Author Archives
School Blog and Team App
Woodend Primary have a whole school blog that can keep you up to date with rolling news everyday. You can subscribe to this blog and you will get new posts directly to your email once a day. You can do this by going to http://woodendprimaryschool.edublogs.org. There is a subscribe button on the bottom of the screen and if you don’t see that you can scroll to the bottom of the posts and fill in your email details there.
This blog replaces the old newsletter and allows us to communicate information quickly. You can also access the blog from team app which is a free app available for both ios and android devices. Once you have downloaded the app simply search for Woodend Primary School and add this to your team app page. In the settings you are able to request membership to groups and classes that are relevant to you. Team App allows you to get alerts directly to your phone or tablet. You can also access team app through your home computer via the website https://www.teamapp.com/clubs/search
Parking / Kiss and go
Given that it comes up every year and is a constant source of frustration for parents and caregivers dropping and picking up their children I thought it would be timely to let new parents know about some history on parking at the school and clarity how it should work.
Previously the school had a kiss and go for morning drop offs and afternoon pick ups on Edward Beck Drive. Particularly in the afternoon there was a concerning amount of double parking, cars waiting around the pedestrian crossing and generally some dangerous driving activity. The council was consulted and they monitored the area. Attempts were made by staff and even police to alleviate congestion however they were faced with a lot of abuse. So the decision was made by Governing Council and Marion Council to trial ceasing kiss and go in the afternoon. Whilst there is still concerns with the after school pick up it has been improved.
So Woodend Primary School has a kiss and go area in the morning between 8.30-8.55am so there is NO parking in this allocated section of Edward Beck Drive. This area in the afternoon is parking only.
In the mornings you are able to get out of your car to assist your child/children get out of the car but your car should not be left unattended for any period of time and your should move out of the area as soon as possible being mindful of other vehicles and children.
In the afternoon a teacher is on duty on the deck near this area to ensure the safety of children until they are picked up. There is a teacher on duty until 3.20pm so it is not necessary to be ready and waiting at 3.05 particularly for older children. It may be helpful to arrange with your children that you will come 10-15 min after the bell. It is also helpful to remind children of the procedure for if you are running late and make them aware that they should go to the front office so that staff can contact you.
The car parking area off Edward Beck Drive is for staff only.
A quick note also in regards to Bathbank Crescent. The parking bay is for the Kindergarten only and should not be used as a kiss and go. There are many young children in this area so it is dangerous to have numerous vehicles moving in and out. The Woodend Children’s Centre have instigated a flexible pick-up time to help alleviate congestion along Bathbank.
The speed limit past the school is 25km/h at all times students are present, including for after hours sport and school events.
School crossing are located on Edward Beck and Young Street. Please encourage students to cross the roads at these points.
The safety of children and others using the area is the priority. Please be considerate, patient and respectful of others.
The school and Governing Council is aware of the frustrations with traffic movement and is this year working alongside Way2Go to try to come up with solutions so please be assured that it is not being ignored. If you have specific concerns you can contact our local MP Corey Wingard via wingard.mitchell@parliament.sa.gov.au. To find out more about Way2Go you can check out the website at http://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/way2go
Thanks,
Kelli
Acquaintance Night
Acquaintance night is held at the start of each year by each of the classes. This is an opportunity for you to meet your child’s teacher and get an understanding of how they work and what you can expect for your child during the year. It is held at night time so the majority of people can attend with partners and care givers. It is also a time when you can find out how you can help in the class and meet other parents and caregivers.
Please note that this is not a one-on-one interview with the teacher. There will be an opportunity later in the term for you to have this meeting with the teacher to discuss how your child is going and cover issues specific to your child. Obviously if you have an immediate concerns then you can speak to the teacher and make a time to have a personal meeting with them.
This year the Acquaintance night will be held on Tuesday 10th February 2015 with times depending on your child’s year level and class. You should receive information from the teacher regarding the time.
School Cafe
The Woodend Primary School Parent Network runs a cafe in the school kitchen on a Friday morning from 8.30am. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are available … and sometimes you might even get lucky enough to get a biscuit or two.
Gold coin donation which goes towards a cause or charity of the parent networks choice.
It’s a great place to meet some other parents and younger children are welcome. You can enter the school kitchen from the main doors straight off Edward Beck Drive in the building that also houses the library, OSHC and canteen.
Welcome our new Receptions!
Wow, it’s hard to believe another school year is about to begin. Hopefully all your little people are excited about getting started.
A reminder to make sure your child’s clothing and items are clearly labelled with their name. The lost property bin ends up over flowing each term and unclaimed items sold but we’d prefer that your stuff makes it back to you. It is also a good idea to show your child where the label is so that they can learn to check that they have their own clothing and take responsibility for it.
Hopefully you all received two Welcome Newsletter emails from Mr Freeman and Mrs Luke with details about the transitioning to school … here are a few reminders.
Tuesday 29th January will be the first day of school for your child. They should arrive between 8.30am and 8.45am. At the end of the day they will be dismissed from the classroom at the usual time of 3.05pm. Please talk to your child in the morning and show them where they will meet you at dismissal to help with any fears. Your child may feed off your stress so try to be relaxed and positive about the day and don’t prolong your goodbye. Your teacher will be there to help this all go smoothly.
If you are concerned about any anxiety with starting school here are some links to articles and resources about handling the first day:
- Planning for first day of school
- 5 strategies to cope when starting school solo
- School and separation anxiety
- http://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/families/starting-school
New reception students will be introduced to the whole school at the first official assembly.
If you have any questions or concerns, make sure you comment below or contact the school.
Mrs Cathie Luke
News
Updated 20/02/15
We have our own News blog which provides ongoing news posts, rather than a traditional fortnightly newsletter. We encourage you to subscribe to the News blog (simply click the subscribe button at the bottom right of the page). This will give you email notifications, at most once a day, if there is news posted on this blog.
We encourage you to explore the use of our Woodend Team App. This will allow you to tailor your notifications about sports teams, committee, class and news events.
If you haven’t already joined team app, it is easy to do. The app is available for free on all smart phones and can also be accessed from a computer (teamapp.com). Once you have the app, search for ‘Woodend Primary School’ and select the ‘teams’ that you wish to join. Selecting the teams that are relevant to you (eg your child’s class and sports teams) means that you will get only the notifications that you need. This is an app we are trying to grow and develop into a useful communication resource. Therefore it will get better as we start to use it more.
Note that individual classes will also put out a newsletter at times during the term which your child’s teacher will discuss with you.
Lunch Orders
Lunch order bags with money are collected in each classroom and taken to the canteen by 9.15am
Lunches are ready for collection at 12:45pm
For prices lists and more information on our school canteen click here. The brown lunch order bags can be purchased in a pack from your supermarket, generally in the food warp isle.
Car Parking
Woodend Governing Council, in conjunction with the Marion Council, has put in place a number of restrictions around our school. We aim to protect student safety. Parents are asked NOT to use the staff carpark.
There are some parking restrictions along Edward Beck Drive and the drop-off area. There is NO PARKING from 8.30-8.55am.
The speed limit past the school is 25km/h at all times students are present, including for after hours sport and school events.
School crossing are located on Edward beck and Lemon Roads, Please encourage students to cross the roads a these points.
Lost Property
All un-named or unclaimed items are placed in the lost property box in the front office. At the end of each term items will be displayed. Any items remaining will either be used as emergency clothing or be sold second hand through the uniform shop. All remaining items will be donated to a charity.