Principal's report

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin nation; past, present and those who will walk with us into the future. We acknowledge the rich and unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas, educational practices and the hopes of all First Nations Peoples. We do this in the spirit of reconciliation as we move to a place of justice and partnership - together we work, learn, play and care for one another and this land.

Professional Learning - Restorative Practices

Last Friday, our staff engaged in a valuable day of professional learning. The focus of our session was on Restorative Practices, as we continue to strengthen our commitment to building and maintaining positive relationships across our school community.

This session marked an important milestone in our journey — the culmination of our three-year partnership with Real Schools. Throughout this partnership, our teachers and support staff have been developing a consistent, relationship-centred approach to behaviour and wellbeing. Restorative Practices have become an integral part of how we connect with our students, respond to challenges, and create a culture of empathy, accountability, and respect.

Friday’s session provided an opportunity for reflection, consolidation, and celebration of how far we have come. Staff shared examples of how restorative conversations and approaches have made a genuine difference in classrooms and the playground, supporting students to understand the impact of their actions and to rebuild relationships when things go wrong.

As we move forward, our focus will be on sustaining and deepening this work. We are proud of the growth our school has achieved through this partnership and remain committed to ensuring Kalinda continues to be a place where every student feels valued, connected, and heard.

Colour Run

We’re so excited to be getting ready for one of the most colourful and joy-filled days on our school calendar — the Kalinda Colour Run, happening on Thursday 7th November!

A huge thank you goes to our wonderful Parents and Friends Association (P&F) for all their hard work in planning and organising this fantastic event. The Colour Run is always a highlight for our students (and staff!), and it wouldn’t be possible without the time, energy and enthusiasm our P&F team brings to making it such a success.

Events like the Colour Run are about so much more than just bright colours and laughter — they’re a celebration of our school spirit. Having fun together helps strengthen the sense of connection and belonging that makes Kalinda such a special place. It’s a day where students, staff, and families can come together to share joy, encourage one another, and create lasting memories.

You’ll find more information about the day, including what to bring and how to get involved, on the Parents and Friends page in this newsletter.

We can’t wait to see everyone getting into the spirit of the day and bringing our school grounds to life with colour, smiles, and community fun!

Groundskeeper position

Last week we said a very fond farewell to Nik, our much-loved groundskeeper and handyman, who finished up his role at Kalinda Primary School as his own business continues to grow and thrive.

Nik has been an incredible part of our school community, always ready to find solutions and fix problems. 

From fixing the little things that keep our school running smoothly to taking on big projects that improve our learning spaces, Nik’s hard work, care, and pride in his work have made a real difference to our school environment.

We are so grateful for everything Nik has done for Kalinda during his time here — his reliability, attention to detail, and genuine care for our staff and students have been deeply appreciated. While we’ll miss seeing him around the school, we’re delighted to see his business going from strength to strength, and we wish him every success in this next chapter.

Thank you, Nik, for all your contributions to our school community — you’ll always be part of the Kalinda family.

The Groundskeeper position has now been advertised, and we warmly invite anyone within our school community who may be interested to apply or to share the opportunity with others who might be a great fit for our school.

52 in 52

We are incredibly proud to share the amazing story of Curtis Cooper, one of our Kalinda parents, who has taken on an extraordinary challenge — running 52 marathons in 52 weeks to raise money and awareness for Bravehearts, an organisation dedicated to protecting children and supporting survivors of child sexual abuse.

Curtis will be completing one of his marathons this Friday, with the final leg of his run taking place here at Kalinda. Our students and staff will have the special opportunity to cheer him on as he crosses the finish line at school, followed by a short talk from Curtis at our assembly, where he’ll share his journey and motivation behind this incredible effort.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to see perseverance, community spirit, and compassion in action. Curtis’s dedication is a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make when driven by purpose and kindness.

If you would like to donate to support this great cause, contributions can be made via this link https://fundraise.bravehearts.org.au/52-in-52. Every donation, big or small, helps Bravehearts continue their important work.

We can’t wait to welcome Curtis on Friday and celebrate this inspiring milestone with him.

Class Placement Requests

As we begin planning for class placements for next year, families are invited to share any information that may support us in making the best possible decisions for their child’s wellbeing and learning needs.

If you would like to make a class placement request, please submit it via email to kalinda.ps@education.vic.gov.au by Friday 31st October. Requests received after this date may not be able to be considered.

Please note that while we always take great care in placing students thoughtfully, requests will only be considered where they relate specifically to a student’s wellbeing needs. We are not able to accept requests for specific teachers.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we work to create balanced, positive, and engaging classes for all students in 2026.

Changes to digital device use 

From 2027, the Victorian Government is introducing changes to the use of digital devices for students from Prep to Grade 6. 

Under the new guidelines, schools:

• will no longer invite families to purchase or bring their own digital devices to use at school for Prep to Grade 6

• will follow new recommended digital device times, including minimal device time for Prep to Grade 2; and a maximum of 90 minutes per day for grades 3 to 6.

   

These changes are intended to support families by reducing cost-of-living pressures. They will also support students by reducing screen-time which can reduce the risk of eye strain, sedentary behaviour, and reduced peer interaction. These reforms complement Victoria’s nation-leading mobile phone restrictions, ensuring an integrated approach to addressing digital distraction and the inappropriate use of technology.

Students with disability who use a digital device as a reasonable adjustment are exempt from these changes. 

These changes are intended to support families with cost-of-living pressures and reduce student screen time.

You can read more about the changes on the department’s website: Digital Learning: Policy.

Enrolling in 2026

If you have not yet enrolled your child for 2026, you still can. Please contact the office on 03 9876 3289 or see our website for more information: https://www.kalinda.vic.edu.au/page/131/Foundation-2026-enrolments

We are kind. We are resilient. We are respectful.