Dear Parents/Carers,

EDUCATION WEEK 2026 – SHOWCASING WARRNAMBOOL PRIMARY SCHOOL

Education Week has provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and showcase everything that makes Warrnambool Primary School such a special place to learn, grow and belong.

Throughout the week we have shared some fantastic moments highlighting our school community, with great videos, photos and clips capturing learning, student engagement and the many opportunities available across our school.

It has also been wonderful reflecting on our history through historic photographs of Warrnambool State School, celebrating the rich heritage and proud traditions that have shaped our school over many generations.

As part of our commitment to Reconciliation, work has continued on the refurbishment of our Indigenous Garden, creating a meaningful and welcoming space that recognises and celebrates Aboriginal culture and connection to Country.

Our Open Night was another highlight, with prospective families welcomed into our learning spaces and our student leaders delivering outstanding speeches that reflected pride, confidence and leadership. We also continue to run prospective family tours, giving future families the opportunity to experience our school in action.

Students have also enjoyed the expertise of visiting teachers and specialists in sport, adding further opportunities for learning, participation and skill development.

A huge congratulations and thank you to all students, teachers, education support staff and parents who participated throughout Education Week and helped showcase the very best of Warrnambool Primary School.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook to view some of the wonderful moments, photos and highlights from the week. It has certainly been a celebration of our past, present and future.

RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY – INDIGENOUS GARDEN

On Monday, the whole school gathered around our reinvigorated Indigenous garden area for an official ribbon cutting ceremony, to celebrate the completion of the project.

We had many special guests including: Anthea and Chon, from Greenprint Projects; Rob Lowe (Koorie Engagement Support Officer); Tanya Knowles and Dominique DeBono with students from Brauer’s Stars Program and Bec Clayton (artist). The students cut the ribbon as the whole school watched on eagerly.

The Brauer girls brought along beautiful, engraved wooden plaques they made especially for our garden. These will be stained and mounted on display. The emu eggs and painted rocks that our students decorated have been set into clear resin, and these will be set into the garden.

The garden area is a space for everyone in our school community to enjoy and we look forward to using it more in the future. Thank you to everyone who helped with this project.

WORKING BEE – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED SATURDAY 23RD MAY 2026 9AM– 12PM

We are calling on families, friends and community members to assist with our upcoming Working Bee on Saturday 23rd May 2026 between 9am and 12pm.

We have several important jobs to complete as we continue improvements around the school, and any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

If you have any equipment that may assist (gloves, rakes, wheelbarrows, paint brushes, etc.) and are happy to bring them along, this would be greatly appreciated.

Even if you are only available for one hour, your support will make a real difference.

EXCITING SCHOOL TOURS AT WARRNAMBOOL PRIMARY SCHOOL

Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting many new prospective students and families as we showcase our amazing school. We are so proud of what we offer and the vibrant community we've built here. Whether you're a new family or a returning one, we would love to invite you to come and experience our school firsthand. Take a tour, meet our dedicated staff, and discover the many opportunities available for our students. We encourage all parents—new or existing—to come along for a tour and see why Warrnambool Primary is such a great place for your child’s learning journey.

PEACEFUL KIDS - FOUNDATION

Foundation students have recently begun participating in the Peaceful Kids- Classroom Program, run by Wellbeing Teacher Tonya Ferguson and student wellbeing/social worker Jess Arnott.

The program focuses on helping students build emotional awareness, develop coping skills and practise mindfulness activities in a fun and engaging way. Students have responded wonderfully so far and are already learning how to recognise their feelings and use calming strategies when needed.

In Week 1, students created their own plant as a visual reminder to look after themselves and help themselves grow. This week, they made special “meditation stones” while practising mindful belly breathing techniques during meditation activities.

We are very proud of the enthusiasm and positivity students have shown throughout the program and look forward to continuing to build these important wellbeing skills across the rest of the 5 week program.

SPECIALIST TEACHERS

At Warrnambool Primary School we are very proud of our Specialist Teachers and Specialist programs. These programs highlight the diverse and comprehensive educational opportunities provided to students at Warrnambool Primary School.

Physical Education - Cherine Owen

Cherine Owen is responsible for the Physical Education program, which is vital for promoting physical fitness, teamwork, and healthy lifestyle habits among students.

The PE program includes a variety of sports, physical activities, and fitness challenges designed to improve students' physical abilities and foster a love for active living.

Cherine is a passionate and long-serving teacher, parent and school council member at Warrnambool Primary School.

Arts - Donna Dixon -Part Term 2 Bebe Ryan

Donna Dixon leads our Arts program, which encourages creativity, self-expression, and appreciation of visual and performing arts.

Students explore different art mediums and techniques, learn about art history, and develop their artistic skills through various projects and exhibitions. We also welcomed Bebe Ryan back to our school in Term 2.

Japanese – Sam Webster

Sam Webster teaches Japanese, offering students the opportunity to learn a new language and gain insights into Japanese culture.

The Japanese program includes language instruction, cultural activities, and events that help students develop their language skills and cultural understanding.

Science - Stephanie Hann

Stephanie Hann oversees the Science program, sparking curiosity and fostering a love for scientific exploration among students.

The Science program includes hands-on experiments, inquiry-based learning, and projects that cover various scientific disciplines, encouraging students to think critically and understand the world around them. Steph has taught for many years at Warrnambool Primary School in classroom roles and as a specialist.

These specialist programs enrich the educational experience at Warrnambool Primary School by providing students with diverse opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills, and gain a broader understanding of different subjects. The dedication and expertise of Cherine Owen, Donna Dixon, Sam Webster, and Stephanie Hann play a crucial role in nurturing well-rounded and inquisitive learners.

NATIONAL SORRY DAY

National Sorry Day is a special day that occurs in Australia on 26th May every year. It is a day of remembrance for the Stolen Generations, their families, and their communities. The day is an opportunity for all Australians to remember past mistakes and build stronger bridges for a richer, stronger future together.

National Reconciliation Week is held annually from May 26th to June 3rd. It is a time for all Australians to learn about shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how they can contribute to reconciliation in Australia. The theme this year is “All in," encouraging reflection on the ongoing connection between past, present, and future, and urging Australians to look ahead while continuing to learn from past lessons. At Warrnambool Primary School we remember this day and acknowledge it with a display of purple flowers in breezeway of the school. The five-petal Native Hibiscus (Native Cotton, Desert Rose) is the official national symbol of the Stolen Generations and the colours symbolise compassion and spiritual healing

PUPIL FREE DAY FRIDAY 5TH JUNE 2026 AND KING’S BIRTHDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY MONDAY 8TH JUNE 2026

Please note students are not required at school on the following dates -

PUPIL FREE DAY - FRIDAY 5TH JUNE 2026

KING’S BIRTHDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY - MONDAY 8TH JUNE 2026

Their Care will operate on FRIDAY 5TH JUNE 2026 but not on the Monday Public Holiday.

CAMPS

Year 3 Kangaroobie - Wednesday 10th - Friday 12th June 2026

Year 6 Melbourne - Monday 16th - Wednesday 17th June 2026

Reminder that the Year 3 and Year 6 camps are next month. Please ensure payment and consent is made so that we can finalise numbers.

These are wonderful experiences for the students and we don’t want any of them to miss out.

Have a great weekend.

Peter Lee

Principal

Student Birthdays