It’s hard to believe we have welcomed summer this week, especially with the interesting weather that has come with it. As we approach the end of the year, there is definitely a sense of “end-of-year buzz” around the school. Teachers are working hard to maintain calm and respectful classrooms, and we know that this time of year can leave everyone feeling a little more fatigued than usual.

Today I spoke with the students about the importance of continuing to follow our school expectations and demonstrating our school values, even as we move closer to the end of term. I also shared my disappointment about some recent acts of disrespect towards our school grounds. We have repeatedly had to pick up rubbish and broken pieces of the path, and flowers have been pulled from the garden and thrown on the ground. I would really appreciate a follow-up conversation at home about how lucky we are to have such beautiful grounds, and the hard work Jimmy puts in each day to maintain them. It is important that we all take responsibility for looking after our school and respecting all spaces.

In addition, our sensible use of the toilets has slipped recently (after a period of improvement), so a reminder at home about appropriate and respectful toilet behaviour would also be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to have a positive end to the year.

On Tuesday night we had our final school council meeting for the year, followed by a celebration dinner at Madala. School Council has been an exceptional team, made up of both parents and staff, all deeply invested in improving our facilities and ensuring that WEPS is the best possible place for your children to learn, grow and play. They will continue their work together until March next year.

Thank you to all parents and staff who make up the team: Dave Long, Emma Charlton, Elisia Nichol, Michelle Lyons, Kerrie Hendarto, Billy Gardner and Clinton Hill, Phil Dennis, Rachel James, Ali Smith, Ann Dwyer, Mary Lee and Nicholas Richardson.

Clinton Hill’s son, Thomas, is in his final year of primary school, which means we will soon be farewelling the Hill family. Clinton has been a long-serving and deeply committed member of School Council, generously stepping into the role of President over the years whenever needed. We are incredibly grateful for his time, his thoughtful insights, and the many invaluable contributions he has made to our school community. Clinton’s dedication has made a real and lasting difference, and we will miss having the Hill family as part of our WEPS community.

This year we also farewell Phil Dennis, who has also made significant contributions to School Council, most notably strengthening our approach to risk assessments across all facets of school life. Phil, Carly and their children, Freddi and Rupert, have now moved on from our school community, but we remain incredibly grateful for everything they have given to WEPS. We wish them all the very best for the future. Although they are no longer at WEPS, we are pleased that our partnership with Phil will continue through our connection with Warrnambool College and the important work he does as a staff member there.

At the beginning of next year we will be calling for parent nominations to serve as a school council member. We have four outgoing parent members, which means we will have four open parent positions available. School Council meets twice per term on a Tuesday night. We will officially thank our outgoing members at the beginning of next year, as their term ends in March.

Please see the link attached for more information about the role and responsibilities of School Council. You are very welcome to contact a current member or arrange a time to speak with me if you would like to learn more or are considering nominating. School Council – Overview: Overview | VIC.GOV.AU | Policy and Advisory Library

Next week is both an exciting and anxious time for students and families. We have been working hard to support our students and ensure a smooth transition into their 2026 classes through our Step Up program. Classes have now been finalised, and we are looking forward to sending information home to families on Monday.

Your child will bring home an envelope containing information about their 2026 teacher, details about where all teachers will be teaching, and instructions for Tuesday morning (Statewide Transition Day).

If you feel your child requires further transition support after Tuesday, such as additional visits to their new learning space or more regular interactions with their new teacher, please make contact with your classroom teacher, and we will happily arrange this support.

Week 11 (the final week of term) is fast approaching, and it is set to be a busy one for WEPS.

On the evening of Tuesday 16th December, our Grade 6 students will be celebrating their graduation and we invite all our parent helpers and volunteers to our annual ‘thank you’ morning tea at 11am on this day too.

On Wednesday 17th December, we will hold our final assembly for 2025 at 2:30pm, which will also be the last day of formal classes.

On Thursday 18th December and Friday 19th December, our teachers will be working in their 2026 teams to ensure a well-organised and positive start to the new school year. If you are unable to arrange care for your children on these days, we will be providing an alternative program from 8:40am–3:20pm on Thursday and 8:40am–1:00pm on Friday. If your child/children will be attending the alternative program, please register their attendance at the school office.

Please note that teachers will be having their well-earned celebratory lunch at school from 1:00pm on Friday. We kindly ask for your support in respecting this time if your child is attending school that day, as teachers will be finishing for the year at 2:20pm sharp.

We were treated to something truly special at our Family Night last week—a delightful song written by Ned (Foundation), Ella (Grade 2), and Harry Obst (Grade 6). Their song writing captures the excitement and not so exciting parts to the start of a family holiday, and their performance brought smiles to everyone in the audience. The lyrics are sure to resonate with many families. Please see their description and song lyrics below.

It was the first day of our 4 month outback SA & NSW trip. Sally (mum) and the kids (Ned, Ella and Harry) were stuck in the Horsham Botanic Gardens for about 6 hours whilst Jarred (dad) was stuck at VicRoads trying to register their boat trailer.

Jarred (dad) kept texting saying he was getting somewhere, then nowhere….there’s only so much playing on the equipment, making up games, looking at flowers, going back to Aldi for more snacks etc…so in the end to avoid the kids getting bored, they penned the song.

🎵 "Holiday (Down at the Gardens)" 

[Verse 1] 

Holiday, holiday — it’s all startin’ today Ain’t nothin' gonna stop me, yeah I’m feelin’ okay 

Started out with a smile, cart racin' down the aisle Grabbin’ snacks at Aldi, laughin’ all the while

Kids playin' in the park, swingin' high past the trees Mama's snappin’ pictures, we got grass stains on our knees 

But where’s Dad? Oh man — he’s stuck at Vic Roads, Sent a text sayin’ “this line just won’t go...”

[Chorus] 

Munchin' on soup and ham sandwiches, Crunchin’ cucumbers, takin' chances 

Roll the dice, what’s the time Mr. Wolf? Shadowlands, red lights flashin' in the dusk 

Sun’s out blazin', not a cloud in the sky We’re on holiday — feels so right 

Yeah, we parked our butts where the gum trees sway At the gardens, wastin’ the day away

[Verse 2] 

Box of ice creams gettin' passed all around Kids screamin’ "more!" — that joyful sound 

Dad’s still missin’, probably cussin’ in his seat 

While we’re barefoot dancin' in the summer heat

Little games to pass the time — red light, green light, freeze 

No rules, just laughter floatin' on the breeze 

We didn’t wanna stare, but man it’s true 

We saw some chubby bubbies runnin’ round in the nude

[Chorus] 

Munchin' on soup and ham sandwiches Crunchin’ cucumbers, takin' chances 

Roll the dice, what’s the time Mr. Wolf? Shadowlands, red lights flashin' in the dusk 

Sun’s out blazin', not a cloud in the sky, We’re on holiday — feels so right 

Yeah, we parked our butts where the gum trees sway At the gardens, wastin’ the day away

[Bridge] 

Ain’t no schedule, ain’t no rush 

Just the hum of life and that midday hush 

Mom’s laughin’, the kids are wild 

Even if Dad’s still stuck in line for a while

[Final Chorus] 

Munchin' on soup and ham sandwiches Crunchin’ cucumbers, takin' chances 

Roll the dice, what’s the time Mr. Wolf? Shadowlands, red lights flashin' in the dusk 

Sun’s out blazin', not a cloud in the sky We’re on holiday — feels so right 

Yeah, we parked our butts where the gum trees sway At the gardens, just livin’ the Aussie way

[Outro] 

Holiday, holiday — let it stretch on for days With a song in our hearts and the sun on our face

Update about craft sand recall

National and Victorian health authorities have advised that the possible risk to human health from these products has been downgraded from low to very low.

At our school, we are taking the steps set out by the Department of Education to safely collect and store the product, and to arrange for safe disposal. This may involve qualified people attending our school to clean and collect waste.

If you have the product at home, please follow advice from the health authorities. Stop using the craft sand and follow these steps for safe clean-up and disposal: enHealth Interim Advice – Asbestos contamination identified in imported coloured sand products | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

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Ordered products to be distributed