Principal: Steve Murphy Chisholm St P.O. Box 892 Wangaratta 3676 Phone: 03-5721-2658 03- 5722-1280 Fax: 03-5722-2712 Email: wangaratta.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Website: wangps.vic.edu.au

Work Habit Keys *Persistence *Getting Along *Organisation

*Resilience *Confidence

Our Values *Respect *Tolerance & Inclusion *Ready to Learn *Personal Best

Wangaratta Primary School Newsletter Issue 13

May 11, 2017

From the Principal

Correspondence received from Steve Murphy Dear Wangaratta Primary School, I am making great progress on my Ph.D. research into practices contributing to high STEM performance in rural Victorian schools. We know that Australia’s performance in Science and Maths education is slipping compared to other nations. More concerning is that our rural students are even further behind than Australian students in metropolitan areas. My research is looking at ways to improve STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education in rural schools.

STEM has attracted lots of political and public attention and I’m finding that there is significant interest in my research. Given the National School STEM Strategy and the Vic STEM strategy both aim for significant change in STEM education by mid next decade, I’ve been encouraged to keep my research progressing as quickly as possible. Given this, I’ve applied for an additional six months leave. I am conscious that the absence of a substantive principal can be very disruptive to a school community. However, we have an amazing team at Chisholm Street and the school has thrived over the past months in my absence. While I am missing the children, the staff, the community, and the comradery this is an opportunity that I cannot pass up.

Enjoy semester 2 and all it brings.

Take care all, Steve

This will now mean that an Acting Principal will be appointed for second semester, Cameron Gillies, our School Council President, will be running the selection process and will keep the school community informed of what transpires. Woolworths tokens and toys- Parents are reminded that staff are not responsible for possessions that children bring to school. We encourage precious and special items to remain at home. If they do come to school, it is the child’s responsibility to adequately care for the item. We have had a lot of children bringing Woolworth tokens to school. Some children have been swapping or misplacing these tokens. Again staff are not responsible for sorting these issues out. We encourage children to keep these tokens at home, where they are safe.

Pupil free day-

Some advanced warning to parents that Wednesday 31st May is a report writing day for staff and it will be a pupil free day at Wangaratta PS. Please see the information in our newsletter today about an Out of school program that will be offered on this day.

EVENTS CALENDAR Friday, 12 May

P & F Mothers Day Stall

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea Friday, 19 May

P & F School Disco Monday, 22 May—Friday 26 May

Education Week Tuesday, 23 May

MSP School Photos Wednesday, 31 May

Curriculum Day—students not required to attend school

Wednesday, 21 June

Yarrawonga Chess Tournament Friday, 23 June

Trivia Night Friday, 30 June

Last day of term 2. School finishes at 2.15pm

Monday, 17 July

Term 3 commences Tues 25—Fri 28 July

Artist in Residence Friday, 28 July

Artist in Residence Rehearsal at WHS

Whole School Performance at WHS

Wed 16 Aug-Fri 18 Aug

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What is Education Week?-

Education Week is an opportunity for all primary and secondary schools and early childhood services to showcase the work they are doing for students to help ensure healthy minds and bodies. The week aims to profile and celebrate everything from sport, dance, mentoring, yoga, meditation, reading, and art, to camps, excursions, breakfast clubs, healthy canteen menus, stress management and resilience; and more.

During Education Week– Monday 22 May—Friday 26 May- we will have an open class room mornings, where we will offer school tours to interested parents.

Please keep your eyes on our newsletter to see all the ways that Wangaratta Primary is planning to celebrate this week.

Mother’s day stall and afternoon tea- Wangaratta Primary School is celebrating all the special women that contribute to our school community. This could be mothers, grandmothers, aunties, sisters or special friends. Our P and F will be holding a Mother’s Day stall and afternoon tea for our all special women. I hope that everyone has a wonderful day on Sunday. Disco- Our P and F are hosting a school disco on Friday 19th May. Further information is included in their section of the newsletter. I am sure that our students will enjoy this event. Open evening- Wednesday 14th June 5-7 PM- 5-5.30 PM school tours- all staff to meet and greet parents at the office area and to conduct school tours. 5.45- 6.15 PM- school showcase to be held in the BER building- our school leaders will present on their role within the school and thoughts on what our great school has to offer, the choir to perform and the band. 6.30- 7 PM school tours A light supper will be provided by P and F. Information fliers are available and being distributed to advertise this in our community. Foundation excursion- I had the great pleasure of attending the Foundation excursion to the Mansfield Zoo on Friday. The children greatly enjoyed

this day and were lucky enough to have close encounters with many different animals. Thank you to Judy Lowen and Jessie

Hann for their organization of this day and to all the wonderful parent helpers who contributed to the success of the day.

A letter from Wangaratta RSL To WPS

On behalf of the Committee and members of the Wangaratta RSL, I would like to sincerely thank you, your staff, parents and of

course the students for their support of the 2017 RSL ANZAC Day Appeal. As you know all proceeds raised go towards helping

veterans and their families. Alastair Cox.

Mandy Elliot

Acting Principal

Lochie giving a whip cracking demo.

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Student of the Week

Angel 5/6C—for looking after her friends and making others smile. Nicholas 5/6L—for putting in a great effort to improve his maths, especially times table. Jaxson 1/2A—for making a great effort in Mathematics and being resilient when things get tough. Indi 1/2K—for always doing her personal best in her work—especially her Maths. Indi has also been a caring classmate by helping others. Millie FH—for always being on task and helping others with their tasks. Cooper 3/4D—Cooper is a quiet achiever. He is respectful, a good listener and has a good sense of humour. He enjoys writing. Isaac 1/2R—for trying new things and persisting to work out tricky words when reading. Lucas FL—congratulations on being a good listener and for always caring about others. Sorry no photo available.

Music News

Just a few quick reminders of things coming up this term……… Assembly next week—Choir May 17 May 12—The choir will be performing at the closing of the Heritage Festival at the Wangaratta Library at 5.30pm—please come along and support them if you can. May 24—The choir are performing for the senior citizens. They will leave school at 1.45pm and will miss assembly that day. June 29—There will be no band, choir or guitar lessons on this day. Combined School Concert Band—It’s not too late. Expressions of interest forms available from the office. Great workshop on Offer for Children during the Across the Arts Forum May 7 Have fun with ARIA award winning Mic Conway as he shows you, step by step how to easily MAKE and PLAY lots of fantastic musical instruments from around the house. From the rubber glove bassoon to gum leaf, drinking straw flute, tin can banjo and lots more—there’s loads of fun and then form a “junk band” with Mic at the end. There is also a workshop for adults. For further information and bookings go to www.ganeaa.com.au click on Across The Arts, then the workshop which will give you more information.

Education Week Wangaratta Primary School

Open Morning Friday, 26 May, 2017

9.00am-11.00am

School tours available

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Wangaratta Primary School

Open Evening

Wednesday, 14 June

5.00pm-7.00pm

Program for the evening:

1. 5.00pm-5.30pm School Tours. Please meet at school front office 2. 5.45pm-6.15pm School presentation. Showcasing our band/choir and student leadership. 3. 6.30pm-7.00pm School Tours

Light supper provided.

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What’s happening in Italian…

Foundation students have been working on using simple Italian words like ciao-hello and si-yes.

We have been learning to count from 1 to 6 with the help of

a “Spotty and the chocolate eggs” book written in Italian.

The book has also helped us to talk about Easter traditions in

Italy.

Grade 1/2 children have been focusing on items used in the classroom such as… matita – pencil gomma – rubber riga – ruler

They are learning that Italian language has some very different rules to English: for example… There is more than one way to say and write THE !

Grade 3/4 - students watched some clips on travelling around Venice during

Carnevale celebrations. The costumes were amazing and children were very curious about how Venice has no roads for cars, only canals and waterways for boats and gondolas.

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Parents & Friends News

Mothers Day Stall Friday, 12 May all items $4 including a card. Mothers afternoon tea next Friday, 12 May—mums and special people are invited to share afternoon tea with their children. Food is to be supplied by dads and we ask some dads to help with set up and pack up. School Disco Friday 19 May (BER Building)—Black and White Theme Entry Gold coin donation. Foundation to Grade 2 5.30pm—6.30pm Grade 3 to Grade 6 7.00pm-8.00pm Drinks/lollies $1 All other food 50 cents UPCOMING SAVE THE DATES:

Trivia Night, Friday 23 June. 6.30pm start. $15 per person.

Cabaret Night, Friday, 25 August. A fun night of food, music and dancing. More information on this great night will be out shortly.

Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge

The 2017 Reading Challenge has now opened. We would encourage all students to participate in this challenge. For students from Prep to Year 2 the challenge is to read or experience 30 books. For students in Years 3-6 the challenge is to read 15 books. The Challenge runs until Friday, 8 September. Students who complete the challenge will receive a certificate of achievement, and have the opportunity to see their name on an online honour roll. So far we have 45 students who have registered. Registered students Casual Shirt Day will be on Wednesday, 24 May. Passes will be handed out early next week. It’s not too late to register, registration forms are available from the school office.

First Aid Roster

Term 2 Roster Thankyou to the parents/carers who have volunteered to assist with the washing of the first aide linen. We would love to hear from other parents/carers if you are able to assist, if so please see Yvonne at the school office.

Friday, 12 May—Jennie G Friday, 19 May—Kay B

Friday, 26 May—Alison W Friday, 2 June—Anne D Friday, 9 June—Mel L

Friday, 16 June—Naomi C Friday, 23 June—Jennie G

Friday, 30 June—Kay B

Student Free Day

Wednesday, 31 May

Stepping Stones Children’s Services will be operating from 8am-6pm for the student free day. Families who have not used the service in the past are more than welcome to attend once an enrolment form has been completed and returned. For all enquiries please contact 1300 665 699 or email tarryn@sharingthecare.com.au

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General Information

Learn to Save with Piggy! Every time you make a deposit into your savings account on a School Banking Wednesday you receive a stamp. Collect all 6 stamps for the school term and you will be entitled to a reward! Your stamp card will be issued when you make your first deposit. Call Wangaratta branch on 5721 9499 to find out how to join school banking. Carevan Wangaratta The Wangaratta Carevan provides weekly meals for all and is committed to supporting our community. The Carevan is at the following locations from 6pm: Monday (Yarrunga) Bindall Avenue Park Tuesday (West End) Rotunda/BBQ area between Lowe and Ross Courts Wednesday (Central) Apex Park (Pavillion/Under cover area) Come along and enjoy great wholesome meals, great company and great service, everyone is welcome! Contact us on 5721 2125 3rd Little Duck Lunch Orders Please note that we have been notified by 3rd Little Duck of the following changes to lunch orders On Line Orders must be made by 9pm SATURDAY Written orders must be placed in the order tub at the school office FRIDAY mornings instead of Monday. Mother’s Day Free Family Night Thursday, 11 May Time: 6pm-8pm Free sausage sizzle, jumping castle, kids painting a gift for Mum. Bookings essential for kids craft. Contact Bunnings Warehouse 5721 0400 Marmungun Rock Ceremony The Dirrawarra Indigenous Network proudly invites The community of Wangaratta to attend the unveiling of the first hand print carved into the Marmungun Rock to honour Wangaratta’s Citizen of the year. Saturday, 27 May 11am-12.00pm The Marmungun Rock Apex Park Wangaratta Saverplus Can Saver Plus assist you with school costs? Join Saver Plus and match your savings, dollar for dollar, up to$500 for education costs. You may be eligible if you have a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card, are at least 18 years old, have some regular income from work (you or your partner) and have a child at school or study yourself. Call Karyn Howard, Saverplus worker on 0457 849 112 for more information. Stitched up Textile Festival Entry in the Community Textile exhibition with the theme Stitching a Story. To be exhibited at Stitchy Central, Gallery 2, Wangaratta Art Gallery, July 8 –16, where there will be displays, craft demonstrations, information, maps and plenty of stitchy vibe throughout the festival. Any textile medium such as embroidery, knitting crochet, mixed media, textile books, 2D, 3D, wall hanging, sculpture, rugs etc. Contemporary and Traditional styles welcome. Entry is free. For more information or help phone Kathy 0407 219 564 or Liz 0438 573 357. Piano Lessons with Andrea Wearne Are available at school. For further information phone 0448196419/57223613 Violin and Cello Lessons with Eve Spencer Are available at school. Instrument hire can be organised if necessary. For further details contact Eve on 0429 390 846/5767 2204.