Welcome

As we move further into Term One, it has been wonderful to see the year begin so positively across the school. Classrooms have quickly settled into productive learning routines, and students have returned with enthusiasm and a readiness to learn. It has been pleasing to see the strong start our students have made and the purposeful learning taking place throughout the school.

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the many new students and families who have joined our community this year. Starting at a new school can be a significant step, and we are delighted that you are now part of our school. Our staff and students have worked hard to ensure that everyone feels included and supported as they settle in.

One of the great strengths of our school is the strong sense of community that exists between students, staff and families. It has been lovely to see parents connecting in the yard, students building new friendships, and our classrooms developing the positive relationships that underpin successful learning. We greatly value the partnership we have with families and appreciate the support you provide to both your children and the school.

I look forward to the many opportunities throughout the year for our community to come together and celebrate the learning and achievements of our students.

Clubs

Our new Club Program has been a wonderful addition to the school, providing students from Prep to Year 6 with the opportunity to mix and try new activities every two weeks. This program encourages students to step outside their usual friendship groups and build connections across year levels, helping to strengthen our whole-school community. Some of the clubs on offer include football, yoga, STEM with loose parts, card games, gardening, crafts, board games and beading, giving students a wide range of creative, physical and problem-solving experiences. By exploring different interests and learning alongside students of different ages, children develop confidence, teamwork and social skills, while also discovering new passions in a fun and supportive environment. Thank you to our staff members for their work in putting the clubs together.

School Council elections

School Council elections are currently underway, and voting is now open at the school office. This year we have four parent candidates standing for three vacant positions: Amy Armstrong, Anna Antonopoulos, Rebecca Campbell and Tanja Russo. School Council plays an important role in the governance of the school, with a focus on policy development, financial oversight and supporting the strategic direction of the school. I encourage families to take part in the voting process. Voting will close at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, 10 March.

Prepared for School

As the weather continues to fluctuate between warm and cool throughout the day, we ask families to ensure students come prepared for changing conditions. Please remember to send children with a hat, water bottle and nutritious snacks each day to support their learning and play. Staying well hydrated and nourished helps students maintain their energy, concentration and overall wellbeing throughout the school day.

Attendance

As we settle into the school year, we would also like to remind families of the importance of regular and punctual school attendance. Consistent attendance helps students build strong learning habits and supports their progress through routine, practice and continuity of learning. Being at school each day also helps children feel connected to their classmates and teachers, fostering a sense of belonging and supporting their social and emotional development. Regular attendance is therefore important not only for academic success, but also for building confidence, resilience and overall wellbeing.

Morning routine

Just a reminder that our morning routine begins at 8:45 am each day. This time is an important part of the school day, helping students settle into class, organise their belongings, and prepare their minds for learning. Morning routine provides structure and predictability, allowing children to start the day calmly, connect with their teacher and classmates, and be ready to engage fully in their learning. Arriving on time ensures students don’t miss these important first moments and sets them up for a successful day.

NAPLAN

Next week, our Year 3 and Year 5 students will be participating in NAPLAN. These assessments help us understand each child’s learning progress and identify areas where extra support or challenge may be needed, so we can tailor teaching to suit every student. It’s completely normal for students to feel a little nervous about NAPLAN, but it’s important to remember that it is just one way of seeing what they know and can do. With a positive mindset, students can approach the assessments with confidence, knowing that their teachers are there to encourage them every step of the way.

Class Captains and Vice Captains

Congratulations to our Class Captains and Vice Captains who were presented with their badges at assembly today by the leaders of the Student Action Team, Miss Lara and Miss Dyson.

These students will work together this year to raise money for our school and local charity. Money raised by our student body in the past has contributed to a new basketball ring and board games to use in the classrooms on wet days.

Class and Vice Captains for 2026 are:

Prep A River Rixon and Mira Orzech

Prep B Harlow Daley and Xavier Jordan

12A Ava Tarash and Emma Kutrolli

12B Olivia Roberts and Shrey Nair

12C Lilly-Rose Law and Darcy Bosso

12D Lottie Rixon and Oliver McKinnon

34A Irene Golafrouz and Youssef Elgendy

34B Kyra Rushford and Eddie Nguyen

34C Tanmai Shetty and Terrence Sansbury

34D Hugo Costa and Claudia Garotti

5A Ben Evans and Alysha Pal

5B Taylor Rowell and Harriet Armstrong

6A Gabriel Kariuki and Annalena Dyson

6B Eric Humbke and Ella Shilo

Congratulations to our new leaders; we look forward to seeing what you achieve this year!

There is so much to look forward to in the coming weeks. Run Club, Choir, Rock Band, Library Club and Art club have commenced and it’s fantastic to see so many students participating with enthusiasm and team spirit. Bundoora truly is a great place to be- thank you to all our community for contributing to our positive and vibrant school!

Sherrin Strathairn

School principal

Dear Families,

As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all children, staff, and visitors, and in line with our OHS compliance requirements, we are implementing new security measures across the school. These changes relate to our external gates and access during school hours.

From term 2, Monday 20th April, all external gates, excluding the gate opposite the office doors, will be locked each day between 9:15am and 3:00pm. During this time, access to the school will only be available via the office gate, which will remain open throughout the day for families and visitors who need to visit the office, collect children, or attend appointments.

To continue supporting families who enjoy spending time on the school grounds, the gates will remain unlocked over the weekend to allow easy access during this period.

We understand that changes to access routines can take a little adjustment, and we sincerely appreciate your cooperation and support as we implement these important safety measures. New signage will be put into place on each of the gates to support the transition to this process at the end of term 1.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Julie Dunn Sherrin Strathairn

Assistant Principal School Principal

Social Enterprise

Jeremy Cass