Principal's Message

Thanks for a busy Semester

If there was one thing we would love to do and put it into bottle it would be Prep Positiveness.  We rewarded the preps with 'Taco Tuesday' Lunch on Tuesday after the School Assembly.    The students had a great time  and had tacos with a choice of four fillings, a prima and a slice of hedgehog.   I thought I would share a conversation I had with one positive prep student, Nash.   "Mr Forrest did you make the hedgehog?" (I wanted to say yes.)  " No Nash that was Kylie from the College Cafe".    "Mr Forrest can you please tell her I really like it!"   

"I certainly will Nash."

We are so lucky to have these special opportunities as staff go the extra mile.   On the College Cafe front we have had a request from the SLC for a greater range of alterative menu items for food allergies.  Kylie is busy currently sourcing some gluten free and other alternate food options.  We will keep you posted with updates expected early next term. 

This Friday is the last day of Term 2  with a  finish time of 2:30 p.m. -  School reports will be sent home.  

Term 3 commences for all students on Monday 13th July

Please check your school calendar for all the exciting events in Term 3!

All the best to staff taking leave next term. Miss Lockhart will be taking leave for a couple of weeks at the start of next term and Mr Watson who will be away for all of Term 3. These positions have been filled by regular replacement teachers/staff members, Mrs Douglas/Mrs Forrest and Mrs Braybrook.  Music will be on pause for secondary students in Term 3.   We will have a few exciting curriculum initiatives and further staff up dates to share in Term 3.

Mr Lockhart is  recovering well (he is very bored)  and we expect him to be back at school in early term 3.  

End of Term Reports

Once again we have provided a great semester of learning experiences for your children. It was great to see the energy in the primary area this morning with all students and staff actively engaged in literacy activities. Celebration of this learning will be reflected in  student achievement results in their reports  for Semester 1. A reminder that the reports will not include full descriptive comments due to industrial action taken earlier in the term by the Australian Education Union. 

We will be pleased to discuss with you your child’s progress at our next Learning Conversations scheduled for 22 July, Week 2 of Term 3.    Appointments will go online at the beginning of Term 3.

Literacy Merit Achievement Semester 1

Wedderburn P–12 College is excited to introduce a new initiative recognising student growth and achievement in writing. The Semester 1 Literacy Merit will celebrate students who have shown outstanding improvement and effort in their writing throughout the semester — not just final results, but the journey of drafting, editing, and refining their work along the way. Selection will be based on teacher feedback and work samples, considering improvements in vocabulary, sentence structure, and overall confidence in written tasks, as well as positive learning behaviours such as persistence and responsiveness to feedback. Cash prizes will be awarded to recognise this hard work for 1st place ($50) , 2nd place ($30), and for 3rd place ($20).  Winners received their prizes at the assembly and 2nd and 3rd place will have prizes credited to their school accounts.

We would like to especially thank Lianne Brett for her generous donation, which has made these prizes possible, and for her wonderful suggestion to introduce this initiative recognising and rewarding students' growth in writing. Her support reflects the strong community spirit that helps our students thrive. Congratulations to the following students who were presented with certificates at the assembly. The list of Literacy Merit recipients is attached below. 

Foundation

1. Alice Turnbull
2. Murphy McFarlane
3. Marigold Postle

Grade 1 

1. Lacey Thompson 
2. Helena 
3. Paige Jarvis

Grade 2

1. Lily Hawkins
2. Sebastian Rasbey 
3. Albert Postle 

Grade 3

1. Edward Marr 
2. Sophie 
3. Heath Polkinghorne

Grade 4 

1. Angus Kerr 
2. Lucy Turnbull
3. Blake Collins 

Grade 5 

1. Lucas George 
2. Izabell Baker 
3. Nate Turnbull

Grade 6 

1. Elizabeth Marr 
2. Mia Collins
3. Gabbie Jaques 

Year 7:

1. Bayley Hill
2. Holly Gleisner
3. Mollie Norman

Year 8

1.    Maora Pamboedi

2.    Abby Wilson    

3.    Natalie Smith/Brax Jaques

Year 9:

1. William Husimann

2. Lilly Finch

3. Blaze Cramp 

Year 10:

1. Violet Stephenson
2. Ava Rose
3. April Reid

Year 11:

1. Brea Graetz
2. Aidan Wingfield
3. Lucy Rollinson

Year 12:

1. Jade Cramp

2. Tyson Blair

3. Lillie Luckman

Hand Foot and Mouth - Still Hanging Around

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Dear Parents and Guardians,

There have been more reported cases of hand, foot and mouth disease within our school community. This is a common but highly contagious viral illness that can spread quickly among children. 

To help protect all students and staff, we ask that any child with hand, foot and mouth disease symptoms remain at home and not return to school until the fluid in their blisters have completely dried up. Otherwise, they will be very contagious to other children.

The most common symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease are:

• a rash with spots or blisters on the hands, feet and buttocks
• blisters around the mouth and ulcers inside the mouth
• tiredness
• fever

We appreciate your cooperation in helping to keep our school community safe and healthy.

For further information please see:

Royal Children’s Hospital: Kids Health Info : Hand, foot and mouth disease.

Better Health Channel: Hand, foot and mouth disease | Better Health Channel

NURSE-ON-CALL - 1300 60 60 24 - can help determine if you should manage symptoms at home, see a GP, or visit an urgent care clinic for non-emergency issues. For emergencies, always call 000.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Reference: Royal Children’s Hospital Kids Health Info : Hand, foot and mouth disease

Key points

• Hand, foot and mouth disease is an infection caused by a virus.
• The virus causes a rash with spots or blisters on the hands, feet and buttocks, along with mouth ulcers.
• Mouth ulcers can make it painful for your child to eat and drink.
• In most cases, the infection lasts around a week.
• If your child has hand, foot and mouth disease, you can care for them at home by ensuring they drink lots of fluids and giving them regular pain-relief medicine.
• The virus spreads easily from one person to another, so good hygiene measures, like regular hand washing, are important for you and your child.

What is hand, foot and mouth disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection caused by the Coxsackie virus. Most children with this illness will get a rash with spots or blisters on their hands and feet, along with mouth ulcers.

There is no vaccine to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease.

While hand, foot and mouth disease is most common in pre-school children, anyone can become infected. It is possible to get the virus more than once, but the symptoms will be less severe.

Signs and symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease

The most common symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease are:

• a rash with spots or blisters on the hands, feet and buttocks
• blisters around the mouth and ulcers inside the mouth
• tiredness
• fever.

Figure one: Close-up image of hand with hand, foot and mouth disease spots and blisters. Image has been reproduced with permission from ©DermNet2025.

Mouth blisters and ulcers can be painful – especially when your child is trying to eat and drink. Many children are often grumpy while unwell and do not sleep well.

Hand, foot and mouth disease usually lasts from seven to 10 days.

Sometimes, hand, foot and mouth disease can cause eczema to flare up.

Very rarely, the illness can affect the brain or heart. In these cases, your child will seem unwell, often acting drowsy and looking pale. They may have stomach pain and shortness of breath, or rarely, seizures. If your child experiences these symptoms they should see a doctor.

How to care for hand, foot and mouth at home

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a mild illness that rarely causes complications. Antibiotics will not help, as they do not work on viruses.

In most cases, hand, foot and mouth disease will get better on its own. To care for your child at home, you can:

• encourage them to drink frequent sips of water or rehydration fluids like electrolytes to stop them getting dehydrated. You can try giving them a regular icy pole if they do not want to drink juice or oral rehydration solution.
• leave blisters to dry naturally – do not pierce or squeeze them
• give them pain relief medicine, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Do not give your child aspirin.

If your child is unwell with a fever and a rash that does not turn skin colour (blanch) when you press on it, this may be a sign of meningococcal infection and requires urgent medical attention.

When to get help

Common questions about hand, foot and mouth disease

How does hand, foot and mouth disease spread?

Hand, foot and mouth disease spreads easily through fluid from the blisters, saliva and poo for up to a month after the infected person is better. To stop the spread of the virus, follow good hygiene measures like regular hand washing and do not share items like cups or cutlery.

Is there a difference in caring for hand, foot and mouth in babies compared to older children?

The main difference in caring for children of different ages with hand, foot and mouth disease is how you keep them drinking fluids. If your child is young and refusing to drink enough, you may need to give them fluids using a syringe. Older children may find drinking with a straw or eating icy poles easier.

Is hand, foot and mouth disease in people the same as foot and mouth disease found in animals?

Foot and mouth disease in animals is an entirely different disease from hand, foot and mouth disease in humans.

Can children get hand, foot and mouth disease more than once?

Your child can get hand, foot and mouth disease more than once. This is because there are different types of hand, foot and mouth disease viruses, and each can cause a new infection.

Can adults get hand, foot and mouth disease?

Adults can get hand, foot and mouth disease, but it is usually much milder than in children.

Is hand, foot and mouth disease dangerous for pregnant women?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is not known to be dangerous for pregnant women or their unborn babies.

How long is hand, foot and mouth disease contagious for?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is contagious for up to a month after symptoms first show, but it spreads most easily in the first week of infection.

Can my child go to child care or school with hand, foot and mouth?

Your child should not go to childcare or school with hand, foot and mouth disease until the fluid in their blisters has dried up. Otherwise, they will be very contagious to other children.