Newsletter
Friday 19th June, 2026
A Message from our Principal!
As we come to the end of Term 2, I would like to acknowledge the wonderful efforts of our students, staff and families throughout the term. It has been a busy and productive, with many opportunities for learning, growth and connection across our school community.
Student Reports
Semester 1 student reports will be distributed next Wednesday 24th June. As a reminder, following the Compass communication sent a few weeks ago, they have been modified this semester due to the impacts of the recent industrial action, and there will be no written teacher comments. For clarity, reports will include:
- Progression points for all learning areas your child has participated in this semester
- Ratings for learning behaviours, such as participation and engagement
- Attendance information
Last Day of Term
The last day of term is next Friday 26th June, with students finishing early at 2:30pm. It will also be a Casual Dress Day, and students are invited to wear casual clothes and bring along a gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to GAWS (Geelong Animal Welfare Society). We warmly invite all parents, carers and community members to attend our End of Term Assembly, which will commence at 1:30pm. Following the assembly, our classrooms will be open for families to visit. Please note that OSHC will continue to operate both before and after school on the last day of term for families who require this service. We look forward to seeing you at our end-of-term celebrations.
Staffing Changes
I would like to acknowledge several staff members for their contributions to our school community. At the end of this term, Hannah Beaumont (1/2HB) will commence maternity leave. Hannah has done an outstanding job supporting our young students this year and has made a significant contribution to our school. We wish Hannah and her family all the very best as they prepare to welcome their second child and hope everything goes smoothly during this exciting time. We are pleased to welcome Kate Schram, who will be taking over 1/2HB on a Thursday and Friday for the remainder of the year. Kate is well known to our school, and we know she will be a valuable addition to the classroom and to our staff team more broadly. We will also be farewelling Chris Lipiarski at the end of term. Chris has been an extremely valued member of our Education Support team and has made a positive impact on the lives of many students through his work in classrooms across the school. Beyond his direct support of students, Chris has always been a willing and enthusiastic contributor to school life, and he will be greatly missed. A position to fill this vacancy is currently being advertised, and we look forward to welcoming a new team member in the near future.
Uniform
A friendly reminder to all families that students are expected to wear the approved Wangala uniform each day. Our uniform helps foster a positive sense of belonging and identify, promotes equity amongst students, and ensures children are dressed safely and appropriately for learning and play.
Key reminders:
- Students should wear approved school uniform, including school-branded tops and plain black bottoms.
- Appropriate enclosed footwear, such as runners or black school shoes, must be worn.
- Shoulder-length or longer hair should be tied back for safety.
- Decorative jewellery, smart watches and cosmetics are not permitted at school.
If your child is unable to wear the appropriate uniform for any reason, please communicate this to your child’s teacher. We will also work with families to support their child in meeting the school’s uniform expectations. Thank you for your support in maintaining high standards and helping our students represent Wangala with pride.
https://wangalaps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Student-Dress-Code-Policy.pdf
School Review Update
We are currently preparing for our upcoming school review, which will take place in Term 3. Our Pre-Review Self-Evaluation (PRSE) will be submitted by the end of term. This part of the process provides an opportunity to reflect on student learning and wellbeing outcomes, school practices, and progress against our current School Strategic Plan. Early next term, on Wednesday 22nd July, a Review Preparation Meeting will take place, where our reviewer, Senior Education Improvement Leader (SEIL), and challenge partners will discuss our PRSE, supporting evidence, and establish the key areas of focus. The Review Day will then occur on Thursday 20th August, with the review panel engaging in classroom observations, discussions with staff, students and families, and analysis of evidence to inform the final review findings and future strategic directions. This is an exciting time for our school and a great opportunity to celebrate the progress we have made and identify future priorities for continued improvement.
Student-free Days
In Semester 2, the school will have an additional three student-free days scheduled as part of the existing Victorian Government Schools Agreement (VGSA). This includes two remaining Curriculum Days from the school’s allocation of four days and one Professional Practice Day for teachers. These days will be presented to School Council for approval and will be confirmed early in Term 2.
I wish everyone a safe and relaxing holiday break, and we look forward to welcoming students and families back on Monday 13th July for another exciting term.
Regards,
Joe Doyle
Principal
Dates to Remember
Wangala Primary School acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we are on, the Wadawurrung people, and thank them for sharing their long lasting culture with us as we learn and grow together.
Term 2 dates:
Monday, 22nd June P/1S & 3/4A Excursion to the Botanical Gardens
Thursday, 24th June Seussical the Musical
Friday, 26th June Last Day of Term 2 Open Classrooms & Assembly from 1:30pm Casual Dress Day, gold coin donation Early dismissal 2:30 pm
Term 3 dates:
Monday, 13th July First Day of Term 3
Monday, 27th July 2/3K & 5/6KD Excursion to The Botanical Gardens 100 Days of Prep
Sunday, 2nd August Working Bee
Thursday, 6th August District Athletics @ Landry Field
Monday, 24th Aug P/1S Excursion to The Belmont Library
Classroom Spotlight: P/1S
This fortnight, our Prep/One students have been exploring persuasive texts through the much-loved mentor text Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems. We have been learning how authors use persuasive language to convince their audience and sharing our opinions using reasons to support our thinking.
Students have enjoyed discussing the Pigeon’s many arguments and identifying whether his reasons are convincing. They have also been practising persuasive speaking and writing by expressing their own opinions and giving reasons to support them.
How did the pigeon try to persuade the reader?
When he said his cousin Harry drives the bus every day, but that’s not true! – Lakorra
By telling us he would ‘just steer’ not drive the bus – Grace
When he tells us he will give us a fiver! – Matari
PE with Andy
The senior students have been busy practising for the upcoming Athletics Day in Term 3. Trials have been run and a team will be selected from students across the Grade 3–6 year levels. Students will be notified by the end of next week.
Unfortunately, not all students in Grades 3–6 will have the opportunity to participate in this day, similar to previous years. As our school continues to grow in size, we do not have the capacity to include all students, and selections are made to ensure the strongest team is represented.
The events will include long jump, triple jump, discus, shot put, 100m, 200m, 800m, 1500m, and the 4 x 100m relays. Age groups include Under 9/10, Under 11, and Under 12/13 boys and girls. Each event will have a maximum of two students per age group, with students able to compete in up to two individual events plus a relay.
It has been great to watch so many talented students in the track and field space, showing their skills and enthusiasm throughout trials and training. Permission forms and further information will be sent home at the start of the term.
The junior students have continued to enjoy practising fundamental skills, including throwing, catching, bouncing, jumping, balancing, and rolling, through a variety of fun games and activities. They have also enjoyed playing simple games and learning about the importance of winning and losing, as well as working together in teams and supporting one another while playing. A favourite activity has been using the parachute, where students work together as a team to complete challenges and play a range of games. We are very fortunate to have access to a gym during these colder months, providing a warm and safe space for students to stay active and engaged.
Award Recipients...
Congratulations to these well deserved recipients of the Star Student, Student Leader, Physical Education and Wellbeing Awards.
Kitchen/Garden Schedule for the rest of 2026!
Kitchen
Term 2, Week 6 -10 2/3 K
Term 3, Week 1 -5 P/1S
Term 3, Week 6-10 5/6DA
Term 4, Week 1 -5 3/4A
Term 4, Week 6-10 5/6DA
Garden
Term 2, Week 6-10 1/2HB
Term 3, Week 1-5 5/6DA
Term 3, Week 6-10 3/4A
Term 4, Week 1 – 5 2/3K
Term 4, Week 6-10 P/1S
Working Bee...
Save the date!
Introducing Ms. Kate...
We are pleased to inform you that from the beginning of Term 3, until the end of the school year, Kate Schram will be teaching the 1/2 class on Thursdays and Fridays. Kate is a fantastic educator who is very familiar with our school community. She regularly teaches at the school in a relief capacity, has undertaken extended teaching roles with us in the past and will be a wonderful addition to the classroom.
We wish Hannah all the very best as she begins her maternity leave and look forward to Kate working alongside Bec for the remainder of the year.
Casual Dress Day
Prep Enrolments for 2027...
Do you know someone starting prep in 2027?
Tell them to come and have a look around our beautiful school!
Enquire with the office to hear about upcoming tours and the amazing programs we offer here at Wangala Primary school.
Do you have a sibling starting prep in 2027? let us know so we can plan accordingly!
OSHC
What a busy year it’s been for our Outside School Hours Care program! As our wonderful school community continues to grow, our OSHC program grows with it, and we are currently seeing the highest number of session booking requests we have ever received. This does mean that we are reaching capacity faster than in previous years, so we ask that any casual bookings are made in advance when possible.
Geelong Regional Libraries.....
Read and Roar phonics based family program, held at the Belmont library.
Reconciliation Action Plan
Our Positive Behaviour Matrix
