Solar and Battery Installation at Middle Gully

We’re excited to share that Macedon Primary School is taking another step towards a cleaner, more sustainable future — 8.28kWs of solar panels, 20.48kWh of battery storage and 300Ls of electric hot water capacity are being installed at Middle Gully this term by Trentham Electrical and Solar!

Once complete, the system will help enhance the teaching, learning and community engagement activities centred on Middle Gully while supporting our students’ learning about renewable energy in action.

Installation will take place very soon, so you may notice some extra activity around Middle Gully as the team works safely to get everything up and running.

A huge thank you to the PFA for their outstanding fundraising activities over the years, which made this system possible. We're also incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the project, including those who dedicated their time to assessing options and getting us to this exciting point.

School Council - Who to Contact

As part of our commitment to open and respectful communication, we’d like to remind families that any matters relating to School Council—or concerns involving School Council members—should be directed to me as Principal (andrew.bloomfield@education.vic.gov.au) or to Adrian Caltabiano, our School Council President (adrian.caltabiano@education.vic.gov.au). This helps ensure your query is handled confidentially and in line with Department guidelines.

Changes to digital device use

From 2027, the Victorian Government is introducing changes to the use of digital devices for students from Prep to Grade 6.

Under the new guidelines, schools:

· will no longer invite families to purchase or bring their own digital devices to use at school for Prep to Grade 6

· will follow new recommended digital device times, including minimal device time for Prep to Grade 2; and a maximum of 90 minutes per day for grades 3 to 6.

These changes are intended to support families by reducing cost-of-living pressures. They will also support students by reducing screen-time which can reduce the risk of eye strain, sedentary behaviour, and reduced peer interaction. These reforms complement Victoria’s nation-leading mobile phone restrictions, ensuring an integrated approach to addressing digital distraction and the inappropriate use of technology.

What this means for our school:

Students with disabilities who use a digital device as a reasonable adjustment are exempt from these changes.

These changes are intended to support families with cost-of-living pressures and reduce student screen time.

Share your views to help make our school safer

The Department of Education is inviting parents and carers to take part in an online survey.

The survey seeks views on how the department can best protect school communities from harmful behaviour by parents and carers, and other adults:

· on school grounds and other places school activities happen.

· online including social media.

Harmful behaviours can include abusive, aggressive and disruptive behaviours, including on social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp.

The survey will help the department:

· better understand community attitudes around this issue.

· seek input on whether stronger protections are needed for school communities.

The survey closes at 11:59 pm on Monday 10 November 2025.

At Macedon Primary School, we are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for the entire school community. We support ongoing efforts to address harmful behaviour by adult members of our school community, including online.

I encourage you to share your views by taking part in the survey.

To access the survey, refer to Keeping school staff safe onsite and online on the Engage Victoria website.

Attendance

As part of our School Strategic Plan, we’re aiming to reduce student absences to an average of fewer than 17 days per student each year.

Regular attendance supports learning and wellbeing. Missing 20 days a year adds up to over a full year of school missed by Year 12.

So far this year, Macedon Primary students have missed 3088 days – an average of 13.54 days per student.

Thank you for supporting regular attendance. Every day counts!

Parent Payments

A heartfelt thank you to all families who have made a voluntary contribution to our school this year. Around 50% of families have contributed $240 per student. These funds go directly to student learning and classroom programs, and they make a significant difference to what we can provide—enabling opportunities and resourcing that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to offer.

If you would still like to contribute, you can do so via XUNO or by contacting the office. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Warm regards,

Andrew Bloomfield

Principal

andrew.bloomfield@education.vic.gov.au

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