School News

First Day for Students 2025

The first day for Grade 1 - 6 students is Wednesday 29th January 2025.  

The first day for Foundation students will be Thursday 30th January 2025.

Foundation students do not attend Wednesdays until after the Labour Day long weekend. Their first Wednesday at school will be Wednesday 12th March.  

Reception Hours 2025

The Office will be open from 10am to 1pm Thursday 24th and Friday 25th January for uniform purchases.   The regular hours of 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, will resume on Tuesday January 28th.

 

Booklists

Booklists are provided by the school and have been distributed to classrooms ready for students on day one of term.

 

OSHClub - Outside School Hours Care

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club runs every day commencing Wednesday 29th January from 8.15 am to 8.45 am in the BER building. Once students enter, they must remain until 8.45 am. 

 

The Victorian Government has continued its partnership with Foodbank Victoria. Foodbank supports programs that give students the opportunity to eat a wholesome, nutritious breakfast on a regular basis. Having breakfast has been shown to have a positive impact on factors such as physical and mental health, social skills, concentration, behaviour, attendance and academic outcomes. 

 

Our School Breakfast Club aims to ensure that students who may not have had the opportunity to have breakfast before coming to school can still start the day with a healthy meal.  

 

For more information about the School Breakfast Clubs Program visit:

www.foodbank.org.au/VIC/school-breakfast-clubs-in-action

2025 Bell Times

8:50 am - Classrooms open (Music plays)

9:00 am - Learning starts

11:00 am - Recess

1:30 pm - 2:25 pm Lunch

3.25 pm - Finish

 

Parents and carers should be aware that, except for bus travellers, breakfast club attendees and students in Out of School Hours Care, staff supervision is unavailable before 8:45 am. Additionally, students are expected to leave promptly at the end of the school day. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure appropriate supervision outside of these times.

 

Yard Duty supervision Policy

Student Pick Up and Drop Off

All students will be expected to be at school by 8.50am when the music sounds before the bell. 

 

The last class will finish at 3.25pm. Please play your part in maintaining a safe environment by complying with parking regulations, speed limits and other traffic controls.

Chromebooks (new charging policy in 2025)

Students in Years 3 to 6 are expected to have their Chromebook to school every day. 

 

The Chromebook Charging Policy aims to provide clear guidelines for the safe and efficient charging of student devices both at school and at home, while supporting responsible technology use. This policy is designed to ensure that devices are ready for learning while also giving families flexible options to manage technology at home.

 

Policy Overview

  • Trafalgar Primary School provides secure charging cabinets where students can store and charge their Chromebooks overnight.
  • Students who opt to use this service will be required to leave their charger, supplied by the family, wired into the cabinet. The charger will remain at school and cannot be taken home unless a change in arrangements is requested.
  • continue reading the full charging policy here...

Online Services

To enable your child to sign-on and access the Education Department's online services as part of our schools teaching and learning program, Google require access to your child’s Department of Education and Training username, first and last name, year level and school.

 

You may request that our school not provide this information to Google and opt-out your child from using Google Apps.  As a result, your child will not have access to the online services and alternate arrangements for allocating work will be made.  

Link to opt-out form. 

 

Providing a safe online environment

Use of online services will be subject to classroom supervision during school hours. Students should report unacceptable behaviour, and a nominated member of staff will address the issue during school hours.

 

To further assist your child in having safe and positive experiences online, you can refer to parent information on the Australian Government’s Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner website: https://esafety.gov.au/

 

In addition, staff at our school have been advised that the use of Google Apps for Education is strictly for teaching and learning material only (e.g. lesson plans and classwork) and staff do not upload your child’s personal, sensitive, health, or security classified information into Google Apps for Education.

 

Student responsibilities when using online services

When using Google Apps for Education, students continue to be responsible for their behaviour as outlined in our school’s Students Acceptable Use Agreement. The main themes of this agreement are:

communicate respectfully; protect personal information; and look after yourself and others.

Damaged your Chromebook over the holiday?

You don't have to wait until your child returns to school to have your device repaired.  Simply visit the Edunet website complete the details, and a repair can be organised.  Edunet will organise pick up and return of your device. If you require further information call Edunet on 1300 338 638.

Your device can be up and running for day one of school.

Have your contact details changed?

Please ensure we have up to date phone/address/ email details to ensure you are receiving important information and can be contacted. We are trying as much as possible to reduce the amount printing/paper usage and providing families more detail electronically.

If there is a change in your family circumstances, please contact Reception promptly to enable details to be amended accordingly.  Thank you!

Annual Privacy Reminder

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

 

Please take time to remind yourself of the school’s collection statement.

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. This information is also available in nine community languages:

 

Amharic

Arabic

Dari

Mandarin

Somali

Sudanese

Turkish

Urdu

Vietnamese.

Medications

Please note that if your child is required to take any medication during school hours, a Medication Request Form must be filled out, signed and brought to Reception together with the medication.  The medication must be in its original packaging clearly stating the child’s name and dosage required.  Also please note that Trafalgar Primary School requires up to date Allergy/Asthma/Anaphylaxis Plans. These plans need to be updated yearly.

 

Link to medications policy

Personal Injuries at School

Families are reminded that The Department does not have insurance for accidental injuries. A claim for compensation will only be successful if shown that the injury sustained is the result of The Department failing to discharge the duty of care that was owed to your child.  The duty is one to take reasonable steps to avoid reasonably foreseeable injury.

 

Families should make their own arrangements for accidental injury insurance if this is a concern.  

Allergies - Anaphylaxis

Students who are enrolled at our school may have allergies to bees or peanut products. These allergies can cause anaphylaxis. While the school has an emergency management plan developed, it is important to have preventative procedures in place to minimise any likelihood of an incident. As you know, all students need to have a safe environment at school, and therefore I would like to ask the assistance of all parents to establish a safe environment particularly for their student. Parents, please notify Reception if your child suffers from anaphylaxis. This will make a major difference in our preventative program and care of the student. If any parents have questions or queries concerning this request, please contact the school on 5633 1566.

 

Link to Anaphylaxis Policy

Communication

School Newsletter

The school newsletter is published each fortnight. The newsletter is in five editions; "Student News", "School News", "Principals Message", "Upcoming Events - Action needed" and "School Calendar". Our newsletter keeps students and parents informed of all events taking place within the school. Alternatively, hard copies can be collected from the office.

 

Compass Parent Portal

Our online communication service for families is called ‘Compass’. This is the primary means of communication between the school and home. Parents are able to login to Compass via the link https://trafps-vic.compass.education

You can access Compass on any web enabled device: laptop, iPhone, iPad, tablet or android phone.

Each family has a unique login for Compass and can be used straight away.

 

Compass provides the school community with a range of functions which streamline the school’s communication processes and provides enhanced access to information for parents. Parents should access Compass on a regular basis for news and information.

 

1. Email address and mobile phone number – are able to be updated through the portal. The details listed will be used to send emails and SMS alerts.

2. News Feed – the school will post news to parents to remind you about events and activities at the school. Your news feed will be customised, showing only the information relevant to you and your children.

3. Attendance – view your child’s attendance online, approve absences, and indicate future absences.

4. Reports – view your child’s report as an electronic PDF file.

5. Newsletters – including Student News, School News, Principal Message, Upcoming     Events and the School Calendar is published on Compass.

6. Teachers email link – email your child’s teachers directly.

7. Excursions – approve your child’s participation in excursions and other special events.

8. Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews – appointments are made online for these interviews in Term 2 and Term 4.

9. Consent and Payments – you can consent and pay for excursions, also pay for school fees.

Parent Carer FAQ and Introduction to Compass

On the first day of school the Principal and some members of the leadership team will be available to meet with new parents, answer questions and introduce services and tools including Compass.  If you are a new member of the school community and would like to participate, please head to reception at 9:15 am.  After signing in you will be directed to the Adult Learning Centre. 

 

This will also be available to our new Foundation families on Thursday 29th January.

It's not Okay To Be Away 

Attendance Information for Parents/Carers - Frequently Asked Questions About Attendance:

 

What is my responsibility as a parent/caregiver?

Make sure your child attends school on ALL school days and is on time every day

Make sure you:

•  provide the school with an explanation if your child is away

•  contact the school if your child does not want to go to school

•  arrange doctor and dentist appointments out of school hours

•  arrange personal shopping trips with your son/ daughter or birthday celebrations out of school hours

•  do not allow your child to stay at home for minor reasons

 

Attendance - It’s not okay to be away

Daily student attendance is essential for your child to reach their potential.  Non- attendance at school makes it difficult for students to complete work requirements and consequently to pass subjects. If your son or daughter is going to be absent for any reason, please telephone Reception on 5633 1566 and tell us:

 

•  the name of the student

•  length of the absence

•  reason for the absence

 

Late Arrival/Early Departure

In some exceptional circumstances, such as medical or dental appointments, students arrive late to school or need to leave early.   Students arriving late are expected to bring an appropriate note of explanation. This must be presented at the office where they formally ‘sign in’.   Students who need to leave early are required to present an explanatory note to their teacher and then ‘sign out’ at Reception.

SunSmart Policy

Trafalgar Primary School’s SunSmart policy is in place to:

Ensure all students and staff are protected from over-exposure to UV radiation.

•  ensure the outdoor environment provides shade for students and staff.

•  ensure students are encouraged and supported to develop independent sun protection skills to help them be responsible for their own sun protection.

•  support duty of care requirements; and

•  support appropriate OHS strategies to minimise UV risk and associated harms for staff and visitors.

 

Background

Too much of the sun’s UV can cause sunburn, skin and eye damage and skin cancer. UV damage accumulated during childhood and adolescence is strongly associated with an increased risk of skin cancer in later life. 

 

The sun protection times are a forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology for the time-of-day UV levels are forecast to reach 3 or higher. At these levels, sun protection is recommended for all skin types. In Victoria, UV levels regularly reach 3 or higher from mid-August to the end of April.

 

1. Seek shade

•  The availability of shade is considered when planning all other outdoor activities.

• Students are encouraged to use available areas of shade when outside.  Students who do not have appropriate hats or outdoor clothing are asked to play in the shade or a suitable area protected from the sun.

2. Slip on sun protective clothing

• Cool, loose-fitting, sun protective clothing made of densely woven fabric is included in our school uniform / dress code and sports uniform. It includes shirts with collars and elbow-length sleeves, longer dresses and shorts and rash vests or t-shirts for outdoor swimming.

3. Slap on a hat

• All students are required to wear hats that protect their face, neck and ears (broad-brimmed), whenever they are outside. Peak caps and visors are not considered a suitable alternative.

4. Slop on sunscreen

• Students must wear SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen. 

Link to the SunSmart Policy

Uniform Policy (Updated for 2025)

Our School Uniform Policy was reviewed late 2024 for implementation this year.  School Uniform is a proud and distinctive part of the Trafalgar Primary School identity. It is a practical dress code which has Parents and Friends Association support and has been made compulsory by School Council.

 

The following list will be of assistance to you when purchasing items for school wear.

Our school colours are red, white and black. 

 

Continue reading the full policy here...

 

Uniform items supplied by, and for purchase from, the School’s nominated point of sale only:

  • School uniform hat
  • School polo shirt with logo
  • Red hooded jumper with logo
  • Red zip up jacket with logo
  • Wet weather jacket with logo
  • Commemorative senior jumper and/or top with logo (Grade 6 students only, special order)

Uniform items available for purchase from any supplier:

 

Uniform Item

 

 

Colour

 

Comment

SkivvyRed or WhiteTo be worn underneath School Polo shirt only

Shorts

Skirts

Skorts

Black

No visible trim, stripes or logos 

Length must exceed the length of the school polo

PantsBlackNo visible trim, stripes or logos

Activewear:

  • Leggings
  • Shorts
Black

No visible trim, stripes or logos

Length must exceed the length of the school polo

DressRed and White Check

With white collar and cuff

Knee length

SocksWhite or BlackNo visible trim, stripes or logos
StockingsWhite or BlackSchool tights, plain style with no patterns or embellishments
ShoesAll Black

School shoes or runners (either lace up, pull on, buckles, Velcro or T-bar styles)

Shoes should be sturdy and fit well

Closed toe styles only

External School Sports Uniform

  • School sports shirt - supplied by the School when students are representing the School
  • Black shorts – as detailed in Daily Uniform (above)
  • Activewear - as detailed in Daily Uniform (above)
  • Black netball skirt

Please note: the External School Sports Uniform is to be worn when students are representing the School at events held offsite. For programmed sports curriculum at the School, the Daily Uniform is to be worn.

 

No School on Wednesdays for Foundation Students 

Parents and Carers are reminded that for the first six Wednesdays of Term 1 Foundation students are not required to be at school.   Although we use this time to make an appointment with each child for 1 hour. This time is used by teachers to assess the children to help gain a better understanding of their knowledge around Literacy and Mathematics. The assessment that we use is called the English Online Interview and the Maths Online Interview. Parents are not required to stay for this hour.

 

A schedule for interviews has been developed and families will be contacted shortly.

 

Foundation students attend their first Wednesday on 12th of March.

CCTV

Schools have an obligation to ensure the school environment is safe and secure and fulfil a duty of care to students, staff and visitors.  The CCTV system exists to assist our school to fulfil these obligations and to prevent and manage other inappropriate behaviour on school grounds.

 

CCTV provides enhanced capability to protect our school’s assets against vandalism and theft. CCTV strengthens our school’s security by providing an appropriate level of surveillance on school grounds and assists our school to take all reasonable steps to prevent reasonably foreseeable harm on school premises (duty of care). The presence of CCTV cameras deters misconduct and inappropriate behaviour and reassures students, staff and visitors that they are protected when on school grounds. The schools CCTV policy describes how our CCTV system does this, consistent with Victorian privacy law.

2025 Canteen Information

Parents and Friends Association

Parents and Friends meet once a month and you do not need to be a member to attend. If you would like more information or would like to provide correspondence for our next meeting please contact our Secretary at pandfsecretary3824@gmail.com.   Thank you again for supporting our Parents and Friends events

 

2025 Foundation (Prep) Enrollment