Welcome to the 2025 School Year

Christmas Holidays are great but it’s so wonderful to be back into routine and to see all the kids ready to learn and back at it. It has been a fantastic and very settled start to the 2025 school year. We are very proud of how well our students have transitioned back into routine and been hard at it. Welcome back to the 2025 school year.

I spoke to the Year 4-6 students at Assembly on Monday and gave them a number of notices. A brief outline of the topics is following. Please help us and your child by mentioning these expectations again at appropriate moments:

Wearing Hats – Sun protection is important, students are expected to wear hats even whilst playing sport. Staff on duty may give reminders but if they have to ask twice you may be asked to sit in the shade for 10 mins and miss out on play if you aren’t wearing your hat in the sun.

Rubbish – far too much rubbish – thanks to those who are picking up other bits when on route to bins. Put your rubbish IN THE BIN.

Running on Concrete – Great work to many who are sitting in shady areas during break times and eating time. DO NOT RUN around buildings. Rubbish pickup may result if caught running on concrete.

Bringing large amounts of money to school – do not bring pineapples ($50) or $100 notes. No need to bring lots of money to school.

Lunchtime Clubs – be on the look out for upcoming lunchtime club opportunities. Mrs Humphries is starting Puzzle Club on Mondays 11 – 11:30 in 6F.

After School – after being released go straight to your meeting place or start walking straight away. There are staff on duty at every gate until 3:30pm. If you haven’t been picked up by 3:30pm go to office.

Ready to Learn Plan – I spoke about students' roles and responsibilities as per the enrolment agreement and discussed the four step 'Ready to Learn Plan". See more detail below:

Supporting Every Student: Ready to Learn Plans at Warrigal Road

At Warrigal Road State School, we know that every student learns best when they feel safe, supported, and ready to engage. To ensure that all students can make the most of their learning time, we have Ready to Learn Plans in place. These are personalised strategies designed to help students manage their emotions, stay focused, and develop positive learning habits.

What is a Ready to Learn Plan?

A Ready to Learn Plan is a simple, structured approach that helps students identify what they need to be successful at school. It is developed with input from teachers, support staff, and sometimes parents, ensuring that each plan is tailored to the individual child’s needs.

The plan may include:
✅ Clear expectations for behaviour and learning
✅ Personal strategies to help students refocus if they become distracted or upset
✅ Supportive routines to create consistency and confidence
✅ A network of trusted adults who can provide assistance when needed

Why Are These Plans Important?

Some students may face challenges in staying engaged, regulating their emotions, or managing social interactions. A Ready to Learn Plan gives them the tools to navigate these challenges in a positive way. Instead of reacting to difficulties, students learn proactive strategies to help them stay on track and succeed.

How Do Parents Fit In?

We value our partnership with parents in supporting students. You can help by:
? Reinforcing positive habits at home – Encouraging routines and strategies that align with school expectations.
? Communicating with teachers – Sharing insights about what works best for your child and keeping us informed of any changes or concerns.
? Encouraging a growth mindset – Reminding your child that learning is a journey, and it’s okay to make mistakes as long as they keep trying.

Here’s your revised version with improved flow, clarity, and professionalism while maintaining your key points:

Looking Ahead

Our goal is for every child to feel confident, capable, and ready to learn each day. If your child has a Ready to Learn Plan, their teacher will keep you updated on their progress. If you have any questions or would like to discuss how you can support your child’s plan at home, please reach out to their teacher.

Together, we can create the best learning environment for every student at Warrigal Road!

Students also have roles and responsibilities as outlined in our Code of Conduct. We have spoken extensively with students about their role at school, emphasising that learning is their job. Ready to Learn Plans provide strategies for students who are struggling to engage productively in their learning.

At Warrigal, if a student is not ready to learn and is impacting the teacher’s ability to teach or other students’ right to learn, we follow a four-step process:

Step One – Support and redirection within the classroom.
Step Two – Relocation to a buddy classroom for further reflection and refocusing.
Step Three – Intervention by a member of the administration team.
Step Four – “Enough school for today” – At this stage, a parent or caregiver will be contacted by an administration team member to collect their child.

Our goal is always to prevent students from reaching Step Four. However, in some cases, this step is necessary as an alternative to suspension when a student's actions disrupt the good order and management of the school.

We are committed to supporting students at an exemplary level, but we also recognise that maintaining a high-performing learning environment is essential. Our community has high expectations for student behaviour and achievement, and we uphold these standards while ensuring that student wellbeing remains a priority.

Thank you for your support in fostering a positive and productive learning environment at Warrigal Road!

Parent-Teacher Afternoon Meetings – A Key to a Great Year!

We are excited to invite all parents and carers to our upcoming Parent-Teacher Afternoon Meetings, a fantastic opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and gain valuable insights into the year ahead. These sessions are designed to provide an overview of classroom rules, routines, expectations, and procedures, helping to create a smooth and successful learning journey for your child.

Building strong partnerships between home and school is key to student success. These meetings allow you to understand how your child’s classroom operates and the best ways to support their learning. Teachers will also outline preferred communication channels, ensuring you have clear and efficient ways to stay informed and engaged throughout the year.

While these sessions provide a great general overview, we understand that some matters require more in-depth discussion. If you have specific concerns or important issues to discuss regarding your child, we encourage you to make an appointment with the teacher at a separate time. This ensures dedicated time for a meaningful and productive conversation.

We look forward to seeing you at the Parent-Teacher Afternoon Meetings and working together to make this year a positive and successful experience for every student.

Lock the following times in your calendar:

Tuesday 11 February

3:15-3:45 Prep & Year Six (Classrooms)

3:45-4:15 Year Five (Classrooms)

Wednesday 12 February

3:15-3:45 Year Two (Classrooms)

3:45 - 4:15 Year Three (Classrooms)

Thursday 13 February

3:15 - 3:45 Year One (Classrooms)

3:45 - 4:15 Year Four (Classrooms)

iPad information sessions for P-2 parents  

** If you you have your child's iPad, please bring it to this session.

Monday 10 Feb 3-4pm (Block two)

Friday 14 Feb 9-10am (Block two)

Check our Facebook page for location details closer to the date for any last minute location changes.

Welcome New Staff for 2025

This year we welcome:

Ms Jade Martin (Yr 2)

Ms Grace Connell (Yr2)

Ms Viola Chen (Yr 2)

Ms Jacinta Reberger (Yr 2)

Ms Sophia Ka Po Mai (Yr 3)

Ms Toni Weir (Year 3 welcome back)

Mrs Mogan Price (PB welcome back)

Mrs Brittany Shing (Teacher Aide – welcome back)

Mrs Selena Dunne (Office)

I’m sure you will join with me in welcoming these wonderful staff to our team.

Academic Excellence at Warrigal Road – Setting the Standard for Success!

At Warrigal Road State School, we believe that **academic excellence starts from Day 1 of Prep**. We are committed to nurturing every student’s potential through **strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, student agency, an inquiry-driven curriculum, and powerful partnerships in learning—all within a school culture that prioritises student wellbeing**. 

Our results speak for themselves. In **NAPLAN 2023**, over **60% of our Year 3 students** achieved in the **Strong or Exceeding categories** across every assessed area. By Year 5, this success is even greater, with **over 70% of students** reaching these high standards. This isn’t just about maintaining excellence—it’s about accelerating it. At Warrigal, we **don’t just keep good students good; we make good students great!** 

Investing in Excellence

Great schools don’t happen by chance—they happen through **dedicated teachers, strong leadership, and ongoing investment in learning**. In 2024 alone, we invested **over $150,000** in teacher professional development, ensuring our staff are highly skilled and prepared to deliver the best education possible. 

In 2025, our teachers are exceptionally well-prepared to implement Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum in English and Mathematics. With the latest research and best teaching practices in place, we are setting our students up for even greater success. 

Congratulations on choosing Warrigal Road for your child?

✅ **A Focus on Wellbeing** – We know that **happy, confident children achieve more**, which is why wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. Our students feel safe, supported, and ready to thrive. 

✅ **Excellence in Literacy & Numeracy** – Our commitment to **strong foundational skills** ensures every child is set up for success in their academic journey. 

✅ **Innovative Inquiry Curriculum** – We foster **curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving**, preparing students for the future with real-world learning experiences. 

✅ **Student Agency** – We empower students to take ownership of their learning, **building independence, resilience, and a love of learning**. 

✅ **Strong Partnerships in Learning** – We believe education is a shared journey. Through **strong collaboration between school and home**, we maximise every child’s potential.  

When you choose Warrigal Road, you are choosing a school that delivers outstanding academic outcomes while ensuring every child is nurtured, challenged, and inspired. If you want your child to flourish in a school where wellbeing and excellence go hand in hand, then Warrigal Road is the right choice.