Information for Families
Book Club
Dear Parent,
The best gift any parent can give a child is the love of books and the joy and benefits of independent reading for fun. Children who read at home, or are read to, have a head start on reading success in school.
Our school is participating in Scholastic Book Club this year. Up to twice a term, during the school year, we will send home a Club catalogue with a different selection of books offered for all ages.
You’ll find award-winning books and bestsellers, as well as old and new favourites. We recommend them because the books span a wide range of children’s reading levels and interests and because they are inexpensive (some books cost as little as $3).
Ordering is easy and must be done through the Book Club LOOP platform allowing parents to pay by credit card. Your child’s order is submitted directly to school safe and sound and the books will be delivered to class. You can place your child’s order at scholastic.com.au/LOOP or using the LOOP app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
We are not able to process orders through school.
Issue two will be handed out early next week and orders will close on Monday 17th March 2025.
CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS FUND (CSEF)
School camps provide children with inspiring experiences in the great outdoors. Excursions encourage a deeper understanding of how the world works while sports teach teamwork, discipline and leadership. All are a part of a healthy curriculum.
CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.
If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.
The annual CSEF amount per student is:
- $154 for primary school students
- $256 for secondary school students
HOW TO APPLY
New applicants should contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from the website below.
If you applied for CSEF at your child's school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:
new student enrolments: your child has started or changed schools this year.
changed family circumstances: such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing this year.
Check with Leesa or Maree in the school office if you are unsure.
Changes to Student Enrolment Information
Families will receive an this afternoon with a Student Enrolment Form for each child to review. There is no need to print this form or return it if changes are not required.
In any information is incorrect, please notify the school in writing either by emailing hamilton.ps.gray@education.vic.gov.au or if you choose, print the form and hand write any changes, and send into the office. Please update personal information such as emergency contacts, address, work contact details, place of employment etc. We kindly request any updates to your information be advised as soon as possible.
If you do not receive this email, please contact the office.
Emergency Contacts
We kindly ask that families have a local emergency contact so that students can be collected in a timely manner in the event of an accident or illness. The school appreciates not all parents work locally so perhaps a friend or neighbour might by a good option to have on your emergency contacts list.
Medication at School
At times children attending school need medication to manage certain illnesses. Parents/carers are required to complete the appropriate medication permission form (available from the office) noting the dose and time the medicine is to be given.
Medication should be clearly marked with the student's name and parents are requested to discuss this matter with the office staff. Under no circumstances are children permitted to have medication in their possession at school.
2025 SPECIALIST TIMETABLE
| Grade | PE
| STEM
| Art
| Music
|
| Prep A – Mrs Riddle & Mrs Murray | Tues | Thurs | Mon | Mon |
| Prep B – Mrs Hawthorne | Mon | Thurs | Mon | Mon |
| 1/2A – Mrs Clark & Mrs Dickson | Tues | Wed | Tues | Fri |
| 1/2B – Mrs Beaton | Mon | Thurs | Tues | Fri |
| 1/2C – Mrs Smith | Mon | Tues | Wed | Fri |
| 1/2D - Mrs McCulloch | Tues | Tues | Wed | Fri |
| 3/4A – Mrs Smith & Mrs Murray | Tues | Thurs | Tues | Fri |
| 3/4B – Mrs Harms | Wed | Wed | Tues | |
| 3/4C – Miss Callaway | Wed | Tues | Tues | |
| 3/4D - Ms Hannah | Tues | Tues | Mon | Mon |
| 5/6A – Mr Stephens | Mon | Wed | Mon | |
| 5/6B – Mrs Brabham | Wed | Tues | Mon | Mon |
| 5/6C – Miss Paton | Mon | Wed | Wed | Mon |
PE/SPORTS DAYS - please ensure your child is wearing appropriate clothes for sport:
Sports clothes
- Short/Long sleeve sky/navy blue polo - shirt with school logo
- Navy blue poly-cotton sports shorts or Navy blue track suit pants – straight leg
- Runners
ART DAYS - please ensure your child has an appropriate well named art smock
XUNO School Management System
New families should have received an email from XUNO with your invitation to join this platform. This platform will be your access point for notifying the school about absences, receiving the newsletter, and in future student achievement reports, just to name a few of the functions available. If you have not already had the opportunity to sign in, please take a moment this weekend. This platform will become our only communication platform in 2025.
If you did not receive a welcome email or you are having difficulties joining XUNO please contact Leesa in the office, for assistance.