Author: Christine Powell

WILLAURA PRIMARY SCHOOL

14 Warranooke St
Willaura 3379
ph: 5354 1401
willaura.ps@education.vic.gov.au
www.willauraps.edu.au

Newsletter Issue 13
13th August, 2021

Hello Family and Friends of Willaura Primary School,
Term 3 is proving to be a bit topsy-turvy, with two short lockdowns already under our belts.
I don’t make predictions, but we should all be prepared the potential of snap lockdowns. Each time we move into lockdown, staff, students and families seem to take it in stride. Our staff reflect on how to improve Remote Learning and how to get learning materials to students effectively (Thanks Lee!) We now have printed learning materials put aside, devices and chargers, stationary items and tubs ready. Students are learning technology skills to help them learn at home and how to manage their workload and time independently.
With the situation rapidly changing, it is a very unsettling time for families. Feedback from students and parents revealed that much of our school community found this last lockdown particularly challenging. Not sure if it was because it came so soon after our last one, if it was because the announcement caught us of guard, or the fact that we opened again with little warning. Whatever it was…it just left us weary and flat.
Online learning from home is a big change. I want to provide some tips from the https://kidshelpline.com.au/ site, which I recommend you visit.
Get organised and have a designated workspace and a routine
Spend some time at the start of the day planning your workload
Put distractions away when it’s time for learning
Make sure you have proper breaks to eat and get fresh air/exercise
Have a de-stress/wind down
Make the most of the good bits
Sleeping in
Going at your own pace
Having a pet as a classmate and parents to help
Eating when you want (goodbye squashed sandwich
Getting work done faster without distractions
Doing whatever you want at lunchtime
Troubleshoot the bad bits
Schedule regular ‘mini-breaks’
Have a plan for tech issues
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Most importantly, don’t put to much pressure on yourself or your family. These lockdowns are put in place to deal with a health crisis.
Tread lightly, practice gratitude and take advantage of spending this rather unique time together.
Stay safe and healthy,
Miss Rae

Our School Values Stay Safe Try your best Act responsibly Respect others

To keep our school safe,
We have introduced some important operational changes.
Drop Off and Pick Up
Due to our small numbers and majority of students travelling on bus, we do not need staggered starts. However, we ask parents to return to dropping and picking up their child at the gate in the morning. Prep-2 students will use the back entrance and Grade 3-6 will use the side entrance and staff will use the front entrance.
Parents on Site
At this stage, we will not have parents onsite. If you need to enter the building, please have a mask (or we can provide one), use the QR code check-in and hand sanitize.
Unwell Students
If your child is sick, even with minor symptoms, please do not send them to school. If your child presents with symptoms at school, we will ask you to pick them up.
Face masks
Children under 12 years of age and students at primary school are not required to wear face masks when at school.

Important
Updates…

Congratulations To Roy, Jack.T and Jack.O
100 Days of Prep and 100 Days Smarter
Prep, 1 and 2
This past fortnight we have had a very busy week moving to remote learning and back to onsite again. Thank you for all of your understanding during this time as I was away from school on the Friday when lockdown began and had just finished putting packs together on the Monday when it was announced we would be back at school on Tuesday.
In case we go back into a lockdown again each student has a pencil case with their name on it and a checklist. This is to ensure they have equipment to complete all tasks while at home. These pencil cases will need to be returned at the end of each lockdown with all belongings inside. There is also a booklet of activities that can be sent home straight away with activities to last a few days. Students know where this is all kept should they ever need to pack for remote learning and I am away.
Mrs Milli
On Friday we did cooking and made ham and cheese scones. We made ham and cheese scones for an act of kindness. We shared them with Miss Rae and the big kids and the prep – 2 and the bus drives. We were filling up our tanks to be nice to each other. I felt good making the scones for my mum and dad.
Next time I would like to make pancakes.
Millie Keynes
Grade 3 - 6
Over the past few weeks Our class has been busy applying of knowledge of Fractions, Decimals, Length and area to complete our latest Maths Investigations…. Students have outdone themselves this term with some very creative presentations.
This week we have been celebrating Science week in class. We have been reading lots of non-fiction texts on the theme of Food Science. Students had the opportunity to make their own Butter, Ice-cream and Bread from scratch.
Miss Mac

Book Week 2021
Everyday during book week we will be reading a shortlisted book from the CBCA—The Children's Book Council of Australia.
On Wednesday the 25th August we will be having a Dress up Day. Students can come dressed as a book character. The theme this year is:
Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds
Due to parents unable to be onsite for a book parade, we will parade around the Willaura Township for all to see!! We will leave school at approx. 9.30am

Prep Enrolments are now open for 2022
#www.willauraps.vic.edu.au/enrolment.php
www.willauraps.vic.edu.au/transition.php
Enrolment forms can be picked up from the Willaura Kinder or Willaura Primary School.

MARC Van is
Coming 16th August!!
Remember to return
library books

Kindergarten enrolments for 2022 are now open for 3 & 4 year old children!
The process is all done online through the YMCA Early Years Management website; www.earlyyears.ymca.org.au

Due to child safety requirements please ensure all students arrive to school after 8.50am. Staff do not start supervision until this time.

Term 3 August/Sept 2021

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday

Week 6	16	17	18	19	20
Week 7	23	24	25	26	27
Week 8	30	31	1	2	3
Week 9	6	7	8	9	10
Week 10	13	14	15	16	17

MARC Van

Lunch Orders

BOOK WEEK 23rd—27th AUGUST

Lunch Orders

September

MARC Van

Finance Committee– 5.30pm
School Council– 6pm

Drama
Excursion to Moyston

Lunch Orders

Golf
Tournament Ararat

Last Day
of Term!!

MARC Van

Lunch Orders

The Books we are reading
during book week...

Due to child safety

WETLANDS
EXCURSION

ASSEMBLY

ASSEMBLY

ASSEMBLY

April 2021

Lunch Orders

Alice in
Wonderland Performance

Lunch Orders

ASSEMBLY

Students back on-site!!

ASSEMBLY

JUNE

Lunch Orders

MARC Van

Lunch Orders

ASSEMBLY

Pupil Free Planning
Day