Need to Know 

I hope this newsletter finds you well as we move into the cooler months and the heart of Term 2. I’d like to share a few important updates and reminders with you this week.

Health Warning: Madopar Misuse

It’s come to our attention that a concerning trend has been emerging among some young people. Madopar, a prescription medication used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, is being misused recreationally. Students may refer to having had a “mad weekend,” which can be a code for using Madopar.

This drug, when misused, can cause hallucinations, confusion, and serious long-term mental health issues.  It is appealing to young people as it can reduce inhibitions and create euphoria.   It is not intended for anyone without a medical condition and its misuse is extremely dangerous; a major contra-indication of the use of this drug is that it should not be used by people under 30 years of age. We urge parents and carers to be aware of this trend and talk to their children about the risks involved.

School Production: The Importance of Being Earnest

We’re delighted to invite you to our school production of The Importance of Being Earnest, opening this Thursday night for three nights only. Our students and staff have worked incredibly hard to bring this classic play to life.

As always, half-price tickets will be available at lunchtime on Thursday for students. Seating is limited, so we encourage you to book early via our TryBooking link (QR code below)  to avoid disappointment. We look forward to seeing many of you there supporting our talented performers.

Uniform Reminder – Hoodies

A reminder to all families that hoodies are not permitted as part of the school uniform. Any student found wearing a hoodie will have it confiscated, and it will be returned either at the end of term or to a parent. Our uniform includes plenty of warm options that meet safety and dress code standards. Thank you for supporting us in maintaining a safe and respectful school environment.

Please see our Uniform List here.  

Only items on this list are able to be worn to school.  

Celebrating Excellence – Alexia Moxon

Please join me in congratulating Alexia Moxon (Year 12), who has been selected as a principal dancer in the State Schools Spectacular. Alexia is truly living our school motto: “Dare to be Excellent.” This is a significant achievement, and we are all incredibly proud of her hard work, talent, and dedication.

Health and Wellbeing

We remind families to keep children at home if they are showing flu-like symptoms. We are currently seeing increased cases of influenza, RSV, and COVID in the community. Keeping unwell students home helps protect our whole school community and ensures we can all stay as healthy as possible during this time.

Update re potential uniform changes

As per the last newsletter,  following the government announcement that schools are unable to enforce the wearing of uniform with logos below the waist, Council will develop a policy regarding the acceptable cut/style of tracksuit pants and shorts for implementation from the beginning of 2026.  

It is unlikely that pants with logos other than St Helena's  (Elite Eleven, Nike etc etc) will be acceptable,  and our current uniform items can continue to be worn. 

Although parents will be able to source pants and shorts that meet the newly developed code from anywhere they wish, we have worked with our uniform supplier and students to develop an option that meets the code but also provides durability and value for money.

In my consultation with students, the following information was sent out.  The photograph of the trackpants is our proposed style - high quality fleece, two zipped pockets, no logo (the logo in the picture is from a sample pair) and the cuffs will be elasticated as per the second picture.  

Your feedback is welcome via AskLeadership@sthelena.vic.edu.au

The proposed pants are a high quality fleece that will not pill, similar to the Elite Eleven cut of pants currently popular with students, and will retail at approximately $55. We hope the new style will alleviate some of the complaints from students regarding tight waists and legs, and fabric that lacks warmth.

 Although cheaper options that are similar in style may be available from cheaper outlets, they are unlikely to provide the durability of these ones.  

Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. Means-tested concession cards must be valid on the first day of Term 1, 2025 (Tuesday 28 January 2025) or Term 2, 2025 (Tuesday 22 April 2025).

A student aged 16 years and over who is considered a mature minor and holds a valid concession card is also eligible to apply.

Eligible families will receive a payment of $154 per year for primary school students and $256 per year for secondary school students. 

The funds will be paid directly to the school to be used towards camps, sports and excursion costs for the benefit of your child.

If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

If you would like to apply for the first time, please contact the school office on 9438 8500 and ask for an application form. Please return completed application forms to the school office as soon as possible.

Car Park Issues 

One of the contributing factors to student lateness in some mornings is a significant log-jam in the car park.   

There is a growing trend of the drive-in drop off zone being abused that is interrupting the whole flow of the system and create significant delays.  Some parents are parking, saying goodbye to their child and then remaining in the drop off zone, possibly attending to emails or other business on their phones, but preventing the flow of traffic through the area.  Others are parking in the drop off zone, and their child is remaining in the car until the music starts - again holding up the traffic flow and preventing other cars from using the drop off zone.  

We do our best to assist the traffic flow (shout out to Steve, our friendly lollipop traffic cop!) but when parents don't follow the system, the traffic backs up into Wallowa Road, causes a grid-lock, holds the buses up, and is an accident waiting to happen.  

Please pull into the drop-off zone, allow your child to exit the car safely, then move on and move around the roundabout to exit the carpark.