What a week for the Arts at Wangala Primary School this week!  On Wednesday I was so pleased to watch our students perform on stage at the Geelong Arts Centre for the ‘Geelong Movement and Music Festival’.  Based on the cheer for our students, most of our community were present in the theatre and we were a crowd favourite!  A huge well done to Ms Whytcross who coordinated the event for the whole school, and taught the performance to each and every child.

A huge well done also goes to our students and Ms Whytcross for our display at the Royal Geelong Show, which is currently on at the show grounds.  The display showcased students work focused on ‘Fairytales’ which also earned the school third place for primary school displays!  Top job Wangala!

On Monday we held a special assembly with a representative from Barwon Water in attendance to present three of our students with prizes for their entries into the Barwon Water National Water Week Poster Competition.  The three students, Aneisha in Prep, Eleni in Grade Three and Erin in Grade Six.  Well done to these talented students!  Each received a prize pack which featured their framed art work, a jigsaw of their art work, some other goodies and a gift voucher.  The three winning art works will also be put on display at the Geelong Art Gallery.  All school entries are currently on display in our gallery outside the classroom kitchen.  The school also received a $500 voucher!  Thank you Barwon Water for your generosity.

Our intensive swimming program begins next week at the Geelong Aquatic Centre.  This is a perfect time for our program as we head into the summer period and with people spending more time at one of our local beaches.  We believe it is essential for everyone to have basic swimming skills to help keep everyone safe around water, with our intensive swimming program forming an important part of our physical education program at this stage in the year.  Parents and carers are all welcome to come along to watch the swimming program.  See details further on in the newsletter, or check our Facebook page.

Next Friday, 27th October is the day that we in Victoria celebrate ‘World Teachers’ Day’.  This is the day we recognise and celebrate the teachers who are making, or have made, an impact in our lives.  When I reflect on my education I remember a number of key teachers who had a huge impact on my life, helping to shape me into the person I am today.  I recently had a former student of mine, now a young adult, contact me out of the blue to say thanks for being there for them during a particularly rough time, and to say that the care and compassion I had for them at that time helped them to navigate and feel heard, safe and cared for.  That is why teachers do what they do.  They teach to inspire, they teach to help shape people, to persevere even when faced with challenges that seem impossible.  Is there a teacher you can thank?  You can show your appreciation for our teachers, or even your old teachers, by sharing a thank you message. 

From me to the teachers I have worked with, who taught me, and our wonderful Wangala Primary School teachers, thanks, and happy ‘World Teachers’ Day’ for next week.

Steven King
Principal