Principal's Message
Please take the time to read each page of our newsletter, as we provide you with information updates across our school.
TERM TWO EVENTS:
Please be aware that all Term Two events are now viewable within our Compass Calendar. We advise all families to add these events to your schedules.
Policy Focus: Mobile Phones/Devices in Schools
In August 2025, our mobile phone policy is due to for review by School Council and our School Leadership.
Whilst this policy is a statewide enforceable policy, set and mandated by the Victorian Government, it is timely that we bring this policy to the attention of our school community. Following the upcoming policy review period, we will again publish an updated version for our community.
The below is a summary of how our school is acting to provide students with a safe learning environment, whilst also being mindful of the necessity for many families to provide their child with a mobile phone/smart watch.
Please note, that the conditions of the Mobile Phone policy are mandated for all Victorian schools; with little room for localised interpretation.
- For the purpose of the policy, the term mobile device encompasses all devices with electronic communication systems which are personally owned by a student (eg: mobile phones and smart watches).
- At Upwey South Primary School, students who choose to bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored during school hours. Students from Foundation- Year Four should hand their mobile phones into the school office upon arrival to school, and may collect these devices at the end of the school day. Students in Year Five-Six should hand their mobile phones into the school office upon arrival to school, and may collect these devices at the end of the school day. Smart watches may continue to be worn whilst at school, but should be switched to non-communication mode during school hours.
- Exceptions to this policy may be applied if certain conditions are met (such as individual medical needs).
- When emergencies occur, parents or carers should communicate with their child by calling the school’s office. Parents/Carers should not be contacting their child via the child’s mobile device during school hours.
- Students who bring a mobile device to school, do so at the owner’s risk.
- Students who use their mobile device during school hours will have the device confiscated by staff. Should this occur, the device is then returned to the student in consultation with a parent/carer.
For extensive information regarding the above policy, please access the resources below:
Upwey South Primary School Policy
Foundation Enrolments 2026 - Action Required
The Department of Education has now released the statewide Foundation (Prep) enrolment timeline for the 2026 school year.
The timeline advises families when and how to enrol their child into Foundation (Prep) at a Victorian government primary school, including Upwey South Primary School.
All government primary schools will follow the timeline in 2025 to support Foundation (Prep) enrolments for the 2026 school year. You can find information and resources about the timeline, including factsheets and a poster at:
Enrolling in Foundation (Prep).
Important Foundation 2026 Enrolment Dates
- Tuesday 22nd April 2025: Online enrolments open for Foundation (Prep) 2026 at Upwey South Primary School and all government primary schools.
- Friday 25th July 2025: All 2026 Foundation (Prep) applications must be actioned through the online portal by this date.
- Monday 28th July - Friday 8th August 2025: Enrolment Outcomes - You will be notified of the outcome of your application between Monday 28 July and Friday 8 August 2025. The letter from the school will include the next steps.
- Friday 22nd August 2025: Enrolment Responses Due - If you receive an enrolment offer, you should respond to the offer by Friday 22 August 2025.
Sibling Enrolments Require Action- DO NOT DELAY
Please be aware that whilst all siblings of current students are guaranteed an enrolment at Upwey South Primary School, these enrolments still need to be actioned through the DE Enrolment Portal as outlined above.
Communicating with the Principal
We look forward to partnering with you in 2025, and welcome your input:
Damien Kitch
Principal
m: 0459 864 712