Engagement & Wellbeing

School Disco - Friday 1 August

Last Friday's school disco was a fantastic success! The dance floor was buzzing with energy, and it was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the music and having fun. A big thank you to all the students, staff, and parents who helped make the evening special. 

Disco Food Sale – Friday 8 August

The kiosk was a hit on the night, and we still have a few treats left over! These will be available for purchase this Friday at lunchtime.

What’s available (all $2 each):

• Chips
• Chocolate bars
• Fairy floss
• Lolly bags

Get in quick – once they’re gone, they’re gone!

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.

Managing Illness at School – Thank You for Your Support

As we move through winter, we’re aware that there are a number of illnesses circulating in the community, and we understand it can be challenging when someone in the household is unwell.

As always, we follow the Department of Education’s guidelines and appreciate your support in keeping our school community healthy.

A few key reminders:

• Please keep your child home if they are unwell or showing any symptoms of illness.
• Don’t forget to log the absence and notify the school.
• If a student becomes unwell during the day, we will contact families to collect them.
• Students should only return to school once they are fully well.

Some illnesses require a minimum time away from school. For example:

• Gastroenteritis - exclude until there has not been vomiting or a loose bowel motion for 48 hours
• All other Diarrhoeal Illness – students must stay home for at least 24 hours after the last vomiting or diarrhoea episode
• Head lice – students may return once treatment has begun.

You can view the full Minimum Period of Exclusion guidelines here.

We continue to use air purifiers, encourage hand hygiene, and maximise ventilation in classrooms.

Thank you for helping us reduce the spread of illness and keep everyone safe and well.

CLOSE THE GAP DAY 

On Monday we had the pleasure of bringing small group of students to the Children and Youth Cultural Gathering at Federation University. It was an awesome day and provided lots of opportunities for our students to connect with other students from all around Ballarat and it’s surrounding area. 

Inspired by the 'Close the Gap’ initiative, this interactive program deepens understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through engaging workshops.  Cultural knowledge is passed down through generations, vital for preserving identity, connection, and belonging. Supporting its sharing ensures it remains alive for future generations. Here's a breakdown of what students got up to: 

Weaving: Create woven crafts and explore traditional techniques.

• Damper Making: Make damper, a traditional bread, and learn its cultural significance.
  • Aboriginal Games: Play traditional games to understand Indigenous skills.
  • Art: Discover Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and its cultural meanings, then complete a collaborative mural.
  • Storytelling: Listen to Dreamtime stories and learn about their cultural meanings and values.
  • Deadly Thinking: Participate in yarning sessions to explore strength, resilience, and how to seek help.
  • Dance: Experience traditional and contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dances.
  • Didgeridoo: Learn about the didgeridoo's history and try playing it.

This Cultural Day is about more than just learning-it's about supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth. The event promotes cultural practices, strengthens  connections, and links students, families, and schools to local services, addressing gaps in health, education, and social and emotional wellbeing. Aligning with the 'Marrung Vision' and state strategies by supporting community engagement and helping schools better support students. This is achieved by improving knowledge and emphasising the importance of embedding Aboriginal ways of knowing, being, and doing in our efforts to create meaningful change.

SSG Meetings Open (Term 3)

Who are Student Support Group Meetings for: 

• Schools must establish a Student Support Group (SSG) for students supported by the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) or Disability Inclusion.
• Schools must establish an SSG for every child and young person in out-of-home care (OoHC).
• An SSG is strongly encouraged for any student with diverse learning needs.
• Schools must provide support for students at risk of attendance or behaviour related issues. An SSG may assist a school providing appropriate and effective support.

Think your child would benefit from an SSG? 

• Reach out to Jarrod at Jarrod.Rodgers@education.vic.gov.au to discuss your child’s needs in more detail. 

Our Student Support Group (SSG) meetings for Term Three are now open. These meetings have been scheduled on Compass under a new conference booking titled ‘SSG (Term 3) 2025', which you’ll find in your Compass profile. 

We’ve set aside three and half days, August 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st, to meet with families. During your scheduled session, we’ll discuss your child’s progress and learning goals with their classroom teacher, a relevant Education Support (ES) staff member (if applicable), and myself, as the Disability and Inclusion Coordinator. SSG meetings are always a valuable opportunity for families, students, and the school to work together in support of your child’s learning journey. These meetings celebrate your child’s strengths and achievements, while also helping us collaboratively plan strategies that support their ongoing development in 2025.

You are very welcome to invite any external specialists currently working with your child to participate in the SSG. Their input can be invaluable in building a multidisciplinary understanding of your child’s needs and support strategies.

When booking your meeting time, please avoid scheduling during any of your child’s specialist classes. This helps ensure that their teacher is available to attend the meeting.

If your child is in Grade 2, please avoid booking on Thursday the 21st, as your child will be off to Sovereign Hill for the day!

If you have any questions about the SSG process or need assistance with booking, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Jarrod. 

For more information on the SSG process and how to work with the school- here is some resources to look at: 

https://content.sdp.education.vic.gov.au/media/how-to-work-with-your-childs-school-936

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/student-support-groups/policy