Student Success:
Congratulations to all of our Stage 3 students, in particular, an extra cheer for Year 6, who have received compliments whilst on the Bathurst excursion in Week 6 and at last Thursday’s Lambton Pool day. They were all commended on their admirable behaviour. Keep up the great effort team! We congratulate our Bay Brilliant Brains Art Competition winners, Kinder: Logan A, Stage1: Jana R, Stage 2: Eva L and Stage 3: Hanna G. Also, congratulations to Liam B, as his amazing sporting endeavours will be celebrated at the Hunter Primary School Awards Presentation to be held this Wednesday at the Murrook Educational Centre at Williamtown. Miss Bath and Ms Patrick will be there to support Liam at this special assembly.
Parent Helpers:
A big thank you from the bottom of our hearts to the parents who were able to make last Friday’s Parent Helper afternoon tea. Our thanks also to the other helpers, who have assisted during 2024, but were unable to attend our celebrations. We love to see you at WBPS!
School Service Assembly:
Our final school assembly for the year will be held on Wednesday 4th December at 1:55pm. At this assembly, we will present certificates to our Gold Award winners, Platinum awards for the Principal’s Reading Challenge and attendance awards. We will also recognise our outgoing House Captains, Junior AECG, and librarians for their service to the school. Parents are welcome to attend. Sincere congratulations to all WBPS students who engage actively in their own learning and go above and beyond to assist across our school in so many ways.
Final P & C Meeting:
Will be held at 6pm on 12th December at the Warners Bay Hotel. All welcome!
Transition Programs:
Our Kindergarten and Year 6 to 7 transition programs are currently underway. This is an exciting time for all. A vote of thanks to Ms Janis Milgate for the amazing effort she has put in to ensure the success of the Kindergarten 2025 transition program. WBHS Year 7 2025 students will visit the high school tomorrow, Tuesday 3rd December and parents are invited to attend the Parent Information session on Wednesday 4th December 6 - 7pm.
Presentation Day:
Will be held at WBHS multi-purpose centre on Tuesday 10th December. Students will be transported to the venue by bus. All students must return to school at the conclusion of the service. Parents who wish to take students home early, must return to WBPS and sign them out through the normal office procedures.
School Uniform Reminder:
Ms Hall has asked that I remind families and students about the importance of wearing full school uniform every day at WBPS. We are beginning to see a lot of incorrect clothing and jewellery at school, and this is from Kinder right up to Year 6. When purchasing new uniforms for the 2025 school year, please keep the following expectations in mind. Please see the list below for our main concerns:
* Correct coloured socks - white for girls and grey (or black) for boys.
* Black leather shoes or mostly black joggers are our approved uniform, and yet we are seeing a multitude of brightly coloured joggers being worn on a daily basis – please refrain from wearing them to school and when purchasing new uniforms for 2025, please adhere to school uniform expectations. These days there are a multitude of shoe options to meet school uniform requirements, so coloured joggers are not necessary.
* Jewellery – only sleepers or studs are to be worn in ears – no dangly earnings or larger loop earrings that can be torn out during sports and play time games. A watch is the only other jewellery allowed. If your child has a smart watch, it is advisable to not wear it to school and if it does come in, like mobile devices, it must be handed each morning at the front office and collected at the conclusion of school - no exceptions to this K-6 expectation.
* No necklaces, ankle bracelets or wrist bracelets of any kind are permitted at any time.
* No make-up is to be worn and nails must not be painted. OOSH have been informed that they are not to paint students’ nails during school terms.
* Year 6 shirts are worn on Fridays only or to special Year 6 excursions, and this will be indicated on the permission note.
We thank parents in advance for ensuring your children are adhering to school uniform expectations. Wearing of uniforms allows all students to be on an equal playing field and make us look like a great team when we venture outside of the school.
BroSpeak/ SistaSpeak:
Our Stage 2 and 3 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders students are once again participating today in Sistaspeak and Brospeak with other students from our local community of schools. The students are really enjoying the sessions, and it is a great opportunity for them to connect with each other.
Wellbeing Wednesday:
We have now had 2 Wellbeing Wednesdays and the feedback is very positive from both students and staff. Last week on Wellbeing Wednesday, Stage 3 students logged in for the first time to our new Pulse portal, so teachers could reach out to them if they need help or support in any way. You will be pleased to know that the majority of students all indicated that they were feeling either great or really positive, which was fabulous news. I was able to check in with the one student who indicated they weren’t travelling well at the moment, and after a quick check-in, this had a positive outcome. Moving forward, I will do regular check-ins with any students who indicate they need support. Mrs Zink, as our Wellbeing Teacher, is also available to check-in with students who flag for support. In 2025, this opportunity for a weekly check-in through Pulse will be extended to Year 4 students as well. Notes will be sent out before the end of the year. Parents can opt out if they wish.
School Forts:
Please remember that, although lots of fun, our 3 school forts are all out of bounds after school. Students are not permitted to play on them, even if parents are present.
Year 6 Clap Out:
The annual Year 6 clap out assembly will happen under the 3-6 Cola on Wednesday 18th December at 2.30pm. Students will walk around to say goodbye to their K-5 friends and teachers. We will also have a final lap for any other students who are departing WBPS for a new school in 2025. As usual, parents are most welcome to attend.
Secret Santa:
All K-6 classes are invited to take part in this annual event. Remember, if you’d prefer your child to not take part, please indicate this on the note, or speak to their teacher in person or via the Parent Portal.
OOSH Program for the Christmas Holidays:
Please see the information in our newsletter regarding what our wonderful OOSH has on offer for students over the holiday break. Bookings can be made via the OOSH website.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: School Development Days 2025
The Department of Education has made changes to School Development Days for 2025.
In Term 1, there will be four School Development Days:
Friday 31 January – Wednesday 5 February. This means that students will return to school on Thursday 6 February.
In Term 2, there will be two School Development Days:
Monday 28 April – Tuesday 29 April. This means that students will return to school on Wednesday 30 April.
In Term 3, there will be one School Development Day:
Monday 21 July. This means students will return to school on Tuesday 22 July.
In Term 4, there will be one School Development Day:
Monday 13 October. This means students will return to school on Tuesday 14 October.
There will be no School Development Days at the end of Term 4, so the last day of school will be Friday 19 December.
Janine Patrick
Relieving Principal
