Principal's Message 

It has been really exciting watching our Year 1 – 6 children transition back to school this week. We have heard many stories of holiday adventures and mishaps. It’s lovely to see the social connections our children have developed continue and new friendships that are being formed. 

We look forward to our Preps beginning with us on Monday 3 February. Last year we trialed getting all our mandated assessments completed prior to the Prep students beginning school. We then had an uninterrupted run with the children’s learning and transition to school. We found that our Prep students settled into school routines much quicker than past years. 

Please be aware that there will be lots of new families in the car park on Monday morning for the Prep’s first day. The Preps are beginning at 9:30am which will hopefully provide easier access to our school after the rest of the school does their drop off.

Family Engagement

Due to the layout of our school and our car park issues, it can be tricky at Billanook for families to informally meet with their child’s class teacher before or after school. In the past we have had a dedicated week where we hold ‘getting to know you interviews.’ This year we are trialing a different approach. We don’t want families just meeting with their child’s teacher during a designated time as decided by the school. We want families to feel that they can contact their child’s class teacher whenever they have something important to share. All families are invited to contact their child’s class teacher and organise a time for a chat (could be a phone call or in person). Teacher’s may contact families if they feel they need more information about a child.

In response to the reporting survey that our families completed last year, we have changed the timing of our 3-way conferences. We will be holding our formal 3-way conferences on the 1st and 2nd of April. This will provide an earlier opportunity for children to discuss their learning goals and learning progress. 

Settling In Program

To begin the year, each class is undertaking our Settle In program.  This allows for our children to develop relationships with their teacher and peers.  It is important that we revise our school values and develop a classroom culture of inclusion and a real sense of belonging.  Each class will develop a Mission Statement that will be on display in the foyer over the next few weeks.  These documents are referred to throughout the year as they are the class agreements for how the children will interact and behave with each other and their teacher.  

Buildings and Grounds

Over the holidays we were able to get our Gym floor polished, this is a much needed yearly maintenance. We also had landscapers install some large rocks at the rear of the new building to create a dry creek bed and to retain the soil for the creation of our vegetable gardens. The fence for the vegetable garden will be installed next week.

We will be holding a ‘vegetable garden working bee’ where we will be filling the vegetable gardens with soil. Kirsty has sent out a Compass notification for the event.  It will be held on Monday the 10th February 3.15- 5pm in the new kitchen garden space, at the back of the new building. We greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide.

New Playground

The frustration of the removal of our old portable buildings has continued over the holiday break. I can’t get a definite answer from the Victorian School Building Authority in regard to a removal date. I have been informed that we have been moved from the removal team to the demolition team and that hopefully they can demolish the buildings in the Easter holidays. This is yet to be confirmed though.

We have tentative plans ready to go for our new playground space. We will be gathering student voice this term to ensure that what we are proposing is what our children want.  I will keep you informed about the progress of the new playground as the year progresses. 

Parking and pick ups

Please be considerate of our neighbours and avoid parking in No Standing areas. Taruna Rise and Bracken Ave are no parking areas along the whole street, council parking inspectors do enforce the no parking rule in this area.

In the afternoons we ask you to continue to remain patient and respectful when picking up your children from school.  There are new families and grandparents who don’t always understand our car parking rules. In the pick-up area, please move as far forward as you can before your child enters your car, this keeps the line moving.  Also, there are often plenty of parking spaces available (after the initial 3:30pm rush) in the main car park.  Rather than waiting in the line, please consider parking.  Your children can cross the supervised crossing and make their way to your car.

It will be busier at the start of next week as the new Foundation families drop off and pick up their children. Please be patient with everyone as they learn our car parking routines.

Staffing Update – welcome Will Rayner

This year we welcome Will Rayner to Billanook, Will has been employed as a roaming teacher. We have a number of teachers taking long service leave this year. Will will take these classes as well as working as a day-to-day casual relief teacher across the school.

Year 6 Leadership Conference – 6-7th February

At Billanook, we believe that all Year 6 children are leaders, regardless of whether they have an official leadership position or not. Our Year 6 team will again venture down to the Montrose Council Conference Room for their 2-day leadership course. They will participate in sessions to develop their understanding of what leadership is, how to become a good leader, public speaking skills and the available leadership roles at Billanook. 

All Year 6 children will have the opportunity to present a speech on Monday 17 February to our Year 5 and 6 children to demonstrate their leadership skills. They will also be invited to present their speech to the children from Years 3-6 of their house, if they wish to become a house captain.

Children will be selected for our formal leadership positions and will be presented with their badges at an assembly. Not all children will receive a formal leadership position, which can be disappointing for some, however we consider all Year 6s as school leaders and will provide other opportunities throughout the year where all students can demonstrate their leadership. 

School Saving Bonus – from the Department of Education

The Victorian Government is delivering the School Saving Bonus (SSB) – a one-off support of $400 for eligible government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025.

The SSB helps families cover the cost of uniforms, textbooks, excursions, activities and more.

Most families have now received their SSB code(s). I encourage you to take advantage of this government support.

To learn more about the SSB online system watch this School Saving Bonus video. 

If you would like to use your bonus for school activities, you can allocate some or all of the bonus using the School Saving Bonus online system.

If you have only recently completed your enrolment into the Victorian government school system you can expect to receive your SSB code(s) in the coming weeks.

If you have transferred to our school from another Victorian government school, any remaining funds on your SSB code(s) will soon be available to use at our approved school suppliers. We request your patience as this change is processed.

The Department of Education has established a dedicated contact centre to support the SSB. The contact centre can be reached by: 

· completing the School Saving Bonus enquiry form

· calling 1800 338 663, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm on weekdays

Regards

Michael Puddy