Heights Happenings
Winston Heights PS - Term 4, Week 2 2022
Principal's Message
Staffing Updates
At the start of this term, Mrs Amanda Wright left our school to commence a new position to further her expertise in supporting students with learning difficulties. We are hoping to see Mrs Wright back at WHPS in the near future to share her new knowledge and expertise with our staff, students, and families.
As Mrs Wright was supporting students in Stage 2 with their learning, we have now reorganised our learning support teachers for Term 4 as follows:
Learning Support for Term 4:
Early Stage 1 - Mrs Elisa Layoun (Mon-Tues)
Stage 1 - Mrs Marg Hall (Mon-Wed)
Stage 2 + Year 5 Reading - Ms Gail Adams (Mon-Wed)
Stage 3 - Mrs Sarah Kennedy (Mon-Wed)
Learning Support Coordinator - Miss Kath Amargianitakis (Mon-Fri)
We welcome Mrs Elisa Layoun to Winston Heights PS. Mrs Layoun is a familiar face to many students at our school, as she has been a regular casual teacher over the past two years.
Additional School Development Day 2022 on Monday 19 December
I want to notify you of a date change for the last day of Term 4 for students.
Students will now finish school on Friday 16 December 2022.
This is due to an additional School Development Day announced for staff across NSW public schools.
School Development Days allow our staff to participate in professional learning that was put on hold due to COVID-19 staffing pressures and plan ahead for 2023 to ensure we meet the needs of our students.
With this change, we ask that you arrange alternative care for your child on Monday 19 December.
You can find local vacation care services for your child via the Before and After Care School Finder.
While there will be no classes on Monday 19 December, if you cannot arrange alternative care for your child, we will provide minimal supervision at school.
Stage 2 Camp
Earlier this week Mrs Bryant, Miss Oryzak, Mrs Nakhoul, Ms Lehner, and Mr Pendleton accompanied our Stage 2 students to Yarramundi for their long-awaited overnight camp. Everyone had a great time participating in the fun activities and making wonderful memories with thier friends.
Mobile Phones and Smart Watches at School
Recently we have noticed an increased number of students bringing a phone and/or wearing a smartwatch to school. These communication devices can cause disruption in classrooms and the playground. They may also be used inappropriately to access social media, communicate with others, and take photos and videos without permission. This can cause distress and breach the privacy of others.
Our school discourages students from bringing mobile phones and smartwatches to school.
During the school day, parents are able to contact their children by calling the school office. If a parent feels it is necessary for their child to bring a communication device (mobile phone or smartwatch) to school, then the rules for student use of these mobile devices in the school are listed below:
- Mobile phones brought to school must be handed in to the school office before classes commence at 9am. They can be picked up from the office at 3pm.
- Smartwatches can only be used for telling time, and for no other purposes.
- Devices brought to and kept at school are used entirely at their owner's risk. Winston Heights Public School cannot accept any responsibility for theft, loss or damage of these devices. Students and parents should also recognise that mobile devices are a highly prized target for theft.
- Phone and watch notification alerts and location must be switched off during school hours.
- Phones and watches are not to be used to call home in an emergency. This is the duty of the school and the administrator/teacher in charge.
- Phones and watches are not to be used to call home in the event of a mishap or because belongings have been forgotten. Parents will be informed of any events that have impacted their child.
- Phones and watches are not to be used in the classroom, playground or incursion/excursion for any of the following purposes; make phone calls, check text messages, access games, browse the internet, view images, use the camera or record videos.
- Phones and watches are not to be used to harass, bully or intimidate students or staff.
Breaches will be dealt with as per the school's Discipline Policy. Any use of mobile phones and smart watches by a student, that is in breach of these rules, will lead to the confiscation of the device by the principal or a member of staff. In this instance, parents will be notified and confiscated devices will need to be collected from the school office by the student's parent or guardian at the end of the day.
Sydney West Schools Regional Athletics Carnival Update
Lachlan and Havana recently attended the Sydney West Schools Regional Athletics Carnival to represent the Castle HIll PSSA. We are extremely proud of both athletes and would like to congratulate them for their outstanding efforts and sportsmanship.
Lachlan participated in the 200m sprint. His event commenced with 2 false starts. Then full of nerves and adrenaline on the third attempt he actually stumbled and fell over. Luckily the officials were very understanding, so they restarted the race for a fourth time! After running a personal best, Lachie ended up coming 4th in his heat. The winner of his race went on to make State. Handshakes were given all round with a wonderful sense of sportsmanship from the other competitors. He was 10th overall out of 22 competitors on the day. He was extremely proud to be able to represent the school at Regionals.
Selective high school placement process for placement in Year 7 in 2024
Applications for Year 7 entry to selective high schools in 2024 open on 18 October 2022. Applications will close on 16 November 2022. The due date is strictly observed. Requests for late applications will be approved only under very specific and well-documented circumstances.
Find information about the application and placement process and apply online at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-7.
All candidates are required to sit the Selective High School Placement Test to be held on Thursday 4 May 2023.
The online application dashboard enables parents to log in to make updates and add attachments even after an application is submitted. Parents also communicate directly with the Selective Education Unit through the system’s messages feature.
Parents having difficulty completing or submitting an application, should contact the Selective Education Unit through their application dashboard or, if unable to do so, by email ssu@det.nsw.edu.au.
Keep updated on the selective high school placement process at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes
We're looking forward to lots of exciting things that have been planned for the next fortnight, such as Kindy 2023 Orientation, sport and group photos, Halloween dress-up day, more Check In assessments, and Interrelate for our Stage 3 students. Bring on the fun!
Mrs Terri Bullock
Principal
What's happening in 1/2K
Band Tryout Night 2022
Diary Dates
TERM DATES 2022
Term 4 - Monday 10th October to Friday 16th December 2022
TERM DATES for STUDENTS - 2023
Term 1 - Tuesday 31 January to Thursday 6 April 2023
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, 19 December 2023 are staff development days. These days are for staff-only.
Please note the following diary dates may be subject to change.
Further information will be sent home closer to the event being held.
Term 4 - 2022
Tue 25th - Sports/special group photos
Wed 26th - Kindergarten 2023 Orientation
Thur 27th - Assembly K-2
Fri 28th - World Teachers Day
Mon 31st - Halloween Mufti Day ($2 per student)
November 2022
Wed 2nd - Kindergarten 2023 Orientation
Thur 3rd - Assembly 3-6
Thur 3rd - Interrelate - Year 5&6
Wed 9th - Kindergarten 2023 Orientation
Thur 10th - Interrelate Year 5 & 6
Thur 10th - Assembly K-2
Thur 17th - K-2 Grandparents Day
Thur 17th - Interrelate Years 5 & 6
Thur 17th - Assembly 3-6
Thur 24th - Year 6 Fundraiser - Mini Fair
Mon 28th - Keyboard Presentation Night
Tue 29th - Year 6 to year 7 High School Orientation Day
Wed 30th - Year 6 Big Day In
December 2022
Thur 1st - Assembly 3-6
Mon 5th - Year 6 Graduation Assembly
Mon 5th - Year 6 Farewell
Wed 7th - Combined Scripture
Wed 7th - Band Presentation Night
Thur 8th - Assembly K-2
Fri 9th - P&C Class Party & Mufti Day
Fri 9th - P&C Xmas Raffle
Mon 12th - K-2 Presentation Day
Mon 12th - 3-6 Presentation Day
Tues 13th - Winston's Beary Christmas Carols Evening
Wed 14th - Talent Quest
Fri 16th - Last Day of Term 4 for Students
What's happening in 4N
Chaplain Chat
Week 2
Hi Parents and Friends, Welcome back to school and Chaplain Chat for Term 4. I hope you find it a fun term and satisfying for your whole family. This terms Chaplain Chat wisdom comes from the amazing resources and wisdom of gozen.com (a website that I use often to inform my understanding of child wellbeing and mental health). Not all the information will resonate with you but I am sure some definitely will. Mostly it will come in the form of graphics full of useful tips, encouragement and affirmation.
Today’s poster reminds us not to get our parenting emotions too tied up with our children’s angry feelings. It’s so easy to do but stepping back can help your raise your child with a lot more calm and understanding (and fun too) Does this resonate with you? Being a parent is certainly one of the toughest jobs you can do.
If you have a moment, let me know what you think of this resource,
Best wishes,
Robyn Bowman (School Chaplain)
From the Office
* Contact Details: It is vitality important to advise the school of any new contact details. If you have a new phone number or changed address please send information via the APP or send an email to winstonhts-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au.
* Kindergarten 2023: We are still taking Kindergarten enrolments for 2023. A friendly reminder that our Orientation days are 26 October, 2 and 9 November.
*Late Return to School in 2023: Later in this newsletter is a note to complete if your child will not be returning to school on Tuesday 31 January due to an extended holiday or if they will be changing schools and not returning to Winston Heights at all. If your child/ren will be returning on Tuesday 31 January or are in Year 6 this year there is no need to complete the form.
Permission Notes and Money Due:
Spare copies of permission notes are available in the office foyer.
- Annual Fees - OVERDUE
- MultiSport Term 4 Skipping Program - OVERDUE
- Year 5 & 6 Interrelate Program - Due by Monday 24 October
- Year 6 Big Day In - Due Wednesday 9 November
Office Hours 8.30am - 3.15pm
Mrs Carolyn Leverton, Mrs Rachael Calvar, Miss Rosie Griffin
Now taking enrolments for Kindy 2023
Orientation dates for Kindergarten 2023 have been set. Please ensure you complete an enrolment form as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
Contact the office for more information
or ENROL NOW online.
Well done to these PBL Award winners who have been Safe, Respectful & Responsible Learners:
Week 1 - Awarded to:
KT : Mariam, Jasmine, Oliver & Valluvin
1N : Zoey, Alicia, Darian & Arvin
1V : Lakshith, Summer, Micah & Leo
1/2K : Ronia, Parmin, Samuel & Kai
2G : Payton, Shadi, Ella & Aiden
2S: Param, Adam & Sienna
Library: 2G
RFF K-2: Kinder: Olivia
Year 1: Zachary
Year 2: CJ
Week 2 - Awarded to:
3L: Avangeline, Felix, Cormac & Emmeth
4N:
4O: Walya, Geoffrey, Jonah & Georgina
5/6B: Xavier, Amelia, Neek & Aaron
5/6L: Youssef, Penny, Eli & Shantel
5/6N: Jaylah, Andre, Chase & Zarah
5/6P: Jack, Elliiot, Lachlan & Stefan
Library: 3B
RFF 3-6: