Principal News  

Bittern Primary School is such a great place to work and learn. The other day I was on Yard Duty enjoying the sunshine and chatting with children when I noticed some ofthe senior students enjoying some time on the Ninja playground. As I am always after a great photo opportunity I simply could not resist this one and I simply had to share it with you! 

Harmony Day celebrations

On Friday our school celebrated Harmony Day with a splash of colour, engaging activities and bubble blowing. The theme of Harmony Day 2025  is 'Harmony - we all have a role to play'. This was demonstrated with our students coming together to perform 'Cosmic Yoga', creating a friendship tree, decorating rocks, icing orange biscuits and decorating paper people chains. The vibe was peaceful, the children were happy, and the colours were bright. Joining together to sing the 'Kindness song' was certainly a highlight. It is true that we all belong at Bittern PS🧡🧡🧡

Term 2 Staffing Arrangements 

As this is our last iNewsletter for this term, I would like to inform our community of staffing changes for Term 2. 

We welcome back Mr Durrington for Term 2. Mr D has been on long service leave. 

We farewell Mr E as he heads off for a well deserved break in term 2. Mr E will be taking Long Service Leave for Term 2.

Teaching arrangements for Term 2 are as follows: 

School Council Membership 2025 

On Wednesday, 12th March we held our first school council meeting with our newly elected members. I would like to introduce the following SC members: 

Trish Bampton - President 

Holly Emmett -  Vice President 

Jack Mott - Treasurer 

Jason Antoniou - Parent Member 

Kerry Herten - Community Member 

Steve Espenschied  - School Employee 

Kate Bacon - School Employee 

Sally Herbert - Principal 

School Council is an important role and I would like to thank our members for their significant contribution of time and expertise to our school 

Annual Privacy Reminder for our School Community 

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and the Schools’ Privacy Collection Notice.

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy (see below) describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn. 

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ privacy policy: information for parents. 

CCTV to be installed at BPS 

Bittern PS has decided to use a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system at our school. We have received a grant to install this system. 

Our school has an obligation to ensure the school environment is safe and secure, and fulfil our duty of care to students, staff and visitors. The CCTV system will assist our school to fulfil these obligations and to prevent and manage other inappropriate behaviour on school grounds. CCTV will also provide enhanced capability to protect our school’s assets against vandalism and theft.

We will follow Department of Education and Training policy requirements for the design, installation, management and use of the CCTV systems. This policy is available at: CCTV in Schools – Installation and Management.

We will also place a CCTV Privacy Notice on our school website with more information about our school’s use of CCTV before it is rolled out in Term 2 2025.

If you have any questions or concerns at this stage, please contact the principal at Bittern PS by phone (5983 9590) or by email at bittern.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Child Safe

Child Safe Standard 8 – Child safety knowledge, skills and awareness

Why is the development of standards of behaviour important?

The right for students to learn and feel safe is underpinned by clearly articulated and well-promoted standards of behaviour (or code of conduct).

Standards of behaviour should extend across the school community (students, staff and parents/carers), setting a positive tone for safe and supportive relationships, articulating clear boundaries and supported pathways for students:

• impacted by the behaviour of others (ensuring students know when and how to seek help)
• who do not uphold the behaviour standards (ensuring that there is support for students to address and mitigate these behaviours and address any underlying factors).

Standards of behaviour should also extend to online environments.  Setting clear online standards of behaviour helps to prevent cyber-bullying and helps to keep students safe from predatory behaviours.

Sally Herbert 

PRINCIPAL