Principal's Report

Welcome to our last 'Primary Post'for Term 1, 2026.  What a wonderful finish to the term, with our whole-school Cross Country (see Sports Report page for lots of photos) and the Foundation Teddy Bears' Picnic. Thank you to the Whittlesea Primary School community for your ongoing support.  I would also like to acknowledge the creative talents of one of our ES staff, Ms Aimee Gould, who painted many faces at the picnic. The students loved it! We look forward to our Parent Volunteer program commencing in Term 2, which again is a wonderful representation of the strength of the Whittlesea community and school partnership.

Principal's Award

Today I presented Chiara from 34A with a Principal's Award for Helping Others Succeed. 

Chiara received this award for showing empathy and kindness to a peer in her classroom. Well done Chiara.

Attendance Matters

The Department of Education closely monitors school attendance as there is a direct relationship between attendance and outcomes.  At the end of this Term (1), our whole-school attendance rate is 89.9%. Very pleasingly, 43% of students have an attendance rate of 95%-100%. Congratulations to these students; keep up the great work. 

Podcast Club

Staff Update

I would like to welcome Ms Madison Eldridge-Johnston and Mr Harry McKeown to our school's Education Support (ES) team. Both Madison and Harry have started in these roles, so you may see some new faces around the school supporting our students.  Ms Indiana Robinson has recently resigned from her ES role at Whittlesea PS. We wish her all the best in her future pursuits. 

Lastly, I would like to congratulate Ms Jessie Liu, who is currently on leave from Whittlesea PS, on securing an 'ongoing' Chinese teaching position at Elevation Secondary College in Cragieburn. Thank you, Ms Liu, for all your work throughout your years at our school. 

Use of Personal Electronic Devices

The Department of Education has written to Principals to update us on the proposed new restrictions on the use of personal electronic devices by students when at school.

The Victorian Government will today propose these changes as part of several reforms proposed to the current Education and Training Reform Act.

In brief, the legislation, if passed into law, will likely see similar restrictions that currently apply to mobile phones extended to other personal electronic devices, including smart watches, headphones and earbuds. The intent of the changes is to address the common concerns that, as with mobile phones, the use of these devices in schools has a very negative impact on building positive social relationships and maintaining attention on learning. As with the current mobile phone policy, exceptions to the restrictions can still apply in circumstances related to learning adjustments, and health and wellbeing.

If these changes are approved by the Victorian Parliament, the new requirements will commence from the start of the 2027 school year, although individual schools can introduce restrictions earlier if that is your preference and if such a move is supported by your school council. There is, however, no action related to these proposed changes required of government schools this year. I expect to receive further information and communication materials for schools to share with our school community later this year.

Happy Easter & Holidays

Lastly, I would like to wish everyone a very happy Easter weekend and holiday break. If you are going away, then please travel safely. We look forward to seeing everyone back on the first day of Term 2, which is Monday, 20th April. 

Enjoy your Easter break and holidays, 

Kaylene