Hello everyone,

A huge thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers this term—so many many events and some classes would not run, or at least not run so well without your support.

So many of our events, activities, and classes rely on your time, energy, and good spirit, and we are incredibly grateful. You help make our community vibrant, connected, and full of opportunity for our students.

As the term comes to a close, I hope you all enjoy a well-earned break from the usual school routines—and yes, from the many parental logistics that come with them! Take this time to relax, recharge, and enjoy some special moments with your families.

Playground

I’d also like to announce that next term, as a result of the endeavours of the above volunteers fundraising for our school, we will  begin construction of our new bottom playground!

Yes - after an eternity of fundraising it will rise from the mulch like some ethereal legendary creature much talked about but never actually seen - until now! More details next term.

I look forward to seeing everyone back in Term 3 feeling refreshed, happy, and ready for another fantastic stretch together. And speaking of volunteers, thank you to Sjaan Keen, Eliza Hiscox and Rachel Crilly who put on our most recent whole school event - the much anticipated School Disco!

Term 3 Staffing Arrangements

Year 1/2C

Ms Saaksjarvi will be continuing her leave throughout Term 3 and, as a result, will not be returning to the classroom at the commencement of next term.

Ms Renata Kanagaratnam will continue in the role of classroom teacher for Year 1/2C throughout Term 3 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 

Year 4B

Mr Feather recently commenced paternity leave following the early arrival of his new baby. 

Over the past week, Ms Julie Hobson has been teaching the class and has done an excellent job ensuring continuity of learning and maintaining the positive routines established within the classroom.

Mr Feather's paternity leave will continue until the end of Week 3 of Term 3. Ms Julie Hobson and Ms Renata Kanagaratnam will share responsibility for the class, providing consistency and maintaining the high-quality learning environment our students enjoy.

Year 6A

For the first two weeks of Term 3, Ms Julie Carlson will be undertaking the role of Acting Assistant Principal.

During Julie's time in the Acting Assistant Principal role, the classroom will be taught by Ms Kathryn Cooper. Kathryn is a highly capable and experienced teacher who is familiar with our school and committed to ensuring that students experience a smooth and successful start to the term.

Julie and Kathryn will work closely together to ensure a seamless transition and continuity of learning.

Leadership

I am going on LSL for the first two weeks of Term 3. Ascending the corporate ladder is Mr Abell who will be Acting Principal for that time. Ms Julie Carlson will be Acting Assistant Principal

Business Manager

Our Business Manager Gabbi will also be on LSL until the 10th of July. Gabbi has already met onsite with her replacement Karen Geddes and former primary school Business Manager who will fill in until  then.

Our Students

2026.06.23  Yr 56 Suitcase Stories

This term, our Year 5 and 6 students explored Australia’s immigration history through our Suitcase Stories project.

Year 5 students created immigration letters and digital suitcases, showcasing the experiences and belongings of people who migrated to Australia. Year 6 students stepped into the shoes of immigrants by writing a narrative from their chosen person's perspective and presenting their learning by getting into character with elaborate physical suitcases.

The project culminated in a wonderful expo day, where students proudly shared their work with other classes and later welcomed families to view their projects and celebrate their learning. What a wonderful display from our students!

Burwood Village show casing all WPPS Year level Art Works

Location: Burwood Village
Address: Burwood Village is located along Toorak Road between Warrigal Road and Charles Street - https://www.burwoodvillage.com.au/visit/

About the event: 

This Saturday 27 June - 10am - 3pm

The Burwood Village Winter Warm Up series concludes as the Village transforms into an art gallery displaying art from local schools on the exterior of their businesses. Walk the Village to see dozens of pieces of original art from our very own local pint-sized picasos!

There will be live music and street entertainment roving the precinct, including face painting, balloon twisting, magicians and lots more including one-off special offers from local businesses available only during the event – so come on down with the whole family and check out some amazing artistic talent!

Students of the Week
As a result of our recent School Review, as well as the work we are doing with our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Program, our school values changed last year from six:

Respect, Responsibility, Care, Encourage, Value and Challenge to the ‘Three R’s’;

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience

SWPBS HEROES
Congratulations to all students who have been demonstrating the WPPS school values:

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience

Today, we are proud to recognise and celebrate students who have reached important Personal Points milestones and earned certificates for their efforts and positive behaviour.

SWPBS Rangers
Thank you to our Wellbeing and SRC leaders (Viv, Kyte, Emily, Charvee & Ashwin) for launching our SWPBS Rangers and organising our colour competition to celebrate.

Congratulations to the following students for winning the competition:

ECO MVP

How to win….

It’s simple

 - Continue to bring your nude food lunches

 - Pick up rubbish around the classroom and school

 - Turn off lights and powerpoints that don’t need to be on

 - Turn off leaking taps

 - Dispose of rubbish appropriately.

Each week, a Scarecrow teacher or leader will visit one classroom (at random). They will select one student for the ECO MVP, and their photo will be taken for Assembly. The student will receive an amazing Banana Trophy and Plantable Pencil.

Congratulations to:

Jody Z (FA)

Class of the Week Awards -   Visual Arts

Congratulations to: 

who were awarded ‘Class of the Week’ for their exemplary behaviour and effort in P Visual Arts.

House Points 
The House Points have been collected for this week.  The winning house decorates the trophy with their colours and has it displayed in the foyer of the school. 

Our Staff

This week interview Mr Nic Lindsay who teaches 6B:

Notices

Running Club

8am every Thursday on top oval 8am

ICAS

Dear Parents/Guardians,  

We are delighted to inform you that we will be participating in the world-renowned ICAS competition again this year across Years 4 – 6.  

What is ICAS?  
ICAS (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools) is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling and Digital Technologies.  

Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals.  

We encourage you to consider entering your child (Year 4-6 only) into ICAS this year.   

Learn more about ICAS here.

How to participate in ICAS  

If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:  

1. Read about ICAS subjects and prices here.
2. Read the terms and conditions here.
3. Go to Parent Portal to purchase tests here.
4. Enter our school’s access code –  IOQ829  
5. Enter your child’s details, select the tests you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment.  

Please note that the ICAS tests shown for selection are at the school’s discretion.   

After payment is made via the Parent Payment System, you will receive an order confirmation email. Please keep this for your records.  

ICAS Test Dates, Results and Certificates 

We will notify you when your child’s ICAS results are ready. You have until Monday 27th July to make an order. Once we have received your child’s ICAS certificate, we will send it home with your child. The back of the certificate shows ICAS results and the login details, ‘TAP ID and Pin’, that you and your child need to enter on the Results Portal.  

Privacy Collection Statement  

The following information is a privacy notification about how your child’s data is kept private and secure.  

Janison is aware of our responsibility to protect the identity of, and all information relating to, children, and students in general, from disclosure and consequently Janison does not:  

• collect any personal information or data of children other than as required for the purposes of completion of the assessment, test or exam;  
• transfer any personal information or data obtained during the delivery of assessments, tests or exams conducted in Australia to any jurisdiction outside of Australia other than with the specific consent of the person, or his or her parent or guardian;  
• transfer any personal information or data obtained during the delivery of assessments, tests or exams conducted in other international regions out of the child’s jurisdiction other than with the specific consent of the person, or his or her parent or guardian;  
• share any personal information or data relating to children or students with any third parties (other than a third party whose services are necessary for servicing our products, e.g. print/distribution companies, medal engraving, etc.) except with the specific consent of the person, or his or her parent or guardian;  

• use any personal information or data relating to children or students for marketing purposes.  

Janison may retain personal information and data relevant to a child for their future purposes or for research purposes by Janison for the duration of the school life cycle of the child. However, if you or your child at any time wish to have their personal information or data removed from our systems, they or
you may opt out by simply contacting our Privacy Officer at privacy@janison.com.  

We are proud to offer ICAS and look forward to some fantastic results later in the year.  Please do not hesitate to contact the school office if you have any questions or send me an email at james.feather@education.vic.gov.au.

Kind regards,  

James Feather

Year 4 Teacher & Learning Specialist

Assembly                     Fridays at 9.15am

Running Club               Thursday 8am - 8:40am 

Kitchen Volunteers!
We are looking for volunteers from our wonderful school community to help support the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program at Wattle Park Primary School. Working with  Children's Check required.

Year 3

3A     Annmaria Antonino & Dominic Monea - 3A Sign Up Page
3B     Monica Woodhouse - 3B Sign Up Page

Year 4

4A     Lauren Neilson - 4A Sign Up Page
4B     James Feather & Richard Abell - 4B Sign Up Page

Weekend Chicken Volunteers!

Our Year Four students do an incredible job caring for our chickens at WPPS. However, they're not there to care for them on weekends so we're in need of some help.

Our SignUp is structured so that you are responsible for the chickens for a full day on the weekend, but this only requires one visit in the morning (at or before 9am) and one visit in the afternoon (between 3pm-5pm). 

Please click here to visit the volunteer SignUp page.

Click here to read more about what is required on your visit with our chooks! 

Have a great weekend!

Steve Donohue

Principal

Wattle Park Primary School