Education News
Financial Assistance for families
Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. It is part of making Victoria the Education State and the Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s financial circumstances and their outcomes.
Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)
School camps provide children with inspiring experiences in the great outdoors. Excursions encourage a deeper understanding of how the world works while sports teach teamwork, discipline and leadership. All are a part of a healthy curriculum.
CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school excursions, camps and sporting activities.
If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or support an out of home care student you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid directly to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.
The annual CSEF amount per student is $400 for all school students.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about CSEF visit:https://www.vic.gov.au/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund
School Council - Working with Children
From 2026, parents, carers and community members who would like to join the school council need a working with children (WWC) clearance to nominate. If you are considering nominating for school council, and don’t already have a WWC, I encourage you to apply for a volunteer WWC check as soon as possible. This will allow for processing times, which are estimated to be from 3 to 12 weeks. Please note that if you do not hold a WWC clearance, you will not be able to nominate for school council, so it is vital that you prepare in advance. Obtaining a WWC clearance is free for volunteers, and you can apply online at Service Victoria. When applying for your volunteer WWC check, please nominate the Department of Education as the organisation you are working for. If you already hold an employee WWC clearance, you do not need to obtain a volunteer WWC clearance to nominate for school council. Victorian Institute of Teaching-registered teachers and school students who are interested injoining school council are not required to obtain a WWC clearance. Current parents and community members of school council do not need to apply for a WWC check immediately. Current members only need a WWC clearance if their term ends and they wish to nominate or be co-opted again. For more information, refer to Ministerial Order 1280 (Constitution of Government SchoolCouncils) 2020.
Book Club
Scholastic Book Club provides an opportunity each term for families to browse and purchase current children’s literature. Each issue contains age-appropriate titles and additional resources and items.
Book Club is completely optional, and catalogues are distributed to students once a term.
This week our Term 1 catalogue was distributed, including a cover letter explaining how to purchase and the due date for orders, Monday 9th February.
Our Library staff will then distribute orders to students once they arrive at school.
Camps in 2026
This year we have our usual camping program commencing in Term 1.
Our 5/6s are heading off to Anglesea for a surfing experience later in Term 1 in week 9. Information regarding this will be distributed to our 5/6 families soon.
Our 3/4s are heading off to Camp Cave Hill with a half day trip to Sovereign Hill in mid Term 2, week 5.
Later in the year we hold our Year 2 sleepover at school, and F/1 Activity Night where students return for an activity and dinner at school.
Our camping program is a great opportunity for students to experience time away from home, bond with their peers and teachers and engage in different experiences.