Engagement & Wellbeing

Legacy Week Appeal 31 August - 6 September

Our school is proud to support Ballarat Legacy for their 2025 Legacy Week Appeal. This important initiative provides essential services and support to families of veterans, including those in our school community, who have given so much for our country. 

Students will have the opportunity to purchase Legacy badges during the week, with all proceeds going directly to Ballarat Legacy.

Items available include:

• Badges - $2 or $5 each
• Wrist bands - $3
• Highlighter wheel - $5
• Pens (with stylus) - $5

Students will be going around to classrooms, and they are also available from the office. 

National Diabetes Week - Guess the Jelly Beans in the Jar Competition

Over the next week we are holding a “Guess The Jelly Beans In The Jar” competition, organised by Mia in grade 6 (with help from her mum Cassie). Mia lives with type 1 diabetes, and this has a massive impact on her life and that of those around her.

The funds raised will go to the Type 1 Foundation, who provide support, awareness and connection for those living with diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is a lifelong disease with no prevention and no cure. 

The jar will be at the office before and after school, and will be brought around to classrooms. Please bring along a gold coin donation if you wish to make a guess. Winner will be announced on Tuesday 2 September. 

We thank you all for your support - good luck!

Thunderstorm Asthma & Grass Pollen Season - Important Reminders

Dear families, 

Buninyong Primary School reminds our wider community that grass pollen season brings an increased risk of asthma and hay fever.  

Thunderstorm asthma is thought to be triggered by a unique combination of high amounts of grass pollen in the air and a certain type of thunderstorm (typically between October and end December). It can result in people wheezing, feeling short of breath, and tight in the chest with coughing. This can be sudden, serious, and even life threatening. 

Anyone can be affected, even if they don’t have a history of asthma.  

If your child has current, past or undiagnosed asthma or seasonal hay fever they are at risk of thunderstorm asthma. Don't ignore symptoms like wheezing or shortness of breath.  

We encourages families to communicate any updated asthma action plans with staff. Our staff will monitor the Vic Emergency app to receive thunderstorm warnings, and, where appropriate, keep students indoors when weather forecasts identify a greater level of risk.

Protect your family this pollen season 

For people with asthma or hay fever, especially those who wheeze and sneeze during spring, thunderstorm asthma can be sudden, serious and even life threatening. 

There are things you can do to prepare and protect yourself and those in your care: 

• It’s important for everyone in the community to know the four steps of asthma first aid so they know what to do if they or someone is having an asthma attack.  

   

• Avoid being outside during thunderstorms from October through December – especially in the wind gusts that come before the storm. Go inside and close your doors and windows. Turn off any air conditioner that brings outside air in (e.g. evaporative air conditioners).  

   

• If your child has ever had asthma – talk to your doctor about what you can do to help protect them from the risk of thunderstorm asthma this pollen season, including updating their asthma action plan. Remember, taking an asthma preventer as prescribed is key to preventing asthma, including thunderstorm asthma.  

   

• If your child has ever had hay fever – see your GP to make sure they don’t also have asthma and discuss how to stay safe during grass pollen season.   

   

• Asthma reliever medication is available over the counter at pharmacies. Ideally, this should be used with a spacer, for both children and adults. If your child is needing to use their reliever medication more than usual, this may mean that their asthma management plan needs updating – see your GP and make sure that you communicate updated asthma action plans with your child’s school.

    

• Monitor the epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk forecast on the Vic Emergency thunderstorm asthma forecast webpage or download the VicEmergency app (App Store or Google Play) – you can set up a 'watch zone' for your location to receive advice and warnings about potential epidemic thunderstorm asthma events during the grass pollen season. 

Protect yourself and those in your care this pollen season – preventing and managing asthma matters. There are a range of videos for caregivers on the Asthma Australia website https://asthma.org.au/resources/videos 

Bunjil Awards

Congratulations to the following students who received a Bunjil Award at last week’s assembly. 

Bunjil awards recognise student achievement and those who display our school values of being respectful, responsible and kind.

Well done! All of our recipients enjoyed a hot chocolate or zooper dooper with a principal.