Wallington P.S. Newsletter Term 3. Week 1, 2026.
Upcoming Dates
Principal's Report
Dear Families,
Welcome Back!
We are so excited to be back with a huge term ahead filled with more opportunities for our students to grow, connect and thrive!
Our whole-school Circus Program will run weekly (most Thursdays, some Mondays – see calendar), with students working with their circus trainers over the coming weeks, learning skills for the big performance. It's a wonderful opportunity to build confidence, resilience and teamwork as everyone works towards our Whole School Circus Performance on Thursday 17th September. We can't wait to share this special event with our families.
Preps are counting down (and up!) to their 100 days of School Celebration (Monday 27th July), while 3-6 Camp and Bunyip Camp are just three weeks away, taking place in Week 4. These experiences provide wonderful opportunities for students to strengthen friendships, challenge themselves and create lasting memories.
We have a Curriculum Day planned for Monday 10th August, so this is a student-free day.
And before we know it World Book Week will be upon us, happening in Week 7, with our dress-up day always a highlight of the school calendar.
Keep an eye on the Compass Calendar and the weekly newsletter for all the details of these events and more!
NAIDOC Week 2026
This week we proudly acknowledge NAIDOC Week, a time to celebrate the history, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. At Wallington Primary School, First Nations perspectives are an integral part of our curriculum and school culture. Through authentic learning opportunities, connections with Country and an appreciation of the rich cultures of the Wadawurrung People, we foster respect, understanding and a deep appreciation of the world's oldest continuing cultures.
This year's NAIDOC Week theme, "50 Years of Deadly," celebrates five decades of honouring the voices, leadership, resilience and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It reminds us that learning from and celebrating the world's oldest continuous living cultures is an ongoing commitment that enriches our entire school community.
Wanted - Retirement home for our chickens
Our seven distinguished elderly hens are ready to enjoy a well-earned retirement and are seeking a quiet new home where they can spend their days scratching, exploring and enjoying life at a slower pace. Many are still laying eggs and all of them still have plenty of character and charm to offer!
The hens are available free to a good home, and a complimentary bag of feed is included to help them settle into their new surroundings.
If you have room for a few feathered friends and would be interested in giving them a caring retirement home, please contact the school office.
Fortnightly Strawberry Fair Meetings - Starting Today 3:30pm
With our 2026 Strawberry Fair set for Sunday 15th November, planning is well underway, and our fortnightly Strawberry Fair Committee meetings begin this afternoon in the staff room.
These meetings are open to anyone who would like to be involved in the planning and organisation of the fair. Whether you have plenty of ideas, a particular skill to offer, or simply want to lend a hand, we would love to welcome you. New faces are always encouraged, and you are welcome to join at any stage throughout the planning process.
Volunteers are, of course, the heart of our Strawberry Fair. Later this term, we'll be calling for helpers to assist with preparations during Fair Week, as well as the many volunteer roles needed on the day itself. We hope you'll be able to get involved in whatever way suits you.
Thank you for your ongoing support. We're looking forward to another fantastic Strawberry Fair this year!
New Department of Education Resource - Respectful Behaviours in the Community
You may notice some new Department of Education ‘Respectful, Safe, Engaged’ posters displayed around our school. The resources have been developed to support positive partnerships between schools, students and families, recognising that we all have a shared responsibility for creating safe, welcoming and inclusive learning environments.
The poster outlines this shared responsibility, including the importance of modelling respectful behaviour, communicating courteously with staff and other families, and using the school's processes to raise and resolve concerns. These shared expectations help ensure our school remains a positive place where every child can learn and thrive.
I encourage families to take a moment to read the poster link and thank our community for committing to respectfully working together in support of our students.
2026-2027 Sponsorship Program
A huge thank you once again to our awesome sponsors for 2026-2027! The new list of supporters is now proudly displayed on the school website, Wallington Road sign, on the banner inside our school buildings, and in this very newsletter.
Platinum Sponsor
Adventure Park
Gold Sponsors
Bellarine Flooring
Tintmaster
Pretty’s Prime Cuts
Silver Sponsors
Baker’s Delight Leopold
Jimmy’s Dog Training
Acclaimed Painting
Bellarine Property
Bronze Sponsors
Bellarine Signs
Gateway Plaza Leopold
Groove Café
Proposed Stop Work - Industrial Action: Thursday 23 July
The Australian Education Union has called on its members to take industrial action on Thursday 23 July 2026. Based on the information currently available, we expect a significant number of our teaching staff will participate in the strike action.
We will provide families with further information once staffing arrangements have been confirmed. It is likely there will be a significant impact on school operations.
Specific details will be sent via Newsfeed as soon as they are confirmed.
Thank you for your understanding.
And lastly…
Thank you to Steve, our amazing grounds and maintenance man, for lovingly restoring and installing the historic Wallington Primary School sign at the top of the driveway over the holidays. It looks fantastic and is a wonderful way to celebrate a piece of our school's proud history.
Cameron Edwards
SWPBS Awards
Being Resilient
Sophie - Prep
For demonstrating wonderful resilience every day. Even when things feel challenging, you keep trying with a positive attitude and never give up. Well done Sophie!
Vinnie - Year 1
For using your resilience when learning new sounds in our phonics lessons. You have kept trying even when it is tricky for you brain. Keep up the great work Vinnie!
Matilda - Year 2
For showing great resilience during Maths by continuing to try, even when learning feels challenging during two-digit addition. Keep up the fantastic effort, Tilly!
Primrose - Year 3
For demonstrating resilience this week when learning about challenging graphemes in spelling. Well done Primmy and keep up the great work!
Rosie - Year 4/5
For showing our school values all week and pushing through some difficult situations using all the strategies you have learnt to help you. Well done Rosie!
Jaylen - Year 6
For your resilience in our writing sessions. You have worked hard to apply your skills and take on challenges with a positive attitude. Keep up the great work, Jaylen!
Principal’s Award: Kody - Year 6
For showing strong leadership, including resilience and perseverance, within his new term leader role, ensuring the flags are flying each morning!
Parents and Friends
WHATS HAPPENING WITH PARENTS & FRIENDS?
Important Dates:
THE NEXT P&F MEETING WILL BE
Friday 24th July, 9am in the school hall. New members always welcome.
SECOND HAND UNIFORMS
We have many summer uniform available with the warmer season approaching. Most sizes available.
Just a Gold Coin Donation. Be sure to check it out.
STAY UP TO DATE
Follow us on Facebook “WALLINGTON PS PARENTS AND FRIENDS”
Wallington P.S.
Gardening Club
Garden Club will be on every Friday at second lunch at 1.40pm.
Do you love nature, gardening, or just want to help our school bloom?
The Wallington P.S. Gardening Club is always looking for volunteers!
Ask at the office to learn more.
Garden Exchange - Please help yourself to our freshly grown vegetables on display at the front of school. Please also share anything from your gardens here too.
Art & Music
We are looking forward to a fun-filled and creative term of learning in Art and Music! Students will have the opportunity to explore new techniques, express their ideas, build confidence, and develop their creativity through a range of engaging hands-on activities. It promises to be an exciting term of discovering, creating, and making music together.
Mrs Bishop
Art & Music Teacher
PE and Dance
PE /Dance Weekly Snapshot
Physical Education & Dance Snapshot
It has been a fantastic start to Term 3 in Physical Education and Dance!
Our Year 1 students are beginning an exciting Dance unit centred around the theme of weather. Through creative movement, students will explore rain, sunshine, wind and storms, using dance to communicate ideas, emotions and natural phenomena. Throughout the unit, students will develop skills in movement transitions, expressive gestures, improvisation and collaboration. Working together with their classmates, they will create and perform dances that showcase their imagination, creativity and growing confidence. We look forward to seeing students bring the wonders of weather to life through movement and storytelling.
In Physical Education, our junior students have been focusing on developing fundamental movement skills, including running, jumping, rolling and throwing. They have been learning how to safely perform a stable two-foot take-off and landing when jumping, while also practising throwing for accuracy through a range of fun and engaging activities. These skills provide an important foundation for lifelong participation in physical activity and sport.
Meanwhile, our middle and senior students are preparing for District Athletics in Week 5. This week, students have been developing their shot put and discus techniques, focusing on body positioning, balance, coordination, power and control. It has been wonderful to see students challenging themselves, refining their skills and getting ready to represent our school with pride.
Basketball Coaching Support Needed 🏀
We are looking for parent volunteers who hold a current Working with Children Check to assist with coaching some basic basketball skills in preparation for our upcoming Lightning Premiership competition in Week 6.
Over the coming week, I will speak with students to gauge interest and see if we have enough students keen to participate before organising any practice sessions.
Unfortunately, due to time constraints within our PE program, we are unable to dedicate practice time during PE lessons. Any additional support to help students develop their basketball skills, confidence and understanding of the game would be greatly appreciated.
Practice sessions could take place during available lunch breaks throughout the week. I am at school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will also be out on yard duty, so I am happy to help coordinate and support sessions where needed.
If you have basketball experience and are willing to volunteer some of your time, please get in touch. Your support would make a wonderful difference as students prepare for the competition and build their confidence on the court.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Sporting Schools Grant Success!
We are excited to share that our school has successfully secured funding through the Sporting Schools program.
This funding will provide our students with valuable opportunities to participate in a wider range of sports and physical activities throughout the year. By exposing students to new sporting experiences, we hope to encourage confidence, skill development, teamwork, and a lifelong enjoyment of being active.
We are incredibly grateful for the support of the Sporting Schools program and look forward to offering our students engaging and inclusive sporting opportunities that they may not otherwise have the chance to experience.
We can't wait to see the positive impact these opportunities will have on our students and school community!
Mrs Ractliffe
Physical Education & Dance Teacher
Champion of the Week Award
Champion of the Week – Isaac (Prep)
Congratulations to Isaac for being our Champion of the Week!
Isaac showed excellent jumping skills during our game of "The Floor is Lava", using a strong two-foot take-off and two-foot landing as he jumped from hoop to hoop. This is an important skill that will help him in future athletics events, such as long jump.
Well done, Isaac, on your fantastic effort and positive attitude in PE
First Nations, Media Arts & STEM
Welcome back to Term 3.
Please enjoy our Media Arts video below.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything further, please feel free to reach out and have a chat with me.
Mr Vaught
First Nations, Media Arts and STEM Teacher
Wellbeing at Wallington
Wallington PS Sponsors
Thank you to our PLATINUM Sponsor
Thank you to our GOLD Sponsors
Thank you to our SILVER Sponsors
Thank you to our BRONZE Sponsors
Notice Board
Unexplained absences
Please check Compass for any unexplained absences for your child/s for 2026, if you could put an explanation for each one before the end of term.
An unexplained absence in compass us a record indicating that a student was marked “not present” (absent or late) without a reason entered by a parent/guardian. It means that school is aware the student is missing but not why.
How to Fix: Under the "Attendance" tab, the "Unexplained" tab lists these absences. Parents can select the relevant dates and click "Explain with Note/Approval" to provide a reason.
Why It Matters: Schools are required to ensure they know the safety of students and keep attendance records, requiring a reason for every day a student is absent/late.
If you need any assistance please contact the office.
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.
