2023 - December 13

From the Principal

School Association

There is a School Association Meeting Monday 19^th February at 9:00am.  Parents welcome. We have vacancies to fill.  We meet in the admin block boardroom.

Class Structures and Placements

We are pleased to announce a special event for our students as we wrap up the school year! On Tuesday, December 19th, from 2:30 to 2:50 pm, students will have the unique opportunity to meet their teachers for next year. This is a special moment for your child to share something about themselves, fostering reassurance and hope for the exciting year ahead. If you have any questions, please contact a member of senior staff. We appreciate your continued support.

Reports

School reports will go home with students on Monday 18^th December.  The report will show your child’s learning achievement on a 9-point visual scale for students in Prep to Year 6. The 9-point scale shows where your child’s learning achievement is against the expected standard for their year level. 

Students will receive a rating about their work habits demonstrated in class, Health and PE, and Art, based on the SHINE values. 

If your child is assessed against their Individual Learning Plan, they will be assessed against their personal goals that have been set by the classroom teacher.

If you would like to discuss your child/ren’s report further, please phone the office to arrange a time to speak with the classroom teacher. 

Progressive Achievement Testing (PAT)

Recently our 2023 PAT (Progressive Achievement Testing) results were made available.  All state schools are required to undertake these tests. These tests provide individual teachers, collaborative teams and school leadership, with valuable data regarding student achievement and growth in reading and mathematics.  We had a 96% participation rate and some very encouraging results.  We consider this dataset along with other information we have at our disposal.  While there is a lot of data to examine, I would particularly like to celebrate overall our high reading growth has doubled since last year. 

• 30 students achieved results that were in the above/well above reading achievement.
• 20/25 Year 6's had medium to high growth in 2023
• 12/13 Year 1's had medium to high growth in 2023

Staffing 2024

Mrs De Santis

Mrs De Santis is resigning from the department after a wonderful career as a classroom teacher.  Mrs De Santis prides herself on working with our most vulnerable young people to support learning achievement both academically and socially.  Students in her classes have always demonstrated a year’s growth or more which is testament to her exceptional skills and devotion in education.   As she embarks on a new chapter in her life, we extend our heartfelt wishes for all the best to Mrs. De Santis. Her positive impact on students' lives and her contributions to the educational community will undoubtedly be remembered and appreciated.

Mrs Marshall

Mrs. Marshall's contributions over the past 12 months as a leader and Quality Teaching Coach (QTC) have been invaluable to our school.  Her role in supporting teachers and leading Year 5-6 demonstrates a commitment to fostering a positive and effective learning environment.

As a QTC, Mrs. Marshall's efforts in providing insights and information regarding curriculum maps, lesson planning, and data analysis showcase her dedication to improving teaching practices. By guiding teachers on what to teach and the order of lessons, she has played a crucial role in enhancing the overall quality of teaching and learning programs at Waverley.

Mrs. Marshall's leadership in deepening teachers' understanding of reading and her organisation of numerous professional learning sessions have likely had a lasting impact on the professional development of our staff. Her expertise and commitment to educational excellence are commendable, and the school community is undoubtedly stronger for having her as our QTC.

Mrs Paton

Mrs Carolyne Paton is transferring to Ravenswood Heights Primary School.  Her dedication to teaching students from Kinder to Year 6 and her efforts in building positive and productive relationships with families have undoubtedly made a significant impact on our school community. Mrs. Paton's leadership and organisation of sporting carnivals and events has not only enriched the school experience but has also brought our community together.

Mrs Paton’s passion for sports, especially her connection with AFL and love for basketball, has inspired students and added a vibrant dimension to our school's sports culture. As she transitions to Ravenswood Heights Primary School, it's clear that Mrs. Paton leaves a legacy of enthusiasm for physical education and a positive influence on the school community. We wish Mrs Paton continued success and fulfillment in her new role at Ravenswood Heights.

Mr Webster

I would like to share with our school community that Mr Jonathan Webster has been successful in securing and AST position at Mountain Heights School.  While we are disappointed that Mr Webster will not be returning to Waverley in 2024, we are excited for him as he takes on leadership in our Department.

It's evident that Mr. Webster has had a productive and impactful year, working diligently towards achieving his leadership goal. His commitment to spending a day per week in learning support, coupled with delivering professional learning on differentiation, reflects his dedication to enhancing education and supporting students.

As Mr. Webster takes on a leadership role at Mount Heights School, we extend our heartfelt wishes for continued success and fulfillment in his new position. His contributions and enthusiasm for education are sure to make a positive impact on the Mount Heights School community.

Miss Keeley Williams

Miss Williams, our Teacher Assistant, is embarking on a new journey to Hobart. Her dedication and support in the classroom, along with her commitment to implementing various flexible programs, have made a significant impact on our educational community. As she takes this next step in her career, we extend our heartfelt wishes for success and fulfillment in her studies to become a teacher. Miss Williams has been an invaluable part of our team, and her passion for education will undoubtedly continue to inspire and positively influence those around her. We look forward to witnessing her continued growth as an educator.

Miss Adams

Miss Adams will continue in term 1 as our School Business Manager.  It's evident that Miss Adams plays a vital role in the smooth functioning of your school as the School Business Manager (SBM). Juggling competing priorities and managing the complexities of business operations, along with overseeing the day-to-day running of the school, requires a unique set of skills and dedication.

Expressing gratitude for Miss Adams's continued dedication to her role acknowledges the importance of her contributions and the impact she has on the overall efficiency and success of the school. Wishing her continued success in managing the business operations of our school.

Mrs Colgrave

Mrs Colgrave won the Education Support Specialist (ESS) position at Waverley.  Mrs. Colgrave is a wonderful ESS, demonstrating excellence in elevating the reading priority within our school. Her collaborative efforts with our Quality Teaching Coach have strengthened teachers' work and facilitated small group support, ensuring targeted assistance for those in need. Her dedication significantly enhances the literacy outcomes for our students.

Miss Harrison

We are delighted to welcome Miss Laura Harrison to our team in 2024. Having secured a permanent position with our Department, she has chosen Waverley to continue her career. Miss Harrison brings a passion for ICT, promising innovative contributions to our educational environment. We eagerly anticipate her positive impact.

Miss Johnson

Miss Courtney Johnson joins us in 2024 under the Teacher Intern Placement Program (TIPP), collaborating with mentor Mrs. Popovich. With up to 21 hours dedicated to studies, Miss Johnson's commitment to professional growth is commendable. Waverley is thrilled to welcome her aboard, anticipating a fruitful and collaborative partnership.

Miss Meallin

Miss Liv Meallin will embark on her permanent position at Waverley in 2024, marking a significant professional milestone. We are thrilled she has chosen our school for this journey. Recognised for her kindness, care, and compassion, Miss Meallin is sure to make a positive impact on students and contribute to our school community's well-being.

Mr Millwood

In 2024, Mr. Millwood embarks on permanent tenure while continuing as our Advanced Skills Teacher, leading Early Childhood and the numeracy portfolio. His thoughtful leadership, considering all perspectives, reflects his dedication. Diligent and hardworking, Mr. Millwood's continued contributions promise to enhance the school's educational landscape.

Mrs Price

Congratulations to Mrs. Price on securing the substantive Advanced Skills Teacher position at Waverley Primary! Opting for permanency, she will also continue in the Assistant Principal portfolio, showcasing her commitment to our school. Recognised for her fairness and consistency, Mrs. Price brings a calm and considered perspective to decision-making, enriching the school's leadership.

Support and Wellbeing Team 2024

• School Psychologist: Kyla Milner
• Speech and Language Pathologist: Paige Nilsson
• School Social Worker: Mr Brendan Dixon
• School Nurse: Stuart Davidson

School Improvement

On Monday 4^th and Tuesday 5^th December we had our check in of progress against the four recommendations from our External School Review that occurred last year.  Our recommendations from the review are:

1. Co-construct a vision for positive improvement for all members of the Waverley Primary School community that ensures everyone is known, safe, well and learning. 
2. Lead the establishment of high expectations for a learning environment that is safe, respectful, inclusive and promotes intellectual rigour. This should be strengthened by a consistent and agreed set of responses for inappropriate and appropriate student behaviour. 
3. Explore and use Australian Curriculum DECYP resources to implement an explicit, coherent, and sequenced plan for curriculum delivery. Make clear what (and when) teachers should teach and students should learn and monitor learning across the year levels. 
4. Align and deepen the understandings of staff about the use of collaborative teams and inquiry as a vehicle to drive improvement in teacher practice and therefore lift student outcomes.

The review panel was made up of an ESR Leader, two Principals and a DECYP Director.  They visited classrooms, spoke to staff, parents and students.  We are pleased with the first draft report and look forward to reading the full report and acting on the feedback in 2024.  In the meantime here are some highlights from parents from the first draft of the report.

Families 

• Families stated that some of the wonderful things about Waverley Primary School are the significant positive changes, the improved behaviour, the approachable and friendly teachers, and the upgrades to the physical environment. “We are a small primary school where everyone knows everyone – I could not think of a better school to be at.” 
• The panel heard that the culture was kind, inclusive, non-judgmental, and respectful. “It fills me with joy that my children attend Waverley Primary School due to the improvement this year and the opportunities they implement inside and outside school.” 
• When asked how the school communicated their expectations for a learning environment that is safe, respectful, and inclusive most families stated that the school communicated through newsletters, social media, phone calls and messages. Many families highlighted that the school values are prominent and visual. “It is fabulous to hear and see all the fantastic things the school are doing to ensure both my children are engaged in their learning.” 
• Some families stated that the schools supports their child to do their best through increasing funding for Teacher Assistants, differentiating learning and supporting a love of learning. Some also stated that the responses to poor behaviour are clear. “In my opinion they have gone above and beyond to support my son with regulating his behaviour so he can focus on learning.” 
• When asked how the school communicated their expectations for a learning environment that is safe, respectful, and inclusive most families stated that the school communicated through newsletters, social media, phone calls and messages. Many families highlighted that the school values are prominent and visual. “It is fabulous to hear and see all the fantastic things the school are doing to ensure both my children are engaged in their learning.” 
  
• Most families stated that the school let them know what their child was learning about through reporting, parent/teacher meetings, informal conversations, phone calls, and through work samples. “Everyone is open to talk to.”  
• Many families highlighted that staff are very approachable and always communicating about the learning.  

Queechy High School Presentation Evening

Attending the meticulously organised presentation evening at Queechy High School was truly a delight. The event radiated an aura of celebration, as students were celebrated for their academic success, community leadership, and exemplary learning behaviors. It was a pleasure to witness the exceptional performances, with Alex's rendition of "Ventura Highway" by America and Amber's captivating delivery of Taylor Swift's "All Too Well" standing out prominently. Our heartfelt congratulations go to Amber, a former Waverley student, for her remarkable achievements. As she embarks on her journey into year 11, we extend our best wishes for her continued success.

End of Year Events

Whole School Assembly:  Wednesday 13th December we reflected on the 2023 school year and recognised students academic achievement, demonstration of school values, sporting achievement  and contribution to our school community.

Celebration Dinner: The Year 6 Celebration Dinner was on Wednesday 13^th December at Apricus. I am sure that while our Year 6 students are looked forward to their end of year dinner it may have been met with mixed emotions for some, it is still important that our students adhere to the normal routines and expectations.  While completing Year 6 is a significant point of transition, it is not the end of their journey in education.

Year 6 Farewell Assembly: On Thursday 21^st December we will farewell our Year 6 students. We invite families of our Year 6’s to attend commencing at 2:30pm.

We look forward to sharing these events with our school community and celebrating our highly successful school year! 

If you have any queries, please contact me or any other member of staff at school.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Wightman

Principal

New Department for Children and Young People Values

Our school and whole department will adopt new values in 2024. Our values represent the foundation of our Department’s culture. They reflect what we stand for, guide our decision making and underpin all aspects of our work. It is everyone’s responsibility to live our values and bring them to life through our everyday actions. Our values give us a shared understanding of behavioural expectations and provide us with common language to overcome challenges and celebrate success.

Presentation Assembly

On Wednesday 13th December we held our Presentation Assembly. The following deserving students received  awards. Congratulations to all award recipients and thank you to our award donors and staff who co-ordinate this important event. 

Presentation Assembly Images

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School Association Christmas Raffle

A big shoutout and heartfelt thanks to parents Selina and Danica for their incredible efforts in collecting prizes and organising this wonderful event. Your commitment to raising funds for a much-needed shade sail in Prep-1 is truly commendable. 

The draw took place with the help of members of our Student Representative Council (SRC) on Monday, 11th December 2023, at 2:30 pm. To all our prize winners, congratulations! You will be contacted shortly, so keep an eye on your messages. Please feel free to call the school or organise a convenient time for collection. Once again, a massive thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this event a success. Your support means the world to us! Let's continue working together to create positive changes for our school community.

PRE-KINDER NEWS

This term our pre-kinder students have been attending our sessions independently. Students had opportunities to explore their environment, socialise and get to know each other and begin to learn some of the routines of Kindergarten.  

It is not too late to join us, we have one more session left this Friday at 9.30-11.00am in the kindergarten room. Parents and Carers are asked to stay in the Early Years Room during this time.  Assistance with enrolments will be provided.  

Many thanks,  

Laura Allen and Ky Salter (Pre-Kinder Teachers)  

My New Gallery

Uniform

Hats must be worn by students when outside in term 4.  Please check with your child that they have their school hat.  Students have already been encouraged to wear their hat outside on days when the UV is high.  School hats can be purchased from our uniform shop.

School shorts or trousers are plain black.  We have some examples of shorts and track pants in our uniform shop that can be purchased from Kmart.  We also have a range of second-hand items to give away or that you can purchase.  Our staff in the School Office are very happy to help you and your child(ren) with all uniform needs.

Please note: branded leggings and very short hot pant style shorts are not part of our school uniform.

Ice Cream Sales

A reminder that we have ice cream sales on a Monday at lunch time.  All proceeds support our Year 6 celebration activities.  You can order your ice cream or icy pole on the Qkr! app or you can bring cash on the day.

Merit Certificates

Congratulations to the recipients of merit certificates recevied at the assembly held on Wednesday 6th December.

Merit Certificates:

• Isabella L
• Liam P
• Charlotte F
• Alexander M
• Willow R
• Kacie M
• Jeriamiah H
• Amity I
• Ruby A
• Zayah M R
• Benjamin L
• Hunter T
• Charlie F
• Mariah R

Principal Awards:

• Charlotte S
• Mia R
• Sylvia A
• Ava G
• Zane R
• Mateo W
• Amity I
• Mariah R
• Noah C
• Keely Williams - Staff Member
• Kim Ewart - Staff Member
• Laura Allen - Staff Member
• Grace Ennis - Staff Member
  

2024 Kindergarten Enrolments

Children born in 2019 are required to enrol in Kindergarten for 2024.  More inforamtion about Kindergarten in Tasmanian Government Schools can be found by following the link below. 

We have a pre-kinder program that takes place every Friday morning the year prior to starting Kinder.  We invite families with pre-kinder age children to our Friday program. 

Any families that are yet to enrol their child in kindergarten need to do so as soon as possible.  If you have family or friends who would like to be considered, please encourage them to contact our school.  

Working With Vulnerable People Registration

Parents and carers if you remain with your child in their classroom beyond school drop off, or volunteer for parent help, or would like to attend a school excursion we must see a copy of your registration card.  When you sign in at the office please enter your RWVP number.  

It is against the law for a person to work or volunteer at any DECYP School without a current working with vulnerable people registration. 

If you would like to volunteer at Waverley Primary School we would love to hear from you.  To apply for registration please follow the link below:

Communication

Messages from you to school

To ensure your messages are received and actioned in a timely manner and without error, please use the following:

• Absentee notifications - Enter details using the SZapp by 9:00am to notify the office of student absence.
• End of day messages - Send a message using the SZapp or call 63391455 before 2:30pm.
• Queries and other messages - Send a message using the SZapp or email waverley.primary@decyp.tas.gov.au
• Uniform & icecream/icypole orders - Order and pay on the Qkr! app

We endeavour to respond to enquiries within 2 business days during school terms.

Messages from us to you

In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint, we will push information out to you via the SZapp.  It is very important that all of our parents have signed up to the Schoolzine app to receive notices and information. 

If you require assistance in setting up or using the SZapp or the Qkr! app, please contact the office. 

Move Well Eat Well

A reminder to everyone that we do not bring energy drinks to school.  

Important Dates

Staff Information

Teacher details:

Leadership and Support Staff:

Community Notices