Principal's Report

WPS Podcast Cub- Episode 1

Check out our Lunchtime PODCAST club! 

Well done to our students, Ms Carroll and Ms Murphy - AMAZING! 

Download, Play & Enjoy! 

Professional Learning

This week, the Principal team has attended two days of updates and professional learning. On Tuesday, we attended the Department of Education  Area forum, which involves all Principal teams from the 5 LGAs, including Whittlesea, Nillumbik, Banyule, Merri-bek and Yarra. One of the presentations was by David Howes, the Deputy Secretary of Schools and Regional Services, who updated us on the priority areas for 2026. Whilst the list was extensive, the areas that I would like to share with you are Attendance, Student Behaviours, Child Safety, Social Cohesion and Cyber Security. On Thursday, we attended the Whittlesea Schools Network meeting, which helps schoolsto work together more at a local level. At this meeting, key learning focused on implementing Enabling Learning within the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0), strengthening the development of early career leaders, and effectively responding to and managing critical incidents, including associated drill scenario planning. Whilst having two meetings off-site is not ideal, so early in the year, it is important in helping school leaders understand the expectations that are in place and how to address them within their own school contexts. 

School Council Elections - 2026

On Tuesday evening, the 17th of February, we hosted our final School Council meeting with our 2025 members.  On behalf of Whittlesea Primary School, I would like to thank all School Council members for volunteering their time and for sharing both professional and personal experiences that have contributed to our School's operations over the past 12 months. We have several members whose current tenures will conclude in March 2026. I thank the following parents and DET staff for their invaluable contributions: Mrs Kim Morgan and Mrs Casey Brown. 

With our 2026 School Council configuration, there are now a total of 9 vacancies:

• 4 vacancies on School Council for Parent Representatives 

• 2 vacancies for Community Representatives 

• 3 vacancies for Department of Education staff representatives.

These positions have tenure durations of: 

• Parent Representative - 4 positions available – 2-year tenure 

• WPS Staff Representative - 3 positions available – 2-year tenure 

• Community Representative - 2 positions available – 2-year tenure 

Being part of the School Council is a great opportunity to participate, support, and engage with the positive learning experiences for the students and families of Whittlesea Primary School. It also provides valuable insight into school governance, strategic planning, and direction.  

We invite and welcome any member of our parent community who holds a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) or a VIT registration to re-nominate, self-nominate, or nominate another parent to contact the school office to collect the relevant nomination form. You are also able to call the office and have the form emailed to you (if this is more convenient)

Nominations open today, Thursday, 19th February, and completed Nomination Forms must be submitted to the School Office by 4.00 pm on Monday, 2nd March 2026. If we receive more nominations than vacancies, a ballot will be held, and each school family will vote on the nominated candidates.

The timeline for this School Council election process is:

• Notice of Election -Thursday, 19th February 2026

• Call for Nominations – Thursday 19th February 2026

• Close of Nominations – Monday 2nd March 2025 (4.00 pm)

• Ballot Paper Distributed (if required) - Tuesday 3rd March 2025

• Close of Ballot (if required) – Tuesday 10th March 2025 (12.00 pm)

• Vote Count (if required) – Tuesday 10th March 2026

• Declare Ballot -Friday 15th March 2026

• First School Council / AGM (2025 School Council configuration) Tues. 31st March 2026

School Improvements

'Cubby House Land' 

We have cleared the corner space (Front LH side) behind the school sign, using the area behind the picket fence that was previously there. A new garden bed (with a wooden edge) is underway, and the current cubbies have been relocated. Work still needs to be done to ensure these cubbies have appropriate footings and are level. In addition, we have purchased a third cubby house from Whittlesea Secondary College, which we expect will be completed and ready for installation at the end of Term One. Once this is in place, we will explore additional seating options for students in this area.

Art Room Upgrades 

This week, we relocated two drink troughs on the back side of the ELC. We have moved these to our art room to use as wash troughs. As a result, we no longer need to use the taps in the breezeway, which means less disruption to classes nearby.