Heights Happenings
Winston Heights PS - Term 2 Week 10 2024
We acknowledge the First Nations people of Australia, The Darug people, as the ongoing owners of the land on which we play and learn.
Winston Heights PS Vision Statement
Winston Heights Public School is committed to the pursuit of excellence and the provision of high quality educational opportunities for every child. Through collaborative and collegial practice, we seek to provide a rich learning environment that inspires, challenges and supports students to "Learn, Communicate and Grow" in order to become successful, confident and creative individuals and respectful, responsible citizens. Every student is known, valued, cared and planned for in our inclusive school community. We are committed to working in partnership with all stakeholders to promote continual school improvement and excellence.
⭐ PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE ⭐
As we draw to the end of Term 2, it's hard to believe that we are at the half-way point of the 2024 school year. Head over to the Winston Heights PS Facebook page (click on link below) to check out what's been happening at our school in the last two weeks of term:
- Police liaison officer talk with our Stage 3 students about social media and online activity
- Action from the 3-6 Athletics Carnival
- Recorder group performing at the Festival of Instrumental Music
- Recognising badge recipients at the PBL assembly
- 3-6 Dance Group performance at the PBL assembly
- Mathematics fun with 6S
- Newcombe ball PSSA team success
- Snapshots from the final session of Peer Support
- P&C Trivia Night happy snaps
- NAIDOC Week artwork by 3M
- Fame at the Farms with Year 6
- Science experiments with 3B
- Band mid-year concert
- Stage 3 Great Aussie Politician History assignment
👩🏫👨🏫 STAFFING UPDATES 👩🏫👨🏫
Here's an overview of the staffing updates for the start of Term 3:
3B - Mrs Bryant will be on leave for Term 3 and 4. Mrs Menon will teach 3B during this time.
5B - Mrs Bello is very excited to be joining us as the new teacher for students in 5B.
The Studio - Mrs Beer will teach lessons in The Studio during Terms 3 and 4.
🧍♂️🧍♀️👩🏫🏫 EDUCATION WEEK 2024 at WHPS 🏫👩🏫🧍♀️🧍♂️
Education Week is an annual celebration of NSW public education and the achievements of our schools, teachers and students.
In 2024 Education Week will be held from Monday 5 to Friday 9 August 2024 (Term 3, Week 3) and celebrates the theme: "Proud to belong".
Our Open Day will be held on Wednesday 7 August from 9am to 1pm. Please mark this date in your diary. More details will be shared early next term.
📝👩🏫 SEMESTER 1 STUDENT REPORTS 👩🏫📝
At our school, our teachers assess student progress throughout the year in a variety of ways, including observation of student participation in class, looking closely at the work they produce, as well as informal and formal class assessments.
Teachers compare student's achievement against the expectations described in each syllabus document and measure student overall achievement in each key learning area against a five point scale: Outstanding; High; Sound; Basic; Limited. Student achievement against key descriptors (content taught) for each stage will use a three point scale: Working Towards, Achieving, Working Beyond.
Our Semester 1 student reports were distributed to parents yesterday via download from School Bytes. If you would like a paper copy of your child's report, please contact the office to have this arranged.
We value parent and carer partnerships at Winston Heights PS and if at any time during the year you would like to speak with your child’s class teacher or an executive member, please follow school procedures by calling the office or emailing the school to make an appointment at a time that is convenient.
⌚📱🚨 IMPORTANT - SOCIAL MEDIA CONCERNS 🚨📱⌚
At Winston Heights PS, we follow all department policies and processes to ensure we uphold the expectations and values of the Department of Education.
Recently, we have had a huge increase in the number of inappropriate and negative online incidents involving social media reported to the school. These incidents have all happened outside of school time and on students personal devices. The school may support students and families who report such incidents if there is a clear link between the students and the school. Support and follow-up by the school is in line with the departments Behaviour Code for Students and Social Media Policy. However the school is often limited in what we can do in response to online incidents that happen outside of school time and on personal devices.
More than ever, we urge parents to:
- actively supervise their child's use of digital devices,
- apply parenting filters on their child's devices,
- know what apps (including social media) your child is accessing,
- limit access to apps that are inappropriate for your child's age,
- monitor all online interactions with others, and
- report any concerning online activity to the eSafety Commissioner and/or the social media platform directly.
Helping Australians have safer experiences online
eSafety is Australia's independent regulator for online safety. They educate Australians about online safety risks and help to remove harmful content such as cyberbullying of children, adult cyber abuse and intimate images or videos shared without consent.
Online safety for parents and carers
eSafety features a plethora of resources for parents are carers about:
- understanding online safety challenges such as cyber bullying, screen time, gaming
- helping your child have positive online experiences
- webinars for parents and carers
- activities to do with your child
- downloadable resources
eSafety Kids
eSafety can give children advice, support and help if they are being bullied online or through electronic communication. eSafety can also help remove serious cyberbullying material that is seriously threatening, seriously intimidating, seriously harassing or seriously humiliating.
eSafety Kids also provides the following age appropriate information for kids:
Get help and support
If your child is feeling sad it is important they talk to someone. They can talk to a trusted adult (mum, dad, carer or teacher), or they can check out Kids Helpline.
⭐⭐⭐🤩 CHECK OUT THIS WOW WORK - 1H 🤩⭐⭐⭐
In English, students in 1H read the book Go Home, Cheeky Animals! by Johanna Bell and Dion Beasley. Students were then tasked with writing their own version of this book. What brilliant creative writing from our Year 1 students. I hope you enjoy reading some of them!
Thank you for your continued support and partnership throughout Term 2. With all the illness going around at the moment, the holidays have come at the perfect time. I hope the break provides you and your family with time to recover and recharge.
Students return for the start of Term 3 on Tuesday 23 July.
Enjoy the break and I will see you all next term!
Warm regards,
Mrs Terri Bullock
Principal
🐛🍎📚 LIBRARY NEWS 📚🍎🐛
📘 Premier's Reading Challenge 📘
Congratulations to the following students who have recently completed their Premiers Reading Challenge:-
Stage 1 - Aria 1H
Stage 2 - Donny 3M, Leo 3B and Madeleine 4N
Stage 3 - Liam C. 5B and Paige 6S
Remember the challenge ends on 23 August, 2024 so you still have plenty of time to read. These winter school holidays is the perfect time to begin, continue or complete the Premiers Reading Challenge.
Years 3 - 6 Drawing Competition
After many weeks of sketching, colouring and creating, our library monitors announced the three prize winners in our 3-6 drawing competition this week. Congratulations to Sofia, Annie and Summer for their amazing entries which caught the judges eyes. Well done to all participating students for their creations.
Years 3 - 6 Chess Competition
The chess competition was also finalised this week with Mgo, Bryant and Felix winning the Stage 1, 2 and 3 competitions respectively and Lawson, NFP and Naythan taking out the runners up title for each stage. Well done to all students for their good sportsmanship during the competition. A huge thank you once again to all of the Year 5 and 6 students who gave up their free time to assist with judging.
Library Days
When we return in Term 3, please check this space to make sure you know when your child's library day will be.
Please make sure your child brings their library bag to school.
To help protect our books, students MUST have a library bag to borrow. Thank you for your support and understanding.
School Holiday Activity
As we all know, next term is an exciting time for all book lovers. Not only do we have our writing workshop with author Dr Cameron Stelzer and Scholastic Book Fair in Week 3 AND our book character parade in Week 5, this year we will be introducing a 'Potato Parade!!". Yes that's right! I am inviting you to dress up a potato as a book character and create a scene for them to star in. Potatoes (I mean book characters) are to be completed by Week 4 to enter the parade. Be as creative as you like. I can't wait to see what you can 'whip' up. This is a great school holiday activity for the kids!
Stay warm and keep safe these school holidays everyone! The best way to do both of these is to stay indoors and read!! See you next term 😃
Kerrie Pennell
Teacher Librarian
Well done to these PBL award winners who have been Safe, Respectful & Responsible Learners:
❤❤❤🧸 RED PBL BADGE 🧸❤❤❤
STAGE 1
- Corey (1H)
- Evan (1H)
- Oliver (1H)
- Hayley (1H)
- Isabelle (1H)
- Joshua (1H)
- Layana (1H)
STAGE 2
- Aiden (4T)
STAGE 3
- Adrian (6S)
- Abi (6P)
- Eli (6S)
- Hailey (6S)
- Liam (5G)
- Neerav (5G)
- Tayton (6S)
- Lucas (5G)
- Xander (5G)
💙💙💙🧸 BLUE PBL BADGE 🧸💙💙💙
STAGE 1
- Iverson (1/2M)
- Levi (2G)
STAGE 2
- Aditya (3M)
- Donny (3M)
- Paarth (3M)
STAGE 3
- Aashna (6S)
- Hailey (6P)
- Jake (5G)
- Mitchell (6P)
- Oliver (6P)
- Paige (6S)
💚💚💚🧸 GREEN PBL BADGE 🧸💚💚💚
STAGE 3
- Stella (5G)
🎯 FROM THE OFFICE 🎯
📑💰 PERMISSION NOTES & PAYMENTS NOW DUE 💰📑
- Stage 3 Canberra Camp - 2ND installment due 5/7/24
- Motiv8 sports Term 3 - permission & payment due 5/7/24
- Using Canva - permission due 22/7/24
- Stage 3 Camp - 3rd installment due 23/7/24
- Writing Workshop by Author & Illustrator Dr Cameron Stelzer - permission due 29/7/24
- Stage 4 Camp - 4th installment due 2/8/24
Payments can be made online or via cash or EFT at the Office.
Have a safe and relaxing break. Students return for Term 3 on Tuesday 23 July 2024.
Mrs Leverton, Mrs Calvar, Miss Griffin & Ms Lowe
📆 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 📆
*** Dates advertised below for school events and activities are subject to change ***
⭐ Term 2 2024 ⭐
JULY 2024
Fri 5 - Last day of Term 2 for students
⭐ Term 3 2024 ⭐
JULY 2024
Mon 22 - Staff development day - for staff only
Tue 23 - First Day Term 3 for Students
Tue 23 - Motiv8 - Games/Team Building begins every Tuesday Term 3
Thu 25 - 3-6 Assembly
Fri 26 - Olympic Games Mufti Day (gold coin donation)
Mon 29 - Hills Performing Arts Festival Second Mass Choir Rehearsal
Wed 31 - 100 days of school (K-2)
Wed 31 - Band Committee Meeting
AUGUST 2024
Thu 1 - K-2 Assembly
Fri 2 - PSSA Winter Round 9
Mon 5 - 9 - Education Week
Mon 5 - P&C Meeting
Wed 7 - Education Week Open Day
Wed 7 - P&C Morning Tea for Open Day
Thu 8 - 2024 Olympathon
Thu 8 - 3-6 Assembly
Fri 9 - PSSA Winter Round 10
Mon 12 - Wed 14 - Stage 3 Camp - Canberra
Thu 15 - K-2 Assembly
Fri 16 - Winter PSSA Semi Finals
Mon 19 - Book Week Dress Up Parade
Thu 22 - 3-6 Assembly
Fri 23 - PSSA Winter Finals
Mon 26 - Zone Athletics Carnival
Thu 29 - Fathers Day Stall
Thu 29 - Hills Performing Arts Festival
Thu 29 - K-2 Assembly
Fri 30 - Sport & Group Photos
📆 2024 TERM DATES 📆
Term 3 – Monday 22 July to Friday 27 September
Note: Students return Tuesday 23 July
Term 4 – Monday 14 October to Friday 20 December
***Please note: School development days for staff are included in these term dates and parents and carers should not send their children to school on these days.
2024 school development days
These dates are determined by the department and are scheduled to occur on the first 2 days of Term 1, the first day of Terms 2 and 3, and the last day of the school year.
- Monday 22 July
- Friday 20 December
⚽ 🏀 🏐 PSSA Winter Fixtures ⚽ 🏀 🏐
Netball
Soccer (Football)
Newcombe Ball
📢 P&C NEWS 📢
Athletics Carnival
A huge thank you to the amazing volunteers that helped at the Athletics Carnival. It was a great day for a sausage sizzle and lollies.
Wow! What a fun filled night of trivia, laughter and adventures in Wonderland. This has to be one of our favourite annual events. Thank you to everyone who came along this evening, to those who sponsored the event and finally a big shout out to our volunteers who helped make this night a success!
Congratulations to our Trivia Winners!!
Thank you to our amazing supporters and sponsors of the evening!
Unfortunately the K-2 Athletics Fun Day was postponed as were the Treat Bags. The Treat Bags will be distributed when the K-2 Fun Day is on.
Here is some exciting news to share.....
Through the profits of the P&C run uniform shop, we have been able to donate enough funds to buy the school 18 new laptops!!!! This has moved the school laptop fundraiser target beyond the half way mark.
Thank you to the school community for their continued support of the P&C.
What an achievement!! ⭐🤩⭐
P&C would like to wish you all a wonderful winter break. We look forward to Term 3!
Upcoming Events
Term 3
- Friday 26th July – Olympic Games Mufti Day (Gold coin donation)
- Monday 5th August – P&C Meeting at 7pm
- Thursday 29th August – Father’s Day Stall
- Monday 2nd September – P&C Meeting at 7pm
- Saturday 8th September – School Working Bee
- Saturday 14th September – Election Day BBQ & Cake Stall
Reminder: Winston Heights Public School P&C Association is on Facebook! Follow us here
Our aim is to provide WHPS parents/carers with information about P&C news, events, meetings etc.
UNIFORM SHOP
Uniform shop is open on Wednesdays 8.30am - 10am. Orders can be placed using Flexischools by Monday 4pm for delivery to the student on Wednesdays. Cash or EFT payments can be made at the uniform shop however we do request you bring close to correct amount for orders as we carry limited change.
Reminder: Winter uniform will be worn in Term 2 & 3.
🚨 COMMUNITY NOTICES 🚨
We want to work with businesses within our school communities
Work is available maintaining our schools
School Infrastructure NSW manages a large maintenance program for more than 2,000 schools across all parts of NSW. To do this work, we are looking to engage local businesses, including Aboriginal owned businesses and people.
We want to go local
We are moving towards direct management of facilities maintenance, bringing in new facilities maintenance contractors and tradespeople to work directly under contract with us.
Why go local? We want to:
- be more responsive to maintenance issues reported by schools.
- ensure we are working with local trades and spending our money in our local communities.
- provide better working conditions for local tradespeople, including faster payment terms.
Opportunities for Aboriginal businesses
In addition to increasing our engagement of local contractors, we are also seeking to grow the number of local Aboriginal businesses we work with and increase employment opportunities for Aboriginal employees, apprentices and trainees.
We have Aboriginal Senior Program Officers who are able to help Aboriginal businesses, and local contractors who already employ or are looking to employ Aboriginal employees, apprentices, and trainees.
The trades and services we are looking for include:
- Multi Tradespeople
- Plumber (including roof and gas)
- Electrician
- Lift Technician
- Refrigeration mechanic
- Glazier
- Hazmat
- Arborist AQ3 / AQ5
- Locksmith
- Cleaner
- Pest control
- Carpet / vinyl
- Data technician
- Security technician
- Painter
- Plasterer / renderer
- Tiler
- Landscaper
- Brick layer
- Fire management
- Sheet metal
- Concreter
- Removalist
- Playground specialist
- Pool technicians and cleaner
- Carpenters
- Gasfitters
- Test and tag
- Lighting
- Construction
- Gutter cleaning
- Equipment construction and maintenance
- Engineering
- Fencing services building and repair
- Roofing
How can I participate?
We’re looking for a wide variety of maintenance services and trades to start with us from 1 July 2023 including electricians, plumbers, painters, and many others. It’s easy to work with us!
Reach out to our team to find out more and access the documents to apply to work with us.
On approval you’ll be setup in our systems and onboarded, with induction covering how to work with us and use our systems. Then start getting work orders allocated within 48 hours!
Contacts - To register your interest send an email to:
Southern NSW Regional Office – snsw.fmct@det.nsw.edu.au
Hunter Central Coast Regional Office — hcc.fmct@det.nsw.edu.au
North Coast Regional Office — nc.fmct@det.nsw.edu.au
Northern Sydney Regional Office —ns.fmct@det.nsw.edu.au
Sydney Regional Office — syd.fmct@det.nsw.edu.au
Western Sydney Regional Office — ws.fmct@det.nsw.edu.au
South Western Sydney Regional Office — sws.fmct@detnsw.edu.au
North Western NSW/New England Regional Office — nwnsw.fmct@det.nsw.edu.au
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