students and the manner in which they have worked together and have been such great student leaders.

Many thanks also to the Senior Choir who sang so beautifully on the night and to our very impressive Student Speakers, Cathy Mathews and Benjamin Kurthy, for their outstanding effort in conducting the Ceremony. Special thanks also to parent coordinator, Annette Biglin, and all the wonderful parents who decorated the venue so beautifully.

A big thank you to our wonderful staff who worked tirelessly to ensure that this Ceremony was a memorable one for all the Year 6 children and their families. Special awards on the evening were presented to:

• Shveni Sharma – 2016 Award of Excellence

• Alyssa Murray – Outstanding Citizenship Award 2016

• Heath Ellis – 2016 Academic Award

• Natalie Ng – 2016 Sports Achievement Award Congratulations to all of these award winners and to all the Year 6 students on their successes and achievements at Wattle Grove. Our hope is that you all continue to give 120%, enjoy the challenges ahead and be wonderful human beings. Year 5/6 Graduation Dance Following the Graduation Ceremony, the Graduation Dance was conducted by Humphreys Dance School for all the Year 5 & 6 children. Once again, this was an outstanding event and the children demonstrated their dance skills extremely well. Parents joined their children on the dance floor for the final dances

Family Fun Night What an amazing night it was! Last Friday evening at the Family Fun Night, it was so obvious that we have a very special school with a wonderful community spirit. The sense of community that all our families brought to this event made this such a memorable night. To see so many smiling children and their families enjoying themselves playing games and doing simple fun things made for a very successful event for everyone. The staff and P&C certainly worked extremely hard to provide a great evening‘s entertainment in which families could come and enjoy a night of fun.

Many thanks to the P&C & all the staff for their outstanding efforts and to the many families who donated a variety of goods and prizes. We could not have done it without you. Year 6 Graduation Ceremony The Year 6 Graduation Ceremony and Dance held on Tuesday was a wonderful night in which we celebrated the achievements of our amazing Year 6 children. Special guests included Mr Nathan Morton, MLA, Member for Forrestfield; Mr Andrew Waddell, President, Shire of Kalamunda; Mr Peter Noack, Principal, Darling Range Sports College and Ms Amanda Joiner, Deputy Principal, Lesmurdie Senior High School. This year past graduates from 2010, Rebekah Smith and Rachel Glossop, also joined our Ceremony as special guests and provided our graduates with some very thoughtful and wise messages of their years at high school and now university. It was such a pleasure to have these very accomplished young adults return to their primary school as part of the Graduation Ceremony. The Year 6s, looking absolutely resplendent, presented their reflections of their primary school years and their aspirations for the future. We will have many wonderful memories of our 2016 Year 6

AN INDEPENDENT PUBLIC SCHOOL

1 December, 2016 The Official Newsletter of Wattle Grove Primary School Term 4, Issue 19

From the Principal

IMPORTANT DATES Term 4

December

9 Parent/Volunteer Morning Tea Whole School Assembly

12 Presentation Rehearsal

13 Presentation Morning Yr K-1 Presentation Morning Yr 2-6

15

Last Day for Students ‘Ringing of the Bell’ - 2.15pm

Tuesday’s early close at 2.30pm

In this Issue: In this Issue: In this Issue: In this Issue: FAMILY FUN NIGHT

Absentee SMS 0438 955 776

Music Award: Room 10 Year 1 Values winners: Pari, Sarthaksinh, Leah Science Award: Paige and Isabel Room 10 Jonathan Room 16 Junior Visual Art: Room 16 Year 2 LOTE Award : Aadidev Room 10 Jalen Room 25

Deputy Principal Corner: Bikes, Scooters, Kids, Cars and School

Reminder to parents at this busy time of the year, for both children and parents to be very road aware, particularly before and after school. In the past, we have had issues with children crossing the road when parents are backing out. Children on bikes and scooters have been seen zig zagging along the road as parents are picking up and dropping off. Some parents have been seen to be driving too fast around the school as well.

Please speak to your children about the need to take care when crossing or riding on the road, particularly around the school, when parents are arriving or leaving with their children and at this busy time of the year.

Many children on both bikes and scooters do not wear helmets, even though they may have them. Research shows many children, even in the older year levels of primary school do not have fully developed peripheral vision and this puts them at greater risk when riding bikes and scooters, as well as when walking along and across roads. There are a lot of sites you can visit on the internet and You Tube for advice and information on bicycle training.

Does your child have a helmet to protect them on their bike or scooter? Have you given your children any training or advice to ensure they are riding safely? What have you done to lessen the risk to your children? Accidents do happen every day and we can’t just think they know what to do. Teachers have been asked to remind children about safety

when they returned after 9.30pm. This was another example of families and staff having a lot of fun together. Many thanks to the Year 5/6 parents who provided a beautiful supper for all the children and to all the staff and parents who helped with the clean up after the event. Your efforts are so greatly appreciated.

Julie Roberts Principal

Junior Assembly News Congratulations to the Mrs Szczepanik, Mrs Beste and the

wonderfully talented students from Rooms 16 and 10 on their

magnificent assembly presentation in Week 6. These classes

combined to present items which highlight the many different

kinds of books and the joy of reading. The song was catchy

with a great message about reading and the students were so

confident in their speaking. A huge thank you to all the

parents who worked tirelessly to ensure their child was

dressed in a costume. The standard was so high and added

significantly to the visual aspect of the assembly! Thank you

to everyone for a most enjoyable and highly entertaining

assembly.

Merit Awards Winners

Kindy B Rm 2: Laura Kindy R Rm 2: Levi, Charlotte, Tahlia Kindy B Rm 4: Suha, Kindy R Rm 4: James, Zareen, Serenity, Dhwaj, Tavis, Ritaaz, Matilda PP Rm 1: Patrick, Griffin, Liam PP Rm 3: Tianrui Li, Ferishta, Ethan PP Rm 5: Miles, Liam, Oscar PP Rm 6: Philip, Peyton, Pearl PP/1 Rm 9: Sushmanjali, Isam, Yr 1 Rm 7: Tylah, Lucas, Steven Yr 1 Rm 10: Tessa, Isabel, Danny Yr 1 Rm 20: Alyssa, Jana, Oliver, Riley Yr 1 Rm 22: Indiana, Arnav, Skyla, Sophie Yr 2 Rm 14: Unisa, Raiba, Olivia Yr 2 Rm 16: Pari, Leo, Calvin Yr 2 Rm 25: Paige, Trent, Kurt, Ziara

on the roads, but is that enough? Then there is the issue of some people driving too fast around the school. If there is an accident and a child is injured, how will the driver feel? Is the extra few seconds saved worth that risk? Stay safe over the Christmas and New Year break.

Stuart Meachem Deputy Principal

End of Year Presentation Events: Our Presentation Events at the end of the year will consist of two events. The K-1 Presentation Morning will take place at 9.00am on Tuesday, 13 December at the school in the Undercover Area. This will be followed in the evening by the Year 2-6 Presentation Night at 6.30pm on Tuesday, 13 December at Camp Wattle Grove, Kelvin Road, Wattle Grove. Please refer to the notes sent home through classrooms.

Car Parking Just a reminder to parents that the staff car park is for staff members only. We have also had a number of parents who are double parking in the streets around the school which is illegal and provides a safety risk to all other motorists and students crossing the road. Would you please also avoid parking on local residents’ verges as there has been damage to their reticulation reported. Please take note of the new parking signage around the school to avoid receiving a parking fine. Thank you for your co-operation.

Student Absent Communication To avoid receiving a text message from the school, please advise us by 9.15am if your child/ren will be absent, you can do this by SMS to 0438 955 776, by calling us on 9453 6722 or by downloading our SkoolBag App from the APP store.

You can program the school’s SMS number into your mobile so that you know when we send you a message, the number is 0438 955 776.

Sharing a Hills Christmas Christmas is a time of giving to others who are less fortunate than we might be. Last year Wattle Grove Primary School was involved in providing food and gifts for Christmas parcels that were distributed to needy local families. This year, we are again asking for your help to spread more Christmas cheer.

Each class will be asked to kindly donate specific items . All donations will need to be in by Thursday, 8 December.

Mrs Daphne Bennett Values Coordinator

Children’s Crossing Review We have been advised by the Children’s Crossings & Road Safety Committee that if the crossing on Hale Road, near Sheffield Road is not sufficiently utilised by the school community, this facility will be withdrawn.

Lesmurdie Extension & Acceleration Program (LEAP) Lesmurdie Extension and Acceleration Program (LEAP) Lesmurdie Senior High School has an approved Academic Specialist Program (ASP) in Mathematics and Science. Testing for LEAP will take place in Term 1, 2017 for Year 6 students. Information regarding the program, testing and Expressions of Interest can be found on the Lesmurdie SHS website under the Curriculum tab. An information flyer is available at front office.

Snakes Just a reminder to all that we are now back into snake season. All children and parents should be particularly aware of the dangers and also what to do if a snake is sighted. Please remind your children to keep well away, if they see a snake and to tell a teacher/adult immediately

Parent/Volunteer Thank You Morning Tea The Staff at Wattle Grove Primary School recognise those parents who give up their valuable time to help in the Canteen, classrooms, Library, excursions, Book Club, School Board, P&C, Family Fun Night, uniforms and much more.

To show our appreciation, we would like to invite you to join us for our special Parents & Volunteers Morning Tea on Friday, 9 December 2016 at 10.15am to 11.15am in the Staff Room.

For catering purposes please confirm your attendance on

9453 6722 or email Janie.Street@education.wa.edu.au by

Monday, 5 December.

In-term Swimming Parents are reminded that swimming lessons commence on

Monday, 5 December for the following classes :

Swimming Group 2

Weeks 9 & 10 (5 Dec – 15 Dec) • PP Rooms 3, 5, 9 • Year 1 Rooms 7, 9 & 20 • Years 2 & 3 Rooms 14, 16, 19 & 25 • Year 6 Rooms 15 & 26

Qkr! Is now at Wattle Grove P.S. You can pay for your Voluntary Contributions, Workbooks, Excursions/Incursions, and more right now using Qkr, so why not download it today and take a look at our school on Qkr! Available from the App Store.

P&C News The next P&C meeting will be held on Wednesday 7 December at 7pm, everyone is welcome to attend.

School Banking

Every time your child makes a deposit, it is recorded and once students have individually made 10 deposits they can claim an exclusive School Banking reward item, in recognition of their regular savings habits.

School banking is available on Tuesdays 8.25am - 8.45am in the undercover area. It is provided by the Commonwealth Bank.

Uniform Shop—New opening hours The Uniform Shop is now open at the following times :

• Tuesday afternoons 2.15pm to 2.45pm

• Thursday mornings 8.30am – 9.00am

Canteen The Canteen operates on Wednesday and Thursdays. Orders can be placed in the classroom basket before school or online by going to www.ouronlinecanteen.com.au. On Wednesday of Week 9, the Canteen will also have a number of extra items available for purchase: Chicken Burger $4 Hot dog $4 Hamburger $4 Puppy dog $2

Please note, we have limited numbers only so get in quick!

Just a reminder the Canteen will be closed in Week 10.

Canteen Helpers Volunteers (parents, grandparents, friends) are needed in the Canteen on Wednesdays and Thursdays to help out. If you can spare some time on a regular basis, either weekly, fortnightly or monthly, please see Suzette in the Canteen. All help is greatly appreciated.

Student Representative Profiles: Term Four 2016 Daniel My name is Daniel and I have been at Wattle Grove since Kindergarten. I come from Wales in England. I have one sister named Laura and she is in Year 7. My hobbies are electronics, building and some types of sport. I am not in any clubs of any sort. I achieve high standards in everything, even if it is a test. The caring teachers always help me out and the same with my friends. We take care of the school grounds. You sometimes get work that challenges you to think. We also have special events eg. Sports Carnival, Fun Runs for’ i-pads’, whiteboards, just for learning. We have a community around us trying to help the P & C for instance, they help to improve the school. The new school we have has kept very old traditions from the old school. I provide a strong voice when there is a problem or idea that has come into my head. I serve a role-model for young students as I politely say when they are doing something wrong, `stop please.’

Amro

My name is Amro and I am in Room 26. I have been attending Wattle Grove since Pre Primary. My family is from Palestine. I have five brothers. Three are older than me and two are younger. I love playing sports like soccer, athletics and swimming. I am a member of Forrestfield Soccer and Athletics Clubs. I love being a student at Wattle Grove and I have enjoyed my time here. I particularly like:

♦ How we work as a class and have a lot of fun. ♦ We also get challenging work and that’s why I love Wattle Grove.

During my time as Student Representative I would love to help out Wattle Grove by raising some money to help purchase some new sporting equipment. I would also like to help out with any jobs that need to be done around the school.

Owen My name is Owen Manwaring. I am in Room 26 and I have been attending Wattle Grove

Primary School for eight years. I have one brother called Riley. My hobbies are remote

controls, playing on the computer and knee boarding.

What I like about Wattle Grove Primary School is:

♦ The teachers are very helpful towards the students.

♦ The students are nice and friendly towards each other.

While I am a Student Representative, I would like to organise a fundraiser for the school. I

would also like to also organise fun games to play for the younger kids at lunch. I think the

younger students will love it.