Principal's Report 

Vale Ray Legione

Thank you to our school community for the outpouring of support and kindness upon the news of the passing of Mr Ray Legione. Mr Legione was much-loved member of the Bimbadeen community for over 36 years. He made a significant contribution to our community through his role as Art Teacher, leading our Buildings and Grounds Committee and as our Facilities Co-ordinator during his 30 years at Bimbadeen. After his retirement, Mr Legione continued as our Maintenance person, and continued working with our students as a casual relief teacher over the past 6 years. 

He was an outstanding teacher who made a real difference to others through his commitment to deep caring relationships with students, staff, and families. Mr Legione inspired many generations of students with his common-sense advice of “keep your head down, try your hardest and always do your best work”. He has also left a legacy of projects across our school grounds, including the wonderful ANZAC memorial and our Cluckingham palace chook house

Throughout this week it has been lovely to hear the many stories shared by our students about Mr Legione, particularly the humorous memories they have of him, and the impact he left on them. 

Mr Legione will be deeply missed by our community. Vale, Mr Legione. 

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support – Gold Award!

We were very proud to receive our 2023 Gold Award for School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) on behalf of our community, at the Outer East Principal Forum last Friday. We would like to acknowledge the incredible work of our staff, students, and community in supporting the implementation of our School Wide Positive Support Framework. 

We would also like to particularly acknowledge Marty Gill who has been instrumental in the implementation and development of the SWPBS program at Bimbadeen and should be acknowledged for his leadership of our Wellbeing team and contributions to embed SWPBS at Bimbadeen.

Open Night

Our Open Night was held 

on Wednesday 15 May, with a trail of hands-on activities to complete as part of a STEM trail across the school. The school looked fantastic with student work on display, and our families and friends enjoyed exploring our classrooms and learning environments and celebrating our community. The Art show was a hit (as always!), with all students represented by two or more artworks featured in the show. Thank you to all community members for attending the evening and a huge thank you to our wonderful staff for preparing and hosting the Open Night and sharing the wonderful learning and activities happening at Bimbadeen. 

Congratulations to Brody S who was the winner of our STEM prize pack!

National Simultaneous Storytime

This week we have continued to celebrate our love of reading and books, by participating in the National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS). NSS is held annually by the Australian Library & Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by Australians is selected by ALIA, and is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, and homes all over the country and the world! This year’s chosen book, Bowerbird Blues, written and illustrated by Aura Parker, is being shared in our library classes this and next week.

Oh, how I love the sky…

And moving through

The marvellous BLUE

Sorry Day, National Reconciliation Week and National Acknowledgment of Country

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. 

National Sorry Day is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation. While this date carries great significance for the Stolen Generations and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is also commemorated by Australians right around the country.

Today, we acknowledge Sorry Day, and on Monday 27 May we will participate in the launch of National Reconciliation Week by taking part in the National Acknowledgment of Country. Acknowledging Country is an important practice across our school and classrooms. It demonstrates acceptance and understanding that our school lies on 

Aboriginal Land, and we acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as the traditional owners of this land, and their ongoing connection to Country.

Throughout each year, we plan and implement activities that help build on the respectful relationships we have with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait families and the broader community. It is an important part of our students' journey at Bimbadeen to participate in a range of activities and experiences that help build a respectful understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and contributions among the next generation of Australians that is critical to achieving reconciliation. 

Mid-Year Student Report Cards

Reporting to parents/carers about how each child’s learning is progressing supports the work of teachers and parents/carers in supporting our students to achieve their full potential. Our teachers are busily collating information about their students’ learning and are preparing to implement formal assessments in coming weeks that will assist with report writing. Our mid-year reports are made available to parents on the Sentral Parent Portal. Mid-year reports will be available in PDF form for parents/carers to read online or print out a hard copy for themselves. Reports will be available for parents/carers on Sentral fr Monday 24th June at 4pm. For parents/carers to access these reports they will need to be registered for and be able to access the Sentral Parent Portal. If you have not yet registered or are having difficulties accessing the portal, please contact our Sentral co-ordinator Melinda Ruscitti on Melinda.Ruscitti@education.vic.gov.au or contact Shelley and Emma in the office for support.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

Parent/Teacher Interviews will be held in Weeks 2 and 3 of Term 3, with information being sent to families in Week 10 this term. 

Bookings will open at the beginning of the final week of term and can be made online via Sentral. 

Interviews will be held either in person, with a WebEx and telephone option.

Stay well this winter!

Symptoms of influenza (flu) can hit very quickly and may last several weeks. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting the flu. 

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended from mid-April each year and is free under the National Immunisation Program for those at higher risk of complications from the flu.

Keeping our school community well

Parents, carers, and students are encouraged to practice prevention measures, including:

• washing and sanitising hands regularly
• avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing · staying home if unwell and consulting a general practitioner (GP) or Nurse-on-call as required
• staying up to date with flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Flu vaccinations

Flu vaccinations can be booked through GPs and pharmacies, many of which can also provide COVID-19 vaccinations. Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.

Some people are more at risk of complications from flu and are eligible for free vaccination as part of the National Immunisation Program.

COVID-19 booster

The 2024 COVID-19 booster dose is available for everyone aged 18 and above.

Getting your booster dose remains the best way to prevent severe illness or hospitalisation, especially in people aged over 65 and those at higher risk of severe illness.

Children aged between 5 and 17 years who are at risk of severe illness can also receive a 2024 booster dose. You can get your next dose at your local pharmacy or GP. To find one near you, refer to the vaccine clinic finder.

School Council Update

The May meeting of School Council was held on Wednesday 17 May. School Councils play an important role in Victorian government schools. The Bimbadeen Heights PS School Council is committed to sharing our work with the Bimbadeen community. To strengthen communication between council and our parents/carers, after each School Council meeting, we share information about School Council, including general information about the functions and operations of council and the specific work of our own council at Bimbadeen. 

The work of our School Council is guided by the key functions of School Councils. These functions are prescribed in the Education and Training Reform Act and the Education and Training Reform Regulations and provide a clear picture about what school council does. To support our community with their understanding of the role and work of our council, below is a summary of the key functions of school councils:

• to establish the broad direction and vision of the school within the school's community
• to arrange for the supply of goods, services, facilities, materials, equipment and other things or matters required for the conduct of the school, including the provision of preschool programs
• to raise funds for school related purposes
• to regulate and facilitate the after-hours use of the school premises and grounds
• to exercise a general oversight of the school buildings and grounds and ensure they are kept in good order and condition
• to provide for the cleaning and sanitary services that are necessary for the school
• to ensure that all money coming into the hands of the council is expended for proper purposes relating to the school
• to provide meals and refreshments for the staff and students of the school and make charges for those meals or refreshments
• to inform itself and take into account any views of the school community for the purpose of making decisions in regard to the school and the students at the school
• to generally stimulate interest in the school in the wider community
• to prepare the School Strategic Plan and the Annual Implementation Plan — to be signed by the president and the principal
• to report annually (the Annual Report) to the school community and to the Department on the school’s financial activities, the School Strategic Plan, and any other matters that are determined by the Minister
• to manage the hire, licence, and shared use of school facilities
• to determine the dates for the school’s student-free days
• to perform any other function or duty, or to exercise any power conferred or imposed on the council by or under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, or any regulations made under that Act or a Ministerial Order made, or direction issued, by the Minister under the Education and Training Reform Act.

Child Safe Code of Conduct

Our Child Safety Code of Conduct sets out the expected behaviour of adults with children and young people in our school. 

All Bimbadeen Heights Primary School staff, volunteers, contractors, service providers, school council members and any other adult involved in child-connected work must follow the Child Safety Code of Conduct. 

The Child Safety Code of Conduct applies to all physical and online environments used by students. It also applies during or outside of school hours and in other locations provided by the school for student use (for example, a school camp)

Acceptable behaviours

As Bimbadeen Heights Primary School, staff, volunteers, contractors, and any other member of our school community involved in child-connected work, we are responsible for supporting and promoting the safety of children by:

• upholding our Bimbadeen Heights Primary School commitment to child safety at all times and adhering to our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
• treating students and families in our school community with respect in our school environment and outside our school environment as part of normal social and community activities
• listening and responding to the views and concerns of students, particularly if they disclose that they or another child or student has been abused or are worried about their safety or the safety of another child or student
• promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, students with a disability, international students, students who are unable to live at home and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTIQ+) students
• ensuring, as far as practicable, that adults are not alone with a student – one-to-one interactions between an adult and a student are to be in an open space or in line of sight of another adult.
• reporting any allegations of child abuse or other child safety concerns to the Principal or Assistant Principal on 9726-9989
• understanding and complying with all reporting and disclosure obligations (including mandatory reporting) in line with our Child Safety Responding and Reporting Policy and Procedures, accessible in the School Policies section of our website https://www.bimbadeenheightsps.vic.edu.au and the PROTECT Four Critical Actions.
• if child abuse is suspected, ensuring as quickly as possible that the student(s) are safe and protected from harm.

Unacceptable behaviours

As Bimbadeen Heights Primary School staff, volunteers, contractors, and member of our school community involved in child-connected work we must not:

• ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse or harm
• develop a relationship with any student that could be seen as favouritism or amount to ‘grooming’ behaviour (for example, by offering gifts)
• display behaviours or engage with students in ways that are not justified by the educational or professional context 
• ignore an adult’s overly familiar or inappropriate behaviour towards a student 
• discuss intimate topics or use sexualised language, except when needed to deliver the school curriculum or professional guidance 
• treat a child or student unfavourably because of their disability, age, gender, race, culture, vulnerability, sexuality, or ethnicity
• communicate directly with a student through personal or private contact channels (including by social media, email, instant messaging, texting etc) except where that communication is reasonable in all the circumstances, related to schoolwork or extra-curricular activities or where there is a safety concern or other urgent matter
• photograph or video a child or student in a school environment except in accordance with the Photographing, Filming and Recording Students policy or where required for duty of care purposes
• consume alcohol against school policy or take illicit drugs in the school environment or at school events where students are present 
• have contact with any student outside of school hours except when needed to deliver the school curriculum or professional guidance and parental permission has been sought. 

Breaches to the Child Safety Code of Conduct

All Bimbadeen Heights Primary School staff, volunteers, contractors, and any other member of the school community involved in child-connected work who breach this Child Safety Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary procedures in accordance with their employment agreement or relevant industrial instrument, professional code, or terms of engagement.

In instances where a reportable allegation has been made, the matter will be managed in accordance with the Department of Education and Training Reportable Conduct Scheme Policy and may be subject to referral to Victoria Police.

All breaches and suspected breaches of the Bimbadeen Heights Primary School Child Safety Code of Conduct must be reported to the Principal and Assistant Principal on 9726-9989.

If the breach or suspected breach relates to the Principal, contact North-Eastern Victoria Region Office, Level 2, 295 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley 3150, Phone: 1300 333 231, email: nevr@education.vic.gov.au

If you have any questions or concerns about Child Safety at Bimbadeen, please contact Adele Gregson, Principal, or Marty Gill, Child Safety Champion. 

We hope you enjoy a lovely

 weekend.

Kind regards, 

Adele Gregson and Sabrina George