Newsletter
Friday 20th March, 2026
A Message from our Principal!
It has been another productive and positive fortnight across the school, with many important events and milestones taking place.
NAPLAN
Congratulations to our Year 3 and Year 5 students who successfully completed their NAPLAN assessments over the past two weeks. In total, 25 students participated in this year’s assessments. As previously communicated, NAPLAN provides valuable insights into student learning and progress at a whole-school level. We commend all students for the way they approached these assessments and for making their best effort throughout.
2027 Prep School Tour
We look forward to welcoming prospective families to our school on Wednesday 1st April at 9:15am for our 2027 Prep School Tour. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to see our school in action and learn more about what we offer. If you know of any families who may be interested and have not yet registered, please encourage them to contact the school via phone or email to confirm their attendance.
2026 School Council Composition
Following the recent ballot, I am pleased to announce that Melissa Stokes, Meagan Beer and Lily Edwards have been successfully appointed to the three vacant parent positions on our School Council. I would like to sincerely thank all those who nominated. The strong level of interest reflects the commitment and pride within our school community. Our 2026 School Council is now finalised as follows:
- Executive Officer: Joe Doyle
- Parent Members: Melissa Stokes, Meagan Beer, Lily Edwards, Chelsea Thompson, Julie Fryman
- School Employee Members: Rashelle Moon and Danni Amos
We look forward to working together to support the continued growth and improvement of our school.
Industrial Action
Further communication will be sent on Monday 23rd March outlining how our school will manage the impact of planned ‘stop work’ industrial action scheduled for Tuesday 24th March. Staff intending to participate are required to notify the principal by 5:00pm on Friday 20th March, meaning final arrangements cannot be confirmed until after this time.
Our priority will always be to minimise disruption to normal school operations. However, if staffing is significantly impacted, we have been advised to prioritise supervision for children of critical service workers who are unable to make alternative arrangements, as well as students who may be vulnerable, including those with disability or in out-of-home care.
End of Term Arrangements
A reminder that the final day of Term 1 is Thursday 2nd April, with Friday 3rd April being the Good Friday public holiday. Students will finish early at 2:30pm on the last day of term.
We will also be holding a special whole-school assembly on the final day, which will include an Easter Hat Parade. Further details regarding the timing of this event will be communicated.
Regards,
Joseph Doyle
Acting 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.
Friday, 20th March Assembly 2:30pm in the gym
Thursday, 2nd April Last day of term 1 (2:30pm finish)
Friday, 3rd April Good Friday (Public Holiday)
TERM 2
Wednesday, 22nd April District Cross Country
Monday 4th – Friday 8th May Scholastic Book fair
Wednesday, 27th May Winter Lightning Premiership
Classroom Spotlight: P/1S!
We have had a busy and productive few weeks in P/1S, with a strong focus on developing our fine motor skills. These are the small muscle movements in our hands and fingers that are so important for everyday tasks like writing, drawing, cutting, and doing up buttons.
Students have been engaging in a variety of hands-on activities to strengthen these skills. We have been practising tracing to build control and confidence with pencils, and using scissors carefully to cut along lines and shapes. The children have also enjoyed threading activities, which helps to develop hand–eye coordination and concentration.
One of our favourite tasks has been using tweezers to pick up and sort small beads. This fun activity helps build finger strength and precision, which are essential for writing. We have also been exploring connecting blocks, encouraging creativity while strengthening hand muscles and coordination.
It has been wonderful to see the students showing persistence, focus, and pride in their efforts. We are so proud of the progress they are making and look forward to continuing to build these important skills throughout the term!
– Sarah
Buddy Session!
Another fantastic buddy session this week, focusing on building connections! This time, they teamed up to create “people chains,” which required plenty of teamwork, communication, and concentration. It was great to see everyone working so well together.
We’re looking forward to next week’s sports session in the gym, where we’ll be developing our throwing and catching skills!
Ride to School Day!!
What a fantastic turnout we had for Ride to School Day!
It was amazing to see the racks overflowing with bikes, scooters and even skateboards!
Events like this are a great reminder of how fun and rewarding physical activity can be. Riding to school not only helps keep our bodies healthy and strong, but it also boosts mood, focus, and overall wellbeing. It’s a simple way to build healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
A big thank you to the students and families who participated, and the staff who helped organise. Lets keep going and remember to stay active where we can!
Cross Country
This week, our senior students have been practising for the upcoming District Cross Country in Week 1 of Term 2. This is a great opportunity for selected students who are capable of running the distance and are keen to take part.
Well done to all students for having a go and trying their best during the trials run in PE lessons. Walking across to Winters Reserve for the trials was a fun change and something different for a PE lessons, we’re very lucky to have this facility so close by.
For students who were not selected this year, remember there is always next year, keep training and giving it your best. Students who have been selected will have received a note on Monday. If these could be returned to the school as soon as possible, it would greatly assist with the organisation of the event.
Any questions please feel free to ask me
Thanks Andy.
Geelong Advertiser Prep Photo
Earlier in the term, Geelong Advertiser visited our school to photograph our preps as they began their school journey.
Every year they publish prep photos from all across Geelong and surrounds, celebrating the smallest members of our school community. Please see the QR code below for a link directly to the published webpage.
For those interested, the Geelong advertiser will be putting this issue out to print on Tuesday the 31st March.
Smile Squad
Would you like to access free dental care for your child(ren)?
Did you know the Victorian Government funds a free school dental program called Smile Squad? For more information, visit:
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/smile-squad
Smile Squad services at our school have now concluded; however, families can still access this high‑quality service completely free of charge by attending a community dental clinic.
Students can visit Barwon Health for general or emergency dental care. Please contact the clinic to book an appointment and let the team know you would like to book a Smile Squad appointment
Inform & Empower’s Cyber Safety & Digital Wellbeing program.
Dear Parents & Carers,
In 2026, as a whole school approach to ensuring your child has the necessary skills to remain safe online, your child will take part in Inform & Empower’s Cyber Safety & Digital Wellbeing program.
They will participate in termly live-streamed incursions that focus on topics such as :
- Digital Literacy
- Healthy Digital Habits
- Critical Thinking
- Cyberbullying Online Security
- Upstanders
- Help-seeking
- Consent
- Artificial Intelligence
Inform & Empower is endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider. Please see the information attached to the newsletter for a breakdown of what each class’s focus was for this term’s incursion. The feedback from students and staff was overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to participating in next term’s online incursion.
For further information, please contact Rashelle or visit www.informandempower.com.au
OSHC
What a busy start to the 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.
Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.
If you have a valid means-tested concession card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. Means-tested concession cards must be valid on the first day of Term 1, 2025 (Wednesday 28th January 2025) or Term 2, 2025 (Monday 20 April 2025).
Eligible families will receive a payment of $400 per year for primary school students, which is an increase from previous years. The funds will be paid directly to the school to be used towards camps, sports and excursion costs for the benefit of your child. If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
If you would like to apply for the first time, forms are available from the office.
Please return completed application forms to the school office as soon as possible.
To check eligibility or for further information, please refer to Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund | vic.gov.au
Please note that Applications for the 2025 Prep CSEF Uniform Package are also now open, forms available from the office.
Applications for both CSEF and the CSEF Uniform Packages close on 3rd July 2025.
2026 Wangala Easter Hat Parade
Reconciliation Action Plan
Our Positive Behaviour Matrix
