Hello everyone,

Our thoughts and condolences are with the Girton school community today after the tragic accident this morning and loss of one of their students.

Welcome back everyone! Term 4 is always a busy one with our year 6 students preparing for graduation night, our swimming progam is on, there's report writing later in the term plus all the usual fantastic learning happening in classrooms!

Planning for 2026 is already underway. If you know that your child will not be continuing their education with us, please let me know as soon as you can. Our funding is determined by student numbers so having unexpected changes makes planning difficult.

If you would like some input in to your child's class placement, please read our 'Class placment' policy and email me to request a copy of the 'parent input' form. "Parent input' forms must be returned to me by 3rd November.

The Smile Squad free school dental program is coming to our school.

The Smile Squad team from Bendigo Health are coming to our school soon.

Smile Squad is the Victorian Government free school dental program.

This means ALL students can get a free dental check-up, preventive services, and treatment at school.

How to access free dental care

Smile Squad need your consent before they can provide services. Consent is usually provided by a parent or guardian.

Sign up to Smile Squad at: https://bit.ly/smilesquadvic

OR use the below QR code:

Paper copies of the consent form are available. Please contact the school office if you would like to request one.

The electronic consent form can be translated into more than 100 languages, and the paper form is currently available in 13 languages.

Smile Squad oral health packs

All children deserve a healthy smile, and the Smile Squad free school dental program is working hard to help make sure this happens.

Your child(ren) will soon receive a free oral health pack to bring home. The pack contains a toothbrush, full sized toothpaste, and an oral health brochure. Please take the time to read the brochure. It’s full of helpful hints and tips to help your whole family eat well, drink well and clean well – for life.

Standard strength toothpaste

Smile Squad provides standard strength fluoride toothpaste that is generally used by ages six and over, unless recommended by a dental or trained health professional.

If your child is under six, please talk to a dental or trained health professional to find out if your child might benefit from using this toothpaste. You can also choose to put the toothpaste away until they turn six or give it to someone else in your family to use.

Do I need to attend my child’s appointment?

No, you do not need to attend your child’s appointment. You can attend if you would like to, and you can take your child to the community dental clinic if you prefer.

Mental Health Month.

October is Mental Health Month. We have a range of programs at school to support our students to learn about mental wellbeing and that help to support their mental wellbeing. We also have supports in place for staff to encourage them to look after their mental wellbeing too.

What are you doing to look after your own mental health? Perhaps you can find some new ideas in Bendigo Health's Action calendar. It's important to remember to always ask for help if you need it, and keep asking until you get the help that you need.

Hat time!

Thank you everyone for making sure your child is back at school with a sunsmart hat. We have a small number of hats available to purchase from the office.

Swimming Term 4

Our swimming program starts on Monday. Please make sure you have completed the permission form on Sentral.

Congratulations to our choir members, and Bridget Finch, for a fabulous performance on Saturday October 4 at The Capital. Our choir sang backing vocals to 'Any Dream Will Do' and the very romantic 'Love Changes Everything'! They were excellent!!

Thank you to our choir families for supporting their child/ren to rehearse at home and get to The Capital for the performance.

Add this date to your diary! Term 4 Student free day Friday 28 November.

warm regards,

Carolyn.

School banking details.

Westpac.

Bendigo Violet Street Primary

BSB: 033-688

Account number: 93-1292

Payment reference: use your surname and fees.

Bendigo Primary School Newsletter

Respect, Responsibility and Kindness

Term 4 Week 1 · 10 Oct 2025

In this issue