Wallington P.S. Newsletter Term 3. Week 8, 2026.
Upcoming Dates
Principal's Report
Dear Families,
Book Week Celebrations
What a wonderful World Book Week celebration we shared at Wallington last Friday! There is something particularly special about seeing our students bring stories to life, and our 2026 theme, “Symphony of Stories”, gave us the perfect opportunity to celebrate the diversity, creativity and joy that books bring to our lives.
World Book Week also provided an opportunity to reflect on the power of story. Stories help us understand ourselves, learn about others, share knowledge and connect across generations. What better way to celebrate that than by coming together as a community around books and stories?
It was lovely to see so many families join us for our Book Week Parade, cheering on our students as they proudly showed off their favourite characters. Even better, so many families were able to stay afterwards to visit classrooms, explore the wonderful book-themed displays and join in the activities with their children.
A huge thank you to our parents and carers for the time, creativity and thought that went into the incredible costumes and for helping make the day so memorable for our students. These are the moments that become lasting childhood memories and they are well worth the effort. And, of course, congratulations to our students and staff for embracing the day with such enthusiasm and creativity!
Whole School STOMP Performance – ‘Brick to the Future’
Save the Date – Tuesday 20th October
We are so excited to confirm the details of our upcoming Whole School STOMP Performance!
St Ignatius College has generously agreed to support our production by making its Performance Theatre available for us to use. With seating for up to 330 people, it will be a wonderful venue for our students to showcase their hard work.
Tuesday 20th October
6:00pm – 7:00pm
St Ignatius College Performance Theatre
Ticket booking information and further event details will be shared soon, but for now, we hope as many families as possible can plan to join us for what promises to be a fantastic evening.
STOMP rehearsal sessions began today, with students enthusiastically throwing themselves into the program. Auditions were also held this week for additional acting roles within the performance. Well done to everyone who auditioned. I was so impressed by the talent on display! It was wonderful to see so many students willing to put themselves forward.
Classes will continue working with STOMP throughout the last few weeks in Term 3, before rehearsals and final preparations ramp up in Term 4 ahead of the performance.
A wonderful reminder of the impact of our community's fundraising: there is no cost for students to participate in the STOMP program, with funds raised through last year's Strawberry Fair covering the cost of the sessions and performance support. We are working through the remaining venue and event costs and hope to offset these through modest ticket and snack sales on the evening.
Please save the date — Tuesday 20th October. We can't wait to see our students bring this exciting new performance to life!
2027 Prep Transition – Session Two
This week we welcomed our 2027 Prep students for their second transition session, taking another important step in our carefully planned transition process.
For the first time, our new students spent time exploring the classroom and school grounds without their parents, while parents joined me for an information session and had the opportunity to meet and connect with other new families.
The students did an amazing job taking this next step towards starting school. It was wonderful to see their growing confidence as they explored their new surroundings, met their teachers and began to feel more at home at Wallington.
A special thank you to our P&F for providing a delicious morning tea for parents and helping create such a welcoming opportunity for our new families to connect.
There are two further transition sessions to come in Term 4, as we continue to build familiarity, confidence and connection ahead of the start of school in 2027.
Father’s Day Second Chance Stall – Tomorrow at Pick-Up
Missed out on the Father’s Day Stall? Come and snap up some of the remaining gifts outside the front of the school tomorrow (Friday) at pick-up time!
A thank you to our wonderful P&F for organising the stall. To all the dads and special father figures in our community, I hope you have a very Happy Father’s Day on Sunday, with all these gifts heading home, I’m sure you will all be very spoilt!
Special Lunch Orders Close Friday 11th September
With the end of term fast approaching, make sure you get your orders in for the Term 3 Special Lunch happening Friday 18th September. Orders close next Friday 11th (see details in P&F section below).
Have Your Say – Only Two Weeks Left!
Just two weeks remain to complete the 2026 Parent/Carer Survey.
Every day, our staff put a huge amount of effort, care and pride into the work we do at Wallington Primary. But without your feedback, we don't have a complete picture of how that work is being experienced by our families, what is working well and where we can continue to improve.
This is a simple but genuinely influential way to help shape the direction of our school. The more families who respond, the clearer and more representative the picture we have.
The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and closes Friday 18 September.
If you haven't completed it yet, please take the time to have your say. Your feedback really does matter to us.
Survey access details, including the login information and school PIN, are available via the Compass Newsfeed.
Enjoy the Last Two Weeks of Term
A quick reminder that tomorrow will be my last day before I take two weeks of long service leave. During this time, Dan Ellery, Learning Specialist – Wellbeing, will be Acting Principal and available to support students, families and staff.
I hope everyone enjoys a wonderful end to the term and a well-earned break. I’m looking forward to returning in Term 4 and joining in all the fun of what is set to be another exciting term!
Cameron Edwards
SWPBS Awards
Being Responsibility
Kyah - Prep
For always showing wonderful responsibility in our classroom. You consistently make positive choices, follow our classroom routines and come to learning ready to give everything a go. You are a fantastic role model for your classmates! Well done Kyah!
Ruby - Year 1
For always making positive choices during learning time. You actively look for ways to help pack up the classroom at the end of the day. Great work Ruby!
Lotta - Year 2
For showing responsibility by consistently being a wonderful role model for 2R. You are always making positive choices such as being on time and organised for learning. Keep up the great work, Lotta!
Andre - Year 3
For demonstrating impressive organisation skills this week when setting up and tidying up your learning space. Your organisational skills allow you to focus on your learning. Well done Andre!
Hunter - Year 4/5
For being on time, organised with your belongings and ready to learn. Well done Hunter!
Zeni - Year 6
For being a responsible member of our classroom. You have shown maturity in your actions since returning from holidays and have completed your work to the best of your potential. Keep up the great effort, Zeni!
Principal’s Award: Harper - Year 4
For being extra helpful during the drama auditions this week! Super job Harper.
Parents and Friends
WHATS HAPPENING WITH PARENTS & FRIENDS?
Important Dates:
THE NEXT P&F MEETING
New date for our next meeting is coming soon. New members are always welcome.
Second Hand Uniforms
We have lots of uniforms available. Most sizes available.
Just a Gold Coin Donation. Be sure to check it out.
Wanted - Glass Jars
Medium sized jars please (like the ones that hold salsa, jam/spreads, pasta sauce etc.)
We need LOTS - Please drop to the school office. Thank you.
Father’s Day Stall
Thanks to all for attending our Father’s Day Stall on Wednesday.
There is still time to grab some more goodies at our second chance stall - Friday 4th September at 3:20pm outside the front of the school.
Cash only please.
Term 3 Special Lunch
Bakers Delight
We are excited to be celebrating the end of Term 3 with a special lunch from Baker's Delight.
This was specifically requested by some Grade 6 students who attended our P&F meeting!
We're very excited to bring a special lunch that students requested.
See flyer below.
When: Friday 18th September.
Orders close Friday 11th September.
“IMPORTANT BEFORE YOU ORDER”
Please ensure your children are allocated to the right class in School24.
This has to be done manually each year - many children are still listed in last years class.
How to order on School24.
Go to www.school24.net.au
You will need to register first, if you have not done so before.
Enter our unique school ID number - 25505963.
Click create account, then set up your children, by adding their name/s, class
and any allergies or special requirements.
Visit the events tab, and select what you are after.
Select the products and the student you are wishing to order for and checkout.
Special thanks to Baker’s Delight Leopold.
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.
A huge thank you to our wonderful Garden Club parent volunteers for helping our school community grow!
Art & Music
Kaboom Drumming Hits the Right Note in Year 6!
Our Year 6 music classes have been bursting with energy and rhythm as students dive into the Kaboom Drumming program. Throughout this exciting unit, students are developing their coordination and teamwork by mastering a drumming sequence, making sure they are keeping the beat.
We extend a massive thank you to Bunnings Leopold for their wonderful community support. They have kindly donated a set of heavy-duty buckets to our music department, which serve as the perfect drums for our students. We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation, which has truly amplified our learning experience!
Mrs Bishop
Visual Arts & Music Teacher
PE and Dance
PE /Dance Weekly Snapshot
PE & Grade 1 Dance Snapshot
This week in Grade 1 Dance, students explored how movement can be used to express emotions. They identified different feelings and discussed how these can be represented through dance. Students then created and performed their own dance sequences to express feelings about a place, person, or experience, demonstrating creativity, confidence and thoughtful movement choices.
In PE, we were fortunate to have 'H' from Badminton Geelong continue coaching our students in badminton. Students learned the correct backhand grip and hitting technique, developing hand-eye coordination, control and concentration. Our younger students practised balancing a shuttlecock on their racquet to build stability and racquet control, while older students progressed to using a backhand shot to hit the shuttlecock over the net. It has been wonderful to see students building their skills and confidence in this exciting sport.
Division Athletics
We have also had a number of students proudly representing Wallington Primary School at the Division Athletics Championships held at Goldsworthy Reserve this week. Students competed in a range of events, including High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump and the 1500m. Qualifying for Division level competition is an outstanding achievement, and all students should be extremely proud of their efforts, sportsmanship and dedication. We look forward to hearing how they went and celebrating their achievements with our school community.
Sporting Schools Grant
Thanks to our successful Sporting Schools Grant, we have also been able to purchase additional badminton equipment, including new racquets, shuttlecocks and a badminton net. Students have been excited to use this new equipment during lessons, and we look forward to continuing to develop our badminton skills throughout the term.
Champion of the Week Award
Dance Champion of the Week: Ned (Year 2)
Congratulations to Ned for his fantastic effort in PE this week during our badminton lessons. Ned worked hard to practise his backhand grip and hitting technique, showing great focus, coordination and perseverance. He listened carefully to feedback and continued to improve his skills with every attempt. Well done, Ned, on your positive attitude and dedication to learning!
Mrs Ractliffe
Physical Education & Dance Teacher
First Nations, Media Arts & STEM
Hi Families,
Please enjoy our latest STEM, First Nations and Media Arts video below.
We're in need of any Lego figures and Match Box cars to be used in Media Arts, First Nations and STEM. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. Please drop them to the office. Thank you.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything further, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be more than happy to have a chat.
Mr Vaught
First Nations, Media Arts and STEM Teacher
Wellbeing at Wallington
Hi, I’m Base and this week I was Principal for the day.
I had to spend 300 tokens to be Principal for the day.
I learnt that we have to do things at certain times like for announcements and going to classes.
It was weird at first when everyone before school was asking me why are you not in school clothes. But one of the first things I thought of was ask students what they want, which also annoyed me that there were lots of ‘paparazzi’ asking for things like no school work and longer recess but it’s funny how someone asked can you add an extra hour to recess but that’s just 2 more hours added to school and school would then go for eight hours and it normally goes for 6 hours!
But it was fun. They kept calling me Principal.
By Base
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 Admin team.
Compass notifications
Are you receiving notifications of Campass?
Compass has recommended that you try the following:
1) Ensure that your app is updated to the most recent version.
2) Check in settings to ensure that you have all the notifications settings on.
3) Confirm that your mobile number and email address is correct in Parent Portal -> Update My Details. Changes are sent to school administrators for confirmation.
4) Confirm affected recipients are not marked Do Not Contact.
The Admin team are here to help should you need further assistance.
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.
