Heights Happenings
Winston Heights PS - Term 4, Week 8 2021
Principal's Message
End Of Year Assemblies and Events
As we move closer towards the end of the 2021 school year, we look forward to celebrating and acknowledging student effort and achievement through the following events:
· Early Stage 1 Presentation Day Assembly – Thursday 9 December (students and staff only)
· Stage 1 Presentation Day Assembly – Thursday 9 December (students and staff only)
· Stage 2 Presentation Day Assembly – Wednesday 8 December (students and staff only)
· Stage 3 Presentation Day Assembly – Wednesday 8 December (students and staff only)
· Year 6 Graduation – Monday 6 December (students and staff plus two adult guests per student)
· Year 6 Farewell – Monday 6 December, Rydges Parramatta
· Year 6 Farewell Walkthrough – Thursday 16 December (students and staff only)
Winston Heights PS students always look very respectful in their school uniforms. Please ensure your child wears their full summer uniform (including all black shoes) on the dates above.
Unfortunately, due to current COVID restrictions, it will not be possible to have parents attend the Presentation Day Assemblies. We understand this is not an ideal situation and we thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding. In an effort to share the Presentation Day Assemblies with our families, we will be videoing them and taking photos of award recipients. We will share the videos and photos with families a few days after each event has occurred.
Fortunately, for the Year 6 Graduation, we are able to invite two adult (fully vaccinated) guests per student to attend. Information about the Graduation and COVID safety guidelines have been distributed to our Year 6 families. We are very much looking forward to celebrating this once-in-a-schooltime event with our Year 6 students and families.
Kindergarten 2021 - Welcome to Winston Heights PS!
We are looking forward to welcoming our 2022 kindergarten students and their families to our school next week. The Kindergarten Orientation sessions will look a little bit different this year - with safety, hygiene and social distancing measures in place. Despite this, I’m sure our new students will have a wonderful time meeting some teachers, new friends and engaging in fun learning activities. We can’t wait for them to start big school and join our Winston Heights community next year!
Student Leadership
Student leadership and voice is highly valued at Winston Heights PS. Our Year 5 students have had the opportunity to nominate for a student leadership position for 2022. Students nominating for School Captain for 2022 recently planned, prepared and recorded their speeches, before voting occurred by their peers and our staff. We are extremely proud of these students and know that they will all make exceptional school leaders. Student Captains for 2022 will be announced at the Stage 3 Presentation Day Assembly, to be held on Wednesday 8 December.
Semester 2 Student Reports
Our teachers are currently very busy finalising the Semester 2 student reports. These reports will be modified and will reflect the learning that students have been exposed to during Term 3 and 4 during online and face-to-face learning. Student reports will be sent home in Week 11.
2022 School Organisation
This year, we have seen many staffing changes due to a variety of factors – staff receiving positions and promotions at other schools, staff commencing roles at our school, 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. I would like to thank our always supportive community for your understanding with the many staffing changes that have occurred throughout the year.
School organisation and staffing for 2022 is underway and this will be guided by student enrolment numbers. 2022 student enrolment numbers have been fluctuating slightly over the past few weeks. Currently it looks like we will have 15 classes next year. However, this could change if enrolment numbers significantly change.
Can I please request that families who will be leaving our school at the end of this year, and have not already done so, could you please contact the office and confirm this with the school as soon as possible?
In preparation for 2022, many teachers (and their classes) will be moving rooms in the last week of term. The layout of classes across the school for 2022 will look similar to the current model, this is to allow grade and stage classes to be located within close proximity of each other. Please be assured that we will do out best to support all students over the coming weeks and when transitioning them into the new school year.
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
A reminder our 2022 Kindergarten students will have one orientation session beginning December. You will be able to collect your Blue Bag and any pre-ordered uniforms on the date you have been allocated for orientation.
If you haven't already enrolled your child for next year, please contact the office urgently.
Kind Regards
Lee Wood
School Administration Manager
Reverse Christmas Tree
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
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
1st or 3rd Dec - Kindy 2022 Orientation Sessions - check email for individual date
Mon 6 - Year 6 Graduation (morning) - time to be advised (3-6 Cola)
Mon 6 - Last day for Reverse Christmas Tree Donations
Mon 6 - Year 6 Farewell at Parramatta Rydges
Tues 7 - Class Party Day
Wed 8 - 3-6 Presentation Day
Thurs 9 - K-2 Presentation Day
Thurs 9 - Year 6-7 High School Orientation
Fri 10 - P&C Mufti Day
Thurs 16 - Last Day of School
Safe, Responsible, Respectful Learners at WHPS
Our PBL focus area
Respect - I speak to others with respect by using their name.
Week 7 - Awarded to:
KE :
KL : Lillian & Owen
1L : NFP & Michael
1S : Ella & Divij
1/2C :
2F :
2LW : Neerav & Arya
3H: Izeiyah & Evie
3P : Elise & Jenny
3/4L : Penny & Sam
4M : Ryan & Eva
4O : Matilda & NFP
5B :
5/6A :
6G :
6N :
Week 8 - Awarded to:
KE : Paarth & Mikayla
KL :
1L :
1S : Nicolas & Jazz
1/2C : Sienna & Ava
2F :
2LW: Beau & Emily
3H : Geoffrey & Felix
3P :Jarrod & Walya
3/4L : Aysha & Cameron
4M : Xavier & Jonah
4O :Xavier & Karam
5B :
5/6A : Zavia & Sabeen
6G : Jorja & Franklin
6N :
P&C News
Term 4 Week 8
P&C held the final meeting for 2021 on Monday 22nd November.
All are welcome along to our next meeting on Monday 28th February 2022.
Annual General Meeting
Our next AGM is scheduled for Monday 28th March 2022. During this AGM all positions on the P &C committee will be made vacant.
A list and description of these roles is provided on the Winston Heights Website.
Our current committee executive team are happy to answer questions you have about the roles.
Christmas Raffle
We would like to extend a massive thank you to all the businesses, parents, and community members who helped contribute to our Christmas Raffle. Your support has been amazing, and we have been overwhelmed with the generous donations received. We could not have done this without you!
The P&C will use the proceeds raised from the raffle to go towards resources and programs that benefit your children and the school.
We are excited to announce that there are a huge 52 prizes up for grabs!
Including:
· GME CB Radio pack · Taronga Zoo family pass
· Taronga Dubbo Zoo family pass · Ultimate play centre family passes
· various meal vouchers · Wine donated from Cellarbrations
· Four-person golf and cart hire at Pennant Hills Golf Club
· Four-person golf and cart hire at Muirfield Golf Club
Prizes will be drawn on Friday 10th December at 10am.
Buy tickets here online via https://rafflelink.com.au/whps-christmasraffle
You’ve got to be in it to win it!
UPCOMING EVENTS
7TH December – Class Party Day
10th December – Icy Stix/Christmas Mufti Day (Gold Coin Donation)