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Issue 16

01 Jun 2022

Principal's Report

Weekend Access to Grounds

We’re pleased to confirm that our first steps towards opening our school grounds last weekend went smoothly. Security guards removed a small group of teenagers off site on Sunday evening, but otherwise there was no damage or vandalism to school property.

As previously promoted, we will trial weekend access into the school grounds during June. The pedestrian gate next to the bike shed will be opened each Saturday and Sunday morning for families and then secured at the end of the day by our security guards.

Pending the outcome of this trial, our School Council will determine the ongoing viability of weekend/holiday access at its next meeting.

Fundraising & Community Engagement

Given the challenges of the last two years, the school has been unable to proceed with its extensive calendar of regular events to support both fundraising for the school and the engagement of our school community. It was therefore very exciting to endorse in principle at our School Council meeting last week, a possible School Fete in March next year. We will now tread cautiously over the next few months to explore the viability of the Fete, with a focus on how we can minimise the school’s financial exposure if by chance the event cannot proceed. Whilst the scope of the Fete will need to be reframed to accommodate a reduced crowd on-site, it is nonetheless very exciting to be rekindling these premier events for the school! Stay tuned for more news on this front!

In the interim, a proposed Walkathon next term towards the end of July will provide a students with a great focus to raise funds for new football/soccer goals, new basketball backboards and some new line marking in the Junior area. We hope to confirm further details about this event prior to the end of the term!

Staffing Pressures

As reported in numerous Newsletters to date this year, all schools are grappling with major staffing shortages at present. A combination of COVID & flu and extended absences is certainly placing pressure on many of our daily operations. Sadly, our entire budget for relief staff for 2022 has now been fully expended. Fortunately however, the school has some ‘rainy day’ reserves to keep engaging relief staff (where possible) so that the school can continue to operate and remain open.

The Department of Education is certainly closely monitoring these pressures on schools and over recent weeks some schools have had no other options but to return to Remote Learning platforms. At our Leadership meeting this week, we have developed an eight step plan for managing staff absences next semester, with the eighth step being Remote Learning as the last resort!

With Term 3 being the typical peak for illnesses, please be assured that we are diligently planning ahead to minimise school disruptions next term. We understand parent nervousness about this matter and will continue to provide transparent updates through Newsfeeds and the Newsletter.

Future Projects for the School

On a brighter note, as we consider the opportunities for improving our wonderful school over the next several years, we have identified a number of key projects for the school to consider.

We have already secured funding for new shade sails in the Junior Playground and a covered walkway between the Junior Learning Centre and main building.

Other potential projects on our radar include:

  • Synthetic Turf replacement “Tasmania” (Major project)
  • Asphalting Repairs (Major Project)
  • Soccer Goals (Walkathon target)
  • Major Line marking. (Walkathon target)
  • New Basketball Backboards (Walkathon target)
  • Shade sails (Funding Confirmed)
  • Covered Walkway from Junior Learning Centre (Funding In Process)
  • Automatic Doors to the Main Building (Major Project)

If you would like to suggest a future project for the school to consider in conjunction with the above projects, please feel very welcome to forward your ideas to jim.cahill@education.vic.gov.au

Enjoy the rest of the week.

Jim Cahill—Principal

URGENT REQUEST—LOST PROPERTY NEEDS SORTING
Seeking assistance from a parent or parents to assist with the sorting of the Lost Property.
So many jumpers and water bottles need to find their home.
If you can assist, please send Belinda an email to advise what day you can come in and do it.

Belinda.gill@education.vic.gov.au

Lost Property
Help Needed!

Foundation, Year 1 & 2 Tabloids Sports Day

After a two-year hiatus, the Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 students FINALLY got to participate in their 1ST TABLOID SPORTS DAY!!!!
With over 15 sports and several wonderful helpers, over 300 students were able to learn new sports and have heaps of fun!!!
Despite the rough weather, every single child was having a blast!! There was a sea of red, blue, green and yellow scattered all over the place with the students’ house colours on display.
A big thank you to Mr Manoleras and all of the parents, teachers, ES staff and the Year 6 students who helped on the day!
We look forward to next year’s event!
Written by Caleb

Tabloid 5
Tabloid 4
Tabloid 3
Tabloid 2
Tabloid 1

JSC Term 2 Fundraiser Event

On Friday the 17th June we are having a whole school fundraiser organized by the 2022 JSC reps, entitled Kooky Coat Day!

Kooky coat day is an event where you decorate your coat in a fun, crazy or Kooky way.

We recommend using things like streamers, pom-poms and ribbons to make your coat look authentic and festive.

It is also a full free dress day!

Keep in mind that this wonderful day is happening on a Friday, which is an inter school sports day. Therefore, any students in Year 5 and 6 should wear clothing appropriate for playing sports.

This time around, we aren’t looking for your gold coins!

We are on the lookout for any unwanted Coats, Jackets, Beanies, Scarves, Gloves etc.

We are also after long life milk, penne pasta, Asian Vegetarian sauces (soy sauce, ketchup etc).

Items are to be dropped off to the large box outside the front of the library, any time during Week 7 and Week 8 (30th May-17th June.).

Everything bought in will be donated to a worthy charity called “Reaching out in the inner west of Melbourne.”

They are an amazing charity group, who donate many things to those living on the streets of Melbourne. They help all kinds of people. You can find out more about them on their Facebook page or by Googling them.

This recent bout of freezing weather is a great reminder to us all, how much a warm coat means to the homeless. So please have a hunt through your wardrobes or anywhere else at home where you think you may be able to find some warm winter items to donate in both adult and child sizes.

We can't wait to see you in your ‘Kooky Coats’ on Friday 17th June!

Scarf 1
Coat 2
Milk 1
Coat 1

Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge

Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is open and Williamstown North Primary School is excited to be participating. The PRC application offers a range of exciting features including:

· access to a library catalogue (including book images and blurbs),

· a modern user-friendly interface,

· rewarding students with badges as challenge milestones are achieved,

· the option for students to mark books as a favourite, give them a star rating or complete a book review.

The Challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to Year 10 in recognition of the importance of reading for literacy development. It is a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 2nd September 2022.

Children from Foundation to Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers – with 20 from the list. Children from Year 3 to Year 6 are challenged to read 15 books – with 10 from the list.

All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers.

All students have been given a unique username and passcode.

To log on to the Premier’s reading challenge:

· Click on this URL: https://vprc.eduweb.vic.gov.au/home

· Click on the VRPC login.

· Fill out your child’s log in details

· Log any books that your child reads.

Willy Lit Fest


Headliners return to revive the beloved Willy Lit Fest

Following two years lost to pandemic lockdowns, the legendary Williamstown Literary Festival — the biggest winter arts festival in the west — is back.

In response to the heightened uncertainty in the world the theme chosen for 2022 is Days Like These. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the here and now by hearing from leading writers and thinkers, engaging with our community and to invite visitors to experience the unique beauty of Hobson’s Bay.

Mark your diaries for the weekend of June 17-19 and check out the program in time for early bird ticket prices. With 73 participants in 39 sessions, the program of events offers something for everyone.

The Festival will open on the Friday evening with the return of the sensational Stereo Stories unique blend of music and memoir with special guests – Tony Birch, Andy Griffiths, Brian Nankervis, Danny Katz, Smokie Dawson, Lucia Nardo, Rijn Collins, and Toni Jordan.

Every corner of the Town Hall will be buzzing with author talks while the ballroom will be transformed into a hub with a pop-up café where visitors can meet between sessions, make new friends, and learn about the work of many local community groups.

The Program includes a host of best-selling memoir writers such as Sinead Stubbins, a millennial in pursuit of perfection; David Knoff, who was leading a mission at Davis Station in Antarctica when the pandemic hit; TV journalist Mimi Kwa who explored her sprawling family history in a bid to understand why her own father sued her and ABC TV’s Lisa Millar talking about how she dreamed of a big life.

We also welcome thought leaders including Peter Doherty, Andrew Wear, Van Badham, Peter Quarry, Nicole Haddow and Michael McGirr discussing a range of vital topics.

This year will see a focus on fiction with special guests including Steven Conte, Jock Serong, and Paddy O’Reilly, plus intimate salons where talented novelists will read and introduce their latest works in an intimate space.

There will be slam poetry from St Mary’s Primary School students, workshops, book launches, our annual writing awards ceremony, the much-loved People’s Choice writing competition, and much more.

Tickets are available online at the festival website https://www.willylitfest.org.au/.

The Willy Lit Fest is a not-for-profit community event run by a committee of volunteers supported by the Hobson’s Bay City Council through its ‘Make It Happen’ Grants program and our generous sponsors and supporters.

Please contact: Program Director, Jane Finemore j.finemore@willylitfest.org.au; Ph: 0408463873

Issue 16 - 01 Jun 2022

Principal's Report

Weekend Access to Grounds

We’re pleased to confirm that our first steps towards opening our school grounds last weekend went smoothly. Security guards removed a small group of teenagers off site on Sunday evening, but otherwise there was no damage or vandalism to school property.

As previously promoted, we will trial weekend access into the school grounds during June. The pedestrian gate next to the bike shed will be opened each Saturday and Sunday morning for families and then secured at the end of the day by our security guards.

Pending the outcome of this trial, our School Council will determine the ongoing viability of weekend/holiday access at its next meeting.

Fundraising & Community Engagement

Given the challenges of the last two years, the school has been unable to proceed with its extensive calendar of regular events to support both fundraising for the school and the engagement of our school community. It was therefore very exciting to endorse in principle at our School Council meeting last week, a possible School Fete in March next year. We will now tread cautiously over the next few months to explore the viability of the Fete, with a focus on how we can minimise the school’s financial exposure if by chance the event cannot proceed. Whilst the scope of the Fete will need to be reframed to accommodate a reduced crowd on-site, it is nonetheless very exciting to be rekindling these premier events for the school! Stay tuned for more news on this front!

In the interim, a proposed Walkathon next term towards the end of July will provide a students with a great focus to raise funds for new football/soccer goals, new basketball backboards and some new line marking in the Junior area. We hope to confirm further details about this event prior to the end of the term!

Staffing Pressures

As reported in numerous Newsletters to date this year, all schools are grappling with major staffing shortages at present. A combination of COVID & flu and extended absences is certainly placing pressure on many of our daily operations. Sadly, our entire budget for relief staff for 2022 has now been fully expended. Fortunately however, the school has some ‘rainy day’ reserves to keep engaging relief staff (where possible) so that the school can continue to operate and remain open.

The Department of Education is certainly closely monitoring these pressures on schools and over recent weeks some schools have had no other options but to return to Remote Learning platforms. At our Leadership meeting this week, we have developed an eight step plan for managing staff absences next semester, with the eighth step being Remote Learning as the last resort!

With Term 3 being the typical peak for illnesses, please be assured that we are diligently planning ahead to minimise school disruptions next term. We understand parent nervousness about this matter and will continue to provide transparent updates through Newsfeeds and the Newsletter.

Future Projects for the School

On a brighter note, as we consider the opportunities for improving our wonderful school over the next several years, we have identified a number of key projects for the school to consider.

We have already secured funding for new shade sails in the Junior Playground and a covered walkway between the Junior Learning Centre and main building.

Other potential projects on our radar include:

  • Synthetic Turf replacement “Tasmania” (Major project)
  • Asphalting Repairs (Major Project)
  • Soccer Goals (Walkathon target)
  • Major Line marking. (Walkathon target)
  • New Basketball Backboards (Walkathon target)
  • Shade sails (Funding Confirmed)
  • Covered Walkway from Junior Learning Centre (Funding In Process)
  • Automatic Doors to the Main Building (Major Project)

If you would like to suggest a future project for the school to consider in conjunction with the above projects, please feel very welcome to forward your ideas to jim.cahill@education.vic.gov.au

Enjoy the rest of the week.

Jim Cahill—Principal

URGENT REQUEST—LOST PROPERTY NEEDS SORTING
Seeking assistance from a parent or parents to assist with the sorting of the Lost Property.
So many jumpers and water bottles need to find their home.
If you can assist, please send Belinda an email to advise what day you can come in and do it.

Belinda.gill@education.vic.gov.au

Lost Property
Help Needed!

Foundation, Year 1 & 2 Tabloids Sports Day

After a two-year hiatus, the Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 students FINALLY got to participate in their 1ST TABLOID SPORTS DAY!!!!
With over 15 sports and several wonderful helpers, over 300 students were able to learn new sports and have heaps of fun!!!
Despite the rough weather, every single child was having a blast!! There was a sea of red, blue, green and yellow scattered all over the place with the students’ house colours on display.
A big thank you to Mr Manoleras and all of the parents, teachers, ES staff and the Year 6 students who helped on the day!
We look forward to next year’s event!
Written by Caleb

Tabloid 5
Tabloid 4
Tabloid 3
Tabloid 2
Tabloid 1

JSC Term 2 Fundraiser Event

On Friday the 17th June we are having a whole school fundraiser organized by the 2022 JSC reps, entitled Kooky Coat Day!

Kooky coat day is an event where you decorate your coat in a fun, crazy or Kooky way.

We recommend using things like streamers, pom-poms and ribbons to make your coat look authentic and festive.

It is also a full free dress day!

Keep in mind that this wonderful day is happening on a Friday, which is an inter school sports day. Therefore, any students in Year 5 and 6 should wear clothing appropriate for playing sports.

This time around, we aren’t looking for your gold coins!

We are on the lookout for any unwanted Coats, Jackets, Beanies, Scarves, Gloves etc.

We are also after long life milk, penne pasta, Asian Vegetarian sauces (soy sauce, ketchup etc).

Items are to be dropped off to the large box outside the front of the library, any time during Week 7 and Week 8 (30th May-17th June.).

Everything bought in will be donated to a worthy charity called “Reaching out in the inner west of Melbourne.”

They are an amazing charity group, who donate many things to those living on the streets of Melbourne. They help all kinds of people. You can find out more about them on their Facebook page or by Googling them.

This recent bout of freezing weather is a great reminder to us all, how much a warm coat means to the homeless. So please have a hunt through your wardrobes or anywhere else at home where you think you may be able to find some warm winter items to donate in both adult and child sizes.

We can't wait to see you in your ‘Kooky Coats’ on Friday 17th June!

Scarf 1
Coat 2
Milk 1
Coat 1

Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge

Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is open and Williamstown North Primary School is excited to be participating. The PRC application offers a range of exciting features including:

· access to a library catalogue (including book images and blurbs),

· a modern user-friendly interface,

· rewarding students with badges as challenge milestones are achieved,

· the option for students to mark books as a favourite, give them a star rating or complete a book review.

The Challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to Year 10 in recognition of the importance of reading for literacy development. It is a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 2nd September 2022.

Children from Foundation to Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers – with 20 from the list. Children from Year 3 to Year 6 are challenged to read 15 books – with 10 from the list.

All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers.

All students have been given a unique username and passcode.

To log on to the Premier’s reading challenge:

· Click on this URL: https://vprc.eduweb.vic.gov.au/home

· Click on the VRPC login.

· Fill out your child’s log in details

· Log any books that your child reads.

Willy Lit Fest


Headliners return to revive the beloved Willy Lit Fest

Following two years lost to pandemic lockdowns, the legendary Williamstown Literary Festival — the biggest winter arts festival in the west — is back.

In response to the heightened uncertainty in the world the theme chosen for 2022 is Days Like These. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the here and now by hearing from leading writers and thinkers, engaging with our community and to invite visitors to experience the unique beauty of Hobson’s Bay.

Mark your diaries for the weekend of June 17-19 and check out the program in time for early bird ticket prices. With 73 participants in 39 sessions, the program of events offers something for everyone.

The Festival will open on the Friday evening with the return of the sensational Stereo Stories unique blend of music and memoir with special guests – Tony Birch, Andy Griffiths, Brian Nankervis, Danny Katz, Smokie Dawson, Lucia Nardo, Rijn Collins, and Toni Jordan.

Every corner of the Town Hall will be buzzing with author talks while the ballroom will be transformed into a hub with a pop-up café where visitors can meet between sessions, make new friends, and learn about the work of many local community groups.

The Program includes a host of best-selling memoir writers such as Sinead Stubbins, a millennial in pursuit of perfection; David Knoff, who was leading a mission at Davis Station in Antarctica when the pandemic hit; TV journalist Mimi Kwa who explored her sprawling family history in a bid to understand why her own father sued her and ABC TV’s Lisa Millar talking about how she dreamed of a big life.

We also welcome thought leaders including Peter Doherty, Andrew Wear, Van Badham, Peter Quarry, Nicole Haddow and Michael McGirr discussing a range of vital topics.

This year will see a focus on fiction with special guests including Steven Conte, Jock Serong, and Paddy O’Reilly, plus intimate salons where talented novelists will read and introduce their latest works in an intimate space.

There will be slam poetry from St Mary’s Primary School students, workshops, book launches, our annual writing awards ceremony, the much-loved People’s Choice writing competition, and much more.

Tickets are available online at the festival website https://www.willylitfest.org.au/.

The Willy Lit Fest is a not-for-profit community event run by a committee of volunteers supported by the Hobson’s Bay City Council through its ‘Make It Happen’ Grants program and our generous sponsors and supporters.

Please contact: Program Director, Jane Finemore j.finemore@willylitfest.org.au; Ph: 0408463873