Wallington P.S. Newsletter Term 3 Week 3 2025
Upcoming Dates
Principal's Report
Dear Families,
100 Days of Prep
Congratulations to our Preps for completing their first 100 days of school! It was a pleasure to take part in the celebrations on Monday as the class dressed-up in bright colours, played games and were presented with their 100-days of school certificates. It has been a joy to witness the new class settle-in to life at school. It is amazing to see how much they have accomplished in their time here already – we are so excited to see what they will accomplish for the rest of their time at Wallington! Well done to Mrs Taylor, all supporting staff, and to all the parents/carers for supporting a successful start to school!
Bullying No Way! Week
Next week, our school will be participating in ‘Bullying No Way! Week’, a national initiative supported by the Australian Government and aligned with the Victorian Department of Education’s commitment to safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environments.
This important week is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on our shared responsibility to prevent bullying and build a culture where every student feels safe, valued, and supported. Throughout the week, students will engage in age-appropriate activities and conversations that promote kindness, inclusion, respect, and how to respond to bullying if it occurs.
We know that when schools, families and communities work together, we can make a real difference. Bullying No Way! Week is not just about raising awareness — it’s about empowering young people to be upstanders, not bystanders, and reinforcing the values we live every day at school.
Thank you for your continued support in fostering a safe and positive school environment.
Strawberry Fair
As you know, the latest Strawberry Fair newsletter went out this morning on Compass. There are some exciting developments, with the exciting full list of offerings mapped out and ready to go. Thanks to all the volunteers working away on preparations. Further details for volunteer signing-up will be ready soon – the countdown is well and truly on!
Why Routines Matter for Student Learning
At Wallington, we are making predictable routines a major focus because we know they are essential for creating a learning environment where every child can thrive. This is not just about organisation – positive impacts from having predictable routines are grounded in research, which tell us that when classroom processes are clear and automatic, students have more mental energy to focus on their learning.
The Science Behind Routines
When students know what to expect, their brains can focus on the learning instead of trying to figure out what’s happening next. This is an essential idea of Cognitive Load Theory, which explains that our working memory has limited capacity. If students use too much mental energy on unpredictability and figuring out classroom processes, there is less capacity left to focus on learning.
Predictable Routines reduce unnecessary distractions, build automatic habits and create calm, predictable spaces. We are deliberately teaching and reinforcing specific routines across all classrooms. Some routines we are working on are:
Lining Up & Getting Ready to Learn: entering lessons calmly and efficiently
Working Effectively in Pairs: e.g. ‘Think, Pair, Share’
Mini-Whiteboard Routines: using mini-whiteboard to fully engage in learning
These practices help all students know exactly what to do, reduce uncertainty, and create more time for deep, meaningful learning.
Our School-Wide Goal
This is part of a whole-school strategy building towards optimising learning spaces and establishing consistent, calm environments where everyone thrives. It’s about more than behaviour - it’s about building classrooms where learning is the focus and every student feels safe, confident, and ready to succeed.
Learn more about why routines matter and explore practical resources at the Victorian Department of Education’s Positive Climate for Learning site: https://www.schools.vic.gov.au/pcms
Cameron Edwards
Parents and Friends
Wallington P.S. Gardening Club is on every Tuesday at 1:40pm. Everyone is welcome!
Do you love nature, gardening, or just want to help our school bloom? The Wallington P.S. Gardening Club is always looking for volunteers!
Prep: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JawP1lttNv9HZC2u4F6iFS
Grade 1: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Lnod1hbixZD1zna8igmb9t
Grade 2: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Cdak65Z1cGKFsrc0FgZh2Y
Grade 3: https://chat.whatsapp.com/F2En8vl1mB4AORjweX
Grade 4: https://chat.whatsapp.com/lbWmtXlmnFTD5KeEPSfqSo
SWPBS Awards - Student of the Week
Zahli L - Prep
For demonstrating exceptional courage by attending school each day, even when you’re missing Mum. Well Done Zahli!
Ned L - Year 1
For showing resilience this week during Sounds-Write when learning about a challenging new sound. Keep up the great work Ned!
Cody T - Year 2
For showing Resilience this week. You kept going when you felt challenged during Maths. Keep up the great work, Cody. Well done!
Rosie K - Year 3
For showing resilience by persisting with your maths and working through the learning pit. Well done!
Ollie M - Year 4
For showing resilience when learning new classroom routines. You were able to share a great text to life connection with the class. Keep up the great work Ollie!
Jordon H-C - Year 5
For displaying resilience in a challenging time. You have pushed through your work and used fantastic problem solving strategies. Keep up the great work, Jordy!
Anthony M - Year 6
For showing improved effort in learning, having a go even when things feel challenging, and continuing to try without giving up. Great work, Anthony!
STEM & First Nations Studies
Dear Families,
As part of First Nations we will be running a campfire with activities next week. We are asking if any families have any old cut of logs we could use for seating around the campfire.
We are also after a little bit of fire wood to be donated as we will have aa small camp fire running for two days.
Thankyou
Jason Vaught (First Nations/STEM Teacher)
Art Gallery
Year 3 & 4 Weaving
Students during Term 2 explored painting art elements; line and pattern inside a paper plate, making it look very colourful. We turned the plate into a weaving loom and used wool to weave 'over and under' to create the 'weft'. Students changed the wool colour with a knot and when completed the weaving added more line and pattern using posca pens. Pipe cleaners were applied with threaded on straws and beads as well as a 'handle' for hanging up. These are beautiful, Well done Year 3 & 4s!
MIchelle Bishop (Visual Arts Coordinator)
Wellbeing at Wallington
Welcome back to Wallington’s weekly wellbeing activities:
This week’s activity asks students to find out what different people in their lives do to experience positive emotions.
Do they have an Aunt that keeps a gratitude journal?
Grandfather that likes to cook for the family?
A neighbour that likes to knit hats for new babies?
We know that focusing on positives helps us to build positive and resilient mindsets so hopefully this activity gives our students some new ideas to try!
Craft club
Today at Craft Club students decorated calico bags donated by the Foodbank program as part of the launch of our Wallington Community Pantry. There was creativity flowing all around as students drew and snacked on fresh fruit (also thanks to Foodbank).
Wallington Community Pantry
In exciting news, the Wallington Community Pantry is up and running! Today students enjoyed milk and fresh fruit in addition to our delicious toast at Breakfast Club and fresh fruit is now available in all classrooms.
In addition to breakfast foods, the Foodbank School Breakfast Clubs Program also offers lunch supplies and home food packs. We have created a community pantry located in the hallway of the main building at the Art room/Hall end. Anyone in the school community is able to use this resource, we know that our students learn best when they have enough energy for their growing bodies and minds and we’re hoping that this resource can reduce the cost of living stress for our community.
If students have forgotten their snack food or lunches they have access to popcorn, two fruits and tuna and rice bowls as well as our delicious toast. We’re also hoping to organise a hot soup day later this term, so keep an eye out for that!
Anthea Cook (Wellbeing Leader)
Wallington PS Sponsors
Thank you to our PLATINUM Sponsor
Thank you to our SILVER Sponsors
Thank you to our BRONZE Sponsor
Notice Board
Story Dog's
This week we had a visit in the Year 2’s from Liz and Sally the dog from Story Dogs.
Story Dogs creates a calming presence to support literacy development.
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
SAVER PLUS
What it is:
Financial Education and Savings:
Saver Plus is a 10-month online program designed to help participants learn about financial management, set savings goals, and develop regular saving habits.
Matched Savings:
Participants who complete the program have their savings matched by ANZ, up to a maximum of $500, which can be used for education-related costs.
Online Delivery:
The program is delivered online, making it accessible to participants across Australia.
Saver Plus is a partnership between ANZ, the Brotherhood of St. Laurence, The Smith Family and Berry Street.
Eligibility: To be eligible, participants need to have a current Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card and an eligible Centrelink payment, have other regular income, be studying themselves or have a child in school, be 18+ years old, and agree to join in free online financial education workshops.
