2026 WPPS Newsletter 21st Aug

#253


Principal's Report 21st August 2026

Hello Everyone,

Politicians on site

With the Victorian State Election taking place on Saturday 28 November, it is timely to talk about politicians on school sites.

Although I am yet to hear of any increased activity from politicians on our site beyond what is normal, there may be. Families may notice increased activity from Members of Parliament and election candidates, including visits to schools and correspondence with school communities. 

Victorian government schools are required to remain politically neutral at all times. 

While schools may accommodate visits from MPs and candidates as part of maintaining positive connections between schools and their communities, all visits and correspondence must be managed in accordance with Department of Education requirements, including specific provisions that apply during the election caretaker period. 

For further information, please refer to the School Policies section of the Wattle Park Primary School website: Wattle Park Primary School – School Policies

 From the policy:

  • MPs and candidates commonly visit schools and write to schools to strengthen school-community connections.
  • Sometimes visits are initiated by the school (for example, an invitation to an award ceremony or concert) and sometimes visits are initiated by the MP or candidate (for example, a request to tour the school).
  • Principals are encouraged to accommodate requests for MP and candidate visits to schools.
  • School employees must always remain politically neutral in their work – this extends to decisions to host or invite MPs or candidates to the school, during any visit and to any correspondence with MPs or candidates.
  • Schools must notify their regional director and area executive director of any proposed visit or correspondence from an MP or candidate.
  • Particular requirements exist during the caretaker period in election years.

WE WANT OUR PARENTS / CARERS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK!

Our annual Parent / Carer Opinion Survey opened online for two weeks from Monday 17 August to Friday 28 August 2026. The survey is optional, takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, and provides valuable feedback that helps us identify areas for improvement and inform school planning. Last year, your feedback helped shape a range of changes, including our new playground and improvements to the canteen. All families are encouraged to participate, with login details and a unique PIN to be sent via Compass on Monday 17 August. 

Our Students

2026.08.17 Foundation Henny Penny Drop off

As part of our Farm-Based Inquiry this term, our Foundation students will be bringing their learning to life through the exciting Henny Penny Chicken Hatching Program!

As students learn about farm animals and living things, they will have the wonderful opportunity to observe the fascinating journey from egg to chick and develop their understanding of how living things grow and change.

Throughout the program, students will observe the eggs, learn about the incubation process and carefully monitor the chicks as they hatch and grow. This hands-on experience will encourage curiosity, responsibility and a sense of wonder, while helping students make meaningful connections to their farm-based learning.

We are looking forward to sharing this special experience with our Foundation students and seeing their excitement as our little chicks begin their journey!































2026.08.28 (Friday!) Book Week Character Parade!

Book Week is fast approaching, beginning in just over a week. This year's theme is Symphony of Stories! For more information about Book Week, please go HERE!

To mark the occasion, WPPS will be holding our famous Book Character Parade on:

  Friday, 28th August at our 9.15 Assembly

Come dressed up as your favourite book character.



2026.09.11 Year 6 Cereal Box Food Drive!

We are excited to announce our Year 6 Cereal Box Food Drive!

Year 6 students are collecting new and unopened boxes of cereal to donate to ‘It’s the Little Things’ charity, helping people in our community who are less fortunate.

Any brand of cereal is welcome! We just ask that donations be in a cereal box that can stand upright and be used as part of our domino chain.

1 cereal box = 3 House Points! Every box donated will earn House Points and students who  earn the most will win a Year 6 Boutique Initiative of their choice, such as dodgeball, a colouring workshop, or another fun activity.

Please bring your cereal box into school by:   FRIDAY 4th SEPTEMBER

Our Big Domino Drop will take place on:         FRIDAY 11th SEPTEMBER!

The cereal boxes collected will be arranged around the school to create a giant domino chain. The more boxes we collect, the bigger our chain will be! It will be a little like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AULyfBG7dhM

Donations can be sent in at any time before the big day!

Thank you for supporting our Year 6 students and helping us make a difference!

Kind regards,
Year 6 Teachers and Students


Digimaker - Seeds of Science Coding Challenge 

We're celebrating Science Week at Digimaker with our Seeds of Science Coding Challenge, where students can create a game that helps a tiny seed grow into a thriving forest.

As a community challenge, we'd love to invite all students in Grade 2 and above to take part. This competition is free for current and past Digimaker students. New participants are welcome to join with a small $10 administration fee by registering through the link: Science Week - Sign-up - Digimaker

The winning student will receive a whole free term of coding classes in Term 4!

Students of the Week
Congratulations to all of our students who have displayed these values this week.

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience

FAOfa F1/2AJoseph M
1/2BLegan K1/2CGaanavi M
3AGeorge C3BEmily B
4AEllie AY4BNanjee Y
5AOscar W5BPhyllis X
6ALily AW6BOlivia V


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: 



Class of the Week Awards -  PE

Congratulations to: 4A!

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

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's interview is with one of our esteemed Learning Assistants:  Beth Hedt

First year as Learning Assistant

2024

First year at Wattle Park

2024

Current role

Learning Assistant

Favourite subject when I was at school:

Science

Best memory from primary school:

Homeschooling with my sisters

Favourite book:

Katabasis, by R.F. Kuang

Favourite book growing up:

“Cool Kids Cook”, a cookbook I got for my birthday!

Favourite movie:

The Princess Bride

Best dish I can cook:

Most recent favourite is a smoked goats cheese ravioli with caramelised zucchini.

Which Zooper Dooper flavour I'm buying from the Year 6 stall:

Purple (grape??)

Hidden talent:

I can sing!

Most controversial opinion:

The beach would be better with no sand

Number one item on my bucket list:

Travel more!

If I wasn't a teacher I'd be...

An artist of some kind

What I would tell my 10-year-old self:

Buy a few bitcoin

 

Other Events

Running Club

The ever popular Running Club is back up and running for term three. Every Thursday at 8.00am join the team on the Top Oval.


Have a great weekend everyone!

Steve Donohue

Principal

Wattle Park Primary School



PFA News - 21st August 2026

Don't forget to place your Father's Day order by Sunday, 23rd August. Please make sure you get your order in on time!



WPPS Notices 21st August 2026

Please scroll through to see all of our latest notices!




1. First Aid Room - Volunteers Needed
2. Dental Van - 24th August 2026
3. Second Hand Uniform Shop Dates

1. First Aid Room - Volunteers Needed
In order to keep our First Aid Room clean and tidy, we require volunteers to assist with this task. It is not time consuming and requires approximately 15 minutes of your time on a FRIDAY.

Please click on the link below to sign up.

Thank you for your time

2026 First aid room — Signup Sheet | SignUp.com



2. Dental Van - 24th August 2026

Please note that the Dental Van will be coming next Monday, 24th August.

 

3. Second Hand Uniform Shop Dates

Located in the school gymnasium. 

Cash and Card welcome.

Next Opening Time

Friday 4th September8.30 - 9.30 am


TeamKids News - 21st August 2026

  • Newsletter 
  • Holiday program




TeamKids has another exciting school holiday program planned this spring!

You can look forward to:

  • Unique daily experiences, incursions, and excursions ?
  • Screen-free fun and active play ?
  • Delicious morning and afternoon snacks included daily ?
  • CCS-approved care ✅
  • Flexible booking options ?

? Check out what's on at Wattle Park PrimaryCLICK HERE.

? Book nowCLICK HERE.



Community Notices 21st August 2026

Support our local businesses!!!