From the  Principal 

Exciting Improvements Coming 

Thanks to Your Generosity and the Energy of Our PFA Fundraising Committee

I am thrilled to share some wonderful news about how our school is putting your generous contributions to work. Thanks to the amazing support of our Parents and Friends Association and the wider school community, several exciting projects will be underway over the upcoming holiday break.

A new bike shelter will be constructed, providing much-needed protection for students' bikes. This new roofing will help keep bikes safe and dry throughout the year—a long-awaited improvement we’re very excited to see in place for Term 3.

In addition to this, we have also purchased a range of plants and new bench seating to help reestablish and beautify several of our garden areas. These green spaces are important parts of our school environment, offering calm, inviting areas for students to relax and connect with nature. 

We can’t wait to see these projects come to life and are deeply grateful for the continued generosity and support of our school community. Thank you.

Policy Review

As a component of the School Review 2025, Minimum Standards for School Registration, the school’s policy subcommittee is reviewing existing policies. 

The following policies can always be accessed:

·     Duty of Care policy

·     Student Wellbeing and Engagement policy

·     Bullying Prevention policy

·     Camps and Excursions policy

·     First Aid policy

·     Health Care Needs policy

·     Medication policy

·     Acceptable Use Agreements OR Digital Learning policy

·     Anaphylaxis policy

·     Visitors policy

·     Volunteers policy

      Attendance policy

You may notice on the website  that some are currently ‘in review’ and they are in DRAFT format awaiting any feedback.

• Child Safety Code of Conduct Policy (click here to view)
• Complaints Policy (click  here to view)
• Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy and Procedures (click here to view)
• Visitors Policy (click here to view)
• Volunteers Policy (click here to view)

We  would appreciate any feedback or comments our school community has on these. 

If you have anything you would like to share, please email Amanda Miller by Wednesday 28th June. Mail to: carnegie.ps@education.vic.gov.au

From the Department of Education:

Resources and Policy to Promote Respectful Behaviours and Staff Safety

When parents, carers and school staff work together as one team, our students thrive. Everyone at school, particularly staff and parents and carers, play a role in making school a better place for learning and work.

Parents, carers and school staff have a relationship that can last many years. This is an opportunity to work together to create a positive relationship in the best interests of your child. When this relationship is built on respect and trust, students learn better and feel like they belong in the school.

You may have noticed new posters displayed in our school that depict some unacceptable behaviours which can negatively impact our school community. These posters are a visual reminder about the behaviour that does not help us create a safe, respectful and inclusive learning environment for students, staff and adults. I trust that you will continue to keep respect at the core of all interactions with school staff. The Department of Education’s Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy describes the positive behaviour expected from parents, carers and other adults in Victorian school communities. The policy sets clear standards of behaviour to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment for students, staff and adults.

Update on suspension and expulsion powers

Our school is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all students and staff. You may be aware of recent changes announced to suspension and expulsion powers that will be available to Victorian principals from day one of Term 3, (Monday 21 July 2025).

We know that students’ behaviour outside of school, particularly online, can sometimes impact the safety of students and staff at school.

In exceptional circumstances, principals of Victorian government schools will be able suspend or expel students for behaviour that occurs outside of school grounds and/or hours including online, if it poses a significant danger to the safety and wellbeing of students or staff.

These powers apply only to serious incidents where there is a clear and close connection to the school and the behaviour of a student outside of school unreasonably impacts the safety and wellbeing of students or staff at school, and their ability to learn or work. Please note: 

· They do not apply to behaviours unrelated to the school or school community.

· They only apply to behaviour which occurs from Monday 21 July 2025 onwards.

Suspension and expulsion will remain measures of last resort – our primary approach continues to focus on proactive and positive behaviour support, including working with you to teach students the behaviours we expect of them, in school and in life.

School Attendance and Leave Policy 

I want to take a moment (again)  to remind everyone about the importance of regular school attendance.

According to Department of Education Victoria guidelines, school attendance is compulsory for all enrolled students. Regular attendance not only ensures that your child receives the full benefit of our educational programs but also helps them stay engaged and connected with their peers.

We understand that occasionally, family circumstances may require a student to be absent from school, such as for family holidays. If you are planning a holiday during school term time, we kindly request that you seek permission in advance from the Principal. This allows us to ensure that your child's absence does not adversely impact their learning progress and helps us to support their educational needs effectively.

To request approval for a holiday absence, please submit a formal request detailing the dates of absence and the reason for the request. The Principal will review each request based on our school's policies and the Department's guidelines to ensure that any absence is managed appropriately. 

Please email Carnegie.ps@eduation.vic.gov.au

Your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines is greatly appreciated.

With thanks,

Karen Roberts

Principal 

 I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of

 the lands on which this is being read and pay my respects to elders past present and emerging. I wish to acknowledge our First Nations people and pay respects to them. I note further that these lands were never ceded and are, and always will be, Aboriginal Lands.

Respect, Resilience, 

Curiosity,  Integrity