Important Changes in 2027

Dear Parents and Carers,

At Craigieburn Primary School, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our learning environment and support the well-being of all students. As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we are introducing a structural adjustment to our daily schedule.

Beginning Term 1 (Thursday 29th January) 2027, our school day will commence at the usual time of 8.50am (with learning time starting at 9.00 am) but will conclude at 3:10 pm instead of 3:30 pm.

Why is this change occurring?

This adjustment is a proactive step aligned with our School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework. Data and experience show that long, unstructured periods in the yard can lead to a higher number of student friction points and incidents. By tightening our outdoor play blocks, we aim to reduce these incidents, keep yard environments highly positive, and ensure students return to class regulated and ready to learn.

Will learning time be impacted?

No. Your child’s learning and instructional time will remain completely unchanged. We are maintaining our full curriculum delivery, including:

5 hours of core instructional sessions every single day.
Daily dedicated hours for Literacy, Numeracy, Humanities, and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).
Our full list of Specialist subjects (STEM, PE, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts).
Weekly Auslan and Library sessions.

New Daily Schedule Overview

To help you plan, here is the new daily structure:

8:50am: Classroom doors open
9:00am: Learning begins (Sessions 1 & 2)
11:00am – 11:30am: First Play
11:30am: Learning resumes (Sessions 3 & 4)
1:30pm – 1:40pm: Lunch eating time (inside classrooms)
1:40pm – 2:10pm: Second Play
2:10pm – 3:10pm: Session 5
3:10pm: Dismissal

Outside School Hours Care (OSHC)

We understand that an earlier dismissal impacts afternoon routines. We have partnered with our OSHC provider, TheirCare, to ensure that afternoon care will now commence at 3:10pm to accommodate all families who require supervision until their usual pickup times. If you have not registered, please do so, this service can provide as a back up if you are late with picking up your child from school.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we implement these positive changes for our school community. If you have any questions regarding the new schedule, please do not hesitate to email the school attention your message to the principal craigieburn.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Warm regards,

Bernadette Pizaro

Principal