From the Principal

Dear Families,

As term 3 comes to an end, we reflect on what a historic time it has been. A broad range of events and activities has given us and our community the opportunity to celebrate the school’s history and its people. It has been a unique opportunity that as a community we probably won’t see again until the school celebrates its 200th anniversary. Although the celebrations have been about the school’s past, it is also an opportunity to look ahead. As a school we have ambitions and aspirations and leveraging our school’s success and history is an important part of building our future.

The term has also been filled with camps, sporting events and achievements, many excursions, and incursions, as well as swimming programs. To say term 3 was jammed packed, would be an understatement.

We hope all our families have a safe and enjoyable term break, and we look forward to an exciting term 4.

150 Years of Williamstown Primary, Coffee Table Book

Please ensure you get your orders in for the school’s 150 Years of Williamstown Primary School coffee table book. This hard cover commemorative book will only have one print run, making it a once in a lifetime purchase opportunity.

Books can be ordered via Compasstix in the link below and will be available approx. 2-3 weeks after orders close.

Purchase link below: 

https://compasstix.com/event/5f74fd83-37bc-4826-b3e8-17f1d5d99fd1

School Uniform

Recently at the grade 5/6 assemblies I spoke about school pride and the importance of school uniform. The school’s uniform policy outlines the uniform requirements while detailing the rationale behind these requirements. We are asking all families to ensure that required school uniform is always worn, particularly the appropriate school jumper and hat, which is a requirement for recess and lunch in term 4. The second-hand uniform store has a large quantity of cost-effective uniform pieces, while the school’s main supplier Double C Jeanery in Laverton also provides an online delivery option for families. If you are having issues accessing the required uniform, please contact the school office for assistance.

Seaside Side Fair

You may have noticed that things have ramped up for the school’s Seaside Fair, which will be held on Sunday 26th November. The committee is always looking for keen volunteers and we encourage people who are interested in helping to contact Lance on lancemv@bigpond.com or put your name down on one of the rosters to help on the day.

Planning for 2024

Planning for 2024 is well underway. In 2024 the school will operate three grade prep classes of approximately 22 each. While we begin the process of welcoming our new Willy Kids, we know that a range of opportunities arise that will see some of our Willy families head off for a broad range of reasons. If you know that your child/ren won’t be at Williamstown PS in 2024 or will be away for an extended period of time, please contact me directly via email. This will ensure that we can plan accordingly. Early next term I will communicate the school’s finalised structure for 2024. Please note that the school does not take friend or teacher requests. As you can imagine, the large task of grade placements is extremely complicated. If there is a specific need that you have not already discussed with the school, please contact me directly. We thank all families for their support for a process that takes over a month to work through.

Footy Day

The only way to finish a big term is to have a big event, and Footy Day is one of the biggest on the school calendar. With a whole school assembly kicking off proceedings at 9:15am in the hall, we welcome families to enjoy this extravaganza. The assembly will be followed by the traditional year 3/4 football and Netball tournaments. These tournaments are supported by our 5/6 students, and we encourage families to come along and cheer their support.

Interim Reports

Interim reports will be available to families this afternoon at 4pm via Compass.

These reports provide an overview of student learning engagement through the lens of our Willy Kids Program. Please note that these reports aren’t an interim academic report such as the semester reports, but instead look to give an insight into the way students engage with their learning and others.

Term 4 – Sun Smart hats

A friendly reminder that term 4 is a sun smart hat term. All students are required to wear a sun smart broad brim or legionnaires hat during recess and lunch breaks, as well as a range of other activities that take place outside.

Early Finish – Tomorrow 15th September

A reminder that all students will be dismiss at 2:30pm on the last day of term tomorrow Friday 15th September. Please ensure that if you require supervision support that students are enrolled with Team Kids, the school’s after-hours provider. Term 4 begins on Monday 2nd October.

Warm regards,

Mathew Montebello

Principal