Dear Parents/Carers,

LITERACY LEADERSHIP TEAM 2026

A key component of our whole school improvement is that we have designated leadership teams in Literacy, Numeracy and Wellbeing.

This week the focus is on our Literacy Leadership team and by extension our Literacy Community of practice team.

Jasmine Cunningham is a very experienced, well credentialed teacher. Jasmine has taught at Warrnambool Primary School for many years but Jasmine has also worked in secondary settings interstate and with the Department of Education in a coaching role.

Jasmine is currently studying a Masters’ degree in Psychology and has for many years undertaken personal and professional research into improved student learning. Jasmine is one of the driving forces behind the development of structured literacy at Warrnambool Primary School but also across the area.

Edwina Medro is an integral member of our Teaching and Learning Team at Warrnambool Primary School.

Edwina has also worked on her personal and professional learning in the area of structured Literacy across our school.

Jacqui Matters is also a very experienced teacher across several year levels but at Warrnambool Primary we are very fortunate to have Jacqui work with our Foundation students.

Jacqui, Edwina and Jasmine work very closely over many hours organising our Literacy units across the school.

Teachers from other schools often come to Warrnambool Primary School to observe Edwina teach UFLi and other structured Literacy programs in the Year 1/2 area.

Each week Jasmine, Jacqui and Edwina meet to discuss our whole school Literacy focuses for the coming weeks. They also drive Professional Learning at staff meetings to ensure that we have low variance and consistency in Literacy across the school.

At present Jasmine, Jacqui and Edwina are working as part of a Community of Practice focusing on best practice in Literacy instruction across the Wimmera South West Area.

In my time in teaching and as a Principal over many years I can say that this is the most experienced and well-equipped Literacy Team that I have had the pleasure to work with. Our students are the beneficiaries.

NATIONAL FAMILY READING MONTH - MAY

May is National Family Reading Month, celebrating its 30th year! Reading aloud together for just 10 minutes a day helps children build strong reading skills, expand their vocabulary, and develop a love of books.

We encourage all families to enjoy stories together and make the most of our school and local libraries.

As part of our Family Reading Challenge, aim to read one book together each day in May (chapter books welcome!). Reading logs have been sent home with eldest students in the family.

Please return your completed reading log to the office by Wednesday 3rd June to go in the draw to win one of two book packs, with prizes presented at assembly on Monday 8th June.

Happy National Family Reading Month!

DISTRICT ATHLETICS

Congratulations to all of our students who proudly represented our school at District Athletics on Wednesday 22nd April.

It was fantastic to see such enthusiasm, determination and sportsmanship on display throughout the day.

We also wish the best of luck to those students who have qualified to progress to Division level, competing tomorrow at Brauerander Park.

Thank you to Mrs Owen and Mrs Cunningham for attending and encouraging our students.

CROSS COUNTRY HOUSE WINNER - FOUNDATION TO YEAR 6

It was fantastic to see so many of our students enthusiastically participating in this year’s Cross Country across the two event days. Our Year 3–6 students showed incredible determination and resilience as they competed in some very wet and challenging conditions—an outstanding effort by all involved!

Congratulations to all students for their sportsmanship and perseverance. After tallying the results, we are pleased to announce our House placings:

1st – Ignis
2nd – Ventus
3rd – Aqua
4th – Terra

Well done to Ignis on their victory, and to all houses for their participation and team spirit!

MOTHER'S DAY STALL - WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY

The Warrnambool Primary Parents Association will be holding a Mother's Day stall next Wednesday 6th May.

All items are either $5 or $10 each and students can purchase up to 2 items.

Thankyou to our hard-working fundraising sub-committee.

FOUNDATION ONLY - MOTHERS/SPECIAL PERSONS AFTERNOON TEA

The Foundation team warmly invites mum or a special person to join us for a delightful Afternoon Tea on Friday 8th May at 2:30pm in the Japanese Room.

This special event is a wonderful opportunity for our Foundation students to celebrate the important people in their lives and share a relaxed afternoon together.

FOUNDATION INFORMATION NIGHT/ WHOLE SCHOOL OPEN NIGHT

TUESDAY 12TH MAY 2025 5PM - 7PM

We would love to see as many prospective parents as possible at our Foundation Information Night on Tuesday 12th May 2025 from 5pm to 6pm.

If you already have children at the school or if you know someone who has a child about to commence Foundation in 2027 please come along and encourage them to also.

We will share information about the first year of school, a day in the life of a Foundation child at Warrnambool Primary School and outline the great programs we offer.

We are also holding our whole School Open Night on the same evening from 6pm to 7pm. The students love seeing their parents at school so it would be great to see many parents, grandparents and friends as possible.

PUBLIC HOLIDAY THURSDAY 7TH MAY 2026 - WARRNAMBOOL CUP DAY

Please note Thursday 7th May is a Public Holiday for Warrnambool May Race Day.

Students are not required at school and Theircare will not be operating.

Also, there has been some confusion about whether tomorrow Friday 1st May is a Pupil Free Day. Please note this was incorrect information issued by TheirCare and tomorrow Friday 1st May IS a school day and students ARE required at school.

CONGRATULATIONS EMMA COLUMBINE

Congratulations to Emma Columbine on her outstanding achievement at the recent BMX National Championships in Shepparton. Emma, a proud member of the Warrnambool BMX Club, represented both her club and our school with determination, skill and sportsmanship.

While at the championships, Emma also had the exciting opportunity to meet Saya Sakakibara, an Australian Olympic BMX rider and world-class competitor known for her speed.

We are thrilled to share that Emma has now qualified for the World Championships, which will be held in Brisbane this July. This is a remarkable accomplishment and a true reflection of her hard work and dedication to BMX.

Well done, Emma – we wish you all the very best as you prepare to compete on the world stage!

INDUSTRIAL ACTION UPDATE – AEU VICTORIA BRANCH

The Australian Education Union has advised that industrial action will continue, as negotiations with the Victorian State Government remain unresolved. Discussions have stalled regarding funding for government schools and the current enterprise bargaining agreement.

As part of this action, AEU members have been directed to implement a series of work bans. This includes a half-day stop work on Tuesday 12th May 2026 from 8:50am to 12:38pm, along with other disruptions. In addition, if the impasse continues, teachers have been instructed to provide half-yearly student reports without written comments.

Unfortunately, these actions are likely to impact both students and families should an agreement not be reached prior to the scheduled industrial action. We will continue to keep our community informed and appreciate your understanding during this time

Have a great weekend.

Peter Lee

Principal

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