Contents: 100 Days of Prep, Changes To Student Absence Notifications, Free Little Angler Kits From Victorian Government, Cyber Safety, Rest & Sleep

100 Days Of Prep

Our Prep students celebrated a very special milestone -100 Days of School!

This exciting day recognizes all the learning, growth, and friendships our youngest students have experienced since starting school.

Our prep students enjoyed a range of fun activities to mark the occasion.

Congratulations to our Preps on reaching this fantastic achievement!

Changes to Student Absence Notifications

From Monday, we'll be making a small change to the way we notify families when a student is marked "unexplained absence" from school.

If your child is marked absent and we haven't received a reason for their absence, you'll receive an SMS notification at 9:30 am asking you to let us know why they're away.

This new system helps us contact families more quickly if a student is unexpectedly absent and is another way we can support the safety and wellbeing of all of our students.

You can help us by letting the school know if your child is going to be away before the start of the school day whenever possible via Sentral. If you've already notified us of your child's absence, you won't receive an SMS.

As with any new process, there may be the occasional occasion where an attendance hasn't yet been updated before the messages are sent. If you receive an SMS and your child is at school, please don't be concerned—simply contact the office and we'll update our records.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we introduce this new system. We know it will provide a quicker and more efficient way of keeping families informed while helping us ensure the safety of every student

Free Little Angler Kits from the Victorian Government

The Victorian Government is investing $1.5 million from the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Fund to provide up to 82,500 'Little Angler Kits' to Grade 5 primary school students across Victoria, free of charge. These kits aim to offer children and their families a school holiday activity while promoting environmental stewardship and fostering a love for nature among children.

The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) will deliver the kits to eligible schools in August 2026. Each Little Angler Kit includes a fishing rod, reel, line, tackle box, tackle and information on how to use the equipment to catch fish.

It is important to note the tackle tray includes fishing hooks. The tackle tray will be wrapped in cardboard and placed inside a pocket inside the fishing kit bag, which will be sealed with a cable tie to discourage students from opening their kits until they are with a parent or carer.

Teachers will also tell students not to open the kits until they are safely at home with a parent or carer.

The program is voluntary, and we support parents and carers in making decisions that align with their family values and beliefs. You can choose to opt out of receiving a Little Angler Kit for any reason.

You can also contact the school to request an adult pick up the kit from the school if you prefer.

To opt out of receiving a kit or to request that an adult pick up your child’s kit from Drysdale PS, please notify the school by Thursday 13th August via email to Drysdale.ps@education.vic.gov.au .

Please note that if you do not opt out, your child will be provided with a Little Angler Kit to take home from school.

Cyber Safety:

Technology plays an important role in our children's learning and daily lives. We encourage all families to continue having regular conversations at home about safe and responsible online behaviour.

Remind children to protect their personal information, be kind and respectful online, and speak to a trusted adult if they ever encounter something that makes them uncomfortable.

Working together helps ensure our students develop positive digital habits.

Rest & Sleep:

A good night's sleep is essential for children's learning, wellbeing, and emotional regulation. Consistent bedtime routines and adequate sleep help students arrive at school ready to learn, concentrate, and participate fully in classroom activities.

Thank you for supporting your child's health and learning by encouraging healthy sleep habits.

Important Dates