Principal's Report

Relationships, Routines, and Expectations

As students and staff embark on a new school year together, a key focus across the school has been creating calm and productive learning environments where students feel a sense of belonging and connection with their peers. To build this strong foundation, the school is prioritising three essential elements: relationships, routines, and expectations.

When I first began teaching, a very long time ago now, some unspoken classroom management "rules" included not smiling until Easter, keeping your first name a mystery, and making an example of the first student who disrupted the class. Fortunately, teaching practices have evolved significantly since then, shifting towards a more relationship-based approach. This doesn't mean teachers become their students' friends, but rather that they recognise the importance of being warm, approachable, and caring.

However, strong relationships alone aren’t enough to create an effective classroom environment. Clear expectations and consistent routines are equally important. Routines provide structure, helping students manage their time efficiently while easing the mental load of decision-making. It has been fantastic to see teachers explicitly teaching these routines, setting students up with strong learning habits for success. Likewise, routines at home play a crucial role—simple and consistent bedtime habits, such as dinner, bath, book, and bed, help prepare children for a successful school day.

Walking through the school, it has also been wonderful to see the collaborative work being done to establish clear expectations around behaviour, learning habits, and respectful interactions. When students have a voice in shaping these expectations, they take ownership of their learning environment and are more likely to make positive choices that support our school values: cooperation, excellence, friendship, resilience and respect.

As we move through the year ahead, it's important to remember that success looks different for every student, and learning is a journey rather than a fixed destination. By focusing on relationships, routines, and expectations, we are laying the groundwork for our students' continued growth and development. 

Respect

At today’s assembly, I spoke with our students about the importance of respecting our school. We are incredibly fortunate to have beautiful buildings and grounds, yet some students are not showing the care and appreciation our school deserves.

Recently, we’ve had issues with toilets being blocked by stones and sticks, as well as wet toilet paper being thrown around. While these may seem like small incidents that can be fixed (although our plumber’s bills are adding up!), they reflect a lack of respect and pride in our shared space. This is disappointing and something we all need to address.

Our school is a place we all love, and so many people work hard to create a welcoming, vibrant community. This weekend, I encourage you to talk with your children about what makes our school special and the simple ways they can show respect for their environment and their peers.

Together, we can continue to build a school that we are all proud of. Thank you for your support!

Parents' and Friends' Association AGM

Last night, our Parents' and Friends' Association held its Annual General Meeting, and it was fantastic to see so many new faces in attendance. 

During the meeting, new office bearers were elected:

• President – Evylyn Campbell Brophy (mother of Eleanor, Prep A)
• Secretary – Corrie Quigley (mother of Chloe, 56A & Zara, 12A)
• Treasurer – Lia Thiagi (mother of Kyra, 34A & Alannah, 12C)

A heartfelt thank you to our outgoing President, Kym McCormick, for her hard work and dedication throughout 2024. Under her leadership, the team has successfully run numerous fundraisers that have not only enhanced our school but also strengthened the wonderful community spirit we cherish.

We’re pleased that Kym will remain involved with the association in 2025, and we look forward to another great year ahead!

Parent/Carer Contributions

Parent/Care payments help the school to operate effectively. Bundoora Primary School provides a significant range of programs and resources including laptops, iPads, and other materials that cannot be supplied without the optional support of families.

Contributions can be made via Compass, with a range of payment plans, or by speaking with our Business Manager, Kristina Smith.

We would like to thank the families who have already made these contributions.

Students need to arrive promptly at school, ready to engage and learn.

In the mornings before school, students should enter the school grounds from 8:45 am, if unaccompanied by a parent. Students who wish to attend breakfast club or the SEP café prior to 8:45 must have adult supervision in the yard. This is because staff are not on duty until 8:45. Students who enter the school grounds prior to 8:45 am without a parent are unsupervised and at risk.

A matter of great concern is the large number of our students who arrive at school after the 8:55 school bell has rung, meaning that many students arrive late to class. This is both disruptive for the class and difficult for the late students who are missing out on their important start to the day. It can make them feel anxious or uncomfortable and they miss out on important information and learning. 

Appointments with teachers

If you wish to speak with your child’s teacher at any other time please make an appointment via the school office, school email, or Compass email direct to the teacher. Teachers are often on duty or in meetings before and after school.

Mobile phones at school

We understand that some parents wish their children to have a mobile phone or smart watch to use when coming to school or returning home for safety reasons. Phones and smart watches need to be handed in to the office and must not be used in the school yard before or after school as per the school and Department of Education policy. Students must not have their phones with them during the day at school. Students may only keep their smart watches with them if the call and internet functions are turned off. If possible, it is best to keep mobile phones and smart watches at home.

Annual privacy reminder for 2025 

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

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents: 

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Pages/Schools-Privacy-Policy-information-for-parents.aspx 

 This information is also available in ten community languages: Amharic, Arabic, Dari, Gujarati, Mandarin, Somali, Sudanese, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese. 

Important information - Student Accident and Private Property Insurance, reminder 

The Department of Education and Training (DET), and government schools, do not provide personal accident insurance for students. Parents and Carers are generally responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including any transport costs. Reasonable low-cost accident insurance policies are available from the commercial insurance sector.

 The Department of Education also does not hold insurance, nor does it accept responsibility for private property brought to school by students, staff and visitors. Students are advised not to bring any unnecessary or particularly valuable items to school and are not allowed to bring any electronic toys and games to school. 

Please ensure that you have Ambulance cover as this is not covered by the school or the Department.

Welcoming Our New Staff in 2025

In addition to the new staff who joined us in 2024, we are delighted to welcome three new team members in 2025:

• Ms Fiona Orr joins us as an Education Support Officer in Grade 3/4.
• Ms Edyn Beattie is our new Auslan Education Support Officer, working alongside teachers to support our students in learning Auslan.
• Ms Ashlea Dyson has been appointed to take over 56B (Mr. Meagher’s class) until his return.

We are thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the positive impact they will have on our school community. Welcome!

An Update on Mr. Meagher

We’re pleased to share that Mr. Meagher’s surgery went well, and he is now resting comfortably at home with his family. I know you’ll join me in sending him our best wishes for a smooth and speedy recovery.

Family Welcome Night

A heartfelt thank you to all the families and staff who joined us for Family Welcome Night! We are especially grateful to the volunteers whose efforts helped make the evening such a success.

With perfect weather and a relaxed atmosphere, it was a wonderful way to come together as a school community. Be sure to check out the photo of Mrs. Dunn and me with the Lollipop Cat on another page of the newsletter!

Open Morning

Although Mrs. Dunn and I were unable to attend Open Morning yesterday due to a Department commitment, we were delighted to hear that so many families took the opportunity to visit and engage in learning with our students.

We truly appreciate our supportive and engaged community—it’s what makes our school such a special place!

School Council Elections

School Council Elections close on Monday at 4pm and we encourage all families to post at last one vote. You can find the names to vote for on compass or on the door at school. Ballots are available from the school office.

Class Captains

Class Captains and Vice-Captains will be presented with their badges next Thursday at a special assembly. Your child’s teacher will contact you if your child is one of the representatives chosen and we ask that you do not divulge this information to your child before the ceremony. These students will then form the Student Action Team (SAT); a group of dedicated students who work to make our school better through their fundraising and other work.

School Tours

School tours can now be booked at the office. Our Transition program dates have been set, and we invite you to share this information with any friends and family who may wish to enrol for 2026. Our first Parent information session will be held on April 3rd at 6:30 pm in the prep rooms. This is for families who want to know more about our school before coming to tour.

Kindy Story time commences in term two:

Session 1: Tuesday 29th April 10:35 am to 11:25 am.

Session 2: Wednesday 21st May 10:35 am to 11:25 am.

Session 3: Thursday 3rd June 10:35 am to 11:25 am.

In term three we start our Kindy ‘Come and Try’ sessions:

Session 1: Wednesday July 23rd Kindy Music with Mrs Newell 9:45 am to 10:35 am

Session 2: Wednesday August 2nd Kindy STEM with Ms Garbutt 11:55 to 12:45

Session 3: Thursday August 21st Kindy Art with Mrs Bruce 12:45 to 1:35

Session 4: Tuesday September 9th Kindy PE with Mr Kret 12:45 to 1:35.

Prep Transition concludes in term four (must be enrolled at the school to participate in these sessions):

Session 1: Thursday October 9th 9:30 am to 10:30 am

Session 2: Wednesday October 15th 9:30 am to 11:30 am

Session 3: Tuesday October 21st 9:30 to 11:30 am

Session 4: Thursday October 30th 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Wishing you all a safe and happy weekend. 

Best wishes,

Sherrin Strathairn

Principal