3 March 2026

It’s already Week 6 and we are in full swing, with so many things having already occurred and much more to come!

On Wednesday 18 February we held our annual Meet the Teacher afternoon, and what a wonderful afternoon it was. Many families commented on how relaxed and welcoming the afternoon was and I couldn’t agree more. This was not only due to our friendly staff welcoming visitors into the rooms but our wonderful P&C for running a BBQ. It reminded me of a visit to Bunnings with many walking out the gate with a sausage sandwich in hand!

Ms Cheney and Mr Heffernan did a wonderful job organising our swimmers for the district carnival on Tuesday 24 February. This is a task that takes many hours to prepare for, going through results, submitting entries, organising notes etc, all in a really short time frame. Thank you to these staff members for doing this and congratulations to our students who did a wonderful job representing our school on the day. Another very successful carnival for our school. Please read a more detailed report further on in the newsletter.

Our Year 5 students attended Woonona High School for a Discovery Day on Wednesday 25 February. This is earlier than usual and the high school are doing a great job of preparing our students for high school, gradually over a 2 year period. By all accounts the students had an exciting day, even being issued with a timetable and having to find their way to their next classroom.

Last Friday 27 February saw our annual Induction assembly for our school leaders, Sports House Captains and Vice Captains and our SRC representatives. This is one of my favourite events each year on the school calendar and I have to say, I think this year was one of the best! The sense of pride that each and every student stood on stage showing was so nice to see and the sheer happiness that they radiated. I don’t know whose smiles were bigger, the students or the parents/special guests pinning the badges on!

The SRC may have only been officially inducted last Friday but they have already been extremely busy. They have planned a fundraiser to support our wonderful Surf Life Saving volunteers. Red & Yellow Day is a nationwide celebration on March 4, 2026, to recognise the thousands of Surf Life Saving volunteers who dedicate their time to keeping our beaches safe.

Now it’s our turn to show they can count on us, by simply wearing the colours on Red & Yellow Day and donating a gold coin, which will be donated to our local surf club representatives.

Wednesday 11 March is the first day of NAPLAN testing, which will continue until Monday 23 March. This will be for all Year 3 and 5 students. Students are encouraged to attempt the assessments as they would any other task within the school day, in a calm and relaxed approach. It is simply a snapshot in time.

Although these dates are a little further away, please mark them in your calendar,

• Wednesday 18 March is school photo day
• Wednesday 18 March our P&C has organised for a guest speaker to present in the evening, Michelle Mitchell. Please support this event and bring along others that may be interested. It is open to parents and family members beyond our school gates
• Wednesday 1 April is Parent Techer interviews. More information will be coming out about this later but please save the date.

It has become very apparent how busy the cul-de-sac and Gordon street is, largely due to the high number of cars parked alongside the road. Vision is often hindered when turning out of the cul-de-sac and congestion is common. I have had recent reports from concerned neighbours, in regard to cars being parked across driveways, children damaging trees etc. Please be respectful of our neighbours and help keep our children safe by ensuring they are always supervised.

On the topic of safety, just a reminder that all our students look to those older than them for guidance, whether it be older siblings, parents, teachers or high school students. Wearing a helmet whilst riding a bike is not only essential for safety but it is also the law. Please ensure that as adults, we are being the best role models we can be. In coming weeks, I will be sharing some information around new regulations around e-bikes and school settings. New guidelines are currently being released, and I will ensure the most up to dates information is shared as soon as I have it.

Woonona sure is a busy place and has something happening for everyone!

Ms Alison Strinic

Relieving Principal

At Woonona Public School we use School Bytes app to make communication and admin easier for families. These tools help you:

• make payments quickly and securely
• view academic reports
• stay up to date with school events
• record absences.

Click here to download the app.

• Music Lessons $35 - Due by 27 March

This year we have an exciting opportunity planned for all of our students from K to 6.

The Wollongong Conservatorium of Music will be coming in each Thursday this year to deliver highly specialised and engaging music lessons for our students and work alongside our school choir.

Each student will engage in a 40-minute music lesson, once a week, for one school term. Performing, listening and composing music are integral components of the Creative Arts K-6 syllabus taught in all NSW public schools.

Lessons will be delivered by a highly trained and qualified music teacher and aim to expose our students to a wide range of musical experiences. This is a truly unique opportunity for our students and we are excited to have such a reputable and well-respected organisation share their expertise and knowledge with our school community.

Each stage will participate in music lessons for one term.

• Term 1 Stage 3 classes, including 4-5B
• Term 2 Stage 2 classes
• Term 3 Stage 1 classes
• Term 4 Kindergarten

The P&C is kindly supporting this initiative by covering half of the cost, instead of costing $70.00, parents and carers will only need to pay $35.00.

Payment of $35.00 is due by 27 March 2026.

Payment can be made online through School Bytes or by cash to the school office. Financial assistance is available. Kindly contact the school office by email or phone if needed.

We look forward to welcoming the conservatorium of music into our school community.

Alison Strinic

Relieving Principal

Our SRC are holding their first fundraiser for the year.

Red & Yellow Day is a nationwide celebration on March 4, 2026, to recognise the thousands of Surf Life Saving volunteers who dedicate their time to keeping our beaches safe.

Now it’s our turn to show they can count on us!

By:

• wearing the colours

• donating

• fundraising

• signing up at your local club

• flying the same flags we’re taught to swim between

• staying beach-safe.

In doing so, you’ll help Surf Life Saving turn the tide on coastal drowning. Because when you back the surf lifesavers on Red & Yellow Day, you can help save lives too.

We are thrilled to share that our school is once again part of the HPAG Extend program. This special program, organised by the Wollongong and Shellharbour Primary Principal’s Councils, is for High Potential & Academically Gifted Year 5 students who love learning and show high potential within the academic domain. A specialised enrichment program helping them explore new ideas, rich content while developing creative and critical thinking skills.

The program has been around for over 20 years and now includes students from more than 65 schools across the Wollongong and Shellharbour areas. It gives students the chance to learn faster, explore new topics, and dive deeper into their favourite subjects. They get to work with other students who enjoy challenging themselves at very high levels in subjects like science, maths, literacy, art, and engineering.

Each week, selected students join one of seven classes hosted at different schools nearby. The classes run from 9 am to 2:30 pm, with families organising transport to and from the host school.

To be part of the program, Year 5 students will do a special online test at school in Week 6. About the top 10% of students from each cohort will be invited to join the program after the HPAG Extend Executive selection panel reviews all applications across the 65 schools.

We’re really excited to see our students take part in this wonderful learning opportunity. Expressions of interest notes will be going home very soon with eligible students.

Ms Emma Phillips

Assistant Principal | Stage 3 Supervisor

Woonona Public School P&C is hosting renowned parenting educator and author Michelle Mitchell for an insightful evening on “What Kids Need NOW – Before the Teenage Years.”

Michelle will explore common challenges for primary aged children including friendship issues, mood swings, confidence dips, tech habits and preparing for the teenage years. Michelle offers practical, compassionate guidance for parents and carers.

📅 Wednesday 18 March

🕒 6:30pm – 8:00pm

📍Woonona Public School Hall

🎟 Tickets $35

Book here: https://wpsuniforms.square.site/product/michelle-mitchell-parent-speaker-event/YY57UNVOI43GDAGTD4KKGNHL

All parents, carers and grandparents welcome.

On Tuesday 24 February, 28 students headed off to the District Swimming Carnival at Corrimal Pool.

The weather was hot and sticky and the students happily cooled off whilst competing across numerous events, upholding Woonona's strong reputation in the pool and doing us proud.

The team consisted of some seasoned district carnival veterans and also some debutantes who, whilst initially nervous, had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The relay events were a definite highlight of the day with 3 Woonona teams achieving podium finishes across the 4 divisions. The following students will get to represent our school as part of our relay teams at the South Coast Swimming Carnival.

Junior Boys: Logan F, Joachim M, Arlo B and Noah F.

Junior Girls: Lottie B, Milla B, Amelia A and Frankie F.

Senior Girls: Frankie B, Amaya K, Audrey S and Imogen V.

Congratulations to Imogen V, Amaya K, Frankie F and Olympia S who will be representing Woonona Public School in individual events at the upcoming South Coast Swimming Carnival on Tuesday 17 March.

We wish you the best of luck!

Thanks to Mr Heffernan and Ms Cheney for their organisation and also to the parents who supported our students whilst bravely tolerating the humidity!

During Week 4, Woonona Public School had three up and coming cricket stars, Rheon, Pippa and Jesse, represent South Coast at the NSWPSSA Girls Cricket Championships in Armidale.

It was an amazing week of sport, with the girls having the opportunity to play on a range of picturesque turf grounds, complete with grandstands, scoreboards, sight screens and white picket fences, against the top cricketing talent from across the state.

The South Coast side finished 8th out of 14 sides and had impressive wins against Riverina, North West and Hunter during their pool matches.

All the girls contributed strongly during the carnival. Pippa was excellent with the ball taking 12 wickets across 7 matches and was inches away from taking a dramatic hattrick against the eventual winners Mackillop.

Rheon scored valuable runs and put on many crucial partnerships at the top of the order to get us into some strong positions.

Jesse brought incredible energy and enthusiasm to the team throughout the tournament and was one for the standout fielders. She also found her groove with the bat and ball and chipped in some valuable overs, wickets and runs across the tournament.

It was amazing to see the enthusiasm, resilience and willingness to learn that these girls have and they were tremendous representatives of our school community.

Well done girls!

Mr Declan McMullen

Illawarra Sports High School will be holding the Year 6 Talented Sport Program Trials on Wednesday March 25 and Wednesday July 29.

The Trials are open to current Year 6 students seeking selection into the Talented Sports and Development Program at ISHS in year 7 2027.

Conditions of Trialling -

• Students MUST be registered in a community club or representative team in the sport they are trialling for.
• Students do not have to wear school uniform, they can wear whatever training kit they feel comfortable in.
• Water bottle and snack is recommended.

Trial 1

Wednesday 25 March

Illawarra Sports High School

9:00am to 12:00pm

Trial 2

Wednesday 29 July 29

Illawarra Sports High School

9:00am to 12:00pm

Students need – comfortable training kit, shin pads, playing boots AND normal runners, water bottle, snack, any medication required, e.g. puffer.

Parents are not permitted to stay on school grounds to spectate.

Contact the school for more details on sporting criteria and level required.

If wet weather - an alternate venue or date will be emailed to parents.

Final information and online application form will be emailed to parents the week prior to the trials.

Uniform orders are filled weekly by P&C volunteers.

School hats/caps are available to purchase from the front Office, cash payments only.

Further information on ordering uniforms can be found on the school website.

Please be aware that there are students in our school with allergies to nuts. We ask that you give consideration to voluntarily agreeing not to send nut products, in particular peanuts and peanut butter to school.