Principal’s Report Labour Day Holiday

Please note that the school will be closed next Monday

9th March for the annual Labour Day holiday. We hope all

families enjoy the long weekend. School will resume as

usual on Tuesday 10th March.

Parent/Teacher/Student (PTS) Conferences

On Tuesday 10th March there will be a separate Newsfeed through Compass

inviting you to participate in the first stage of our reporting platform by booking a

PTS conference with your child’s classroom teacher. The conferences will be of

ten minutes duration and they will be scheduled over an afternoon/early evening

time frame, from 1:00pm to 7:00pm.

It is important to note that designated year levels will undertake P/T/S

conferences on different days: Foundation to Year 2 on Tuesday 17th March and

Year 3 to Year 6 on Wednesday 18th March.

The focus of these conferences will

be to provide you with a clear picture

of your child’s progress in Term 1.

This will include shared commentary

on your child’s work habits, early

progress to date, learning goals and

general peer connectedness.

Bookings for PTS conferences can

be made on Compass from 9:30am

onwards on Tuesday 10th March. A

Compass Newsfeed will be sent out

to alert parents/families that the

bookings are open. We encourage

families to book as soon as possible

in order to secure a convenient

conference time slot.

Williamstown North Primary School

Newsletter

133 Melbourne Road, Williamstown 3016 Tel: 9397 5722 Email: williamstown.north.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Website: www.willynthps.vic.edu.au Compass Link—https://willynthps-vic.compass.education Attendance—https://willynthps-vic.compass.education

New items added to the Calendar

School Assembly Monday 9th March

Public Holiday No Performance

Calendar of Events

Term 1 March

Monday 2nd to Friday 13th March

Year 3-4 Swimming *

Monday 9th March Public Holiday

* PTS Conferences

Tuesday 17th March Foundation to Year 2

& Wednesday 18th March

Years 3 to Year 6 *

Monday 23rd March Athletics Sport Years 3&4

* Wednesday 25th March

Athletics Sport Year 5&6 *

Friday 27th March End of Term

Swap Shop Dates

16th March 11th May

22nd June 10th August

14th September 9th November

4th March 2020

Number 5

Respect — Resilience — Responsibility — Doing Your Best

2020 Term Date Term 1—29th Jan to 27th Mar

Term 2—14th Apr to 26th Jun

Term 3—13th Jul to 18th Sept

Term 4—5th Oct to 18th Dec

Staff Training Day Report

Last Friday, all staff participated in a highly productive Staff Training Day. Two regional representatives from

the Department of Education (DET), Jarrod and Libby, were invited to speak to the staff about the Respectful

Relationships initiative. The learning was focused on the critical role that schools have in creating a culture of

respect for future generations.

The rest of the day was focused on staff working collaboratively in preparation for the School Review taking

place in the later part of the year. Staff worked in groups, engaged deeply in discussions and reflected on the

current school practices and the next steps. A particular focus was to review the Professional Learning

Community (PLC) practices forged over the last five years. Staff were challenged to identify current practices

as being either emerging, evolving, embedding or excelling, based on an extensive range of evidence-based

descriptors. The final stage of this collaboration saw small groups come together to reach a common

agreement as to the maturity level of the school’s

PLC practices.

On the whole, it was affirming to note that most

PLC practices were identified as being embedded

across the school. Important next steps were then

identified by staff to determine how the school could continue to improve to ensure all of our child-centred

practices are excelling.

After a Mexican inspired lunch of burritos and tacos, the final component of the Staff Training Day program

engaged teachers in a deep analysis of some Staff Survey data. Once again, I can commend our hardworking

staff on their highly professional and reflective insights as part of the school’s continuous improvement journey.

Morning Preparation Time

Our hard working teachers are understandably very busy in the mornings before school as they prepare all of

their resources and activities for the day ahead. Unless pre-arranged, it is therefore very difficult for teachers to

meet with parents for an extended period in the morning between 8:30am – 9:00am. A brief good morning and

short communication with teachers before the school day is generally not a problem, particularly if the

information shared is important for the day ahead.

Of course our teachers will be only too happy to meet with parents at a mutually arranged time, as we very

much value the important partnerships we forge between the home and school environments. However, we

seek the support of all parents by minimising the requests for prolonged teacher meetings before the start of

the school day. Please don’t hesitate to make contact if you would like to discuss this matter further:

cahill.jim.a@edumail.vic.gov.au

Coronavirus Update

The school continues to closely monitor the evolving situation regarding the coronavirus.

The Department of Education & Training (DET) forwarded new advice to schools yesterday, clarifying that

exclusion periods of 14 days for Australian citizens returning from either China or Iran are now in place.

We seek the ongoing support of all school families to make contact with the school if you have recently

returned from China or Iran.

We would also appreciate any contact from families returning from other countries currently deemed at risk,

such as Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea or Thailand.

Please be reassured, that we will continue to vigilantly monitor this matter to ensure the ongoing wellbeing of all

members of our school community.

Enjoy the rest of your week

Jim Cahill—Principal

Classroom Tables

Free to good home—if you would like a classroom table for home etc, please come

past the office and let the office staff know.

WILLIAMSTOWN NORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL - 1409 PARENT/TEACHER/STUDENT CONFERENCES (PTS)

Foundation to Year 6 - Week 8, Term 1,

Tuesday 17th March 2019, for Foundation to Year 2

& Wednesday 18th March 2020 for Years 3 to 6

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Parent/Teacher/Student (PTS) conferences will be held for all Foundation to Year 2 classes on Tuesday 17th March and Year 3 to 6 classes on Wednesday 18th March.

We now invite you to participate in the first stage of our reporting platform by booking a PTS conference with your child’s classroom teacher. The conferences will be of 10 minute duration and will be now be scheduled from 1.00pm till 7.00pm.

Please note that designated year levels will undertake the conferences on different days.

The focus of the conference will be to provide you with a clear picture of your child’s progress in Term 1. This will include shared commentary on work habits, progress, learning goals and connectedness.

Using Compass you can book your Parent/Teacher/Student Conference online from 9.30am on Tuesday 10th March, once the Newsfeed has been sent.

1. Click the ‘Action for’ button beside the student you wish to make bookings for and click ‘Book Parent Teacher Interviews’.

2. A list of parent-teacher interview times will be displayed along with their booking status. Click on the rel-evant time. The Drop down box shows all the times that are available. Once you click on the time it will say ‘BOOKED”.

3. Your booking sheet will be displayed and will show all available booking times. Click on a time in the grid to display teachers availability for booking the selected time.

Please remember, that once a time has been booked, the options for parents are reduced. Be prompt to select your time. If all conference times are booked, please contact your child’s teacher to make an alternative time.

If your appointment is during the school day, details of where the children will be, will be advised in a Newsfeed, you can then proceed to their classroom to meet with their teacher.

The P/T/S Conference days are as follows:

Tuesday 17th March Foundation to Year 2

1.00pm to 5.00pm

5.00pm to 5.30pm (Staff Break)

5.30pm to 7.00pm

Wednesday 18th March Year 3 to Year 6

1.00pm to 5.00pm

5.00pm to 5.30pm (Staff Break)

5.30pm to 7.00pm

Jim Cahill Wendy Emin & Michael Gill

Principal Assistant Principals

FRESH FRUIT FRIDAY – Reply Slip

A big thank you to everyone who have previously volunteered to be part of Fresh Fruit Friday. Without your

assistance this program could not happen.

We again need volunteers to assist in 2020. Please complete the ‘Reply Slip’ and return it to the General

Office. This is your opportunity to be part of a team that has lots of fun, while preparing fresh fruit for each

class each Friday morning from 9.00am to 10.00am.

I can assist o Weekly o Fortnightly o Monthly

Parent Name: ____________________________________________________________________

Child’s Name: ________________________________________ Class: __________

Contact Numbers: Home: _________________________ Mobile: ______________________

Email: _______________________________________

CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS FUND (CSEF)

CSEF is provided by Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps

and sporting activities. If you hold a means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent you may

be eligible for CSEF. The annual CSEF amount for a primary school student is $125.

HOW TO APPLY (by 20/06/2020)

Contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from

www.educaiton.vic.gov.au/csef. If you received CSEF from this school in 2019 you do not need to

complete an application form in 2020 unless there has been a change in your families circumstances.

You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:

New student enrolments – if your child has started or changed schools in 2020 or you did not apply in

2019.

Changed family circumstances – such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card

number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2020.

Is your Lollipop person the sweetest?

Nominate your Lollipop person for the 2019/2020 School Crossing Supervisor of the year award.

Jump online and complete a nomination at www.schoolcrossingsvictoria.com.au.

Your support of this program will help ensure your School Crossing Supervisor is shown the appreciation they deserve for their commitment to the ongoing safety

of our children.

Fresh Fruit Friday (FFF) Fresh Fruit Friday needs

parent volunteers. Please

email Linda Taylor directly,

so she can add you to the

roster—

taylor.linda.l1@edumail.vic.gov.au.

Parents on the roster for Friday 6th March

are: Kim Pannone, Rachel Burgess, Ray

Price, Narelle Rabbidge, Bindi Wood, Sheena

Hickman and Keryn Van Shaik.

Canteen Julieanne Weir manages our Canteen and is always very appreciative of time parents or family members can volunteer. Contact Julieanne via the General Office. New parents or family members are most welcome.

Thursday 5th March 2020 — Georgianna Horsfall

Friday 6th March 2020 — Hannah Diamon

Wednesday 11th March 2020 — Bec Gill

Thursday 12th March 2020 — Georgianna Horsfall

Friday 13th March 2020 — Mel Dmytrenko

Uniform Shop News Primary School Wear (PSW) is our Uniform supplier. Uniforms can be purchased at their outlet located at Unit 1, 128 Bertie Street Port Melbourne, or online.

Email—portmelbourne@psw.com.au. Trading hours are

Tuesday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Saturday 10.00am to 1.00pm.

School Banking School banking day is Wednesday.

Don’t forget to send in your child’s bank book.

Student Safety

Please take the time to regularly remind your child/ren about safety, especially when going to and from school.

Do not to talk to strangers and never accept a ride, lollies or gifts from a stranger.

Immediately report any issue or problem you may have when going to or from school, to your mum and dad, or your teacher, the Principal, Assistant Principal or office staff.

Always get permission from mum or dad before going to play with a friend after school and always let mum and dad know where you will be and what time you will be home.

We advise that wherever possible, children should travel to or from school with an adult or friends, rather than travel alone.

Early Release

All children collected from school before 3.30pm must be signed out at the Office with an ‘Early Release Pass’ to hand to the supervising teacher. If a child is signed out at Recess or Lunch time, your child will be called to the Office and the Early Release Pass will be given to the supervising teacher.

Bikes & Scooters Many children ride bikes and scooters to school each day. All bikes and scooters must be locked up in either the Bike or Scooter Enclosure to prevent theft. Please ensure your child has a chain and a lock.

All children who ride a bike or scooter must wear a helmet which is a requirement by the Government. The school regularly reminds all children about wearing helmets for their safety.

All bikes, scooters, skateboards, ribstic and helmets must be labelled, with your child’s name and class. Children are reminded they must walk their bike, scooter, skateboard or ribstic to and from the school gates. No bikes are to be brought through the school buildings and we request, where possible, that scooters are also not walked through the building.

Working With Children Cards Cardholders who are required to renew their WWCC will no longer need to go to Australia Post to lodge a paper form and present their current card. Cardholders will go to the WWCC website to complete their renewal application online and, if applying for an Employee Check, pay the fee using a credit card when using the online renewal process. Cardholders will be notified by SMS, letter or email 28 days before their WWCC is due to expire. It is important for cardholders to keep their contact details up to date so that they receive this important reminder.

After receiving a notification, individuals continuing to do child-related work should go to MyCheck on the WWCC website and apply to renew their check. Cardholders will be asked to register with MyCheck if they have not already done so. Once logged in to MyCheck, cardholders will be prompted to confirm or update their personal contact and work details, complete the online form and, if applying for an Employee Check, pay the non-refundable fee. More information: an FAQ guide to online renewals will be

available in 'Publications' under 'Resources' on the WWC website,

or contact the Customer Support Line on 1300 652 879 8.30am –

5.00pm weekdays except public holidays.

http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

New Price list as on Monday 2nd March

There are many women and young people in Melbourne who experience family violence. By challenging sexist

attitudes, behaviours and promoting respectful relationships, we can stop the violence before it starts.

Willy FRENCH CLUB! Fun, effective and supportive language learning. Proudly in our 9th year.

Ideal foundation experience for young learners, as well as consolidation and socialisation for those from Francophone families.

Wednesdays 3.50pm—4.50pm

Williamstown Community

Centre 14 Thompson St Williamstown

Jim Callahan

0432 719 034

jim.callahan@lcfclubs.com.au

SWAP SHOP SALE—Dates Swap shop will open each term from 2.45pm - 3.30pm in Room 33.

Prices are as follows:

$5.00 items: - Rugby tops, Baseball jackets, Long sleeve polos, Girls long pants, Track pants,

Stussy pants, Short sleeve polos, Stussy shorts, Skorts

Winter tunics: $15.00, Summer dresses: $10.00, Bike Shorts: $2.00, Bottle green socks: $1.00 (Size 5-8 only)

CASH ONLY SALES (NO EFTPOS AVAILABLE) (Can make payment at the office)

Please bring small change and BYO bag

If you have any school clothing you no longer require or want, Swap Shop would greatly appreciate your

donation. Clothing must be in good condition and clean.

Please only donate Polo and Rugby tops that have the school logo.

Any donations of clothing can be dropped off at the front office.

Thank you, Kim Pannone & Sam Sonego – Swap Shop Coordinators

Dates for Swap Shop for 2020—Room 33

Term 1—Monday 16th March

Term 2—Monday 11th May and Monday 22nd June

Term 3—Monday 10th August and Monday 14th September

Term 4—Monday 9th November

WILLIAMSTOWN NORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL

are excited to be celebrating National Ride2School Day on Friday 13 March 2020.

National Ride2School Day is the perfect opportunity to kick-start new healthy habits and promote the many benefits of active travel. We encourage all students and their families to leave

the car at home and give riding, walking, scooting or skating to school a go.

We will be celebrating by:

Wearing your favourite sun-smart hat for the day for all students who either ride, walk, scoot or skate to school.