Dear Parents/Carers,

EMERGENCY DRILLS

Emergency drills are crucial for preparing our staff and students for various scenarios and ensuring a quick and organised response. There are four drills that occur throughout the year which include to the Oval, Lock-in, Lockdown, and Off-site.

Our first drill occurred today, and while our staff do prepare students it may assist if you help to prepare your children as well.

Below is our scheduling and procedures:

1. Oval Drill: Monday 31st March 2025

This drill is to practice and familiarise students, staff and visitors with evacuation procedures in an open area, such as the school oval.

2. Lockdown Drill (remain in classrooms): Monday 30th June 2025

This drill is to practice securing a facility in response to an immediate threat, such as an intruder or dangerous situation.

3. Lock-in Drill (School Gym): Monday 1st September 2025

This drill is to simulate securing a facility or room due to external threats, such as severe weather or nearby incidents.

4. Off-site Evacuation (Botanic Gardens): Monday 17th November 2025

This drill is to practice evacuating a facility and relocating individuals to a predetermined off-site location.

CYBER SAFETY

Cyber safety is crucial for students and parents in today's digital age. Here are some key pieces of advice for both students and parents:

For Students:

Strong Passwords:
- Use strong, unique passwords for each online account.
- Include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdates or names.
Social Media Awareness:
- Be mindful of the information you share online, including personal details, location, and plans.
- Adjust privacy settings to control who can see your posts and information.
Cyberbullying Awareness:
- Report any instances of cyberbullying to a trusted adult.
- Think before you post or comment, and treat others online as you would in person.
Phishing Awareness:
- Be cautious about clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown sources.
- Verify the legitimacy of emails or messages before sharing personal information.
Device Security:
- Keep your devices updated with the latest security patches.
- Use reputable security software and keep it up to date.
Online Gaming Safety:
- Only interact with people you know in real life.
- Be cautious about sharing personal information or engaging in voice chats with strangers.
Digital Etiquette:
- Be respectful and considerate in online interactions.
- Understand that online actions have real-world consequences.

For Parents:

Open Communication:
- Establish open communication with your child about their online activities.
- Encourage them to share their experiences and concerns.
Educate about Online Risks:
- Teach your child about online dangers such as cyberbullying, phishing, and inappropriate content.
- Discuss the importance of privacy and responsible online behaviour.
Set Boundaries:
- Establish rules for screen time and device usage.
- Monitor the apps and websites your child uses.
Install Parental Controls:
- Use parental control tools to limit access to inappropriate content.
- Monitor your child's online activities without invading their privacy.
Encourage Critical Thinking:
- Teach your child to think critically about the information they encounter online.
- Help them develop a healthy scepticism and verify information from reliable sources.
Model Healthy Online Behaviour:
- Demonstrate responsible online behaviour and etiquette.
- Show your child how to maintain a healthy balance between online and offline activities.
Be Aware of Friend Requests:
- Advise your child to only connect with people they know in real life.
- Monitor their friends and connections on social media.

By staying informed and fostering open communication, both students and parents can contribute to creating a safer online environment.

Regularly updating cybersecurity knowledge is also essential to adapt to evolving online threats.

For more information please check the link below.

Parents | eSafety Commissioner

NAPLAN 2025 YEAR 3 AND 5

Students in Years 3 and 5 are required to sit the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests in March.

This is an important program to assess the consistency of student outcomes across our state and the country.

The schedule for this year is as follows:

DATE	YEAR 3	YEAR 5
Monday 3rd March 2025	Practice Test	Practice Test
Wednesday 12th March 2025	Writing (Paper) 9:30am - 10:30am Reading 11:45am-12:45pm	Writing 11:45am - 12:45pm
Thursday 13th March 2025	Conventions of Language 11:45am - 12:45pm	Reading 9:30am-10:30am Conventions of Language 11:45am - 12:30pm
Friday 14th March 2025	Numeracy 9:30am - 10:30am	Numeracy 9:30am - 10:30am
Monday 17th March 2025	Catch up all tests	Catch up all tests
Monday 24 March 2025	Testing Closed	Testing Closed

Ideally, we would encourage your children to participate and be in attendance on these sitting days.

Where students are unwell or unable to be at school on those days, they will be made up where possible in the following week.

If you have concerns regarding your child’s participation in these tests please contact your child’s class teacher.

Parents are able to withdraw their children if required.

Please see the Parent/Carers information below.

PORT FAIRY YEAR 2 CAMP - WEDNESDAY 26TH TO THURSDAY 27TH MARCH 2025

Our Year 2 students, teachers and staff are very excited about attending camp at Southcombe Park in Port Fairy next month.

Please ensure all medical/ consent and payment is completed in the coming week. Please contact me if you need assistance with any of these aspects. All matters are strictly confidential.

The weather may be quite warm and so staff may amend activities accordingly.

The children in many cases will spend their first night away from home without a parent and so it is a big step for them.

It is a great opportunity to develop their self-esteem and independence. I look forward to hearing about their fantastic experience upon their return.

Thank you to Dale Beane and the Year 2 teaching/support staff for the careful planning and organisation of this great camp.

PUPIL FREE DAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Please note that we have a long weekend next weekend and two Pupil Free Days adjoining as approved at School Council.

Friday 7th March 2025 - Pupil Free Day (TheirCare Operating)

Monday 10th March 2025 - PUBLIC HOLIDAY (no TheirCare)

Tuesday 11th March 2025 - Pupil Free Day (TheirCare Operating)

Have a great weekend.

Peter Lee

Principal

Student Birthdays