STUDENT SUCCESS:
Congratulations to Carter B who stood so proudly as a strong Aboriginal student and performed on the stage, along with the visiting performers, to play the clapping sticks and create a beat for the visiting dance troupe. We were all so proud of you Carter! Thanks also to the families who gave permission for their children to take part in this cultural performance. All Aboriginal students (and a friend) then followed up with a special outdoor dance workshop in our school’s Yarning Circle area. It was great event!
The much-awaited Ms P’s Water Pistol Party on the top oval will now take place in Week 7, as this will allow more students to receive an invitation. Unfortunately, I will be unable to take part in this fun afternoon session (see the final note in this newsletter as to why) but Miss Bath is going to run it in my absence. Be kind to her kids… when you are drowning her in water! 😊
MADD NIGHT:
I know the temperature was particularly cruel on MADD night, but I must extend a sincere congratulations to all students who showcased their incredible CAPA talents, and the families who sat through the heat to support their children. Thank you to the organisation team, staff who coordinated performances and holding rooms, and the families who were able to attend this annual event.
An important reminder for 2026, is that this is an ‘after-hours event’ hosted by the school. All communication with families clearly indicated that any attending students must be accompanied by an adult/parent/carer. There was some confusion again this year at entry gates where staff were unable to allow unaccompanied students who had simply been dropped off, to enter the school grounds. This is a student wellbeing issue as staff who are responsible for running and hosting events across the school in a wide variety of spaces offered, cannot also be responsible for supervising students out in the audience areas and on school grounds. Some students also thought this was an opportunity to be kicking footballs on the basketball court area whilst performances were happening under the COLA. Please remember that footy games, play equipment etc are not part of the afternoon’s showcased Creative and Performing Arts events. I kindly ask parents to reflect on these reminders when planning your evening out at MADD night 2026.
SCHOOL CANTEEN ISSUES:
Orders through the canteen have still been low on Mondays and the ladies have consistently closed immediately following lunch service. I have informed the new principal Mr Lewis of this ongoing issue for our canteen provider, and he will make a decision in the coming weeks regarding the viability of the canteen remaining open or closing on Mondays moving forward.
GRANDPARENTS DAY:
What a successful afternoon for our classes and all the grandparents who came along and took part. The feedback has been very positive, and we hope to see another fabulous turnout for Grandparents Day 2026.
SCHOOL P & C WORKING BEE:
A heart-felt thank you to the P C members who coordinated Sunday’s very successful working bee, especially Mr Peter Kretschmer. The nature play area located beside the blue fort and the new building looks amazing! As these well-established plants begin to grow, this area will continue to be an even more wonderful play area for our students. Thank you to the staff and parents who were able to give up part of their Sunday morning to lend a hand.
CLASSES FOR 2026:
The exec team are currently trying to sort staffing and number of classes we will have at WBPS for 2026, and this is based on enrolment numbers. If you know that you are planning to move your children to a new school next year, could you please reach out to let us know, as this assists us to form classes based on actual numbers. Later in the term, the exec team will assist Mr Lewis in the formulation of actual students within the finalised classes. We ask families who have special requests for us to take into consideration, to send us an email so that your requests can be looked at later in the term.
2026 SE SPEECHES:
Congratulations to the 15 girls and 8 boys in Year 5 who presented their incredible speeches to their Year 5 cohort today. I was so proud of each and every student who stood so confidently to tell us why they would make a great captain or SE member for 2026. The votes will be tallied this afternoon, and then the final twelve S.E. (6 girls and 6 boys) will be announced tomorrow morning to Year 5. Then the 12 names will be sent out to the community via the Audiri app. The final 12 candidates will then present their speeches to all of K-6 in the hall this Thursday morning, 6th November. Families of the 12 candidates are encouraged to come along and support them. Once the final 12 are announced to the students tomorrow, this will allow for other students to then decide if they wish to stand for House Captains or librarian roles. House Captains speeches will be presented to their house members next Tuesday 11th November. These speeches are for students and staff only. Students interested in a role as a student librarian need to let Mrs Freund know as soon as possible. As in the past, the final positions in the 2026 student exec team will remain a secret until they are announced at the WBPS Presentation Day assembly on 9th December. We wish all students running for a 2026 leadership position all the best and we look forward to Mr Tim Lewis announcing the successful candidates at the Week 9 celebrations.
P & C GOLF FUNDRAISER:
Apparently, the golf day was fun and also an outstanding fundraiser for our school. A sincere thank you to Duncan Burck and his team for the work they put into coordinating the event. Information regarding the total raised to support the purchase of resources to aid all students who visit our school library will be reported at the next P & C meeting. Thanks also to Mrs Michelle Freund who went out early in the morning to assist with the official welcome and opening of the event.
WELCOME TO MR LEWIS AND FAREWELL TO MS PATRICK:
Our staff and families would like to extend a warm welcome to Mr Tim Lewis, our new WBPS principal who will take over the helm next week on Monday 10th November. Tim is a very experienced principal who is really looking forward to working with our beautiful students and amazing school community. In his first days he will be out and about, meeting and getting to know all students and seeing how well we do things here at Warners Bay. Tim will be on bus duty at the Mills St gates some afternoons, so I encourage parents to reach out and welcome him if you see him on duty. Starting in Week 5 of Term 4 is a little tricky as a new leader, but doing so will allow Mr Lewis to get a feel for the place and then hit the ground running in 2026. I know I am leaving the school in very capable hands. All the best, Tim!
So, that brings me to my farewell message to our current and former Warners Bay families. After just short of 17 years at WBPS, and 41 years of teaching, I am now going to take some much-needed time to spend with my family and find out ‘what life after teaching for so long’ will look like for me. I have loved every day of my amazing career in education, and I will be very sad to say goodbye to this wonderful community who has made my last place of work, such a memorable one. I thank all of the wonderful kids I have been able to guide and support along their learning journey and appreciate the incredible partnerships I have formed with their parents and carers. The staff at WBPS has been forever evolving in my time here but I have to say…they are truly always the most incredible team of people, who go above and beyond every day to support and nurture every child in every possible way.
Once I spend some time doing a hand over with Mr Lewis, I will commence my leave with the intention to retire later in 2026. I have a fabulous USA/ Canada/ Alaska trip all booked for August/September next year and I cannot wait to head out. I also plan to finally have some time to support my family, who have always taken a back seat to my school family. And to those students who know me well, I say with much joy…I am going to finally find time to take up painting again. It has always been a passion that I have shared with my classes over the years… but one that I may now have time to do in my down time.
I wish everyone at WBPS a wonderful end to the 2025 school year. Please come up and say hi if you see me out and about enjoying my retirement. And never forget kids… it’s your ‘Best Always’ in everything you do in this life! 😊
Much love and best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous future to you all.
Ms Janine Patrick
Acting Principal
