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?
- 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.
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
