Wallington P.S. Newsletter Term 4 Week 10 2024
Upcoming Dates
Principal's Report
Dear Families,
SPORTS DAY & COLOUR RUN FUNDRAISER
Well done to all involved in what was an amazing day last Friday! The students took part in a range of games and athletics, representing the houses with pride and collecting points towards the house cup. Then, as if that wasn’t exciting enough, the students finished the day off with our awesome Colour Run. Thank you to Clair Ractliffe, P&F, all staff, and all parent helpers on the day. These events would simply not happen without your support.
Thank you also to all those who contributed to our fundraising. As you know we have begun saving for our new junior basketball rings (with an aim of $12,000) and I am pleased to announce that the Colour Run raised $1,230. In addition to funds raised earlier in the term, we are now already at 23% of our target!
STAFFING 2025
In addition to Gail’s retirement announced last week, we also congratulate Rebecca Giuliani on her successful appointment to Mt Duneed Primary School for 2025. It has been lovely to work with Ms Giuliani this semester and we know that the students at her new school are very lucky to have her.
For reasons which have probably become increasingly clear over the last few months, Clair Ractliffe will be taking time away from Wallington to welcome into the world her third child. Clair will be away from school for the full year, and we also wish her all the best for this special time.
Following multiple recruitment rounds, we congratulate Daniel Anderson, Meg Ritchie and Amy Parsons on their appointments as teachers for 2025. We are thrilled that Daniel Anderson will continue as classroom teacher, having joined us mid-2024. Meg Ritchie is excited to begin her teaching career at Wallington in 2025, having spent a large amount of time at our school this year for her final placements. We are also excited to have Amy Parsons join us as our PE teacher, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role.
And finally, we welcome Rebecca Lapidus to the office administration role, as she replaces Gail (Wednesdays-Fridays). Bec will continue with other Education Support responsibilities on Mondays and Tuesdays as a dedicated and highly valued member of the ES team.
MOVING-UP MORNING: THIS FRIDAY 13th DECEMBER
I’m certain students and families are excited to learn teachers and rooms for 2025. Please see details below. Students will spend Friday morning with their new teachers in their new classrooms as they begin to build new relationships and rise to new challenges as they envisage themselves in the year above.
Classroom Teachers 2025
· Prep: Ros Taylor
· Year 1: Jack Stevens
· Year 2: Mel Trezise (Mon-Wed) & Lil Moore (Thurs-Fri)
· Year 3: Meg Ritchie
· Year 4: Anthea Cook (3 days) & Emily Duckett (2 days)
· Year 5: James Kayler-Thompson
· Year 6: Daniel Anderson
Education Support will continue to work as a team to support students with Tier 2 and 3 needs across the school. Individual support for students with Tier 3 needs will be provided and communicated to families separately.
FINAL WEEK – IMPORTANT DETAILS
Monday: Year 6 Graduation 6:00pm
Tuesday: PJ Day (Gold Coin Donation)
Wednesday: Adventure Park 5/6 excursion + classroom celebrations
Friday: FINAL ASSEMBLY commencing 1pm before early dismissal 1:20pm
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
School Holidays will run from 21st December – 28th January (inclusive). Staff will return for the state-wide Curriculum Day on 28th January.
Students’ first day of 2025 is Wednesday 29th January.
Over the holidays, building works will continue, with demolition of B Block as well as ramp and OHS upgrades around the school. The demolition is due to take place between 13th January and 22nd January.
CURRICULUM DAY – Term 1 2025
In addition to the Curriculum Day on the first day of the school year, School Council has approved a second Curriculum Day for Term 1, Week 4 (Monday 17th February).
2025 BOOK PACKS – LATE ORDERS THROUGH KOOKABURRA
Whilst the vast majority of 2025 families have ordered book packs already (a fantastic effort in an incredibly busy time of year!) please note that late orders can still be placed through Kookaburra, though unfortunately these will incur a late fee as they will need to be delivered individually to home addresses.
Don’t forget to come along and enjoy the Christmas Family Picnic tomorrow evening!!
Cameron Edwards
Parents and Friends
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Friday 13th of December - P&F KK Christmas Meeting (Bungalow Café)
Friday 13th of December - Wallington PS Christmas Family Picnic - Sponsored by Steeline
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”
SWPBS Awards - Be Resilient
Flynn P - Prep T
For always challenging yourself. Your work is always neatly presented, and when you make mistakes you just keep on going. Well Done Flynn!
Elvis S - 1/2C
For showing resilience when playing Maths games. You were patient and worked cooperatively with your partner. Well done Elvis!
Alex H - 1/2S
For showing resilience this week when we were making our Christmas cards. You were able to work out some issues with your sewing and help your classmates.
Teddy H - 1/2MD
For being a fantastic student and showing lots of resilience at the Whole School Sports Day and the Colour Run. You are a champion!!
Grace R - 3/4G
The resilience you displayed during our whole sports day and Colour Run. You gave everything a go and did not give up! Well done Grace.
Kody C - 3/4T
For showing that you can be resilient when things change at school. You have coped so well and your behaviour has reflected that. Keep at it Kody!
Isaiah A - 5/6A
For demonstrating incredible patience and perseverance in the face of challenges. Your positive attitude and ability to get along with everyone make you a role model of resilience. Well done, Isaiah!
Xavier N- 5/6KT
For displaying resilience during our Integrated Studies project work. You have worked hard when things haven’t gone your way with positive results. Keep up the great work!
Art Gallery
Year 5s - Sculptures
We looked at Italian artist Silvia Zacchello who uses everyday objects to create sculptures. Influenced by her work, Year 5 students arranged various shaped bowls, cups, jars and plastic containers to make a shape of an animal or person. After drawing a design draft, students painted the big areas of their sculpture and then added on finer details by using posca pens, feathers, junk jewellery and glasses. Well done Year 5s!
Michelle Bishop
ART Teacher
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
Unexplained Absences In Compass
Could all Families please update any unexplained absences on Compass before Friday 20th December 2024.
Thanking you in advance.
End-of-Year Achievements - RDA Horse Riding Students
As we approach the end of another incredible year, we would like to take a moment to celebrate the outstanding progress and achievements of our RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) students. This year has been filled with hard work, dedication, and remarkable milestones, both on and off the horse.
Our students have made incredible strides in building confidence, improving their balance, coordination, and motor skills, while fostering strong connections with the horses and their fellow riders. From overcoming personal challenges to achieving new riding goals, each student has demonstrated resilience and growth, making us proud every step of the way.
Whether it’s mastering a new riding skill, or simply showing up each week with a positive attitude, the determination and spirit shown by our students have been truly inspiring. We would also like to extend our thanks to our dedicated volunteers, coaches, and families for their unwavering support throughout the year.
Congratulations to all our students for their dedication, effort, and heart — you’ve all achieved something remarkable this year!
Here’s to another year of success, joy, and the empowering connection between horse and rider. Happy holidays, and we can't wait to see what the next year brings!
Please see below photos from the RDA end of year party.
Bec (RDA Coordinator), Janelle & Angela
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.
