Principal Message
150 years - A celebration of the establishment of the Stone Schoolhouse 29th October 5pm-7pm
This year, we are thrilled to be celebrating 150 years of our historic, heritage-listed Stone Schoolhouse — a true landmark in the Warrandyte community. Many preparations are already underway behind the scenes to mark this incredible milestone, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you.
As part of the celebrations, we will host the grand opening of our new Wellbeing Sculpture Garden that Eliza and the students have created as well as the opening of the time capsule that was placed inside the Stone Schoolhouse many years ago. There will also be a special expo of photographs, student projects, and creative work showcasing our students’ reflections on Warrandyte Primary’s rich history and their own connection to it.
Our school has deep roots in the Warrandyte community, and we are especially excited to welcome back past students and families who have been part of our story over the years.
To make the evening even more enjoyable, Friends of Warrandyte Primary School (FOWPS) will be hosting a BBQ and ice-cream stall, and we’re planning to include some live music to set the scene.
The celebrations will take place on Tuesday 29 October. During the day, students will take part in old-fashioned games and activities and then return at 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm for a special whole-school performance. We are also delighted to share that Kevin O’Mara will be joining us to perform with our students.
We look forward to seeing you and your family at this very special event as we celebrate 150 years of learning, community, and history at Warrandyte Primary School.
Please note that the Disco scheduled for 30th Oct will be postponed for later in the Term. As we are not doing carols this year due to the Production, FOWPS will run a Christmas themed disco.
Congratulations to our Volleyball teams
The girls volleyball team has made it to the Divisional finals next week and with face off with Donburn PS. I'm told they played a great game. The boys also played a great game from all accounts but missed out of a win to take them into the next round. Thank you to the parents who helped out with driving and cheered the school one.
Class Placement for 2026
I sent a message via Compass today about this but for anyone who missed it, please read the following information.
As we move through Term 4, our focus will turn to planning for the 2026 school year — an exciting time of growth and opportunity for our school. I understand that class placement can sometimes cause a little concern for families, so I wanted to take this opportunity to share the process and timelines early. Over the next couple of months, staff will spend significant time thoughtfully planning classes that support the learning, wellbeing, and friendships of every child. This careful process includes consideration of class structures, teacher and education support allocations, and balanced learning groups that give all students the best chance to thrive.
Key Dates
Tuesday 5 November – Buddy Hand
All students will complete their Buddy Hand, listing up to five friends they would like to be with next year. Each child is guaranteed placement with at least one of their nominated friends. We encourage you to discuss friendships with your child and talk about who they learn best with. Teachers may also contact families to clarify or confirm details to ensure every student is well supported.
Thursday 14 November – Parent Requests Close
Parents may email special considerations relating to academic or wellbeing needs that may influence placement decisions. While we always strive to accommodate genuine needs, please note that requests for specific teachers or future secondary school groupings cannot be accepted. As a small and closely connected school, every adjustment has an impact across classes. We appreciate your understanding and trust in our process.
Friday 12 December – Meet Your 2026 Teacher
Students will spend an hour with their new teacher and classmates as part of our transition program. This session helps build excitement and confidence for the year ahead. Additional informal opportunities will occur across the term to support smooth transitions for all students.
Looking forward to 2026, Warrandyte Primary will be expanding to ten classes, including two Prep classes, reflecting our ongoing growth and strong reputation in the community. Our enrolments have increased by over 50% in the past five years — a testament to the dedication of our staff, the support of our families, and the deep sense of community that defines our school.
Our Class Placement Policy is attached for your reference. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss your child’s circumstances, please don’t hesitate to call or drop by my office.
Volunteers for toilet block
I am looking for volunteers who might interested in painting the external toilet block building as we try to update it a little. We are using a Grimes paint to give some texture and change the colour at the same time. If you are able to assist with this and get enough volunteers, we can plan as we move further into Spring. We would be looking at a Saturday or Sunday depending on availability. Many hands make light work! We may even be able to set up a garden at the front of the toilet block if we get enough helpers.
Please click on the link to let us know your preference if you are able to help.
Survey link for volunteers to paint
Importance of Wearing Hats at School
As the warmer weather returns, we remind all families that hats are a compulsory part of our SunSmart policy during Terms 1 and 4. Students must wear a broad-brimmed or bucket hat when outside for recess, lunch, PE, or any outdoor activity.
Protecting children from the sun is not just about comfort but rather about long-term health. Research from the Cancer Council shows that childhood and adolescent sunburns significantly increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Two-thirds of Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70, and just one blistering sunburn in childhood can double the risk of melanoma, Australia’s deadliest form of skin cancer.
Good sun safety habits early in life, means we are helping children reduce their risk of skin cancer as adults. Please ensure your child has a clearly labelled hat in their school bag each day. Students without hats will be required to stay in shaded areas only during outdoor play.
Thank you for your support in keeping our school community SunSmart and modelling these lifelong habits of health and safety. We also encourage you to put sunscreen on them before heading to school.
I hope you all get to have a great weekend. The first week has been smooth up here and everyone has settled back into a routine.
Take care,
Nieta