From the Principal

Dear families,

School Performance

Each year, the Department of Education provides every school with a School Performance Report. This report gives a detailed overview of how the school is performing across key areas, including:

• Student learning outcomes – how our students are progressing in literacy and numeracy compared to state-wide benchmarks.
• Student engagement and wellbeing – data on attendance, attitudes to school, and student voice.
• School climate and parent feedback – insights from staff, student, and parent surveys.
• Improvement measures – information about the school’s growth over time and progress toward strategic goals.

The School Performance Report helps us identify what’s working well and where we can continue to improve. It forms part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the best learning environment and outcomes for every student.

Performance groups are listed as High, Improving, Medium, Developing. With change levels being Improved, Maintained or declined. 

Over the last 2 years the school has heavily invested in our teaching and learning practices, while also strengthening our curriculum documentation. We believe that these investments have positively impacted student achievement.

This year has seen the school in the area of learning performance move into the high performance group, with a change level of improvement.

While our Overall performance group also moves into the High Performance Group

This school performance is only achievable due to the strong school and home partnerships that are formed between staff and families, and the hard work of our Willy Kids.

Schools are on a continuous improvement cycle, and while these achievements are ones for the school community to celebrate, our focus continues to be ensuring high quality teaching instruction that supports the learning needs of all our Willy Kids.

The Seaside Fair 23 days and counting! Calling all Volunteers. We need you!!!

Events like the Seaside Fair can only go ahead with the tremendous work of volunteers.

If you haven’t done so already please register via the link below. There are so many different opportunities for our volunteers.

Volunteer today! Join in the fun and make a real difference!

Register your interest and email us at seasidefair@williamstownps.vic.edu.au or visit www.seasidefair.williamstownps.vic.edu.au/volunteer/ for more information.

Willy Kids off to State Finals

Recently we had Henry from Grade 4 and Banjo from Grade 5 compete at the Regional Athletics Finals, and what a day out they both had. Both students did extremely well with Henry breaking the Regional record on his way to winning the 800m.

Banjo will also progress to the state finals after placing second in the 1500m. While he also finished an impressive 3rd in the 800m.

What an amazing result. We wish both boys all the best at the state finals.

The Education Department’s new Digital Device Policy - Changes to the BYOD Program

Recently, the Victorian State Government announced that all Victorian primary schools will no longer be able to commence a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program from 2027 onwards. While new BYOD programs cannot commence after this date, existing programs are permitted to continue until the current cohorts complete primary school.

What does this mean for Williamstown Primary School?

Over the next four years, Williamstown Primary will gradually transition to the following model:

• Prep–Year 2: Year-level sets (school-owned devices)
• Years 3–4: Class sets (school-owned devices)
• Years 5–6: 1-to-1 (school-owned devices)

Students currently in Years 3–5 will continue to participate in the school’s existing BYOD program for the remainder of their time at Williamstown Primary. Our current Year 2 students, who will move into Year 3 in 2026, will be the final cohort participating in the BYOD program, continuing until the end of Year 6 in 2029.

The school does not view the new Department requirement—limiting device screen time to no more than 90 minutes per day—as a challenge. Our students already use technology as a tool to support learning, rather than something that controls it.

It’s also important to note that, unlike many other BYOD schools, Williamstown Primary has never mandated that families supply their own devices. Families who chose not to participate in the program have always been provided with a school-owned device. The Department has previously recognised Williamstown Primary as an exemplary example of BYOD implementation, thanks to the dedication of our staff and the support of our school community.

While our model will evolve over the coming years, the school remains committed to ensuring that our Willy Kids are equipped with the tools, skills, and confidence to succeed in an ever-changing world.

Remembrance Day Assembly

On Tuesday, 11 November at 10:45am, our school community will come together to mark Remembrance Day with a special ceremony held on the school grounds.

This important occasion provides our students with the opportunity to reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who have served in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

The ceremony will be facilitated by our senior student leaders, who will lead the school in observing a minute of silence at 10:45am, followed by readings and the laying of a wreath.

Families are warmly invited to pause with us in thought and gratitude as we remember those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Thank You to Jellis Craig for Their Ongoing Support

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Jellis Craig Williamstown for their amazing ongoing support and sponsorship of our school community. Their generosity and partnership play a key role in helping us enhance opportunities and experiences for our students.

We greatly value their continued commitment to our school and the local community. Thank you, Jellis Craig, for being such a wonderful supporter of our programs and events!

Warm regards,

Mat Montebello