Blackburn Primary School Weekly

Principal's Report

Welcome back and what an amazing start last week. It was wonderful to see the incredibly settled nature across the school and focus on learning, which was very evident.

 

We would like to officially welcome all our new staff and families to the school. We welcome a number of new staff to our school for 2025, welcome to Will Burke, Michael Ringin and Sarah Morris -  We are certain there are many families of the school that will assist you in settling into our community in no time at all. Included below are some introductions to our new staff.

 

We also welcome back Wendy Bennett to the classroom after taking on science last year. Tanya Stansfield will take on the science role after being in 1/2 in 2024. We also welcome back Sarah Rohit (nee Ellis), who returns from some time working in NSW.

 

If your children are anything like my two the joy (and tiredness!) of being back at school, doesn't always translate when you ask them how their day was.  I recently came across this article, which I thought you may find useful to reshape the dinner table questions.

Will and Woody

A bit of excitement today as Will and Woody from KIIS101.1 made an appearance at school trying to learn some tricks of playground trading with the children. Lots of trades happening from the traditional vegemite sandwich and footy cards through to a lemon, crystals, handbag and giant zucchini! I look forward to sharing the segment with families shortly.

We were lucky enough that they even joined our media captains as special guests for our daily announcements and fun facts about themselves

Information Night

A big thank you to those families who attended our information nights this week. It's a great opportunity for you to meet your child's teacher and here more about the upcoming year. With the consistence approaches we have across our school means the transition from year to year for students is generally quite straight forward and we look forward to the milestone moments in each year level. 

 

As previously mentioned it is important to note that these meetings are occurring during the teachers working hours, which has required some changes to school operations.  As per the Victorian Government School Agreements (2022) our teachers working hours total 38 hours per week and teacher availability is between 8.45am – 4.45pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and 8.45am – 3.45pm Tuesday and Friday. As always our teachers are always more than happy to meet with parents to arrange a suitable, mutually agreeable meeting time to discuss their child’s needs, learning progress or concerns.

 

PARENT TEACHER EXCHANGE

These meetings are for parents to provide information to the teachers with specific learning needs or requirements, some families may choose that they do not need to attend and the questionnaire may be sufficient.

 

A reminder that these are not intended to be a parent-teacher meeting.

There has also been an extensive handover between your child's teacher and last year's teacher to ensure that the transition is smooth and that the 2025 teachers have a sound understanding of the needs of your child. 

 

Please book in a time via Compass conferences (same as mid-year interviews), if you feel that the questionnaire is not sufficient.

 

A questionnaire about your child has been distributed by your child's class teacher on Compass.

ANNUAL PRIVACY REMINDER 2025

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and the Schools’ Privacy Collection Notice.

 

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy, describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn. For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. This information is also available in ten community languages.

 

SUN PROTECTION

A reminder that as per our Sun Protection policy for all of Term One and Term Four -  ALL BPS students are expected to wear hats during recess and lunch and for all outdoor activities, especially Physical Education. Students not wearing hats are to sit under the shade seating on the Schoolhouse.

 

With the warm weather about, it is vital that all students wear their school, SunSmart hat when outside.  Students should also be drinking water regularly and taking breaks from play if they are getting too hot. We would appreciate these reminders being reinforced at home.

MOBILE PHONES AND SMART WATCHES

To maintain a focused and safe learning environment, students are not permitted to use smart watches or mobile phones during school hours, in accordance with the ministers directive to schools. If a student brings one of these devices to school, it must be handed in at the office at the start of the day. The devices will be securely stored and returned at the end of the school day.

 

While we understand the importance of these devices in daily life, they can be a significant distraction in the classroom. By keeping them stored away, students can fully engage in their learning and school activities.

 

All communication between home and school should go through the school office. We appreciate your support in enforcing this policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.

 

Thank you for helping us create a positive and productive learning environment!

 

The Mobile phones in schools webpage provides links to resources for families to help them balance their children’s time using mobile phones.

 

The BPS Mobile Phone policy can be found here.

STUDENT-FREE DAYS 2025

The following dates have been approved by School Council for the student free days for 2025,

  • 28th January (Statewide)
  • 7th March (Backing onto Labour Day PH) 
  • 6th June (Backing onto King’s Birthday PH)
  • 3rd November (Before Melbourne Cup PH)
  • 19th December (Last day of the school year)

New webpage to help families and students prepare for a new school year 

A new school year is an exciting time for students and families, but it can be a big step – particularly for those starting Prep or moving to secondary school.

The Department of Education has published a webpage with resources and information to help you prepare for the new school year.

 

During the school holidays, please consider reading through the resources, which include:

  • tips to help transition between kinder and Prep and primary to secondary school 
  • what to expect at school
  • help with school costs and fees
  • health and wellbeing guidance to support children’s mental health.

Please refer to the New year of learning webpage.