A Word from the Principal 

A warm welcome to our community

Congratulations to our New School Council Members 

The School Council election process has been completed this week  so I can now officially ‘declare’ that following parents and staff have been elected as our school councillor:

• Daniel Rodger (Parent Representative 2-year term)

• Gavin Hodgins (Parent Representative 2-year term)
• Sarika Pandey (Parent Representative 2-year term)
• Nisa Vahebi (Parent Representative 2-year  term)
• Rowena Crandle (Parent Representative 2-year  term)
• Paulus Christ (Parent Representative 2-year term)
• Vacant Position (Parent Representative 2-year term)
• Vacant Position (Parent Representative 2-year term)
• Sarah Mcdonell (DE Representative 2-year term)
• Kate Phillips (DE Representative 2-year term)
• Vacant Position (DE Representative 2-year term)
• Vacant Position (DE Representative 2-year term)
•  

Congratulations to the new councillors and we appreciate your efforts to make our great school even better.  They will join myself as the Executive Officer on council.  Thank you! You will see that there are four positions that are left unfilled so if you are interested then please let me know and you can be a part of the new council. 

The new council will meet for the first time on Monday 16 March 2026.  Please remember that if you would like to ever be a part of the meeting you are more than welcome or please speak with your parent representatives or staff can speak with me. 

NAPLAN

Just a reminder that the annual NAPLAN exams begin next week and will go for two weeks.  We would really appreciate that you support your children at home to stay calm and try their best.  We have traditionally achieved incredibly high results and this can put pressure on students.  Stay relax, be organised (and at school on time!) and realise that the students might be tired that night. 

• Wednesday 11 March – Writing

• Thursday 12 March – Reading Exam

• Tuesday 17 March - Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar, punctuation)

• Wednesday 18 March – Numeracy Exam

The school will be very respectful of our Year 3 and 5 students who need to focus during these times.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader (MHWL)

The Department of Education has provided funding for every government school (and some small Catholic Schools), to have a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader.  I am very pleased to let you know that our MHWL is Mrs Solange Nancarrow. 

This is a great step for Solange from her Wellbeing Co-ordination role from the past few years. Solange also remains as our Inclusion Leader so you will still be involved with her for student support group meetings.  Along with Marika, (Wellbeing Officer) and our wellbeing dogs, Chilli and Gelu, we have a very strong wellbeing team at Weeden Heights to support your children, my staff and your families. 

The MHWL:

• embeds evidence-based training and resources across the school to build the capability of staff to better identify and support students
• provides support to individual teachers in the classroom with students who have been identified as in need
• creates clear pathways for students who may need further assessment and intervention within the school and to external community-based services
• uses informed referral pathways to strengthen linkages between schools and community services
• works proactively with regional education department staff, school wellbeing teams and other health professionals to engage appropriate mental health support
• is responsible for implementing whole-school approaches to mental health and wellbeing
• contributes to the development of larger-scale reform, promoting what works to support students’ mental health and wellbeing.

District Swimming

Congratulations to all of the students who represented our school at the District Swimming Competition.  It was terrific to cheer on our students poolside and watch them swim as well as they could for our school  There were many ribbons being won in the events

Many students qualified for Division and they will be competing soon. The competition will be tough but students will perform with true Weeden Heights PS spirit.

Family Fun Night and whole school incursion

The whole school family fun night is tonight!  Please take this opportunity to  head up to the oval and catch up with other families.  It will be a fabulous night! 

Don’t forget that you can bring your own picnic dinner and enjoy your meal with our community or the staff are putting on a BBQ so there will be food to purchase.     I would like to give a hearty thanks to our fabulous staff in advance who will spend the night cooking for you.  I truly hope that you will able to catch up with many familiar faces and also make our new families feel welcome. 

School Attendance

As it is term one, I wanted to remind parents of the importance of attending school every day and on time.  We absolutely shone in our school achievements last year but our poor attendance has continued to be highlighted.  Attending school each day continues to be a goal in the new annual implementation plan and is outlined in our four-year strategic plan.  Our school must improve student attendance and it is being tracked by the department and myself closely.   Many students are now being placed on ‘attendance plans’ to help address non-attendance and ensure that learning time is optimal.

Please organise your holidays on the school holidays rather than during school time.  Students cannot make up lost learning time and time away from school impacts on results.  I have noticed several students arriving late regularly.  Late arrival to school is reported to the Department of Education and you on the student reports along with absences. 

Arriving late to school also creates an issue for students as your child miss vital information and they then disrupt learning when they enter the classroom, distracting every other learner in the room. Classroom doors open at 8.50am to allow students to settle and start work straight away at 9am. 

The data for student attendance is collected by the Department of Education.  You will continue to receive this information on your school reports as attendance will affect the results your child achieves.

Here is a guide that Weeden Heights uses to highlight absences & punctuality and this was included in the final report for your child: 

We do not expect students to come to school when they are ill and all of our parents appreciate students being kept home until they are well enough so that nothing is passed onto other students.  However, I am sure that we can all be organised, arrive on time and be ready to learn for 9am.  Family holidays need to be planned for during school holiday times so that children do not miss vital and essential learning. 

Prep 2027 Tours and Enrolments

We have had many calls already for information regarding enrolments at Weeden Heights Primary School for 2027 and beyond.   We have several students already enrolled for next year and our tours will begin next week.  Our School Captains will also be a part of the tour in their role as a year 6 leader. 

Enrolment information is available now so if you have a child starting at Weeden next year or know anyone who requires assistance with 2027 placements then please direct them to call our office to book a tour date and time.  Tours are conducted on a Wednesday at 9.30am.  Thank you for helping us with this process.

Just a reminder that we will see you  next week on Tuesday as Monday is Labour Day.  Enjoy your long weekend!

Until next time……

Kylie Campbell

Proud Principal!