From the Principal

Dear families,

Friends of Willy – Keeping Community Connections Strong

At Williamstown Primary School, we are incredibly fortunate to have the support of our dedicated Friends of Willy (FOW) parent group. Made up entirely of volunteers, this group plays a vital role in strengthening our school community and supporting many of the events and fundraising initiatives that help make WPS such a special place.

Throughout the year, Friends of Willy members generously give their time to organise and support activities that bring families together and create memorable experiences for our students. Their work helps foster the strong sense of connection and belonging that has long been a hallmark of our school.

Importantly, the role of Friends of Willy is very different from that of School Council. School Council is the school's governing body, comprising both parents and staff and responsible for strategic direction, policy and governance. Friends of Willy, on the other hand, is a parent volunteer group focused on community building, events and fundraising.

In recent years, the Friends of Willy planning team has reduced significantly in size. While we continue to have many families willing to volunteer at events, those events simply do not happen without a dedicated planning team working behind the scenes to organise them and coordinate event-specific volunteers.

Much-loved community events, such as the Lantern Walk, only exist because a small group of committed parents invest their time and energy into planning and preparation. Without this group, many of these opportunities that enrich our school culture would simply not be possible.

As a school community, we are keen to grow the Friends of Willy planning team and ensure these traditions continue for future generations of Willy Kids. You do not need to commit large amounts of time to make a difference. Even the smallest contribution can have a significant impact.

If you are able to assist in any way and would like to become part of the Friends of Willy planning team, I encourage you to reach out to FOW President, Julia Germon. Your support will help ensure that the events and experiences that bring our community together continue to thrive.

On behalf of our students, staff and families, I would like to sincerely thank all current Friends of Willy volunteers for their passion, generosity and commitment to Williamstown Primary School. Their efforts, often undertaken quietly and behind the scenes, are deeply appreciated and make a tremendous difference to our school community.

Contact: Julia Germon - Juliagermon@gmail.com

A Magical Evening at the Lantern Walk

Despite a little rain drizzle, nothing could dampen the spirit of our school community on Saturday night, with an estimated 600+ students, families and community members coming together for what was another highly successful Williamstown Primary School Lantern Walk.

The evening was a wonderful celebration of creativity, connection and community, with families enjoying the spectacular lantern displays and the opportunity to gather together in one of our school's most cherished traditions.

A heartfelt thank you must go to the dedicated Friends of Willy organising group, whose countless hours of planning and preparation ensured the event was such a success. Events of this scale simply do not happen without the commitment and passion of volunteers working behind the scenes, and we are incredibly grateful for all they do for our school community.

A special thank you also to Zoe and our amazing choir, whose performance added so much warmth and atmosphere to the evening. Their enthusiasm and talent helped create a wonderful sense of occasion and were greatly enjoyed by all in attendance.

Thank you also to Marcia for her support with the lantern displays, which added to the atmosphere and visual appeal of the evening.

Saturday night's turnout was a wonderful reminder of what makes Williamstown Primary School so special. It was fantastic to see so many families embracing the weather, connecting with one another and celebrating the strong sense of community that continues to define our school.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the 2026 Lantern Walk another memorable occasion. We look forward to continuing this much-loved tradition for many years to come.

Thank You for Supporting Student Conferences

Thank you to our families and staff for their support of this week's Student Conferences.

These conversations are an important opportunity to celebrate student achievements, discuss progress and strengthen the partnership between home and school. Their importance has been heightened this semester due to the ongoing AEU industrial action, which has prevented teachers from providing written general comments on reports.

I would like to thank our staff for the time and care they invested in preparing for these meetings and our parents and carers for prioritising these valuable conversations. Together, we continue to work in partnership to ensure every Willy Kid is supported to thrive.

Bastille Day Celebrations – Tuesday 14 July

Williamstown Primary School will celebrate Bastille Day on the first Tuesday back in Term 3, providing students with a wonderful opportunity to immerse themselves in French language and culture.

Students are invited to come dressed in French-inspired clothing or costumes, with blue, white and red encouraged. Throughout the day, students will participate in a range of activities and enjoy a French-inspired picnic lunch on the oval, so families are encouraged to include some French-themed foods in their child's lunch where possible.

The celebrations will conclude with our traditional Bastille Day Parade, this year in the afternoon, and we warmly invite families to join us for this colourful and much-loved event.

Please keep an eye out for the Compass event regarding the day's incursion and associated details.

A big thank you to our French teacher, Sara Borrens, for her efforts in bringing authentic cultural experiences to our Willy Kids. We look forward to another fantastic day of celebration and learning.

End of Term Reminder

A reminder to families that the final day of Term 2 is this Friday. Students will be dismissed early at 2:30pm.

We thank our students, staff and families for another wonderful term and wish everyone a safe, relaxing and enjoyable holiday break. We look forward to welcoming our Willy Kids back for the start of Term 3.

Warm regards,

Mat Montebello