Wallington P.S. Newsletter Term 4 Week 7 2025
Upcoming Dates
Principal's Report
Dear Families,
Career Start – Graduate Program
Congratulations to Meg Ritchie on successfully completing the Career Start Program this year. In her first year of teaching, Miss Ritchie has shown tremendous enthusiasm, commitment and a genuine passion for developing her skills and knowledge. With the support of her mentor, Emily Duckett, she has gained significant professional growth through this program.
The Department of Education’s Career Start Program supports and strengthens graduate teachers through structured mentoring, professional learning and targeted development opportunities. Our whole school community benefits from the strong foundation that this program provides to new teachers as they begin their careers.
This year it has been wonderful to see Miss Ritchie’s growth in such a short time, and we look forward to seeing her continue to flourish at Wallington as we move into next year and beyond.
End of Year – 2026 Transition
Firstly, thank you to everyone who has provided feedback relating to 2026 - it has been wonderful to hear from many of you as we work towards making the best possible plans for the year ahead. As I always say, my focus is on improving outcomes for all students, and strong engagement, communication and partnership with our community helps make this possible.
Transition is an important part of ensuring every student feels confident and supported as they move into a new school year. Our aim is to make sure students, families and staff are as well-prepared as possible for a smooth and positive start.
Our 2026 staffing arrangements are very close to being finalised and will shortly be communicated to the broader community. As a staff, we pride ourselves on collective responsibility, where supporting every student is everybody’s job. It is a strength of our small-school community that our staff work collaboratively to ensure that we can all support students at all times, sharing knowledge and strategies every day. This is reflected in our School Staff Survey this year, which indicated the highest level of positive responses for school climate in the last five years.
During transition periods (most notably, starting a new year) we prioritise most of all, helping students work through change and ensure as best as possible they are prepared and ready to go, right from the start.
Our internal processes for handover focus on relationships, through sessions with 2026 teachers and ES, as well as meetings between staff to explain specific supports and plans that are being successfully implemented.
In addition to our Meet & Greet Parent-Teacher Interviews in the first few weeks of Term 1, parents/carers will have the opportunity to meet their 2026 teachers as they attend the End-of-Year Family Picnic, Friday 12th December. This will provide a relaxed opportunity for parents and carers to meet and interact with their child’s 2026 teacher, helping us facilitate and strengthen, open partnerships sooner. This will sit alongside all the usual elements of our much-loved end-of-year picnic, having fun, catching up with friends, celebrating the year, and there may even be a special visitor in a big red truck!
We look forward to sharing this special occasion with our school community.
Bike Ed & Swimming (Week 7 & 8)
Students have thoroughly enjoyed Swimming and Bike Ed this week, embracing the fun and unique opportunities these programs provide. A big thank you to our parents and carers for the extra organisation involved - from washing swimming gear to transporting bikes to school. Our students are very fortunate to have such supportive and dedicated families helping to make these experiences so successful.
Student-Free Day – Wednesday 17th December
Please note that our final student-free day is planned for Wednesday 17th December, which is in the final week of Term 4.
2026 – Learning Specialist: Wellbeing
I am pleased to share an important enhancement to our school’s organisational structure for 2026: the introduction of a Wellbeing - Learning Specialist position. Many of you will be familiar with the outstanding work of our current Teaching & Learning - Learning Specialist, Emily Duckett, who has been instrumental in driving improvements in curriculum and instructional practice for many years. This year Emily has led a significant amount of foundational work to strengthen consistency in Teaching & Learning across the school, including classroom routines and refined approaches to maximise learning for every student, aligned with the updated Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0. While we, and the State Education System, are still early in the implementation of some of these practices, we are excited by the positive impact already emerging and remain committed to continually improving our practice in line with evidence-based approaches that suit our context.
Similarly, the creation of an additional Learning Specialist role is designed to support and further embed whole-school approaches in wellbeing, working with staff, students and families to ensure all students feel happy, safe and ready to learn. I am delighted to announce that, following a recruitment process, Daniel Ellery will be joining our school in 2026 as Wellbeing - Learning Specialist. Daniel brings extensive experience across multiple schools, including roles as Learning Specialist and Leading Teacher in both teaching and learning and wellbeing, as well as several acting senior leadership positions. Myself, Daniel and Emily will form the senior leadership team moving forward from 2026. Welcome Daniel!
Strawberry Fair - Noosa Raffle and Fundraising Spending
And finally, raffle tickets for the final prize (7-nights Noosa Holiday Raffle) are almost sold out with only a few tickets left to purchase on School24! Get in fast for your last chance to be in the draw to win. We will draw the raffle at next week’s assembly!
Also, to keep you in the loop, we have received dozens of amazing ideas from families, students and staff, as to how to spend our Strawberry Fair fundraising money - there have been so many suggestions, it is going to be so hard to choose! That’s why we will shortly be putting a list to our school community to vote, making sure the final decisions are reflected by the needs and wants of all involved. Whether the suggestions are enacted this time or not, this community brainstorm has given plenty of ideas for now and into the future!
Cameron Edwards
Parents and Friends
DATES FOR THE CALENDAR
Friday 5th December - Colour Fun Run (2:30pm on the school oval)
Second Hand Uniforms
We have many summer uniform available with the warmer season approaching. With plenty of 4-8 sizing
Just a Gold Coin Donation. Be share to check it out.
Stay up to date
Follow us on Facebook “WALLINGTON PS PARENTS AND FRIENDS”
Next Meeting
Will be on Friday 21st of November 9.00am at the School Hall
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!
SWPBS Awards - Student of the Week
Make it stand out
Marcel G - Prep
For trying your best to make good choices. You are a responsible learner. Congratulations!
Oliver K- Year 1
For demonstrating responsibility around the pool this week. You have listened to your instructor well and moving around the centre safely. Well done Oliver!
Issy M - Year 2
For showing great maturity this term and being an excellent role model for others to follow. Well done Issy keep up the great work!
Hunter B - Year 3
For being organised for swimming and remembering to move safely and responsibly around the pool. Keep up the great work Hunter!
Base F - Year 4
For organising your time during lessons this week. You were able to complete your work and have time left over to help your teacher. Keep up the great work Base!
Heath M-W - Year 5
For always displaying responsible behaviour in class. You continue to participate in all class discussions responsibly. Well done Heath.
Kiyomi B-H - Year 6
For consistently showing responsibility during bike ed, in the classroom and in the yard. Congratulations Kiyomi.
STEM & First Nations Studies
Dear Families,
Enjoy watching our latest video from STEM/First Nations class.
Jason Vaught (First Nations/STEM Teacher)
Physical Education News
Dear Families,
Bike Ed Update – Year 5 and 6
This week our Year 5 and 6 students have been taking part in the Bike Ed program. It has been fantastic to see everyone enjoying the sessions and consistently demonstrating our school values of respect, responsibility and resilience.
Students began the week learning how to complete a basic bike safety check using the A–E method:
A – Air
B – Brakes
C – Chain
D – Drop test
E – End caps
They also learnt how to correctly fit and adjust their helmets, understanding the importance of safe equipment before every ride.
Much of this week’s focus has been on developing strong bike-control skills, including balance, braking and overall confidence on the bike. As the week progressed, students began exploring key road rules and discussing how these apply to cyclists on the road.
All students are working towards being able to safely ride on the back roads around Wallington next week as part of their practical learning experience. We look forward to seeing them put their skills into action.
Daniel Anderson (Year 6 Teacher)
Wellbeing at Wallington
Welcome back to Wallington’s weekly wellbeing activities:
This week's activity asks students to reflect on all of the amazing progress they have made this year, focusing on their stamina.
Maybe they were building stamina by reading each night or learning their times tables?
Maybe there’s something they couldn't do at the start of the year that they can do now?
Wallington PS Sponsors
Thank you to our PLATINUM Sponsor
Thank you to our SILVER Sponsors
Notice Board
Unexplained absences in Compass
We ask if all parents could please check on Compass if there are any unexplained absences outstanding for their child/children and please provide an explanation (via Compass). Thank you.
Dear Families,
If you are looking for something special to do with your child/s in December then look no further than The Polar Express Train Ride.
You can find more details by clicking the link https://bellarinerailway.com.au/the-polar-express-queenscliff or alternatively scan the QR code.
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.
