Office news
Compass Events
Compass is the main communication tool between home and school, with notifications from classrooms, whole school messages, event information (excursions/incursions), reminders, parent/teacher interview bookings, newsletter etc. We strongly encourage all parents to regularly check in to avoid missing deadlines and important information. We will endeavour to list any events requiring parent attention in each newsletter.
Events currently requiring parent consent/payment:
- Year 5 Camp balance - due 17/3/25
- VSSS 2025 Mass Choir deposit - due 14/2/25
- Y3-6 District Swimming (select students) - consent required by 17/2/25
School Photos - day 2
Schoolpix will be coming to our school next Thursday 20th February for the second of our photo days. The following groups are scheduled to be photographed:
- Foundation class and individual photos
- Sibling photos
- Student Representative Council
- Mandarin Captains
Photo day - students are required to be in full school uniform (no sports tops please), with hair neat and tidy. The running order for photo day will be sent out via Compass closer to the day.
Photographing, Filming and Recording Students at Karoo Primary School - Consent form
A Compass post was sent out on 12th February requesting parents to complete a consent form to use their child's photo. Once the consent form (attached to the Compass post) has been completed and signed, it will be filed with the student's records. This permission will now cover your child for the whole time they are at Karoo - no need for annual consent forms! If you wish to change the permission status at any time, please notify the school. Hard copies of the consent form are available at the school office.
2025 Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund(CSEF)
The CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to eligible families to assist with expenses relating to camps, sport and/or excursions ($154 is payable per student).
If you received the CSEF in 2024, you DO NOT need to complete an application form for 2025, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing. The school will automatically apply on your behalf.
If you are applying for the CSEF for the very first time
An application form is attached below or you can collect one from the school office. You will also need to provide the office a copy of your Concession Card for the school to submit on your behalf.
ELIGIBILITY
- To be eligible for the fund, a parent/legal guardian of a student must be a holder of a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veteran Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or be a temporary foster parent. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.
- You must provide a copy of your valid card with your completed application form (first time applications only).
- Cards must be valid on either 28th January 2025 or second eligibility date of 22nd April 2025.
Applications will be accepted up until 4th July 2025, with payments commencing from March onwards.
For more information please visit https://www.vic.gov.au/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund or see Anna in the school office.
School Savings Bonus
As we are getting many queries from parents about the School Savings Bonus, we are again sharing some general information and a Parent Guide on how to use the online system, along with a short video to help parents navigate this one-off process.
PLEASE NOTE: School activities does not include contributions or stationery.
So How does SSB work?
Step 1 - Parents log in to your SSB account using the link provided in your email from the Department of Education, and allocate the school savings bonus ($400 per child) for school activities and/or instore or online purchase for the KLAD uniform shop. This can be done in increments of $50, $100, $200, $300 or $400.
Step 2 - Money allocated to school activities will be transferred to the school for us to process (takes 3-4 days).
Step 3 - Parents wishing to use their SSB for a specific event will receive a survey from our office prior to the due date for the event, asking for confirmation that you would like us to allocate your funds in this way. Once the allocation has been processed by the school office, you will be receive email instructions from us asking you to go on to Compass to give your consent and make payment for any balance still owing.
Troubleshooting
If the link in your email is expired: go to the SSB website (www.schoolsavingsbonus.vic.gov.au), enter your voucher number and email address to access the site. Please select 'School Activities' to allocate the SSB towards school activities (ie. excursions, camps), and allow a few days for the funds to transfer across to the school.
I have incorrectly allocated my funds: Parents can nominate in increments, but once the vouchers have been allocated, it cannot be undone. Good news is any unspent SSB voucher money will be transferred to the family's account on CASES21 (School system) from the 2nd of July 2025, and can be used for that student for school activities until the allocation has been exhausted.