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This week’s newsletter is the final newsletter for 2020 and it has been a year like no other. Back in late January, when the school year began, who would have thought words such as Zoom, social distancing, new normal, pandemic, quarantine, lockdown and self-isolating would become embedded into our conversations? Who would have imagined learning from home would be introduced and schools would be managing remote learning programs? Who would have foreseen sports, performing arts, camps and excursions all being stopped and parents unable to enter school grounds? I for one certainly didn’t see any of that coming.
What this year has shown me, more than ever, is that at Waverley Public School we have the best community – students, staff and families.
Our students have shown incredible resilience as they have responded to change, with understanding often beyond their years. For many students, programs such as band, dance, choir and PSSA sport are the highlight of the week. All these were suspended or significantly restricted. While it was great that our Stage Three were able to attend the Bathurst camp, our Stage Two camp was cancelled for 2020. There were also no performances at the Opera House, Showcase or music night. Despite this our students remained positive and enthusiastic learners and I congratulate them on their achievements across the year.
The staff of Waverley this year have been tremendous. As a team we have navigated the anxiety of partial lockdowns and the stress felt during the early days of the pandemic. I am very proud of our staff who acted with professionalism and care for every child. During the weeks of Learning from Home, staff never questioned why a child was at school – our school was open for every child regardless of parental occupations. Staff juggled their own families and anxieties with face to face teaching and remote learning programs. The wellbeing and educational outcomes of students remained their priority. I am always extremely proud of the WPS staff, especially in 2020.
Finally, the families of WPS have been wonderfully supportive and understanding. While we have been keeping parents at an arm-length (1.5m to be exact), I believe we have never been more connected. Parents have been incredibly understanding and respectful of the changes we have introduced in response to COVID guidelines. For many parents these have been disappointing especially in the last few days as we have hosted student achievement and graduation assemblies without the usual croweded hall. Thank you for your respect, understanding and thoughtfulness when responding to and following the school’s COVID safe plans.
And finally, it is with sadness that I write my final newsletter as Principal of Waverley Public School. I am extremely proud of my work and the thriving school we have become. The school is well placed to continue its improvement agenda as it moves forward under new leadership. I would like to thank the amazing staff of WPS who very quickly placed their trust in me, allowing me to lead. Together we have worked hard for the students and families of WPS and had lots of fun along the way. My sincere gratitude goes out to all parents who have always been supportive and appreciative of our programs, initiatives and improvement agendas. Most im
portantly I would like to thank and acknowledge our students – after all they are the reason we come to work each day. The students at WPS are the best – kind, responsible and engaged learners. I hope that during my time at Waverley, I have been able to create an environment where all students have connected, succeeded and thrived.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy 2021!
PS..... Thank you for the beautiful card and generous farewell gift. I will enjoy reading all those kind messages. I am feeling humbled and blessed to have worked with such a thoughtful and appreciative community.
A special mention must be made announcing to the community the recipients of this year’s major awards. Dux, School Citizenship and the Principal’s award are presented to Year Six students at our major presentation day assembly. This year the ceremony was smaller, however the significance of these awards remains the same. Congratulations to the following students:
- Dux 2021: Mira Shukla
- Principals Award: Che Te Whui
- School Citizenship: Isabella Harris & Eloise Gaske
Congratulations students.
On Monday 14 December teachers will be hosting class parties. This year we are taking a different approach with the theme – Party In a Lunchbox. Parents are asked to pack an extra special lunch for students with extra treats. There will be no sharing of food this year. The school has ordered individual cupcakes for every child and the P&C have organised an ice creams at recess. Students are welcome to come in mufti clothing on Monday.
The executive are currently working on staffing for 2021. Although there are a few positions to finalise, I would like to share with you the following:
Farewell:
- Miss Farthing – relocating to Bathurst
- Mr Harty – taking up a position at Mascot PS
Welcome:
- Miss Amy Morris – Relieving Assistant Principal (Kindergarten)
- Miss Elisha Hofstein – classroom teacher
- Miss Emily Bolster – classroom teacher
I am currently in consultation with Director of School, Paul Owens regarding the Relieving Principal role for Term One. Once finalised, staff and community will be informed.
I would like to extend a special thanks to Miss Farthing who has been an integral member of the school’s leadership team over the past four years. Student wellbeing has always been at the core of her leadership and decision making. Miss Farthing always enjoyed having fun with her students and her leadership of Stage Three initiatives including this year's camp has been greatly valued. We wish Fran and her husband Byron all the best as they make their ‘tree change’ to Bathurst.
Have you ordered your child’s book pack for 2021? In response to last year’s disappointing service the school has engaged a new company to manage Book Packs – LJ Harper. The process promises to be streamlined and efficient. There will be no home delivery or expensive delivery fees. The book packs will be delivered to school before the start of the new school year. Remember when ordering, select the school year your child is moving into.
How to Order Online
School Code: LJWAVE
- Go to: www.ljharper.com.au.
- Click on the yellow ‘STUDENT PACKS’ button located at the top of the homepage
- Click on “Enter your school code” then enter code: LJWAVE and click “SEARCH”
- Select the Year Group Pack you would like to purchase and click “PURCHASE”
- Enter the First Name and Last name of the Child you are purchasing for and click “ADD TO CART”
- If you are purchasing for a second Child in the same year group click on the grey box to “Add second child for this year level and enter their First and Last name.
- If you are purchasing for a second Child in a different year group click on “Back to all Year Groups” and click on the year group/ product and enter their First Name and Last Name then click “ADD TO CART”
- If you are purchasing an item in addition to a book pack click on “Back to all Year Groups” and click on the item you need to purchase and enter the First and Last name of the child this product is for then click “ADD TO CART”
- Once all items have been added to your cart click on “VIEW CART”, check your shopping cart to ensure you have selected the items you require and click “PROCEED TO CHECKOUT”
- Fill out your billing details in checkout and click “PLACE ORDER” this will direct you to pay for your order, fill in your card details then click “CONFIRM AND PAY” (Note: billing details we require a personal address. AMERICAN EXPRESS is not accepted as payment)
- Your order has now been completed and you will receive a confirmation email from LJ Harper Books.
This week we had 4 small end of year award assemblies. While we missed having our annual whole school presentation day with parents, each assembly was special. The Stage Three assembly even had a visit from local member Marjorie O’Neil. Congratulations to all students who received awards. I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful spirit of our students who clapped and celebrated the success of their classmates. It was great to witness the genuine happiness students felt for their friends who received these extra special awards.
Attached is a list of all our award winners.
Let me introduce our Captains and Vice Captains for 2021. The 4 outstanding school citizens were elected into their roles by the student body. We are so proud of them and know they are going to be wonderful leaders.
Chloe F – Girls Vice Captain, Phoebe HS – Girls Captain, Enki W – Boys Captain, Luca M – Boys Vice Captain
We are so proud of our Kindy graduates and we hope parents enjoyed receiving a framed photo of their child on graduation day.
The final second-hand uniform sale for 2021 will be held next Monday 14 December. This is a great opportunity to stock up on good quality items that unfortunately were not labelled and therefore unclaimed from lost property. All items are $5. A big thanks to Ebony S who has coordinated the second-hand uniform sales this semester.
Please note the following dates for Term One:
- Tuesday 26 January Australia Day Public Holdiay
- Wednesday 27 & Thursday 28 January - Staff Development Days (pupil free)
- Friday 28 January (Friday) Year 1-6 students return / Kindy Transition Group 1
- Monday 1 February Kindy Transition Group 2
- Tuesday 2 February Kindy Transition Group 3
- Thursday 4 February Kindy 2021 Commence
- Monday 15 February Swimming Carnival
- 29-31 March Stage Three Camp
- Thursday 1 April last day of Term One
- Friday 2 April Good Friday Public Holiday