Student opportunities and activities

WWPS School Band, led by Tamara Spencer from the Riverina Conservatorium of Music

Our school is fortunate to be located just across the road from the Riverina Conservatorium of Music. Students have the opportunity to attend specialist music lessons and learn their chosen instruments. Additionally, those who study at the Conservatorium can join our school band, which performs at major school events throughout the year.

Art Programs, led by Wagga Public School's very own exhibited artist, Mrs Elsley.

Mrs Elsley's artworks have featured in many local galleries and her knowledge of the concepts of art is invaluable for our students. Throughout her time at Wagga Wagga Public School, Mrs Elsley has led many meaningful, impactful art projects. This has included our school murals, a mural that is displayed at Wagga Hospital and the repainting of a water tank in a local park. We can't wait to see what our students do next

Dance Programs, choreographed by local dance instructor Centennial Tuavale and our talented teachers

We offer a range of opportunities for students interested in dance. Our students and dance groups regularly participate in Eisteddfods, the Riverina Dance Festivals, and, for those interested, the School Spectacular. For students who prefer non-competitive dance, our resident school DJs often roam the playground at lunchtime, teaching dance for fun.

Choir, led by local musician and teacher, Mrs Sadler-Knight

For students who enjoy singing, we offer a variety of choir opportunities both within and beyond the school. Our school choirs are expertly led by Mrs Sadler-Knight, a dedicated teacher and accomplished musician. In addition to her classroom role, Mrs Sadler-Knight brings her musical expertise to nurture our students’ talents.

We also participate in the CHORDS choir, a collaborative ensemble comprising students from local public schools. Many of our students have proudly been selected to perform in the prestigious School Spectacular, held at the Sydney Olympic Park.

Showcase Performance

Each term, our students look forward to the Showcase performance. This special event celebrates everything they have learned and created throughout the term. Families and the school community are invited to enjoy music, dance, and drama acts, along with displays of students' artistic talents. The Showcase is always a highlight of our school calendar, and we love seeing our students take pride in sharing their achievements with everyone.

Athletics Carnival

The Wagga Wagga Public School Athletics Carnival is the highlight of the school year! It’s a whole-school day out and the first time our new Kindergarten students join the entire school for a day of fun. Students from Years 3 to 6 put the skills they’ve learned in sport lessons to the test as they jump, throw, and run all day long. Our infants students enjoy tabloid-style events before heading to the track for the 50m races. There is nothing cuter than the smiles on our Kindergarteners’ faces as they cross the line to finish their first ‘big school’ race.

PSSA Sporting Teams

Our school provides students with the opportunity to nominate and trial for the Primary Sporting School Association (PSSA) teams in their chosen sport. If successful, students will represent the Riverina as part of a team made up of primary school students from across the district. Not only do students get to compete at a higher level, but they also have the chance to form new friendships along the way.

Swimming Carnival

Our annual swimming carnival takes place in the first term of each school year. Students from Years 3 to 6 who wish to compete slap on their sunscreen and swap the classroom for the Oasis Centre. While the competition in the pool is fierce, the camaraderie displayed by our three sporting houses as they cheer on their teammates creates a fantastic and uplifting atmosphere.

Cross Country

Our school cross country is held each year at Lake Albert. Students in Years 2 to 6 take part, and whether you are running competitively or simply enjoying the sunshine, it is a fun day for everyone!

Gala Days

Throughout the year, we are invited to a variety of sporting gala days. These events focus on participation and having a go! They offer a great opportunity for our students to try new sports and step bravely outside of their comfort zones.

Sporting Clinics

We regularly access the expertise of our local sporting associations, to deliver sporting clinics. From tennis to softball, and everything in between, students are exposed to the joy of learning a new sport, as well as developing their fundamental motor skills.

School & Sporting House Captains

Our Year 6 students who wish to nominate for a leadership role have the exciting opportunity to be elected as either School Captains or Sports Captains. These positions are decided through a peer voting process, ensuring that our leaders truly represent the voice of their fellow students. Once elected, our dedicated leadership team actively participate in various aspects of school life, including leading assemblies, warmly welcoming you at the school gates, and supporting our Kindergarten students during their transition. We are proud to see our student leaders making a positive impact throughout our school community.

Leadership Groups

At our school, leadership is not limited to official titles. Our Stage 1, 2 and 3 leadership groups play a vital role within our school community. We warmly welcome any student eager to develop their leadership skills and contribute positively to our school. Members of these groups take the lead in organising fundraising events, champion initiatives such as Nude Food Day and help keep our playgrounds tidy and welcoming. Leadership here is about making a difference, no matter your age or title.

Leadership Conferences

Each year, our leaders are invited to a variety of conferences and workshops designed to develop their leadership skills. These opportunities allow our leaders to reflect on their leadership style, their values, and how they can be effective leaders for their peers.

Volunteering

At Wagga Wagga Public School, we deeply value teamwork and community. It is important to us to instil this spirit of togetherness in our students and to show them the joy of helping others who are less fortunate. Throughout the year, our leadership groups lead initiatives that support local charities, providing our students with the opportunity to learn more about the community they belong to and to lend a helping hand to those in need. We hope that this kindness and sense of giving become qualities our students carry with them for a lifetime.

First Nations Leadership Group

Our First Nations students lead the way in sharing their culture with our school community. The leadership group actively contributes to a variety of programs and activities, fostering greater cultural awareness. Additionally, they participate in First Nations cultural excursions and workshops to strengthen their connection to their heritage.

Community Service HPGE groups

At our school, we do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do. This value is truly embodied by our identified HPGE leadership students as they actively seek ways to support and assist the community. Their actions are never motivated by reward or recognition, but by the understanding that kindness is what matters most. Whether it’s visiting nursing homes, creating sporting programs for local preschools, or helping to keep the lagoon clean by collecting rubbish, our HPGE students are always ready and willing to lend a hand.

Debating

Our school debating team, led by Mrs Mugridge, provides students with the opportunity to sharpen their critical thinking skills, build confidence in clear communication, and foster empathy. The team dedicates some lunch breaks to preparing for competitions against other local schools, which is usually live streamed for our school to watch. In recent years, our school has enjoyed great success in debating, even being crowned State champions! This is fantastic news for Wagga Public School, though perhaps less so for parents trying to persuade their children to go to bed!

Tournament of the Minds

Our school enjoys participating in the Tournament of the Minds (TOM). This is an international competition where our TOM team, come together to 'solve demanding, open-ended challenges.' Through their involvement in this program, students develop their problem solving skills, along with their ability to work within a team.

Public Speaking

While public speaking can be daunting for some, it is a skill that becomes easier with practice. We offer many opportunities for students to develop their public speaking skills within the classroom, and we also host a Public Speaking Day where students deliver speeches they have prepared to the school community. We enjoy listening to their interesting and informative presentations, but what we value most is witnessing the pride they take in facing the challenge and doing the 'hard thing.'

Chess Club

Our Wagga Wagga Public School chess team competes every Friday afternoon, facing off against students from our local public school. The matches alternate between home and away games, giving our students the chance to play in different environments. Our players embrace the opportunity to challenge themselves against some of the sharpest chess minds in town and are often praised for the skills and sportsmanship!

Competitions & Challenges

We regularly provide opportunities for students to participate in challenges that develop their reading and writing skills. Competitions such as the Premier’s Reading Challenge and the Write On writing competition allow students to test their abilities against peers across the state. Pictured is Year 4 student, Elsie, whose winning entry into the First Nations Photography Competition, is hung proudly in our school office.

Contributing to the recognition of Sorry Day & Reconciliation Week

Each year, the Wagga Wagga City Council hosts a ceremony to reflect on and recognise National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week. Our school’s First Nations leaders are invited to attend and participate in the ceremony, providing a valuable opportunity to share the significance of these days with both our school community and the wider community.

Harmony Day

At Wagga Wagga Public School, we are proud to celebrate the rich diversity of our student community. With over 20 different cultures represented, including our First Nations students, our school offers countless opportunities to learn from and appreciate each other. On Harmony Day, we come together to honour and celebrate this cultural richness, and throughout the year we participate in a range of activities that help us better understand and value the different backgrounds within our school.

Excursions

Throughout the year, our students enjoy taking part in many excursions that give them the chance to connect with and learn about First Nations culture while exploring the rich history of Wiradjuri Country. These experiences help deepen their understanding and appreciation in a meaningful and memorable way.

Celebrating NAIDOC Week

During NAIDOC Week, our school takes the opportunity to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Throughout the week, we thoughtfully engage in a variety of activities. While these activities vary each year to suit both our student cohort and the theme of the week, we highly value authentic voices—from First Nations students at Wagga High to Elders within our community, like Aunty Isabel (pictured)—in sharing their culture with our school.

Presenting the Acknowledgement of Country

At our weekly and special assemblies, our First Nations students deliver the Acknowledgement of Country. As a school community, it is important for us to recognise that we are working and learning on Wiradjuri country, as well as to ensure our First Nations students are visible as leaders within our community.

Community Gardening

Our community garden is a special place where students come together to enjoy the simple pleasures of nature. It offers a peaceful spot to practise mindfulness and unwind while learning firsthand how to grow our own vegetables. Students take pride in nurturing the plants, and there is a real sense of accomplishment when they see the results of their hard work. The best reward is tasting the delicious produce they have grown themselves, if the aphids don't get there first!

Partnership with the Riverina Environment Educational Centre (REEC)

Did you know that the Riverina Environmental Education Centre is actually a public school located right here in Wagga? It is a little different from traditional schools, as it has no permanent students. Instead, local schools are invited to participate in its excursions. Wagga Wagga Public School makes many visits to the REEC centre, where our students gain hands-on experience as environmental scientists. From observing sugar glider nests and making mud doughnuts to catching a glimpse of a wild goanna and microscopic bugs, our students learn so much about the natural world!

Sustainability Squad

Our Sustainability Squad spreads the message of protecting our environment by encouraging reuse and recycling whenever possible. The squad has successfully championed the introduction of Nude Food Days within our school and educates their peers on what can be recycled. Other initiatives include book swaps and the collection of items that cannot be recycled through regular facilities, such as batteries, whiteboard markers, and soft plastics, ensuring they are disposed of correctly at the appropriate recycling centres.

Rubbish Warriors

Our Rubbish Warriors are responsible for keeping our school grounds tidy and promoting the importance of putting rubbish in the bin. Each day, they walk around the school, collecting every piece of rubbish they find and ensuring that nothing is blown into the gardens of our neighbours.