As we stand on the brink of wrapping up another school year, I'm compelled to reflect on the incredible journey of the past 12 months. It's been a privilege to be in the role of principal at Bolinda Primary School, and it's allowed me to witness the beauty of a close-knit community and the incredible potential of our wonderful students.

Being a part of Bolinda Primary School for a year has provided me with a unique vantage point. In this time, I've come to appreciate the warmth and spirit of this small community. Our students are not just learners; they are full of enthusiasm, curiosity, and resilience. Your dedication to their growth and development is evident in the strides they've made academically and personally.

A special acknowledgment is due to our dedicated staff. Their tireless efforts, often behind the scenes, have enriched the educational experience for our students. Through their commitment, they've gone above and beyond, providing extra experiences that wouldn't be possible in a standard curriculum.

A big shout-out to our supportive community – thank you for your unwavering encouragement. Whether it's lending a hand at events, attending school functions, or backing various initiatives, your support has played a pivotal role in making Bolinda Primary School the vibrant community it is.

One of the highlights of this year has been our whole-school celebration days. These occasions shine bright as times when our school becomes one big team. The buzz, happiness, and feeling of togetherness during these events are genuinely unique and something you won't find in larger schools.

As we wave goodbye to the year, I just wanted to give a big shout-out to everyone at Bolinda Primary School. Your little and big contributions have truly made this year something special. To our Year 6 students and families moving on, it’s a mix of feeling sad to see you go and feeling grateful for the awesome moments you’ve given us.

In closing, I wish you all a restful and rejuvenating break. May the holiday be filled with joy, laughter, and cherished moments with loved ones.

Minor Capital Works Grant

I am thrilled to share some fantastic news with our wonderful school community! We've officially received approval for funding totalling $498,351 to refurbish our school's toilets. This was made achievable under the Minor Capital Works Grant that we applied for at the beginning of this year. This exciting project aims to improve amenity, cleanliness, and hygiene for our school. This is an exciting step forward in making our school facilities even better, creating a positive and hygienic environment for all our students.

Whole School Celebration Lunch

Last Friday saw the whole school come together to enjoy the celebration lunch. It was the first time I hadn't experienced this celebration before but what a joy it was. The students got to enjoy their hard-earned efforts in a beautiful (but a bit windy) setting. It was delightful seeing the students mix and chat during the lunch. That was certainly the highlight for me but I'm sure the students' were most excited by the dessert. Thank you to Sharon and her trusty volunteers helping on the day. It wouldn't have happened without them.

Year 6 Graduation Dinner

The Year 6 Graduation Dinner took place on Thursday, December 7th and marked the transition of our students from Bolinda Primary School. The students, alongside the staff of Bolinda Primary School, gathered at Soltan Pepper for a night filled with laughter, unity, and a tasty meal. Mrs. Bloomfield added an exciting twist to the evening by setting out an eating challenge. The challenge, met with enthusiasm, was conquered by the resilient Hayden!

The event was an enormous success, as our Year 6 students created memories together. A highlight of the night was when the 'fun awards' were handed out to acknowledge each student's unique qualities and achievements. As our students embark on new adventures, we are proud to have been a part of their educational journey. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Year 6 graduates and express our gratitude to the dedicated staff, parents, and community members who have played a vital role in shaping these young minds.

Here's to the future and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead for our Year 6 graduates!

Afternoon Tea Dance Appreciations

Just wrapping up our thanks for the Afternoon Tea Dances that took place over the year. Without these events, we would not have been able to have our disco (for free). We are overwhelmed with gratitude as we extend our sincerest thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the Afternoon Tea Dances.

Donors for the 2 Sunday Dances:

Bill Shay and Joan Leversha:

Donated: $35 cash
Prizes: 4 pots of honey and a handmade wooden clock
Although they couldn't join us, their support has been invaluable.

Keith Klemke:

Donated a German Carving Knife as a delightful prize.

Sylvia and Ray:

Contributed $20 in cash, even though they couldn't be present.

Corrie and Keith Woods:

Donated two delightful fruit baskets as prizes.
Their time and efforts in organising and managing the dance were truly appreciated.

Special Mention: A heartfelt thank you to the anonymous donor who contributed an additional $20, expressing their support for our cause even though they couldn't attend the last dance. This brings the total funds raised for the last dance to an impressive $420!

School Term Dates 2024

These are the school term dates for 2024:

2024	Start date	Finish date
Term 1	29 January (students start 30 January in government schools)	28 March
Term 2	15 April	28 June
Term 3	15 July	20 September
Term 4	7 October	20 December

A reminder that we finish at 1.30pm on Wednesday 20th of December.

STEM Incursion

Last week, our students were treated to an extraordinary learning experience as we welcomed a captivating STEM incursion, generously provided FREE of charge by the Discovery Centre in Bendigo. The school was buzzing with curiosity and excitement as students delved into the fascinating world of STEM.

Rockin’ Robotics Workshop (Prep - 2):

In this workshop, students explored the concept of algorithms as a set of instructions. They engaged in creating and following simple algorithms to move a Blue-bot from point A to B. It was an interactive and engaging way to introduce our young learners to algorithmic thinking and programming.

Micro:Bit Mystery Workshop (Year 3 - 6):

During this session, students delved into the world of Micro:Bits to uncover hidden messages and create their own coded mysteries. This workshop dived into the integration of code and hardware to store and organise information. Through problem-based learning, students discovered, identified, and organised data to create or decode messages. The highlight was the creation of a digital mystery box, adding a challenge.

End-of-Year Concert

Our annual end-of-year concert is set for this Tuesday, and the anticipation is building. I've witnessed our students pouring their efforts into rehearsals, and I'm genuinely eager to witness the culmination of their hard work. This marks my first experience with Bolinda's end-of-year celebration, and I'm looking forward to observing the distinctive way in which our school commemorates the conclusion of the year.

RSL Essay Competition Announcement

We have a result from our recent RSL Annual Essay Writing Competition, where our talented young writers had the opportunity to showcase their skills. In our last newsletter, we shared that we were presented with a perpetual trophy by the RSL for this

competition.

The RSL members judged the entries from our school, and this week, we are delighted to reveal the winners. All three winners hailed from Year 5, demonstrating an impressive level of creativity and expression with the prompt of "Nurses in the Field".

🥇 1st Place: Jack 🥈 2nd Place: Abby 🥉 3rd Place: Heidi

These winners had their names added to the trophy and have also been awarded book vouchers for Red Door Books in Lancefield. Congratulations to Jack, Abby, and Heidi for their remarkable achievements! We express our heartfelt appreciation to the RSL for their generous awards and their commitment to fostering a love for literature and expression among our students.

We eagerly anticipate the next edition of the RSL Annual Essay Writing Competition. We are confident that the creativity and passion demonstrated by Jack, Abby, and Heidi will inspire future participants to reach new heights in their literary pursuits.

Once again, thank you to the RSL for their continuous support, and congratulations to our talented Year 5 winners! Here's to fostering a love for writing and storytelling in the hearts and minds of our students.

Thank you,

Jordan Chamerski

Principal

Bolinda Birthdays

Milly, Heidi, Connor & Lily