Dandenong West Primary School

A Taste of Northern Italy is Coming to DWPS for just $5 this Friday - Staff and parents
Dear staff and parents/carers

This Friday, we’re bringing the flavours of Northern Italy to DWPS, with Mushroom Risotto on the menu, for just $5

This isn’t restaurant-style risotto where the rice is pre-cooked, and the flavours are added when you order. We’re making it the authentic Italian way, all prepared in-house, slowly cooked to create that deliciously creamy texture. Please see the photo, attached.

Limited numbers available, so please pre-order by Thursday morning at the front office.

When you add your name to the order, please also let us know how you like your risotto: Al dente: authentic Italian style, with a slight bite to the rice or, softer: cooked a little longer for a softer texture.

Food will be served to staff and parents/carers from 1pm to 1:40pm in the school café. Please pay at the office with your order.

Ingredients:
Brown onion
Oil
Garlic
Arborio rice
Lemon
Vegetable stock (carrots, celery ,bay leaf, thyme, parsley)
Mushrooms
Parmesan
Chives

When I first moved to Australia, I could read and write English, but I found it difficult to understand people and to speak confidently. My daughter was in primary school, so I made a point of chatting with other parents whenever I could: before school, after pickup, or whenever I was at school. Those simple conversations helped me improve my English, build friendships, and feel part of the community.

Because of that experience, I know how valuable these everyday conversations can be. That's why I believe the Community Hub Café is such a wonderful initiative. It gives families a chance to gather over food, get to know one another, and talk. Better English leads to better communication, and better communication helps build a stronger, more connected school community.

Tomorrow (Friday), we'll be selling potato croquettes from 20 minutes before assembly. Only $2 for three croquettes.

Come for a snack, stay for the assembly to support your children, grab a cup of tea after the assembly, and keep the conversations going. Whether you're helping someone feel more confident speaking English or practising yourself, every chat helps make our community better.

What a wonderful start to our 6-week yoga journey! Today, our community hub enjoyed the first of six yoga sessions with the amazing Carla from Yogahood Australia Ltd. who has also provided yoga mats for everyone taking part ❤️

The aim of the program is to help you discover the many benefits of yoga, and at the end of the six weeks you’ll take your yoga mat home along with the confidence to continue your practice and enjoy the rewards.

If you have missed today’s session, don’t worry. Come along next Monday at 12 pm and join us. Just wear comfortable clothes and we’ll take care of the rest.

See you there!

Join DWPS Playgroup on Monday 27th and meet the Health Professionals. For more infor read the flyer below 👇

Join us for a fun and delicious meal on coming Friday at 3 Pm.
If you would like to help let us know. We always love to have extra hand to support our team.

For more information visit the flyer below 👇

While students enjoyed a day at home during our Curriculum Day last week, our staff were hard at work behind the scenes.

Our teachers dedicated the day to writing student reports, reflecting on each child’s growth, achievements and next steps in learning.

At the same time, our Education Support staff participated in professional learning focused on autism and neurodiversity. Led by Melbourne-based Visiting Teacher Runnitty Tagaloasa-Peteru from the Department of Education, the workshop explored how we can better understand and support students with diagnosed and undiagnosed disabilities to access their learning, build social connections and experience success at school.

Our Education Support staff work closely alongside students every day and often have a profound impact on their learning, wellbeing and sense of belonging. We are grateful for their commitment to continually strengthening their knowledge and practice to ensure every child feels understood, supported and included.

As it was Samoan Language Week in New Zealand, we also took the opportunity to celebrate the language, culture and contributions of our Samoan community. 🇼🇸 Runnitty and our Samoan staff taught us the beautiful song Savalivali, bringing plenty of smiles, laughter and cultural pride to the day.

Thank you, Runnitty, for sharing your expertise, culture and passion with our team. ❤️

We know it can be hard to get children off their devices, but have you ever wondered about the impact?

Less sleep, less physical activity, fewer social interactions and reduced attention can all affect children’s wellbeing.

Balance matters. What screen-free activities does your family enjoy?

ما می‌دانیم که دور کردن کودکان از وسایل دیجیتالی همیشه آسان نیست، اما آیا تا به حال به تأثیر آن فکر کرده‌اید؟

کمبود خواب، فعالیت بدنی کمتر، تعاملات اجتماعی کمتر و کاهش تمرکز می‌تواند بر سلامت و رفاه کودکان تأثیر بگذارد.

تعادل مهم است. خانواده شما از انجام چه فعالیت‌های بدون صفحه نمایش لذت می

FREE support for screentime overload Learn how to manage screentime with the FREE parenting program, Triple P Online: Children and Screens

Smile Squad are coming back to Dandenong West Primary School.

Today our Community Hub had the pleasure of visiting the incredible kitchen garden at St Dominic’s Primary School 🌱🍅
Just look at these photos and the amazing amount of love, care and hard work that has gone into creating this beautiful space. The garden is run by the wonderful Caroline, alongside many dedicated volunteers from the community. Together they grow, cook, share meals and spend quality time connecting with one another.
For the past 25 years — yes, 25 years!, Caroline has helped so many people build confidence through volunteering and community connection. Many have gone on to gain employment and new opportunities along the way.
We were welcomed with such generosity and warmth today, and we are so grateful for the experience. We’ve invited the group to visit our Hub soon, so watch this space! There will be an opportunity for our community to connect with another wonderful community in Melbourne’s north 💚
A special thank you to Community Hubs Australia for creating programs like this that allow communities to learn from one another, St Dominic’s Primary School for opening their doors to us so generously, and to our own school for supporting this valuable visit and connection opportunity.