Apologies for the delay in getting this edition of the newsletter out to you. While I do my best to avoid delays wherever possible, every now and then it can’t be helped—thank you for your understanding.

As always, please make sure to check out the calendar of dates for all the key events and important information for the term ahead.

Thanks for reading

New Fence on the Horizon

As communicated earlier in the week, we’re delighted to share that Bolinda Primary School has been successful in securing a Department of Education subsidy to replace our existing fence.

This achievement follows extensive work behind the scenes, including numerous meetings, emails, and phone calls with the Victorian School Building Authority. We’re incredibly proud to have reached this milestone, as the cost of a new fence has previously been out of reach for our small school.

The new fence will make a significant difference to the safety, security, and presentation of our school grounds. As part of the works, there will be some minor changes to entry and exit points. These will be planned alongside upcoming landscaping maintenance, ensuring the new fence complements the fresh, welcoming look of our school.

We are now in the process of selecting the right people to complete the installation, and all going well, we hope to see the project completed before the start of Term 4.

Successful Gardening Grant

Bolinda Primary School has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Macedon Ranges Shire Council to help transform our school vegetable garden into a vibrant community garden.

This project has been a long-standing goal for our school, and with this funding, we can now begin to bring that vision to life — creating a welcoming space that students, families, and local community members can enjoy together.

The new garden will complement the recent improvements to our local area, including the upgraded walking track at Bolinda Oval and the ongoing enhancements to the Bolinda Hall. Together, these projects are helping to revitalise our shared spaces and strengthen community connections.

We’re incredibly grateful for the council’s support and look forward to seeing our garden take shape — and grow — in the months ahead.

Student-Led Acknowledgement of Country

Three of our Indigenous students, in collaboration with our Koori Engagement Support Officer, have written a unique Acknowledgement of Country for Bolinda Primary School. It is one that reflects both the cultural significance of the Wurundjeri people and the special features of our school environment.

The students considered the natural surroundings they experience every day — eagles soaring high above, the strong trees around our grounds, and the flowing waters of Bolinda Creek. These elements have been woven into their acknowledgement, giving it a deeply personal and local connection.

As a next step, we will be looking at ways to make these important words more visible and embedded in our daily school life — through displays, student reflections, and inclusion at key events.

Book Week Parade Coming Up

Book Week is just around the corner, running from August 18—and, just like always, we have some fun in store!

We’re thrilled to be holding our annual Book Week Parade on Tuesday, 19 August, right after the morning bell. This is always a highlight of the school calendar, and we’d love for families to come along to see our little superstars as they parade in their favourite book character costumes. Throughout the day, students will also take part in special Book Week activities, celebrating a love of reading and storytelling.

We’ve just received a brand new pack of all the shortlisted books for this year’s Book of the Year Awards, so students will have the chance to explore them in class leading up to the big week.

Parenting in a Digital World

We invite all parents and carers to a valuable online information session presented by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation.

Parenting in the Digital World offers insight into the latest online trends, risks, and research, with a strong focus on social media and the online spaces our children use every day. The session also provides practical advice for managing a child’s life online—helping you feel more confident and better equipped to guide them safely and respectfully.

Whether your child is new to devices or already deeply engaged online, this session is relevant for families with children of all ages.

Date: Tuesday 9 September

Time: 5:30pm (45-minute session)

Location: Online

Register here: Click to register

NAIDOC WEEK

Over the past few weeks, our students have been learning about NAIDOC Week—exploring its rich themes of culture, history, Country, and the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices.

To celebrate and share their learning, the students worked together to create a stunning mural, now proudly displayed in our school hallway. Each part of the artwork reflects their growing understanding and appreciation of what NAIDOC Week represents.

Bolinda Birthdays