The start of the school year is now really in full swing. Students have settled into the new year with the support of consistent routines, high expectations and building relationships with their teachers and peers.   

Community BBQ

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Community BBQ in Week 3. It was wonderful to see so many families come together early in the year to reconnect and welcome new members into our school community. Opportunities like this help strengthen the partnerships that support our students throughout the year. I hope you enjoyed the sausages as much as I did! It was a fantastic afternoon and a great reminder of what makes Wangala such a special place.

School Council Election Update

Nominations for School Council closed on Monday 16th February, and we sincerely thank everyone who nominated and is willing to contribute their time and expertise to this important role within our school community. In the school employee category, we received two eligible nominations for the two available positions, and we are pleased to congratulate Rashelle Moon and Danni Amos on their appointment. In the parent/carer membership category, we received four eligible nominations for three vacancies. As the number of nominations exceeds the available positions, a ballot will be required. We will now begin preparations for the ballot process, including collecting candidate statements and preparing voting information and procedures. Further details, including how and when to vote, will be shared with the community once the ballot is ready to be conducted.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN assessments will take place later this term for students in Years 3 and 5. The testing period runs from 11th – 23rd March, where students in these cohorts will undertake the following assessments:

• Reading
• Writing
• Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
• Numeracy

The two-week testing window allows schools to schedule the tests in a way that best works for them and allows catch-up assessments for students who are absent on allocated testing days. More information about the confirmed testing schedule will be provided closer to the date.

The purpose of NAPLAN is to provide information about student achievement in literacy and numeracy at a point in time. It allows us to identify patterns of success and areas for improvement across the school, which then helps inform future strategic initiatives. At Wangala PS, we approach NAPLAN as just one of many assessment tools. We encourage students to simply try their best without feeling undue pressure, as it is only a snapshot at a point in time, which can be influenced by many factors.  

Student Attendance

Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success. When students attend school consistently, they are more likely to make strong academic progress and feel socially connected, promoting a healthy sense of wellbeing. Every day of school counts as missing just two days per month, even if absences are explained, can add up to nearly a month of lost learning time over the course of the school year.

How Families Can Help

• Establish consistent bedtime and morning routines
• Schedule appointments outside school hours when possible
• Communicate promptly with the school regarding absences
• Reach out if your family needs support

If you are experiencing challenges regarding your child’s attendance, please contact the school. We are committed to partnering with families to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive.

SunSmart

As part of our SunSmart policy, students are required to wear a school hat from the start of September through to the end of April. Students without a hat will be asked to remain in a shaded area during recess and lunchtime. Sunscreen is available at school; however, we strongly encourage families to apply sunscreen at home each morning. Thank you for supporting our efforts to keep students safe while enjoying time outdoors.

Regards, 

Joseph Doyle

Acting Principal