Friday 31st October, 2025

Wangala Primary School Arts Update

Happy Teacher’s Day!
Today, we take a special moment to celebrate and thank our incredible teachers on World Teacher’s Day. Every day, the teachers at Wangala Primary School bring passion, creativity, and care into their classrooms, inspiring our students to learn, grow, and reach their potential. Our teachers do so much more than teach lessons, they nurture curiosity, build confidence, and create the kind of learning environment where every child feels valued and capable. On behalf of our whole school community, thank you to our amazing teaching staff for all that you do!

Arriving on Time Matters
A friendly reminder to all families about the importance of arriving at school on time each morning. The first few minutes of the day set the tone for learning. Students who arrive promptly are calm, organised, and ready to engage. To help with smooth mornings it is important to establish a regular bedtime and morning routine. It may also be helpful to pack bags and lunches the night before. We ask that everyone aim to arrive at school five or ten minutes before the bell – it makes all the difference!

Busy and Exciting Weeks Ahead!
We have a lot happening over the next fortnight. On Wednesday, 5th November our Years 3-6 students will be heading off to Ecolinc in Bacchus Marsh for an exciting hands-on science experience. Next week we welcome our 2026 Prep students for their very first transition session. We can’t wait to have our newest members of the school community in the classroom! Starting Monday, 10th November, our swimming program begins for all students.

Why Learning to Swim Is So Important
Living so close to the beautiful Surf Coast, we are lucky to have some of the best beaches in Australia right on our doorstep, but this also means water safety is essential. Learning to swim isn’t just a sport, it’s a life skill that builds confidence, coordination, and resilience. We want every child to feel safe and capable in and around water. The school swimming program gives students the opportunity to develop these vital skills in a supportive environment, guided by experienced instructors.

Thanks

Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm as we head into this busy and exciting time of term. As always, we’re so proud of our students and grateful for the strong partnership we share with our families.

Regards,

Steven King

Principal

Event Reminders

Totally Random – Puberty Education $0 Consent Due 3/11/25
Tuesday 4^th November
Tuesday 11^th November
Tuesday 18^th November
Tuesday 25^th November

Ecoline – Space Junk – $0 Consent Due 31/10/25
Wednesday 5^th November

Whole School Swimming
Monday 10th November – Friday 14th November

Camp Wilkin Day Camp – $58 Consent and Payment Due 7/11/25
Friday 21^st November

BioLAB – $0 Consent Due 11/11/25
Monday 17^th November

Adventure Park – $47 Consent and Payment Due 28/11/25
Thursday 18^th December

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.

Sunday, 2nd November
Bunnings Sausage Sizzle

Tuesday, 4th November
Totally Random Year 4-6

Wednesday, 5th November
Prep 2026 Transition Session 2
Ecoline Excurion, Bacchus Marsh
Year 2-6

Friday, 7th November
2.45pm Assembly in the Gymnasium

Monday 10th – Friday 14th, November
Whole School Swimming

Tuesday, 1th November
Totally Random Year 4-6

Monday, 17th November
BioLAB Excursion Year 4-6

Tuesday, 18th November
Totally Random Year 6 only

Friday, 21st November
Prep 2026 Transition Session 3
No Assembly Today

Monday, 1st December
Curriculum Day – No Students at School

Friday, 21st November
Camp Wilkin Day Camp Year 3-6

Monday, 24th November
Arckit Mini Architects Workshop
Year 4-6

Tuesday, 25th November
Totally Random Year 4-6

Thursday, 27th November
Gymnastics Incursion Session 1
All Students

Monday, 1st December
Curriculum Day – No Students

Thursday, 4th December
Prep 2026 Transition Session 4
Gymnastics Incursion Session 2
All Students

Friday, 5th December
Colour Run!
Open Classrooms
Community BBQ lunch

Tuesday, 9th December
Whole School Step Up Day
Final Prep 2026 Transition

Friday, 12th December
Wangala Market Day

Tuesday, 16th December
Wangala’s Got Talent Showcase

Thursday, 18th December
Adventure Park Year 3-6

Friday, 19th December
Last Day of Term 4 1.30pm Finish

REMINDER: Bunnings Sausage Sizzle this Sunday

The Wangala Primary School Council has organised a Bunnings Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser this Sunday, 2nd November, at the
Waurn Ponds Store!

If you’re out and about, please pop in and purchase a sausage and/or drink to support this fantastic fundraiser.

A huge thank you to our School Council for organising the event, especially Chelsea Thompson, who has dedicated so much of her time to the preparations (including cutting 12 kg of onions!). What a spectacular effort!

BioCats Excursion

On Monday 27th October, students in 4-6KD went to GMHBA to experience maths and science in a sporting environment. We participated in a Draft Camp to test and measure our agility, flexibility and vertical leap before being lucky enough to have a special visit from 4 Geelong AFLW players. Kate Darby, Chantal Mason, Georgie Rankin and Amy McDonald answered lots of our questions about being an AFLW footballer before we went on a tour of GMHBA stadium. Lastly, we went to the Geelong Sports Museum and explored how science, maths and health are used within the AFL.

Our highlights included seeing the AFLW players, participating in the Draft Camp and having fun exploring the sports museum.

In the 4-6KD Classroom

This year our senior students have been living out our value of being Community Minded as they visited the local kindergarten numerous times each term. During these visits our students have engaged enthusiastically with the young people and have been wonderful role models, proudly representing our school in the community.

What I like most about visiting the Kinder is ….

*getting to meet all the kids

*spending time with the kids

*teaching the kids about the right thing to do and being kind

Georgia

It is important for us to visit the kinder because the little kids will learn from us in Grade 4-6KD and so when they grow up they will be like us.

Paxton

Visiting the kinder is a great experience because we can teach them to share.

Chavelle

It is important to go to the kinder because we get the kinder kids ready for school.

Connor

I like seeing my dear friend Wally. We can teach them new things and the little kids will learn from the seniors of the school.

Judson

What I like most about the kinder visits is making a safe community.

Lenny

I like the kinder visits because we get to play in the sandpit.

Jaxon

I like the kinder visit because I love to play with the kids.

Choesang

Visiting the kinder is a great experience because we teach them knowledge and get them ready for school.

Mark

It is good to visit the kinder because it is good for the kinder kids and it helps for our future.

Darcy

I like playing with our little friends. Visiting the kinder is a great experience because we get to make friends with little kids.

Leo

What I like the most about our kinder visits is playing with little kids and making them feel welcome.

Lucas

I like how I can play and it reminds me of when I was in kinder.

Kaylea

It’s important for us to visit the kinder because everyone needs to have some fun and some of these kids could be coming next year to Wangala.

Aurora

I like playing with Wally and crafting with him.

Tanny

Visiting the kinder is a great experience because we can teach what to do and what not to do.

Zac

It’s important for us to visit the kinder because we teach and set a good example for when they are in school.

Pixie

I like everything about the kinder visits. I feel lucky to go. It’s fun playing with the kinder kids. I like playing in the playground the most.

Hugo

I like playing trains with the kinder kids.

Harry

STEAM

Over the past few weeks, the senior students have been putting their creativity to the test! They started by building catapults and then designed basketball hoops. Their challenge was to launch a ball from their catapult into the hoop. Many were very successful, and it was fantastic to see teamwork in action as they tested, refined, and improved their designs.

PE

In PE This Week Our students have been making great use of our brand-new PE equipment! We’ve been developing our cricket skills — practising accurate throwing and catching, bowling with control, and improving our batting technique. The senior classes enjoyed some exciting modified games of cricket, showing off plenty of talent across the school. With perfect sunny conditions, it’s been wonderful to make full use of the oval and see everyone so active and enthusiastic.

School Wide Positive Behaviour

This fortnight, our School Wide Positive Behaviour focus is We listen to and follow instructions.

When we listen attentively, we show respect for our teachers and peers, stay safe, and help our classrooms run smoothly.

We encourage all students to:

Stop, look, and listen when instructions are given.
Ask questions if something isn’t clear.
Follow directions the first time.

Let’s continue to make Wangala a safe, respectful, and positive place for everyone to learn!

Swimming Program – Week 6 Reminder

A big thank you to all families for returning permission forms, student information, and payments so promptly. This has helped the Geelong Aquatic Centre prepare for our upcoming program.

Our one-week intensive swimming program will run during Week 6 of Term 4
– Monday 10th – Friday 14th November at the Geelong Aquatic Centre

Program Details

Each student will participate in 5 sessions across the week.
Each session runs for 45 minutes.
Students will travel by bus to and from the venue.

Session Times & Class Groups

Session 1 – 11:15am – 12:00pm: Grade 4/5/6 (Danni & Katherine) and Prep/1 (Rachael)

Session 2 – 12:00pm – 12:45pm: Grade 2/3 (Kelly), 1/2 (Sarah), and Prep/1 (Andrea)

Important Information

– Students should wear their swimming gear under their school uniform so they’re ready to begin lessons straight away.

– Students will have access to change rooms after their session to get changed back into school clothes.

– Swimming gear should be packed in a separate bag from their school bag.

– Please ensure your child brings:

1. Towel
2. Change of underwear
3. Goggles
4. Swimming cap (required)

For our younger swimmers:
– It’s helpful to practise drying themselves and putting on socks and shoes, as these can take a little extra time after lessons.

– Encourage them to practise packing their swimming bag at home.

We’ll be discussing swimming in PE this week and answering any student questions as we get ready for a fun and active week in the pool. Students will also be reading a social story about swimming to help them prepare, and Prep students will be bringing a copy home to read with their families. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thanks, Andy

Physical Education

Whole School Waste Audit

In Week 2, all classes participated in our whole school waste audit to better understand how much rubbish we produce and how we can make smarter choices to care for our environment. Students sorted and measured the waste collected across the school, discovering just how much could be reused, recycled, or composted instead of going to landfill.

A fantastic result from the audit was the 10 kilograms of food waste our students diverted from landfill. This is significant, as when food waste breaks down in landfill it releases methane gas, a greenhouse gas 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. By composting and using our food scraps more wisely, we’re helping to reduce these harmful emissions.

Following the audit, Wangala will be introducing a new bin system across the school. This will include clearer waste separation and fewer general waste bins, encouraging everyone to think carefully about what goes where. Students will be learning how to sort their waste responsibly and make choices that protect the planet.

Across Australia, it’s estimated that over 7.6 million tonnes of food is wasted each year—enough to fill the MCG nine times! By making small changes at school and home, we can all play a part in reducing this staggering amount and creating a more sustainable future.

A big thank you to our eco warriors who created an excellent presentation for our assembly, students and staff who took part in the audit. Together, we’re turning waste into opportunity!

Wangala Primary School - Market Day 12th December

Dear Wangala PS Community,

Our Wangala Market Day is coming up soon, and we’re calling on our wonderful community to help make it a success!

Each class will be running their own market stall to raise funds for future school projects and initiatives, and we’d love your help to bring it all together.

We are seeking donations of:

Quality second-hand items for our Trash and Treasure Stall (toys, books, homewares, games, etc.)
Craft materials, plants, or produce for class stalls
Baked goods, preserves, or handmade items
Prizes or materials for Sideshow Alley games

We also welcome community members who can share their special skills or talents — whether that’s helping with setup, stall design, cooking, entertainment, or running a fun activity on the day.

Your support makes a huge difference in creating a vibrant and successful event for our students and families.

Donations can be dropped off at the school office or arranged directly with classroom teachers. More details about Market Day will be shared soon!

Thank you for your generosity and community spirit.

Wangala Primary Sschool Arts Update

The Geelong Women’s and Children Hospital Poster Competition.

Last week Viyaan and Ally were interviewed by a film crew about the art initiative for the Geelong Women’s and Children’s Hospital. They filmed all the entries and asked questions about the ideas the students had come up with, when asked what cheers them up when they are sick. Viyaan did an excellent job, planning his answers first with Kelly and practising in class, impressing our visitors. Ally and Viyaan will attend a celebration with the other winning artists and their families, at Geelong’s main Library. The art works are now on display, beside the main entrance to Geelong’s University Hospital.

Barwon Water Poster Competition – ‘Water Heroes Save Every Drop!’

Congratulations to our two foundation students, Nina and Charlie! Their posters won 2nd and 3rd in the Foundation section, competing with hundreds of other students in our region. They both won a voucher to spend at Officeworks, a jigsaw of their art and a bag of goodies from Barwon Water. Thankyou to all of our students for your excellent designs and artwork. Our entries were of a very high standard and you should all be proud of yourselves. Our school’s entries can be seen in the main office and also outside the art room.

Our Community Christmas Tree

It’s that time again when we start designing what we are going to put on our school’s Christmas Tree in Johnson Park. Although the year six students oversea this project, we will endeavour to get as many students to help with it as possible.

Wangala’s Got Talent

Next week, entry forms will be available for this year’s ‘Wangala’s Got Talent’ Showcase. This year it will be held in the last week of school on the 16th of December. So start thinking what you would like to perform for our school community. A solo, something with a group of friends? Magic tricks, Jokes, Dancing, Instruments, Singing…any performance is possible! Each class will also perform an item for the audience. It is always such an exciting, highlight of December!