Dear Parents/Carers,

WARRNAMBOOL PS BIG FREEZE – ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE!

On Tuesday 9 June 2026 at 3:00pm, Warrnambool Primary School will be holding our very own Big Freeze Ice Bucket Challenge to raise funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in support of Neale Daniher's Foundation.

We are asking students, families and staff to get behind this fantastic cause by making a donation and nominating a staff member to take the plunge!

Choose from the following brave volunteers:

Jarryd Lewis; Alex McHugh; Dave Cashin; Jacqui Matters; April Sandri; Josh Hay or myself.

The top three nominated staff members will be drenched in icy cold water in front of the school community!

All money raised will go directly towards the fight against MND through Neale Daniher's Foundation. Every donation, big or small, will help support research, care and advocacy for those affected by this devastating disease.

We know from deeply personal experience the devastating effects of MND on people , their families and communities. Our own Gina and Luke Mills lost their loved husband and father, Stuart Mills, to this insidious disease.

Stuart passed away in October 2025, from a rare form of MND, two and a half months after his diagnosis at age 59.

So, we encourage everyone to get involved, make a donation by hitting the link below, or returning your form on Tuesday and nominate a staff member and help us make a difference.

Ice Bucket Challenge

Let's get behind this worthy cause and help freeze MND!

YEAR 1 NIGHT WALK SUCCESS

The dismal weather certainly made its presence felt, but it did not deter our enthusiastic Year 1 students and staff from enjoying a wonderful time at this year's annual Night Walk celebration.

While the challenging conditions meant that some alterations were required to our planned itinerary, the evening was still filled with fun, adventure and plenty of smiles.

The afternoon began with everyone sharing afternoon tea together before heading to the gym for a fun-filled tabloid sports rotation. Students participated in a variety of activities, demonstrating great sportsmanship and enthusiasm.

After working up an appetite, students enjoyed a delicious BBQ dinner together. Although the weather was too wet for our planned visit to the gardens, students embraced the change of plans and enjoyed a night walk around the school instead.

The evening concluded with a range of classroom activities before students headed home.

A sincere thank you to our dedicated staff for their organisation, adaptability and willingness to participate, ensuring the evening remained a memorable experience for all involved.

Most importantly, thank you to our Year 1 students, who had a fantastic time despite the weather and made the most of this special Warrnambool Primary School tradition.

Well done to everyone who helped make the Night Walk another successful and enjoyable event.

STUDENT REPORTS AND PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Teachers and students have been working very hard over the past few weeks completing assessment and reporting tasks.

Our Pupil Free Day today is to ensure that reports are written and completed ready for proof reading and editing.

We will be providing student achievement reports for Semester 1 this year as usual.

The reports will continue to provide important details about student learning attainment, but full descriptive comments may not be included as a result of industrial action taken earlier this term by the Australian Education Union Vic Branch.

The reports will be available via Compass on Wednesday 24th June 2026.

Parent Teacher Interviews will be in the third week of Term 3.

Please ensure that you book your Interview time through compass when bookings open but if you have any issues please contact the school office.

Parent Teacher Interviews will be held Monday 27th to Wednesday 29th July 2026 from 3.30pm-5pm.

NB: Year 4 interviews will commence earlier for those families who can access that time.

EARLY ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL

Students can only be supervised at school from 8:45am each morning. With the very cold and wet weather we have been experiencing, arriving too early can be particularly uncomfortable for students.

We have noticed an increasing number of students arriving at school well before 8:45am. As staff are not on yard duty prior to this time, students cannot be supervised before 8:45am.

If your family requires care before school due to work or other commitments, please consider using TheirCare for morning supervision.

Thank you for your support in ensuring all students arrive safely and at an appropriate time each morning.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Regular school attendance plays a vital role in every student's learning, wellbeing, and sense of belonging. Being at school each day helps students stay connected with their classmates, build positive relationships with teachers, and engage fully in their learning programs.

We understand that there will be times when students are genuinely unwell and need to stay home to recover. The health and wellbeing of our students remains a priority, and we encourage families to keep children at home when they are sick.

However, it is important that all absences are explained. Unexplained absences can create concerns regarding student safety and make it difficult for the school to provide appropriate support. We ask all families to notify the school of any absence and record the reason through the Compass platform as soon as possible.

As we move into the colder winter months, seasonal illnesses often become more common. During this time, clear communication between home and school becomes even more important. If your child is absent, please ensure that the absence is entered on Compass so that our records remain accurate and we can maintain effective communication with families.

Thank you for your ongoing support in helping us promote regular attendance and ensuring that every student has the best opportunity to succeed. Working together, we can support our students to remain engaged, connected, and ready to learn.

STUDENT TEACHERS FROM CANADA

Next week we welcome two 4th year student teachers from Canada to Warrnambool Primary School.

Aliyah Belanger-Fast and Tania Boult are spending a month in Australia as part of a study tour.

Both student teachers will no doubt enjoy their experience across a range of year levels at our great school.

YEAR 3 CAMP – KANGAROOBIE ADVENTURE

Our Year 3 students are eagerly looking forward to their camp at Kangaroobie next week.

Kangaroobie provides a wonderful farm-stay experience where students can immerse themselves in the outdoors, develop independence, build friendships and enjoy a range of exciting activities in a unique rural setting.

Families are reminded to ensure students are packed and prepared for all weather conditions. Please remember to bring warm clothing, waterproof jackets, sturdy footwear and gum boots so students can fully enjoy the fresh country air and outdoor activities, whatever the weather may bring.

Camp is a fantastic opportunity for students to challenge themselves, learn new skills and create lasting memories. We know our Year 3 students will embrace the experience, enjoy the elements and make the most of everything this wonderful environment has to offer.

We wish all students, staff and parent helpers a safe, enjoyable and memorable camp experience.

WHOLE SCHOOL PRODUCTION – THE LITTLE MERMAID

Excitement is already building for our 2026 Whole School Production of The Little Mermaid!

We encourage any Year 6 students who are interested in auditioning for a main role to start practising now and preparing for what promises to be an exciting audition process. Whether your strengths are singing, acting, dancing or performing, this is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your talents and become part of a memorable school production.

Our whole school productions have become a highlight of the Warrnambool Primary School calendar, and we are confident that The Little Mermaid will be another exceptional performance that celebrates the talents, creativity and teamwork of our students.

Families are encouraged to keep Wednesday 2nd September 2026 free in their calendars. We will be presenting two performances on the day, giving our school community the opportunity to enjoy this spectacular show.

More information about auditions, rehearsals and performance times will be shared in the coming weeks. We can't wait to see our students bring this classic story to life on stage!

Have a great weekend.

Peter Lee

Principal

Student Birthdays