School Update

2027 Prep Transition

It has been wonderful to begin welcoming our 2027 Prep students and families to Williamstown North Primary School as part of our Prep Transition Program.

We hosted our 2027 Prep Information Night in Week 8, where families could learn more about starting school at WNPS, meet staff and hear what to expect as their child begins Prep.

Our future Preps then joined us for a fun-filled Tabloid Sports session, hosted by our Year 6 Sports Captains and School Captains. We were lucky with the weather, with the rain holding off for most of the morning. When we did have a brief break to wait out a shower, Miss Hannah took the Preps through a cohort game of musical statues. The Tabloids Sports morning was a great opportunity for our incoming Preps to become familiar with the school environment, meet new friends, and take part in a range of activities to build excitement about starting school in 2027.

This week, students attended their first classroom transition session, where they experienced a taste of classroom life and began familiarising themselves with school routines and expectations. 

Each transition visit gives our future Preps another opportunity to build relationships with staff and peers, become familiar with our school spaces, and develop a sense of belonging at WNPS.

It has been great to see so many excited faces already, and we look forward to continuing to welcome our newest students and families throughout the remainder of our transition program in Term 4!

Year 5/6 Inter-School Debating Competition

On Wednesday 2nd of September, 42 students from Williamstown North Primary School proudly represented our school in an inter-school debating competition against students from Williamstown Primary School and St Mary’s Primary School.

Throughout the day, teams debated a range of topics, presenting carefully prepared arguments either for or against their given topic. Students demonstrated fantastic teamwork, confidence, and persuasive speaking skills, while also listening carefully to their opponents’ arguments and delivering strong rebuttals.

One of the biggest challenges of the day was the surprise debate between Williamstown Primary School and Williamstown North Primary School. Students didn’t find out their topic until the day and were given only a selection of facts and information to help them prepare, with no internet allowed! They had to think quickly, work collaboratively, develop persuasive arguments, and prepare possible rebuttals in a very short time.

We are incredibly proud to announce that Williamstown North won the surprise debate and Malia from 6E received the Best Speaker award in this round.

It was a fantastic day of debating, and all 42 students should be extremely proud of the way they represented our school. Their preparation, teamwork, confidence and ability to think on their feet were wonderful to see. 

Science Squad

We are excited to share that six of our Year 5 students will be joining 30 students across Victoria in the 2026 Science Squad Virtual Primary STEM Program at John Monash Science School. This Department of Education enrichment program is designed for students with a strong interest in STEM. Through six live online sessions, students will experience deeper scientific thinking, hands-on investigations, and inquiry-rich learning concepts beyond the Year 5/6 curriculum, including the scientific methods of flight & Bernoulli’s principle, nanotechnology & material properties, and genetics & DNA.

Congratulations to Arrigo P, Violet M, Catherine R, Christian I, Henry P and Thomas J,  

Seussical The Musical 

Congratulations to all of our students on another fantastic school musical.

It was great to see so many students involved and showcasing their talent!

A big thank you to Miss Cheslea Adams and Laura Pearce for all your time, effort and support, this event wouldn't have been possible without you! 

Sports Update 

Hobsons Bay Division Athletics

On Thursday September 10th, seventeen of Willy North’s best athletes attended the Hobsons Bay Division Athletics, competing against top performing students from across Hobsons Bay.

Students competed in a range of events including, 100, 200, 800, 1500, hurdles, relay, long jump, triple jump, high jump and discus.

All of our students displayed excellent determination, positivity and sportsmanship, each competing to the best of their ability. Congratulations to all of our competitors, and a special good luck to those who have qualified for the Region Athletics event. 

Parent Opinion Survey – Now Open 

Our school is conducting the annual Parent / Carer Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education and is seeking your feedback. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. 

The survey is optional, but we encourage and appreciate your participation. Our school will use the survey results to assist in identifying areas for improvement and professional development needs in the school, to target school planning and improvement strategies. 

Please refer to the Compass newsfeed sent by Darcie Brown on behalf of our Acting Principal, Olivia Atanasovska on Friday 28 August.

Reminder - Gate Times

To help ensure the safety and cleanliness of our school facilities, we would like to remind families of our new gate times.

We kindly ask that all families and visitors have departed the school grounds prior to gate closure times.

Thank you for your ongoing support in helping us maintain a safe and welcoming school environment. 

Visual Arts Notice 

Hello Mums, Dads, family and friends,

In preparation for our wonderful fete, I am in the process of collecting washed and dried bottle top lids for a make and take craft activity for the fete.

Please send them along to the art room as I will be over the moon with any tops you can share. I'm looking for about 300 in total so every bottle cap will be appreciated.

Thanking you very much in advance,

Sincerely,

Julie Papazisis (Visual Arts)

Important dates for Foundation (Prep) 2027 Enrolments

We look forward to welcoming new families and a new cohort of Preps into our community!

Prep 2027 Enrolment Timeline

Enrolment applications for students starting Prep in 2027 are still open. 

Letters of acceptance were sent out on Tuesday 11th August. Please use the link provided in the email to accept or decline your offer. 

School zones can be found via www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au. In Victoria, every child has the right to attend their designated neighbourhood government school (local school). The Victorian government supports school choice. This means that you can apply to schools other than your local school. Schools will consider your application in line with the department’s Placement Policy, and offer enrolment if there are available places.

If you wish to tour our school (optional), please contact the office on (03) 9397 5722.

Useful links:

•              Find my School – findmyschool.vic.gov.au

•              Information on school zones – vic.gov.au/school-zones

•              Enrolling in Foundation (Prep) – vic.gov.au/enrolling-foundation-prep

•              Enrolling in school – vic.gov.au/how-choose-school-and-enrol

•              Disability and inclusive education – vic.gov.au/disability-and-inclusive-education

•   Department of Education contact – Call 1800 338 663 or email: enquiries@education.vic.gov.au

Dogs on school grounds 

We would like to remind all members of our school community that dogs are not permitted on school premises at any time.

This policy is in place for several important reasons:

• Student safety: Even well-behaved dogs can act unpredictably, particularly in busy and noisy environments with young children.

• Allergies and health concerns: Some students and staff have allergies to animal fur or dander, which can be triggered by the presence of dogs.

• Fear and anxiety: Not all children are comfortable around dogs, and their presence may cause distress or fear.

• Hygiene considerations: Maintaining a clean and safe environment is essential, and animals can introduce hygiene risks.

• Duty of care and liability: The school has a responsibility to ensure a safe environment, and the presence of animals can create avoidable risks.

   

We kindly ask that you do not bring dogs onto school grounds, including during drop-off and pick-up times. If you need to bring a dog with you, please ensure it remains outside the school gates at all times.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe, inclusive, and focused learning environment for all students.

Recess & Lunch - What is Nude Food? 

Nude Food is food without excess packaging. This reduces the amount of 'stuff' that needs to go in bins to be sent to landfill. Durable, reusable containers are a great way to bring food, as they may last from primary school through to high school and beyond, providing long term cost savings and environmental benefits. Up to 50% of items in school bins comes from food and drink packaging. You can help the environment and help our school reduce waste disposal costs.

Financial Support 

As the year progresses, we are aware that there are numerous excursions and camps that need to be paid for. If you would like to have a confidential discussion regarding alternative payment plans and available supports, please reach out to darcie.brown@education.vic.gov.au and we can schedule these at a mutually convenient time.

WNPS Sunnyside Fete (Save the Date) – Sunday 22 November 2026

After a 7-year hiatus, the biannual WNPS Fete is back and better than ever!

We have a fresh new look, a new name - The WNPS Sunnyside Fete - and new event coordinators who are determined to make this the best fete the community has ever hosted. 

The fete will be held on Sunday 22 November 2026 and will be jam packed with rides, delicious food, activities and fun for the whole family.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram (@williamstownnorthps and @wnps.sunnysidefete) and Facebook for updates, announcements, sneak peeks and all things fete-related as we count down to the big day.

Please get in touch with Lauralee & Sharon at willynorthfete@gmail.com if you can contribute to making this a not-to-be-missed event!

Follow us on Socials 

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with the latest news, updates, and highlights from our community. 

Instagram – @williamstownnorthps

Facebook – Williamstown North Primary School