Wallington P.S. Newsletter Term 4 Week 9 2024
Upcoming Dates
Principal's Report
Dear Families,
SPORTS DAY & COLOUR RUN FUNDRAISER – TOMORROW
Tomorrow, students will take part in the Whole School Sports Day at Barwon Heads (see event information on Compass for all the details). We have been keeping a close eye on the forecast and it is looking good for most of the day, if a bit hot. A reminder to all students that they will need to bring water bottles, hats and sunscreen, in addition to wearing house colours and clothing/runners appropriate for physical activity.
Parents and families are very welcome to come and support, and we also welcome parent volunteers to help run the activities. There will be a coffee van from 9:30am.
The Colour Run will take place back on the school oval from 2:00pm. Again, parents and families are most welcome to attend and cheer the students as they take part in the event, as the P&F continue efforts to raise money for new junior basketball/netball rings. Students will need to remember to bring a set of light/white coloured clothing (best for maximum impact) to change into after sports. Note: these clothes will get covered in colour and may not be salvageable.
A reminder that we are collecting fundraising through the School24 link. We encourage families to share the link with extended family and friends and welcome all donations big and small: https://www.school24.net.au/canteenorder/guest/event?ezp=2449
WELLBEING TEAM UPDATE
The Wellbeing team has been working incredibly hard this year as we continue to establish consistent, positive and constructive approaches to support student wellbeing at Wallington. A major highlight has been the revamp of the SWPBS model, which is now fully integrated into classrooms. Staff have undergone comprehensive training in Berry Street practices, which form the foundation for consistent strategies across all classrooms. This includes key elements like circle time, ready-to-learn scales, and an overarching commitment to the principle of unconditional positive regard.
Additionally, behaviour support processes have been refined, with a strong focus on education and ‘teaching opportunities’ as central to addressing when behavioural expectations are not met. Expectations from the SWPBS Matrix are explicitly taught and consistently reinforced, helping students develop behaviours that promote a safe, happy, and inclusive environment—critical to enabling every student to thrive at our school.
Our work is ongoing, as we will always remain dedicated to refining and improving our practices. We are deeply grateful for the continued support of our community as we uphold these expectations, ensuring a positive and enriching learning experience for all. As we move forward with our work, we will continue to share updates with our community, recognising that a whole-school approach is dependent on a strong partnership with parents and families.
Our wellbeing approach is clearly set out on our website under the various tabs, if you would like further details.
BUILDING WORK
It has been so exciting to see the establishment of the construction zone this week. There have been many curious faces peering through at the area, who I’m certain will continue to watch on over the coming months as the development takes shape. Many families will have noticed that the temporary fence zone does interfere with direct access to the back of the school. While this is a minor inconvenience, we thank you for your understanding and welcome families to make their way either through the reception area or around the east side of the main building (hall end) for drop-off and pick-up.
2025 BOOK PACKS – ORDERS DUE
A reminder that book packs need to be ordered by this Sunday 8th December if they are to be delivered to the school in time for Term 1; late orders will incur a delivery fee and be sent directly to your home. The government stipulates that the 2025 Schools Savings Bonus ($400) cannot be used for Book Packs or Voluntary Contributions, but can go toward camps, excursions, and uniforms.
MOVING UP MORNING - NEXT FRIDAY 13th DECEMBER
As we are fast approaching the end of the year, it is time for students in Prep – Year 5 to meet their new teachers for 2025. Next Friday morning students will have the opportunity to spend time in their new classrooms with their 2025 teachers. This is an exciting time for all and will help set the stage for the year ahead. Our staff and students are eager to start building relationships for the 2025 year, as we look forward to another wonderful year at Wallington!
GAIL RETIREMENT
Whilst some of you may be aware, the wonderful and utterly irreplaceable Gail has given me permission to share with the broader community the exciting yet sad news that she has decided to retire at the end of the 2024 school year. I’m sure everyone will share my view that Gail is an absolute asset to the school, with her unrivalled affable nature, calm and generous demeanour, accompanied by a tireless dedication to the role and to supporting the whole school community. We will treasure the rest of the year with Gail and count ourselves lucky that we have been blessed to work with such a superstar!
Cameron Edwards
Parents and Friends
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Friday 6th of December - Colour Run - Sponsored by Adventure Park
Friday 13th of December - P&F KK Christmas Meeting (Bungalow Café)
Friday 13th of December - Wallington PS Christmas Family Picnic - Sponsored by Steeline
Colour Run - Sponsored by Adventure Park
Friday 6th of December 2:30pm (after School Sports Day, on the school oval).
Families and friends in the wider community can use the School 24 app guest link:
https://www.school24.net.au/canteenorder/guest/event?ezp=2449
or the QR Code below to gain sponsorship for the school.
All donations welcome!
Feel free to share the link with family and friends as we seek to raise enough money for new permanent junior basketball/netball rings.
What to Wear : Light/White coloured clothing is best for maximum impact (Pack in bag for after sports)
Note these clothes will get covered in colour and may not be salvageable.
If you are able to support the P&F in volunteering some time for the colour run, please let us know.
Wallington PS Christmas Family Picnic - Sponsored by Steeline
Friday 13th of December
4:30pm - 7:00pm
BBQ & Icypoles provided
Bring along your Picnic Rugs, Picnic Baskets or Camp Chairs and join the fun!
Featuring instrumental performances from students involved in ‘At School Music’ with Andrew Wheeler.
Plus family games and a special visitor coming along!
Bring a Book (wrapped up!) for the Christmas Family Picnic
A reminder to please bring in a Book for Santa to hand out at our Christmas Family Picnic: Friday 13th of December.
Must be wrapped:
- BOOK Only
- clearly label with their first and last name and please don’t say from mum and dad
You can drop these off at the office.
Sibling gifts are welcome also.
NEXT MEETING
Friday 13th of December at Bungalow Cafe 9:30am
Bring along a KK gift of $10, to join the fun
STAY UP TO DATE
With activities, events and news by joining our Facebook Page “WALLINGTON PS PARENTS AND FRIENDS”
Art Gallery
Preps - Gel Printing
After creating monsters out of corrugated card shapes, Preps had a great time exploring printing these on gelli plates for the first time. The plates feel soft and look like gelatin and the process of creating a monoprint provides unlimited possibilities with different textures and patterns. Such an engaging activity that all students enjoyed and they loved seeing instant results. Well done Preps!
Michelle Bishop
ART Teacher
STEM & First Nations Studies
Wallington PS Sponsors
Thank you to our PLATINUM Sponsors
Thank you to our GOLD Sponsors
Thank you to our SILVER Sponsors
Thank you to our BRONZE Sponsors
Notice Board
The Junior School Council have organised a PJ Day.
Students, teachers and even parents at drop off or pick up, are invited to wear their favourite PJ’s to school. All coins donated will go to Story Dogs. A big thank you to Liz and Sally, our Story Dogs team at Wallington Primary School.
Story Dogs enables a child and a dog with their volunteer handler a weekly one-on-one reading session held at the child’s reading level throughout the course of a school year. The literacy program is based on the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) model.
