From the Principal

Dear Families,

NAPLAN

With NAPLAN commencing, we want to remind everyone that our students are so much more than a test score. While NAPLAN helps measure some of what students know, it doesn't capture the full range of their talents, creativity, and individuality.

At Willy Primary, we believe in celebrating each child’s unique abilities. From problem-solving and teamwork to kindness and resilience, our students shine in many ways that a test can’t measure. NAPLAN is just one snapshot, but it's their curiosity, effort, and character that truly make them stand out.

We are proud of the diverse skills and interests our students demonstrate every day. Whether they excel in sports, the arts, or in helping others, they are building skills that will serve them well beyond school and into their future.

Let’s all remember to support and encourage our students, not just during testing time, but throughout their whole learning journey. They are more than their results—they are capable, unique, and ready for whatever comes next!

Term 1 Open Afternoon

On Tuesday the 1st April from 3:15pm - 4:00pm we will be hosting our term 1 open afternoon. This afternoon gives parents/carers and family members the opportunity to visit classrooms and share work students have engaged in this term.

We look forward to seeing as many families as possible.

School Council Members

As detailed in previous newsletters the school put a call out for school council nominations for 2025. We are pleased to announce that the following positions have been filled.

Parent Category;

• Aaron McAleese
• Jason Holandsjo
• Hayden Djakic
• Jonathan Rundell

Staff Category;

• Anna Swan
• Lisa Leydin
• Rebecca Givogue

The new school council will meet for the first time on Tuesday 25th March.

Council is still lookin for two more community members so if you have an interest in joining council as a community member please contact me directly via email. mathew.montebello@education.vic.gov.au

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Student Leadership Badge Ceremony

On Friday 21st March we will be holding our student leaders badge ceremony. This will take place at our fortnight whole school assembly. All Junior School Councillors from Prep-6 and House captains will be presented with their leadership badges and certificates. We welcome all families and in particular families of student leaders to join us for this special assembly commencing at 2:45pm.

School arrival times. 

In recent weeks we have seen an increase in students arriving at school well before the designated supervision time. Official yard supervision commences at 8:45am, and we are asking families to refrain from allowing children on-site before 8:30am. During this time staff are occupied setting up for the day or in early meetings. This in-turn means there is minimal supervision in the yard at this time. Your support on this matter is much appreciated. 

Building independence

With the dust now settled for the start of a new school year, routines have now been established and students are doing a great job at preparing for the day. To further help support the building of student independence can we ask for morning farewells to occur outside of buildings and hallways. Building student independence in getting ready to learn starts with them independently hanging up bags, pulling out their drink bottles and entering the classroom. Providing students the time and space will also decrease congestion and busyness in our hallways.

External Tutoring 

In recent years, the topic of external tutoring has gained significant attention. We understand that parents and carers want the best for their children and are seeking additional support to help them thrive, something we wholeheartedly appreciate.

However, when families consider engaging with external tutors, a common question often arises: What is the best time during the school day for students to be withdrawn to attend tutoring programs? At Williamstown Primary, we deeply value every hour and every session of class time, a sentiment reflected in our 2025 Annual Implementation Plan under the theme of ENGAGE – “Every Minute Counts.”

When students are withdrawn from school for tutoring, they risk missing out on valuable instructional time. The fluid nature of our timetabling means that curriculum lessons may shift week to week. As a result, one week a student might miss a writing lesson, and the next, a maths lesson. We recognise that some students must attend appointments with allied health professionals, and we fully support their access to these essential services.

That said, catching up on missed lessons can be challenging. 

We kindly ask for the support of parents and carers in minimising these disruptions to ensure our students don’t miss critical learning opportunities.

Warm regards,

Mat