Whitford Catholic Primary School
Newsletter 38 - 2 December 2020
Message from Mr. Clarke and Mrs. McCaughey on behalf of the Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Christmas Season has officially started and the fast run to the end of school is upon us! At this very special time of the year, we take time to reflect on the importance of the birth of Jesus and the gift that He was to the world. This is truly a time to be grateful. If this year has taught us anything, it is to truly value what we have, right at this moment, for life is good.
Farewell Assembly, Art Show and Christmas Concert
This Friday, the Year Five students will be presenting a farewell performance dedicated to Mrs. McGougan, upon her retirement from WCPS. The Year Five students along with Mrs. D'Adamo, Mrs. Clarke, Mrs. Bennett and Mr. Clarke have put a lot of effort into preparing this assembly and they wish to invite all those who can attend to come along and enjoy the production. The performance will take place on the oval beginning at 1:30pm and will take approximately 30mins with some speeches to follow. Once the assembly is finished, parents are free to sign their children out with their respective teachers, otherwise the children can be collected as normal at 3pm.
As well as the farewell assembly, we have the Art Show this Friday. Each year group has put together a showcase of student art to display in a designated area around the school. The Art Show is open from 5pm and will close at 8pm. All children have worked solidly and are very excited to see you there. A huge thank you to Mrs. Ryan and Mrs. Nelson for all their help in the lead up to this event and to all the teachers and educational assistants who have supported the children in their displays.
Whilst the Art Show is in progress, our wonderful school choir will be performing several inspiring songs beginning at 5:45pm on the oval.
The children in the junior years and the Christian Dance Group have been hard at work getting ready for the Christmas Concert. This is a wonderful time where we can join as a community and celebrate together. All students from Pre-Primary to Year 2 must sit with their class teachers from 6:15pm and for the duration of the show. Families with students in Years 3-6 are highly encouraged to attend and enjoy the festivities. We ask that all children, not performing, are supervised by their parents whilst the show is in progress. Due to health and safety we remind parents that the playground equipment should not be used at this time.
It can get quite cool on the oval so wear something warm and bring a rug or low chairs to sit on. Don’t forget that food trucks will be there also.
Thanksgiving Mass
Next Wednesday, we have our Thanksgiving Mass which will begin at 9am in the Church. Due to COVID-19 restrictions this is a ticketed event and families should refer to the relevant schoolstreams for ticketing details. This mass will only be attended by Year 5 and 6 students, Year 6 parents and some invited guests.
Transition
The busyness at the end of year is a time of excitement and relief. It can also bring with it many other emotions as we prepare for transition and change into the new year. With the change in routine and extra time, now that homework is finished for the year, we recommend families spend some time relaxing, resting and reconnecting.
A reminder that Monday 7th of December is transition day and the children from Kindy to Year 5 will visit their new classrooms for 2021. There are many factors and considerations that are taken into account when placing students into their new classes. The staff and students are all very much looking forward to the opportunity to meet their new classes and teachers prior to the new year.
Outback Splash
The Year Six students were lucky enough to go to Outback Splash on Monday as part of their graduation celebrations. They were fortunate enough to have the place almost to themselves which meant no lines and no hassles. Whilst the weather started out a little inclement, the sun shone for the most part and the children had a ball on the slides, water playgrounds, mazes and seeing the local fauna and flora. What a way to start one of their last weeks before they finish up at WCPS. Thanks to all the staff who helped organise the event and went along to help out on the day.
Junior Aussie of the Month Winners
At last week's Junior assembly, four very worthy winners were presented with their 'Aussie of the Month' awards. The winners were Ryker Hiilinen, Elijah Daff, Talitha Lin and Isaiah Samuel. Each winner received a certificate, a badge to wear on their uniform and some themed stationery. It was so great to be able to award these students with this special recognition in person, at an assembly.
3S Crew
The '3S Crew' have been busy selling their hats and t-shirts before school each morning. They have done an awesome job. Amazingly, the group have sold out of hats (started with 50) and are selling out of the t-shirts quickly. If you would like to come and purchase a t-shirt, please feel free to do so between 8am and 8:45am each day at the front carpark. All the money will go into making more t-shirts and hats next year, ready to sell again.
Geoff Clarke
Year 3-4 Cluster Leader
Numeracy Coordinator
Year 5 Teacher
Tonia MCaughey
Year Kindy - 2 Cluster Leader
Year 1 Teacher
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Important Dates
Thursday 3 December
- Year 5 Surf Life Saving - Mullaloo
Friday 4 December
- Principal Farewell 1.30pm
- 5pm - 8pm - Arts Show/Christmas Carols
Monday 7 December
- 11am - Transition Day PP - Year 6
Tuesday 8 December
- Year 6 Final Assembly
Wednesday 9 December
- 9am - Thanksgiving Mass
Thursday 10 December
- Year 6 Graduation Dinner
Friday 11 December
- Final Day for Students
- Second Semester Reports available online
Wednesday 27 January 2021
- 9am - 11am Uniform shop will be open
Monday 1 February 2021
- First Day for students of Term 1
Music News
Everyone is invited to attend this great evening of song and joy. Kindy students will be kicking the festivities of this year with Jingle Bells. All students must be at school no later than 6.15pm, ready for a 6.20pm start. This year, students will sit with their class teachers in rows near the front of the stage area on the oval. Students will wear their sports uniform and decorate themselves with Christmas accessories (eg: Santa hat, flashing necklace, tinsel, etc.). The concert will conclude approximately 7.20pm. Students from Year 3 to Year 6 are also highly encouraged to attend with their families. It will be great to have everyone there!
Don't forget to practice the words of The Twelve Days Of Christmas for our massive community sing-a-long. Come dressed as your favourite characters from the song if you like. It is going to be wonderful!
I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Please send me an email (steven.ostaszewskyj@cewa.edu.au).
CHOIR PERFORMANCE @ WCPS ART SHOW
Our School Choir will be singing at the Art Show on Friday 4 December 2020 at 5.45pm - 6.00pm. All students in our choir are expected to participate in this event. Students have been working well to get their songs ready in time and we can't wait to share 3 inspiring songs with the school at the Art Show. Please save this date and time in your calendar.
Date: Friday 4 December 2020
Time: 5.45pm - 6.00pm
Loction: School Oval
Dress: Full school uniform.
MUSIC CLASS BOOKLIST: RECORDER
All students in Year 4, 5 and 6 will require a Recorder for their Music classes in 2021. Unfortunately this was not included on some booklists, however, having this instrument is a requirement. The Recorder is a wonderful instrument for beginning musicians because it makes learning and playing Music accessible to students of all abilities. Students this year are able to retain their Recorder for use next year. The Front Office has Recorders for sale, however, stock is very limited.
Steven Ostaszewskyj
Music Specialist
Dance and Drama News
Dance and Drama Specialist
Booklists for 2021
This year we are ordering our school Booklists for Pre-Primary - Year 6 through Ziggies. Ziggies is a WA family-owned business based in Edgewater. By ordering your child’s required items through Ziggies, the school receives a commission. Ziggies also supports the Make A Wish Foundation by donating $1.50 of every click and collect order.
This week your child will bring home a booklist with all requirements for 2021. If you would like to see what is on the book list please see below:-
Click here for Year 6 Book list
Click here for Year 5 Book list
Click here for Year 4 Book list
Click here for Year 3 Book list
Click here for Year 2 Book list
Click here for Year 1 Book list
Click here for PP Book list
There are 3 options when ordering: -
Option1 – Delivery (online).
Option 2- Click and collect (online).
Option 3 – Visit the store.
Alternatively, general items such as glue sticks, rulers, scrapbooks etc may be purchased from your store of choice ie: Big W, Officeworks etc.
Please Note: All orders will be processed through Ziggie’s NOT Whitford Catholic Primary School.
Is your child not returning to WCPS in 2021?
As we are currently finalising our class lists for 2021 could you please notify the front office by email ASAP to admin@wcps.wa.edu.au if your child will not be returning to our school in 2021. Failure to give a terms notice will incur a penalty of one term's tuition fees.
Semester 2 reports available online Friday 11 December - Do you have your login details?
Whitford Catholic Primary School utilises the SEQTA Engage Parent Portal for parents to access student reports for students in Pre-Primary to Year 6 at the end of each semester. If you have not already done so, please log in to SEQTA Engage to ensure you are able to access your child's report.
To do this you need to go to the following site: https://whitfordcatholicps.coneqt-p.cathednet.wa.edu.au and use your current username and password. This link is also found on the homepage of the school website under WCPS families - SEQTA reports.
If you have remembered your username but have forgotten your password, please click on the "Forgot your Password?" link and an immediate email will be sent to you. The password reset link in the email will expire within one hour, so please action this immediately.
If you have forgotten both of these, then please contact the school and we can remind you of your username.
If you are new to using SEQTA Engage you will receive an email to set up a new log in account. This email will expire within 7 days so please, action this as soon as possible. If you have not received your sign-up email by week 10 or have any issues, please contact the school.
Confirmation Photography
Confirmation photographs are now available. Please access the photos here:
https://photowest.fotomerchant.com/categories/sacraments/wcpsconf2020
…using the password: WCPS^^21
Please send all enquiries to admin@photowest.com.au
Year 6 Parents - Report Reminder
Just a reminder for Year 6 parents to please print off all of your child's reports from SEQTA as soon as possible as you will not be able to access reports once your child leaves the school.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal - Donations due Thursday 12 December
In 2020, we will be supporting the Parish with the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. Each class has been asked to help by donating food items for hampers. To ensure that the hampers have a variety of food items to provide a meal on Christmas Day, we have asked each year to bring in different items. Please feel free to donate other non-perishable food items if you wish.
Pre-Kindy & Kindy Bags of lollies, chocolates or packets of jelly.
Pre-Primary Packets of biscuits (sweet or savoury) or bags of chips/crisps
Year 1 Tinned fruit or vegetables
Year 2 Christmas cakes or puddings
Year 3 Tinned meats (e.g. ham, tuna, corned beef)
Year 4 Long-life milk, custards (long-life carton), cream (long-life or tube) or coffee (instant)
Year 5 Drinks (e.g. cordial, fruit juice, soft drinks), cheese (non – chill packet)
Year 6 Fruit mince pies, Christmas crackers
Please place the food items in the basket in your child’s classroom ready for collection on Thursday the 10th of December. Thank you for your continued support. Hopefully, we can help make someone’s Christmas a little brighter this year.
Sacramental Date for 2021
Please find below the Sacramental dates for 2021 to mark on your calendars. These dates will also be placed on the online calendar and the school calendar throughout the year.
JB Hi-Fi Portal for iPad purchase
We have again been able to arrange a discounted price for the purchase of iPads from JB HiFi.
Please see below for the link to use to purchase iPad, case etc from JB HiFi Education. No need for stylus or keyboard. We recommend the iPad and case. Parents may source a headset/microphone from wherever they want.
https://www.jbeducation.com.au/byod The school code is: wcps2021
End of Term Special - Thursday 10 December
Domino's Pizza Meal Deal
2 slices of Pizza and Juice Box
Choice of :-
Simply Cheese
Hawaiian
Meat Lovers
All orders must be made by 12 noon Monday 7 December ONLINE through Quickcliq
No late orders will be accepted and no other lunch items will be available.
Uniform Shop
The uniform shop will be open Wednesday 27 January 2021 from 9am to 11am for any uniform requirements you may need before the start of Term 1 2021.
Student Achievement
Abby Hermann
Congratulations to Abby Hermann in Year 5B who is the winner of the 2020 Hillarys Electorate Christmas Card design competition. Abby's design will be included in Mr. Katsambanis' Christmas message which will hit letter boxes in mid December. Abby will be presented with her prize at Thanksgiving Mass on Wednesday 9 December. Well done Abby.
Abby Robinson
Congratulations to Abby Robinson 3W who has been selected to represent Hamersley Little Athletics in the U9 girls' squad at the State Track & Field Relay Championships on 12 December at the WA Athletics Stadium. She will be competing in the 4 x 100m and 4 x 200m relays. This is the second year she has been selected. Well done Abby and good luck for the day.
School Banking
Next Tuesday the 8th of December is the last week for school banking deposits. Thank you for your kind support during the year. We wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all the coordinators in the school banking team 🎄
Senior Art Club 2021
Junior Art Club 2021
Vacation Care - Whitford Little Buckets OSHC
OLM Parish News
To view the current parish newsletter please click here
2020 Christmas Eve Outdoor Mass Nativity Play
We are looking for children to be involved in the Nativity Play, which is a feature of the Parish Christmas Eve Mass on the Whitford Catholic school oval. Those children who feel they would like to a reading, and/or play the parts of Mary, Joseph, herald, innkeepers, shepherds and angels are invited to a practice on SATURDAY 19TH DECEMBER AT 10AM. We will meet on the oval side of the church. Characters will be chosen from those present at the practice. All children are welcome to join us.
Enquiries: Leanne Fragomeni 0424 584 460
OUR SPONSORS
Community News
Keyed Up Music Lessons
Keyed Up Music will be teaching keyboard and guitar group lessons next year after school. Lessons start from $18.65 for a group of 4. If you are interested in your child learning an instrument, ring Therese on 1300 366 243 or enroll at www.keyedupmusic.com.au/enrolment-form
Mercedes College
INTERVIEWS FOR ENROLMENTS FOR YEAR 7 2024 are being conducted early next year for any students wishing to attend Mercedes College. If you have forgotten to enrol your daughter, please contact Mrs Julie Lamb on 9323 1340 or email jlamb@mercedes.wa.edu.au. An applicable form may be downloaded from the College website. If you are still interested in ENROLMENTS FOR 2021 we have limited places available, please submit your application form as soon as possible.