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WUPS Super Star Performers
Y5/6 students demonstrated the value of Courage by attending a selection trial for Devon representative teams. Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to play in the Devon vs Darwin competition on Friday 2 September.
Netball Amelia and Katiah
Soccer Riley and Cormac
Football Announcement will be made next week
Hockey Announcement will be made next week
Congratulation to Sienna for making it into the Future Development and State Development Programs for 2022/2023 Under 14 Basketball.
Reid
Congratulations for making GOswim weekly winners for completing her swimming levels at Splash.
Doug
Congratulations for being the Ulverstone Robins Mini League “Robin of the Year”
Please let us know if there are other super stars we have not been made aware of.
The Teacher Assistant (TA) Team at West Ulverstone Primary School, in Tasmania, are Finalists in the Australian Teacher Aide Team of the Year Awards.
WUPS staff, Angela McAuliffe and Meagan Smith, said “Our TAs have been involved at the school for a combined total of 93 years. We believe they are part of the backbone of our community and live the WUPS vision every day, by making decisions based on improving student outcomes and ensuring that the student remains the focus.”
The TA team work in a variety of roles across the school including individual support, teacher support, speech, kindergarten, classroom support, regulation support, flexible learning, targeted learning programs and one on one support.
Team members collaborate with class teachers to provide scaffolded support to students such as:
- building strong relationships with students disengaged from schooling, and their families, leading to improved attendance and engagement
- using their knowledge of best practice to consistently support students who require routine and structure
- working alongside class teachers, to create learning opportunities that engage students at any level
- supporting students in kinder and prep to have successful beginnings to their schooling, and building great relationships with families and students’ support networks
- bringing positive energy to learning tasks for students who need adjustments
- delivering a targeted support program to improve engagement levels for the most disengaged students
- being trauma-informed.
The TA Team have been an important part of creating the school vision, and are consulted regarding whole school approaches, and their opinions are valued. They learned about providing a research-based program across the primary area to improve reading and engagement, that is now being implemented across the school.
Collaboration has ensured all students and the preconditions for learning are well known, ensuring teachers and TAs are on the same page, keeping the learner at the centre.
They attend staff meetings twice a term in order to collaborate and plan together regarding students and programs. The team are consulted when developing learning plans for students with additional needs, and meet with senior staff to actively problem solve and make suggestions about the running of the school and programs being delivered. The richness of the conversations between the TA team and teachers has been paramount to the success of the school in recent years.
Research is used to guide Professional Development Plans and actions, and the TA team have been guided by the Guidance Report: Making the best use of Teaching Assistants. In 2022, the school has been particularly focused on recommendation 5 – delivery of high-quality support.
For more information visit 2022 Team Finalists - Australian Teacher Aide
WUPS Vision and the value of Courage
At WUPS we are aspirational and expect our learners to achieve their best. This week students self-nominated to participate in ICAS testing in the areas of Maths, Science, Reading, Spelling and English.
This term I regularly see students demonstrating our value of Courage. The most recent was during our bike education program where students where learning to ride a bike for the first time in front of their peers. It was hard, they crashed but they kept trying and with each effort they improved.
We have begun creating a WUPS Vision Wall where all students are being asked to write on a ‘brick’. Each brick highlights one of our school values and as these are completed they will build a values wall in the hall. We will ask community members who come into our school to add to these by writing how they have shown our values and will place these as part of the display too.
Values Champions
Courage in our community
Today we were fortunate to meet retired teacher Mrs Vicky Purnell. Mrs Purnell worked UHS for many years, I wonder if she taught you for Science or Maths? Todays Mrs Purnell spoke to us about how she has shown Courage and Kindness by going back to university, helping hospitals and public speaking. She left us with a parting message reminding us what Ella’s mother in Cinderella said “have courage and be kind… where there is kindness there is goodness. We enjoyed listening to Mrs Purnell’s story’s of courage and feel privilege to meet a Tasmanian of the Year.
Maintaining Learning and Relationships (Class Split)
State-wide schools are increasingly finding it challenging to secure relief staff (both teaching and non-teaching). Every effort is made by the leadership team to minimise disruption when staff are away however there are times when we are unable to get a relief staff. This results in classes split amongst other classes across the school. We are fortunate having small classes and teachers planning to enable a smooth class split if it occurs.
Lunch time foods
We have noticed an increase in students bringing instant noodles to school for lunch. While we understand noodles are a quick and tasty lunch time option, this raised student safety concerns.
Yours in partnership
Angela McAuliffe
Principal
Upcoming events
Book Week Friday 26 August
Each year across Australia, the CBCA brings children and books together celebrating CBCA Book Week. We will be celebrating Australian children's literature and by holding a book character parade, sharing our favourite books and amazing displays. This will be in the hall at 9:15am on Friday 26 August.
We welcome WUPS and families to come to this parade and sharing assembly.
The theme is about stepping into your own story, dreaming with eyes open...
listening to Country as the first storyteller...
learning from friends who help you on your way.
What will you come dressed as in 2022?
Libraries Tasmania Book Week Bookmark Competition
To celebrate the 2022 Children's Book Council of Australia Book Week Libraries Tasmania is running a Book Week Bookmark Competition. Children are being asked to design a bookmark that explores this year’s theme, “Dreaming with eyes open…”
The winner in each of the five age categories will have their design professionally printed and made available at all our libraries.
Students may ask their teacher or Mrs Goodwin for an A3 template and return their designs by Friday the 26th of August, to the school office.
The winner in each age group will be contacted by Friday 2 September 2022.
Student Wellbeing Survey
The wellbeing of our students is important to us - we want to hear how students feel, and think, about different things going on in their lives.
Those in Year/s 4,5 & 6 at WUPS will be taking part in the Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey. The results from this survey will help us get a picture of the current wellbeing of our students, and what we can do to improve future wellbeing for learning. The more students who take part, the clearer our picture will be.
The Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey is part of the Department of Education’s Child and Student Wellbeing Strategy .
The details for the survey are:
When: Wednesday 31 August (up until 23 September if students are absent)
Who: Years 4,5 & 6
What do I need to do: You and your child don’t need to do anything. The survey will be done in class time and will not require your child to prepare in any way.
A letter with more information has been sent home with all Year 4,5 &6 students, including Frequently Asked Questions and a form to sign and return to the school if you do not want your child to participate in the survey.
If you would like further information, please contact Mrs Jenny Rodman.
Thank you for supporting us to ensure that all our learners are safe, feel supported and are able to flourish, so they can engage in learning.
Year 7 Information Night USC
Ulverstone Secondary College – 2023 Year 7 Information Evening
Parents and guardians are warmly invited to attend our upcoming Information Evening which will be held on Thursday 25 August at 7.00pm. Please reserve a seat by clicking the link below. If you are unable to attend the evening and would like information, please contact Kurt Crawford on 64251433 or alternatively email kurt.crawford@education.tas.gov.au.
https://www.trybooking.com/CBRGK
Useful COVID-19 information for families
If you’re looking for practical advice and information about COVID-19 in Tasmania, Public Health has released their COVID-19 winter update.
A copy has been enclosed in this newsletter.
For more information about COVID-19, please visit the Tasmanian Government Coronavirus website or contact the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738, or Department of Education COVID-19 Support Hotline at COVID19support@education.tas.gov.au or on 1800 816 057.
If you need support translating or interpreting this information, contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
Date |
Event |
Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 |
Bright Sparks Program Visit |
Friday 26 August |
Dress up Day & Sharing Assembly |
Friday 26 August – Wednesday 31 August |
OHST Fissure Sealant & Fluoride Varnish Program |
Wednesday 31 August |
Student Wellbeing Survey |
Wednesday 7 September |
Mother Nature Performance |
Friday 23 September |
Footy Colours Day |
Indey
for writing a fantastic sentence!
Ella
For excellent writing and spelling.
Stella
For excellent writing and spelling.
1/2/A
1/2A have had a lot of fun in Week 4, but not as much fun as Miss Cox who is soaking up the sun in Papua New Guinea!
The kids had the luxury of watching a great performance called Paper Escaper. Students in 1/2A documented what their favourite part of the performance was and created some puppets out of recyclable materials. If your students would like to be inspired there are great possibilities on the Terrapin website.
1/2/B
1/2B have had a busy first half of term 3.
We have spent some time in science inquiring into life cycles and living things which lead to a powerful question from Louise
“How do caterpillar’s make a chrysalis”
We quickly decided that the best way to answer this was to observe it happening – for real!
We unpacked what types of habitats caterpillars enjoy and were soon off searching.
After asking an expert, we realised that it was too early for caterpillars as butterflies don’t typically lay their eggs in winter.
We can’t wait to resume our search later in the year after learning about the changes spring will bring!
Week 4 Newsletter – Student Leader Report
Last week we organised a casual clothes day. Most of the school participated. As a school we managed to raise $111! Thank you so much, we are saving up for a big project.
Last Wednesday, the NWPSSA organised an amazing event for all the 5/6 students to play a sport of their choice. Some students were nominated to try out for spots in Devon teams. There were Devon teams for football, soccer, hockey, and netball. We wish all the students selected for the try outs good luck. We hope they make it.
For the beanie design competition, we picked 4 awesome designs and those designs were made by Kendell, Finlay, Tilly, and Eloise. They got a good copy and did their best design. As a school, we will pick the winning design by a school wide vote next week. We wish the best of luck to all the finalists.
On Tuesday, the Terrapin group performed a non-verbal performance to the whole school. It was called The Paper Escaper. It was really funny, and everyone enjoyed it. Thank you for your performance.
We also have book week next week! On Friday, we will have our dress up day. On the day Mrs Goodwin, Sienna and Riley will organise a parade where you can show off your best costume. We can’t wait to see everyone’s cool and creative costumes. The theme this year is dreaming with your eyes open. Families are welcome to come to our parade and sharing assembly.
Written by Riley and Sienna
We would love your feedback about LiL! Our survey takes approximately a minute to complete and will help us tailor our programs to you. Scan the QR code below or visit our Facebook page to contribute.
Did you know we are a passport to learning program?
Each time you and your child attends LiL or another Birth to 4 program, you will receive a sticker to put on your passport. Once you have collected 10 your child will get to choose a free picture book and you will receive a free Banjo’s coffee! See the flyer below for more information.
For more informtion please see
https://blacksquarechess.com/collections/interschool-tournaments
In NAIDOC week 2022, I organised some hand painting. I selected 3 to 4 students from each class, some of them, like me identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait
Islander Peoples. we got some paint and painted their hands with yellow, black and red paint. We painted the indigenous flag on people’s hands. We displayed them in the school garden but, sadly the rain ruined them over the holidays.
The reason schools celebrate NAIDOC week is because we celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres strait islander peoples. NAIDOC week isn’t just celebrated by indigenous peoples, its celebrated by Australians from all walks of life. I enjoyed working with Riley and Sienna to plan some NAIDOC week events at WUPS.
Written by Katiah Roughley
Child & Family Learning Centre
My name is Meagan Smith. I am excited to be the Centre Leader for the new West Ulverstone Child and Family Learning Centre being built here on our school grounds at West Ulverstone Primary School.
A Child and Family Learning Centre supports the health, well-being and educational development of the child from Birth to 5. It provides a single point of contact for community to access early childhood services and family support.
You should start to see some action on the bottom oval quite soon. As you know, buildings take some time but there will be activities to join in over the coming year. It is hoped that the centre will be finished at the end of 2023.
Some ways you can be a part of this are as follows…
- Become a part of the Local Enabling Group. If you would like to join the LEG please email meagan.smith@education.tas.gov.au
- Come along to LiL at WUPS on Monday 1:30pm – 2:30pm and Wednesday 9am – 10:30am
- Come along to the playgroup at the Ulverstone Neighbourhood House on Monday from 11am – 1pm
- If you would like to meet with me, please call the centre number on 0499 873 869 to make a time to get together