GENERAL INFORMATION
URGENT - 2026 SHIBUYA HOST FAMILIES NEEDED
We are desperately needing 2 additional Host families for Japanese Students visiting from Shibuya Junior High in March 2026.
Detailed information is available by emailing klagreca@bhcs.vic.edu.au
Please note, host families receive a $600 payment upon completion of the visit.
Government Money Available for Health Care Card or Pension Card Holders or Foster Carers
CSEF (CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSION FUNDING)
CSEF is government funding that is available to families to offset the costs of camps, sporting events and excursions which form part of your school fees. The applicant must be one of the following on the first student day of Term 1 (28 January 2026) or Term 2 (20 April 2026):
a parent or carer who is the beneficiary of a financially means-tested card
a student over 16 years who is considered a mature minor and holds a valid means tested concession card (such as a Youth Allowance Health Care Card
a parent or carer whose child is 16 or over and the beneficiary of a financially means tested card but are not considered a mature minor.
From 1 January 2026, the Government has increased the CSEF rates as follows:
$400 per year for eligible primary school students (previously $154)
$400 per year for eligible secondary school students (previously $256)
The School Savings Bonus was a one-time program for 2025 only and no longer applies for 2026. More information can be found at the following link: https://www.vic.gov.au/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund
If you meet the stated criteria, please complete a CSEF Form and return it to the Finance Office as soon as possible.
SCHOOL PHOTO DAY
School Photo Day will run across several days again in 2026. Each photography day includes all class group photos, portrait photos for individual students, and Captains’ photos for applicable students.
Further information has been sent home to families via email earlier this week, including details on how to place your order.
- 3yo Kinder FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
- 4yo Kinder TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24
- Primary School TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24
- Secondary School THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26
- Sibling Photos (P-12) FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
WORK AT BHCS
New opportunities to join our enthusiastic team here at BHCS have just been placed on our website! We're currently looking for:
VCE/VET/VCE VM Administrator
Enrolments & Administration Officer
Casual Relief Kinder Teachers
Learning Assistant - Integration Aide (Secondary)
Food Technology (Kitchen) Assistant
Food Technology (Kitchen) Assistant - Casual
Discovery Centre (Library) Assistant Manager
If you, or someone you know, is interested in knowing more about these positions, you can read more by visiting: https://www.bhcs.vic.edu.au/careers
Student Progress Meetings: A New Name for a Familiar Purpose
In 2026, we are changing the name of our Parent Teacher Interviews (PTIs) to Student Progress Meetings (SPMs). This new name more accurately reflects the purpose of these conversations, focusing on each student’s growth, learning progress, and well-being.
Student Progress Meetings provide an opportunity for parents, students, and teachers to come together and discuss achievements, challenges, and next steps in learning. The new title highlights the shared commitment we all have in supporting each student’s ongoing development. This year, SPMs will be held on Wednesday, 1 April, from 1.40 pm to 8.00 pm and Thursday, 2 April, from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm. Further details, including booking instructions, will be shared soon.
NAPLAN 2026 : YEAR 3, 5, 7, 9
NAPLAN will be held at BHCS from 11th - 23rd March. Information about exact timetable and student withdrawals will be available shortly.
Students in Year 3 and 5 will have classroom headphones supplied. Year 7- 9 will need to bring their own headphones (wired only - no Bluetooth).
TRAVEL CONVEYANCE ALLOWANCE 2026
The travel Conveyance Allowance is Government funding available to school families to subside the cost of travel to School by both bus and car. The eligibility criteria for the Conveyance Allowance are set by the Department of Education, including; you must betraveling further than 4.8km by the most practical route to get to and from School and you must live closer to BHCS than to any other similar School. For BHCS, this is St Andrew’s Christian College in Wantirna South.
If circumstances remain unchanged from year to year, there is no need to reapply, however if the following changes have occurred it will be necessary for you to complete a new Application in order to qualify for ongoing Conveyance Allowance in 2026:
A change from car travel to bus travel, or vice versa
Your family has moved and changed address
You have a child who has commenced at BHCS in 2026 who was not listed on your previous Application
New families to BHCS are encouraged to complete a form and submit their applications if they have not already done so
Payment of the funding is made directly to BHCS at the end of each term and is applied as a credit to families' school fee account. If you have any queries or to obtain a copy of the necessary form(s) please email your request to schoolfees@bhcs.vic.edu.au by the end of February 2026.