As you read this Shane and I will be visiting the Year 5’s on camp.

They travelled to Portsea yesterday and arrived safe and sound. They were very excited and ready for the beach challenges they will face. The Year 5’s have had a big week with their leadership speeches and finding out who will move to the next part of the process by gaining an interview. The 2025 leadership team will be announced at assembly on 13 December.

The favourite parts of my week are when I get the privilege to work with students. You may remember reading that one of our Year 6 students offered to take a writer’s workshop with some year 2, 3 and 4 students. We have met 5 times over term 3 and completed the sessions this week. I have attached their poetry favourites and I’m sure you will be impressed with the quality of their work. Thanks Heidi for running these workshops.

Driving around the School

A reminder to be vigilant as you drive around our school. There has been a report of a close call from careless driving. Please follow the speed limit and drive with extra care so that we can ensure our students and community are safe at all times.

School Saving Bonus

You may have now received an email with the link to your School Saving Bonus. Please note that if you don’t allocate the money before the end of June 2025 then it is transferred to APS for allocation. You do not lose this money. If it isn’t all spent then it will be carried forward into the following year. At APS you can use the School Saving Bonus on uniform or School Activities.

A guide for parents of school activities to support you in your allocation of the School Saving Bonus:

School Activities include Excursions/ Incursions and Camps Costs for the Year

Year Level	Excursion/ Incursion Charge- includes all excursions and incursions for 2025/Child	Camp/Outdoor Ed. Charge for 2024
Prep	$180.00	Twilight Night - $21
Year 1	$180.00	Twilight Night - $21
Year 2	$180.00	Sleepover @ school - $70
Year 3	$180.00	Bayview over night camp - $252
Year 4	$180.00	Camp Jungai - two nights - $415
Year 5	$180.00	Portsea Camp- three nights - $555
Year 6	$180.00	Marysville Camp - three nights - $530

Please refer to this guide or visit the website for more information. https://content.sdp.education.vic.gov.au/media/school-saving-bonus-system-guide-for-parents-and-carers-2975

Head Lice

We have had an increase in the number of reported cases of head lice.

The directive from DET is for parents to please check children's hair regularly, treat if head lice or eggs are present, inform the school and do follow up treatments. Children can return to school the day following first treatment. For full details and advice on treatments please follow the link below:

Head lice (nits) - Better Health Channel

The best treatment is taking preventative actions. Please ensure long hair is tied back and remind students not to share hats, headbands, and other hair products. Regular checking will also break the cycle.

Thank you for your support with this.

Have a great week

Melissa Mackenzie

Principal

Writer’s Workshop run by Heidi

I love writing and wanted to share my passion with younger students. Last term I started a writing workshop for enthusiastic writers from Year 2-4. We have explored characters, settings and in our last session we explored poetry. I hope you enjoy reading some of our favourite pieces.

Rain by Fred R Year 3

Splashing on your face

Freezing all that it touches

Falling down with grace

Rivers by Odette Year 3

Down on the edge of the island

A river follows its path

Coming down from the highland

Finding its way to the ocean

At night the water is paralysed

Rain ruins the silence

But at day the ripples shiver

As the river continues its journey

The ocean water you play in

Comes from the gentle stream

As the water hits your shin

The river reaches home

Nature by Katie Year 2

Grass is green and bright

Trees are tall with growing leaves

Flowers bloom so bright

Night by Lachie Year 2

Dark and cold quiet

Darkness covers half the world

Darkness leaves this half

Mount Fuji by Kipp Year 2

Snow covers the top

Blossoms cover the mountain

A beautiful sight

Memories by Heidi Year 6

It’s hard to recall the memories,

That have been lost throughout the years

They refract and twist into nothing

Forgetting is my greatest fear

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