Principal reflects on Term 3

Woy Woy Public School relieving principal, Mr Dan Betts, has reflected on the conclusion of Term 3 and the upcoming Term 4 in the school's last newsletter before the spring school holidays.

"This week sees the end of a very productive term for the students of Woy Woy Public School," Mr Betts said.

"Term 3 has always been an exciting one for our students, with a variety of high-quality camps, excursions and in-school events scheduled for students throughout the school.

"Students have been to Canberra, the Great Aussie Bush Camp and Jenolan Caves; have attended performances of 'Leader of the Pack' and 'Horrible Harriet', and have participated in Aboriginal Cultural Continuum excursions for the Brisbane Water Learning Community.

"We've had visits from Rumbalara, Education Interactive (who delivered a Forensics Workshop to Stage 3 students), and the Brisbane Waters Secondary College student CAPA group performed under the Cola.

"Our students have celebrated Naidoc Week, Education Week and Book Week.

"I think it's fair to say that everyone deserves a well-earned break, Mr Betts said.

"Term 4 is shaping up to be every bit as exciting and engaging for our students.

"In the first few weeks of the term, we will have visits by Healthy Harold of the Life Education group and we'll be staging our annual P-2 Athletics Carnival.

"Another important Term 4 institution is the election of school leaders for the following year.

"Mr Smith, Mr Brady and Mr Wolski have conducted a review on the existing leadership preparation and eligibility program, with a view to encouraging as many of our students as possible to run for leadership positions next year.

"More details will be forthcoming at the beginning of next term and parents will be invited to review any proposed changes to the program, but essentially Mr Smith, Mr Brady and Mr Wolski aim to develop a more engaging, personalised application assignment that affords students more choice about how to present the work they need to submit in order to be eligible for election.

"There have been lots of exciting things happening in our Guliyali Preschool this year and we have received very positive feedback about the service we deliver in the preschool," Mr Betts continued.

"Mrs Lavers and Mrs Arnot have already remodelled the inside of the preschool and we have begun planning for the process of upgrading the outdoor areas.

"The idea is that we hope to create spaces that are aesthetically pleasing (we plan to make use of natural resources and landscape features such as dry creek beds), and incorporate features that preschool students will want to utilise for recreation, entertainment and exploration.

"An Outdoors Areas Upgrade Project Plan has been submitted to the Director for Public Schools NSW (Gosford Network) and to the Asset Management body who oversee building work in public schools.

"The removal of the camphor laurel tree has caused some minor problems in the front playground of the preschool and, as you've no doubt noticed, the area has been fenced off for the past five weeks as a precautionary measure.

"It is anticipated that the area will need to be fenced off until the root system of the tree has been professionally removed.

"We are currently investigating less intrusive fencing options for this part of the preschool.

"We appreciate your understanding and patience as we undergo the process of improving the grounds in the preschool.

"I'm certain we'll have outdoors spaces early in the new year," he said.

Mr Betts also discussed the 2018 Kindergarten Orientation process in the newsletter.

"The process for 2018 Kindergarten students began earlier this term with open classrooms and parent information sessions.

"Both events were very well attended, leading us to believe that we will have healthy enrolment numbers for Kindergarten next year.

"The process continues next term with official transition sessions, during which students participate in activities in the Kindergarten classrooms with this year's Kindergarten teachers.

"These sessions take place in Weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6 in Term 4.

"More details will be provided in the lead up to the first session.

"As a final point, if you intend on enrolling your child or children in Kindergarten or in our preschool next year, please consider completing the requisite paperwork sooner rather than later.

"Preschool places in particular are filling up fast," Mr Betts concluded.

SOURCE:

Newsletter, 21 Sep 2017

Dan Betts, Woy Woy Public School