Principal's Report

Concert

The concert is now just over 5 weeks away and lots is happening behind the scenes to prepare for the event.  To keep you informed, each newsletter over the coming few weeks (starting today) will have a dedicated concert page.  

As done in 2024, we are developing a parent information booklet, which will include overall arrangements that everyone needs to be aware of.   We hope to have this ready to share by this time next week.  Class teachers will also send messages directly to parents with the information you need to know specific to your child’s class.

On today’s concert page you will see important information regarding ticket sales and student attendance.

Industrial Action

We have received confirmation that the stop‑work action scheduled for Thursday, 23 July will proceed. A Compass notification outlining the impact on school operations will be sent later this afternoon. We recognise the challenges this may create for parents and carers and appreciate your patience and understanding.

Scholarship Update - Focus on Master Chef

Our newsletters for the past couple of months have included an update on the progress of each of our scholarship programs.   This week we feature the Master Chef Scholarship Program.

There was significant interest from students in this scholarship program, leading us to run with 2 groups for 2026 (total of 20 students), one coming together on Wednesday afternoons, the other on Friday afternoons. 

The two Master Chef groups, under the guidance of Emily Gilliland, have been cooking something different each week, with the students proving themselves to be very capable. 

This program is not just about the cooking side of things.  Over the past few weeks and months, her budding chefs have been learning:

-          Food Hygiene – why we need it in the kitchen

-          Clean Kitchen Premises

-          Knife Skills & Safety, Kitchen Equipment

-          Preparing food to meet special dietary requirements

-          How to read & write a recipe

Emily also has a focus on being organised in the kitchen, which includes the cleaning upside of things.  The kids are certainly stepping up to the mark and are impressing at every turn.

Emily organises a weekly menu which focuses on teaching her budding young chefs the art of creating amazing, yet super easy & tasty dishes that we can all enjoy at school or to take home to share with their families.

Emily is an advocate for student’s voice with a passion for teaching students the life skill of cooking. At the end of each class, she likes to ask the young chefs what they would like to cook the following week.  This enables the students to learn new skills each week, whilst running a program that is designed for them”.  Emily is open for parents/ careers to volunteer their time to come along & participate in special events that may arise in the coming terms.

Like the other scholarship programs, Emily is keeping an eye out for potential excursions.  For next term, Emily is exploring an opportunity to visit a working kitchen at Federation University Tafe where they offer Certificate 3 in Commercial Cookery (apprentice chef) along with many more Tafe courses.

Like last year the master chef students will be invited to spend an afternoon with former Master Chef contestant Tim Bone at his award-winning business, ‘Tim Bone Toasties’ where they will learn from the master how to create an amazing toasty.  Also, in term 4 we are hoping to organise an excursion to the Queen Vic market, how exciting!   Keep your ears to the ground on that one.

Towards the end of the year the Master Chef Scholarship students will join the other 4 scholarship teams for a night of celebration.  The Master Chef Team will have an important role on that night, as they will be preparing and serving delicious food.

This is all very exciting.  Well done to Emily and the students involved.  And of course, a very BIG! thank you to Noel and Pam Coxall, who have made this and the other scholarship programs possible through their generous donation.

AusAlert Emergency Warning System

We’ve been advised that a national test of AusAlert will happen across Australia on Monday 27 July at 2 pm. The department has asked schools to share the following with parents & carers.

AusAlert is a new, national emergency warning system. It sends warning messages to compatible mobile devices during emergencies, to keep people informed so they can act quickly. The Australian Government plans to launch AusAlert in October 2026. 

On Monday 27 July at 2 pm, all compatible mobile devices will receive a Critical Alert. Compatible mobile devices include phones, tablets, smart watches, safety watches and some vehicle devices. These will vibrate and make a loud, siren-like warning sound for about 10 seconds. This will happen even if they are on silent or do not disturb. The message will clearly state that it is a test. No action is required from the test. 

To minimise disruption, student phones and smart devices should always be switched off and stored securely in lockers or bags during the school day. Students who use their mobile phone as part of a documented exception can continue to do so. If appropriate, they can turn their phone off during the test. 

You may also wish to let your child know that if they see or hear the alert, school staff will support them. You can learn more at AusAlert: children and teens. Information is also available in other languages. 

Safe phones 

AusAlert may increase risk for people experiencing violence, especially if they live with someone who uses violence. Alerts may expose safety devices. 

If you or someone you know has a hidden device, the best way to stay safe during the test is to: 

• turn offyour mobile device or put it in aeroplane mode 
• keep your device off or in aeroplane mode for 24 hours. 

Silent mode and do not disturb will not stop the alert. 

For more information, please refer to the Staying safe with AusAlert page.