Primary School

On Friday 9 October, the Kindergarten students had a wonderful day exploring Kyabram Fauna Park as an exciting introduction to our new Science unit, Living Things. Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to see a variety of Australian animals up close, discuss their different features and learn about the habitats in which they live. It was a fantastic learning experience, and the students had an absolute blast. A big thank you to Adrian, Candice, Bridie, Emily, Ella and Shanelle for volunteering their time to join us on the excursion. We really appreciate your support in helping make the day such a fun and memorable experience for our Kindergarten students.

Learn to Swim Program - Kindergarten to Year 2

During Week 2, our Kindergarten, Year 1, and Year 2 students enjoyed a fantastic week of daily swimming lessons as part of our annual Learn to Swim Program. Throughout the week, students developed their water confidence, practised important water safety skills, and worked on improving their swimming techniques under the guidance of qualified instructors. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm, persistence, and positive attitudes displayed by all students as they challenged themselves, built new skills, and celebrated their progress. 

By the end of the week, we had lots of very tired students, a few lost socks, and plenty of smiles, as everyone reflected on a fun and successful week. Well done to all students for their excellent participation, effort, and willingness to give everything a go throughout the program. A big thank you to our staff, swimming instructors, and families for supporting this invaluable learning opportunity.

Year 4 Camp to Kyneton

On Monday morning, a busload of excited (and slightly nervous) Year 4 students set off for ‘The Great Aussie Bush Camp’ at Campaspe Downs. The trip started quietly, but by the time we arrived, the students were belting out ‘The Wheels on the Bus’. The weather was lovely all week and the students got straight into their first activities. Aeroball was new to everyone and a hit. Students also took on the flying fox, soaring across the water in their harnesses. They showed real courage and so did the staff! That evening, Harry, our enthusiastic camp leader, ran an interactive games night that had everyone laughing and joining in.

Day two was about resilience and perseverance. Students put their harnesses on again for abseiling and the Possum Glider. In archery, they donned their gear and wielded a composite bow, aiming with focus and determination. They also showed some impressive bushcraft, building huts that would make any camper proud. Some even passed the water and hurricane test! Adventure was in the air and the students' bravery and willingness to take on challenges were sky high. Many reached new heights, both literally and figuratively. By evening, a very tired group gathered in the common room for a competitive trivia night.

On the final morning, the campers woke to sunshine and a serenade from Mr Hearn. We finished with team building games, sensory activities and the long-awaited centipede climb. The food was delicious all week, from pasta and salad to roast chicken with chat potatoes.

All students should be proud of their behaviour, participation and willingness to step outside their comfort zones. Thank you to Cindy Pedrana, Michael Hearn and Jack Davy for supporting the Year Four teachers and students and helping make the camp such a success.

Stage 3 Science: Electric Circuit Design Projects

What an exciting way to finish our Electricity and Light unit! Over the last five weeks of Term 3, the Year 5 and 6 students investigated the world of electricity. They explored static electricity, learnt how electrical charges can attract and repel, and conducted investigations to answer scientific questions. Students then investigated current electricity, building simple circuits and discovering how electrical energy can be transformed into light, sound, heat and movement.

To showcase their learning, students worked collaboratively to design and construct their own working models that incorporated a functioning electrical circuit. The creativity on display was fantastic, with students designing a range of different models while applying their scientific knowledge in a practical and meaningful way.

Throughout the project, students demonstrated strong focus, perseverance and problem-solving skills. Building a working circuit required careful planning, patience and resilience as students tested ideas, identified faults and refined their designs. It was wonderful to see students supporting one another, sharing ideas, troubleshooting challenges together and celebrating each success along the way.

Most importantly, the project brought science to life. The classroom was filled with curiosity, teamwork, creativity and plenty of excitement as models came together and circuits lit up. Students should be extremely proud of the dedication and effort they showed throughout the unit and the high-quality models they produced. Congratulations to all our Stage 3 scientists on their fantastic work!

Bucket Drumming Extravaganza

Congratulations to our Primary Music Captains Imogan Smith and Will Bourke, who led a fantastic lunchtime bucket drumming extravaganza for our Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students on Thursday! They did a brilliant job leading the beats, encouraging participation and bringing plenty of energy to the yard. The younger students loved getting involved, making it a wonderful opportunity to share some music together and inspire the next generation of Drumline students!

Spotlight on Learning - Year 6 Get Happier Projects 

Following last week's introduction to the Year 6 Get Happier Projects, we are delighted to continue sharing some of the thoughtful initiatives our students planned and implemented across the school. Through creativity, teamwork and a genuine desire to make a positive difference, our Year 6 students have embraced opportunities to spread kindness, strengthen connections and bring joy to others.

Below is a glimpse into some of the projects our students have undertaken, along with the impact these experiences have had on both our school community and the students themselves.

Teacher Appreciation

“For our Get Happier Project, we created a thank you video for our teachers to celebrate World Teachers’ Day. Through this project, we learnt how important teamwork is. We had to work together, be patient and stay organised, as the project took a lot of planning. We also improved our time-management and communication skills by supporting and encouraging one another throughout the process. The best part was seeing how much students appreciate their teachers and knowing that our video helped make them feel valued and celebrated.”

By Zadie Nathan, Chalmers-Lee Caldwell and Elsie Stevens (6A)

Cleaners and Maintenance Staff Appreciation

“For our Get Happier Project, we wanted to show our appreciation for the cleaners and maintenance staff by giving them brownies as a thank you. Through this project, we learnt that even small acts of kindness can make people feel valued and brighten their day. We also learnt that working as a team makes big jobs easier and more enjoyable. Our favourite part was baking and packing the brownies, especially when we got to eat the leftovers! Everyone in our group helped by writing emails, setting things up, making and packing the brownies, and supporting each other along the way.”

By Lily Coates, Dakota Patten, Alex Melville, Will Beer and Jackson Staudt (6A)

Firefighter Appreciation

“For our Get Happier Project, we made brownies and a thank you card for the firefighters to show our appreciation for everything they do for our community. At first, we planned to make cookies, but when that idea could not go ahead, we worked together to come up with a new plan and decided to make brownies instead. We also had some challenges within our group and did not always agree on who would do each job. By communicating and supporting each other, we were able to work through these challenges and complete our project successfully. Through this experience, we learnt the importance of teamwork, planning and stepping up to help when others need support.”

By Jonty Keenan, Cooper Cowie, Aarav Sharma, Fletcher Smith and Mason Newton (6A and 6B)

Chalk Wall 

“For our Get Happier Project, we created a chalk wall for students in Kindergarten to Year 4 to enjoy during recess. We hoped it would give students a fun and creative way to relax before returning to class. It was great to see so many students using the wall, following the rules and working together respectfully. We learnt that simple ideas can make a big difference and bring happiness to others. A special thank you to Mrs Pedrana for supporting our project. If we did it again, we would add some extra challenges to encourage even more teamwork and creativity.”

By Aria Brewis, Halle Moon and Bruce Bensch (6C)

Footy Clinic

“Our Get Happier Project was all about teaching younger students how to kick a football and improve their footy skills. We were excited to have more than 50 students join our activity. We achieved our goal by teaching the children how to kick and handball a footy while making sure everyone had lots of fun. The activity took place on Father’s Day morning during Footy Day Colours, which made it even more enjoyable for everyone involved. We were really happy with how many students participated and how much they enjoyed the experience. We would like to thank Mr Harris and all the parents for helping make this day possible and for supporting us with our project.”

By Chaz Compton, Chad Mckee and Angus Frew (6C)

PS Assembly

Our Primary Assembly on Friday 16 October was a wonderful celebration of student leadership, talent and achievement. Led confidently by our Music Captains, Imogen Smith and Will Bourke, the assembly brought together students, staff and families to recognise the many talents, efforts and achievements within our school community.

The morning featured impressive musical performances from Harry Nichol on trumpet, Tahlie Clydesdale and Dakota Patten performing Tennessee Orange, and Sadie Palmer on drums. Each performance showcased the dedication, perseverance and confidence that our students continue to develop through music.

Students also heard about exciting Term 4 co-curricular opportunities, including the growing Bird Watching Club, with members of the Bird Team sharing their enthusiasm for the program. We were also pleased to acknowledge students who participated in Tournament of the Minds, recognising their creativity, collaboration and problem-solving skills.

A highlight of the assembly was the presentation of our Core Value Awards, celebrating students who consistently demonstrate Compassion, Respect and Integrity, and who embody our school motto of Honour and Excellence.

Thank you to all students, staff and families who contributed to such a positive and engaging assembly. It was a wonderful reflection of the many ways our students learn, lead and excel.

Early Stage 1 Assembly

At Wednesday's Early Stage 1 Assembly, six students were presented with a Kinder Superstar Award for consistently demonstrating our school values and being positive role models in the classroom. Congratulations to Jim, Elkie, Odie, Arlie, Mya and Patrick.

Stage 1 Assembly

The Stage 1 Assembly in Week 2 was proudly hosted by students in Year 2A, who did a wonderful job sharing their learning with students, staff and families. As part of the Year 2 Science and Technology unit, students showcased their drawings and understanding of Earth's natural resources, including water, soil and minerals. They explained how these resources are used in our everyday lives and discussed the importance of caring for the environment through sustainable practices and conservation.

A highlight of the assembly was Mr Moon's entertaining story about his "scary" encounter outside his classroom when he accidentally stepped on a CROC while walking through the grass! Thankfully, it was not a real crocodile, just a missing white shoe. Mr Moon is now hoping to reunite the lost CROC with its rightful Stage 1 owner. We also celebrated the Stage 1 Super Star award recipients and acknowledged the outstanding efforts of all our Stage 1 swimmers. We are incredibly proud of the confidence, determination and sportsmanship they demonstrated throughout the week. Well done to everyone who was recognised and to the students in Year 2A for leading such an engaging assembly.

Message from the Office

As we move through Term 4, we have noticed that some students have experienced significant growth over the winter months and, as a result, certain uniform items, particularly dresses, may no longer meet our uniform requirements. We kindly ask families to take a moment to check that all uniform items fit appropriately and align with the school's guidelines. Thank you for your support in helping our students maintain a neat and consistent standard of dress.

Upcoming Events

Kind regards,

Nici Deller                                                  

Deputy Principal | Head of Primary