From the Office
Fundraiser for Laney
Tuesday 17th June 2025
On Tuesday 17th June, we will be holding a fundraiser for Laney by encouraging children to wear "fun" clothes to school in exchange for a gold coin donation. FDC, along with Laney's siblings Neara and Boston, are aiming to raise enough money to buy Laney something special to help keep her occupied while in hospital receiving treatment and while at home resting. Children can come to school wearing as much or as little "fun" colours as they like!
Camp Quality Puppet Show
Tuesday 17th June 2025
Recently, one of our beloved Foundation students was diagnosed with a brain tumour and is currently undergoing treatment for cancer.
To support Laney, and her family and friends, we have organised Camp Quality to visit our school and run their program for students throughout the whole school. Camp Quality’s cancer education program has been teaching kids about cancer with a fun and interactive puppet performance, for over 33 years. The program focuses on telling the broader cancer story, including how to support someone who is facing their own cancer diagnosis or that of a loved one.
About Me - Foundation to Level 2 Program
Ariel has a brain tumour. Her big brother Tom knows she’s having a tough time in hospital, so today he’s bringing her something he’s sure will cheer her up straight away - an invitation to Lucy Carmichael’s Bouncy Castle Birthday Party on Saturday! Only, Ariel can’t go… how will she ever explain to the other kids why she doesn’t have any hair, and why she’s tired and skinny? This show by Julianne O’Brien is an empowering story, using interactive puppetry to teach us about cancer and the importance of positivity and recognising our own strengths.
The Big Move - Level 3 to Level 6 Program
Siblings Tom & Ariel’s lives are turned upside down when Ariel is diagnosed with a brain tumour. Leaving their home on the country farm and moving to the city for Ariel’s treatment at hospital, they must start fresh at a new school, with new teachers, new friends and a whole new normal. Will Ariel ever make it through Year 5, and will Tom ever become a soccer superstar? This show by Julianne O’Brien is a touching story, using interactive puppetry to teach us about cancer and the importance of hope and acceptance.
Parent, Teacher and Student 3 Way Conferences
Monday 16th June 2025
As part of our new reporting approach, we are now offering conferences three times a year in Term 1, 2 and 3.
Our Term 2 Conferences will be held during our next Curriculum Day on Monday 16th June with timeslots open from 11.00am until 7.00pm. During this meeting your child and their classroom teacher will discuss with you their current results and next steps of learning. If you feel that you need some one-on-one time with your child's teacher, just let them know and this can be accommodated at the end of the session.
Conference bookings can be made from 9.00am on Wednesday 4th June 2025 via Compass.
Please contact your child's teacher directly if you are unable to meet on this day and we will do our best to accommodate this.
*Please note that Monday 16th June is a Curriculum Day, so students do not attend normal classes at school, but are required to accompany parents/carers to their scheduled conference.
Reminder: Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)
Applications must be lodged by Friday 4th July 2025
Families that have not applied for the Camps, Sports and excursions Fund (CSEF) in the past may now be eligible to receive a payment. Please check the eligibility criteria displayed below. If you believe you meet the criteria, please complete the attached form and return it to the office with a copy of your eligible Centrelink Health Care Card or Concession Card by Friday 4th July 2025.
Criteria 1 - Eligibility
To be eligible* for the fund, a mature minor of sixteen years of age or over, a parent or carer of a student attending a registered government or non-government Victorian primary or secondary school must:
- on the first day of Term 1; or
- on the first day of Term 2.
a) Be an eligible beneficiary within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004, that is, be a holder of Veterans Affairs Gold Card or be an eligible Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC) or Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holder; or
b) Be a temporary foster parent; and
c) Submit an application to the school by the due date.
* A special consideration eligibility category also exists.
For more information, see: Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF): Eligibility | education.vic.gov.au
Mature minors or parents who receive a Carer Allowance on behalf of a child, or any other benefit or allowance not income tested by Centrelink, are not eligible for the CSEF unless they also comply with one of (a) or (b) above.
Please contact the office if you have any queries.
Late Arrivals and Early Departures
Just a reminder that if your child arrives late to school after 9.00am, they MUST be signed in by a parent/carer on the Compass Kiosk in the office before heading to their classroom. This is essential for their safety and wellbeing and ensures that the school is aware that they have arrived on school property. The Compass Kiosk automatically records your child's time of arrival, updates the class roll and enters an explanation for the late arrival e.g. medical appointment.
Similarly, if you need to collect your child early from school between the hours of 9.00am and 3.30pm, they MUST be signed out on the Compass Kiosk in the office prior to collection from the classroom. To minimise disruptions to classrooms and student learning, we ask that you aim to pick up your child at the start or end of recess or lunchtime, if possible. Please also remember to send an email or note in the morning, so your child's teacher can make sure they are packed up and ready to go when you arrive. If a friend or other person will be collecting your child, you must notify the school. Photo Identification may be required if the person is not known to staff.
Working With Children Checks for Volunteers
A reminder that ALL adults undertaking any voluntary work at Billanook PS require a current Victorian Government Working With Children Check (WWCC). This includes anyone helping with the Kitchen Garden Program, classroom activities, excursions, sports days, school camps, Parent's Club activities, After School Basketball etc.
Holding a Police Check is not enough. WWCC is ongoing monitoring of the criminal records of those who hold a WWCC Card. Since the 30th June 2008 it is compulsory for all volunteers to provide a current WWCC.
To obtain a Working With Children Check you must now apply online at https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/
To complete the application form you must have:
- an email address, so you can contacted
- the address of every place you have lived in the last 5 years in Australia
- the name, postal address and phone number in Australia for each organisation you will be doing paid or volunteer child-related work for
- a printer that will print a legible copy of the Application summary.
After filling in the online form, finalise your application at a participating Australia Post retail outlet, by presenting your application summary, proof of identity documents and a passport quality photo. Employee WWC Check applicants need to also pay a fee. Fees are non-refundable.
Can’t make it to Billanook for the Monday afternoon assembly?
A reminder that our assemblies are LIVE STREAMED for everyone to watch from home or work!
Parents and grandparents can tune in online to see our amazing Billanook kids in action using the link below:
Time: 2:30pm-3:30pm
Day: Mondays
Meeting Link: https://eduvic.webex.com/eduvic/j.php?MTID=meb89713740479d3ac38ba576c434a37a
Meeting Number: 2652 671 7276
Password: Billanook