Always room for Improvement

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This Monday we are hosting all the parents of the 2015 Receptions for Afternoon Tea.  During this time we would like to reflect back on the 2015 year and seek feedback on your child’s transition to school as well as your own learning journey at Woodend.  This information will prove valuable for improving our transition processes for the coming year/s. This form is useful to begin our conversations  transition-to-school-conversation-starter .  We look forward to your participation.

Canteen support

We are very supportive of this year’s Healthy Eating committee and Parent Network who have developed strategies for lifting the profile of  Woodend’s school canteen.  One initiative is to increase the number of volunteers to support the canteen staff and maintain the quality service.  Parent Network are enlisting the support of volunteers from each classroom so that over this year, the canteen should be able to have more volunteers per week.

If you are able to help in the canteen on any day anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours, the canteen staff, Helen and Di would be very grateful.  If you are interested, please see Kerri at the Front Office or call in at the canteen.

Play at Woodend

This term, our early years staff (Reception to Year 2) have participated in workshops to further our understanding of Play.  Our focus has been about better equipping our students with creative play opportunities to improve learning. In 2014, a significant amount of money was spent purchasing Play resources for the Atrium and Fern Thomson was employed to offer an Arts/Play experience for Reception and Year 1 students. With support from Woodend Children’s Centre, play visits occurred between the centre and each Reception class.  Reception teachers also visited the centre to observe play.

This term, we have had the opportunity to work with an Early Years consultant, Robyn Waller on Play. During these workshops we have looked at:

  • our philosophies about Play
  • Play theorists
  • how Play links to the Australian Curriculum in particular, literacy and numeracy
  • determining what Play could look more like at Woodend

Our early years staff also visited Black Forest Primary School to listen to their journey with Play, and tour their learning spaces. This was a valuable experience where we had lengthy professional discussions with Black Forest staff, many questions, and exchanging of teaching and learning ideas. We will keep you informed of our developments.IMG_2822

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.

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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:

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