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2019 IS THE YEAR OF KINDNESS AT WPS

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Issue 18 – 20 November, 2019

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Last Monday at 11:00am

our students were

involved in a moving

service for Remembrance

Day to honour all veterans who have

served or fallen in conflicts since

World War 1. A special thank you to

Mr Day for organising it and to Cooper

and Lucinda who did a marvellous job

leading the assembly. The students

were extremely well behaved and

respectful, I am sure they were able

to reflect on the important messages of the service.

KINDY START GRADUATIONS

Last week we congratulated our 2020 Kindergarten children for

completing the Kindy Start program. This is truly a unique

transition program that we offer and I would like to thank Megan

Wyatt and Jackie Langdon Down for their organisation,

commitment and dedication each week for ensuring the children

were provided with fun, rewarding learning experiences. I would

also like to thank the office staff as they have done a great deal of

the behind the scenes work and preparation and our K-2 teachers,

librarian and canteen staff who welcomed them all into their rooms

for classroom visits.

Our Kindy Start program is all about the school working together with families and young children to help

facilitate a smooth transition into school and I believe all these children certainly will have no trouble

settling in next year. I would like to welcome our new families into the caring, committed Woodport

community and hope they have a long and happy association with us.

Dates to Remember

Tuesdays School Banking

Wednesday

20 November

AECG Awards

Night

Monday

25 November P&C Meeting

Monday

2 December

EBS

Presentation

9:15 am

Tuesday

3 December

Erina High

School

Orientation Day

Tuesday

3 December

Erina High

School Parent

Information

Evening

Tuesday

3 December

Years 2-5

Science Circus

Thursday

5 December

Scripture

Assembly

Friday

6 December

Major

Presentation

Day 9:15 am

WOODPORT

Public School Phone: 4367 7324

Email: woodport –p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Principal: Judy Boland

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2019 IS THE YEAR OF KINDNESS AT WPS

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR 2020

Last week eighteen of our Year 5 students addressed all Year 2-

5 students at an assembly and presented a speech on why they

should be nominated for a leadership role in 2020. Each and every

one of them did an outstanding job. They spoke clearly,

confidently and with a great deal of enthusiasm; they are an

absolute credit to their families and to the school. Well done!

Congratulations to the following students who have been elected

by the student body to form our Leadership Team for 2020: Cy H,

Ashton B, Liam A, Owen N, Ruby F, Lily C, Ciarn S and Darcy M. The positions of School Captains, Vice

Captains and Prefects will be announced at the Major Presentation Assembly on Friday 6 December.

HOUSE CAPTAINS FOR 2020

Congratulations to our senior and junior Sport Captains for 2020. Students in Kinder and Year 1 elected

the junior team, while the senior team was voted in by the Years 2 to 5 student body. They are listed

below in no particular order. Captains and Vice Captains will be announced at the Major Presentation

Assembly on Friday 6 December.

Mackellar

Zac P, Kingston H, Madison S, Zoe S, Bowen W, Timothy W, Poppy C and Leah C

Lawson

Lincoln S, Jordan H, Bella R, Kayla L, Van P, Thomas L, Caitlin F and Alicia G

Paterson

Josh S, Jordan H, Kayla L, Bella R, Lachlan P, Hayden D, Mackenzie K and Violet L

Gilmore

Ryan S, Archie B, Mia H, Issy B, Bayley L, Noah M, Lacey B and Lacey A

LIBRARY MONITORS FOR 2020

Congratulations to the following Year 5 students who have been elected as Library Monitors for 2020 –

Beth P, Saga K, Keylee F, Zac S, Tahlia S, Charlie G, Mollie D, Poppy C, Zoe W and Estelle B.

This is another leadership opportunity we have in the school for our Year 6 students. The Library Monitors

will be responsible for assisting younger students in the library and helping the librarian with borrowing,

returning, organising and shelving books. Students are asked to dedicate one lunch-time per week to

fulfilling their duties. Students will receive their badges at the Major Presentation Assembly on Friday 6

December.

LONG SERVICE LEAVE

I will be taking long service leave from Monday 2 December as I will be going on an extended family

holiday. My final day will be Friday 29 November. While I am on leave Mr Day will be relieving Principal

and Ms Ridland and Mrs Timewell will be each taking some time away from their classes to support Mr

Day with the running of the school.

THANK YOU P&C

The school recently invested in another class set of chrome books and a charging trolley for our students

in Stage 2. Thank you to the P&C for contributing $13,000 towards the purchase of this new technology.

Our students and staff are very appreciative.

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2019 IS THE YEAR OF KINDNESS AT WPS

INTRUDERS ON SITE

In the past month we have had a number of intruders at school after hours. It would be greatly appreciated

if you see any suspicious behaviour on the school grounds in the evening or during the weekends, that

you report it to School Security on 1300 880 021.

ROBOTICS TOURNAMENT

Next Sunday we have eleven students competing in the FIRST Lego League

competition at the University of Newcastle Central Coast, Ourimbah Campus. The

theme this year is ‘City Shaper: Building a better world for the future’. Students and

teachers (Mrs Lawson & Mr Brown) have been working for months to build, test and

program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology. The students

have had to work collaboratively to devise a plan and construct a working model that

will complete a series of missions. They have also had to design and solve a solution

to an identified issue in our local community and they have been working very hard on the Hab-a-Seat

that has been receiving rave reviews from leaders in our community. Congratulations to Bree S, Liam A,

Issy B, Ciarn S, Griffin W, Kirra M, Riley D, Anna H, Toby F, Taylor H and Massimo B. We wish them all

the best for the tournament.

CLASS STRUCTURE 2020

Due to the continuing fluctuation of our numbers the start of next year will commence with the students

returning to their 2019 classes where they will remain for the shortest time possible until our numbers

are confirmed. We have found this to be the best solution for our students as it is extremely unsettling

and upsetting if they are placed in new classes with a new teacher, only to have to move classes again

because enrolment numbers change. During this time students do have planned work that assists with

their transition to their new class.

If you are having an extended holiday and your child will return in 2020, but not in the first two weeks of

school, we need this information in writing for auditing purposes. This helps the school let the Department

know the exact number of students who will be with us in 2020 to ensure we can make the correct number

of classes (we can’t count students in our numbers who are on holidays without written notice from

parents indicating their return).

Next week we will be starting to look at the school structure and the formation of classes for 2020.

Students are allocated to classes in consultation with the school executive, class teachers, learning

assistance and support teachers and the principal.

The following criteria are examples of what is considered by the school to ensure that the classes that

are formed are in the best interests of all the students.

Academic needs – grouping students within a class to ensure the best use of school and

teaching resources.

Behaviour needs – some students are best separated so their learning and the learning of other

students is not affected.

Gender balance - we like to keep a balance of boys and girls in each class where possible.

Friendships – whilst we take into account friendships, students who are too friendly with another

student or group of students may be separated so all students can concentrate on their studies.

If you have any queries regarding this please do not hesitate to contact me.

Judy Boland

Principal

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2019 IS THE YEAR OF KINDNESS AT WPS

PRESENTATION ASSEMBLY

Our Major Presentation Assembly for the year will be held on Friday 6 December, in the Erina High

School hall at 9:15am. This assembly provides the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the hard work

and effort of our students and teachers throughout the year. All parents and carers are welcome to attend.

Letters were sent home yesterday advising parents and carers if their child is receiving an award at the

assembly. There will be performances from the school band and the choir.

PARENT HELPERS’ MORNING TEA

Invitations were sent home yesterday to the many, many volunteers and helpers in our school community,

inviting them to attend our “Thank You Morning Tea”. This will be held immediately after our Presentation

Assembly on Friday 6 December at 11:10am in our school hall. This is our chance to thank our

volunteers ‘officially’ for their tremendous support and help throughout the year. Our school is so much

richer because of them.

QUESTACON SCIENCE CIRCUS The Shell Questacon Science Circus presenters will be visiting Woodport PS on Tuesday 3 December

to present a lively and energetic science show to students in Years 2 - 5 using everyday materials and

props. Adapted to the age of the students, the shows cover a wide range of topics from bubbles and

balance to collisions and chemistry and lots more. There will be no cost to families for this show. Our

students are looking forward to the show. To find out more about the Science Circus visit the Questacon

Circus https://www.questacon.edu.au/outreach/programs/science-circus/activities

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Students and staff regularly practise emergency response drills with our most recent one being a fortnight

ago. If you are on site during a drill, please follow the instructions of staff. Whilst we appreciate that

visitors may have other commitments to meet outside of school, our drills are managed and evaluated

as a ‘real time’ situation, so visitors are requested to remain in the practice situation until advised to leave

by the Principal or site manager.

Our alarms are signalled as follows:

Evacuation Alarm – a long continuous bell for one minute.

Lockdown Alarm – an intermittent bell for one minute.

For your safety and the safety of others, please follow the directions of staff until given the all clear.

Our emergency evacuation point is the school oval (Playground 2)

The visitor safety briefing sheet outlines further information for all visitors and parents and is located in

the office next to the visitor sign on register.

LIBRARY NEWS This year has gone by so fast, I can't believe we are already over half way through Term 4!

Students should have received the last Scholastic Bookclub for the year. This is due back by Monday 25

November. This issue features many new and exciting books that would make excellent stocking fillers

and gift ideas. A percentage of sales comes back to the library to purchase new release books for the

children to borrow and enjoy. Thank you for supporting our school library.

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PLEASE RETURN ALL LIBRARY BOOKS

Beginning next week (Week 7), the library will be undergoing a stocktake of

resources. Borrowing has been suspended, and all library books will need to

be returned as soon as possible in order for this process to run smoothly.

Please check with your child as to whether he/she has any outstanding loans

and encourage their prompt return. Thank you for your assistance.

Kerianne Williams

Teacher Librarian

BAND

Expressions of interest are still being taken for students to join the Woodport School band in 2020.

All lessons are conducted at school by professional music teachers. Students will perform throughout the year at a number of events that include Erina Fair for Education Week, Bandfest and end of year presentations

Permission notes can be collected from the office. Please consider this wonderful opportunity.

Join The Band!

Is your child interested in joining the school band? The school band is now taking enrolments for 2020 and

is open to all students currently in Years 2-5. No prior experience is required.

Earlier this week, students saw a demonstration concert at school that highlighted the different instruments

available for tuition. They received a green School Band Program note providing introductory information.

What do you need to do? Return the expression of interest from the bottom of the green note to try a

variety of instruments with trained music tutors, to help your child find the instrument to which they are

best suited. The results of this instrument trial will be sent home with comprehensive enrolment

information.

Learning an instrument in an ensemble is a great way to experience the social, educational and personal

benefits that music and the arts have to offer! TSA provides a quality instrumental program, with full

ensemble rehearsals, great value tuition and rent-to-buy instrument hire.

For more information on your school instrumental program, please contact TSA below.

Email: info@teaching services.com.au

Phone: 9651 7333

www.teachingservices.com.au

FUTURE LEADERS

Mrs Lawson and I had the absolute pleasure and privilege of

taking our talented robotics team to Erina Fair last Thursday for

its second meeting with marketing personnel. Here the team met with executives from the Centre and

Lendlease and the director of marketing for Closed Loop, John Ryan, to present a proposal for the Hab-

a-Seat. The team have developed the seat as part of their FIRST Lego competition brief addressing the

theme City Shapers: Building a Better World.

The students pitched their innovative solution, which addresses environmental and social problems in

the local community, to the meeting. They presented a PowerPoint slideshow in which they

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2019 IS THE YEAR OF KINDNESS AT WPS

communicated a well-researched briefing which included the provision of beautiful seating for the

community while minimising the air temperature in urban areas. The design also incorporates the use of

solar panels, SMART technology and an irrigation system. The team’s research indicates that the

proposed Hab-a-Seat will do an equivalent job of ten trees in an effort to achieve lower carbon lifestyles.

After the design concept, the next step in the process is working on creating a prototype for the Hab-a-

Seat made from recyclable or upcycled materials. This is the domain of John Ryan and his Closed Loop

Company who will provide invaluable advice and suggestions and perhaps help to facilitate the

development of the model.

I was extremely proud to observe these amazing students present their ideas in front of professionals

who were highly engaged with what the team was saying. The Lendlease executive remarked that he

learned a lot from the students and was very impressed with their communication and research skills.

Mr Ryan noted that he had watched many presentations from adult groups who were not able to

demonstrate the level of understanding shown by the Woodport robotics group.

This Friday, the team will be travelling to Sydney to pitch its research, ideas and design to the staff at

Google, after which the students have been invited to tour their offices.

Thank you to Mrs Lawson and Mr Brown who have inspired the students and have helped develop many

life-long skills. The students will be able to build on their ability to work collaboratively and to apply

creative and critical thinking expertise well into the future.

Mr Day

YEAR 6 LITTLE DAY OUT

On Wednesday 6 November our Year 6 students attended Erina High School’s Little Day Out. Students

enjoyed participating in a range of engaging activities. Our students used the opportunity to make new

connections with students from other schools as well as the teachers from Erina High School. They are

looking forward to making their transition to Year 7 in 2020.

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YEAR 6 OUTDOOR MATHS

Challenge: To create a circle with a 2m radius.

Tools: pencil, wool, tape measure and chalk.

Method: Students applied the problem solving coloured Thinking Hats

Step 1. Black Hat - get the facts

Step 2. Rainbow Hat - generate ideas

Step 3. Red and Green Hat - sort ideas into ‘go’ and ‘stop’

Step 4. Pink Hat - plan and design

Step 5. Purple Hat - create

Step 6. Orange Hat – evaluate

Reflection: It was great to see students collaborate with peers outside

their friendship group, communicate, problem-solve and use creative and

critical thinking while working through this challenge. Impressive was the

students ability to use metacognition (thinking about thinking) to explain

to classmates their working out and answering tricky questions from their

peers about how they can be sure their circle has a 2m radius all the way

around.

Next Challenge: Create an area of 30 square metres using cones, a

trundle wheel, string and or measuring tape. If it is a compound shape,

students receive extra points.

SPORTING SCHOOLS AUSTRALIA

What is physical literacy and why is it important for your child?

How you can nurture your child’s participation in sport and physical

activity at home?

Our school recently secured funding from Sport Australia to run a

Sporting Schools program - Hockey. We know the students loved this program and it was a great way

for them to be active and achieve 30-60 minutes of physical activity a day. The recommended amount of

physical activity for children is 60 minutes a day.

Sport Australia has provided us with some useful information on how parents and carers can continue to

nurture a child’s participation in sport and physical activity and be active at home.

Physical literacy provides the foundation for a lifelong connection to sport and physical activity. It is about

developing the skills, knowledge and behaviours that give us the confidence and motivation to move

more and lead an active, healthy life. You can help develop your child’s physical literacy by creating good

habits with daily physical activity by increasing the opportunities for play-based activities at home. Entice

your child/ren away from screen-time and teach them how to climb a tree, fly a kite, kick a footy or go for

a bush walk together as a family. Encourage your child/ren to: help choose and plan the activities; set

goals; and talk about how they feel while engaging in the activities. As a bonus, research has shown that

children who are physically active achieve greater academic success and maintain higher attention levels

during class at school.

See more examples of how you can support your child to develop their physical literacy and some

activities you can do together as a family https://www.sportaus.gov.au/findyour30/challenge.

We can all develop our physical literacy at any stage of life, so why not do it together! Find a new sport

or physical activity you can try with your family this term.

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GOLD BOOK - 2019

Isabella H – 4K Alori-Joh A – KT Zara L – KT Tabitha R – KT Brody M – KT

Jack R – KT Mason S – KT Zoe M – KT Lily J - KT Lea N – 4K

Olivia M – 4K Isabell T – 3M Summer P – 3M Olivia P – 3M Jackson H – 3M

Toby F – 3/4S Beau C – 3/4S Tristyn W – 3/4S Hannah H – 3/4S Jessica H – 3/4S

Charlotte B - KB Mason S – KT Lily J - KT

YOU CAN DO IT

KB Symon A Ava G

KT Cooper E Mitchell R

KV Marcus G Quinton N

1C Codey M Matilda P

1S Seth H Van P

1/2R Leah C Chima H-O

2C Ellen B Grace H

2M Lucius K Grace R

3M Ai Ling D Olivia P

3P Ella F Brock C

3/4S Leila H Adam G

4E Jayden S-H Mason R

4K Ethan K Ashton S

5B Lincoln S Rosalie G-S

5/6M Josh S Sky A

5/6O Blake M Farley D

6B Lily B Allegra M

STUDENT OF THE WEEK

KB Aubrey G Amelia G

KT Chloe R Hudson B

KV Xavier B Kaydenn F

1C Harry K Violet L

1S Lacey B Logan P

1/2R Michael K Emily H

2C Isla B Lincoln C

2M Indhie B Piper K

3M Summer P Jackson H

3P Marley S Larissa B

3/4S Cleo H Toby F

4E Melina I Hunter P

4K Chloe S Tahnee M

5B Liam A Archie B

5/6M Ryan S Leila C

5/6O Harrison B Corey T

6B Emre I Kirra M

EBS

Kaylee W – KB Sophie H – KB Freya S – KT Zara L – KT

Hugo C – KV Aiden W – KV Jensen H – 1C Harper M – 1S

Jasmine N – 1S Sophie J – 1S Caden M – 1/2R Grace H – 2C

Grace R – 2M Elena I – 3M Addison E – 3M Leilani G – 3M x 2

Annabelle W – 3M Hayden B – 3M Ralph B – 3P Cooper Y – 3P

Eva B – 3P Ryan O – 3P Kallan B – 3/4S Leilani S – 3/4S

Cooper F – 4E Semisi G – 4E Cy H – 5B Jordan H – 5B

Mia T – 5B Isaak G – 5B Zachary S – 5B Jonas P – 5B

Mia F – 5B

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2019 IS THE YEAR OF KINDNESS AT WPS

HELPING YOUR CHILD AT HOME

Each fortnight we will include some tips for helping your child at home. This week is

about Respect.

Respect - How You Can Help

In the very early years children manipulate their world to get their needs met, often by crying, pouting,

throwing tantrums etc. This is understandable while they lack the impulse control, language and

reasoning required to use other means. However, as they get older they need to be taught ways to

respectfully get their needs met.

People often see children or teenagers being disrespectful, showing attitude or using foul language. We

must remember that children are not born with an in-built respect for others.

They need to be taught respect. Children mimic the behaviour they see around

them, especially that of their parents. For this reason, it is critical for parents to

model respectful behaviour themselves as well as teach their child to display good manners and respect

towards others. Parents also need to be aware of how they talk about other people in front of their

children. Respect begins at home.

Our own upbringing may influence our parenting style. The old ‘do as I say and not as I do’ attitude can

kick in as a default setting when a parent is confronted with a rude or disrespectful child. Some adults

speak to children as if they were inferior beings. Being respectful in your conversations with your child

shows them that you respect them. On the other hand, treating your child as an equal can make it difficult

to exert the authority required to command respect and cooperation.

Jane Nelson, an educational specialist and co-author of Positive Discipline A-Z, believes that being kind

and firm in your discipline is required. Being kind shows respect to the child but being firm shows respect

for what needs to be done. Some YouTube clips, movies, music, and video games can glorify a

disrespectful, angry or rude way of dealing with others. Audiences watching sport and sadly even the

players themselves do not always display respect for those around them. This makes it even more

important for parents themselves to model the expected behaviour when dealing with their child and

enforce the use of a respectful attitude and appropriate language by the child towards others.

Children can show care and respect through good manners. It starts in the early years when parents

teach polite greetings and responses. Not overreacting to unpleasant responses is a good start but a

clear message of what is acceptable needs to be conveyed. A comment such as “We don’t talk to each

other like that in this family,” shows that bad manners and disrespect are not acceptable.

An alternative is to quietly take the child aside and use it as a teachable moment. It may be necessary

to wait until your child is calm before engaging in any talk about how it could be dealt with differently.

Talk it over later after you have both cooled off. Acknowledge their thoughts and feelings and explore

ideas your child has to solve the problem. A consequence might be required if your expectations are not

adhered to.

It is not easy for parents to impose clear limits on expected behaviour but by doing

so you are showing them that they are loved and that you care enough to want them

to be able to function well in the world. They will develop a sense of gratitude and

consideration, making our world a better and happier place for all.

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2019 IS THE YEAR OF KINDNESS AT WPS

Week 3: We reviewed the rules for exiting the school

Students will be revising the school wide expectations when exiting the school and

when walking on verandahs and staircases.

Exiting the School

ERNIE SAYS

As safe, respectful learners students should always follow the school wide

expectations when exiting the school.

SAFE

Walk to exit

Hands and feet to self

Bag on back. Phones, toys and food in bag

RESPECTFUL

Polite talk

Watch out for others

Use correct stairs

LEARNER

Follow teacher instructions

Look, listen and take care

Be on time

Staircases and verandahs

ERNIE SAYS

As safe, respectful learners students should always follow the school expectations

when walking on staircases and when on verandahs

SAFE

Walk

Hands and feet to self

Body and belongings inside railings

RESPECTFUL

Keep to the left

Move sensibly and quietly

Beware of others

LEARNER

Follow teacher instructions

Use correct stairs

Always ask permission

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P&C News P&C CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

The P&C are running their annual Christmas raffle and tickets have gone home today with every child. Prizes are toy vouchers from Casey’s Toys.

Please make sure all tickets, sold and unsold are returned to school by Wednesday 11 December, 2019.

The raffle will be drawn at our morning assembly on Friday 13 December.

CANTEEN NEWS

End of Year Funday Order Forms Please remember to return your order forms or order on FlexiSchools. DO NOT pay on line for these

deals with the fun days as that goes to the School account not Fresh Food Fast and confuses the accounts department. If you do order on FlexiSchools, you are NOT required to return your order form as this will result in

duplicate orders. Tuesday 17/12 – K-2 Fun Day $6.00 Cheeseburger or Hotdog Meal Deal with choice of drink and ice block for Years K-2 fun day *Limited lunch service for Years 3-6* Wednesday 18/12 – Years 5-6 Big Day In

Incursion pack for years 5-6 Big Day In The $6.00 pack includes choice of sandwich, cheese, crackers, carrots, chocolate muffin, popcorn, apple and bottle of water. *Limited lunch service for Years K-2* Wednesday 18/12 – Years 3-4 Day Out

Excursion Pack for Years 3-4 day out The $6.00 pack includes choice of sandwich, cheese, crackers, carrots, chocolate muffin, popcorn, apple and bottle of water. *Limited lunch service for Years K-2*

SELLERS ONLY

PRIZE

Make sure your name

is on the front of the raffle

ticket book

1st prize - $200.00 Casey’s Toy voucher

2nd prize - $100.00 Casey’s Toy voucher

3rd prize - $50.00 Casey’s Toy voucher

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2019 IS THE YEAR OF KINDNESS AT WPS

Saver Plus is a $ for $ matched savings program designed to help families with $500

for educational costs for eligible participants. Saver Plus is now available on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/SaverPlusAU

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2019 IS THE YEAR OF KINDNESS AT WPS

A fun school holiday activity for preschool

to primary­ aged kids. Awesome games,

drama, sports, singing, Bible stories,

friendship and fun!

REGO ONLINE EVCHURCH.INFO/SUMMER

(family discount available)