Latest News

Dear Waddington Families,

It has been another busy term here at Waddington. Our Year 5/6 class recently visited the Perth Convention Centre to explore everything to do with Science, Technology, Enterprise and Maths (STEM). Check out the video showing their day on our Facebook page (link below).

https://www.facebook.com/reel/747816677890904

All students have been continuing their work with the Friends of Koondoola Bushland, planting even more native shrubs in the grounds.

Last week we welcomed two Instructional Coaches from Balga Primary School who worked with staff to hone their skills in Explicit Direct Instruction. We have a partnership in this space with Balga, using this experience to always seek ways to improve on our teaching strategies. It is important for us that we provide a high quality learning environment to enable our students to reach their highest potential. 

Enrolments for 2026 are looking positive. If you know of any families who are looking to change schools, or have kindergarten aged children, please let them know we are still open for enrolments particularly in the lower primary age group. 

I would like to make a special mention for our P&C who are continuing their work in support of our students and school. They have organised a Father’s Day Stall and Raffle on Wednesday 3 September, a Sausage Sizzle and Cake Stall for the Faction Carnival on Friday 5 September, and are already making preparations for the Community Christmas Carols. We are also accepting donations of cakes to be sold at the Faction Carnival on Friday 5 September. If you are handy in the kitchen and can make some cakes to donate, we would appreciate your support to raise money for the P&C. 

They are supporting our Year 5/6 students attending camp with a sizeable donation. This is helping to reduce the cost for all students and families. We really appreciate the work that they do but sadly, without support from other parents/grandparents it is likely that the Waddington P&C will have to close their doors and cease operating. This will be a sad day for Waddington as the original P&C was started in 1984 by families keen to support the students by raising funds and holding events.

The time commitment is mainly around the times of these events – Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Easter, Faction Carnival and Christmas. You can support in lots of ways, just by helping with the sausage sizzles, come to our informal meetings, or making cakes for the cake stall. We meet together once a term for a chat and to organise upcoming events. It would mean a great deal if we could continue with our P&C, as it has become a much valued enterprise. We are especially looking for someone who has an accounting/book keeping background, but all volunteers are very welcome. 

Thank you to all those who use Henniker Way as their drop off and pick up spot, for being extra vigilant, for keeping to the 40 kmph speed limit, and for ensuring that all passengers have seat belts on before you drive away.  All school zones are busy place at the beginning and end of the day. We certainly are no exception. 

I wish you all well, especially our year 5/6 students and families who are heading off to Dwellingup on Wednesday for their camp. 

Warm wishes,

Ms Katherine Chivers 

Principal

From the Administration Team

Interm Swimming Reminder – Term 3 weeks 9 & 10

Just a friendly reminder to please complete and return your child(s) interm swimming consent form, enrolment form and make the payment of $60 per student for the 10 lessons by Friday 5 September.

Lessons commence in week 9 and continue for the last week of school.

Term Planner

Please see below important information for Term 3 2025 from week 6 onwards . They are subject to change so please keep up-to-date by checking the school website calendar regularly.

Important Dates

25 August 2025 – Newsletter 8 published

27 August 2025 – Year 5/6 Camp Dwellingup

28 August 2025 – Year 5/6 Camp Dwellingup

29 August 2025 – Year 5/6 Camp Dwellingup

1 September 2025 – Jumps and Throws

2 September 2025 – Science Incursion – Room 1, Room 4 and Room 5

3 September 2025 – Fathers Day Stall – All students (K to 6)

3 September 2025 – Science Incursion – Room 8

3 September 2025 – Family Afternoon Tea 1.45pm – 2.30pm

4 September 2025 – Room 5 Excursion – Career Talks at Koondoola PS

5 September 2025 – Faction Athletics Carnival

10 September 2025 – Board Meeting and Morning Tea

12 September 2025 – NAIDOC Day – Balga SHS come to Waddington PS

15 September 2025 – Newsletter 9 published

15 September 2025 – Swimming Lessons – week 1 (15 September – 19 September)

16 September 2025 – Buly Zero Incursion PP – Year 6

17 September 2025 – Assembly – Rooms 1 and 9

22 September 2025 – Swimming Lessons – week 2 (22 September – 26 September)

22 September 2025 – Book Fair 3pm – 3.30pm

23 September 2025 – Book Fair 3pm – 3.30pm

24 September 2025 – Book Fair 2.30pm – 3pm

26 September 2025 – Term 3 ends

13 October 2025 – Term 4 commences for staff and students

Family Afternoon Tea – 3 September 2025

Please see the invitation below for families to attend our Family Afternoon Tea. We will have representatives from Communicare, Ngala and the Smith Family. We look forward to seeing you there!

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?

1. 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.
2. Fewer Disruptions: Late arrivals can interrupt the class. When everyone is on time, the day starts smoothly and everyone benefits.
3. Builds Responsibility: Being punctual helps students learn to be responsible and manage their time well. These skills are important for their future.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Breakfast Club – Thank you Woolworths Mirrabooka!

We would like to acknowledge with thanks Woolworths Mirrabooka for supporting our schools breakfast club, our students appreciate you!

Room 1 – Busy little people!

We’ve hit Term Three running, and it has been a fantastic start!

Every morning, the students show their readiness to learn, and we’ve even welcomed a couple of special guests into the classroom – our camping bears, who have been joining in on the fun.

In Literacy, we recently completed a book study of The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name – and wouldn’t you if your name was Zimdalamashkermishkada! The class has also been enjoying reading groups, along with practising their two-minute reading fluency.

In Mathematics, we’ve been sequencing and counting numbers beyond 100, while sharpening quick recall of mental maths strategies such as friends of ten, counting on, and doubles. Students are also developing the skill of reading and writing numbers in tens and ones.

Our Geography lessons this term are focusing on natural and built features in the place we live in, as well as exploring different types of weather.

In Digital Technologies, students have been busy programming Beebots and have even designed their own mazes. They’ve also stepped into the world of coding with Scratch Jr, becoming little programmers in the process!

One of the highlights of the term so far has been Book Week Dress-Up Day. The students loved stepping into the shoes of their favourite characters.

It’s been a busy and exciting start to the term, and there’s still plenty to look forward to – swimming lessons, the sports carnival, and our upcoming assembly item!

Community Notices

After school STEAM at Girrawheen Library

Please see the flyer below for a free STEAM sessions running on Tuesdays at Girrawheen library throughout the month of September.

Sessions are designed for children 7 years and older and are free!

Bookings are essential, go to https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/steam-club-series-girrawheen-library-alien-dna-tickets-1558433730239?aff=ebdssbdestsearch to book for the first session running on the 2 September. You must register for each session separately, check eventbrite for details.

Kingsway Athletics – Registrations open 1 September 2025

Kingsway Athletics summer registrations will be opening 1 September 2025 and Kidsport applications are already open with our competitions starting mid-October.

If you would like more information about Kingsway Athletics, please visit their website (link below). As the club is a not for profit organisation they rely on sponsorship. If you are interested or know anyone who would like to sponsor the club, please refer to the link below with further information.

https://www.kingswayathletics.com.au/home

Free Online Parenting Workshops – Term 3 2025

Please see below free NAIDOC week workshops that may be of interest to families during the school holidays.

Roseworth Child and Parent Centre – Parenting Programs

Dear Waddington Families,

We are moving swiftly through the school year, packing as much as we can into our time.

I have just registered Waddington with the Department of Transport Your Move Program. This is an initiative that encourages walking or riding to school. We can earn points to spend on BMX/skate workshops, bike education programs, clothing, back packs, and so much more.

In addition to this, we are connected to Doug Middlemass, the Road Safety and Active Transport Officer from the City of Wanneroo. He will support us in identifying areas in the community spaces around our school that can be improved and organise for works to be carried out, making the walk/ride to school safer.

Last week, Room 5 took part in a STEM incursion – they met industry professionals who work in the space of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. The students worked through hands-on problem-solving tasks with these visitors. Waddington PS has also secured funding to support the year 5/6 students to attend a Technology Resource Exhibition being held at the Perth Convention Centre later this term. As a result of this funding there will be no cost to families for this opportunity.

The Upper Primary classes are participating in Mission: Space Mars Challenge, along with students in the other 99 WA schools that were selected. We have been set the challenge for students to design, build and test their own prototypes to overcome common obstacles when trying to land on the red planet. The kit also includes digital and printable supporting materials to guide teachers and students through this hands-on activity.

Thank you to all of you who have been so proactive in organising the payment for swimming lessons. This is part of the PE Curriculum for every student across Australia. Being able to swim is an essential life skill that all students have a right to learn. The National Drowning Report published in 2024 showed that drowning is a persistent and traumatic issue that affects thousands of families and first responders every year. In the last 12 months there have been 323 drowning deaths over the past 12 months in Australia. If you need to work out a payment plan, please come and have a chat with us. We are happy to accommodate any budget. Our priority is that the students access the swimming lessons.

Bullying No Way National Week of Action on the 11^th to 15^th August is an Australia-wide bullying prevention initiative for schools. The e-Safety Commission has released free webinars for teachers, students and parents. Here is a link for you to access the free live webinars. https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars

Understanding the Difference: Conflict vs. Bullying

One of the most frequent issues that arises for us is understanding the difference between age-appropriate social conflict between peers, and targeted antisocial behaviour. At school, it’s normal for children to have disagreements, fall out with friends, or say things they later regret. This is age-appropriate social conflict — a part of learning how to get along with others.

Bullying is different. It’s when someone is being hurt on purpose, again and again, by someone with more power (like being older, stronger, or having more friends). Bullying is not a one-off argument or a moment of unkindness — it’s repeated, targeted behaviour meant to hurt. We take both seriously and support all students to solve problems respectfully. But knowing the difference helps us respond in the right way and teach kids how to handle tricky situations. If you’re ever unsure, please reach out — we’re here to help. To support our students, I have invited the Bully zero organisation to visit us in Week 9 on the 16^th September. We can all dress up as our favourite SuperHero and participate in the incursions focusing on the themes of Understanding Bullying with strategies to address situations, and Cyberbullying: Online dangers.

Wishing you all a safe and happy week.

Ms Katherine Chivers 

Principal

From the Administration Team

Term Planner

Please see below important information for Term 3 2025 from week 3 onwards . They are subject to change so please keep up-to-date by checking the school website calendar regularly.

Important Dates

4 August 2025 – Staff Development Day – STUDENTS DO NOT ATTEND

6 August 2025 – Year 4 PEAC testing (11am – 12.40pm)

11 August 2025 – Newsletter 7 published

12 August 2025 – Balga SHS Transition Day Room 5 (5pm)

13 August 2025 – Assembly – Room 4

15 August 2025 – PEAC catch up testing ends

18 August 2025 – School Photo Day

18 August 2025 – Book Week

19 August 2025 – Resource Showcase Room 5

22 August 2025 – Story Dog Fundraiser

22 August 2025 – Book Week Dress up day

25 August 2025 – Newsletter 8 published

27 August 2025 – Year 5/6 Camp Dwellingup

28 August 2025 – Year 5/6 Camp Dwellingup

29 August 2025 – Year 5/6 Camp Dwellingup

2 September 2025 – Science Incursion – Room 1, Room 4 and Room 5

3 September 2025 – Fathers Day Stall – All students (K to 6)

3 September 2025 – Science Incursion – Room 8

3 September 2025 – Family Afternoon Tea 1.45pm – 2.30pm

4 September 2025 – Room 5 Excursion – Career Talks at Koondoola PS

5 September 2025 – Faction Athletics Carnival

10 September 2025 – Board Meeting and Morning Tea

12 September 2025 – NAIDOC Day – Balga SHS come to Waddington PS

15 September 2025 – Newsletter 9 published

15 September 2025 – Swimming Lessons – week 1 (15 September – 19 September)

16 September 2025 – Buly Zero Incursion PP – Year 6

17 September 2025 – Assembly – Rooms 1 and 9

22 September 2025 – Swimming Lessons – week 2 (22 September – 26 September)

22 September 2025 – Book Fair 3pm – 3.30pm

23 September 2025 – Book Fair 3pm – 3.30pm

24 September 2025 – Book Fair 2.30pm – 3pm

26 September 2025 – Term 3 ends

13 October 2025 – Term 4 commences for staff and students

Free internet for unconnected families with school-aged students

School Student Broadband Initiative provides free home internet for unconnected families with school-aged students until 31 December 2025. 

The Australian Government School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) is offering free home internet for eligible families with school-aged students until 31 December 2025.

To be eligible, families must:

• have no active broadband service
• have a device capable of accessing the internet
• live in premises where they can access a standard NBN service
• have a child living at home who is enrolled in an Australian school.

The free broadband starts from the day the service is activated with a participating internet provider. Families will not be placed on a paid service by the internet provider at the end of the free service without consent.

For more information and a list of participating internet providers, visit NBN Co School Student Broadband Initiative or call 1800 626 269.

If you think you are eligible and want to self-nominate for the free broadband offer:

• call the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 (Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm Australian Eastern Daylight-saving Time)
• visit the School Student Broadband Initiative website.

For technical support in more than 100 regional and remote communities throughout Western Australia, contact your local Community Resource Centre.

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?

1. 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.
2. Fewer Disruptions: Late arrivals can interrupt the class. When everyone is on time, the day starts smoothly and everyone benefits.
3. Builds Responsibility: Being punctual helps students learn to be responsible and manage their time well. These skills are important for their future.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Breakfast Club – Thank you Woolworths Mirrabooka!

We would like to acknowledge with thanks Woolworths Mirrabooka for supporting our schools breakfast club, our students appreciate you!

Room 9 – Building our knowledge

Look how far we have come already!

It is that time of the year where we start to realise how far we have come on our learning journey. We have realised how much our brains have absorbed during first semester.  Building our knowledge through ‘brain push ups’ and learning something new is one of our favourite things about school.

As part of our Literacy program, we were learning about the structure of a Recount. We went on a birdwatching adventure around the school which ended in the bushwalk. The excitement we felt was hard to contain, as we gathered our materials and set off. We used binoculars to spot the birds and a recording sheet to tick off what we had seen. This was all we could talk about for weeks. We created artworks of our favourite birds, describing their features. Collated our recorded data and realised how many different types of birds we saw. If you are ever stuck identifying a bird, Room 9 can help as to this day when we walk around, we spot and name the birds that call our school home.

In HASS we have learned about our family, where we come from, and and how we celebrate different events. This has led to some enlightening conversations, and we realise how amazing it is to have different experiences to share.

Our Protective Behaviours lessons have focused on identifying and communicating our feelings. We have all experienced big emotion days and we are now looking our for the signs to identify and name these. In doing so we looked at where these emotions can be felt and our body’s response.  We are working to give our body the opportunity to be ready to learn and using body breaks and meditation techniques to do so.

In Visual Art we have explored the Elements of Texture, shape and colour for the Term. We created a series of portraits, using collage and line. Made fabulous sparkling fireworks and moulded clay sculptures of bears.

During Science we have been focusing on what things are made of. We have investigated different kinds of materials; how these materials can be natural or manmade, how they suit certain purposes and how they are all around us.  We conducted some experiments including what type of material is best to protect us from the rain – we enjoyed following the steps to complete our investigation.

Continuing our engagement in the school community, we participated in some great events around the school. P&C events were highlights as well as some amazing music incursions with visiting opera troupe and a string quartet. We came away with songs in our heads that we hummed for weeks. We were also very invested in the school tree planting incursion, where we planted over 300 plants in the bushwalk. The best part was we knew that in years to come these would be habitats for our beloved birds that visit the school. We hope to continue to monitor their growth and thank Mrs Cahill for her organisation of the event.

The adventure never stops in Room 9. We are always busy creating, communicating and constructing as we grow in our confidence in ourselves and skills!

Community Notices

Roseworth Child and Parent Centre – Parenting Programs

Saver Plus – Information for Families

Please see below flyers assistance available for eligible families.

City of Wanneroo Important Message – eRideables new rules and penalties

It’s crucial to be aware of all these rules and the penalties associated.

Essential rules include the below and many others apply:

• Only persons 16 and over should ride eRideables.
• Helmet use is essential.
• Only one person per device

The videos have been developed in partnership with local schools and students. We encourage you to watch these with your family to reinforce essential safety messages.

Please find the links to the videos below:

• City of Wanneroo eScooter Safety
• RAC 8 eScooter Rules Every Rider in WA Should Know

For a detailed guide to all eRideable rules, regulations, and associated fines, please visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/road-safety-commission/erideables

Thank you for helping us keep our school community safe.

Sincerely,

Waddington Primary School and the City of Wanneroo

MAWA Maths Expo

Join us for a day of learning and exploration at the Maths Expo on Sunday 10 August between 10am – 1pm at CUrtin University Bentley (Building 501 – School of Education)!

Designed to support parents and students in mathematics learning at home, our interactive event will showcase the latest and greatest resources for a fun and engaging approach to maths.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to support your student’s maths learning journey. See you at the Maths Expo!

Register today! https://mawainc.org.au/maths-expo/

Free Online Parenting Workshops – Term 3 2025

Please see below free NAIDOC week workshops that may be of interest to families during the school holidays.