Friday 30th May, 2025

From the Principal

National Reconciliation Week

Wangala Primary School acknowledges the Wadawurrung People as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, learn, work and play. They were the first to walk this land and care for it and, for tens of thousands of year, they maintained a deep connection through culture, language and story. We honour that enduring relationship and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

This week we acknowledged National Reconciliation Week (27th of May to 3rd of June), an important time that invites all Australians ‘to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to reconciliation in Australia’ (Reconciliation Australia). Students regularly engage in meaningful classroom activities throughout the year, designed to deepen their understanding and, this week, we particularly focus on how we can contribute to reconciliation in everyday life. Reconciliation Week coincides with National Sorry Day on the 26th of May. Students across the school engaged in age-appropriate learning experiences to explore its meaning and significance.

Parent Payment Arrangements

I sincerely thank all the families who have already contributed to Wangala Primary School through voluntary payments. Your generosity makes a real difference and helps us provide the best possible learning experiences for our students.

While the State Government covers free instruction and the standard curriculum, your contributions allows us to go beyond that. Thanks to you, we can maintain strong classroom teaching and specialist programs in Literacy, Numeracy, Art, Performing Arts, PE, STEAM, Kitchen Garden and Auslan. For 2025, the voluntary curriculum contribution has helped us to keep updating resources, including our take-home decodable texts, to assist in maintaining our kitchen garden program, and to provide a balanced education that supports every child.

We are committed to keeping costs affordable and truly appreciate the support of every family. Together, we’re building the best schooling environment for our children to thrive.

Regards,

Steven King

Principal

Dates to Remember

Tuesday, 3rd June
Meli Playgroup in the Kuwarrk building 9.15 – 10.45am

Friday, 6th June
2.45pm Assembly in the Gymnasium

Monday, 9th June
King’s Birthday Public Holiday
Student Free Day

Tuesday, 10th June
Meli Playgroup in the Kuwarrk building 9.15 – 10.45am

Friday, 20th June
2.45pm Assembly in the Gymnasium

Monday, 23rd June
MARC Van

Friday, 4th July
1.30pm Open Classrooms
Last Day of Term 2, 2.15pm Finish

Monday, 21st July
First Day of Term 3
MARC Van

Tuesday, 29th July
Bravehearts Incursion

Wednesday, 30th July
Student Led Conferences

Tuesday, 5th August
District Athletics Day Grade 4-6

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.

Student Awards

Congratulations to last fortnights award recipients!

School Wide Positive Behaviour

The past fortnight’s positive behaviour focus has been “We use equipment safely and in the way it is intended.”

In classrooms across the school, students have been showing great responsibility when using books, iPads, and laptops. From carrying devices carefully to keeping books in good condition, it’s been wonderful to see students taking pride in looking after their learning tools.

This focus has also extended to how students use sports and playground equipment. Whether it’s returning balls to the correct place, using climbing structures safely, or sharing equipment fairly during break times, students have been making thoughtful choices that help everyone enjoy a safe and respectful environment.

Thank you to all students for demonstrating this important value. Keep it up as we continue to build positive habits in all areas of school life!

Reminders

Staff Carpark: Just a reminder that the staff driveway and carpark are not to be used or accessed by families. Please park on Kidman Avenue and walk your child up the ramp. The exception to this is for those who use the disabled carpark, and for OSHC drop off and pick ups outside school hours. Thank you for your cooperation.

Yard Duty and Supervision: A friendly reminder that school supervision is provided 15 minutes before and after school. We kindly ask that students arrive and depart within these times. Breakfast Club is available daily from 8:45am.

Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) is offered by Wangala Primary School from 6:30am – 9:00am and 3:15pm – 6:00pm, Monday to Friday. We recommend that all families complete the OSHC enrolment paperwork in advance, in case you’re ever running late or need to drop your child off early.

Please note that parents and carers are responsible for the care and supervision of students travelling to and from school, and outside of the school’s designated supervision times. For safety reasons, students arriving after 9:00am must be accompanied into the office by a parent or carer and signed in via the Compass kiosk.

Enrolments for 2026 Now Open: Enrolments for the 2026 school year are now open for families residing in the Wangala Primary School zone. If you know of anyone with a child starting school in 2026, please encourage them to contact us to arrange a school tour. To be eligible to start Prep in 2026, children must turn five years old by 30 April 2026.

For planning purposes, we kindly ask current Wangala Primary School families with a sibling starting next year to submit enrolment forms by Friday, 25 July 2025. Please include a copy of your child’s birth certificate and immunisation status with the enrolment. These documents can also be emailed to the office at wangala.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Keeping Your Child Home When They’re Unwell: As we approach the colder months, it’s important to work together to keep our school community as healthy as possible. One of the most effective ways to do this is by keeping your child at home when they are unwell.

Even mild symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose, cough, or fatigue can be signs of something contagious. Sending a sick child to school not only prolongs their recovery but can also spread illness to classmates and staff. We understand that managing time off school can be challenging for families, but your support helps reduce the risk of outbreaks and ensures a safer environment for everyone.

To help guide families, the Department of Health provides a comprehensive School exclusion table for primary schools and children’s services. This resource outlines how long children should stay home for a range of illnesses. If you’re ever unsure whether your child should attend school, we encourage you to refer to the table or speak with your GP.

Thank you for your ongoing support in prioritising the health and wellbeing of our school community.

In the Classroom: Prep/One A

Mathematics: This fortnight in Maths, our P/1 students have been busy exploring 2D shapes through a range of hands-on activities. They’ve had lots of fun creating shape pizzas, building marshmallow and spaghetti shapes, and designing their own shape monsters!

Deakin Science Students: Over the past fortnight, P/1 enjoyed some science lessons led by Deakin teaching students, who introduced a range of fun and engaging science concepts. The students had an absolute ball exploring, experimenting, and learning like real scientists!

Performing Arts

In Performing Arts, we’ve spent the past two weeks exploring circus tricks and learning to play the electric bass guitar. Here are some photos of us enjoying the experience and building our skills!

STEAM - Prep to Grade 2

The prep to grade 2 students have had a great week in STEAM, continuing their exploration of plants. They learnt all about the plant life cycle and then put their creativity to the test by building their own unique plants out of LEGO. The ideas and imagination on display were incredible!

Years 4–6 Shine at Winter Lightning Premiership

On Monday, our enthusiastic Year 4–6 students proudly represented our school in the Winter Sports Lightning Premiership, an exciting interschool sporting competition that forms a key part of Victorian primary schools physical education and sports curriculum. The event offers students the opportunity to engage in competitive team sports, build camaraderie and develop valuable skills on and off the field.

The winter sports Lightning Premiership featured two popular sports: netball and soccer. Our students competed against several local schools with great spirit, determination, and teamwork throughout the day.

A huge congratulations to our soccer team, who had an outstanding run, winning their first three matches, drawing their fourth, and securing a spot in the finals. They continued their momentum with a strong performance in the final match, bringing home a well-deserved win. Their efforts, sportsmanship, and teamwork were commendable, and we are incredibly proud of what they achieved.

Our netball team also showed fantastic dedication and skill across their matches. While they missed out on making the finals, their commitment, energy, and positive attitude were evident all day. Most importantly, they enjoyed the experience and took away valuable lessons and memories.

A big thank you to Andrea Hueston, our dedicated PE teacher, for organising our school’s participation in the event and for always encouraging and supporting our students to do their best. We’d also like to extend our appreciation to Liz Nicopoulos for volunteering her expertise in first aid, your support helped ensure a safe and smooth day for everyone.

We’re proud of every student who participated and represented our school with pride. Events like the Lightning Premiership highlight the importance of sport in building resilience, collaboration, and confidence and our students certainly embodied all of these qualities.

Well done to everyone involved!

Join the Walk for Truth: Portland to Parliament

The Yoorrook Justice Commission invites everyone to join the Walk for Truth, a powerful journey from Portland—where colonisation began—to Parliament House, where we can shape a new future together.

Led by Yoorrook Deputy Chair Commissioner Travis Lovett, Kerrupmara Gunditjmara, the Walk begins Sunday 25 May on Gunditjmara Country in Portland and finishes Wednesday 18 June at Parliament House. It will pass through towns including Warrnambool, Colac, Geelong and Footscray.

This journey is about truth-telling, healing, and celebrating the strength and resistance of Aboriginal people. It builds on four years of truth-telling by First Peoples through Yoorrook, documenting the impacts of colonisation and showing a path forward for all Victorians.

Commissioner Lovett invites you to walk together toward truth and transformation:

“Be part of the positive change for Victoria and Australia, to celebrate the strength and resistance of Aboriginal people, and to be proud of the oldest living culture in the world.”

Public walk sections are now open.
Sign up via Eventbrite to join. Yoorrook Justice Commission Walk for Truth Tickets, Sun, May 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM | Eventbrite

Day 19a – Thursday 12 June: Geelong (Transvaal Square) to Saint Helens Park – 3.6 km (~1 hour)