Wanniassa School
‘Success and excellence in education’
PRESCHOOL - STERNBERG CRESCENT WANNIASSA
JUNIOR CAMPUS - STERNBERG CRESCENT WANNIASSA
SENIOR CAMPUS - WHEELER CRESCENT WANNIASSA
Website
www.wans.act.edu.au
Email:
[email protected]
PHONE: 6205 8055
PHONE: 6205 7566
PHONE: 6205 6200
Wanniassa P-10 School
September Newsletter 2015
Upcoming Events
Preschool
Junior Campus
11th September
Yellow Unit Assembly
16th September
Green Unit Zoo Excursion
18th September
Learning Journeys
25th September
Red Unit Assembly
Senior Campus
11th September
SC Athletics Carnival
Every Wednesday
3:15-4:30
Ganbra Homework Club
Every Thursday
Junction Group
Every Thursday
3:15-4:30 ANU
Homework Club
Whole School
25th September
End or Term 3
28th September
Family & Community Day
Public Holiday
5th October
Labour Day Public Holiday
12th October
Start of Term 4
Principal’s Report
Dear Parents and Carers
This term has flown by with so many wonderful learning opportunities for
students at Wanniassa School.
I would like to publically acknowledge the tremendous work of our preschool staff. In particular, Virginia and Karen, who led their team through
the pre-school rating process at the beginning of this term. Our pre-school
had an overall rating of “Exceeding National Standards”, which is testament
to the high quality early learning programs we are offering to our students
starting their education journey at Wanniassa School.
Congratulations to all students who proudly represented Wanniassa School in Wakakirri (junior
campus) and Limelight (senior campus). These were both opportunities for students to showcase
their talents in the performing arts to a large audience. Many thanks also to the staff who were
instrumental in making these events happen, in particular Ms Wilson
and Ms Davoren.
Over the past week staff from Bunnings have been working with some
of our students on the senior campus in building vegetable gardens
and a vertical herb garden. Thank you to Bunnings for donating all of
the plants and gardening tools for this project. We look forward to
reaping the benefits from this work over the coming warmer months.
Students in the LSU and LSC on the senior campus have been painting
gnomes that will be displayed at Floriade so I encourage you to check
these out if you’re planning a visit to Floriade in coming weeks.
Last week the junior campus celebrated Book Week with a week of fun
activities that culminated with dress-up day on Friday.
On Wednesday we had the official launch of the
books that a select number of students in the
blue, orange and yellow units made. The ACT
Minister for Education and Training, Mrs Joy
Burch and our federal member of parliament Ms
Gai Brodtmann both attended this special event.
They were very impressed by the passion shown
by our students in reading, and how students
themselves had written and illustrated their own amazing stories.
In coming weeks we will be sending information home to parents about implementation of a
Personal Electronic Device (PED) policy that we will be implementing on both campuses in 2016.
This policy will initially be focussed on years 5 to year 8, but will be extended to other years in
2017. We will be encouraging students to bring recommended electronic devices to school so
they can access Google applications from the beginning of next year. Information on this will be
sent to parents soon and will be followed up with parent information sessions in term four.
Lastly, I would like to thank the canteen managers on both the junior and senior campuses. Annie
and Jodie have both worked tirelessly for the students and staff at our school over recent years.
Now that the junior school canteen has closed, lunch orders will be supplied through the senior
campus canteen. At the beginning of term four, the P&C are looking at implementing a pay
online system through Flexi Schools. This will be a very convenient way for you to order your
child’s lunch using any electronic device. I thank all families for your patience during this time of
transition for our canteen on the junior campus.
Julie Collins
Principal
Wanniassa P – 10 School
Announcement of Principal Position
Congratulations to Shane Gorman who was announced on Monday as the permanent principal of Wanniassa
School. Shane will be returning to Wanniassa School for the beginning of term 4.
Finance News
Voluntary Contributions / Family Transaction Statements
At Wanniassa School, we deeply appreciate the valuable support of our school community. Your Voluntary
Contributions made each year enable us to provide an enriched learning environment for all of our children.
Your Family Transaction Statements were posted to you in Week 3, Term 2. Attached will be information on various
ways of paying your Voluntary Contributions. Eg: QuickWeb (the online payment service which will enable
families/communities to make payment via a secure portal on you school’s website www.wans.at.edu.au) OR
Visa/MasterCard credit or debit card (Bank: Westpac, Acc name: Wanniassa School Management Account, BSB:
032777, Account Number: 001869).
Please remember we also accept cash, cheque, credit card and EFTPOS payments through the Front Offices of both
campuses!
Sick Bay
If Students are unwell they are sent to sick bay with a note from their Teacher. The Front Office Staff will contact
parents/carers if necessary. As we have Duty of Care whilst the students are at school we request that Students DO
NOT contact parents themselves, but wait for us to call on their behalf. If your child contacts you asking if they can
go home sick, ask them to get a note from their teacher to go to sick bay and the Office Staff will then contact you.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Student Absences
If your student is absent, due to illness or leave, or needs to attend an appointment during the day, please phone the
Front Office on 6205 6200 for the Senior Campus, 6205 7566 for the Junior Campus and 6205 8055 for the PreSchool and leave a message or email: [email protected]. Please remember to include the student’s full name,
roll group and reason for absence (ie. sick, late or on leave) as well as your contact details.
Wanted Second Hand SC Shirts
If you have any SC school shirts that you would like to donate please drop off to the Front Office.
Thanks, Wanniassa P&C
P & C News
Your Parents and Citizens Association (P&C)
The School P&C is a great place for families with students to meet others, join in a range of community activities
and even get support from other parents at times. We aim to keep it a friendly, community-oriented atmosphere
where everyone is welcome.
ALL parents and carers of children at the school are eligible members of the P&C and are encouraged to be
involved.
The role of the P&C includes helping people come together, making suggestions to/asking questions of the
Principal, getting to know each other, feeling that you can contribute to the school & having fun during this
precious time of your child’s life. The more members we have actively participating in the P&C association the
better we can achieve our objectives.
Please consider coming along to a P&C meeting and getting involved – it’s a great way to meet new people and
really contribute to your child’s school experience. P&C Meetings are at 7.30pm, Senior Campus, Wheeler Cres
Conference Room (there is a BELL at the front door on the wall on the right hand side or call 0409 044 251)
Dates:
Tuesday 22 September
Tuesday 20 October
Tuesday 17 November
As we use email to communicate with parents, it is essential that we have an accurate and up-to-date email
contact list of parents.
So please email your details to the P&C – [email protected]
Your email address will be kept confidential and only used for authorised P&C/school communication purposes.
Junior Campus News
Rainbow Unit News
Last week the preschool children really enjoyed joining in Book Week celebrations. Mrs. Byrne had been sharing the
short-listed children’s picture books with us during our weekly library visits. Our personal favourite was Pig the Pug.
If you haven’t already read this fantastic children’s book, we highly recommend it. As well as being a hilarious read, it
reinforces the important message of sharing! The children have been busy making Father’s Day mementos and have
enjoyed browsing the Father’s Day stall for a small gift. Thank you to all of the families who donated gifts and a huge
shout out to the mums who helped the children select and wrap gifts.
With all of the nasty bugs that are around at the moment, we ask that you keep your child at home if they are feeling
unwell. This helps them recuperate fully and lessens the risk of germs spreading amongst our children and staff. If
your child needs to have medication, please hand it to a staff member upon arrival and complete the required
paperwork. Please do not leave medication in your child’s bag. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
Karen Cooper and Virginia Fanning
Red Unit News
The children are really enjoying our unit of work this term and have learnt about 4 animals that live in the colder
regions of the world. They are now choosing from a seal, penguin, orca and polar bear to write their information
report. All children have shown improvement in their writing and sight word recognition and are really loving guided
reading sessions each week. In Maths the children have learnt to double numbers and are practising their ‘counting
on’ skills. They are involved in a maths rotation for the next 3 weeks where they are playing games and completing
activities involving money and ‘counting on’. Thank you parents for continuing to support your child by reading with
them each night and helping with homework. We hope to see you all in Week 9 for our Learning Journey. You will be
very proud of all the work your children have done.
Vicki Gough & Sally Gore-Johnson
Green Unit News
Students in Green Unit have been enjoying our Mental Computation lessons. We are now practising using a number
of strategies including friends of ten, counting on, doubles, near doubles and the compensation strategy to solve
addition problems.
A number of students from Green Unit took part in the swim school program that was offered in weeks 7 and 8.
Students swam with kick boards, dived into the pool, and swam underwater to retrieve objects – some even swam
the length of the pool! It was wonderful to see the students improve their water safety skills and become more
confident in the water.
With our Learning Journey approaching, the children have been organising some wonderful learning experiences to
share with you. We hope you have received your invitation and look forward to seeing you on Friday 18th of
September.
Ashley Coutts and Hayley Eaton
Blue Unit News
In Blue unit we are having so much fun at Swimming Lessons. Those of us who have not attended have been creating
some fabulous artworks using Watercolour and will continue with other mini projects over the next week and a half.
Last week during Book Week Miss V dressed up every day as a character from her many favourite picture books. She
was Zebra from The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland, Puffling by Margaret Wild, Green Sheep from Where Is the
Green Sheep? by Margaret Wild and Little Star from Twinkle by Nick Bland. All week we experienced the magic of
books and reflected on how much books really do light up our world. We look forward to sharing all our creative
work with you during the Learning Journey in week 9.
We are finishing off our “Murrawee” projects that show how much Australia has changed over 200 years and are
beginning our big research projects on significant places in Canberra. It is great to see the number of children who
are accessing Google Chrome at home and we hope this continues throughout the creation of these projects.
Christina Bowman, Tracey Hanson and Natalie Vrankovic
Orange Unit News
It’s hard to believe that the end of another term approaches with haste. Things have really heated up, preparing for
week 9’s learning journey and the students are busily creating and presenting work to their best standard.
Orange Unit had a blast performing at the Canberra Theatre and we were really proud to share that with many of
you. It was an experience that we will never forget and we wish to thank you for all your support in getting us there.
Orange Unit has begun to use Google Apps and we are excited to learn how to produce more quality work. Make
sure you check in with your child and get them to show you how they can access their work at home.
We look forward to seeing you in Orange Unit in Week 9.
Rachel Ennis and Helen Wilson
Yellow Unit News
Year 5
This term, Year 5 has been studying Australian colonies and life on the gold fields. We’ve learnt about significant
people such as Edward Hargraves, Susannah Holmes and William Buckley. We’ve been excited by taking a step back
in time and having our own gold licences and earning pounds to keep them, which means we get to dig for gold.
How exciting! We must have our licences on us at all times during the school day, if we get caught without it; we
receive a fine of £10. We have been busily putting all the knowledge we’ve learnt in this unit into writing reports and
creating models that best represents life on the gold fields.
Veronica Noone
Year 6
Year six students have begun using Google Apps on a daily basis in the classroom. This is an innovative program that
allows the teachers to edit and give feedback to children while they work. The children are encouraged to log on
every afternoon for discussion threads, homework topics or clips to watch and comment on. The children are very
excited and motivated by the program and already we are seeing a positive attitude towards the student’s work
ethic. Our Learning Journey is just around the corner in week 9 and we are looking forward to showcasing some of
our amazing work and projects for you.
Nick Bond
Library News
Book Week!
Book Week 2015 “Books Light Up Our World” celebrations finished in style at our Junior Campus assembly in Week 6.
It was fantastic to see so many of our students from pre-school to year 6 dressed up as book characters (and our
lovely teachers “lighting up the room” in their lamps highlighting the Book Week theme).
We heard all about the shortlisted and winning books which we’ve been reading and sharing in the library
throughout the term. A group of the Year 3s performed shortlisted book “Scary Night” and we had a ball during our
Book Week Costume Parade!
Congratulations to those students who won a prize for their entries in the diorama, poster and colouring
competitions and well done to all students who participated.
Student Book Launch
A Book Launch was held at Wanniassa School Junior Campus to commend the achievements of some of our
hardworking young authors. These students worked with specialist literacy educator Pam Harders to write, illustrate
and publish stories and these are now featured in a special students works display in the library. Our student authors,
their families, teachers and special guests Minister Joy Burch and Gai Brodtmann MP celebrated these achievements
during Book Week. These books are now available in the library for other students to enjoy.
Book Fair
We are now looking forward to next term when we will again
hold our annual pre-Christmas Book Fair. With lots of great
books and other items on sale at very competitive prices, it is a
good way to grab some of those stocking fillers too, while
helping the school with this fundraiser at the same time. Stay
tuned for details early next term.
Happy reading!
Amy Byrne
Japanese News
Konnichiwa (Hello/Good Afternoon),
These were the lucky students from year 3 who recently visited Bonython Primary School for the 2015 Japanese Fun
Day. 15 students from 15 schools were invited to share Japanese activities on one amazing day. Students were able
to participate in a range of short Japanese lessons and meet students and senseis from other schools who study
Japanese. We had a fantastic day and learnt many new Japanese skills.
Arigatou Gozaimasu
(Thank you very much)
Poulakis Sensei
Senior Campus News
LC Garden
‘On Monday some year 7 students were privileged with a visit by Sue from Bunnings. Sue brought along many
wonderful vegetable seedlings and supplies for the Year 7 LC garden which were generously donated by
Bunnings. The students had a fantastic time planting the seedlings and making a herb garden-wall. Sue stayed to
help with the planting and gave the students many good tips for maintaining a healthy garden. The students look
forward to enjoying and sharing all of the fresh produce from their gardens. Wanniassa School would like to take
this opportunity to thank Bunnings and Sue for all of their amazing contributions to our school’.
Erindale College Mathematics and Science enrichment day
During week 5, 20 Wanniassa students excitedly attended an enrichment day at Erindale College. Originally Erindale
College had offered 8 places in the program but allowed us to send extra students after they showed such
enthusiasm. Students worked in teams to solve a range of Mathematics and Science problems. Students who
attended the program share their stories; Caleb Kolstad (Year 8) said “I enjoyed having a relaxing day with
Mathematics and my friends”, Declan Comben (Year 7) “We destroyed all the maths questions – We got the answers
pretty easily” and Jayden Ahadizad (Year 8) said “It was fun to learn about college maths and science”. Well done to
all the students who participated.
Wanniassa Enrichment Program: Humanities
Monday Writing Club
Ganbra Room, Miss Shipp
Every Monday lunch time!
Snacks
Free writing time
Editing help
If you love writing and would like time to conference with other writers, develop your work and send work into local
and national competitions, this is the club for you!
Sign up with Miss Shipp in the Blue Staffroom.
Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care Team
Ann Hill - Coordinator – 6205 6178
Trevor Preston – Youth Support Worker – 6205 7855
Sue Schulz – School Psychologist – 6205 6179
Anita Sutherland – Indigenous Education Officer – 6205 7855
MATHS COACH
NLP techniques applied to learning.

Improved self - confidence and awareness

Examination preparation

Problem solving strategies

Individual or small group

22 years industry experience

Working with vulnerable people card
For a free prospective discussion please call Peter 0416 663906.
Expressions of interest are sought for any family wishing to sharpen their child's their arithmetic skills via a
series workshops that will be run in the Sept/Oct holidays on every day but Wednesday for both weeks.
The duration of each session is anticipated to be 1 to 1.5 hours I am available to show your child how to
have fun with numbers. As part of any coaching session confidence building skills will be taught, as well as
strategies for mastering number facts for fast retrieval. Number facts forms the fundamental foundation
of your child's confidence and often interest in maths and would be covered through game as well as
recital format. Each session would entail some physical activity as well as learning brain activation. I am
open to taylor making the workshop or workshops to cater for known shortfalls in your child's
understanding of maths as well as covering the curriculum for next term. Individual or small groups of up
to 4 students would be considered ideal. For further information please contact Peter 0416 663906.
invites new and returning families
down to the oval to register for the
upcoming 2015-16 Little Athletics
Summer season!
Where: Kambah No 3 Oval, Kett
Street
(opposite the Burns Club)
When: Saturdays @ 8:45 am
From 17 October 2015
Registration days at Kambah No 3
Oval
9am – 12pm, Saturday 12th & 19th
September or register online
More info at www.tlaa.org.au or
email [email protected]
The Lanyon Cluster is proud to have engaged one of Australia’s most
respected speakers on parenting. Dr Justin Coulson, Psychologist,
columnist with Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, guest speaker on The
Project and Studio 10 is a parent of 6 children and an expert on
positive parenting.
He will be speaking at Lanyon High School on Thursday 17th
September from 6-7:30pm.
“How to do it all without messing up your kids”
Free childcare will be available at this presentation.
If you wish to attend the seminar please make a booking through
the following webpage or contact Thea O’Mara at the front office on
6205 7676
http://lanyonhs.schoolzinenewsletters.com/bookings.htm
Lake Tuggeranong College is now enrolling for 2016
For general information and enrolment details please visit www.ltc.act.edu.au
Keep up-to-date with all of our news, events and general goings-on by subscribing to our blog at
www.laketuggeranongcollege.wordpress.com
For further information please call 6142 3660 – hope to see you in 2016.