivia Night
Tue 27 - Athletics Carnival & P&C sausage sizzle
Term 3 2023
July 2023
Tue 18 - Students Return for Term 3
Thu 27 - OC Test
Mon 31 - Fri 4 Aug - Education Week
August 2023
Tue 1 - Education Week Open Day
Tue 15 - K-2 Athletics Fun Day incl. P&C sausage sizzle
📅 2023 TERM DATES 📅
Term 2 - Wednesday 26 April to Friday 30 June 2023
Term 3 - Tuesday 18 July to Friday 22 September 2023
Term 4 - Monday 9 October to Monday 18 December 2023
Please note:
- 27 January, 30 January, 24 April, 17 July, 18, 19 December 2023 are staff development days. These days are for staff-only.
- Dates and events advertised above may be subject to change.
- Further information will be sent home closer to the events being held.
⭐🎤TERM 2 ASSEMBLIES 🎤⭐
Week 3 - K-2 Assembly - Thursday 11 May
Week 4 - Years 3-6 Assembly - Thursday 18 May
Week 5 - K-2 Assembly - Thursday 25 May
Week 6 - Years 3-6 Assembly - Thursday 1 June
Week 7 - K-2 Assembly - Thursday 8 June
Week 8 - Years 3-6 Assembly - Thursday 15 June
Week 9 - K-2 Assembly - Thursday 22 June
Week 10 - K-6 PBL Badge Assembly - Thursday 29 June
***all assemblies will start at 2pm and will be held in the school hall. Please enter the school via the lollipop gate on Langdon Road.
⚾ PSSA Draw 🏉
Students will travel by walking or bus, leaving school at 11am and returning by 1pm.
Training is held at school on Friday mornings. Training starts at 8.15am.
Round 2 - Friday 12 May 2023
Football - walk to Max Ruddock Reserve
Netball - bus to Kellyville Netball Courts
AFL - bus to Hills Centenary Park
Newcombe Ball - at school
Round 3 - Friday 19 May 2023
Football - walk to Max Ruddock Reserve
Netball - bus to Kellyville Netball Courts
AFL - bus to Hills Centenary Park
Newcombe Ball - bus to Carlingford West PS
Round 4 - Friday 26 May 2023
Football - bus to Masonic Oval
Netball - bus to Kellyville Netball Courts
AFL - bus to Hills Centenary Park
Newcombe Ball - BYE
Round 5 - Friday 2 June 2023
Football - bus to North Rocks Oval
Netball - bus to Kellyville Netball Courts
AFL - bus to Hills Centenary Park
Newcombe Ball - at school
🍎🥪 CANTEEN NEWS 🥗🧃
Spriggy Schools Tips:
Ordering in Advance
You can place an order up to 4 weeks in advance.
Just flick through the calendar on the home screen to view the weeks you can order.
You may choose to do this for Sushi as it’s offered every 2 weeks.Cancelling an Order
You can cancel any order up until the cut-off time on the day for which the order is placed. Cut-off time is 8.30am.
Click “Recent Orders” on the home screen to find the order you need to cancel. View the order and click “Cancel Order”.
(If you need to cancel after 8.30am please call the school and ask to speak to Janna in the canteen.)
Once you have cancelled the order the funds will be appear back in your Parent Wallet.
Editing an Order
You can edit any order up until the cut-off time on the day for which the order is placed. Cut-off time is 8.30am.
Click “Recent Orders” on the home screen to find the order you need to edit. View the order and click “Edit Order”.
Reordering the Same Menu Items
If you child has canteen favourites, you can repeat the same order for future orders.
Click “Recent Orders” on the home screen to find the order you wish to repeat. View the order and click “Order Again” and the select the date for the order.
Announcements
Remember to check the Announcements regularly as information about sushi & menu specials is posted here.
Need Help?
If you need help with your account, topping up, app not working, changing password or other details, please contact Spriggy directly.
To do this use the Chat icon at the bottom of the screen. They usually respond quickly.
In this Chat section you can also search articles for FAQ’s.
📢 P&C NEWS 📢
P&C Meetings
From Term 2 P&C Meetings will be held on Monday evening of Week 3 and Week 7 of each school term at 7pm. These will be conducted as hybrid meetings, onsite at the school and via zoom. Our next meeting will be held on Monday 8 May.
Business Supporter Opportunities Available
The countdown is on for our TRIVIA NIGHT on SATURDAY 24 JUNE and we have some amazing opportunities for local businesses in our community to get involved!
Your business can become a TRIVIA NIGHT SUPPORTER - just by donating a prize or becoming an event sponsor!
Your generous donation will be acknowledged on our FB page and to our broader community through our newsletter and on the night. How awesome is that?!
Plus, you’ll also get a big dose of the warm and fuzzies for helping the best school (if we do say so ourselves) reach our fundraising goal.
If Trivia is not the thing for you, other sponsorship opportunities are available throughout the year - please reach out for more information on what these provide.
Interested? Please send an email to event@winstonheightspandc.com
Upcoming P&C Events
Term 2
8 May - P&C Meeting
11 May – Mother’s Day Stall
5 June - P&C Meeting
24 June – Trivia Night
Uniform Shop
Uniform Shop has been approved to accept the NSW Back to School Vouchers!!
You will be able to use your NSW Back to School Voucher via Flexischools or in person at the uniform shop. You will need to add the item "Back to School Voucher" to your cart and fill in your voucher numbers in the fields provided (up to 3 vouchers can be used).
Reminder: Winter uniform will begin in Term 2.
Winston Heights Public School P&C Association is on Facebook!
🚨 COMMUNITY NOTICES 🚨
SNAP SEND SOLVE
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We’ve made reporting quick and easy which means when you see an issue while you’re out, you can let the responsible authority know with only a few taps. Become a community legend and download Snap Send Solve today.
Snap Send Solve works on both iOS and Android devices and is available to download for free on both the App Store and Google Play.
Note that some older versions of iOS and Android are not supported.
You can also submit reports via the Snap Send Solve reporting website, report from your desktop below.