Dear Waddington Families,
What a fantastic start we’ve had to the 2026 school year! It has been so lovely to see students settling into their new classrooms, building friendships and quickly getting back into routines. There has been a calm, positive feel across the school, and we are proud of how well our students have embraced our Term 1 focus on Respect and Courage.
Across the school, our early term focus has been “All About Me” — helping students feel connected to their class, their teacher and one another. Establishing that strong sense of belonging early sets the tone for the year ahead.
Our free SciTech Incursion is now underway every Wednesday afternoon in the library. This term’s theme is Hydraulics, and students are exploring how forces move objects by building their own hydraulic mechanisms. The engagement has been wonderful to see!
In Week 3, we are also welcoming back the Lion Dancers. Please come along at 1:50pm for a 2pm start near the nature play area. You are all very welcome to come and enjoy the performance in celebration of the Chinese New Year.
Our Elders Workshops will begin in Week 5 for Room 1, as part of our ongoing Aboriginal Cultural Learning Program. This important work connects learning to Country and culture throughout the year.
You may hear your children talking about some new arrangements for soccer and basketball at recess and lunch. These adjustments are designed to minimise conflict, promote fairness and ensure everyone has the chance to play safely and positively.
Wheels Wednesday and Loose Parts play continue to be favourites, giving students creative and active ways to engage with one another.
Over the past few weeks, teachers have been completing literacy and numeracy assessments. These help us understand where each child is in their learning so we can plan targeted teaching to support growth.
Looking ahead, NAPLAN for Years 3 and 5 will take place in Weeks 6 and 7.
I am pleased to share that attendance has improved compared to this time last year — thank you for supporting your children to be at school every day they can. Everyday counts, and consistent attendance makes a big difference to learning and connection.
A Few Reminders
- Gates are locked shortly after the morning bell — please ask your child to come through the front office to be signed in if arriving after 8.45am.
- Parent Information Sessions are being held this week — thank you to those who are planning to attend. This is a valuable session where you can take time to meet your child’s teacher and be informed about the year ahead.
Thank you for partnering with us as we begin another exciting year at Waddington. As always, we are proud to work alongside such a supportive community.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s learning, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Warm wishes,
Ms Katherine Chivers
Principal
From the Administration Team
Term Planner
Please see below important information for Term 1 2026. These are subject to change so please keep up-to-date by checking the school website calendar regularly.
Important Dates
16 February 2026 – Newsletter 1 published
18 February 2026 – Chung Wah Lion Dance at 2pm
18 February 2026 – STEM Club Program 2.40pm – 3.40pm
25 February 2026 – STEM Club Program 2.40pm – 3.40pm
27 February 2026 – Clean Up School Day!
2 March 2026 – Public Holiday – Labour Day
4 March 2026 – STEM Club Program 2.40pm – 3.40pm
5 March 2026 – International Women’s Day
9 March 2026 – Newsletter 2 published
11 March 2026 – NAPLAN commences
11 March 2026 – STEM Club Program 2.40pm – 3.40pm
18 March 2026 – STEM Club Program 2.40pm – 3.40pm
23 March 2026 – NAPLAN ends
25 March 2026 – STEM Club Program 2.40pm – 3.40pm
27 March 2026 – Room 5 Excursion – Perth Observatory
30 March 2026 – Newsletter 3 published
1 April 2026 – STEM Club Program 2.40pm – 3.40pm
2 April 2026 – Term 1 ends
3 April 2026 – Public Holiday – Good Friday
20 April 2026 – TERM 2 COMMENCES – STAFF AND STUDENRS
Attendance – Everyday counts!
Why It’s Important to Be On Time for School
Being on time is a key skill that helps students succeed both in school and in life.
Why is being on time so important?
- More Learning Time: When students arrive on time, they don’t miss out on important lessons and activities. Every minute counts and being there from the start helps them fully participate in the day’s learning.
- Fewer Disruptions: Late arrivals can interrupt the class. When everyone is on time, the day starts smoothly and everyone benefits.
- Builds Responsibility: Being punctual helps students learn to be responsible and manage their time well. These skills are important for their future.
- Better Academic Performance: Regular attendance and being on time are linked to better grades. Students who are punctual are more likely to be active in class and do well in their studies.
- Shows Respect: Being on time shows respect for teachers, classmates, and the school community. It shows a commitment to learning and the importance of education.
We know mornings can be tough, but with a bit of planning, we can make sure our students start their day right. Let’s make being on time a priority and help our students succeed!
PLEASE NOTE: Students who arrive after 9.55am miss more than half of the morning lessons. This will be marked as an unauthorised absence and will need an explanation.
Room 1 (Year 1 / 2) – A wonderful start to the year!
We have had a fantastic start to the 2026 school year in our Year 1/2 classroom. The students have settled beautifully into their new class and are demonstrating a positive attitude toward our classroom routines and expectations. It has been wonderful to see friendships forming, smiles each morning, and students helping each other.
Our All About Us theme has been a lovely way to begin the year. Students have enjoyed sharing about themselves and their families, their holiday adventures, and the things they like to do in their spare time. Each morning, we begin the day with a Yarning Circle, which allows us to settle in, get ready to learn, and share any special announcements. This helps build a warm, friendly, and caring classroom.
We have jumped straight into our learning. In Maths, we are focusing on counting, number sequences, and place value. In Literacy, students have written about themselves and their families, which has been a pleasure to read. This week, we are really excited to get our literacy rotation groups up and running!
The class has enjoyed attending Science on Tuesdays with Mrs. Cahill, where curiosity and questioning are a big part of the learning. Students also love Music sessions with Mr. Friis, who has joined us for the year. It has been fabulous seeing our little musicians at work!
This week, we will start our new class theme, Farms. Students will be exploring farm life, seasons, farm animals, and plants through Literacy. Can’t wait to get started!
It has been such a positive start, and I am really looking forward to a wonderful year ahead with watching the students of Room One learn and grow!
Community Notices
Kidsport
KidSport enables eligible Western Australian children aged 5 to 18 years to participate in community sport by offering them financial assistance of up to $300 per financial year towards club fees.
To be eligible to receive KidSport, children must be listed on a valid Western Australian Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card with a corresponding customer reference number (CRN).
Go to the KidSport portal to find out more and claim your voucher –
Schools Clean up Day
Our annual School Clean‑Up Day is just around the corner, and we’re excited to once again bring our school community together for this meaningful event. Taking part helps students build a strong sense of responsibility and pride in their school as they work together to care for their learning environment. The day promotes teamwork, boosts environmental awareness, and supports the creation of cleaner, safer play spaces for everyone. Most importantly, it inspires lifelong habits of looking after our world—starting right here at school.
We will be participating again on Friday, 27th February. While we have some gloves available for student use, your child may wish to bring their own gloves from home. Teachers will send reminders out closer to the day.
Parent workshops – March 2026
Please see below for a selection of parent workshops available for Term 1 2026.
