FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Last Tuesday 23^rd April, teaching staff participated in industrial action up until 12.30pm. I would like to thank and acknowledge all members of the school community for your cooperation and understanding on this day. All of us had a role to play and had decisions to make regarding what was best for our own role and our children. It will be interesting to see how any future industrial action plays out.

WELCOME TO NEW STAFF

I would like to welcome Mrs Leandri Korff (PP) who has taken over from Melanie Sayer, Jordan Parkin (Yr 5) who has released Nina Scheer and Imogen Craigie (Yr 1) for replacing Tanya Stevens. Welcome everyone!!

KINDERGARTEN & PRE-PRIMARY PUNCTUALITY

I need to remind parents of Kindergarten and Pre-primary that students need to be in class by 8.35am. Classes open at 8.25am so students can become settled in their classroom prior to the day beginning at 8.35am. Parents who arrive after 8.35am will be required to get a late note from the office. Staff would also appreciate if all parents and carers could exit classrooms by 8.35am so that the teaching and learning program can begin.

SCHOOL BOARD VACANCIES – 2 PARENT VACANCIES

The School Board of a public school works with the school to achieve the best outcomes for students. Their functions are covered by legislation. The elected members include parents, staff, and community members. Our School Board consists of five parent representatives, 1 community representative and 4 staff representatives.  We currently have 2 Parent vacancies on our School Board which need to be filled prior to our next meeting which will be conducted on Monday 17^th June. I would like to thank and acknowledge Mrs Angela Whisson who has resigned from her position and Mrs Emma Castle whose three-year tenure has expired. Both representatives have served Wellard Primary School since they were on the Steering Committee which was formed in August 2017. Their contribution has been significant and I cannot thank them enough for the time, effort and commitment they have given to our school. A Connect notice was sent out last Friday with information about the nomination process.

GIRLS CHAMPIONS CUP SOCCER CARNIVAL

On Thursday 2^nd May, Wellard PS will be hosting the Girls Champions Cup Soccer Carnival for the following schools: Tuart Rise, South Coast Baptist and Wellard Village. This is the first time that Wellard PS has hosted this event providing a venue closer to the named schools. I would like to thank and acknowledge Mr Matt Paparone for initiating this event and for his organisation in creating this opportunity for our girls. The boys have their own competition later in the term. I would like to wish the girls all the best and hope they have a great day representing Wellard PS.

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT DAY FRIDAY 31^ST MAY

We have a School Development Day on Friday 31^st May (Week 7) where students do not attend school. Staff will be engaged in professional learning and planning for the rest of this year. The following Monday, 3^rd June is a Public Holiday for WA Day.

REGULAR ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is essential to all students making progress over time. Students who attend less than 90% (miss 5+ days a term) are deemed to be at educational risk. This means a child is at risk of not reaching their potential as significant gaps will start to appear in their learning. Obviously, absences cannot be avoided if a student falls ill but I ask all parents to consider the ramifications of frequent absences or those absences associated with long periods of time. Every minute of every day matters!

WA STUDENT ASSISTANCE PAYMENT

The new WA Student Assistance Payment will provide parents and carers with a payment of $150 for each primary school aged child, including Kindergarten. A Connect message was sent home recently with more information about how to access these funds. You will need a valid WA Student Number (WASN) to be eligible for the payment. This number can be found on your child’s report from Semester 2 of 2023. Parents of Kindergarten and Pre-primary students can see their child’s teacher to obtain this number as neither group have received his information.

STUDENT BEHAVIOUR AND BULLYING

I would like to commend all students on their excellent behaviour in Term One; it is great to see we have so many responsible students. I would like to reiterate the school does not and will not tolerate bullying in any form.  It is vital that the school works in close partnership with parents and carers in ensuring that all students are able to attend school in a friendly caring and nurturing environment.  I encourage ALL parents and carers to contact the school immediately if you believe your child is being bullied. It is essential that your child speaks with a staff member immediately after the incident so we can deal with the situation very quickly at school.

ASSEMBLY

Our first assembly for Term 2 will be conducted by Miss Toh (Rm 1, Yr 1) and Miss Chessell’s (Rm 4, Yr 1) classes at 8.50am in the undercover area on Friday 3rd May.  The next assembly will not be conducted until Week 8 due to Swimming Lessons occurring in Weeks 4 - 7.

SWIMMING LESSONS TERM 2 (PP – Yr 6)

Students in all public primary schools have the opportunity to attend swimming lessons for two weeks of the school year. These lessons are very valuable and provide students with the opportunity to become competent swimmers over time. I strongly recommend that all students participate so they have increased confidence around water and are able to help themselves (and others) if they get into difficulty. It is well known that children who do not learn to swim as a child do not take the time to learn as an adult. Having your children learn to swim as a child is doing them a favour for later in life. Students from Wellard (PP – Yr 6) will be participating in swimming lessons in Weeks 4 & 5 (Group 1) and Weeks 6 & 7 (Group 2) commencing next week.

KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS FOR 2025

Wellard PS commenced taking enrolments for Kindergarten for 2025 on Tuesday 23^rd April (Week 2, Term 2). Enrolments will close on Friday 19^th July (Week 1 Term 3). It is most important that you enrol your Kindergarten child for next year as soon as possible. Please speak with neighbours etc. who you know need to enrol their child. To be eligible for enrolment, students need to be born between 1^st July 2020 and 30^th June 2021. When enrolling your child, you will need to come into the office and provide the following:

• Copy of your child’s Birth Certificate
• Up to date Immunisation Records
• Proof of Address that you reside in our local intake area – preferably a utility bill in your name that is no older than three months.

Please note that students who live within our local intake area will be prioritised for enrolment. Our local intake area can be found within “Schools Online” on the Department of Education’s website. We have already distributed 65 enrolment packs for our 120 places.

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

ANZAC CEREMONY (PP – Yr 6)

Our ANZAC Ceremony was conducted last Friday 26^th April in the quadrangle area.  I would like to thank Mrs Glenda Tucker for organising this occasion and to our participating students. Thank you to those parents and community members who attended.

STRANGER DANGER

As it is a new term, I urge parents to talk to your child or children about walking safely to and from school. Following are some suggestions to help your child/children stay safe.  Please ask your child to:

• Always travel in company.
• Walk on the right hand side of the road so you face oncoming traffic.
• Wherever possible, leave space between yourself and the roadway.
• Stay in areas that are well lit.
• Stay in view – avoid going into areas that are hidden from view (such as parkland bush or behind shopping centres) and plan trips to avoid such locations.
• Be alert – earphones and headphones can reduce your awareness considerably.
• If you have a mobile phone, have it turned on and ready to dial an emergency number.
• If a passing car stops nearby never get too close.
• Do not hesitate to run from a situation in which you feel at risk.
• Provide this advice to brothers and sisters, especially if younger.
• Report suspicious behaviour to parents, school and the police, noting number plates of cars and/or clothing or distinguishing features of individuals.

GOODBYE AND THANK YOU

I would also like to announce that Marina Claasen has officially resigned from her position of School Officer with Angela Whisson replacing her permanently. Marina was the first staff member I employed at Wellard and she played a pivotal role in the creating of our school and community. I wish Marina all the best in her position at Baldivis secondary College. Congratulations to Mrs Whisson for winning the position.

As per the notice below our school Chaplain, Miss Sinead O’Dea is leaving us. On behalf of the school community I would sincerely like to thank Miss O’Dea for the wonderful job she has done as our School Chaplain. She has had a significant impact on our school and will be sadly missed by all. We wish you all the best for the future Miss O’Dea!

 

Kind regards

Geoff Miller

Principal

FROM THE CHAPLAIN

Hi amazing Wellard Primary Parents,

Sadly I am writing today to let you know that I will be exiting my role of chaplain at Wellard Primary. My last day will be Friday 10^th May, and I really hope to say a goodbye to all of you before I go.

I have been given the amazing opportunity to step into a new role of Area Chaplain with my company Youth CARE and will be managing chaplaincy in public schools for Kwinana, Byford and Rockingham. While this means I will still be a part of the Wellard family, I will no longer be working in our wonderful school. Wellard will be placing a new chaplain in the school, who I am sure will do an amazing job at supporting our students.

Words can’t describe how much I have loved working at Wellard, we truly have the best students and staff in WA! Thank you to all of the families and students for the love I have received working here, and I wish you all the very best in the future!

As always, with love,

 

Sinead O’Dea

SUSTAINABLE GARDEN UPDATE

Welcome to the April update from Room 10s garden.

 

Over the holidays, Room 10s garden has grown tremendously! We now have plants standing over a metre tall. We have sprouts of carrots forming and some basil has also popped up. The capsicum and chilli have made a marvellous recovery and we even have some green chilli's fruiting. Unfortunately, the snow peas we replanted have died again. On the bright side, the sunflowers we planted from seed (hopefully for the mothers day stall) are huge, around five of them have reached a metre tall. Our spring onion is getting thicker every day and our lettuce is three quarters fully grown. The tomato plants are around 70 cm tall with tiny green tomatoes appearing all over. We have two massive corn plants that are looking healthy. One corn plant is towering at over a metre and a half. Our sustainable garden is looking amazing after the April holidays and we are very happy gardeners!

Reporter Rachel!

 

MERIT AWARDS