Principal's Report
Welcome to Wimba Primary School’s First Newsletter of the Year!
We are thrilled to welcome all our families, especially those new to Wimba Primary School, to our first newsletter of the year! This is an exciting time as we embark on another fantastic school year filled with learning, friendships, and memorable experiences. Our newsletter, sent out in Weeks 3, 6, and 9 of each term, will keep you updated on everything happening in and around the school—inside the classroom and beyond. From engaging lessons and creative projects to sporting events and special celebrations, there is always something wonderful happening at Wimba. We can’t wait to share these moments with you and celebrate our vibrant school community together!
Thank You for Attending Parent-Teacher Conversations!
A big thank you to all the parents and caregivers who attended last week’s Parent-Teacher Conversations. It was wonderful to see so many families at school, sharing in the learning and engaging with their child’s progress so far this year. These conversations are a valuable opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school, ensuring the best possible learning experience for our students.
It was also fantastic to see families interacting with and taking part in the engaging PE, STEM, Art, and Music displays hosted by our talented specialist team. The enthusiasm and participation from parents and students alike truly made the event special!
Remember, you are always welcome to check in with your child's classroom teacher at any time to stay informed about their progress. We value our school community and appreciate your ongoing support!
School Council
Being a member of the Wimba Primary School Council is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with both the school and the wider community.
Every government school in Victoria has a School Council, which plays an important role in shaping the school’s direction. While the Principal manages the school’s daily operations, the School Council is responsible for:
- Developing the school’s Strategic Plan
- Approving the Annual Budget
- Setting and reviewing policies
How to Get Involved
If you're interested in joining, complete a nomination form and return it to the Principal within seven days of the election notice being posted.
- If the number of nominations exceeds the available positions, a ballot will be held two weeks after nominations close.
- Forms can be collected from the school office and must be submitted by 6:00 pm on Wednesday, 26th February (extended to Friday 7th March)
- A list of nominees will be posted at the school following the nomination deadline.
- We have 5 vacancies (2 parent and 2 community 1 School Employee)
For more details or if you'd like to nominate yourself, please contact the school office. Further information about School Councils is attached, and we're happy to answer any questions you may have!
Wimba Primary School Newsletter – Friendly Updates for Our School Community
Being on Time is Important!A friendly reminder to our parents and carers that learning starts promptly at 8:50 am, with school gates opening at 8:30 am. We love seeing our students in the classroom by 8:40 am, ready to start their day! If your child arrives after 8:50 am, they will need to collect a late pass from the office. Let’s work together to make sure our students get the best start to their learning each day!
Staying Safe Around Our School 🚸
Keeping our school community safe is a team effort! We encourage all families to check out this Safety Around Schools Guide for important information on using school crossings correctly and staying safe around our school.
A few key reminders:
🔴 Children’s crossings operate before and after school, marked by red CHILDREN CROSSING flags. Outside these times, the area is not a pedestrian crossing.
🚗 Please park safely and legally during peak school zone times to help keep everyone safe.
👀 Always follow the instructions of our School Crossing Supervisor—they’re there to help!
👷♂️ Supervisors need a clear view of the road and footpath, so please be mindful not to block their line of sight.
Let’s work together to make sure everyone gets to and from school safely! 😊🚦
Annual Privacy ReminderAt Wimba Primary, we take privacy seriously. Our school collects and uses student and parent information as outlined in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and Privacy Collection Notice. We also have a Photographing, Filming, and Recording Students Policy available here that explains how we use images and videos of students. If you have any questions about how we use Google Workspace for Education or would like to learn more about privacy, please check out the Schools’ Privacy Policy, which is available in 10 different languages for easy access.
Child Safety & Wellbeing at Wimba PrimaryThe Victorian Government has introduced new Child Safe Standards, and we have updated our policies to ensure Wimba Primary remains a safe and welcoming environment for all students. Our updated policies can be viewed here. We value your feedback and invite families to share any suggestions to help us continue improving. If you have any thoughts or questions, please contact Mr. Schwartz.
Stay Updated – Check COMPASS Regularly!To stay in the loop with school events, excursion permissions, and important notices, please check COMPASS regularly. If you need help accessing COMPASS, our office team is happy to assist you!
Voluntary Financial Contributions for 2025
We appreciate the support of our families in helping us provide engaging and high-quality learning experiences. Families are invited to make a voluntary financial contribution towards curriculum and non-curriculum programs for 2025. These contributions help us plan for the year ahead and ensure students have access to the best resources. Payments can be made via COMPASS or at the school office.
Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)Families with a valid Health Care Card or Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card may be eligible for CSEF assistance to cover costs for camps, sporting activities, and excursions. Applications are open until June 2025, and forms are available at the office. If you have multiple children attending Wimba, you can include them all on one form.
Important Dates
🗓 Term Dates & Curriculum Days
Term 1: Wednesday 29 January to Friday 4 April (1:30pm finish)
Term 2: Tuesday 6th May - Curriculum (student-free) day
Term 2: Friday 6th June - Curriculum (student-free) day
Term 2: Wednesday 23 April to Friday 4 July (1:30pm finish)
Term 3: Monday 1st September - Curriculum (student-free) day
Term 3: Tuesday 22 July to Friday 19 September (1: 30pm finish)
Term 4: Friday 17th October - Curriculum (student-free) day
Term 4: Monday 3rd November - Curriculum (student-free) day
Term 4: Tuesday 7 October to Friday 19 December (1:30pm finish)
🎤 Parent-Teacher Conversations (PTC)
Term 1 - Week 5: March 26 (Wednesday)
Term 3 - Week 6: August 26 (Tuesday)
🏡 Public Holidays
Term 1: Monday 10 March - Labour Day
Term 2: Friday 25 April - ANZAC Day, Monday 9 June - King's Birthday
Term 3: N/A
Term 4: Tuesday 4 November - Melbourne Cup Day
Thank you for being a part of the Wimba Primary School community! We’re looking forward to a wonderful year ahead. 🚀😊