DO YOU WANT TO FAST THIS LENT?
In the words of Pope Francis
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and have trust in God.
Fast from complaints; contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness; fill your hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words; be silent and listen.
Message From The Principal
Dear Parents and Carers
Saturday 8th March is International Women’s Day – the theme this year is ‘Give to Gain’ and emphasises a mindset of generosity and collaboration. This “emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it’s intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.
Whether through donations, knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education, training, mentoring, or time, contributing to women’s advancement helps create a more supportive and interconnected world.”
(https://www.internationalwomensday.com)
On Tuesday, as part of our bushfire plan, students and staff took part in a bushfire evacuation drill. This is important in maintaining good processes that will ensure everyone’s safety should a bush fire occur. Talking to students about this, educating them and practising these in a calm way help to build skills and understanding and makes them feel safe and capable.
Our school offers many extra-curricular activities with our before school swimming training, Year 4s recently completing swimming lessons and our Year 6s currently participating in surfing. The many opportunities add value to each child’s education and provide avenues for all students to reach their full potential. This can’t happen without the support and efforts from community and staff. Thank you to parents and staff who are currently coordinating, organising or assisting with additional activities for our students. Many after school activities are also available and some of these are listed on our website under “WCPS Families”. Some additional activities are added as they become available, and details can be found in the school newsletter.
Students in Years 3 and 5 will commence NAPLAN testing in Week 6. This is a national test to track the progress of Year 3 and 5 students for the country, the state, systems and for schools. Some students become anxious around these tests by the attention placed on them by the media. These are a snapshot of how your child has performed on a particular day and shouldn’t cause any stress for your child or family. It is important that routines are maintained as per a regular school week and that children, as expected each week, attend, are well rested, well fed and happy to come to school. We utilise these tests for school planning and monitoring along with many other sources of data and your child just needs to know to try their best.
Congratulations to Virginia Gamble who was the successful applicant in our recent Education Assistant interviews. Virginia is replacing Mrs Vanessa Chamberlain who has been appointed as a coordinator as part of the Warwick Stadium basketball program. Well done to Vanessa and we thank her for her many years of service and dedication to our school and community. We look forward to welcoming Virginia to our team.
Harmony Day will occur on Friday 20th March. Students may choose to wear orange or clothing that is representative of their culture. Talk to your child about some practical ways they can demonstrate ‘Harmony – Culture connects us all’ in their day-to-day actions.
Interviews for 2028 Kindy places will occur during this term. There is significant demand for places at Whitford Catholic Primary School, so please ensure that if you or someone close to you is intending to send their child to our school in 2028, they have completed and submitted an application form.
Parents and community members are welcome and invited to attend our Junior Assembly this Friday. Please also keep an eye out for information regarding the P&F Pizza Night and welcome event to be held on the evening of Friday, March 27.
Best wishes and God bless
Mark Marando
Principal
Calendar
Week 5
Friday, 6 March
Junior Assembly | 2G
Week 6
Monday, 9 March
Year 6 Surfing Lessons
Wednesday, 11 March
Year 3 & 5 NAPLAN (Writing)
Year 2 Class Liturgy
Thursday, 12 March
Year 3 & 5 NAPLAN (Reading)
Year 3 & 5 NAPLAN (Catch Up)
Friday, 13 March
Year 3 & 5 NAPLAN (Catch Up)
Interhouse Swimming Carnival | Year 3-6 – Arena Joondalup Gym
TERM 2026 DATES
Term 1
2 February to 2 April 2026
Term 2
21 April to 3 July 2026
Term 3
21 July to 24 September 2026
Term 4
13 October to 11 December 2026
TERM 2027 DATES
Term 1
28 January to 9 April 2027
Term 2
27 April to 25 June 2027
Term 3
19 July to 23 September 2027
Term 4
12 October to 10 December 2027
NAPLAN
NAPLAN assessments will take place from the 11th of March until the 20th of March. Assessments are given in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation and numeracy. Students will complete the assessments online, except for the Year 3 Writing assessment, which will be completed on paper. The NAPLAN brochure sent home at the beginning of the term, to the parents of Year 3 and 5 students, gives more information about NAPLAN.
The NAPLAN assessments are one of the methods that schools use to determine the achievement of our students and can support school improvement by enabling teachers to monitor their students’ progress over time against the national measure. It provides additional information to support teacher judgement about improvement in a child’s level of literacy and numeracy.
Teachers will be working with students to ensure they are familiar with the test format, but it is important not to overstate the importance of the tests or to build up anxiety in the children.
Book Club Reminder!
Book Club Orders for Issue 2 must be completed by Thursday 12th March.
Project Compassion
Second Week of Lent
This Lent, we are proud to support Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion and to stand in solidarity with school communities across the world who have their education disrupted by the daily struggle for clean, safe water.
This week, we’re introduced to Sisilia, a 13-year-old girl from Tanzania. Sisilia supported her mother by walking long distances three times a day to fetch water. The water was unsafe, causing frequent illness, and the long walks left Sisilia exhausted and struggling to focus on her studies.
Thanks to Project Compassion and the support of schools like ours, Sisilia’s school and village now have safe clean water taps. This means it takes Sisilia just two minutes to collect water, giving her more time to learn so she can fulfil her dreams of one day becoming a pilot.
“I’d like to fly to different countries and pass through the sky.” – said Sisilia. “Also, I want to help my family live a better life. If I can study without spending so much time fetching water, I know I can achieve my dream.”
Together, through faith and action, we can bring hope and opportunity to those most in need.
Online at: projectcompassion.org.au
By phone at: 1800 024 413
SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE, IT’S TIME TO ENROL!
Every year Dental Health Services (DHS) offers parents and carers the chance to register their kids for free dental care at the School Dental Service (SDS). The offer is open to every student from the year they turn 5 until their 17th birthday and includes check-ups, fillings, and simple extractions.
Your child will soon bring home an envelope with an enrolment form, Frequently Asked Questions, and reply-paid envelope from DHS. Just fill in the enrolment form, pop it in the reply-paid envelope, and put it in your nearest post box.
Once we receive your form at DHS our team will register your child and arrange for you to receive an appointment in the mail. If you would like further information on DHS services and the SDS please visit our website: www.dental.wa.gov.au
eRideables in Schools from 2026
Whitford Catholic Primary School is committed to ensuring that our students are empowered to travel to and from school safely. We recognise that eRideable devices such as eScooters and eBikes are a popular mode of transport accessible to many within our School community. Equally, our School recognises that eRideables are subject to legislation that prohibit a child under the age of 16 from utilising these devices.
Therefore, from Monday 2 February 2026, students who are under 16 years of age will not be permitted to use or store an eRideable device on school premises.
Examples of eRideables include but are not limited to:
• eScooters
• eSkateboards
• hoverboards
• eSkates
• eUnicycles
The Road Safety Commission has developed a webpage with information about the Road Traffic Code (legislation) which can assist individuals in understanding their personal obligations where eRideables are concerned. For more information about eRideables please click here. We thank you in advance for your support of this initiative which will ensure the ongoing safety of our students and broader school community.
Kindy 2028 | Sibling Enrolment Now Open!
Enrolments for siblings starting Kindy in 2028 (born July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024) are now open! Please ensure you complete an Expression of Interest HERE to secure your place!
P&F and Whitty Dads
'Slice to Meet You' - P&F Free Family Pizza Party
Whitty Dads Camp Out 2026!
Ken's Club
Over the past couple of years, Ken White has been generously offering his time to support our Year 4 students with their times tables. We’re now excited to grow this wonderful initiative and invite WCPS Grandparents to join Ken’s Club 2026 – helping students build confidence and master their times tables!
If you would like to be part of this rewarding program, please email your expression of interest to: admin@wcps.wa.edu.au
Parking & Drive-Through
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Kiss and Go – not park and walk student/s in
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No pulling up in the No Standing area in front of the car bays near the entry gate
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No u-turn to go back down Barradine Way
CEWA Announcement | Three-week Mid-Year Break
Catholic Education WA (CEWA) has announced it intends to implement a three-week mid-year break across its 150 schools from the 2027 academic year. The implementation of this initiative will not only bring our school in line with practices at other Independent Catholic Schools but is based on significant research into how the change will positively impact teaching, learning, and wellbeing. I want to stress that there won’t be any changes to the hours of instruction your child receives as a result of this initiative, however small adjustments to individual term calendars and school timetables may be required. Please see the link below for frequently asked questions regarding the implementation of the three-week break.
Summer Uniform | Term 1
Uniforms are available from Tara Matrix online (search for Whitford Catholic Primary School) or by visiting their showroom at 1 Hasler Road, Osborne Park.
Social Media
To stay updated with the incredible adventures and activities our students have been up to, from heartwarming moments in the classroom to exciting field trips and everything in between, make sure you follow our socials!
Simply click on the below to like and follow for more exclusive WCPS content…
After School Activities
Keyed Up Music
Learn music at Whitford Catholic Primary School!
Term 3 enrolments for Keyed Up Music lessons are now open, visit their website to save a spot to start your child’s musical journey. Enrolments • Piano Lessons and Guitar Lessons Perth – Keyed Up Music – Piano Lessons and Guitar Lessons Perth
- Keyboard and guitar starting from $22.55 for a group lesson.
- Held after school. Enrol now for lessons!
Contact: 0479 171 424
NICK CORRIGAN’S SOCCER SCHOOLS | Term 1
Kindy to Year 3
Monday 9 February to 30th March
Kindy: 2.50pm | 25 minute class|
Older Class: 3.25pm | 1hour class
Young Engineers STEM Club | Term 1 2026!
Beginner Engineering and Robotics (Yr 1 -6)
Welcome to Young Engineers STEM Clubs – Term 1, 2026!
We are excited to announce that enrolments are now open for our Young Engineers STEM Clubs. Our after-school programs will be resuming from Week 2 of Term 1, and we look forward to welcoming both new and returning students.
Places are limited, so we kindly encourage you to secure your child’s spot early to avoid missing out.
Please follow the enrolment link below to complete the registration process.
You will also find the attached flyer with full program details, including dates and session information.
Community Notices
enrolments@mdc.wa.edu.au or (08) 9405 4777
Whitfords PlayConnect+ Playgroup
Free playgroups for children 0-5 years with delayed development and/or disability (no diagnosis is necessary).
Where: Whitford Family Centre, 21C Endeavour Road, Hillarys
When: Tuesday (during school term)
Time: 9.30am to 11.30am
Curtin University Hockey Club – “Pirates!”
School’s back – Hockey Starts, if you are keen to play and still looking for a club, Curtin University Hockey Club – “Pirates!” are seeking a few extra players to fill their J5/6 and J7/8 hockey teams. Please reach out to Gabby via juniors@cuhc.org.au or on 0422 946 967.
Mullaloo Boardriders
Memberships from $50 to $150.
All inclusive club based on community and good vibes.
For more information
Junior Basketball Competition
We are currently seeking under 8’s, 14’s, and 16’s teams for a viable competition and there are also a few spaces left in the under 10’s and 12’s.
The program is open to all skills levels from beginners to advanced with a focus on fun and fairness.
For more information
Quinns Rocks MyTime
This peer support program offers a safe space to come and meet others with a child with disability, developmental delay or chronic medical condition. These facilitated sessions are an opportunity for parents and carers to connect, share and gain information. Join us for our first session on Friday 13th February, 9.30am-11.30am, ongoing through the school term.
Children under 4 years welcome to attend!
Share Your World | Become a Foster Carer
You can make an extraordinary difference in the life of a young person by sharing those ordinary, everyday moments. To learn more about foster care
Saver Plus
Get up to $500 for education costs…
Achieve a savings goal for 10 months, and ANZ will match it up to $500.
To be eligible, you need to meet these requirements:
- 18 years or older
- A regular income (you or your partner)
- Attend free online financial education workshops
- Are studying yourself or have a child at school, or starting next year
- Current Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card
Contact: Saverplus.org.au or 1300 610 355
PCCRW
At PCCRW, we are working towards a sustainable approach to address this growing environmental concern. Everything that comes to PCCRW is repurposed, recycled, donated!
We accepted donations of op shop-grade clothing, school uniforms and much more…. Book in for a free pick up through our website: www.pccrw.com.au
2027 Kindy Enrolments Now Open!!
WCPS are now accepting Expressions of Interest for students starting Kindergarten in 2027!
Our Kindy programme aims to:
🌟Enhance personal development through a variety of stimulating activities and play, where children feel free to explore and experiment.
💙Build self-esteem and confidence in sharing cultural backgrounds, individual talents and needs
👍Encourage the development of positive social behaviour
☀️Create a safe, happy, and caring environment for all children, including those with special needs.
To find out more
School CCTV Notice
Please be aware that the school is monitored by CCTV for the safety of our students, staff and vistors.
For more information, please contact the office.
Dogs on School Grounds
Under no circumstances are dogs of any size or kind to be brought on to school grounds. Some students have allergies to dogs and others may be frightened of dogs or especially attracted to dogs, which may cause a dangerous situation for students and staff. Parent cooperation with this matter is appreciated.
Social Media
PUBLISHING PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Please note that, while staff at WCPS take a lot of care to ensure that children who do not have permission to be published do not appear on the school’s social media, this process is undertaken manually and occasionally photos will be missed.
If you notice your child has been published and you would like their photo removed, please contact the school office.