From the Principal

Dear families,

The end of term always provides an opportunity for reflection and consideration about our learnings both intentional and inadvertent. Throughout this week our classroom teachers have undertaken their termly planning days working together to review the curriculum taught and to plan the work ahead, by analysing student data and developing lessons and learning experiences to excite, stimulate and meet the needs of our Willy Kids.

And, despite it being our shortest term, we have managed to cram much into nine weeks of learning, and we congratulate our students for the efforts, achievements, persistence and resilience they’ve shown in tackling all that has come their way. 

I'd also like to acknowledge and thank our Classroom and Specialist Teachers and Education Support Staff for the work and dedication to the Term 3 program. Thanks also to all our families for your support of our staff and events throughout the term; we’ve relied on many to volunteer their time to assist with a number of these events and we are grateful for your support. Some of the highlights of the term include;

• Our Preps celebrated 100 days of school. 
• Open Afternoon, allowing students to showcase three terms of learning 
• NAIDOC week and whole school Indigenous incursion
• We had several school sporting teams play through divisional and regional finals
• Book Week incursion, parade and Book Fair 
• Year 1 students completed their swimming program
• Year 3/4 Camp at ADANAC
• Year 5 and Year 6 Camp at Toolangi
• Yr 3/4 Writing workshop with Andy Griffiths
• Prep breakfast at school
• Year 4 Bike Education program
• Year 5/6 Shark Tank Expo
• Western Bulldogs football clinics
• A visit from the Mayor of Hobsons Bay

As always, term 3 concludes with two of the biggest events on our school calendar for our students, the School Disco tonight, followed by Footy Day tomorrow.

School Disco

We are all set for a fabulous night tonight - the PE Hall has been transformed and Joel has got the tunes ready to get the kids dancing. Once again, the disco committee has done a fabulous job with the decorations. Thank you to the volunteers that assisted with the set-up this morning. 

Important Note: Just a reminder to all parents that students will not be dismissed from the event unless their parent/guardian is there to pick them up. Can we please ask parents/carers to remain behind the bollards to allow the required space.

Footy Day

As the AFL, and NRL seasons come to an end, the AFLW and the A League Soccer kick in.

Regardless of your sporting code, footy day is an opportunity to celebrate being part of a team and support a club. The social connections sporting organisations can help foster are a big part of Australian culture and Victorian pastimes. Regardless of one's background, culture, gender or race, being part of a team is uplifting. So on Friday we encourage all students to wear their colours that represent the team that they are passionate about.

In addition, our year 3/4 students have had the chance to sign up for the annual netball and football tournaments organised by Paddy, and being coached by our year 5/6 netball and footballers. 

Well done Banjo! 

Our year 5 student, Banjo, qualified for both the AA National Cross Country Championships as well as the SSA National Cross Country Championships.  The Athletics Australia event was in Ballarat a few weeks ago, and Banjo achieved 8th place in the event. Last week Banjo competed in the School Sport Australia event on the Gold Coast and came in 15th place.  At this event as part of the 11 year old boys team, he won a bronze team medal, and a silver medal in the relays. An amazing effort Banjo and well done! What a great achievement and reward for all your hard work.

Congratulations Emilia

Big congratulations to Emilia, who has been selected for the VIC State Team and will compete in the first-ever U10 Tennis Nationals in Adelaide this September/October holidays. We wish Emilia well and know that she will represent herself and the Vic Team well. Go Emilia!

Looking ahead 

Seaside Fair - November 23

Our Friends of Willy are progressing well with preparations for our Seaside Fair, being held on Sunday 23rd November. Please see the Seaside Fair page in this newsletter for how you can be involved.

Year 2 Swimming

Our Year Swimming Program kicks off on Wednesday of the first week of Term 4

Enjoy the upcoming break and we look forward to welcoming our Willy Kids and families back on Monday 6th October.

Warm regards,

Lisa Leydin