One of our core values at Wangala Primary School is being ‘community minded’.  I feel that this is such an important value to instil in our children, to recognise that we all belong to varying communities and that we all have a role to play and contribution to make.  This was really evident at last weekends working bee, where there were multiple community members in attendance to make our school the best place that it can be.  I was unfortunately unable to attend this working bee due to my attendance at the ‘Government Schools Principal’s Conference’ in Melbourne, and pre-arranged theatre tickets on the Sunday, but was heartened to see that so many of you turned up to help.  I thank Kim Dugan for stepping in in my absence to coordinate the working bee, and for making sure everyone knew what to do.  I also thank the staff members who gave up their weekend to assist.  Having attended numerous working bees over my career I always reflect on education staff being the only people to turn up to their workplace on a weekend, unpaid, to tend the garden!  Again, this shows community mindedness.  I was informed that the students in attendance were incredibly helpful, showing great pride in their school.  Thank you, Wangala community, for your time and efforts!

As mentioned above, on Monday I attended the ‘Government Schools Principal’s Conference’ in Melbourne with leaders from across Victoria.  The event was jam packed with incredible key-note speakers.  We heard from the Minister for Education, The Hon. Ben Carroll, and the Deputy Secretary Schools and Regional Services, Dr David Howes who shared some exciting achievements of the department schools, and the future direction of education in our state.  I had the pleasure of listening to an engaging address from Dr. Kristin Ferguson, one of the world’s most recognised leadership experts, where she spoke about leading with the head and leading with the heart.  I also had the pleasure of listening to Dr Jenny Donovan, the CEO of the Australian Education Research Organisation.  Of the addresses and sessions I attended, I was really lucky to attend a session facilitated by Emina McLean on ‘leveraging literacy leadership in schools and systems’, which is so pertinent to our current focus at Wangala Primary School.  A handful of the staff will be working with Emina later in the year as we move into 2025 and the introduction of new reading reforms and the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 roll out across our school. 

When I look across the calendar over the next few weeks, I can see there are so many things happening!  Next Friday our Prep students will be celebrating their first 100 days of schooling with a special day.  Our senior students are attending the District Athletics next Friday and will then head off to camp the week after.  In that week we also have the Wangala Tabloid Sports on the Friday from 11.30am to 1.30pm, which we invite our community to come and watch.  Last, but not least, in Week Six, it is everyone’s favourite, Book Week!  On Friday, 23rd August, we will have a Book Week dress-up day and a book swap.  Be sure to check out the flyers around these events, and get ready for a busy, but fun, few weeks ahead!

Stay warm everyone!

Regards,

Steven King

Principal