School Newsletter - Vol.2_21st February 2024

From the Principal

Thank you families for your support and dedication towards your child’s education. Your efforts to ensure your children arrive at school, dressed neatly in their full school uniform, equipped, and prepared for learning, has been noticed.  Arriving on time ready for learning does make a difference and sets your child up to experience academic and social success. Thank you for partnering with us to create a positive, calm and orderly learning environment for our students.  

 If your child needs a drink bottle or other school supplies, please contact the office.  Mrs Michelle O’Byrne has donated a number of back-to-school bags that are available to families.   

 Last week at our whole school assembly it was wonderful to induct our Year 6 Leaders.  The important process involved our leaders signing their contract of office and being presented with their leadership badges.  We were very pleased that our Director Improvement Partnerships – Mrs Debra Fisher was able to attend to assist with this special ceremony.   

 At our assembly I shared a little story about stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing new opportunities. 

 Two weekends ago, I found myself in a situation that made me a bit nervous. I attended a music festival to support my teenage children. Now, I have to admit, I was worried about what to expect. Questions like, "What should I wear?" and "Who will be there?" crossed my mind. I wondered if it would feel safe, and what I would do if it all became too overwhelming. 

 But you know what? When I arrived, all those worries stopped. It turned out to be a great event, and I felt safe. I realised that the trivial things, like my outfit, didn't matter. What truly counted was that I accepted feeling uncomfortable and embraced the new opportunity. And guess what? It was great! 

 Now, what does this have to do with our student leaders? Well, just like I stepped out of my comfort zone, our student leaders have stepped into a new role. Our school community elected them to lead, to bring about change, and to take on new responsibilities. And just like my experience at the festival, they may feel a bit out of their comfort zone. 

 Change is hard, and it's natural to feel nervous when faced with something new. But here's the thing – it will be okay. Our student leaders are here to connect and create a positive future for our entire school community. They are accepting the challenge of leading change, and with your support, they will thrive. 

 So, let's remember that no matter our age, embracing new opportunities can be a little nerve-wracking, but it's through these experiences that we grow and create positive change. Together, as a school community, we can connect and build a future filled with success, unity, and positivity. 

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Wightman

Principal

Our Year 6 Leaders

Top Row L-R: Charlotte  – School Captain,  Layla - School Captain, Shaylah – House Captain, Maetell  – House Captain 

Second Row L-R: Kacie -   House Captain, Kallee – House Captain, Mia  – Literacy Leader, Jesse  – Nutrition Leader.

Staff Member Profile

School Nurse - Stu Davidson

 It gives me great pleasure to welcome your child to school for 2024.  My name is Stu Davidson and I am the School Health Nurse. 

Hello Waverley school community, I will be working Mondays and Tuesdays every fortnight. I have worked for approximately 25 years as a nurse with experience from remote Aboriginal communities to busy emergency departments. Within the School Nurse role I am keen to foster health and wellbeing of body and mind for your children. I am a firm believer in building resilience, getting outside, being active and eating well. I hope to see your child at some stage in the school garden groups where we can help build some of these qualities.

I am married to my wife Amanda, I have four children, three grandchildren and Daisy the dog. I currently still work in the Launceston General Hospital emergency department when I’m not working at school, I also have a farming job as a side business. Other time is spent surfing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructing, mountain biking and trying to keep up with my kids. Kindergarten parents please keep a lookout for information coming your way in relation to kinder health checks. Feel free to see me for a chat at some stage.

Maggie Dent: From Boys to Men

We have 15 tickets available to give away to Waverley Primary School families. Please notify the office if you would like a FREE ticket(s).  Limited spaces available.  Be quick to attend this event. 

Sunday, 3rd March, 2024, 10:00am-12:00om at The Tramsheds Function Centre 4 Invermay Rd, Launceston. 

In this seminar, parenting author and educator and ‘boy champion’ Maggie Dent shares insights, tips and common-sense wisdom from her 2020 book, From Boys to Men: Guiding our teen boys to grow into happy, healthy men.

Uniform

Hats must be worn by students when outside in terms 1 and 4.  Please check with your child that they have their school hat. School hats can be purchased from our uniform shop.

School shorts or trousers are plain black.  We have some examples of shorts and track pants in our uniform shop that can be purchased from Kmart.  We also have a range of second-hand items to give away or that you can purchase.  Our staff in the School Office are very happy to help you and your child(ren) with all uniform needs.

Please note: branded leggings and very short hot pant style shorts are not part of our school uniform.

Communication

Newsletter access

Please note the following information: 

Schoolzine SZapp and our Text message service are our main source of communication. 

The newsletter is published every second Wednesday through Schoolzine and can be viewed through the SZapp.   

The Waverly Primary School Facebook page is a great way to stay informed about what is happening in and around our school. 

Attendance

At Waverley Primary students attendance and safety are high priorities.  If your child is absent or late please phone our school office ph: 6339 1455 or send a note via the SZapp.  All lateness and absence must be explained.  This is a legal requirement by the Department for Education Children and Young People.  

An SMS text message will be automatically sent to the mobile phones of parents/carers explaining that our records show that your child is absent from school.   

The message will arrive on the phone displaying the number: 0407 580 106. Please save this number as ‘WPS Absentee’ so that when the message arrives you are aware is has come from our school.   

You can reply to the text to explain the absence please add: your child’s name, reason they are absent or late.   

Messages from you to school

To ensure your messages are received and actioned in a timely manner and without error, please use the following:

• Absentee notifications - Enter details using the SZapp by 9:00am to notify the office of student absence.
• End of day messages - Send a message using the SZapp or call 63391455 before 2:30pm.
• Queries and other messages - Send a message using the SZapp or email waverley.primary@decyp.tas.gov.au
• Uniform & icecream/icypole orders - Order and pay on the Qkr! app

We endeavour to respond to enquiries within 2 business days during school terms.

Messages from us to you

In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint, we will push information out to you via the SZapp.  It is very important that all of our parents have signed up to the Schoolzine app to receive notices and information. 

If you require assistance in setting up or using the SZapp or the Qkr! app, please contact the office. 

EdSmart

Our School will be switching over to a new messaging platform for communicating with you.   This will replace our current system SMS Global. 

The new platform, called EdSmart is an Australian platform which is designed to improve communication in school communities by allowing electronic messaging i.e. SMS and emails. For now, it will be used to manage absences messages i.e. you will receive a SMS or email alert if your child is absent from school requesting a response.  It will also allow us to send a communication message to all parent/guardians. 

The platform will, over time, be rolled out across all Tasmanian Government Schools and new features will be added.   

 You will receive a text message and/or an email with further details.  Note, the text message sender will be a shortened version of our school’s name - Please keep an eye out for it!  

Further information is available on the Department’s website  

Communicating with your child's school - Department for Education, Children and Young People (decyp.tas.gov.au) 

Merit Certificates & Principal Awards

Congratulations to the recipients of merit certificates and principal awards recevied at the assembly held on Wednesday 14th February.

Merit Certificates:

• Connor D
• Max A
• Karleah C
• Kaspian M
• Mateo W
• Alydia P
• Ace T
• Hunter T
• Toby W
• Bethany W
• Melodie D
• Jayda R
• Charlotte M
• Kacie M
• Mia R

Principal Award's

• Ky Salter - Staff Member
• Domanic F
• Zayah M

Allergy Aware

We are an allergy aware school.  We discourage the use and consumption of nuts and nut products as well as eggs and egg products. 

Ice Cream Sales

A reminder that we have ice cream sales on a Monday at lunch time.  All proceeds support our Year 6 celebration activities.  You can order your ice cream or icy pole on the Qkr! app or you can bring cash on the day.

Working With Vulnerable People Registration

Parents and carers if you remain with your child in their classroom beyond school drop off, or volunteer for parent help, or would like to attend a school excursion we must see a copy of your registration card.  When you sign in at the office please enter your RWVP number.  

It is against the law for a person to work or volunteer at any DECYP School without a current working with vulnerable people registration. 

If you would like to volunteer at Waverley Primary School we would love to hear from you.  To apply for registration please follow the link below:

Athletics Carnival - 8th March

We need your help for the Athletics Carnival on Friday, 8th March!

If you have a Working with Vulnerable People card and completed the Safeguarding Training, we'd love your support.

The compulsory training is designed to help us better safeguard kids in Tasmania. Throughout the training, you’ll learn what to do if you believe a child or young person is being harmed. You will also learn what your reporting requirements are.

For more information on our Safeguarding Training, visit: https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/safe-children/safeguarding-children/safeguarding-training/#:~:text=The%20training%20is%20compulsory%20and,you%20must%20complete%20this%20training

To find out how the Office of Safeguarding Children and Young People is working to safeguard and protect children in the Department’s care, visit: https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/safe-children/safeguarding-children/

Contact the office on 6339 1455 to register your interest. Let's make it an awesome day for our little athletes!

5/6 Friday Sport

Join our Fundraising Committee

What is the Fundraising Committee?

The Waverley Primary School Association Fundraising Committee is a dedicated group of parents and staff working together to support our school's various programs and initiatives. Through fun and creative fundraising activities, we aim to enhance the overall school experience for our learners.

How Can You Get Involved?

We believe that every member of our school community has something valuable to contribute. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and have some time to spare, we invite you to join the Fundraising Committee!

To apply, simply visit https://waverleyprimary.schoolzineplus.com/survey/6 or stop by the school office. Your involvement, big or small, will make a difference!

Move Well Eat Well

A reminder to everyone that we do not bring energy drinks to school.  

Important Dates

Staff Information

Staff – Student Support and Wellbeing Team

Staff - Teacher Assistant

Administration Team

Education Facility Attendant

Community Notices

Friends of the Library - Book Sale

Friends of the Library, Launceston’s Annual Library Book Fair will be held on Saturday 2 March 2020, 9.00am – 1.00pm at St Ailbe’s Hall, 46 Margaret Street, Launceston 

 This is Launceston’s best book sale with a wide range of good quality donated secondhand books – crime, thrillers, science fiction, romance, children’s, cooking, health, travel, crafts, gardening, sports, war, DVDs, collectables and Tasmaniana – all at rock bottom prices. 

 The children’s books are particularly good this year!