Principal's Report

Dear Bundoora families,

Today our students celebrated the end of another successful term with the Student Action Team’s pyjama and oodie movie day fundraiser. Each class watched a movie and enjoyed a quiet morning at the end of a long term. It was a fabulous way to end the term as a school.

Attendance 

In term three, we will continue to encourage every student to attend school on time every day that they can. Families can support our students by ensuring that they get enough sleep, eat well, and take time to play.

We will support our students with engaging learning and routines that support every student. 

We look forward to another wonderful term after the break!

Morning Routines in Classrooms

In term three, all classes will implement ‘Morning Routines.’

Classroom morning routines are a powerful, daily opportunity to model expectations, build community, and set the tone for a successful day.

Morning routines aren’t just about logistics—they’re about:

1. Teaching and reinforcing expected behaviours
2. Building relationships and classroom culture
3. Supporting emotional regulation and readiness to learn
4. Creating a calm, predictable start

When routines are clear, consistent, and positively reinforced, they become a proactive behaviour support strategy. 

A strong morning routine prevents off-task behaviour, conflicts during transitions, and anxiety or dysregulation at the start of the day. Instead, morning routines promote calm energy, emotional safety, and academic readiness.

Morning routines give every student the chance to start fresh, feel successful, and be set up for a productive day, every single day.

We recognise that students and parents may be unfamiliar with morning routines and may find the new routines unusual at first.  We ask that all families commit to trialling our new routines for term three.

What does this mean for students?

Classroom doors will open at 8:45 and all students will enter their classroom to begin the morning routine. Students will then remain inside until classes begin at 8:55.

If you need to catch up with your child’s teacher, please email them or make an appointment to see them. Messages for teachers can be left at the office if urgent. 

Respect for Staff

When we read the behaviour of others as reflecting a deep flaw in character, we’re making what psychologists call the fundamental attribution error. It’s “fundamental” because we seem wired to do it, and it’s an “error” because human behaviour is shaped far more by context than we realise. Our assessments of ourselves tend to give weight to the surrounding circumstances—but we often forget to do the same for others.

This same principle plays out in schools every day. Teachers make countless decisions, often under pressure, with the needs of many children in mind. From the outside, it can be tempting to judge a moment or a consequence without the full context. But within the classroom, these decisions are guided by experience, care, and a strong sense of responsibility for every child’s wellbeing.

Just as we teach students to consider different perspectives and practise kindness, we ask our community to extend that same respect and trust to our staff. When we work in partnership, with openness and generosity, we create a school culture that allows both students and adults to thrive. Respect isn't just something we ask of children—it’s something we all must model, every day. (Adapted from Greg Ashman, “Filling the Pail”).

Nudel Kart and Nudel Pod

Following our successful Nudel Kart incursion, the school has been fortunate to purchase our very own Nudel Kart and Nudel Pod. I’d like to thank the Parents and Friends Association who have contributed to this purchase for our students.

These loose pieces STEM karts are currently under construction, and we hope to have them ready for use in term three to support our Wellbeing Program at school. The Kart and Pod will be available to individual classes to book for use and will also be used as a lunchtime activity on a rotation basis, open to all students. 

Here’s a picture of the Nudel Pod under construction and the final product (mini kart).

Nudel Kart train from the incursion- co-constructed by a group of 30 prep/one/two students.

Parent/Teacher Interviews in Term Three

Parent/Teacher Interviews will be held in week three on August 7th. Holding the interviews early in the term gives parents and teachers the opportunity to discuss the semester one progress and reports for each of our students. 

The interviews will be held on a regular school day, just like in term one. Parents can choose to attend interviews in person or online to suit their work and home schedule and we encourage all families to book an appointment when the bookings open. A compass post will be sent out to advise when the interview bookings open.

Swimming

Swimming will take place weeks two and three of term; 6 days of swimming over 10 days of school. We encourage all students to participate in swimming lessons to ensure that they are safe around water. 

Please speak with your child’s teacher if you would like more information about swimming lessons.

Concert – Vintage Vinyl

Mrs Newell and our students are hard at work preparing for the Concert Spectacular. We encourage families to check which night their child is perform when purchasing tickets. Ms Jodie, in the office, and classroom teachers can help you if you are not sure which night to attend.

Our community is truly in for a treat! Thank you, Mrs Newell for your hard work and for sharing your talents with our community!

Prep Dioramas

Yesterday morning I was privileged to view the prep diorama display. These dioramas are culmination of the work this term learning about farms, including a visit to Bundoora Farm.

Here is some of the prep’s work.

Collecting students early

When collecting students early for appointments we ask that you collect your students outside of recess and lunchtimes as our students are often too busy playing to pay attention to announcement. Please consider arriving 5-10 minutes early for appointments as the office staff will call down to the classroom to have your child sent to the up once you have arrived. 

2026 Enrolments

I encourage all current families, who are enrolling a student for 2026, to come to the office and receive a hard copy enrolment form. This will give you an opportunity to talk with Ms Jodie, our Office Manager. 

If you are aware of any families intending to enrol at our school for Foundation/Prep, please encourage them to come to the school. School tours can be booked at the office, by phone or in person.

Our Kindy transition program begins in term three, with Kindy Music and Auslan on July 22nd from 9:45 am to 10:35 am.

Being Safe Online

A new research report from Telstra has found almost half of all Australian children aged 10-17 spend more than two hours a day on TikTok; and that Australian children are among the highest users of the internet in the world. 

The latest research shows the major concerns for parents of children using the internet are protecting personal information, exposure to inappropriate content and cyber-bullying. 

The best way for parents to teach their children respect for others and protect them against cyber-bullying is to find out what they do on social media sites and be involved in their online world.

It is also important to remind children that saying things online is the same as saying things in real life.

The Federal Government safety web site contains information for parents and children relating to safe internet use.

 https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids/be-an-esafe-kid/being-safe-online

Resources for Parents/Carers

From time to time, parents/carers ask the school for guidance on supporting their children—whether it’s advice on health, nutrition, learning at home, or encouraging positive behaviour. 

The Raising Children website is a valuable resource with expert information on a wide range of parenting topics, from pregnancy through to the teenage years and beyond. 

We encourage you to explore this site for practical tips and support. See https://raisingchildren.net.au/

Child safety and wellbeing at Bundoora Primary School: information for families and the school community 

 Bundoora Primary School is committed to providing an environment where students are safe and feel safe. Our child safety framework includes policies, codes and procedures that explain how we support and maintain the safety and well-being of our students and protect them from harm. These documents are available on our website https://bundooraps.vic.edu.au/about-our-school/reports-and-policies/

Enjoy the term break. Keep warm and stay safe.

Best Wishes,

Sherrin Strathairn

Dates for Term Three

July 21st - First day term three. Assembly for students at 9 am

July 22nd - Kindy Music/Auslan

July 25th - 101 Days of Prep Celebration

July 25th - visit from Food Bank at assembly

July 28th to 30th - week one of swimming

July 30th - School Tour (group)

August 1st - Concert dress rehearsal at school

August 4th to 6th - Week two of swimming

August 6th - tentative BPS Athletics

August 6th  - Kindy STEM

August 7th - 3 way conferences (tentative date)

August 8th pupil free day

August 11th 3/4 tree planting with CERES

August 15th School Tour (group)

August 15th SEP Schnitzel dinner fundraiser

August 18th School concert dress rehearsal Loyola

August 18th Night one of concert

August 19th Night two of concert

August 20th Pupil free day

August 21st Kindy Art

August 22nd BPS Athletics - running only

August 25th 3/4 Tree planting with CERES

August 27th/28th/29th - year 5/6 camp

August 29th Prep/one/two camp day. Year one/two evening dinner. Year two sleepover.

September 1st. School Tour

September 2nd 3/4 Tree planting with CERES

September 9th Kindy PE

September 11th SEP Careers Day and open morning (9 to 10)

September 19th Footy Day and parade

September 19th Last day of term three. 2:30 pm finish.