A-Z of WPS
Absences
If your child is unwell the best place for them is at home. All absences must be explained in writing to the class teacher as soon as possible. Notes are then recorded as an approved absence. Parents may contact the office to inform staff of any absences as well.
Anaphylaxis
There are students at the school who suffer from Anaphylaxis and therefore request that parents of students in Junior Red do not send ‘nut’ products to school for snacks, lunches or birthday treats. Staff has been educated and trained in the use of an EpiPen if a situation arises. Should your child suffer from anaphylaxis, ensure that the school is advised and make sure that your child is aware of the steps they need to take to protect themselves while at school. You are required to provide the school with an EpiPen and the accompanying information.
Assemblies
Assemblies are held at 9:00AM each Friday in the gym. Assemblies include student of the week awards and birthday celebrations, as well as notices from staff and house points.
Brain Food
Students are given brain food breaks once a day to stimulate their brain and have a fresh piece of fruit.
Buddies
At the start of the Prep year, students are matched with a buddy from Grade Six. Buddy activities are arranged between the students and activites happen on a regular basis.
Canteen
The school canteen is currently closed, we are hoping to reopen the school canteen later in the school year.
Car Parking
We ask that parents don't park in the staff carpark as it is a matter of student safety. Students should not walk through the staff car park at any time, even if accompanied by an adult.There is parking near the back gate towards the oval or a five minute drop off zone at the front of the school.
Chaplaincy
The school has received government funding to run a chaplaincy program. Julie Reiher is our school chaplain and is available to see students and parents on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students, parents or teachers can elect to see Julie on these days. Parents can sign an opt out form if they would not like their child seeing the chaplain.
Classroom Helpers
Please see your child's class teacher for information about classroom helpers.
Communication
We encourage parents and teachers to work together in partnership for the education of our students. Communication is very important and we encourage you to read the fortnightly newsletter, which is also available on our web site or through email. Special events will be notified in the newsletter. Information will be sent home pertaining to class activities during the year when required. If you have any questions, ideas or concerns, please speak to the classroom teacher, Office Manager or principal. Teachers are happy to arrange a time to speak to you about your child.
Computers - ICT
We have a great ratio of students to computers and a computer lab which has 27 computers, which is enough for a full grade. We also have a Senior Learning Unit computer lab and the Junior Learning Unit has access to eight computers in the Junior Learning Unit corridor.
CRE - Christian Religious Education
Classes are held across the school where CRE teachers are available. The program follows the recognised Christian Approved Course and is taken in classrooms with the teacher present. If you do not want your child to participate in this program we are able to make alternate arrangements but you must inform us in writing on the prescribed form available at the office.
Curriculum
The Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) are the basis for the Prep to Year 10 curriculum programs within Victoria. VELS describe the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours students need to prepare them for further education, work and life. For each year level there are standards that define what students should know and be able to do at different stages of learning. Teachers report against these standards using the New Report Card.
The Standards for:
Years Prep to Year 2 focus largely on building the foundational literacy and numeracy skills and development of physical, personal and social skills.
At Level 1, (Prep) standards are written for English, Maths, Health and Physical Education, The Arts and Interpersonal Development.
At Level 2, (Years 1 - 2) standards are introduced for Information and Communication Technology.
At Level 3, (Years 3 - 4) students are expected to also achieve standards in Science, the Humanities, Thinking Processes, Design, Creativity and Technology, Personal Learning and Civics and Citizenship.
At Level 4, (Years 5-6) standards are introduced for Languages Other than English (LOTE), History, Geography, Economics and Communication.
We integrate many of these areas into our units of work and provide specialist programs to include The Arts (Performing and Visual Arts) & Physical Education
End of Term Days
On the last day of Terms 1, 2, 3 & 4 children are dismissed at 2.30pm.
Excursions
Educational tours and school visits are selected to complement the classroom program. Permission notes must be signed and sent to school by the due date at the bottom of the form. As we have to book the buses it is important that the permission forms are back before the due date or your child will miss out on the excursion. Parents can pay a bulk excursion levy at the start of the year to cover these excursion costs, but please note that if your child is absent on the day of an excursion we aren't able to provide a refund on the levy.
First Aid
Wantirna Primary School has a First Aid room and First Aid trained staff to handle first aid situations in the classroom and playground.
Home Learning
At Wantirna Primary we believe that learning doesn't stop when our students leave the classroom and students will be sent home with homework throughout their Primary School years. The homework will be a mixture of project work, spelling words, reading and other activities and at the start of each new year parents will be informed of the homework expectations.
House Teams
The students are allocated into House Teams in Prep and are placed in the same house as siblings at the school. They remain in this colour for the remainder of their school days. The houses are Green, Yellow and Red.
Late Sign In
If students are late to school they are required to visit the office and sign in and receive a late notice to take to their classroom teacher. This ensures that all students are accounted for.
Library
The Wantirna Primary School Library is a valuable resource. Students have a 60 minute lesson every week in the library. Each child is allowed to borrow a book from the library and each child needs a library bag so that books are kept in good condition. There is a fee if books are lost while at home.
Mobile Phones
Permission must be obtained from the Principal for students to bring mobile phones to school. If this is the case they must be kept turned off in bags and the school doesn’t accept any responsibility for loss or damage.
Money
Please send money to the class teacher in the envelope provided by the school, with your child’s name, grade, room number and reason for sending money, marked clearly on the outside.
Newsletter
We have a weekly newsletter that is sent home every Thursday and is also available on our web site or through email. If you require it to be emailed, please let the office staff know. This is a great way to save paper.
Prep Testing
In the month of February Preps do not attend school each Wednesday as teachers conduct Prep assessments. Each student and parent is required to attend one Wednesday session for about an hour at a nominated time to take part in tasks including Maths and Literacy assessments. This is followed by a discussion with the parents about their child’s transition into school.
Production
Every second year the school runs a whole school performance at a theatre, as part of our Performing Arts Program. All children from Prep to Grade 6 are given the opportunity to perform on stage. This years musical will be an exciting journey of music through time.
Private Music Tuition
Students are allowed to recieve private music tuition. Notes are sent home every term in regards to our private music tuition.
Pupil Free Days
School Council approves ‘Pupil Free Days’ and parents are reminded of these dates via the school newsletter and notices. Teachers use these days to continue their professional learning on areas identified by the school.
Recorder
Grade 3's learn recorder on Thursdays at 3PM.
Reporting to Parents
- An initial interview at the beginning of term one to meet your child's teacher.
- A mid year written report
- 3 Way Interviews at the beginning of term one.
- An end of year report and portfolio
- Requested interviews throughout the year
Smoke Free
All school buildings and grounds are smoke free zones in order to provide a healthy environment for our school community.
School Council
School Council is the governing body of the school and is involved in making decisions about the school. Parent representatives are elected by the school community and serve for 2 years.
Sign In Book
All children arriving to school after 9.00am need to be signed in at the office and collect a Late Pass. Parents collecting children early from school also need to sign their children out before collecting them from the classroom.
Specialist Programs
The Arts – Performing Arts and Visual Arts, Physical Education
Supervision of Students
Teachers supervise the playground from 8:45 am to 9:00 am in the morning and 3.30pm to 3.45pm in the afternoon in addition to recess times. Parents are asked to plan for delivery and collection of children between these above times.
Uniforms
All students are expected to wear school uniform. By wearing a school uniform children develop a sense of identity and pride within the school. The uniform is practical and comfortable for all school activities. Uniforms are available to the school community through a school uniform shop. As part of the Sun Smart policy children must wear a school hat in terms 1 and 4. A written note is required if your child is out of uniform at school. The school uniform policy excludes the wearing of jewellery and makeup (including nail polish).
Valuables
Private property brought to school by students is not insured and the Department of Education and Training does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage. Please do not allow your child to bring valuable jewellery, electronic and valuable toys or sums of cash to school as no guarantee can be given against damage or loss.
Volunteers
We encourage parents to participate in a range of school activities. All volunteers must have a Working with Children Check which can be arranged at a post office.
Yard Play Times and Designated Playing Areas
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays lunch will be at 1:40 to 2:30 and on Tuesday and Friday lunch will be at 12:40 until 1:30. Children must stay at the top half of the school for the first half of recess every day and the first half of lunch on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays students can play on the oval for the whole of lunch unless the oval is deemed too muddy.
