Principal's Report
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, learn and play. We pay respect to Wurundjeri elders past, present and emerging and extend our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families of Bimbadeen Heights Primary School.
A Big Thank You for a Wonderful Term
As we wrap up another great term at Bimbadeen, we want to extend our gratitude to all the staff, students, and families for your ongoing support in making this term a success. Your contributions to learning, well-being, and the many fun activities have been invaluable.
This term has been packed with exciting events, including two camps, Hooptime competitions, Book Week, swimming sessions, celebrating Foundation students’ 100 days of school and our Year 6’s 100 days left of school, Tournament of the Minds and John Monash Science School programs, NAIDOC week, tennis clinics, and our Bimbadeen Olympics. And we’re not done yet, with our Women in Sport Day in the final week of the term.
Looking Ahead to Term 4
Next term is shaping up to be just as busy! Be sure to check the Sentral Calendar to stay informed about what is coming up. Some key events to look forward to in Term 4 are our Year 6 Camp and Year 2 Day Camp, Spring Fair, Book Fair, a host of incursions and excursions, our end of year Christmas Concert, and the Year 6 Graduation ceremony.
Important: School Saving Bonus
Please refer to the 'School Saving Bonus' information that was sent directly to families via Sentral / Email for essential details about this initiative. Make sure you review the necessary steps and take any required actions.
Whooping cough cases are continuing to increase across Victoria, particularly among school-aged children.
Whooping cough is a very contagious infection, mostly spread through coughing or sneezing. Symptoms include:
Whooping cough can lead to life threatening infections in babies.
If your child is unwell, they should not attend school. Please see a doctor if you or your child develops whooping cough symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment will help reduce the spread of the infection.
If your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, they must not attend school for 21 days after the onset of the cough, or until they have received 5 days of antibiotic treatment. You must notify the school if your child is diagnosed with whooping cough.
To further reduce the spread of infection to your child and the school community, the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 require that some students who were in the same classroom as a student diagnosed with whooping cough should not attend school.
Your child should not attend school for 14 days after they were last exposed to a person diagnosed with whooping cough, or until they have taken 5 days of a course of antibiotic treatment if they are:
This exclusion is required by law – refer to the School exclusion table for primary schools and children’s services.
If your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, please contact the school to let us know.
For more information about whooping cough, refer to Whooping cough on the Better Health Channel.
Vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of whooping cough. The Department of Health recommends staying up to date with immunisations, including booster doses. A free booster dose of the pertussis vaccine is covered under the national immunisation program for students aged 12 to 13. If you are unsure about your child’s vaccination status for whooping cough, please discuss with an immunisation provider, such as your doctor.
We really appreciate your support in keeping our students safe and well.
Term 4 is a Sunsmart Term!
Bimbadeen is a SunSmart school, where school hats are compulsory in Terms 1 and 4. Children will not be allowed to play out in the sun without their hats on next term (or in Term 1 next year). Students without hats will be asked to remain under the veranda in front of the hall, or in the shade outside their classroom doors during recess and lunch times. If you child has misplaced their school hat or they require a new one, new school hats can be purchased from our uniform shop Spartan School World Bayswater or via the link on our school website.
Wearing sunscreen is another important way to protect your skin from harm. Students will be provided with time in their classroom to apply sunscreen prior to recess and lunchtime. Students must apply their own sunscreen at school. We encourage parents and carers to apply sunscreen to their children before school, include personal sunscreen in their child’s school bag, and encourage their children to reapply sunscreen prior to lunch play. Sunscreen is always available at the office for staff and students who do not have their own at school and wish to access it.
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships are available to assist students and families with the costs of education and to support ongoing study at the primary, secondary, or tertiary level.
Scholarships are open to students who:
Scholarships are awarded based on:
For more information and how to apply, visit this link: https://www.vic.gov.au/student-scholarships.
Child Safety and Wellbeing at Bimbadeen Heights PS - Information for families and the school community
As part of our Child Safety processes, we regularly review and update our child safety policies and procedures. These are available to view on our school website https://www.bimbadeenheightsps.vic.edu.au/
We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and wellbeing and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures, and practices.
If you have any suggestions, comments, or questions about Child Safety and Wellbeing at Bimbadeen, please contact a member of the school’s leadership team.
National Child Protection Week - Every Child in Every Community Needs a Fair Go
National Child Protection Week is all about the ways that we can all work together to build communities that support children and families. Children are safest when they are listened to, respected, and believed.
In 2024, the National Child Protection Week message that ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’ will be complemented with the theme ‘Every conversation matters’.
Conversations are powerful tools to keep children and young people safe and well. Conversations can help us understand issues, craft solutions, value community knowledge, and build the brains and social connections of children and young people.
National Child Protection Week is a great time to start conversations that help to keep children and young people safe and well.
When talking with children about safety:
2025 Parent Payments Information
It may seem a bit like seeing Christmas things in shops too early however we prefer to think of it as just being well organised and giving parents and carers as much notice as possible to help with managing the family finances. We are referring to the Parent Payments for next year that you will receive details about in a letter sent to families in the second week of Term 4. This is very important information so please look out for it. Once you have received the letter and forms you will be able to pay for next year’s Curriculum and Other Contributions so that you are ready and organised for school next year.
End of Term Arrangements
Friday 20 September is the final day of Term 3. A final assembly will be held at the end of the day from 1:35pm, with students being dismissed at 2:30pm. Please make appropriate arrangements for your children to be collected. Theircare will be running an afterschool care program on this day, beginning at 2:30pm. They also have a comprehensive holiday program planned for the school holiday break. Please contact Theircare directly for bookings.
We hope you and your family enjoy a great final week of term, and a lovely school holiday break together. We look forward to seeing you all back for the beginning of Term 4 on Monday 7 October.
Kind regards,
Adele Gregson and Sabrina George
