Principals Report
As we come to the end of Term 1, I would like to reflect on what has been an incredibly rich and rewarding start to the year at Wales Street Primary School. As an IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) school, we are committed to developing knowledgeable, caring and active learners, and this term has provided many opportunities for our students to demonstrate these attributes in action.
A Term of Connection, Growth and Achievement
Term 1 has been filled with meaningful experiences that have strengthened both learning and community. Highlights include our incredibly successful school fair, which raised an outstanding $50,000, alongside key events such as Year 6 Camp, 4-6 Athletics Day, Swimming Carnival, Harmony Day and Wear it Wild.
We have also welcomed our Foundation students into the Wales Street community, where they have already begun developing their sense of belonging, agency and identity as learners. Across the school, students have been engaging in rich Units of Inquiry, collaborating, reflecting and sharing their learning with pride.
The Wales Street Fair – A Celebration of Community
A very special thank you must go to Emily Cowen for her exceptional leadership in organising our school fair. What began as a vision 18 months ago came to life in a truly remarkable way. From the rides and haunted house, to the stalls, disco, international cuisine, cake stall and fairy floss, the day reflected the vibrancy and diversity of our community.
Most importantly, the fair embodied what we value as a PYP school: collaboration, action and community connection. Emily’s dedication, along with the efforts of our volunteers and families, created an event that brought people together and strengthened our shared sense of belonging. On behalf of our entire school community, thank you.
NAPLAN
During Weeks 7 and 8, our Year 3 and Year 5 students participated in NAPLAN. These assessments provide one snapshot of student learning in literacy and numeracy and are used alongside our comprehensive, ongoing school-based assessments.
At Wales Street, we value a balanced approach to assessment. NAPLAN supports us in identifying trends over time, reflecting on our teaching practices and continuing to improve outcomes for all students. As a PYP school, we remain focused on developing the whole child, ensuring that assessment supports both academic growth and student wellbeing.
Student Leadership – Junior School Council
We are proud to introduce our newly elected Junior School Council (JSC). These students are already demonstrating leadership, agency and a commitment to making a difference within our school.
Their first initiative will be a fundraiser on Thursday, 14th May, to support the development of a bike shelter. We look forward to seeing their ideas, voice and action continue to shape our school.
Representing Grade 6 are Leroy, Charlie C, Ollie K, Grace, Sienna, Ollie C, Hamish and Jasmine.
Representing Grade 5 are Max M, Jayani, Lola K, Samson G, Delroy and Estella.
Representing Grade 4 are George, Hazel, Ben W, Gretel, Solomon, and Freddy.
School Facilities Upgrade
Thank you to the many community members who have supported our School Facilities Upgrade petition. This work is vital in ensuring our learning environments match the high-quality teaching and learning taking place across the school. A big thanks to our school council for their work in this area.
School Council – Thank You and Welcome
We extend our sincere thanks to our outgoing School Council members for their commitment and contribution. Their work plays a vital role in supporting the governance and strategic direction of the school.
We warmly welcome our new and returning members and look forward to working in partnership to continue strengthening our school community and improving outcomes for all students.
New members: Ariyana Gant-Bragge & Allison Hunt: parent representatives & Toby
Marquette as DET representative
Welcome to returning members: Davor Stanic, Ed Rutherford, Amy Patterson, Rebecca Scott, Marian Tosif, Nadia Cooke & Laura Fisher
Retiring Members: A big thank you to Tim Sheedy for his 6 years of Service and your contribution to the School Council.
Community Support – Industrial Action
Thank you to our parent community and School Council for your understanding and support during the recent industrial action. Your support enabled 30 of our teachers, along with ES staff and the Principal Team, to advocate for public education.
We recognise the impact this had on families and sincerely appreciate your partnership. This reflects the strong sense of community that underpins our school.
Curriculum and Professional Learning
Our recent Curriculum Day focused on First Aid, Mental Health and Wellbeing, reinforcing our commitment to supporting the whole child.
Looking ahead, we are excited to be partnering with mathematics consultant Brendan Lee across 2026 and 2027. This work will strengthen our whole-school approach to mathematics, focusing on how students learn, best practice instruction, and effective assessment. This is a significant step in building teacher capacity and improving student outcomes in mathematics.
Upcoming curriculum days focused on Mathematics with Brendan Lee are Friday, 22nd May in Term 2 and Friday, 14th August in Term 3.
Facilities and Holiday Program
Over the holidays, work will commence on the renovation of the mini oval, providing an improved space for students to play and connect.
We are also pleased to confirm that TheirCare will begin offering a holiday program at Wales Street Primary School, ensuring continued support for our families.
As always, thank you for your ongoing support. Together, we continue to build a strong, connected and future-focused learning community where every student can thrive.
Luisa Kalenjuk
Acting Principal