Wassup Woonona
Newsletter 20 October 2020
Woonona Public School
Email: woonona-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Website: https://woonona-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/
Location: 5a Gray Street, Woonona NSW, Australia
Phone: (02) 42844316
Principal's Corner
Welcome Back!!
As I said last week, I hope that everyone had a very enjoyable, relaxing and safe Spring Holiday break. We are now well and truly back into the swing of things, with students having settled in beautifully since their return last week. Term 4 is feeling more and more like normal and I think this is great for everyone involved.
As was noted last week, we are still operating under significant restrictions. However, already we are celebrating Book Week, with plans developing for NAIDOC Week celebrations, Remembrance Day, Colour Run Fundraising, Athletics Carnivals, Excursions, easing of Playground restrictions and many more things, I’m excited about what Term 4 will hold for our students, staff and families.
Vincent Alfaro - Go Fund Me
On the last day of the school holidays, Vincent Alfaro, one of our delightful Year 1 students, had an awful accident while bushwalking. He was airlifted to Randwick Children’s Hospital where he remains, after sustaining serious injuries. Vincent is “the miracle boy” according to hospital staff, but despite this he and his family have a long road ahead where he will require ongoing treatment. As a school and community I’m sure you will join me in wishing the Alfaro family all the very best in the coming days, weeks and months. We can’t wait for the day that Vincent is able to return to Woonona Public School.
Friends and family have set up a “Go Fund Me” page to assist the family with expenses they are incurring, during this time. If you would like to assist the family, please visit https://au.gofundme.com/f/love-for-vincent
Kindergarten Enrolments 2021
Our Kindergarten enrolments for 2021 are looking great, with 80 students currently enrolled to begin school in 2021. If you know of anyone, living within the Woonona Public School catchment area, still wishing to enrol their child please encourage them to visit our school,as plans are already taking place for next year!
Kindergarten Orientation
Our first Kindergarten 2021 session was held last week via Zoom, with parents joining Ms Strinic, Mrs Bleeker and myself to hear about our school and the exciting journey that lies ahead as their child enters school. While it was certainly a different approach, due to Covid-19 restrictions, we have had very positive feedback on the session. I would like to give a big thanks to Mrs Bleeker for her thorough organisation of this session.
This week our Kindergarten Orientation begins, with the students placed in four groups for Zoom sessions. While I am sure these sessions will be great fun and very engaging, the easing of restrictions since last term means that our newest students will be able to visit our school later this term, which is very exciting news for everyone. We look forward to seeing how Kinder Orientation unfolds in 2020 and are very excited for our newest students and their families, as they approach a special time in their child’s life.
School Enrolments 2021
In order to have accurate numbers for next year, it is important to notify the school office if you know your child will not be returning to Woonona Public School next year (other than Year 6). This information helps us to plan for 2021.
Alternatively, if you know of friends or family members who intend to enrol their children in Woonona Public School in 2021, please ask them to contact the school office to fill in the necessary documentation.
World Teachers' Day
Next Friday is World Teachers’ Day. It is a day where we thank teachers for the role they play each and every day in creating wonderful learning opportunities for their students. I can honestly say that we are very lucky to have such a dedicated staff. This year more than ever their dedication and passion have been on show. For their commitment to their students and the fun and professional way in which they approach their role each and every day I would like to thank each and every staff member at WPS.
Book Week and Book Fair
This week we are celebrating Book Week a little differently to in the past. While there will be no parade this year, we encourage our students to dress up tomorrow and celebrate the theme of “Curious Creatures, Wild Minds”. We have already had many students submit posters for our competition, with award winners announced today. It was great to see so many students across our school getting involved. A big thank you to Mrs Carroll who has been coordinating the events this week.
Next week books for the Book Fair arrive, with classes getting an opportunity to purchase books in what is always a very exciting time for our students.
Colour Run
We have some exciting news. For some time now, the P&C and school have been working together to plan a Colour Run Fundraiser. We are now confident that this can go ahead and look forward to our students celebrating in a sea of colour on Friday 4 December. More information is attached to this newsletter and will go home later in the week. What a wonderful way to celebrate the end of a year like no other. Stay tuned for more to come…
Playground Equipment
From Week 2, we will be reopening our play equipment, which has not been in use since Term 1. We will also resume Hall Games, which is a highly valued part of our playground for many of our students. It is exciting for our students to again have these available and look forward to seeing them enjoying all the options our school playground has on offer.
P&C Meeting
Last week saw us postpone our monthly P&C Meeting. Our next meeting will now take place next Wednesday 28 October, via Zoom. I would encourage you to join us for this meeting, where I’m sure there will be lots of discussion about end of year activities and much, much more.
Athletics Carnival
Staff across our school have been busily working away on planning a modified Athletics Carnival for our students to enjoy. Due to Covid-19 regulations, we have to keep students in specific age groups and unfortunately there will be no parents permitted to attend. The good news is that we are able to still go ahead with this opportunity and are excited for our students to get outside and experience the fun and enjoyment of competing with their friends.
Selective Schools 2022 Year 7 Online Applications
Online applications for Year 7 Selective Schools – 2022 – have now opened. Parents whose children will be in Year 6 in 2021, who are interested in their child sitting the selective high school placement test, are required to complete this process by Monday 16 November 2020.
Enjoy your week!
Mr Tim Fisher
Principal
Congratulations!
Premier's Debating Challenge
On Monday, one of our debating teams competed in the next stage of the Premier's Debating Challenge. As winners of our local schools round, they competed against Shell Cove Public School in a knock out debate. The topic was That all the smartest students should be placed in separate classes. Our Woonona Public team, consisting of Year 5 students, debated exceptionally. They showcased how far they have come in their debating skills since this competition began at the beginning of Term 3. Although they narrowly lost the debate, they can be proud of their efforts and representation of our school.
Congratulations to Layla, Michaela, Amelia and Joseph for your outstanding effort in this competition.
Classroom Teacher
Year 6 Fundraiser
Library News
Book Week
Book week is finally upon us. Lots of fun and exciting activities have been planned this week to help celebrate the wonderful world of reading and all the fantastic children’s books that have been nominated this year. We will be having our Book Week Dress-up Day on Wednesday 21 October where all students K-6 will have the opportunity to come to school dressed as their favourite book character. In the next school newsletter I will post some photos from the day.
Poster Competition
The Poster and Colouring Competition was a wonderful success and had nearly 300 participants this year. There were so many creative and unique poster designs that selecting a winner was very difficult. Each winner was awarded a certificate and a book voucher from Collins Booksellers in Thirroul. We also recognised the many outstanding designs with a Highly Commended Award and a book prize. All other participants received a certificate and a small treat for their efforts.
The winners for each grade were:
Kinder - Rheon
Year 1 - Tiago
Year 2 - Jasmine
Year 3 - Lucy
Year 4 - Will and Ava
Year 5 - Elsie
Year 6 - Shaniqua and Jemima
Winners and Highly Commended
Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair will also be arriving in the next few weeks. Week 4 library lessons have been allocated for viewing the books available for purchase and writing wish lists and Week 5 library lessons will be for book purchases. These will take place in the usual class library times.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions we won’t be able to have our usual parent purchasing time. However, an email with instructions on Book Fair procedures will go home in Week 3 and will include a detailed copy of all books available with prices for parents to use to help with purchasing. Both cash and online payments will be available.
More details to come next week.
Mrs Carroll
Librarian