WELCOME BACK

Welcome back to 2024 at Wellard Primary School!!  I would sincerely like to thank staff, students and parents for a great start to the school year. It was such a delight to see all the children’s smiling faces as they arrived at their classrooms on the first couple of days of school. The beginning of the year is such an exciting time and, across our school, we are quite intentional in the ways that we support children to transition to their new teacher and quickly learn to love being at school. The school has a really good feel about it and we are all looking forward to another excellent year.

 

Having spent two days with all staff prior to the students returning, I am extremely proud of the quality of teachers, education assistants and non-teaching staff we have at Wellard - they are truly second to none. My message is the same as last year…if I had three pieces of advice to give to parents and carers, it would be: 1. ‘talk to your child’s teacher,’ 2. ‘talk to your child’s teacher,’ 3. ‘talk to your child’s teacher.’ They are a great resource for you and they want your child to be successful as much as you do. This is a message I emphasise at the beginning of every year.

 

ENROLMENTS AND STAFFING

We have commenced the school year with 886 students (739 families) from Years K – Year 6 making up 38 classes. A total of 8 new staff (teaching and non-teaching) have been appointed at the beginning of this year. These staff have been bolded in the staff list on the following pages. A special welcome to all, we are certainly looking forward to having you aboard and adding significant value to our school.

 

TRAFFIC CONGESTION BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL

I am pleased to announce that 40km school signs were erected yesterday afternoon on Johnson Road, Irasburg Parade and McWhirter Promenade. It is most important we all travel through these areas at the reduced speed.

 

Thank you to everyone for your patience and cooperation when dropping off and picking up your children. It is most important that we just accept that picking up your child after school may take up to 15 minutes. I encourage those families who live close to school to walk or ride to try and reduce congestion. Parents of Yr 1 – 6 students are encouraged to use the “Kiss and Drive” on Jaspar Bend and McWhirter Promenade. Please ensure you adhere to the following requests so that we keep your children as safe as possible:

• Parents are not permitted to leave their vehicle at the Kiss and Drive and are asked to drive to the farthest bay within the Kiss and Drive area.
• DO NOT allow your child to exit your vehicle on the roadside of your vehicle, they must exit on the kerb side when using the Kiss & Drive.
• When using the McWhirter car park please enter and exit following the directional arrows.
• Do not stop on the zebra crossings in the McWhirter car park. These crossings MUST be kept free for pedestrians.

 

NEWSLETTER

Commencing this year, newsletters will be published every three weeks on a Tuesday and will be distributed via Connect and our school website. A newsletter will be going home in Week 5 and 8 of this term. This newsletter is quite lengthy as I want to inform the school community of many organisational matters associated with a new school year. Future newsletters should only be 4 - 5 pages in length.

 

SCHOOL VISION

Wellard Primary School is to be a high performing school that is renowned for its commitment to meeting the educational and individualised needs of its students. In partnership with the school community we aim to deliver a high quality diverse learning program in a caring, nurturing and technology rich learning environment that ensures all students have the opportunity to become successful learners, creative and confident individuals and people who make a positive contribution to the world.

 

OUR BELIEFS ABOUT TEACHING AND LEARNING

• Every student is entitled to receive a quality education in a nurturing caring environment
• Every minute of every lesson counts
• Quality teaching produces higher performing students
• Explicit teaching practices contribute to quality teaching and learning
• The school works in partnership with parents and guardians to maximise learning and social outcomes
• Literacy and Numeracy are our core business as they form the foundation of learning in all other Learning Areas
• A focus on the implementation of effective literacy and numeracy strategies in K – 2 will form a solid foundation for future learning.
• Technology will be used to enhance learning and satisfy the curiosity of students.

 

INVOLVEMENT OF PARENTS/GUARDIANS IN WELLARD PRIMARY SCHOOL

Wellard Primary School aims for parents and carers to feel welcome, to be listened to, to be actively involved and supported in their child’s education and to support the school in providing the best possible education for their children.

 

P&C ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Wellard P&C will be conducting their Annual General Meeting on Monday 12^th February (Week 3) commencing at 1.45pm in the Staff Room and finishing by 2.40pm. This will enable parents to attend the meeting and then pick up their children immediately afterwards. Instead of sitting in your vehicle, come inside and be part of the P&C.

 

THANK YOU

I would like to thank and acknowledge our cleaners and gardener for the great job they did over the holiday period.  It is great to have a work environment which is clean and tidy.  We are most fortunate to have Ms Donelle Fontana (Head Cleaner), Ms Vilma Mendoza (Cleaner), Ms Annette Nevermann (Cleaner), Ms Judith Mamansag, Shirley Evangelista and Mr Ivan Ricci (Gardener).  All of these make a significant contribution to our school and go beyond what is expected in their everyday duties.  Their efforts are greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL STAFF 2024

 

Mr Geoff Miller	Principal
Ms Rebecca Lanzel	Deputy Principal
Mrs Glenda Tucker	Deputy Principal
Mrs Jess Gibson	Deputy Principal
Mrs Deanne Tabone	Manager of Corporate Services
Mrs Angela Whisson	School Officer
Mrs Kelly Meheux	School Officer
Miss Tracey Askevold	School Officer
Mrs Jane Rogers	Library Officer
Mr Ivan Ricci	Gardener (Tues & Fri)
Mrs Donelle Fontana	Cleaner in Charge
Ms Vilma Mendoza	Cleaner
Ms Annette Nevermann	Cleaner
Ms Judith Mamansag	Cleaner
Ms Shirlita Evangelista	Cleaner
Ms Katie Tunnacliffe	Teacher EC 1 Kindergarten Groups A & B
Miss Stacey Loe	K Education Assistant EC 1
Ms Caroline D’Mellow	Teacher EC 2 Kindergarten Groups C & D
Mrs Deborah Chalmers	K Education Assistant EC 2
Mrs Alison Hoeberigs	K Education Assistant EC 2
Miss Alanna D’Asciano	Teacher EC 3 Kindergarten Groups E & F
Mrs Helen Benson	PP Education Assistant EC 5
Mrs Mel Sayer	Teacher EC 4 Pre-Primary
Mrs Bhagyashri Katamble	PP Education Assistant EC 4
Mrs Crystal McDonald	PP Education Assistant EC 4
Miss Dane De Klerk	Teacher EC 5 Pre-Primary
Miss Ash Simms	PP Education Assistant EC 5
Miss Angelica Tapino	PP Education Assistant EC 5
Miss Samara Fry	Teacher EC 6 Pre-primary
Ms Justine Luculano	PP Education Assistant EC 6
Ms Sophie Baker	Teacher EC 7 Pre-primary
Mrs Deb Bywater	PP Education Assistant EC 7
Ms Leesa Wallen	Teacher EC8 Pre-primary
Ms Tracey McDermott	PP Education Assistant EC 8
Mrs Janelle Sewell	Teacher K/PP Support Teacher
Mrs Mel Gwatkin	Teacher K/PP Support Teacher
Miss Erindra Balage	Teacher K/PP Support Teacher
Miss Sara Toh	Teacher Yr 1 Rm 1
Mrs Jess Hodges	Teacher Yr 1 Rm 2
Miss Jemma Wright Mrs Tanya Stevens	Teacher Yr 1 Rm 28
Mrs Laura Ninnes Mrs Sonia Bradfield	Teacher Yr 1/2 Rm 29
Miss Beth Hagen	Teacher Yr 1 Rm 3
Miss Suzy Chessell	Teacher Yr 1 Rm 4
Mrs Victoria Zanella	Teacher Yr 1 Rm 21
Mrs Deb De Groot	Education Assistant Jun Primary
Miss Sarah Kent	Teacher Yr 2 Rm 22
Miss Clancy Micale	Teacher Yr 2 Rm 23
Mrs Elyce Neidig	Teacher Yr 2 Rm 24
Miss Sophia Matier	Teacher Yr 2 Rm 25
Miss Josie Kearney	Teacher Yr 3 Rm 26
Miss Anna Clay	Teacher Yr 3 Rm 5
Miss Emily Bean	Teacher Yr 3 Rm 7
Miss Claudia Emanuele	Teacher Yr 3 Rm 8
Miss Natasha Griffin	Teacher Yr 3 Rm 27
Miss Nicole Rindel	Teacher Yr 4 Rm 6
Miss Caitlyn Daniels	Teacher Yr 4 Rm 13
Miss Remy Barrett	Teacher Yr 4 Rm 14
Miss Jess Foster	Teacher Yr 4 Rm 15
Mr Brenton Simmons	Teacher Yr 5 Rm 16
Mrs Gemma Johnson	Teacher Yr 5 Rm 17
Miss Nina Scheer	Teacher Yr 5 Rm 18
Miss Ash Alden	Teacher Yr 5 Rm 19
Mr Joshua Forrest	Teacher Yr 6 Rm 20
Mrs Alanna Matrozis	Teacher Yr 6 Rm 9
Mr Zachary Van Berkel	Teacher Yr 6 Rm 10
Miss Amy Della Bosca	Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Kelly Coull	Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Bree Francis	Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Melissa Guild	Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Erica Mutch	Special Needs Education Assistant
Miss Amy Toole	Special Needs Education Assistant
Miss Kaitlynn Shoppee	Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Nicole Radcliffe	Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Alexis Edkins	Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Deepthi Sanalpa	Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Shamila Alam	Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Anastazja Saunders	Special Needs Education Assistant
Miss Alex Broniecki	Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Amy Gunn	Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Emily Cobbett	Junior Support Teacher
Mr Matthew Paparone	Teacher Physical Education
Mr David McIntyre	Teacher Physical Education
Mrs Amanda Middleton	Teacher Music
Mrs Rachel Petterwood	Bounce Back Teacher
Mrs Michelle McNeil Mrs Rochelle Protzman Mrs Tamara Brew	Teacher Visual Arts
Mrs Kylea Singleton Mrs Clare Freeman	Science Teacher
Mrs Sarah Le Provost	Coach/Support Teacher
Mrs Kayleigh Hart	Literacy Intervention Coordinator
Miss Keelley Bradshaw	School Psychologist
Miss Sinead O’Dea	School Chaplain
Mrs Linda Horsten	Canteen Manager

 

CLASS PARENT MEETINGS

We have traditionally conducted these meetings in Weeks 3 & 4 of Term 1. Unfortunately, they are not well attended by parents (we are all very busy) so we have decided that classroom teachers will send home an information package prior to the end of Week 4. Parents are then encouraged to make a time with their child’s teacher if they would like more information.

 

SPECIALIST AREAS

Students in Years 1 – 6 will access specialist programs in Music, Physical Education, Visual Arts, Bounce Back (Social & Emotional Program) and Science. In total, students will have access to 270 minutes of these learning areas.

 

GATE TIMES AND BIKE RACKS

In the morning, gates and bike racks will be opened at 8.25am and then locked at 8.50am. In the afternoon gates, and bike racks will be opened at 2.40pm and locked at 3.15pm. The gate to the left of Teaching Block 2 (left of admin building) will be open before and after school for OSHClub. This is only to be used by those families accessing before and after school care.

 

ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL

Students arriving at school (without parents) between 8.25am – 8.40am are to sit in between the library and Teaching Block 4 where they can be supervised. Students arriving with parents can sit outside their classroom until doors are opened at 8.40am.

 

OSHCLUB

Parents can access OSHClub on 0458 001 770 to access outside school hours care before and after school. You can enrol online via oshclub.com.au

 

CANTEEN

A reminder that our Canteen Manager, Mrs Linda Horsten, opens the canteen four days per week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The canteen menu is attached to this newsletter. Please note you are able to place online orders through the Spriggy App.

 

STATIONERY ITEMS

Parents are asked to ensure that students come to school with all of the stationery items as per the booklist.  If students do not have the appropriate items they are at a disadvantage and become anxious because everyone else has the right equipment and they don’t.

 

UNIFORMS AND HATS

It is fabulous to see all of our students wearing the school uniform to school. Students are reminded that they are required to wear a hat at all times at lunch and afternoon recess. Please ensure all items of clothing (especially jackets and hats) are clearly labelled. Uniforms and hats can be purchased online through Uniform Concepts (nellgray.com.au).

 

CELEBRATION OF STUDENT BIRTHDAYS IN 2024

As per school policy, parents are reminded not to send in any food in celebration of their child’s Birthday. This is because we have an ever increasing number of students with allergies, and as a school we need to guarantee their safety, health and wellbeing. Also, our Healthy, Food and Drinks Policy requires us to provide children with healthy food at every opportunity. Consequently, we will be acknowledging each child’s birthday (provided the child wants this), in a variety of ways depending on the age of the children. This will be initiated by the actions of the teacher not parents.

 

SCHOOL SIREN TIMES

The following times operate for Yr 1 – 6 children:

 

8.40am                       Classroom doors opened.

8.50am                      School commences

11.00 – 11.20am     Lunch - play

11.20 – 11.40am      Lunch – Eating Time

1.40pm                      Afternoon Recess

2.00pm                      Conclusion of play

3.00pm                      End of Day

 

Kindergarten and Pre-primary students are to arrive at school between 8.20 – 8.35am with school commencing at 8.35am. There is some leniency around these times for the first two weeks of school until such time as students have settled into their classrooms. Students in K & PP finish at 2.45pm. I ask that if parents then go and wait outside an older sibling’s classroom that the noise is kept to a minimum so the teaching and learning program is not interrupted in surrounding classrooms. Parents are reminded that students should not arrive at school before 8.25am unless they have made prior arrangement with Administration or are attending OSHClub.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS

Payment of Voluntary Contributions is now due. Funds raised through these contributions are used to purchase resources etc. to complement the educational programs we run throughout the school. Thank you to those families who have already paid their contributions. As a school we are always conscious of the costs we seek from parents in relation to educational activities.

 

Kindergarten – Year 6 - $60 per child per year.

 

Our preferred way of payment is by using our Qkr App, please see attached PDF for details.

 

School contributions can also be paid at the office or by direct deposit:

Account Name: Wellard Primary School

(Please use the student’s surname as reference)

BSB: 066 040    Account Number 19901412

 

TERM DATES FOR STUDENTS FOR 2024

Term 1 Wednesday 31^st January – Thursday 28^th March

Term 2 Monday 15^th April - Friday 28^th June

Term 3 Monday 15^th July - Friday 20^th September

Term 4 Monday 7^th October - Thursday 12^th December

 

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT DAYS FOR 2024

Term 1 - Monday 29^th January and Tuesday 30^th January

Term 2 – Friday 31^st May (Week 7)

Term 3 – Monday 19^th August (Week 6)

Term 4 – Friday 22^nd November (Week 7) and Friday 13^th December (Week 10)

 

TERM PLANNER

A copy of our Term Planner can be found on our school website at www.wellardps.wa.edu.au

 

Thanks everyone and have a great year!

 

 

Geoff Miller

Principal