FROM THE PRINCIPAL
WELCOME BACK 
Welcome back to 2025 at Wellard Primary School!!  I would sincerely like to thank staff, students and parents for a great start to the school year. We have had an unbelievably smooth start to the year due to our super organised school community.

It was such a delight to see all the children’s smiling faces as they arrived at their classrooms on the first couple of days of school. The school has a really good feel about it and we are all looking forward to another excellent year. 

Having spent two days with all staff prior to the students returning, I am extremely proud of the quality of teachers, education assistants and non-teaching staff we have at Wellard - they are truly second to none. My message is the same as last year…if I had three pieces of advice to give to parents and carers, it would be: 1. ‘talk to your child’s teacher,’ 2. ‘talk to your child’s teacher,’ 3. ‘talk to your child’s teacher.’ They are a great resource for you, and they want your child to be successful as much as you do. This is a message I emphasise at the beginning of every year.

ENROLMENTS AND STAFFING
We have commenced the school year with 935 students (798 families) from Years K – Year 6 making up 40 classes. A total of 13 new staff (teaching and non-teaching) have been appointed at the beginning of this year. These staff have been bolded in the staff list below. A special welcome to all, we are certainly looking forward to having you aboard and adding significant value to our school.

TRAFFIC CONGESTION BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL
I am pleased to announce that we have had confirmation of a Traffic Warden being placed on the corner of Irasburg Parade and McWhirter Promenade. This will take some time to eventuate as the appropriate infrastructure needs to be in place first. 

Thank you to everyone for your patience and cooperation when dropping off and picking up your children. It is most important that we just accept that picking up your child after school may take up to 15 minutes. I encourage those families who live close to school to walk or ride to try and reduce congestion. Parents of Yr 1 – 6 students are encouraged to use the “Kiss and Drive” on Jaspar Bend and McWhirter Promenade. Please ensure you adhere to the following requests so that we keep your children as safe as possible:
•    Parents are not permitted to leave their vehicle at the Kiss and Drive and are asked to drive to the farthest bay in the Kiss and Drive.
•    DO NOT allow your child to exit your vehicle on the roadside of your vehicle, they must exit on the kerb side when using the Kiss & Drive.
•    When using the McWhirter car park please enter and exit following the directional arrows.
•    Do not stop on the zebra crossings in the McWhirter car park. These crossings MUST be kept free for pedestrians.
•    DO NOT park in the Disabled Bays unless you have an ACROD sticker. We have a number of parents/carers that require these bays.

CLOSED CAR PARK
Very soon the dirt car park on the western side of the basketball courts will be fenced off and will not be accessible by parents. This is because the City of Kwinana is commencing the construction of a new pavilion and carpark. I am not sure of the timeline associated with the completion of this project.

NEWSLETTER
Newsletters are published every three weeks on a Tuesday and will be distributed via Connect and our school website. A newsletter will be going home in Week 6 and 9 of this term. This newsletter is quite lengthy as I want to inform the school community of many organisational matters associated with a new school year. Future newsletters should only be 4 - 5 pages in length.

INVOLVEMENT OF PARENTS/GUARDIANS IN WELLARD PRIMARY SCHOOL
Wellard Primary School aims for parents and carers to feel welcome, to be listened to, to be actively involved and supported in their child’s education and to support the school in providing the best possible education for their children.

P&C ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Wellard P&C will be conducting their Annual General Meeting on Monday 24th February (Week 4) commencing at 2.00pm in the Staff Room and finishing by 2.45pm. This will enable parents to attend the meeting and then pick up their children immediately afterwards. Instead of sitting in your vehicle, come inside and be part of the P&C.

THANK YOU
I would like to thank and acknowledge our cleaners and gardener for the great job they did over the holiday period.  It is great to have a work environment which is clean and tidy.  We are most fortunate to have Ms Donelle Fontana (Head Cleaner), Ms Vilma Mendoza (Cleaner), Ms Annette Nevermann (Cleaner), Ms Judith Mamansag (Cleaner), Shirley Evangelista (Cleaner), Marilou Vicente (Cleaner) and Mr Mike Padavan (Gardener).  These staff make a significant contribution to our school and go beyond what is expected in their everyday duties.  Their efforts are greatly appreciated.

SCHOOL STAFF 2025 

Mr Geoff Miller    Principal
Ms Jess Gibson    Deputy Principal
Mrs Glenda Tucker    Deputy Principal
Mr Brenton Simmons    Deputy Principal
Mrs Deanne Tabone    Manager of Corporate Services
Mrs Angela Whisson    School Officer
Ms Kellie Meheux    School Officer
Mrs Brittney Webber    School Officer
Mrs Jane Rogers    Library Officer
Mr Mike Padavan    Gardener
Mrs Donelle Noonan    Cleaner in Charge
Ms Vilma Mandoza    Cleaner
Ms Annette Nevermann    Cleaner
Ms Judith Mamansag    Cleaner
Ms Shirley Evangelista    Cleaner
Ms Marilou Vicente    Cleaner
Ms Katie Tunnacliffe    Teacher EC 1 Kindergarten Groups A & B
Miss Stacey Loe     K Education Assistant EC 1
Ms Caroline D’Mellow    Teacher EC 2 Kindergarten Groups C & D
Mrs Helen Benson     PP Education Assistant EC 2 
Miss Alanna D’Asciano    Teacher EC 3 Kindergarten Groups E & F
Mrs Deborah Chalmers    K Education Assistant EC 3
Ms Alison Hoeberigs    K Education Assistant EC 3
Mrs Leandri Korf    Teacher EC 4 Pre-Primary
Mrs Deb Bywater    PP Education Assistant EC 4
Ms Erindra Balage         Teacher EC 5 Pre-Primary
Ms Tracy McDermott     PP Education Assistant EC 5
Miss Samara Fry    Teacher EC 6 Pre-primary
Miss Ash Sims    PP Education Assistant EC 6
Miss Angelica Tapnio    PP Education Assistant EC 6
Ms Sophie Baker    Teacher EC 7 Pre-primary
Mrs Bhagyashri Katamble    PP Education Assistant EC 7
Mrs Crystal McDonald    PP Education Assistant EC 7
Mrs Emily Cobbett    Teacher EC8 Pre-primary
Mrs Justine Iuculano    PP Education Assistant EC 8
Mrs Janelle Sewell    Teacher K/PP Support Teacher
Miss Sara Toh    Teacher K/PP Support Teacher
Mrs Shailey McGinty    Teacher K/PP Support Teacher
Ms Suzy Chessell    Teacher K/PP Support Teacher
Ms Leesa Wallen    Teacher Yr 1 Rm 1
Mrs Jess Hodges    Teacher Yr 1 Rm 2
Mrs Laura Ninnes
Mrs Sonia Bradfield    Teacher Yr 1 Rm 3
Miss Breanne Ennor    Teacher Yr 1 Rm 4
Miss Jasmine Walshe     Teacher Yr 1 Rm 28
Miss Alicia Fraser    Teacher Yr 1 Rm 29
Miss Karyn Stacey    Teacher Yr 2 Rm 30
Mrs Victoria Zanella    Teacher Yr 2 Rm 21
Miss Imogen Craigie    Teacher Yr 2 Rm 22
Miss Sophia Matier    Teacher Yr 2 Rm 23
Mrs Elyce Neidig    Teacher Yr 2 Rm 24
Miss Keeleigh McCauley    Teacher Yr 3 Rm 25
Miss Josie Kearney    Teacher Yr 3 Rm 26
Miss Cienna Croker    Teacher Yr 3 Rm 8 
Miss Emily Bean    Teacher Yr 3 Rm 7
Miss Natasha Griffin    Teacher Yr 3 Rm 27
Miss Anna Clay    Teacher Yr 3 Rm 5
Mrs Deb De Groot    Education Assistant Jun Primary
Miss Caitlyn Daniels    Teacher Yr 4 Rm 6
Miss Nicole Rindel    Teacher Yr 4 Rm 13
Miss Remy Barrett    Teacher Yr 4 Rm 14
Mr Joshua Forrest    Teacher Yr 4 Rm 15
Mrs Rachael Petterwood    Teacher Yr 5 Rm 16
Mrs Gemma Johnson    Teacher Yr 5 Rm 17
Miss Jordan Parkin    Teacher Yr 5 Rm 18
Miss Jemma Wright    Teacher Yr 5 Rm 19
Miss Ash Alden    Teacher Yr 6 Rm 20
Mrs Alanna Matrozis    Teacher Yr 6 Rm 9
Mr Zachary Van Berkel    Teacher Yr 6 Rm 10
Miss Jess Foster    Teacher Yr 6 Rm 31
Miss Amy Della Bosca    Special Needs Education Assistant
Ms Mahak Chaturvedi    Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Bree Francis    Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Jaqina Frerk    Special Needs Education Assistant
Ms Erica Mutch    Special Needs Education Assistant
Miss Amy Toole    Special Needs Education Assistant
Miss Kaitlynn Shoppee    Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Nicole Radcliffe    Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Alexis Edkins    Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Deepthi Sanapala    Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Shamila Alam    Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Anastazja Saunders    Special Needs Education Assistant
Miss Alex Broniecki    Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Amy Gunn    Special Needs Education Assistant
Ms Kathy Kingston    Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Amy Gunn    Special Needs Education Assistant
Ms Teisha Sapina    Special Needs Education Assistant
Ms Olivia Barjaktarevic    Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Heather Hitchcock    Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Madison Sutherland    Special Needs Education Assistant
Mr Matthew Paparone    Teacher Physical Education
Mr David McIntyre    Teacher Physical Education
Mrs Hayley Scott    Teacher Physical Education
Mr Niall Ridgeway    Teacher Music
Mrs Mel Gwatkin    Health Teacher 
Miss Beth Hagen    
Mrs Rochelle Protzman
Mrs Tamara Brew    Teacher Visual Arts 
Mrs Kylea Singleton
Mrs Clare Freeman    Science Teacher
Miss Clancy Micale    Literacy Intervention Coordinator
Mrs Kayleigh Hart    Support Teacher
Mrs Keelley Bradshaw    School Psychologist
Miss Callyn Fynn    School Chaplain
Mrs Linda Horsten    Canteen Manager

CLASS PARENT MEETINGS
We have traditionally conducted these meetings in Weeks 3 & 4 of Term 1. Unfortunately, they are not well attended by parents (we are all very busy) so we have decided that classroom teachers will send home an information package prior to the end of Week 4. Parents are then encouraged to make a time with their child’s teacher if they would like more information. 

SPECIALIST AREAS
Students in Years 1 – 6 will access specialist programs in Music, Physical Education, Visual Arts, Bounce Back (Social & Emotional Program), Noongar Language and Science. In total, students will have access to 300 minutes of these learning areas. 

GATE TIMES AND BIKE RACKS
In the morning, gates and bike racks will be opened at 8.20am and then locked at 8.50am. In the afternoon gates and bike racks will be opened at 2.40pm and locked at 3.15pm. The gate to the left of Teaching Block 2 (left of admin building) will be open before and after school for OSHClub. This is only to be used by those families accessing before and after school care. 

ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL
Students arriving at school (without parents) between 8.20am – 8.40am are to sit in between the library and Teaching Block 4 where they can be supervised. Students arriving with parents can sit outside their classroom until doors are opened at 8.40am. Please do not allow your children to play on the playground equipment before school as we are unsure about which students are actually being supervised by parents. This presents a “Duty of Care” issue as ALL students should be supervised once they are on school grounds. I appreciate your cooperation with this.

OSHCLUB
Parents can access OSHClub on 0458 001 770 to access outside school hours care before and after school. You can enrol online via oshclub.com.au

CANTEEN
A reminder that our Canteen Manager, Mrs Linda Horsten, opens the canteen four days per week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The canteen menu is available on Connect. Please note you are able to place online orders through the Spriggy App.

STATIONERY ITEMS
Parents are asked to ensure that students come to school with all of the stationery items as per the booklist.  If students do not have the appropriate items they are at a disadvantage and become anxious because everyone else has the right equipment and they don’t.

UNIFORMS AND HATS
It is fabulous to see all of our students wearing the school uniform to school. Students are reminded that they are required to wear a hat at all times at lunch and afternoon recess. Please ensure all items of clothing (especially jackets and hats) are clearly labelled. Uniforms and hats can be purchased online through Uniform Concepts (nellgray.com.au).

CELEBRATION OF STUDENT BIRTHDAYS IN 2025
As per school policy, parents are reminded NOT to send in any food in celebration of their child’s Birthday. This is because we have an ever increasing number of students with allergies, and as a school we need to guarantee their safety, health and wellbeing. Also, our Healthy, Food and Drinks Policy requires us to provide children with healthy food at every opportunity. Consequently, we will be acknowledging each child’s birthday (provided the child wants this) in a variety ways depending on the age of the children. This will be initiated by the actions of the teacher not parents. Please do NOT send in cupcakes, lolly bags etc. 

SCHOOL SIREN TIMES
The following times operate for Yr 1 – 6 children:

8.40am        Classroom Doors are to be 
            opened
8.50am          School commences
11.00 – 11.22am       Lunch - play
11.22 – 11.40am    Lunch – Eating Time
1.40pm        Afternoon Recess
2.00pm        Conclusion of Afternoon 
            Recess
3.00pm           End of Day

Kindergarten and Pre-primary students are to arrive at school between 8.20 – 8.35am with school commencing at 8.35am. There is some leniency around these times for the first two weeks of school until such time as students have settled into their classrooms. Students in K & PP finish at 2.45pm. I ask that if parents then go and wait outside an older sibling’s classroom that the noise is kept to a minimum so the teaching and learning program is not interrupted in surrounding classrooms. Parents are reminded that students should not arrive at school before 8.20am unless they have made prior arrangement with Administration or are attending OSHClub.

VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS 
Payment of Voluntary Contributions is now due. Funds raised through these contributions are used to purchase resources etc. to complement the educational programs we run throughout the school. Thank you to those families who have already paid their contributions. As a school we are always conscious of the costs we seek from parents in relation to educational activities. 

Kindergarten – Year 6 - $60 per child per year.

Our preferred way of payment is by using our Qkr App, please see attached PDF for details.
 
School contributions can also be paid at the office or by direct deposit:
Account Name: Wellard Primary School
(Please use the student’s surname as reference)
BSB: 066 040    Account Number 19901412

TERM DATES FOR STUDENTS FOR 2025
Term 1 Wednesday 5th February – Thursday 11th April
Term 2 Monday 28th April - Friday 4th July
Term 3 Monday 21st July - Friday 26th September
Term 4 Monday 13th October - Thursday 18th December

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT DAYS FOR 2025
Term 1 - Monday 3rd February and Tuesday 4th February
Term 2 – Friday 30th May (Week 5)
Term 3 – Monday 25th August (Week 6)
Term 4 – Friday 21st November (Week 6) and Friday 19th December (Week 10)

TERM PLANNER
A copy of our Term Planner can be found on our school website at www.wellardps.wa.edu.au 
 
Thanks everyone and have a great year!

Geoff Miller
Principal