Heights Happenings
Winston Heights PS - Term 4, Week 10 2021
Principal's Message
What a year it has been!
As I reflect on 2021 – I am very honoured and proud to have led Winston Heights PS through such a turbulent year.
Unfortunately, as parents were not able to attend our Presentation Day assemblies this week, I thought I would include an exert of my speech:
This year has certainly been a little bit like a roller coaster ride – new classes, teachers and friendships; the return of COVID restrictions and online learning; and the eventual return to face-to-face learning with a multitude of COVID safe measures in place. Although the reason for gathering is to celebrate student effort and achievement, I would like to take this opportunity:
- to celebrate the resilience, flexibility and persistence of our incredibly students;
- to acknowledge the amazing effort of your parents and family members, and our teachers in supporting you when learning online for 14 weeks;
- to thank our Winston Heights community and our P&C for their support of our school through the constant changes and restrictions brought about by COVID;
- to express sincere thanks to our caring and always helpful office, admin and support staff, who have been the heartbeat of our school throughout the year;
- to thank our behind-the-scenes staff (that’s our cleaners) for keeping us all safe and healthy;
- to acknowledge the enormous amount of flexibility, dedication, positivity and do-whatever-it-takes-for-our-students attitudes of our incredible teachers;
- to celebrate the tireless amount of hours and work that our school executive have contributed to ensuring that we all got through this year ok;
- to share my heartfelt thanks to the executive, our teachers, our support staff, our admin staff, our community, and the reason we all do what we do … our students!
Yes … this year has been filled with many ups and downs - there has been many things that we have lost, been challenged by and perhaps thought were unfair … BUT … there is also so much to be thankful and grateful for in our ‘new normal’ way of life.
As we celebrate our students today, and in the weeks ahead as we enjoy the festive and New Year season, I would like you to think about the things that you are grateful and thankful for; perhaps try doing a few acts of kindness; and most of all, treasure quality time with your family and friends.
As they say – no matter how dark the clouds may be, they all have a silver lining … and every challenge presents many new opportunities.
Winston Heights Finishes 2021 in Spectacular Style!
The last few weeks of the school year are always an exciting and very busy time in schools.
Students at Winston Heights have had the opportunity to enjoy participating in:
- Gift giving with our annual Christmas tree donation drive
- Rainbow mufti-day
- Teddy Bears picnic for our Kindergarten students
- High school orientation days
- The annual P&C Christmas raffle
- Kindergarten, Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 Presentation Day assemblies
- Year 6 Graduation assembly
- Year 6 Farewell
- Class Party and Christmas mufti-day – made all that more special this year with our P&C donating a party pack for every student at WHPS
- Year 6 Fun Day
I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our amazing teachers, admin team, P&C and parent community who have generously given up countless hours and have shown immense dedication and enthusiasm in organising the above events. It is because of you, that our students have enjoyed a fun and memorable end to the 2021 school year. Time and time again I have been overwhelmed with the lavish community feeling that is cultivated at our school. These end of year events are proof that we have the most amazing school and community at Winston Heights PS.
2022 School Organisation
School organisation and staffing for 2022 is underway and this will be guided by student enrolment numbers. Currently, it looks like we will have 15 classes next year. If enrolment numbers do not fluctuate greatly from our current predictions, then it is anticipated that we will form 2022 classes in the first few days of the new school year.
Tuesday 1 February is the first day of Term 1, 2022 for our students in Years 1-6. On this day our students will come to school and line-up with their 2020 class and teacher (please note: some teachers may differ due to staffing changes).
On Tuesday 1 February, when students arrive at school, they will need to go to the following morning play areas:
- 2022 Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 students - K-2 COLA
- 2022 Year 4 Year 5 and Year 6 students - 3-6 COLA
Our 2022 Kindergarten students will attend their pre-booked 45minute Best Start Assessment on either Tuesday 1, Wednesday 2 or Thursday 3 February. They will participate in a Kindergarten Orientation Day on Friday 4 February. The very first day of big school for our Kindergarten students is Monday 7 February.
Please note - We will provide information about our 2022 school structure (classes and teachers) to our school community when we return to school in Term 1.
Staffing Updates
This year, we have seen many staffing changes due to a variety of factors – staff receiving positions and promotions at other schools, staff returning from roles in other schools, family circumstances and personal reasons. Our staff (teaching, admin and support) are extremely dedicated professionals who work above and beyond to provide the best possible learning environment and education for our students.
There will be a few staffing changes in 2022, with some well-known and greatly respected teachers moving to other schools and positions next year - some temporarily and others permanently. We wish Miss Curtin, Mrs Dempsey, Miss Favell, Miss Lukic, Miss Moir, and Mrs Wilkinson all the best in 2022 and thank them for their passion, enthusiasm and dedication shown towards our school and students during their time at WHPS.
Congratulations to our 2022 Student Leadership Team
Earlier this week, our 2022 student leadership team was announced at our Presentation Day Assembly.
I would like to congratulate and thank every student who put themselves forward for a School Leadership position for 2022. We had an exceptional group of students nominated and I know each one of them would have made an outstanding captain or vice-captain for our school.
It gives me great pleasure to introduce our 2022 student leadership team:
School Captains – Kiki and Archie
School Vice-captains – Matilda and Patrick
It has been an absolute pleasure working with our 2021 captains and vice captains this year and I would like to thank them for their dedication and service towards Winston heights PS and our students. Throughout the challenges presented this year, they have maintained responsibility, pride and honour for their role in leading our school and students. On behalf of all staff, students and our community - thank you Riley, Kieran, Peyton and Zac.
Semester 2 Student Reports
Our teachers are currently very busy finalising the Semester 2 student reports. In line with advice from the NSW Department of Education, our student reports for Semester 2 2021 have been adjusted to reflect the online and face-to-face learning that students have been exposed to during Term 3 and 4. Please be aware that all students may not have covered the same syllabus outcomes or content during this period. The report will not grade student achievement using the A-E scale and will also provide information about student commitment to learning and identify the next steps in their learning in English and mathematics.
Student reports will be sent home next week. Please contact the school if you wish to discuss your child’s report and progress with their teacher.
COVID Restrictions remain unchanged until the end of Term 4
Although we only have a few days of school left before the end of the school year, I would like to remind all parents and visitors that it is important that you continue to follow the COVID safety measures and guidelines in place at our school. This includes:
Non-essential Visitors are NOT Permitted on School Site
Non-essential visitors are not permitted on school site, this includes parents and carers.
Parents and carers:
- are not permitted on school site unless pre-approved by a member of staff.
- are required to wait outside the school gates when picking up their child after school.
- will need to submit uniform orders online. The uniform shop is not open for face-to-face purchases or pick-up of orders. Parents are not able to come onto school grounds to pick up uniform orders.
- will need to make an appointment by phoning the office or sending an email if you wish to speak with a member of staff.
Parents & Carers who are permitted on school site
Fully vaccinated parents and carers will be allowed on site to support curriculum delivery, vulnerable students or students with disability, student wellbeing activities and school operations (for example canteens and uniform shops), or to attend essential meetings (e.g. suspension meetings).
Parents and carers must check in using the school check-in (near admin office), show proof of vaccination on entry to the school site and follow mask-wearing requirements.
Parents and carers must follow the school advice regarding student drop-off and pick-up, which will require parents to remain off school site at these times.
Parents/carers that have to come onto school site only for a very short period of time do not need to be vaccinated. This could include for an orientation drop off, sick bay pick up, making a quick appointment, dropping off a forgotten lunch etc. But the parent/carer should minimise contact, follow physical distancing rules and leave the school site as quickly as possible - or in the case of an orientation/transition visit for a very young child, as soon as supervision has been passed over to a school employee.
Happy Holidays!
Well … 2021 will certainly be a year to remember - floods, the continuation of the global pandemic, social distancing, mask wearing, online learning, learning (and working) from home … and the list goes on. It’s no wonder that we are all looking forward to the holidays with great excitement.
I am very proud to be the Principal of Winston heights PS and I can absolutely say that “I love everything about our school and our community”. In a year where it could have been very easy to feel disheartened by the constant restrictions and devastation, I choose to be thankful for the opportunities that this year has presented and to be grateful for the health and happiness of my family, friends, colleagues and our students.
More than ever before, I would like to wish everyone a relaxing, safe and enjoyable break. I sincerely hope you will have the opportunity to recharge your batteries and spend time with your loved ones. From my family to yours - Merry Christmas and may the joy of the holiday season bring good health, love and laughter to you, your family and friends.
I look forward to seeing you all in 2022, ready for another exciting and busy year at WHPS!
Mrs Terri Bullock
Principal
Parent and carer survey on consent education
Students across NSW, both past and present, have called for improved consent education following a petition by former Sydney student Chanel Contos.
Consent is saying yes to something happening or agreeing to do something freely; without fear, force or pressure.
In response to the voices of young people, the heads of the three education sectors signed a Statement of Intent. In this Statement, the NSW Department of Education committed to a number of actions – including partnering with parents and carers to improve consent education.
There is now an opportunity for parents and carers to have their say by completing a short survey.
The anonymous survey will help the NSW Department of Education to understand the kinds of resources parents and carers would find helpful in having important conversations about consent with their children – so that we can continue to work together to make sure every student has the knowledge and skills they need to form respectful relationships.
This survey is available in 10 languages other than English and will take less than 10 minutes to complete.
The results will be shared on NSW Department of Education website later this year. More information, including answers to frequently asked questions, is also available on the website.
The survey will close on 15 December 2021. Parents and carers of NSW Public School students of all ages, from all communities, are encouraged to participate in the survey.
From the Office
* Uniform donations for the office - We have now depleted our stock of small size uniforms. If you have any small size uniforms that you no longer need can you please send them to the office as we keep them for any change of clothes the little ones may need during the day.
* School Requirements 2022 - To help with back to school shopping during the sales in early January we will be sending home next week a 'school Requirements' note for each grade.
* Funny photo orders - We should receive these orders next week.
* Save the date - Our school swimming carnival will be held on Tuesday 8 February 2022 at Granville pool. Years 3-6 will be attending and will receive a permission note on the first day back at school. Students in Year 2 next year who turn 8 in 2022 and can swim 50 metres competitively can collect a permission note from the office on the first day back. Cost will be $15 and include bus fare and pool entry fee.
Students Return - Students in Years 1-6 next year return to school on Tuesday 1 February. Our new Kindys will start school on Monday 7 February 2022.
Well what a year it has been!
I would like to take the time to thank you all for your support and flexibility over this year. We have worked hard in the office to maintain some sort of normal for all our students and families during the year and we so appreciated all the phone calls and messages of support and deliveries of chocolates to keep us going!! You are all amazing! Thank you :)
On behalf of myself, Rachael, Carolyn, Marlaine and Teneille we would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and may the spirit of Christmas bring you all hope, happiness and love.
Kind Regards
Lee Wood
School Administration Manager
Reverse Christmas Tree
Year 6 Fun Day
Diary Dates
TERM DATES 2021
Term 4 - Tuesday 5 October to Thursday 16 December
TERM DATES 2022
Term 1 for Year 1 to 6 - Tuesday 1 February to Friday 8 April 2022
Kindy Face to Face Orientation - Friday 4th February (to be confirmed)
Term 1 for Kindergarten - Monday 7 February 2022
Swimming Carnival (Years 3-6) - Tuesday 8 February 2022
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 - 2021
December 2021
Thurs 16 - Last Day of School
Term 1 - 2022
Tues 1 - Term 1 Begins for Year 1 to 6
Tues 1 - 3 - Kindy Best Start interviews
Fri 4 - Kindy Face to Face Orientation (to be confirmed)
Mon 7 - Kindy first day of school
Tues 8 - Swimming carnival (years 3-6)
Safe, Responsible, Respectful Learners at WHPS
Our PBL focus area
Respect - I speak to others with respect by using their name.
Week 9 - Awarded to:
KE : Neev & Arun
KL : Phoenix
1L : Keira & Jacob
1S : Joseph & Tiffany
1/2C :Hayley & Charlie
2F : Avangeline & Cormac
2LW : Anamitra & Jacob
3H: Annabelle & Penelope
3P : Aditya & Dean
3/4L : Kian & Charlie
4M :
4O : Dawood & Lachlan
5B :
5/6A :
6G :
6N :