Changes to Digital Device Use

From 2027, the Victorian Government is introducing changes to the use of digital devices for students from Prep to Grade 6.

Under the new guidelines, schools:

· will no longer invite families to purchase or bring their own digital devices to use at school for Prep to Grade 6

· will follow new recommended digital device times, including minimal device time for Prep to Grade 2; and a maximum of 90 minutes per day for grades 3 to 6.

These changes are intended to support families by reducing cost-of-living pressures. They will also support students by reducing screen-time which can reduce the risk of eye strain, sedentary behaviour, and reduced peer interaction. These reforms complement Victoria’s nation-leading mobile phone restrictions, ensuring an integrated approach to addressing digital distraction and the inappropriate use of technology.

What this means for our school

As you know, we already provide school-owned digital devices for student learning, so there is no impact on our school’s BYOD programs.

Students with disability who use a digital device as a reasonable adjustment are exempt from these changes.

These changes are intended to support families with cost-of-living pressures and reduce student screen time.

You can read more about the changes on the department’s website: Digital Learning: Policy.

Arriving and Leaving School Safely

We've received a reminder from the City of Greater Bendigo about the importance of all student walking their bikes and scooters across the school crossings.

Most of our students already do a wonderful job of this - thank you! By hopping off bikes and walking them across, children give themselves time to pause, look, and make sure it's safe to cross with the school crossing supervisor.

We love seeing so many of our students riding or scotting to school each day - it's a great way to stay active and start the day positively. Let's all keep support our children to be safe, kind, and respectful road users by:

Dismounting bikes and scooters before reaching the crossing.
Waiting for the school crossing supervisor's signal before stepping out.
Staying alert and aware of others around them.

Together, we can keep our school community active and safe.

Mr Gamble's Big Run

For those that have been interested in the challenge that Tom Gamble set himself in running the Blackall 100, I am thrilled, but not surprised, to say he did it.

Tom's run was on Saturday and you can find out more information about the run by clicking here.

There are some photos of Tom on the run and my favourites are the ones where he is crossing the finish line holding on to his two children's hands after running for approximately 13 and a half hours.

Tom, and his broken big toe, will be back on deck with us on Monday of this coming week.

Golden Square Primary School Newsletter

Working as One

Issue 33 · 22 Oct 2025

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