Monday 12th December 2016 Dear parents and carers,

What an amazing year we’ve had! Our successes are due to our

collective efforts. We have worked together as a community, in

partnership to ensure that our students get the best education possible.

Our school has once again, provided an environment that supports our

students to connect with their learning; build positive relationships;

experience a sense of belonging and gain the support and

encouragement they need to grow and develop into confident and

successful individuals.

Last week, we celebrated our students and their achievements. They all

have strengths and abilities and they have all been successful this year.

When you read your child’s report today, you’ll find that they have

worked hard and persevered with their learning to make the wonderful

improvements that are detailed in the comments. Make sure you

congratulate them on their efforts and significant achievements.

Last week, I also had the pleasure of attending the Chifley College Mt

Druitt Presentation evening. A number of our ex-students were awarded

academic awards/prizes. We are very proud of Rebecca Foulstone, Andre

Luamata, Jason Scott, Josephine Tautala, Destinee Luamata, Denise

Zamora and Cody Hemmings who continue to grow their abilities.

When you receive your family’s 2016 Whalan Yearbook, I recommend

that you make yourself a cup of tea or coffee and you thumb through the

pages and reflect on the wonderful year of learning that your child or

children have had and the wonderful community experiences that made

this year so successful.

Usually at this time of the year, we say farewell to some of our staff and

welcome others that are new to the school. This year we say farewell to

WHALAN PUBLIC SCHOOL Karangi Road, Whalan N.S.W 2770

Telephone: 02 9625 7757 02 9625 9038

Facsimile Number: 02 9832 2452

www.whalan-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Our school is built on Darug land

Mrs Pat Whitton, one of our preschool teachers. Pat is retiring this year

and we wish her much happiness for the future and thank her for all of

the amazing work she’s done with the youngest children in our school.

We also say farewell to Mrs Sam Gillard our Instructional Leader who

has accepted a position to Marayong Public School beginning next year.

We wish her all the best in her new school and thank her for all she has

done for our students in the time she has been here.

Additionally, a number of staff are taking a year’s leave and may or may

not return in 2018. Mrs Nicola Kerin is moving to Queensland with her

family. Mrs Brown and Mrs Fenton will also be on leave for 2017.

Next year we will welcome Mr Dale Chudleigh as a permanent teacher

to our school. Many of you already know him as he has been doing

some casual work for us this term. Additionally we will welcome Mrs

Alison Marsters from Hassall Grove Public School as another

permanent teacher.

Lastly, it is with very mixed emotions that I write my last newsletter. I

will not be returning to Whalan Public School in the new year as I will

be taking up a position to another school. Over the last 8 years I have

had the privilege of working with all members of the Whalan Public

School community and I consider them all my family. I want to thank

you all for your support. I am proud to have been a part of this

community and to have learnt so much from all of you. I wish all of our

students ongoing success as they move through their primary school

years and then on to high school and university.

Thank you for making 2016 a fabulous year. Your support is greatly

appreciated. To the families that are leaving us to begin their association

with high school or other schools, we wish you all the very best. To all

of our families who will be returning next year, rest, relax and celebrate

the learning that your child or children have achieved this year.

We wish you all a very merry Christmas with family and friends and we

look forward to seeing you in 2017 for another great year of learning!

Mrs Polios

Relieving Principal

A Message from Ms Mac

We have some of the year’s most special events still to come over this

week. You can see these in the COMING EVENTS section of the

newsletter.

Usually at this time of the year we make temporary plans for classes in

2017. If you have moved or you will be moving and your child will be

attending another school, please contact the office to let us know. If you

prefer, complete the form on the last page of the newsletter and return it

to the school.

Ms Mac

Relieving Deputy Principal

End of Year Library Reminders

By now, ALL library and Twilight Tales books should have been

returned to school. Thankyou to the many families who have

done this but we still have hundreds of books that have not

been returned. Please check at home for books belonging to

our school.

Overdue notices for library books were sent home last week.

Follow up notices will be sent home this week if books are still

outstanding.

If you have any queries please see Mrs Emmett in the library.

Congratulations Moana

Today we received news that Moana Appleby was 1 of

25 students from around Australia to win the Term 4

Books In Homes competition. The competition, which

had over 300 entries, was about Stephanie Alexander-

the founder of the Kitchen Garden Program and a

supporter of Books In Homes. Moana showed great

initiative by entering this competition and was the only

student from our school to do so. Her book pack prize

will arrive at the beginning of 2017.

1/2S Chinese New Year!

In 1/2S we have been learning about

Chinese New Year.

In China red dragons dance in the

street and fireworks light the sky to welcome in the

New Year. We have created a red dragon to scare off the evil

beast Nian!

December

Week 10, Term 4

Tuesday 13th Dec Swim Scheme continues Support Unit classes – 11.00 – 11.45am

Mainstream classes – 11.45 – 12.30pm

P&C meeting – 9.30am

Wednesday 14th Dec Year 6 Graduation – 9.15am

Year 6 Farewell – 5.15 – 8.30pm

Thursday 15th Dec Pizza with Mrs Polios

Christmas Carols –2.00pm under K-2 cola Wet n’ Wild winners will be drawn

P&C Christmas raffle drawn

Last medals of the year presented

Friday 16th Dec School Fun Day

Last day for Swim Scheme

Last day of 2016 school year

What does our school attendance look like now?

The bar represents 100%. The shading represents what our school

percentage for attendance is now, after 191 days of school (84.8%)

Attendance Information

This year, Year 6 have been our best attending grade, closely followed

by our students in the support classes. Congratulations!

Their attendance at school has had a positive impact on their learning,

with the amazing improvements being shown in their writing and

numeracy work.

As we come to the end of an exhausting year, I ask you all take the time

to rest and recharge so 2017 can be your best attending year ever!

74

76

78

80

82

84

86

88

90

Kindergarten Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Support Unit

Term 4 Week 8

Best attending classes

Term 4 Week 9

Best attending classes

KC 89% KC 83%

KK 90% KK 83%

KA 93% KA 95%

1W 94% 1W 87%

1T 90% 1T 85%

1/2S 85% 1/2S 84%

K-6M 83% K-6M 97% 2/3K 87% 2/3K 82%

2/3N 83% 2/3N 86%

2/3R 86% 2/3R 75%

3/4C 91% 3/4C 83%

4B 93% 4B 87%

5/6L 89% 5/6L 80%

5/6K 92% 5/6K 86%

K-6K 94% K-6K 91%

3-6T 97% 3-6T 85%

3-6F 93% 3-6F 81%

Congratulations

1W, K-6K & 3-6T!

Congratulations

KA & K-6M!

By Natasha in 3-6T

Congratulations to the following students, who have earned 5

Connected Certificates and are on the way to a Whalan Medal. They

are also eligible for a prize:

KC – Ruby Smith

KK – Monique Thurston; Christopher Scheers

1W – Seiuli Iulio

2/3N – Skye Appleby; Tyrelle Hunter; Annabelle-Lea Buttriss; Dylan

Anderson

3/4C – Diamond Din; Blake Doring; Iverson Iongi

4B – Freedom Kahi; Koronito Tupua

When students receive 10 Connected Certificates, they are eligible for

a medal. At that time, they will complete their Whalan Medal goals

form. The completed form and the 10 Connected Certificates are given

to the Principal for approval. Upon approval, the student is awarded

their Whalan Medal at one of our assemblies.

You’ve earned a Whalan Medal!

Students who earn a Whalan Medal

will receive their medal at one of our

fortnightly assemblies.

Roman Crichton Maddison Mitchell Airlei Mucaji Chanel Watson Lilly Buttriss Callin Mitchell Smyrna Faumuina Shayanne Watkins Riley McIlwrath-Lupton Layla Baldock-Shoobridge Brodie Coleman Melehifo Kaumavae Jordan Frawley-McKee Sheryl Chen Annabelle-Lea Buttriss Tayah Willcockson Lara Hillebrand Reenita Faumui Leitrell Ropati Aleisha Mercer Ella McIlwrath-Lupton Jayden Wilkinson Jocelyn Nisa Eugene Kahi Jimmy Kelekolio Jye Wallace Amelia Gore Rhiannon Reid Phillip Jones Leonidas Noonan Tyrell Ropati Aleyah Fekitoa Elazay Isa’ako Jarvis Isa’ako Diamond Din Paige Sautia Sarona Semu Pepe Sita Paul Adriano Stratocaster Zamora Baileigh Barnes Sam Perez-Mato Arvyn Angeles Andrew Scott Jordan Coleman Wayne Lord Damien Cauchi Jeremiah Allen William Rose Lily Hain Zak Donnelly Riley Berry Edward Clottin Kyle Willcockson Halo Fatai Declan Austin Richie Papaofo Kayden Khan

Classes in 2017

Draft classes for 2017 are usually formed towards the end of this term

in preparation for the new school year. The classes may change if

there are changes in enrolments when school starts in 2017. Please

return the information slip attached if:

• Your family is definitely moving and your children won’t return to

Whalan Public School in 2017.

• Your family will be on holidays and may return after Term 1, 2017

begins.

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Return to office

Movement of families in 2017

Family Name:

Child/ Children’s names and classes:

________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

My child/ children will not need a class place at Whalan Public

School in 2017.

My child/ children will return after school begins in 2017 due to

extended holidays/ travel overseas.

Date of return:

Signed: (Parent/Carer)

(Please return the note to the school office)