Principal Report

NAPLAN - Last week and this week our Year 3 and Year 5 students have been undertaking NAPLAN. NAPLAN is the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy as is conducted annually for all years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students. It is the only nationwide assessment that all Australian children undertake and forms one part of our school’s assessment schedule alongside teacher observations, various internal tests and assessment pieces, student and teacher conferencing and student learning activities. It is a big couple of weeks for our year 3 and 5 students and we commend their efforts, resilience and ‘can-do’ mindsets. We also thank our teachers who administer the test as well as our Assistant Principals and tech support who ensure the whole coordination process happens within the required timelines.

School Photos - Yesterday, we had school photos for all individual students, classes and staff members. The day ran smoothly and it was great to see so many smiling faces wearing our Williamstown North Primary School uniform proudly. Sibling photos and Year 6 group photos are scheduled for Thursday 30th May and communications will be open on Compass early May on how to order online.

New Flag Poles - You may have noticed that at the front of the school we have 3 new additions proudly flying the Australian National Flag, Aboriginal Flag and Torres Strait Islander Flag. These flags are important symbols that represent the country’s origins and identity. Flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags alongside our Australian National Flag is one way that we can show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Last year our staff undertook the Community Understanding and Safety Training (CUST) to increase their understanding of Koorie culture, history, and experiences. In 2024, our staff will again undertake the updated version of this training, led by our Koorie Engagement Support Officers so that we can build our knowledge about cultural issues and boundaries affecting Koorie learners and allow space for Koorie culture and inclusiveness. We look forward to building upon our teaching of First Nations people and culture with our students.

Meet and Greet - Thank you to all of our families who engaged in the Term one Parent/Teacher Meet and Greets. I would like to also thank our teachers for their commitment to our students, school and teaching profession. I encourage anyone who was unable to make the Meet and Greet evening to please contact your child’s teacher to arrange a suitable, mutually agreeable meeting time. Those families wishing to further discuss their child’s needs, learning progress or concerns are also encouraged to contact your child’s classroom teacher and arrange a follow up meeting. As per the Victorian Government School Agreements (2022) our teachers working hours total 38 hours per week and teacher availability is between 8.50am – 4.50pm Monday to Wednesday and 8.50am – 3.50pm Thursday and Friday. I have included here a link to the VGSA for your reference: Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022 (education.vic.gov.au)

Class Weekly Updates - Each Monday afternoon (or Wednesday afternoon when Public Holidays or events such as our Meet and Greet evening clash), your child’s classroom teacher will be sending home a Compass Newsfeed outlining the weekly goings on from their class. This will include reminders, important dates and may include examples of student work and class celebrations. We have adopted this means of communication so that families have regular, up to date information relating to your child’s week at school. We encourage families to engage in this update, contact teachers for any clarification or guidance and use this as a provocation when discussing school with your children.

Concerns - Throughout the past few weeks we have had some issues that have been cause of concern for us. Firstly, our school gates have been left unlocked outside of school hours for the last 12 months. The rationale behind this has been that the school is a community asset and that by allowing our families and community members access to the grounds outside of hours that community spirit is enhanced in a somewhat small way. Unfortunately, throughout term 1, we have had several attempted break ins as well as older students from outside our school gaining access to our roof and causing considerable damage. Closing the school off after hours is not something we take lightly nor what we wish to do. Please, if you hear of anyone who has been using our site inappropriately please have a gentle word with them, pass on any information to us or for serious breaches such as attempted burglary notify the police as well as us.

Secondly, we have had an increased occurrence of behaviours that do not align with our school values, nor the values of our community. There is no place in any school for any form of bullying or discrimination, including bias against race, religion, gender, sexuality etc. and any reports of such behaviours will be taken seriously and appropriate consequences actioned. We ask parents and family members to please have regular discussions with your children about respecting each other, respecting our differences and teaching each other how we would like to be treated.

Prep Enrolments - School tours for 2025 Prep enrolments have commenced and we encourage anyone who knows of a family with a student entering Prep in 2025 to arrange a school tour at their earliest convenience. Prep enrolment forms can be accepted from the start of term 2. We will also be having a 2025 Prep Information Evening on Monday 6th may. Further details will be communicated early Term 2.

Last Day of Term Arrangements - The last day of this term is Thursday 28th March due to Friday being a public holiday. Students will have a 2.30pm dismissal following our regular end of term assembly which will be held in the gym.

Please find the structure for the last day of term 1 (Thursday 28th March) below:

· Session 1 & 2: 9:00am till 11:00am

· Recess: 11:00am till 11:20am

· Session 3: 11:20am till 12:20pm

· Session 4: 12:20pm till 12:50pm

· Lunch Eating: 12:50pm till 1:00pm

· Lunch: 1:00pm till 1:50pm

· Mark Rolls: 1:50pm till 2:00pm

· Assembly: 2:00pm till 2:30pm

· Dismissal: 2:30pm

Class Parent Representatives - Next week we will be calling for Expression Of Interest (EOI) for Class Parent Representatives (eNews) commencing term 2. Whilst there will be elements that remain the same, such as important dates, special events and social/community dates, primary communication about the academic programs will be the responsibility of the classroom and specialist teacher though the weekly Class Newsfeeds.

Class Parent Representatives will send termly snapshots about the upcoming terms in conjunction with the classroom teacher. An additional role of the Class Parent Representatives will be to coordinate parent helpers for each class as well as for excursions. Parent helper training sessions will take place next term. Keep an eye out for the EOI notification on Compass.

Have a lovely weekend—Richard

Last Day Parade on Tasmania (in front of the double storey portables)

Next Thursday, 28th March, the whole school is invited to come dressed in orange or a cultural dress representing them and their families. Each class will participate in a parade around Tasmania, where they can show what they have worn. This is not a Free Dress Day.

Parents are also invited to attend the parade as the Coffee van will be on site to purchase a cuppa.

This is not a casual clothes day; it is a day for students to wear something that represents themselves and their families or wear orange to show support for diversity and inclusiveness for all.

Prep to Year 2 classes will also be wearing their Easter bonnets, as well as their cultural outfit or orange. Years 3 to 6 are not required to have an Easter bonnet. If they have made their own they can wear it.

Harmony celebrations

The Department of Home Affairs leads national celebrations for Harmony Week to recognise diversity and inclusion activities that take place during the entire week. Harmony Week is celebrated during the week (Monday to Sunday) that ​includes 21 March, which is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Since 1999, more than 80,000 Harmony Week events have been held in childcare centres, schools, community groups, churches, businesses and federal, state and local government agencies across Australia.

What is Harmony Week?

It is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into our community. Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it. Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

How to celebrate?

Let's come together with friends and family and through schools, workplaces and our wider communities to celebrate our diversity. Getting involved can be as simple as hosting an event or attending a local celebration. Visit out 'Get involved ' page for more information.

Why orange?

Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Week. Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. Australians can choose to wear something orange during Harmony Week to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.

Our cultural diversity

Australia is a vibrant and multicultural country — from the oldest continuous culture of our first Australians to the cultures of our newest arrivals from around the world. Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are. It makes Australia a great place to live.

An integrated multicultural Australia is an integral part of our national identity. All people who migrate to Australia bring with them some of their own cultural and religious traditions, as well as taking on many new traditions. Collectively, these traditions have enriched our nation.

Facts and figures

There are some fascinating statistics about Australia's diversity that can be good conversation-starters:

· nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was

· we identify with over 300 ancestries

· since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia

· 85 per cent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia

· apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi

· more than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia.

These facts are taken from ABS 2016 Census Data. Check out the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.

World’s Greatest Shave - Like so many people, my life has been impacted upon by people who have had cancer. This year, I decided to shave my head and beard for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave. The Leukaemia Foundation is Australia's most trusted charity and is crowd funded. The foundation is made up of patients, carers, healthcare professionals, researchers, specialists, and an army of supporters like the World's Greatest Shave family.

The Leukaemia Foundation helps Australians with blood cancer be it, Leukaemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma – every blood cancer matters. The Foundation offers life-changing support, fund leading-edge research and campaign for change alongside our community.*

When families face blood cancer, the Leukaemia Foundation is right by their side. Thanks to the hairy sacrifice of our World's Greatest Shave community, we're there with practical and emotional support, care and information. Because we want people not just to survive blood cancer, but to thrive.*

As part of my external role in the football talent pathway I have been able to work with young people to educate, fundraise and support the Leukaemia Foundation as part of our Wellbeing program.

Should anyone like to support the cause, use the link and/or the QR code.

http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/jackrhodes2

*Information taken from the World’s Greatest Shave Website.

Kaitlyn Hayes: What is your role at WNPS? Literacy Learning Specialist and 2A Classroom Teacher

My role involves overseeing Literacy at WNPS and implementing whole-school improvement strategies. I'm involved in curriculum planning, mapping, resourcing, assessment structures, data analysis, and intervention. A key part of my role is ensuring our school's literacy practices align with evidence-based practices and working with teachers and students across the school. The other part of my role involves teaching the incredible students in 2A on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings.

I have worked at WNPS for 13 years and feel very lucky to be part of such a wonderful school community. I am passionate about education, inclusion, wellbeing and transition. I am a passionate Carlton supporter and love reading, spending time at the beach and connecting with friends and family.

Crissy Samaras: What is your role at WNPS? Numeracy Leading Teacher and 2A Classroom Teacher

My role involves overseeing Literacy at WNPS and implementing whole-school improvement strategies. I'm involved in curriculum planning, mapping, resourcing, assessment structures, data analysis, and intervention. A key part of my role is ensuring our school's Numeracy practices align with the big ideas in Numeracy and working with teachers and students across the school. The other part of my role involves teaching the amazing students in 2A on Thursday, Friday and Wednesday afternoons.

I love reading and am a highly dedicated and passionate Collingwood supporter. I have worked and been connected to WNPS for decades, with my own son attending the school and taking on many roles in my tenure.

Bronwyn Murray: What is your role at WNPS? Year 1 & 2 Learning Leader and 12B Classroom Teacher

My role involves overseeing the Year 1 and 2 cohort. I lead the planning, data analysis and implementation of whole-school initiatives in this learning community. I ensure consistency across the team and support teachers and students. A key part of my role is supporting the wellbeing needs of our cohorts. That said, my favourite part of my role is teaching the brilliant minds in 12B.

I have been teaching for 15 years, the last 8 of which have been at WNPS. I am passionate about early years education and high-quality numeracy instruction. I love the outdoors and spend my spare time hiking and gardening.

Kate Richards: What is your role at WNPS? Prep Teacher and Prep A Classroom Teacher

My role involves overseeing the Prep cohort and teaching Prep A. I lead the planning, data analysis and implementation of whole-school initiatives in this learning community. A key part of my role is supporting the wellbeing needs of our cohorts and supporting the transition of your youngest students. I also run the Kinder-to-Prep Transition Program.

I have been teaching for a decade, all of which have been at WNPS. I am passionate about early years education and contributing to the overall development of my students. I am a mother of two young daughters who keep me very busy. I love cheering on the Sydney Swans and the San Francisco 49ers. I love to travel and experience new things with my family.

Patrick Kelly: What is your role at WNPS? Year 5/6 Learning Leader and 5/6 Classroom Teacher

My role is overseeing the Year 5 and Year 6 cohort. This involves leading curriculum planning, evaluating the impact of our learning and teaching programs on student learning growth and ensuring the needs of our students are being met, both academically and from a well-being perspective.

I have been teaching for 18 years, both in a high-school and primary setting. I am very passionate about developing the child at a holistic level and Mathematics is my favourite subject to teach. I am a mad Manchester United Collingwood supporter. I love anything sports related, except for cricket.

Jack Rhodes: What is your role at WNPS? Learning Leader (Specialists) and Physical Education Teacher

My role involves leading the Specialist team which includes, our staff in Physical Education, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, STEM and Japanese. A key part of my role is supporting our students learning, wellbeing and engagement through our specialist subject areas and the implementation of whole-school improvement strategies across our specialist areas.

The other part of my role involves teaching Physical Education across the school, leading the organisation and facilitation of our Physical Education and sports events from Athletics Days to Swimming programs and Inter-School Sport.

I have been teaching since 2009, and at WNPS since 2019. I love working with our students to help them develop their physical movement and fundamental motor skills. Supporting them to work through challenges, and helping to foster lifelong learning skills, be they in the gym, on the court, the field, the classroom or beyond.

I am passionate about sport, wellbeing, and my family. I am also very fortunate to be involved in the AFL’s Talent Pathways and part of the AFL’s Mental Health and Wellbeing team which aligns nicely with our evidence-based best practices at WNPS. Outside of that, I have three kids under 8, so they keep me very busy.

Year Three & Four News - What an incredible Term One we have had in Years Three and Four! Starting off the year with exciting activities to get to know each other, including team building exercises and swimming sessions at Bayfit. It's been a fantastic start, and we look forward to all of the learning and adventures ahead with this amazing group of students!

In Year Three: - Students recently had a great opportunity to participate in a Team Building Incursion where they learned valuable cooperation skills. During the Incursion, they engaged in various activities that encouraged teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. These activities were not only fun, but also taught them the importance of working together towards a common goal. Through collaboration and support, students discovered how to effectively communicate their ideas, listen to others, and resolve conflicts in a positive manner.

We have thoroughly enjoyed reading our class text, ‘Charlotte's Web’, and we're excited to watch the movie next week. It will be interesting to compare the book and the movie together. We want to congratulate our year three students for their hard work during the NAPLAN Testing over the past two weeks. They've completed assessments in Reading, Writing, Language Conventions, and Numeracy. Any remaining catch-up NAPLAN tests will finish up next Monday. We're proud of the students’ efforts!

As we progressed through the term, we explored various Numeracy concepts. This included understanding place value, discovering angles in everyday objects, and uncovering fascinating patterns in our environment. This week, students will investigate the intriguing world of symmetry, learning about its role in nature, art, and mathematics.

Finally, the students will think critically and creatively to develop a design structure that will protect an egg from a five-metre drop. We look forward to the egg drop on Tuesday 26th March and seeing all of the wonderful designs.

In Year Four: - We have been enjoying reading our class text, ‘Storm Boy’, which we have almost finished! We have been discussing the vocabulary used within the text, using examples to answer questions, and justifying our opinions on the character’s actions. We also look forward to watching the movie next week to discuss the similarities and differences between the two stories.

In Writing, we have been working very hard on our personal narratives (about a personal memory or experience) and are now up to the revising and publishing stage, ready for our showcase next week on Thursday 28th March. Our focus over the last week has been about the idea that ‘revision’ is one of the most important parts of the writing process, because it’s where writers evaluate if they have written for their audience and purpose as best as they can. We have explored many skills this term, such as: sentence expanding, conjunctions, personification, strong paragraphs, Freytag’s pyramid structure and dialogue.

In Numeracy, we have been exploring strategies for three out of the four operations: addition, subtraction and multiplication to enable us to complete equations using efficient mental and written strategies. We will continue to work on division in Term Two. Some strategies we have explored include: the jump strategy with a number line, partitioning, the bridge strategy, the compensation strategy, and the doubling and halving strategy.

Year 5 & 6 News

What a wonderful start to the 2024 academic year we are having in Year 5 and 6. It was lovely to meet our parent community during the Parent/Teacher Conferences on Monday and we look forward to working with you throughout the year to best support your child.

Our students are enjoying an inspiring novel, ‘The Last Bear’ by Hannah Gold. The text has been used to have critical conversations about global warming, the celebration of friendship between humans and animals, and also expanding vocabulary and analysing amazing writing techniques. Writing in response to texts, is a significant part of our Literacy program. Short non-fiction texts called “Close Reads” are read vigorously and students have become adept with providing well-constructed paragraphs as a response. Students have been crafting their Imaginative narratives in recent weeks which have included impressive descriptive writing techniques. The students’ characters and settings within their stories have come to life in paragraphs filled with similes, sensory description and personification.

Number and Place Value has been our first focus in Numeracy, where students have explored a range of skills such as our four operations of Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division. Students have looked at Rounding and Estimating numbers to ensure their answers within these operations are reasonable.

We have been exploring a range of topics in wellbeing sessions this term. This has included identifying and dealing with emotions, respecting the feelings of others, winning and losing graciously, managing conflict with peers and being an upstander. Students have worked through a series of lessons from resources including Bounce Back, Zones of Regulation and Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships. Overarching the wellbeing topics this term, has been our school value of ‘Respect.’ Term One has also included an extensive Start-Up Program, setting us up for success across the rest of 2024.

Our Year 6 students have been teaming up with their Prep buddies each week for some fun learning activities. So far, they have taken part in reading activities, crafted creatures by rolling dice to determine their features, and created a special flower to discuss the qualities of a good friend. They are currently supporting their Prep buddies to make an Easter Bonnet that the Preps can wear at the Easter Bonnet Parade next Thursday. We're really proud of how our Year 6 students have been leading the sessions with patience and kindness, helping their younger buddies learn and grow. It's been wonderful to see them working together and building strong friendships!

Health has been our focus for our Inquiry unit this term. The students have been learning about how media and important people in the community influence personal attitudes, beliefs, decisions and behaviours. Other areas that the students have been investigating are practices that help promote and maintain health and wellbeing, such as eating a diet reflecting The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. In the coming weeks, students will attend an Excursion at the MCG, where they will get to meet an Olympian and learn all about the lifestyle of a top athlete.

150th Year Celebration @WNPS—Repeat

This year we celebrate 150 years of Williamtown North Primary School! And we need you!

We are currently putting together a plan to celebrate this milestone throughout the year, and we’d love to get your ideas, thoughts, connections, and stories. We will be celebrating our history, our present, and looking toward our future. Do you have a story about our history? Do you know someone from our past that should be included/involved? Any local celebrities that we could involve? Do you own a local business that would like to support the celebrations/be involved? Any great ideas to help our school commemorate this milestone? Would you like to volunteer in a small (or large!) way to help with the events, education, marketing, and commemorative program?

Please pop us an email to: wnps150th@willynthps.vic.edu.au – we’d love to hear from you.

Student of the Week Awards

Myths Movement Mark-making and Matinee April School Holidays Workshops

My name is Frances Loriente, I am a local visual artist and producer and in collaboration with Ngarrindjeri -Kokatha Dancer and Performer Yvonne Rigney we are holding a series of 4 free workshops with the support of Creative City Hobsons Bay and Wood St Art Space over the April school holidays .

Myths Movement Mark-making and Matinee is a series of workshops that will guide children through the process of creating a dramatization out of a story and combining art dance acting music to create a performance. Geared toward children aged 6-11,

The children will through the workshops create the stage through props lighting and costume and perform on it through dance music and acting to bring there interpretation of the traditional David Uniapon Tale of how The Turtle Got Its Shell to life on The Wood St Art Space stage .

WORKSHOP DATES

Mon 8th Apr 2024, 10:30am-12:30pm

Mon 8th Apr 2024, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Tue 9th Apr 2024, 10:30am - 12:30 pm

PERFORMANCE—Tue 9th Apr 2024, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

ticketing detail—https://events.humanitix.com/myths-movement-mark-making-and-matinee

Myths Movement Mark-making And Matinee | Humanitix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr4Di3_2OIc&list=PLNqYJDqo-k-G0qqeu9WO-oTgE-itRMVy1