Penbank Letter Home
Letter Home
We conclude the semester having experienced some wonderful times together. In all groups, children have had the opportunity to learn well through their specific units of inquiry that support the development of foundational skills in English and Maths. I also have enjoyed the opportunity to work with teachers to reflect on our approaches to teaching.
Sharing across campuses likewise has provided important professional connections. For children and teachers a continuity of curriculum and teaching strategies ensures consistency of practice, routines and expectations. Participation in the specialist areas has also seen children challenging themselves through sport and the Arts. There have been some amazing achievements on the sports field and numerous first-time performances at the recent Bunjil Concert. Well done to everyone!
Be a Voice for Generations
National Reconciliation Week with the theme, Be a Voice for Generations, was a wonderful celebration across the whole school. A Gathering of staff, parents and friends was held at Penbank to acknowledge this important time. All three campuses showcased their connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities; our school’s collaborations both local and interstate continue to be very strong. From a Penbank perspective, we were delighted to have the short documentary, Belong Wugubank, featured. It beautifully captures the Wugubank story that commenced September 2009. Adam Liddiard and his team produced the movie, which we hope to promote broadly soon. Thank you, Adam, and team. We also welcomed musician, Monica Weightman, as a guest speaker for the evening. Additionally, Monica worked with students at Minimbah and Penbank throughout the week.
Shortly following National Reconciliation Week, I had a quick visit to Beswick to meet with Wugularr staff to discuss our plans for the Year 6 Wugubank NT experience. The children are all looking forward to us being with them once again. I left the staff behind completing their reports and was able to add to my visit a day at the Barunga Festival. It was a fantastic celebration of culture, sport, the arts, and community. I was delighted to see the children that were with us in March, proudly a part of the welcoming corroboree that involved numerous elders and dignitaries. It was the 35th year of the Barunga Festival and a timely reminder of the Barunga Statement, 1988 – an important painted document that was presented to the Prime Minister calling on him and his government to recognise the rights of Aboriginal people. Their request, this Barunga Festival, was to recognise and support the Voice to Parliament to achieve what was requested in 1988.
Wrapping it up!
The semester wrapped up with an entrepreneurial and sustainable focus including the Year 5 Marketplace, Year 3 and 4 Trashion Show and the PFG /Year 6 sausage sizzle to fundraise for the Mornington Community Support Centre. Our Year 6 Environmental Action team met with the PFG to discuss ways to ensure all food is served with minimal and environmentally sustainable packaging. Maddy S, Year 5, initiated a Rubbish Warriors Group earlier in the term. She successfully established a little team in support of a clean school and environment. Well done and thank you, Year 6 Environmentalists and Maddy!
“You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Understandably, many families are making the most of this mid-year holiday period to embark on an adventure. I am one of them! It seems that for so long, we’ve been restricted in making plans, but now it’s time to take off! And for some families, holiday time is being extended.
If you are away for an extended length of time, do remember to factor in time for some reading, writing, and working things out. Keeping a journal of your adventure including drawings, lists, brief notes, and general information including the country you’re on; maps, calculations of distances, and differences in climate and terrain can be documented along the way. And when you get back, it’s a beautiful document to keep and share.
What’s next ...
We return to our next semester with further exciting opportunities for all. Book Week is always a colourful and creative week immersed in literature, and camps to Jungai, Sovereign Hill and Wugularr for students in Year 3 to 6 are quite amazing learning experiences. For parents, staff and friends, the Penbank Rock Quiz on Friday 1 September is a terrific event to look forward to, so do add the date to your diary!
My thanks to all staff for a hugely busy and productive semester. I am immeasurably grateful for your work and commitment to the school. To parents, we have loved having you in! Thanks for the reading, help on excursions, cooking and being with us for all sporting events, music concerts and School Meeting. Truly appreciate all that you do!
Take care and keep safe on your travels or wherever you may be.
Kindest regards,
VIVIENNE
Head of Penbank Campus
Student Free Day – Monday 7 August
As part of the School’s responsibility to enact and uphold Victoria's Child Safe Standards, all Woodleigh School campuses will have a student-free day on Monday 7 August.
The student-free day will enable all staff across the school to update their Child Safe training, together with other critical compliance requirements. We appreciate families understanding of the school's compliance responsibilities and thank you for your support.
DAVID BAKER – Principal
ROD DAVIES, VIVIENNE WEARNE and NAT McLENNAN
Deputy Principals – Heads of Campus
Woodleigh XC MTB Team – Round 1
Sunday saw our Cross Country Mountain Bike (XC MTB) team compete in the first round of the AusCycling 2023 Alpinestars Schools Mountain Bike Series (Victoria). Racing took place at Dromana College, winding around – and at one point through – the school buildings before moving into the singletrack of the Hillview Trail.
Woodleigh had 9 students competing, including 1 Minimbah student. Many of our team have been training on a Wednesday afternoon at Red Hill in preparation for the series.
The series is designed as an entry point into mountain bike racing for students, with two categories open to experienced club racers (Racing) and those giving competitive riding a go for the first time (Novice).
At the time of writing full results have not been published, but we did have some success with Charlie Hosking (Year 7) taking 3rd place in the highly competitive U15 Boys Racing category. Alannah Dietrich (Year 8) claimed 1st place in U15 Girls Novice and held her own racing at the same time as U17 and U19 categories. Josh Strouts (Year 7) and Nate Woollard (Year 8) secured top ten finishes in the U15 Boys Novice race.
Well done to Archie Butt (Year 6), Riley Kirk, Archie Lucas (both Year 7), Blake Gordon and Lewis Wakeling (both Year 8) on their rides around the challenging and often muddy Dromana course.
The series continues in Term 3 with racing at Lysterfield on Sunday 23 July, and a third round at the You Yangs on Sunday 6 August.
We are always looking to welcome new riders of any experience into the program, and would love to see you at our Wednesday night training sessions. Transport is provided for students (and bikes!) to and from Red Hill. We have a small fleet of school bikes and helmets for those who are mountain bike curious!
Contact me via tangelico@woodleigh.vic.edu.au if you have any questions or to get involved!
TOM ANGELICO
MTB Coordinator
International Women’s Day Lunch – Monday 24 July
Students in Year 6 to 12 are invited to join Woodleigh alumni Casley Rowan (class of 2015) at our International Women’s Day Luncheon. Casley is an Advisor at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. She will join us to discuss this year's theme for International Women's Day - Embrace Equity.
Our student organising committee have nominated Blue Dragon Children's Foundation to receive the funds raised at this event once again. Blue Dragon is a Vietnamese organisation that offers rescue and crisis care for young people who are victims of human trafficking; as well as shelter; legal advocacy; and long-term support for children to return to school and training.
Tickets: $20 per person, with all profits going to charity
RSVP by Wednesday 19 July – places are limited – so get your tickets now!
BOOK NOWPositive Body Image: Term 3 PEP Talk
Imagine Me - Positive Body Image with Deanne Carson, CEO of Body Safety Australia
Adolescence can be a challenging time as young people go through a period of transition and growth. These years are critical in forming their identity, relationship with self and others, perception of the world, and so much more.
Join Deanne Carson, CEO of Body Safety Australia, as she promotes positive body image and encourages parents and carers to reflect on the development of physical, emotional, and mental health as a prevention measure regarding eating disorders and the influence of social media in this context.
When: Wednesday 9 August, 7pm onwards
Book now to let us know you're coming!
BOOK NOWAs part of the School’s responsibility to enact and uphold Victoria's Child Safe Standards, all Woodleigh School campuses will have a student-free day on Monday 7 August.
The student-free day will enable all staff across the school to update their Child Safe training, together with other critical compliance requirements. We appreciate families understanding of the school's compliance responsibilities and thank you for your support.
DAVID BAKER – Principal
ROD DAVIES, VIVIENNE WEARNE and NAT McLENNAN
Deputy Principals – Heads of Campus
Sunday saw our Cross Country Mountain Bike (XC MTB) team compete in the first round of the AusCycling 2023 Alpinestars Schools Mountain Bike Series (Victoria). Racing took place at Dromana College, winding around – and at one point through – the school buildings before moving into the singletrack of the Hillview Trail.
Woodleigh had 9 students competing, including 1 Minimbah student. Many of our team have been training on a Wednesday afternoon at Red Hill in preparation for the series.
The series is designed as an entry point into mountain bike racing for students, with two categories open to experienced club racers (Racing) and those giving competitive riding a go for the first time (Novice).
At the time of writing full results have not been published, but we did have some success with Charlie Hosking (Year 7) taking 3rd place in the highly competitive U15 Boys Racing category. Alannah Dietrich (Year 8) claimed 1st place in U15 Girls Novice and held her own racing at the same time as U17 and U19 categories. Josh Strouts (Year 7) and Nate Woollard (Year 8) secured top ten finishes in the U15 Boys Novice race.
Well done to Archie Butt (Year 6), Riley Kirk, Archie Lucas (both Year 7), Blake Gordon and Lewis Wakeling (both Year 8) on their rides around the challenging and often muddy Dromana course.
The series continues in Term 3 with racing at Lysterfield on Sunday 23 July, and a third round at the You Yangs on Sunday 6 August.
We are always looking to welcome new riders of any experience into the program, and would love to see you at our Wednesday night training sessions. Transport is provided for students (and bikes!) to and from Red Hill. We have a small fleet of school bikes and helmets for those who are mountain bike curious!
Contact me via tangelico@woodleigh.vic.edu.au if you have any questions or to get involved!
TOM ANGELICO
MTB Coordinator
Students in Year 6 to 12 are invited to join Woodleigh alumni Casley Rowan (class of 2015) at our International Women’s Day Luncheon. Casley is an Advisor at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. She will join us to discuss this year's theme for International Women's Day - Embrace Equity.
Our student organising committee have nominated Blue Dragon Children's Foundation to receive the funds raised at this event once again. Blue Dragon is a Vietnamese organisation that offers rescue and crisis care for young people who are victims of human trafficking; as well as shelter; legal advocacy; and long-term support for children to return to school and training.
Tickets: $20 per person, with all profits going to charity
RSVP by Wednesday 19 July – places are limited – so get your tickets now!
BOOK NOWImagine Me - Positive Body Image with Deanne Carson, CEO of Body Safety Australia
Adolescence can be a challenging time as young people go through a period of transition and growth. These years are critical in forming their identity, relationship with self and others, perception of the world, and so much more.
Join Deanne Carson, CEO of Body Safety Australia, as she promotes positive body image and encourages parents and carers to reflect on the development of physical, emotional, and mental health as a prevention measure regarding eating disorders and the influence of social media in this context.
When: Wednesday 9 August, 7pm onwards
Book now to let us know you're coming!
BOOK NOW