Principal's Report
Different Journeys
As you will already be aware, we have partnered with Different Journeys to increase the support available to our families, especially those who are carers. Different Journeys have recently been involved in our Footy Colours Day, Be Awesome Day and Prep Information Night. They also did a presentation for School Council recently and will be presenting to our staff soon.
Below is some information from Different Journeys that you might find helpful.
Dive into Term 4
Term 4 is a busy mix of exams, sports and fun activities! It’s also an important time to make sure children with disabilities have the support they need to fully take part. A reasonable adjustment is any change or modification that helps your child participate in learning, assessments, camps and school life – just like their peers. Find out more about reasonable adjustments you can request: https://www.differentjourneysautism.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Reasonable-Adjustments.pdf
Events for Carers
Carers are people who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged. Different Journeys Carers Cuppas allow unpaid carers to get together in a safe, supportive environment. The events are led by fellow carers with lived experience and enable participants to learn how to access new supports and resources for themselves and the person(s) they care for. Carers Cuppas are held regularly in Bendigo and Heathcote: https://www.differentjourneysautism.com/carer-events/
Events for Autistic Teens
If you are a parent or guardian of an autistic tween, you might be feeling both excited and a little nervous about what’s ahead.
Different Journeys Bendigo Teens Autism Events offer a safe, supportive space for Autistic teens (ages 13–18) and their families to connect, make friends and have fun. The evenings include activities like board games, crafts and the all-popular Kahoot quiz. Learn more: https://www.differentjourneysautism.com/
Reflection and Planning
As the year winds down, it’s a great time to pause and reflect. What worked well for your child at school and what could be improved? If your child has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Positive Partnership Profile (PPP), it may help to jot down a few notes about this past year that will help in developing next year’s IEP or PPP. Needs some ideas? Check out the Different Journeys IEP resource: https://www.differentjourneysautism.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IEP-Primary.pdf
Happy Holidays!
Heading away for the summer holidays? Did you know Australia’s airport screening policy now allows travelers to keep noise-cancelling headphones on during security checks, helping make air travel calmer and more inclusive: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/travelsecure/people-with-special-circumstances
Free Cyber Safety Night
We have now 'sold' 230 free tickets to the upcoming Cyber Safety Night with Susan McClean. With just 170 tickets now remaining, please get yours before they are all gone.
When things go wrong at school, it usually relates to issues that students have when online, whether this is with a peer or a complete stranger. Brett and I spend far too much of our time dealing with matters that are completely avoidable.
I strongly encourage all parents and carers to attend this important session, regardless of the age of your child or if they currently use a device or not. I guarantee you will be shocked with some of the content shared during Susan's presentation.
Join us for a free parent information session with Susan McLean, Australia’s foremost authority on online safety and digital behaviour. Susan will speak openly and honestly about the risks young people face online and provide strategies parents can use straight away.
📅 Monday 1st December @ 6:30pm
📍 Bendigo South East College Theatre
🎟️ Free Event – Bookings Essential
Reserve your free tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1847440677799?aff=oddtdtcreator
Be Awesome Day 2025
We celebrated another successful 'Be Awesome Day' recently. For those not familiar with this special day, it is a legacy piece to celebrate our former friend and colleague, Mr Mark 'Stevo' Stevens. Stevo was an amazing teacher at SGPS, whose passion and enthusiasm for his students were infectious. Stevo had a lasting impression on everyone he met, and not a day goes by that we aren’t reminded of his amazing impact on our school. Our motto 'Be Awesome' was Stevo's favourite saying when talking to our students. He could always be overheard telling students to be awesome, and when they responded with 'I already am', he would just tell them to be more awesome.
I ran into a former student last week, who is now 19, and they said that they only recently dragged their Grade 6 shirt out of storage and found written on their collar 'Stevo - Be Awesome'. It was a special find for this student and one we can all relate to.
Special thanks to Mrs Schulz and Mrs Todeschini for coordinating this special day. Thanks also to Parent Club for organising the Colour Run and thanks to all parents who helped out or attended on the day. Finally, congratulations to all students for planning and running their activities on the day, especially with the rainy weather.
Curriculum Day - No Assembly
Our final Curriculum Day for 2025 will be held tomorrow, Friday 14th November. Staff will be using this day for assessment and reporting.
Remembrance Day
Every year at 11am on 11 November—the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month—we pause to remember those men and women who have died or suffered in all wars, conflicts and peace operations. We also think about current serving personnel.
Our staff acknowledged this important day with their students on Tuesday.