Wallington P.S. Newsletter Term 2 Week 1 2025
Upcoming Dates
Principal's Report
Dear Families,
Welcome Back
With the start of Term 2 comes a renewed sense of purpose and energy. It’s a time when students settle back in, look ahead to what’s coming, and approach their learning with fresh focus. New topics, events, and activities give everyone the chance to re-engage, try something new, and give their best. Whether you’re starting strong or easing back into the rhythm, Term 2 is full of opportunity. The hard work matters – but so does the curiosity, the energy, and the willingness to have a go.
This Sunday, I’ll be running the Ballarat Marathon – my 18th. With each marathon, I am reminded of the test of endurance and overcoming the challenges along the way to simply get to the starting line, let alone the finish! While I know this will be far from a personal best, I never underestimate the sense of achievement that comes from completing challenges like this, knowing that it’s the hard work and preparation that truly matters and makes it at all possible.
This week also offers an important moment for us to reflect on values significant to our school and indeed our national identity. Tomorrow, many of our students and families – myself included – will take part in ANZAC Day services. The ANZAC spirit reminds us of the power of courage, service, sacrifice and resilience – qualities we certainly value and nurture within our school community.
I’m particularly proud to see many of our students putting themselves forward to represent the school in ANZAC Day commemorations. For some Year 6 students, this will form part of their work towards achieving the Rotary Award, and we offer our ongoing encouragement as they aim to complete the many associated tasks across the course of the year.
As we begin Term 2, our school community is as committed as ever to our goals, as we learn and appreciate that small steps turn into great achievements. We also know that none of it happens in isolation, and we’re always grateful for the time and energy families contribute. From helping your children in their learning, working in collaboration with our wonderful teachers and staff, to supporting and helping with P&F activities, Garden Club, and school events, your support is deeply valued.
Here are some photos from the wonderful Garden Club parent volunteers this week. The students created an incredible wreath that they will lay as part of the dawn service in Ocean Grove.
Poppy Garden
Well done to all students this week for your contributions to the creation of our Poppy Garden underneath our flag poles. The students, aided too by some extra generous parent volunteer contributions, have shown respect and resilience in creating and planting their poppies and it has formed a wonderful commemorative display. Students have also completed other tasks to learn more about ANZAC Day, including baking ANZAC biscuits and creating ANZAC medals (see Year 2s below).
Save the Date– STRAWBERRY FAIR SUNDAY 2nd NOVEMBER
We are excited to announce that planning has begun for the return of the much-loved Strawberry Fair! The School Council is currently working on key details, and we look forward to sharing more information soon.
As anyone who has been involved before will understand, the success of this event relies on the support of our wonderful volunteers from our school community. Whether you can help in a big or small way, every contribution makes a difference. Stay tuned for updates on how you can get involved—we can’t wait to bring this fantastic event back to our community!
Additional Important Dates Term 2
· Mother’s Day Stall: Wednesday 7th May (second chance stall: Friday 9th May)
· STOMP Dance Incursion: Friday 9th May (including whole school performance at the end of the day – in place of Assembly)
· School Photo Day: Wednesday 28th May
Cameron Edwards
Parents and Friends
Dear Families,
Election Day -3rd May at Wallington P.S. - we need help in different ways!
Cake Stall for Saturday 3rd of May - Fundraiser
Please help us for a fundraiser on Saturday 3rd May along with the BBQ we will be hosting a Cake Stall - anyone keen to bake please feel free - anything than will keep outside the fridge (no cream) and package it themselves in disposable packaging eg. Strawberry Fair style. - biscuits, cakes etc. - write a list of ingredients and stick them on (we are putting labels together too - these will be at the office to collect. - can be dropped at school pick up Friday afternoon, or brought to school Saturday morning - polling opens at 8am.
If you can volunteer some time on Saturday 3rd to help run the sausage sizzle and cake stall please click on the link below to sign up online.
https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/481715714030/false#/invitation
Don’t forget to tell your friends and families to come down and vote at Wallington P.S. and grab a snag or bake goodies to support our school.
Mother’s Day Raffle
In addition to the Mother’s Day stall, we have an amazing Mother’s Day raffle which includes multiple prizes generously donated from local businesses.
The Mother’s Day raffle will be drawn on Friday May 9th at assembly.
All proceeds will go towards STEM at Wallington P.S.
Tickets will be available for sale at the Mother’s Day stall on Wednesday May 7th as well as on Schools24.
$1 per ticket or $5 for 6 tickets.
The P&F committee would like to thank the following businesses for their generous donations for the upcoming Mother’s Day raffle:
Complete Face Cosmetics
Salon Utopia
Niki Turner Hairdressing
Kymba
Lilly Bliss Lingerie
Blackman’s Brewery
The Olive Pit
Upstate Studios Ocean Grove
Beauty Queen Face & Body
STAY UP TO DATE
With activities, events and news by joining our Facebook Page “WALLINGTON PS PARENTS AND FRIENDS”
SWPBS Awards - Student of the Week
Alan S - Prep
For always showing respect towards your teachers and friends. You are kind and inclusive. Congratulations Alan!
Jordan B - Year 1
for always showing respect in the classroom during learning time. You always work hard and don't interrupt other's learning time. Well done Jordan!
Landyn G - Year 2
For respecting our school’s digital resources when bringing them to and from our classroom, you treated the devices and trolly carefully and it was noticed by other teachers as well!
Kai B - Year 3
For always ensuring you are displaying kind and inclusive actions both inside and outside of the classroom. Keep up the great work!
Angus S - Year 4
For modelling respect and respectfully sharing his ideas during our Australia Unit. Keep up the great work Gus!
Alfie P - Year 5
For being a respectful member of 5KT. You have worked hard on focusing during learning time and have been a great role model for the class. Keep up the fantastic work, Alfie!
George L - Year 6
For demonstrating respect by actively listening, including others in group activities, and creating a positive learning environment where everyone has the chance to learn and be heard. Well done, George!
Wellbeing at Wallington
Welcome back to Wallington’s weekly wellbeing activities.
We hope everyone is feeling rested and relaxed after the holidays, and that you’re ready for another amazing term.
T
his week’s wellbeing activity focuses on another regulation strategy, regulating movement. Examples of regulating movement include physical activity, listening to or playing music or activities that include repetitive movement such as art, craft or colouring.
T
ry a few different types of regulating movement with your child and record their favourite in their diary.
Welcome back to Term 2, today was our first Wallington Breakfast Club for the term.
Just a reminder that Breakfast Club will be running every Thursday morning from 8.45am outside the hall kitchen.
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
Premier’s Reading Challenge.
Wallington students have done an amazing job, 76 books read so far!
Keep up the great reading!
CHESS CLUB
Chess classes at Wallington P.S. will begin in Term 2 from Monday 28th April - 23rd June 1.40-2.20pm in our library.
If you would like to sign your child/s for Chess Club please see the details on the flyer for prices and the website to register.
There is still time to register your child - please click on link on the attached flyer or below:
Led by the National Broadband Network (NBN), the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) is a Federal Government initiative offering free home internet to 30,000 eligible households with school-aged students.
Here's a breakdown of the program:
What it is: The SSBI provides free NBN home internet access to eligible families who don't currently have an NBN connection.
Who is eligible: Families and carers with a school-aged child (enrolled in an Australian school, up to year 12) are eligible.
How to qualify: To qualify, families must have a school-aged child at home and not have an active NBN connection.
How to apply: Families can check their eligibility and apply through the National Referral Centre on Anglicare Victoria's website.
Contact: For eligibility checks, families can contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm AEDT)To be assessed
Program End Date: The program is extended until June 30, 2028.
Up to 30,000 families and carers can apply for the offer until 31 December 2025 (or until 30,000 SSBI services connected are reached if sooner), and qualifying households will receive free home internet until 30 June 2028.
SAVER PLUS
What it is:
Financial Education and Savings:
Saver Plus is a 10-month online program designed to help participants learn about financial management, set savings goals, and develop regular saving habits.
Matched Savings:
Participants who complete the program have their savings matched by ANZ, up to a maximum of $500, which can be used for education-related costs.
Online Delivery:
The program is delivered online, making it accessible to participants across Australia.
Saver Plus is a partnership between ANZ, the Brotherhood of St. Laurence, The Smith Family and Berry Street.
Eligibility: To be eligible, participants need to have a current Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card and an eligible Centrelink payment, have other regular income, be studying themselves or have a child in school, be 18+ years old, and agree to join in free online financial education workshops.
