School News
Vale – Mr Alan Stewart
It is with sadness that we share the news of the passing of Mr Alan Stewart, who taught at Trafalgar Primary School for a number of years.
Many members of our school community will remember Mr Stewart from his time at Trafalgar Primary School. We acknowledge his service to our school and thank him for the contribution he made during his time with us. On behalf of our school community, we extend our sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and friends.
For some of our students, particularly those who were taught by Mr Stewart, this news may bring a range of emotions or questions. Children respond to grief and loss in different ways, and families may wish to take the opportunity to talk with their children, answer any questions using age-appropriate language, and reassure them that they are safe and supported.
When students return to school, our staff will be available to provide support for any students who may be affected. Should additional wellbeing support be required, families are encouraged to contact the school so that we can assist.
Our thoughts are with Mr Stewart's family and all those who knew him at this difficult time.
Apply now to enrol your child in Foundation (Prep) for 2027
All Victorian government primary schools follow the Statewide Foundation (Prep) enrolment timeline. The timeline advises families when and how to enrol their child at a Victorian government primary school.
You can apply to enrol your child in Foundation (Prep) in 2027 from Monday 20 April 2026.
What you need to do:
1. Contact our school 5633 1566 to book an optional school tour.
2. Download the Foundation (Prep) enrolment information pack from Enrolling in Foundation (Prep) This pack includes guidance on the application process.
3. Submit an enrolment application by Friday 31 July 2026.
Our school uses the Department of Education’s secure digital enrolment system called VicStudents. This means you can submit your Foundation (Prep) application online and receive updates through the system. If you have any questions about the online enrolment process, please contact our school. Paper enrolment application forms are also available on request.
4. You will be notified of the outcome of your application between Monday 3 August and Friday 14 August 2026.
5. If you receive an enrolment offer, you should accept the offer by Friday 28 August 2026.
6. Take part in school transition sessions during Term 4, 2026.
7. Prepare your child to start Foundation (Prep) from Thursday 28 January 2027.
Enrolment applications submitted after 31 July 2026 will be processed by our school as they are received, in accordance with the Department’s Enrolment Policy.
For more information about the Foundation enrolment timeline, visit: Enrolling in Foundation (Prep).
Celebrating NAIDOC Week at Trafalgar Primary School
Although NAIDOC Week fell during the recent school holidays, Trafalgar Primary School was proud to recognise and celebrate this important occasion during our first week back of Term 3.
This year's theme, "50 Years of Deadly," marks the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week. It celebrates the voices, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and honours the Elders, organisers, artists and communities whose leadership and determination have helped shape the movement over the past five decades. It is also a celebration of the strength of culture, identity and community, while looking with hope towards the next generation and the future.
Throughout the week, students participated in a range of learning experiences designed to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. A particular highlight was a weaving activity, where students explored the cultural significance of weaving while creating their own woven bracelets and artworks. Thank you to our Marrung Lead, Mr Michael Beamish, for coordinating the week's activities, and to Mrs Fiona Macdonald for sourcing the materials that made these experiences possible.
Our recognition of NAIDOC Week will continue at an upcoming whole-school assembly, where students will enjoy a special language performance and learn more about the significance of NAIDOC Week and this year's theme.
At Trafalgar Primary School, we value opportunities for students to learn about the rich histories, cultures and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through experiences such as these, we continue to foster respect, understanding and a deeper appreciation of Australia's First Nations cultures as an important part of our shared story.
Behaviour Curriculum Update: Teaching Behaviour for Success
At Trafalgar Primary School, we believe that positive behaviour is something that should be explicitly taught, just like reading, writing and mathematics. Through our Behaviour Curriculum, students learn the routines, expectations and behaviours that help create calm, safe and productive learning environments for everyone.
An important part of this approach is Consequence Time. When students are unable to meet our school expectations despite support from staff, they may spend time in a supervised space to complete learning, reflect on their choices or take time away from the playground. Consequence Time is a natural consequence that helps students learn accountability while protecting the learning and wellbeing of others.
At our recent School Council meeting, councillors reviewed our Consequence Time data and encouraged us to share some of this data with the broader school community.
The first graph shows the distribution of student visits, in Semester ,1 across the entire school. What is immediately apparent is that the overwhelming majority of students have never required Consequence Time, with a smaller group attending on just one occasion. As the number of visits increases, the number of students decreases dramatically. This is exactly the pattern we would hope to see in a well-functioning Behaviour Curriculum—where consequences are rarely needed for most students and repeated attendance is uncommon.
The second graph groups students into broader behaviour tiers. It highlights that almost all students fall into the categories of no visits or a single visit across the semester. Only a very small proportion of students required Consequence Time on multiple occasions. This reflects that the vast majority of our students consistently meet our school expectations, while a small number receive additional support to develop the behaviours they need for success.
These results reinforce an important message. Consequence Time is not a place where large numbers of students spend their time. Instead, it is one element of a broader Behaviour Curriculum that emphasises prevention, explicit teaching, consistency and fairness. Our aim is always to teach students the behaviours that allow them to participate successfully in learning, build positive relationships and contribute to a calm and orderly school environment.
We are proud of the positive culture that exists at Trafalgar Primary School and thank our students, staff and families for the shared commitment to creating a school where everyone's learning matters, and everyone belongs.
Student Illness
It's that time of year where there are lots of nasty illnesses travelling around the school community.
A reminder that if your child has vomited or had diarrhoea at home, they must refrain from attending school for at least 24 hours as per DET guidelines below.
| In an outbreak of gastroenteritis, exclude until there has not been vomiting or a loose bowel motion for 48 hours, and for all other diarrhoeal illnesses exclude until there has not been vomiting or a loose bowel motion for 24 hours |
If your child has cold and flu symptoms, please do not send them to school. Coughing, sneezing and runny noses will result in a phone call to home/work to collect your child from school.
If your child is absent from school for any reason, please ensure you update their attendance via Compass or call the office before 11am so an SMS is not activated. This helps us maintain accurate records and ensures the safety and wellbeing of all students.
We appreciate your support in helping us to keep our staff and students as protected as we can!
Breakfast Club is Back for Term 3!
Welcome back to Term 3! As the colder weather continues, Breakfast Club is once again open each morning, providing students with a warm and welcoming start to the day.
Students can enjoy hot toast, cheesy toasties, warm Milo and a variety of cereals before heading off to class feeling warm, nourished and ready to learn.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our wonderful sponsors – IGA Trafalgar, Gracie's Bakery, Baker's Delight Mid Valley and Foodbank – for their ongoing generosity and support. Your contributions make Breakfast Club possible and have a positive impact on the wellbeing of our students each day.
We also continue to offer Care Packages for families who may need a little extra support. If you or someone you know would benefit from a free Care Package, please contact the School Office or speak with Mrs Marslen. All enquiries are welcomed and treated with complete confidentiality.
Donations of Milo or jam are always greatly appreciated and can be dropped off at the School Office at any time.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors and supportive school community. We look forward to another fantastic term of Breakfast Club and welcoming our students each morning.
Mrs Marslen
Breakfast Club MasterChef
Parents & Friends Committee News
Grade 2 Sleepover
We would like to wish our Grade 2 students all the very best for their school sleepover tonight. Enjoy your BBQ dinner and activities, and we hope students and staff manage to get a good night's sleep!
Donut Day
Our Parents & Friends Association are excited to announce their next fundraiser - a donut drive through OMG Donuts. Delivery Day is set for Friday 14th August and orders will be delivered fresh to classrooms by our P&F Helpers*. Visit the ordering platform HERE - enjoy :-)
Orders close Friday 7th August at 12pm sharp. Sorry, no late orders can be accepted - so get your order in fast!
There are a range of flavours and pack sizes available. All donuts are plant-based and free from gluten, wheat, egg, dairy, nuts, sulphites and preservatives. They contain soy, soy products and maize/corn, but no artificial additives, colourings or flavours. More information HERE.
* Please note we have extended our delivery day to allow families enough time to order across the start of term 3.
100 Days of School
We would like to congratulate our Foundation students who are approaching their 100th day of school, with a year level celebration planned for Friday 7th August. Your class teacher is the best point of contact for any questions for this fun occasion. If your Foundation child would like to dress up, start ordering those costumes now!
Next Meeting
Our next meeting is as follows.
Date: Tuesday 13th October
Time: 7-8pm
Location: Adult Learning Centre, Trafalgar Primary School, opposite the office with a Zoom link also available upon request. Please sign in at the office first.
Doors will be open from 6.30pm onwards for any parents that would like to catch up for a chat and BYO cuppa beforehand. All welcome.
New members for our Committee and Parent Helpers List are always welcome - membership is free and you choose how involved you'd like to be. Reach out to us if you'd like to join and be a part of the fun this year.
If you have any feedback, questions, would like to be added to our Parent Helper List, or would like to join P&F for 2026, please contact us:
- via email - TPSpandfSecretary@gmail.com
- or via our Google Contact form - link HERE
Kind Regards
Jane Cook
Committee Secretary
Trafalgar Primary School - Parents & Friends Association
0418 561 403
THEIRCARE News
