Hello Everyone,

Recently I had a conversation with a parent in our community who was asking about what camps we take the students on and why. Excellent question.

School camps are an important and well-established part of Victorian government school education, that provide students with valuable opportunities to learn and develop beyond the traditional classroom environment. 

They support the development of independence, resilience, confidence, teamwork, problem-solving and social skills, while allowing students to build stronger relationships with their peers and teachers. Camps also expose students to new experiences, challenges and environments that may not otherwise be readily available to them. You can read more about this in this peer reviewed 2022 article: Getting Out of the Classroom and Into Nature: A Systematic Review of Nature-Specific Outdoor Learning on School Children's Learning and Development

In terms of curriculum requirements, school camps are not a compulsory or prescribed component of the Victorian Curriculum in their own right. However, the learning and developmental outcomes they support align strongly with curriculum areas, particularly Health and Physical Education, and the personal and social capability. Which is why our teachers identify a clear educational purpose and connection to learning outcomes when planning them.

You may also be interested in our camp structure, pinned up in the foyer so everyone who visits can see how they work together.

Our Students 

October 26 - 8 Yr 56 Portsea Camp

The Portsea Camp is located on the Mornington Peninsula overlooking Port Phillip Bay. It provides students with an opportunity to participate in a range of outdoor education, recreational and team-based activities. The program encourages students to develop independence, resilience, cooperation and problem-solving skills while experiencing a different learning environment away from the classroom. Camp also provides opportunities for students to strengthen friendships, build relationships with their teachers and take on new challenges. These experiences complement classroom learning and contribute to students' personal, social and emotional development.

Year 5

Camp was fun and a good experience for me and I loved being at the beach so much!– Ryder. Year 5A

The 5/6 Portsea camp was an amazing experience. The food was absolutely incredible, particularly the chocolate mousse. My favorite parts were the flying fox and spending time with my friends. - Rose

I think camp was really fun, I liked the cabins, they were nice and cozy. The beach play was really fun too! I made the great wall of Korea to protect Buddha (actually an orange spiky ball covered in wet sand) from the waves and we made a full water system. I also thought that the park play before we got to school was fun. Those final raffle tickets created a lot of suspense. Plus, the ham and salad rolls were pretty tasty - Felix

My favourite activity was stand up paddle boarding, the ocean floor had so much sea weed that you couldn’t even see the bottom which was a bit scary but then when you jump in it becomes really fun. Another activity I liked was the high ropes course. It was so high up and it had a great view. I loved camp so much. - Zara

I loved camp. It was my favourite camp I have ever been to. I found the high ropes course really fun because it was something that I never have done on a camp. I loved how high it was and how fun it was to float down on the harness. I also really liked doing the night time trivia and watching the movies. I enjoyed doing the flying fox because I got to race my friends on the way down and learn how to unhook myself from the harness. - Sadie

Year 6

On the 26th of October the Year 5/6s boarded the bus to Portsea CAMP! Near the end of the bus ride we found out who we would share our cabins with, and everyone was super excited. When we arrived at Portsea we all went to our dorms and rooms; later, we went to all of our first activities. Those 3 days at portsea camp were amazing. We had so much fun playing with our friends. We also liked the activities we did, like paddle boarding, going to the beach, and more. But our favourite was stand up paddle boarding. If we could, we would definitely take the chance to experience that fun and adventurous trip again. Zuby & Lexie

 It was so much fun with all the activities that I haven't done before, the cold water gave me an adrenaline rush. Jordan Year 5A

Camp was a really, really fun time with new challenges; paddleboarding was incredible – Olivia. Year 6B

Students of the Week

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

Mathematics Award

For your tremendous effort you have demonstrated during your mathematics lessons! 

Liam from 1/2B!

Class of the Week Awards -  Visual Arts!

Congratulations to: Foundation!    

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

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. This weeks’ winner is Foundation!

Our Staff

This week's interview is with our year 3A teacher Mr Dom Monea - who teaches 3A on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Notices

2026.11.13 Vintage Uniform shop
Our marvellous Vintage Uniform shop, meticulously organised by Teniele Kost, will be up and running in the gym from 8.45 - 9.15am - come to assembly and grab a bargain! Friday, 13th November.

2026.11.16 Sushi Day
Sushi day, (also organised by Teneile!) is on Monday 16th of November - more details to come

2027 Foundation Enrolments
Have you enrolled your child into Foundation at Wattle Park Primary School yet?  If not, please do so as soon as possible.  This enables seamless planning in Term 4.

Our school uses the Victorian government schools system called ‘VicStudents’. for new Foundation (Prep) enrolments to Victorian government schools.

To get started:

• The Department of Education has created a Quick Reference Guide to help you get started. The guide is attached via this link: Foundation Digital Enrolment Parent Guide.
• Visit https://students.educationapps.vic.gov.au/s/ to create an account and complete the online application form as soon as possible.
• We will then review the information submitted and be in contact with you as soon as possible.​
• When accepting an offer, you will be required to provide additional personal and health information that will be shared with the school.

Spread the word!

2027 Class Formation

WPPS will soon be sorting 2027 classes.

Students are placed in classes based on a variety of factors including:

• medical requirements
• safety concerns
• legal obligations (intervention/court orders etc) 
• academic needs and
• student generated friendship preferences

If you feel your child has specific educational needs in relation to class placement, please communicate this via email to steven.donohue@education.vic.gov.au by Friday 13th of November.

The WPPS ‘Class Formation Policy’ is on our school website.

Running Club

Each Thursday at 8.am on top oval

Thank you to everyone, especially Rachel Crilly, who continue this marvellous, parent led initiative

‘Hats on in September’ … and till the end of the year

Steve Donohue

Principal

Wattle Park Primary School

1. Exit Form
Planning has began for 2027 classes. To help us in this process, if your child/children will not be returning to Wattle Park Primary School next year, please complete the Exit Form and sent it back to school as soon as possible.Thank you.

2. Remembrance Day 
The Student Representative Council will be coming around to classes with items to purchase to support the Poppie Appeal.  Prices range from from $2 to $50.

3. Second Hand Uniform Shop


4. Sushi Day
Save the Date: Monday, 16th November

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