Week 2, Term 1

Hi everyone and welcome back to Woy Woy South PS for 2024!

I would like to extend a warm welcome to families who are new to our school who are starting the school year at Woy Woy South for the first time. We are very excited to have you with us and know that you will enjoy your time at our school.

Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions or queries regarding school information or procedures.

Our newsletter will be released fortnightly in 2024, on weeks 2, 6 and 10 of the school term. The newsletter can be accessed most easily through the School App (Audiri – formerly Skoolbag. See information below).

Beginning a new School Year

As we all know, the beginning of the year can be a nerve-wracking time for all concerned. New classrooms, new teachers and new procedures can all be a challenging adjustment.

Please reassure your children that feeling uncomfortable in new surroundings is a normal part of returning to school and that everybody experiences it to some degree – even the teachers! With ongoing support from school and home, these feelings will quickly subside and the new circumstances and surroundings will feel normal in a matter of days.

Your support, patience and understanding in these early stages of the year is greatly appreciated.

2024 Classes Update

As has now been the case for several years, our student numbers are very good, and we’ve been able to avoid ‘holding’ our students in last year’s classes.

This is fantastic, as our students were in their new classes on the first day back, have now settled in, and are down to the business of learning!

Further details regarding specific class information will be given at the Parent Information Evenings on the 20th (Stage 3), 21st (Stage 1) & 22nd (Stage 2) of February. Keep an eye on alerts for these dates.

Welcomes

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the new staff commencing at Woy Woy South in 2024 -

Mrs Amy Asmanas, Class Teacher 1A

Ms Teigan Kelly, Class Teacher 3/4K

Mrs Alice Scott-Wells, School Counsellor

Miss Eliza Potter, Community Nurse

A very warm welcome to you all and we look forward to having you in our school community. A full list of WWS teaching staff in 2024 will be updated on our website shortly.

 School Uniform

This week our students have looked great in their school uniforms! A big thanks to all families for preparing the children so well for the beginning of the school year.

A reminder that all WWS students are requested to attend school in full summer uniform during Term 1, which includes a red WWS school hat and plain black shoes. Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the requirements as this contributes significantly to ensuring a positive start to the year and maintaining ongoing positive school pride and culture.

In the final newsletter for 2023, example photos of excellent school uniform were included. These can be accessed through the school website, under the ‘Newsletters’ tab.

Swimming Carnival

A reminder that our school swimming carnival will be held next Tuesday, February 20 for students in years 3-6 (including students from Year 2 who wish to swim competitively).

All students 3-6 are expected to attend the carnival, as provision has been made for competitive and non-competitive swimmers. Please take the time to provided permission for your child/children by using the School Bytes link in your email.

Wishing you all a great start to 2024,

Matt Barr

Principal

As a reference for parents and carers, I have included some photos of students wearing the correct school uniform (including red Yr. 6 shirts). This will also be released on the SkoolBag App (Audiri). The wearing of correct uniform has a significant bearing on our ability to maintain a well-disciplined, safe school environment for your children.

This will be monitored very closely at the beginning of 2024. A strong start to the year in this area will set us up for continued success and a continuation of the high standards for behaviour and learning that our school has become known for in the community. In particular, please note the types of plain black school shoes and socks (girls – plain white, boys – plain grey) expected, especially if you intend to purchase new items for the commencement of the 2024 school year.

Also as pictured, are the school hat options in bucket hat and broad brimmed versions and sport uniform with red polo and black shorts/skirts. If you have any questions about the school uniform requirements, please contact the school office.

Last year our school introduced the Quiet Achiever Award, Rose the owner from Baker’s Delight Umina contacted our school with this program and we were happy to jump on board. Each month a student is selected from one of the following stages ES1, S1, S2, S3 or the learning support team.

The student who is selected for that month will receive a  gift voucher to spend at Baker’s Delight in Unima.

The idea for this award is for those students who as the title states are the “Quiet Achiever”, those students who strive to do the right thing all the time and deserve that little extra because they are always giving their 100%. So, keep an eye out for your child who might come home with some gift vouchers to spend at Baker’s Delight Umina.