From the Principal

Dear families,

This week marks the final edition of our full newsletters for the year, and with it I am pleased to share my 2025 Principal’s Reflection, attached for our community. Sometimes it is only when we pause and take a breath that we truly appreciate the journey we have been on – and 2025 has certainly been a big one.

As a school we have navigated challenges, celebrated milestones, and continued to evolve in ways that strengthen who we are and what we provide for our students. Throughout the year, our community has shown remarkable resilience, positivity, and a shared commitment to ensuring the very best for every child. Whether it has been in the classroom, on the sports field, during whole-school events, or through the many moments of daily learning, there has been so much to be proud of.

I want to acknowledge the dedication of our staff, the partnership of our families, and the enthusiasm and kindness our students bring to school each and every day. It is this collective effort that shapes the culture of our school and drives our continued growth.

As we look towards 2026, we do so with optimism and a renewed focus on strengthening our connections, celebrating progress, and continuing to provide a vibrant, engaging, and supportive learning environment for all.

Step Up Day

Step Up Day was a huge success, with all students stepping up to their 2026 classes. I had the opportunity to visit most classrooms, and it was wonderful to see the positive energy, excitement, and confidence displayed by our students as they met their new teachers and classmates.

As we look towards 2026, we are also excited to be welcoming many new Willy Kids into our community. It was fantastic to see these new students beginning their transition journey, forming connections, and starting to feel a sense of belonging at our school.

We recognise that change can be challenging. Stepping into a new environment or moving away from familiar faces can be daunting for some children. However, when provided with the right structures and support, children demonstrate remarkable resilience and adapt quickly, often rebounding from any short-term worries or disappointment.

Our approach to Step Up Day—where students now meet their following year’s teacher and class group—continues to be a positive and valuable part of our transition program. This structure, combined with the more extensive transition opportunities provided both before and after the day, helps students feel prepared, connected, and confident as they move into the new school year.

We encourage families to continue having positive conversations at home about change and the transition process. These discussions play an important role in building your child’s confidence, independence, and ability to navigate new experiences successfully.

We look forward to a smooth and exciting start to 2026 as our students embark on the next step of their learning journey.

Warm regards,

Mat Montebello