Dear families and guardians,

As the year draws to a close and the summer approaches, we are providing information around a location-sharing safety App for mobile phones, that has come to our attention from other schools. There has been positive feedback from both parents and students alike.

This APP has been used by secondary students to communicate with their parents about their location, SOS notifications, phone battery life and ETA when returning home.

Please understand we are not receiving benefits for this promotion, this is purely a resource that you may investigate with your young person, particularly if they may become more independent over the summer break. This is an additional layer to security and peace of mind, whilst helping our young people feel more protected.

There are multiple options to view, but there is a FREE option for families.

Thank you,

Kylie – Secondary School Health Promotion Nurse

Hobsons Bay & City of Anjo Sister City Exchange

Children's Literacy Support at the Library

Literacy Check In with Nicole Case

Children's literacy specialist Nicole Case is dropping in to share her incredible expertise.

Nicole will share tips and tricks for parents and carers to help improve their children's literacy skills. From children fist learning how to read, to dyslexic children, to those who just need a confidence boost, Nicole has easy and accessible information that are designed to help all children discover the joy of reading.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from an absolute expert.

Bookings here: Big Summer Read with literacy specialist Nicole Case - Hobsons Bay

P.S: Bring your kids! Our children's librarians will have games and activities to keep them occupied so you can focus.

Cost: Free

When: Monday 2 December, 3.45pm - 4.45pm

Where: Newport Community Hub

The Altona College Recycling Club

The Altona College Recycling Club would love your support in collecting and recycling eligible drink containers (cans/bottles/juice boxes) and helping our College Fundraising Committee continue to raise funds for our school. If you would like to support, you can drop off any collectables in the 3/4 portables and P-2 building or download the CDS App and add Altona College Recycling Club as your desired community partner.

Government Funded Financial support for families, Saverplus.

How does Saver Plus help families? Saver Plus helps parents save $50 each month over 10 months, with savings matched up to $500—providing $1,000 for educational expenses!

Occupational Therapy Services

The Personnel Group have commenced Occupational Therapy services from their Altona North, Werribee and Bundoora and has appointments available for our students.

Referral to the services is simple; you can either complete and return a referral form to Personnel Group directly (see attached) or call 1300 874 000 to enquire further or book.

School Saving Bonus

Dear parents and carers,

In Term 4, 2024, families with a child enrolled in a government school from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off $400 School Saving Bonus.

The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks.

The School Saving Bonus is not available for full-fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.

Actions for parents and carers

Before 18 October 2024, the Department of Education is asking parents and carers to:

Complete enrolment: If your child, or children are changing government school for Term 1 2025, or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025. For more information, read about Enrolling in School.
Check your contact information: Ensure your email address and phone number is up to date with us, this can be checked and updated in compass.

We need to ensure your contact information is up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:

in October, to verify your email address
in November, with your $400 School Saving Bonus and access to an online system

Please check your junk mail regularly to make sure you do not miss an important email.

To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, download the School Saving Bonus Information sheet for government school parents and carers or visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus.

School Student Broadband Initiative

The Australian Government is offering a valuable initiative to support educational opportunities for school-aged students. The program will provide 30,000 eligible families across the country with access to free NBN internet service. Families and carers can apply until 31 December 2024, and eligible households will receive free home internet until 31 December 2025.

This initiative is designed to enhance students' learning experiences and help bridge the digital divide. It is available to all families with school-aged students in Victoria.

For more details on eligibility and to apply, please visit

School Student Broadband Initiative: information for parents and carers | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au)

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