Leadership updates and reflections
An update from Julie:
It is going to be a big week of learning with the Book Week parade, author visit and special lunch, Scienceworks excursion for our Grade 3/4s, adolescent health for the 5/6s, gymnastics for our Prep-2s, Storytime for our pre-schoolers and the amazing performances of the Victorian State School Spectacular. So many opportunities to learn and grow!
Victorian State School Spectacular -
What an amazing opportunity for our students who are part of the mass choir and mass dance teams in the upcoming Victorian State School Spectacular. After several months of rehearsals in local hubs, they have now have two final days of rehearsals at the Johan Cain arena, before their two performances on Saturday in front of audiences of 10,000 people! It has been a huge commitment for our students and we are extremely grateful to Tim, Kristy and other supporting staff and parents who have made this opportunity possible.
Book Week Fun
This year’s official theme, ‘Symphony of Stories’, will see schools and libraries across the country come together to celebrate Australian authors, illustrators and, of course, a love of reading! Our annual Book Week Parade has become a much-anticipated highlight for our children, with many students planning their costumes months in advance! Parents are warmly invited to join us for the parade, which will begin at 9:00am on Wednesday 26th August.
Another highlight of the day will be our special author visit. Students will have the wonderful opportunity to meet the very talented author and illustrator Nicky Johnston, who has created many beautiful picture storybooks. We look forward to being inspired by her stories, illustrations and journey as an author.
The Book Fair next week will be the final part of our Book Week celebrations, giving students the opportunity to browse and choose some wonderful new books to enjoy at home. We look forward to celebrating the joy and magic of books with our school community!
Challenge Based Learning - Power
It has been wonderful to see the many different ways the Big Idea of Power is being explored across the school, and the diverse ways our students are using their power to take action!
Our Grade 5/6 students are currently working on a challenge that asks them to collaborate in teams to create a business, social enterprise or circular economy initiative that will generate profit for good. We are all looking forward to seeing their business ideas come to life at the Market Afternoon on September 11th.
I also enjoyed spending time with the Grade 4 students today as they worked on their mini challenge: ‘Use Your Power to Make a Positive Impact.’ Working in groups, students had identified issues and opportunities within the Wonga Park community that mattered to them and were investigating ways they could use their voice, ideas and actions to create meaningful change. We look forward to seeing their final presentations and celebrating the positive impact they can make when they use their power with purpose!
Annual Parent/Carer Opinion Survey
All government schools conduct the annual Parent / Carer Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education to seek your feedback. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage and appreciate your participation.
Our school will use the survey results to assist in identifying areas for improvement and professional development needs in the school, to target school planning and improvement strategies.
The Parent / Carer Opinion Survey will be open online from Tuesday 25th August to Friday 18th September 2026.
All families are invited to participate in the survey, with the Department of Education asking that there is one response per family. The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to respond to the survey.
Upcoming Events
Just a reminder to check the Important Dates tab for all the things that will be happening next week including the Book Fair, Donuts with Dad, the Grade 6 Graduation Fundraiser Coin Trail and our next Coffee and Chat.
Have a great week
Warm regards
Julie
An update from Adele:
In this issue, information is shared about:
- Disability and Inclusion: Speech Pathology Week - Communication Creates Possibility
- Child Safety Project: 2026 Webinar series (regular Wonga Weekly entry)
eSafety Commissioner: Privacy and Your Child
eSafety Commissioner: Online Workshops (regular Wonga Weekly entry)
Disability and Inclusion
Speech Pathology Week (This Week): Communication Creates Possibility
In the last Wonga Weekly, I promoted Speech Pathology Week, which is occurring this week/ This year’s theme, Communication Creates Possibility.
Communication can look different for every child. Whether through speech, visuals, gestures, communication devices or other forms of communication, every child deserves the opportunity to connect, learn, participate and belong.
By taking the time to listen, providing the right supports and valuing all forms of communication, we can help create greater possibilities for every child.
For more information please visit: Speech Pathology Australia
Cyber Safety Project
Cyber Safety (eSafety Commissioner)
Privacy and Your Child
Children are spending more time online through games, apps, messaging and other digital services, making it important to help them understand how to protect their personal information and online identity.
The eSafety Commissioner reminds families that information shared online including photos, videos, names, school details, locations and routines can sometimes reveal more than we realise. Once something is shared, it can also be copied or distributed beyond the audience originally intended.
Parents and carers can help children develop good privacy habits by:
- checking privacy settings together and choosing the highest appropriate settings
- reminding children not to share personal information such as their address, phone number, passwords, date of birth or school details
- encouraging the use of strong passphrases and multi-factor authentication where available
- talking about theirdigital footprint and encouraging them to think before posting or sharing
- asking permission before sharing photos or videos of others
- being mindful when sharing photos of children online, particularly images that reveal school uniforms, locations or regular activities.
Have regular, respectful conversations with children about what they share, who can see it and how it might be used. Developing these habits early helps children become safer and more thoughtful digital citizens.
For more information and practical advice for families, visit the eSafety Commissioner – Privacy and your child.
eSafety Commission Online Workshops (regular Wonga Weekly entry)
The eSafety provides free webinars that provide parents and carers with the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safe, positive online experiences.
The schedule for 2026 can be accessed via this link .
Sign up for the eSafety Newsletter to receive the latest online safety news, resources, and advice.
Warm Regards,
Adele Brice
Assistant Principal