From the Principal

Dear Families,

The Stand Up Project - Gains momentum

Since the Student UP Leaders training, Anna Swan has been working closely with our SUP leaders to prepare for their upcoming teacher workshop, scheduled for Monday, 16th June. This marks an exciting shift as roles are reversed—teachers will become the students, while our SUP leaders step up as the facilitators.

This dynamic approach is at the heart of the program, which is all about student empowerment—giving young people a platform to shape their school environment in a meaningful, positive way.

We’re also looking forward to our Parent Workshop on Thursday, 26th June at 6:00 PM. We strongly encourage all School Council members to attend and experience the impact of the program first-hand.

Student Learning Conferences

Student Learning Conferences will be held on Tuesday, 1st July, from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Note: Students will be dismissed at 12:30pm

These conferences are a valuable opportunity for students, parents, and teachers to come together to celebrate progress, discuss goals, and strengthen partnerships that support student learning and growth. 

• For Years 3 to 6, the conferences will follow a student-led format, empowering students to take ownership of their learning by sharing their achievements and challenges. 
• For Prep to Year 2, the conferences will be teacher and parent only, focusing on student progress and setting clear goals.

Bookings will open via the Compass system at 9:00 AM on Monday, 23rd June. We encourage all families to book a time to engage in this important conversation about your child’s learning journey.

Junior School Council - Children’s Winter Clothing Charity Collection

This term, the Junior School Council (JSC) is again organising a Children’s Winter Clothing Charity Collection in support of the West Welcome Wagon. This wonderful organisation assists over 500 households in our community who are in need.

As winter approaches, we are seeking donations for good quality children’s clothing including warm coats, jumpers, pants and long sleeve tops in all sizes for both boys and girls. There will be collection boxes in each classroom and at the school office. The collection drive will run until the end of week 11, concluding on the 3rd of July.

We are also hoping to raise some money to purchase brand new socks and underwear for the organisation’s clients.

We will be having a ‘Crazy Hair Day’ on Thursday 3rd of July where students will contribute to the fundraiser by donating a gold coin. 

We greatly appreciate your generosity and support in helping us make a difference in our community.

Welcoming Back Willy Alumni for Work Experience

We look forward to welcoming several former students back to Willy Primary as they return for work experience placements. It will be a special opportunity to see past students reconnect with our school community, stepping into new roles and gaining valuable insights into the world of education.

We are proud to play a part in their career journeys and look forward to seeing where their paths take them next. Once a Willy Kid, always a Willy Kid.

Attitude to School Survey

The Attitude to School Survey (ATSS) is an annual student survey designed to gather valuable insights into students’ perceptions and experiences of their school environment. It covers key areas such as:

• Student engagement and motivation
• Learning confidence and resilience
• Teacher-student relationships
• Sense of connectedness and inclusion
• Perceptions of safety and wellbeing

Over the last two weeks students from years 4-6 completed the survey. I had the pleasure of personally administering the survey. This is a great opportunity for me to get back into the classroom and discuss the type of questions with the students.

Students complete the survey online anonymously. The feedback collected helps schools:

• Understand what’s working well from the student perspective
• Identify areas for improvement in teaching, learning, and wellbeing
• Track changes over time and evaluate the impact of school programs
• Support student voice and empower young people to shape their learning experience

Results of this survey will be discussed with staff and students, to enable us to better understand our Willy Kids.

Reminders

Additional School Enrolment Tour – Friday 20th June

Due to strong interest, we’re pleased to offer an additional school enrolment tour on Friday 20th June. This is a great opportunity for prospective families to explore our school, meet our staff, and learn more about our welcoming and vibrant learning community.

If you are looking to enrol a Prep student for 2026, please note that enrolments are now open and we are currently accepting applications. We encourage families to submit enrolment forms early to secure a place.

Expression of Interest: School Council Community Member Vacancies

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from our school community to fill two vacant Community Member positions on our School Council.

The School Council plays an important role in shaping the direction of our school, supporting strategic planning, and fostering a strong connection between the school and its wider community. Community members bring valuable perspectives and expertise to the Council, helping to ensure our decisions reflect the needs and aspirations of our families.

If you are passionate about education, community engagement, and supporting our school’s ongoing growth and success, we’d love to hear from you!

To express your interest, please contact me directly via email mathew.montebello@education.vic.gov.au  

We welcome enquiries and are happy to provide more information about the role and what’s involved.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to contribute to our school community in a meaningful way.

End of Term 2 & Curriculum Day

The last day of Term 2 for students  is Thursday, 3rd July. Students will finish school at 3:30pm on this day. Friday, 4th July is a scheduled Curriculum Day for staff professional development. On this day, our staff will be undertaking First Aid refresher training to ensure they are prepared to support our school community.

Please remember that students do not attend school on Friday, 4th July.

Warm regards,

Mat