Newsletter
Thursday 2nd March, 2026
A Message from our Principal!
Dear parents and carers,
As we come to the end of Term 1, I would like to take a moment to reflect on what has been a positive and productive start to 2026.
From a staffing perspective, the school has undergone a period of transition with numerous changes from 2025, including a new principal (myself), front office administrator (Jessie), classroom teacher (Amanda) and returning classroom teachers (Rebecca and Hannah). However, with the hard work of the new/returning staff, and the support of the existing staff, students and wider community, we have finished Term 1 as a united, collaborative team.
From the start of the year, there has been a strong focus on establishing consistent learning routines and clear expectations across the school. Classrooms have been busy with engaging learning experiences, and it has been pleasing to see students demonstrating a willingness to challenge themselves in their learning. Additionally, it has been wonderful to see our students settle quickly into their classrooms, building strong relationships with their teachers and peers. Our Prep students, in particular, have made an impressive transition into school life, demonstrating growing confidence and independence each day.
Community engagement in school life has been a particular highlight this term. It has been lovely to see so many families connecting with the school at pick-up and drop-off times, as well as attending whole-school assemblies, our Community BBQ, and Open Classrooms events. We value the strong partnerships we have built through regular communication, and we greatly appreciate the support of our volunteers, including those who assist in the library, Kitchen Garden Program and through other means.
I would like to thank our dedicated staff for their professionalism and commitment, and our families for their ongoing support and partnership. Working together, we create the best possible environment for our students to thrive.
As we head into the term break, I encourage all students to take the opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting term of learning in Term 2, commencing on Monday 20th April.
Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday break.
Regards,
Joe Doyle
Acting Principal
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.
Thursday, 2nd April Last day of term 1 (2:30pm finish)
Friday, 3rd April Good Friday (Public Holiday)
TERM 2
Wednesday, 22nd April District Cross Country
Monday 4th – Friday 8th May Scholastic Book fair
Tuesday, 12th April Auskick on the oval
Wednesday, 27th May Winter Lightning Premiership
Classroom Spotlight: 1/2HB
We have had a wonderful start to the term in 1/2HB as students settled into new routines with their classroom teachers, Bec and Hannah. We have also welcomed two new students to our school, Evelyn and Dhriti, who have both been a lovely addition to our classroom community.
In Literacy, students have been engaged in our book study of Aesop’s Fables. We have read a variety of fables, including The Boy Who Cried Wolf, The Lion and the Mouse, and The Dove and the Ant. Students explored the moral of a story and learnt about the key characteristics that make a text a fable. This week, students worked hard to write their very own fables, which we are excited to share during Open Classrooms.
In Maths, we have been learning about number bonds, exploring how numbers can be partitioned in different ways to make the same total. Students have used a range of hands-on materials, including counters, unifix cubes, ten frames, and partner games to deepen their understanding and build confidence.
In Humanities, students have been learning about how places change over time. We explored the differences between natural, managed, and constructed places and discussed ways we can care for and improve the environments around us. To wrap up our learning of this topic, students created a “Promise to Country”, identifying how they can help protect and care for the world around them.
We have continued to enjoy Lucy coming into our classroom each Friday this term to run SingingLinks. We have been focusing on keeping the beat, and practicing our singing posture and our beautiful singing voices.
Kitchen Garden
3/4A putting their skills to work in the kitchen this week!
School photos are ready to order!
Our annual school photos have been taken and are now ready to order.
Arthur Reed Photos uses an online ordering system where you can view your photos prior to ordering.
Students will receive a flyer which includes a code unique to them – You will require this 2026 code to view and order your photos.
If you misplace your registration code, please contact the Arthur Reed Photos customer service team directly on 5243 4390 (option 1) or customerservice@arphotos.com.au
All photo packages will be sent directly to your nominated address, so please ensure that you enter the correct details and nominated shipping address upon checkout.
If you require any assistance ordering your photos, please contact Arthur Reed Photos directly on 5243 4390 (option 1) or email customerservice@arphotos.com.au
2026 Wangala Easter Hat Parade
A big thankyou to the families who came in for the 2026 Easter hat parade. It was amazing to see all of the creations that the students had put so much time and effort into.
Happy Easter!
Prep Enrolments for 2027...
Do you know someone starting prep in 2027?
Tell them to come and have a look around our beautiful school!
Enquire with the office to hear about upcoming tours and the amazing programs we offer here at school.
Do you have a sibling starting prep in 2027? let us know so we can plan accordingly!
District Cross Country Reminder
A reminder to all students who have been selected to participate in the District Cross Country to continue practising their running over the holidays if possible. Students who have been selected have already been informed and have received the necessary information.
Thank you to the families who have already returned permission and payment for the event. If you have not yet done so, it would be greatly appreciated if this could be completed as soon as possible.
The District Cross Country will take place on Wednesday 22nd April at Barwon Valley Reserve. The bus will be leaving school at 12:15pm and will return at the end of the school day.
This is a wonderful opportunity for students to compete against other schools in a positive and competitive environment. Parents and carers are very welcome to attend and support the students on the day.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.
Thank you,
Andy
Smile Squad
Would you like to access free dental care for your child(ren)?
Did you know the Victorian Government funds a free school dental program called Smile Squad? For more information, visit:
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/smile-squad
Smile Squad services at our school have now concluded; however, families can still access this high‑quality service completely free of charge by attending a community dental clinic.
Students can visit Barwon Health for general or emergency dental care. Please contact the clinic to book an appointment and let the team know you would like to book a Smile Squad appointment
Inform & Empower’s Cyber Safety & Digital Wellbeing program.
Dear Parents & Carers,
In 2026, as a whole school approach to ensuring your child has the necessary skills to remain safe online, your child will take part in Inform & Empower’s Cyber Safety & Digital Wellbeing program.
They will participate in termly live-streamed incursions that focus on topics such as :
- Digital Literacy
- Healthy Digital Habits
- Critical Thinking
- Cyberbullying Online Security
- Upstanders
- Help-seeking
- Consent
- Artificial Intelligence
Inform & Empower is endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider. Please see the information attached to the newsletter for a breakdown of what each class’s focus was for this term’s incursion. The feedback from students and staff was overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to participating in next term’s online incursion.
For further information, please contact Rashelle or visit www.informandempower.com.au
OSHC
What a busy start to the year it’s been for our Outside School Hours Care program! As our wonderful school community continues to grow, our OSHC program grows with it, and we are currently seeing the highest number of session booking requests we have ever received. This does mean that we are reaching capacity faster than in previous years, so we ask that any casual bookings are made in advance when possible.
Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.
If you have a valid means-tested concession card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. Means-tested concession cards must be valid on the first day of Term 1, 2025 (Wednesday 28th January 2025) or Term 2, 2025 (Monday 20 April 2025).
Eligible families will receive a payment of $400 per year for primary school students, which is an increase from previous years. The funds will be paid directly to the school to be used towards camps, sports and excursion costs for the benefit of your child. If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
If you would like to apply for the first time, forms are available from the office.
Please return completed application forms to the school office as soon as possible.
To check eligibility or for further information, please refer to Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund | vic.gov.au
Please note that Applications for the 2025 Prep CSEF Uniform Package are also now open, forms available from the office.
Applications for both CSEF and the CSEF Uniform Packages close on 3rd July 2025.
Reconciliation Action Plan
Our Positive Behaviour Matrix
