It has been wonderful to see the recent much-needed rain freshen up our school grounds. The change in the weather has certainly helped bring the gardens and play areas back to life and has made the school environment even more enjoyable for students and staff. Our Prep students have now transitioned to attending school full time after having Wednesdays off for the first five weeks of the year. They have settled into school routines very well and it has been fantastic to see their confidence and independence grow as they continue to build friendships and engage in their learning.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN testing for our Year 3 and Year 5 students will commence next week. The national testing window runs from 11th March to 23rd March, and schools have flexibility to determine their own testing schedule within this period. Please find the schedule that Wangala will be following below:

Year 3 & Year 5 NAPLAN Testing Schedule

·   Wednesday 11th March – 9:30am:      Writing

·   Thursday 12th March – 9:30am:            Reading

·   Thursday 12th March – 11:30am:         Conventions of Language

·   Friday 13th March – 9:30am:                   Numeracy

·   Monday 16th – Friday 20th March:       Catch-up testing (as required)

From a school perspective, we simply encourage our students to try their best. These assessments provide a snapshot of student learning and help inform future teaching and learning directions of the school. If your child is absent on a particular day, they will be able to complete a catch-up assessment at some stage during the testing window.

School Council Election – Ballot for Parent Membership Category

As part of the School Council nomination process for the parent/carer membership category, we received four eligible nominations for three vacancies. As the number of nominations exceeds the available positions, a ballot is required to determine the successful representatives. The ballot will close at 4:00pm on Friday 13th March 2026. To cast your vote, please obtain a ballot paper from the front office and return the completed form to the front office where it will be placed in the ballot box. When voting, please read the instructions carefully to ensure your vote is completed correctly, otherwise it may be deemed invalid. Thank you to the parents and carers who nominated and to our community members who participate in this important process.

Public Holiday

A reminder that there will be a public holiday on Monday 9th March, meaning there will be no school on this day. I hope families enjoy the long weekend together and have an opportunity to recharge before the final four weeks of the term.

Ride to School Day

Our Sustainability Team is coordinating Wangala’s participation in Ride to School Day on Friday 20th March. This day encourages students to be active, and supports efforts to reduce car emissions by promoting walking, riding or scooting to school. More information will be shared with families closer to the event.

Smile Squad

The Smile Squad team has recently been onsite at our school. Smile Squad is a Victorian Government initiative that provides free dental health services for students. The team has been promoting good oral health and conducting dental check-ups for students where consent has been provided. Where required, they can also organise free follow-up treatment to ensure students receive the care they need.

School Photos

School photos will be held on Wednesday 18th March and will be conducted by Arthur Read Photography. Sibling photos will also take place on the day for families who have opted in. A reminder for all students to please attend school in full school uniform for photo day.

Regards, 

Joseph Doyle

Acting Principal