27 August 2019, Issue 14

From the Principal Musical What a wonderful feeling it is to have produced such a fabulous musical event. The Nugget of Eternal Dreams was a four-show extravaganza which had a very important message for us all, ie focus on what we have rather than what we have not. It was the culmination of months of hard work and inspiration. Thank you to our families for such lovely feedback—it means a lot to our staff members who all worked so hard to make the show a success. If you were fortunate enough to see the show, I am sure you would like to join with me to congratulate our talented students for their wonderful performances. They sang, danced and acted with confidence and skill. Moreover, they were magnificent both on stage and off. The staff have commented on the happy atmosphere off stage and the positive behaviour of students at each of the shows. When students are happy and cooperative, it helps teachers to find extra energy to put on a show like this. Huge thanks to our wonderful staff for their support of this event. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the work of John Carr (music teacher) in writing and directing the musical. All teachers for helping students rehearse, making props, supervise, costumes, ticketing, program development etc. Thanks, also, to Pilar Caivano (Spanish teacher) for her wonderful work on costuming and to the large team of parents who worked with Pilar to repair and make costumes. It is amazing what some shimmer can do under the lights. This wonderful outcome highlights what a hardworking and talented school community we have. Thanks to everyone who helped and supported the musical. A note went home last week for DVD orders. They can be purchased for $25 online via the link www.schoolmemoriescaptured.com.au with the school code for the Wednesday (green cast) WESTGARTH19-WED and the Thursday (yellow cast) WESTGARTH19-THU. Remember to order the correct date (green or yellow cast) to ensure your child/ren are in that show. All orders close Friday 13 September. Class Placements We know some parents and students worry about class placement. There are some situations which require special consideration and the school is already aware of these. As students grow and mature, in most cases, things that were issues in the past are no longer. Your child’s teacher is best placed to consider each student’s educational needs and their ability to socialise with different students within the broader cohort. With this in mind we are respectfully informing the community that we will not be taking requests for class placement consideration from parents/carers this year. We are confident that you as parents, and we as a school, together can support your child/ren and know they have the skills and resilience to manage the emotions associated with change.

This newsletter is published on our school website.

School Council Report Each year the school council sub-committees develop goals. We are always looking for more parent participation in the sub-committees. The goals for this year’s sub-committees are listed below. If you would like to participate in a sub-committee meeting dates are listed each fortnight in the newsletter. See page 3. Finance Committee: (next meeting – Tues 10 September 8.15am Jo’s office)

1. Support Environment Committee to complete canteen conversion of the Master Plan as detailed. 2. Finance Committee to continue to meet all DET financial requirements. 3. Recruitment of new parent members to the finance sub-committee to increase participation and succession.

Education Sub Committee: (next meeting: Tues 27 August 7pm Resource room Brooke St) 1. To provide effective two-way communication between parents and school leaders and the opportunity to offer

feedback and raise questions about identified educational points of need. Environment: (next meeting: Thurs 12 September 8.00am Jo’s office)

1. To commence the canteen conversion. Policy: (next meeting: TBC 8am Jo’s office)

1. To ensure that policy remains up to date and relevant. OSHC: (next meeting: Wed 11 September 2.00pm Carolyn’s office)

1. To maintain the services and continue to engage students, parents and guardians. Redevelopment Project Working Party Westgarth Primary has big plans for redevelopment of the school. Student enrolments have increased by 68% over the past 10 years, and the redevelopment project is aimed at addressing the pressure on existing school Infrastructure. School Council has endorsed masterplans for both buildings and grounds. School community fundraising enabled some progress to be made on stage 1, which included a music facility in the refurbished kindergarten building, fencing, new playground equipment and kitchen garden relocation on Clarke Street. The next phase of the plan which we are almost ready to begin is upgrading the canteen space to be a wet science/STEM area/OSHC space. While we have continued to successfully fundraise through our school community to make these changes, we have not been successful in receiving any government grants to improve the school infrastructure. Our plans include a full-size gymnasium, new learning spaces to replace many of the portable classrooms, new roofing on the Brooke St building and an expanded staff room to accommodate all staff. School Council established the Westgarth Redevelopment Project Working Party in 2017 to work with government to secure the required funds. Elected members from Darebin Council, State Government and Federal Parliament have all been briefed on the project, but so far have not committed any funds. We would like to reinvigorate the working party to provide a voice to the government and endeavour to secure funds for our projects. If you would like to be involved please email the school cox.allison.a@edumail.vic.gov.au. To stay in touch with developments, make sure you follow the Westgarth Primary Redevelopment Project page on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WPSredevelopment/) or Twitter (@WPSRedevelop). Allison Cox, School Council President

Children’s Book Week Due to the musical last week we put our Children’s book week celebrations on hold until this week. Leigh Hobbs (of Old Tom fame) worked with the Prep, 1, 2 students today. Bernard Caleo (comic drawer/writer and performer) is working with the Year 5/6 students on Wednesday and the Year 3/4 students will have a presentation by author Jane Godwin on Monday 9 September. As mentioned in the last newsletter, we will not have a book week dress up parade in the musical years. Regards

Jo Wheeler

Principal

Westgarth Primary School 2

20 October 2019 JAMMY NEWS Cleaning of Jars If you are able to help with cleaning some jam jars, please let Michelle know. We can drop them off and collect them again once cleaned. mtwrench@gmail.com Labelling of Jars for Fete When: Sunday 8 & Sunday 15 September, 2-5pm Where: Gym Hall, Clarke Street Campus We will be prepping and labelling all jars for sale at fete. Please text Annamarie on 0439146861 if you can help. Thank you JAMMY TEAM

CRAFT STALL The Craft Stall is looking for any of your amazing homemade goods to sell at the fete. Donations may be big or small, many or just a few special items. Anything hand made will be gratefully accepted.

Please contact Lyndall 0412 738 390 to arrange collection.

We would like to remind all students that they are required to wear a sunsmart hat and sun safe clothing from 1 September until the end of Term 4. Caps do not provide adequate sun protection so please make sure your child has a broad—brimmed or legionnaire style hat. It is also recommended that students apply sunscreen to protect their skin. Singlet and tops with narrow straps are not suitable to wear at school. Hats are available for purchase at the office for $11. Please visit Sun Smart’s resources page at http://www.sunsmart.com.au/communities/early-childhood-primary-schools /resources-primary-early-childhood

Westgarth Primary School 3

Diary Dates 2019 TERM 3 Mon 2 Sept District Athletics Day Sun 8 Sept Environmental/Earth Science Afternoon Wed 11 - Fri 13 Sept Year 4 Camp TERM 4 Sun 20 Oct La Gran Fiesta 10am - 4pm

Meeting Dates 2019 Education Tues 27 August 7pm Resource Room Finance Tues 10 September 8.15am Jo’s office OSHC Wed 11 September 2.00pm Carolyn’s office Environment Thurs 12 September 8.00am Jo’s office Policy TBC Communications TBC P&F TBC School Council Wed 18 September 7pm Resource Room

* OSHC services will be available via bookings for all curriculum days.

Westgarth Primary School 4

2019 School Council Dates Wed 18 September Wed 30 October Wed 27 November

2019 Term Dates T3 15/07/19 - 20/09/19 T4 07/10/19 - 20/12/19

Optional Homework

Westgarth’s homework policy has changed. The new policy was developed in consultation with parents and staff and informed by research. The new homework policy provides families with the choice of students completing optional homework tasks. The optional homework tasks can be accessed at: http://www.wgps.vic.edu.au/page/254/Optional-homework-tasks.

Visit http://www.wgps.vic.edu.au/page/255/eSmart

to access eSmart resources designed to educate, track, monitor and prevent cyber bullying and to create responsible users of

technology.

Visit

http://www.wgps.vic.edu.au/page/256/KidsMatter

to access KidsMatter resources that support student wellbeing and mental health.

Thursday 19 September Junior School Council are organising a Pyjama and Karaoke Day. Students have the option to wear their pyjamas to school and bring a gold coin donation. Money raised will go towards an outdoor table tennis table for the Clarke Street Playground.

Westgarth Primary School 5

BOOK YOUR BABYSITTER! Introducing, Westgarth Primary School’s newest fundraising night of nights... Westgarth Laughs Friday 22 November @ Chalice High St, Northcote Comedy, music and more... Hosted by Sammy J with special guests to be unveiled shortly. Watch this space for announcements and ticket info, we will be going on sale next month before the school holidays start.

ENVIROMENTAL/EARTH SCIENCE AFTERNOON Join us on Sunday afternoon 8 September for some Environmental/Earth Science activities. WHERE: Farmhouse Kitchens WHEN: 8 September 2019 TIME: 2-4pm This is a free event for our community to enjoy.

News from the Kitchen Garden Mary – kitchen.westgarth@gmail.com Yuki – garden.westgarth@gmail.com

Kitchen Garden News

Sport News

The Westgarth Primary School Council does not endorse any of its sponsors or advertisers, but we do acknowledge their support.

Everyone’s Voice An event for the entire Darebin Community Sunday 1 September 12.00pm to 3.30pm Darebin Arts Centre and Ray Bramham Gardens, Cnr Bell Street and St Georges Road, Preston FREE Everyone’s Voice is a new annual event on the Darebin calendar that recognises and celebrates First Nations peoples and the wider Darebin community. The dynamic First Nations program, co-designed by the Darebin Aboriginal Advisory Committee, will feature a Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Welcome Ceremony with Uncle Bill Nicholson & Djirri Djirri Dance Group, nationally renowned Aboriginal singer/songwriter Isaiah Firebrace performing with local primary students, Kee’ahn, Brothers in Arms, plus food stalls and facepainting. This event is for the entire Darebin community. More information: www.darebin.vic.gov.au/everyonesvoice

Local accomodation needed— 27th October - 19th November I am looking for somewhere to put up my sister in law within the Westgarth/ Fairfield/ Northcote area. If you need a house sitter or know of a good local air bnb, please get in touch. Lis Blake (Jonah in 5M's Mum) 0420 730 720