Buninyong PS Newsletter

Principal's Report

TERM 1 DONE AND DUSTED

The term has certainly flown by and there have been lots of great things happening across the school.  At both campuses there has been a clear focus on explicit teaching and learning routines,  resulting in strong learning across classrooms.  We have been particularly impressed with our preps, who are doing an amazing job, and very quickly settled into learning routines and classroom expectations.  It’s like they are 3 terms in rather than 1!

 

Of course the term was punctuated by the Mt Buninyong fire, which disrupted things for a few days.  The Scotsburn team did an excellent job evacuating the campus on that day and the whole school community then handled the situation with a great deal of maturity and patience…..well done to everyone.

The term 1 calendar was certainly action packed. Some of the key celebrations from this term include:

  • 2 productive pupil free days before the kids started.
  • We’re making good progress with key priorities for this year, in both the teaching and learning space and the wellbeing space.  As mentioned above, a focus on explicit teaching and learning routines is having a positive impact.  In the wellbeing space, the introduction of ‘the burrow’ is having a real impact, as has the use of a whole school reward system, that being the use of ‘Buni money’ and spinning wheels in classrooms.
  • In term 4 of last year we laid the groundwork for raising expectations in terms of how the kids look after their school books and how work is recorded and presented.  The difference has been stark and we are very impressed with how staff and the kids have embraced this challenge. 
  • The electronic signage in Simpson street has generated lots of interest and worked effectively as another communication tool for the school and broader community.  Thanks to Mrs Dekok who has been driving this equipment.
  • Overall the term has been very settled, both in classrooms and the yard.  Speaking of the yard, students at the Buninyong campus have enjoyed the introduction of more soccer goals and we have a new set coming for Scotsburn as well.
  • All 4 scholarship programs and STEM extension classes are up and running going along nicely. 
  • Loads of parents attended the Meet and Greet evening, helping to strengthen the home-school relationship and get everyone on the same page.
  • We’ve had some great sporting events, including the 3-6 athletics back in week 6 and the district athletics last week.  We finish off the sporting term with the inter-house cross country event today.  
  • Our grade 6 teams are up and about and doing great things.  That will keep these kids engaged and connected to the school, which is crucial later in the year.
  • We managed NAPLAN with a minimum of fuss and anxiety.
  • There has been a steady stream of excursions & incursions, including the Teddy Bear’s Picnic, GRIP Leadership Conference, Questacon Science Day and visit to the Grand Prix.
  • We contributed to the Sustainability Expo, which was well received by the community. 

·         Tracey ran another successful BBQ and the Hot Cross Bun fundraiser is underway.

  • The fete was an outstanding success, both in terms of raising funds, but also as a community event.  It was fabulous to see everyone get behind the event.  The staff did an awesome job running their stalls and activities and received great support from families and local businesses.  And it was amazing to see so many school and broader community families come along on the night to spend some money and support the event.  Early next term we’ll be able to report on the profit made from the fete.

     

  • We had 2 very successful Open Mornings, with 30 new families coming along for a tour.  They loved the work of our Grade 6 Transition Team members and left with a very good sense of what we have to offer at our school.   Our connection with the local Playgroup has strengthened, which is another important connection to new families.

So overall we are really pleased with what has been achieved in term 1 and look forward to a productive term 2.  The term starts with a very short week, being just Tuesday to Thursday.  Thankfully the calendar for term 2 doesn’t look as busy, which will give us the opportunity to settle into our classroom routines and the learning program. 

 At the moment, the events we have planned for term 2 include:

  • School Photos and a Book Fair in week 2.
  • A Mothers Day Breakfast and the Mothers Day Stall in week 3.
  • Japanese Day and then a curriculum day in week 4.
  • A range of inter-school sporting events across the term.

GRADE 3 & 4 CAMPS

Well done to the grade 3 and 4 teams (teachers & teacher aides) for running successful camps at Cave Hill Creek last week. A big thank you to the parent helpers that went along and provided valuable support.  The Cave Hill Creek Camp site is nestled in the bush and is the perfect setting for school camp.

 

 Apart from the experience of spending time away from home, at this camp the kids get to participate in some pretty cool activities, including canoeing, a vertical challenge course, mapping/orienteering, hut building and archery.  All of the activities require the students to challenge themselves and engage in team work.

 

 The grade 3 students have now experienced and survived their first overnight camp and the 4s are well placed for their first 3 day camp in 2026.   

 

 

CASUAL DRESS FOR THE LAST DAY OF TERM

Don’t forget the kids are invited to come along in casual dress and to bring along a gold coin donation.  Proceeds will go to the Ballarat Animal Shelter, a charity chosen by our VOTS Team.

 

Dismissal time is 2:30pm on Friday.  We hope you all get a chance to relax and enjoy some family time over the break.  Lots of families head off camping over easter and hope the usual perfect weather at this time of year comes through for you. 

 

School returns on Tuesday, April 22, but then the Anzac Day public holiday means there is no school on the Friday of week 1 (April 25).