Newsletter 13

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

One of the ongoing challenges in managing our school resources is the allocation of funds to student technology across the school. In previous years, students had access to iPads below Year 2 and notebook computers from Year 3 and above. We had ongoing issues with the laptops to the extent that teachers weren’t using them as they took so long to set up and login. Consequently, we have gone down the path of using iPads only, each with their own keyboard. We have leased 577 iPads over a two-year period costing the school $366 000. This is a significant amount of money, but it averages out to a cost of $200 per child per year. We are only able to operate a lease over the period of the warranty. A positive outcome of leasing is that we can return the iPads after two years and replace them with new iPads with the latest specifications. Students will now have better access to these iPads with primary age students having 30 iPads to be shared between two classrooms. I need to emphasise that iPads are a tool to enhance student learning and will be used accordingly.

TRAFFIC WARDEN REQUEST

Our Traffic Warden would like to remind all parents and carers that the speed limit is 40km per hour when coming off the roundabout on to Breccia Parade. Mike said there have been a couple of close calls lately where vehicles have come around the corner very quickly and have had to break suddenly. Please take care before and after school so that all students and respective families can remain safe as they cross the roads.

UNIFORMS

Parents are asked to write their child’s name on all uniform items, particularly zip up jackets. Having their name on it ensures they are promptly returned to the child concerned.  I also suggest students leave their hat at school to prevent them from leaving them at home. They can still take them home every few weeks for a wash.

DISABLED PARKING BAYS

I would like to remind all school community members that the Disabled Parking Bays are only for those vehicles that have ACROD stickers. Please, DO NOT park in these bays at any time unless your vehicle is stickered accordingly.

OPEN NIGHT

On Tuesday 19th September (Week 10), Wellard PS will be conducting an Open Night where parents are able to visit their child’s classroom and have a look at the work they have been doing throughout the year. Classrooms will be open between 4.00 – 6.00pm. Please note there will not be sufficient time for you to organise a meeting with your child’s teacher during Open Night. This is to be arranged for another time. We do hope that parents (particularly Dads) take up this opportunity to visit Wellard PS.

BOOK WEEK PARADE (WEEK 6)

Book Week will be conducted from Monday 21st to Friday 25th August. We will be conducting our Book Week Parade at 8.50am on Thursday 24th August.  Parents are welcome to attend.

BOOK FAIR (WEEKS 7/8)

Our Book Fair will be conducted from Wednesday 30th August to Monday 4th September. More information to follow.

NEXT ASSEMBLY

Our next assembly will be conducted by Rm 5 (Mr Van Berkel Yr 3) and Rm 12 (Mrs Tucker Yr 3) this Friday 25th August commencing at 8.50am in the Assembly Area.  Ms Baker’s Yr 2 & 3 class will present their assembly on Friday 8th September.

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

 

 

 

P&C MEETING

Our next P&C Meeting will be conducted on Monday 4th September in the staff room commencing at 2pm. Hope to see you there.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS MUSIC SOCIETY

Under the guidance of Miss Ash Alden, our school choir has been preparing itself for their performance at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre on the evening of Friday 1st September. Parents and guardians who are interested in attending can purchase tickets through the Performing Arts Centre Box Office at $28 per ticket. These went on sale as of Monday 26th June. I would like to acknowledge and thank Miss Ash Alden for preparing our school choir for this event.

Kind regards

Geoff Miller

Principal

Arts in the Community

Some of our Year 5's currently have their artwork on display at the Kwinana Town Library. Their artwork showcases their wonderful printmaking projects completed last term at school in Visual Art lessons.  Students designed and cut their own stencils to silkscreen print onto a hand painted background that compliments their chosen 'Australian Critically Endangered Animal'. It was very hard to choose the selected artworks for display but as the available space was limited, unfortunately I wasn't able to choose them all! The rest are on display in the art room at school.

Well done to all of our year 5's for doing a super job of creating an original, creative silkscreen print, that also sends a great message about protecting our native animals. What a great way to share our art in the local community! 🙂

Mrs Rochelle Protzman

Visual Arts Teacher

 

 

WORM SHED INCURSION

In Week 3, students from Year 2/3 Room 27 were very lucky to attend an incursion delivered by the Worm Shed. Students learnt about keeping worms and why worms are important to our environment. We also made our own miniature worm farm. We now have the know how and experience to take care of the worm farm that lives in the vegetable garden here at Wellard Primary School.

Ms Sophie Baker

Teacher Room 27