From the Principal

Dear Families,

Reconciliation Week

Last week as a school we acknowledged Reconciliation Week. The week, which is an important week on the school calendar, is an opportunity to learn about our shared history and how everyone works together in achieving reconciliation in Australia. This year's theme of ‘Now More Than Ever’ is a reminder to all of us that the work of acknowledging the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is continuous.

Within the school, students were immersed in a range of learning activities and literature that supported these understandings. Learning experiences were scaffolded to meet the needs of each year level, as our Willy Kids broadened their understanding of the importance of reconciliation.

Last year as part of the school’s 150 celebrations we held a community smoking ceremony and welcome to the country. This continues to be an important talking point for our students and is something the school will continue to undertake every two years in building the connections to land and indigenous history and traditions.

Grade 4 Camp

The first of our camp programs start next week as our Grade 4 students head off to Camp ADANAC, located in the Yarra Junction, about 90 minutes from Williamstown. Camps are a great opportunity for students to build independence, while undertaking a range of experiences outside of their normal day to day living. We wish all our campers the best and thank  our staff and parent volunteers. Without the adults available to support events like this they would not be possible.

2025 Prep Enrolments

Enrolments for our 2025 preps continue with us hosting our 4th school tour on Tuesday.

The school also attended the Hobsons Bay Primary School Expo at the Williamstown Town Hall, engaging with local families. 

Enrolment applications for families are due by the 26th July. If you have a child enrolling for foundation in 2025 please ensure your application forms are in by the designated date. 

If you know of families looking to enroll at the school for 2025, please encourage them to contact the school or submit their forms as soon as possible.

Public Holiday (King’s Birthday)

A reminder to all families that this coming Monday 10th June is a public holiday and that the school will be closed.

NAPLAN Trials

This week we had a group of students undertake a NAPLAN item trial, overseen by ACARA.

The trial, which is part of the NAPLAN review process, sees schools randomly selected to test out potential new NAPLAN questions that will be rotated into the NAPLAN assessment cycle. Students are exposed to a range of new questions which then provides ACARA the opportunity to review student responses. The school does not receive any feedback about results as the trial is to purely test out new questions.

Student learning Conferences

Student Learning Conferences will take place on Tuesday 25th June. The format for these conferences will see parents in years Prep-2 undertake conferences without students, and gives parents/guardians the opportunity to have in depth discussions about their child’s learning with teachers. In years 3-6, conferences will be student-led, as we build our students' capacity to lead their learning. The conference booking system will open one week prior to the conference dates.

Planning Days

Scheduled planning days provide teaching staff the opportunity to come together uninterrupted to plan the implementation of the following terms curriculum. It also gives students the opportunity to engage with their specialist teachers and their respective programs throughout the day. 

Although these days are enjoyed by most, we also understand that the change in routine can often unsettle some. Your child’s teacher will discuss the upcoming planning days with their respective classes, while outlining the scheduled specialist program for the day. If your child is apprehensive about the upcoming planning days, we encourage them to speak to their teacher to provide an opportunity for reassurance.

Planning days will take place across the school commencing on Friday 21st June-Friday 28th June.

Q & A

As mentioned in previous newsletters, in partnership with the Parents Association, we will be hosting a principal Q&A on Tuesday 30th July at 6:30pm, with the venue to be confirmed. Below is a link for families to inform us of areas of school operation that they would like to know more about. The form will stay open for one more week. Thank you to those that have already provided some themes for discussion.

https://forms.gle/MVX145r54G2rLaMW9

Lantern Walk

This year’s Lantern walk will take place on Saturday 22nd June from 5:30pm-8pm. Tickets are now available via CompassTix.

We are very excited for this great community event and we encourage all families to attend.

Warm regards,

Mat