Welcome Back to Term 3!

We are delighted to welcome everyone back to school for Term 3!

There’s a wonderful sense of excitement and anticipation as we look forward to the many activities planned for the weeks ahead.

This term is set to be filled with engaging opportunities, including lively house activities, enriching excursions and incursions, and our much-loved annual Trivia Night.

As we continue our school improvement journey, we remain dedicated to supporting every student to thrive, both in their learning and in their wellbeing.

We can’t wait to share a term filled with growth, exploration, and achievement for all.

Farewell to Mrs Blackburn & Welcome to Ms Briggs

We would like to inform our school community that Mrs Blair Blackburn, one of our dedicated Year 6 teachers, will be leaving Bimbadeen Heights Primary School at the end of July to take up an exciting professional opportunity at a school closer to her home and family. Mrs Blackburn’s final day at Bimbadeen was yesterday Thursday, 31 July.

We sincerely thank Mrs Blackburn for her contributions to our school over the past few years and wish her all the very best in her new role.

We are also pleased to share that Ms Kiri Briggs has been appointed to the shared classroom teaching role in 6BB for the remainder of the year. Ms Briggs is a highly experienced and capable educator who has been part of our own teaching team since the beginning of Term 2, working in 3DM. She will be a familiar and welcome face to many of our students.

Please join us in farewelling Mrs Blackburn and warmly welcoming Ms Briggs to her new role.

Celebrating Tony’s Retirement

At the end of Term 2, we farewelled someone very special to the Bimbadeen Heights Primary School community, our much-loved School Crossing Supervisor, Tony, who retired after more than 15 years of dedicated service.

For well over a decade, Tony has been a familiar and reassuring presence at the Hayrick Lane crossing. Come rain, hail, or shine, he has greeted students, families, and staff each day with a warm smile and friendly wave, ensuring everyone made it safely to and from school. His commitment, care and consistency have made a real difference in the lives of our students and the broader Bimbadeen community.

Tony has been more than just our crossing supervisor, he has been a part of the fabric of Bimbadeen. His kindness, reliability, and genuine interest in the wellbeing of our children have left a lasting legacy. He brought a sense of calm, care and connection to every school day, and his presence will be deeply missed.

As Tony steps into retirement, we thank him for everything he has given to our school over the years. We hope he takes great pride in the positive impact he’s had and enjoys a well-earned break and the adventures that retirement brings.

Thank you, Tony, for your unwavering service and for being such an important part of the Bimbadeen family. You leave with our heartfelt appreciation and best wishes.

Celebrating Our Regional Cross Country Competitors!

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of two of our standout students, Hayley N (5MB) and Lachie H (4JG), who proudly represented Bimbadeen at the Regional Cross Country Championships!

Their journey to the regional stage was no small feat. It began with outstanding performances at our school’s Cross-Country event, where both placed in the top 10 and advanced to the district level. There, they pushed themselves even further, earning well-deserved spots at the Division event. Despite facing tougher competition at each stage, Hayley and Lachie rose to the challenge, running with grit, determination, and heart, to qualify for the prestigious Regional Cross Country Championships.

At the Regional event, they competed against the best runners from across North-East Victoria, showing remarkable perseverance and representing our school with pride. Their commitment and resilience truly reflect the school values of Bimbadeen.

Congratulations, Hayley and Lachie! Your hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship have inspired us all. You’ve made your families and school community incredibly proud!

Congratulations, Finn!

We’re thrilled to share that Finn D (6EM) has been selected for the Victorian U12 Netball team following a comprehensive trial process. This is a remarkable achievement, and we’re incredibly proud of Finn’s hard work, persistence, and dedication. He’s excited to begin training with the team and will proudly represent Victoria at the national championships in Queensland next February. Congratulations, Finn!

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day – Monday 4 August

Each year at Bimbadeen, we celebrate and acknowledge National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. While this year’s official day falls on Mon 4 August, we are marking the occasion over two weeks across our classrooms, specialist programs, and multi-age STARS groups. This extended celebration gives our students the opportunity to engage deeply with elements of First Nations' culture and develop a strong understanding of this year’s theme.

This year’s theme, Little Footsteps, Big Future, honours the journeys Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children take as they grow, guided by culture, community, and connection to Country. The day is a meaningful opportunity for all Australians to show their support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and to learn about the vital role that culture, family, and community play in their lives.

At BHPS, we are proud of the way we work alongside our First Nations students and families to support their connection to culture, community, and Country, and of the respectful ways we represent culture in our school. We remain committed to making Bimbadeen a safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive environment, and we thank you for your support in helping us do so.

If you would like to know more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day or the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, please visit https://www.snaicc.org.au/

Year 3 and 4 Science Expos

In the final week of Term 2, our Year 3 and 4 budding scientists showcased their incredible investigations and projects at our annual Science Expos.

These impressive individual projects were the culmination of many weeks of learning about scientists, experimenting with scientific processes, conducting research, developing their own experiments, and writing detailed scientific reports.

The Science Expos have become a true highlight on our school calendar, inspiring not only the students presenting but also our younger year levels who eagerly visited, asked questions, and interacted with our young scientists. Many classes returned so inspired that they put aside their planned work for the afternoon to launch straight into their own class experiments!

A big thank you to the many parents and carers who visited the Year 3 Expo to support and celebrate our students’ learning. We are so proud of all our Year 3 and 4 students for their curiosity, creativity, and confidence in sharing their scientific discoveries.

Students Versus Staff Netball Match Capped Off Term 2 with Fun and Festivity

The end of Term 2 was once again marked by our much-loved Students Versus Staff Netball Match. Senior students took on our enthusiastic staff team, cheered on by the whole school community. There was even a DJ playing and dancing throughout!

The match was closely contested, with both teams showing great skill and teamwork. Despite a strong effort from the students, the staff team secured the win.

A big thank you to Mr Munnecke for organising the event, and to our students and staff for embracing the competitive spirit and having such a great time out on the court.

The match was the perfect way to finish Term 2, bringing everyone together and creating special memories. We look forward to more fun and community spirit in the terms ahead!

NAIDOC Week 2025: Celebrating "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy"

In the first week of Term 3, our school community came together to celebrate NAIDOC Week, honouring the rich history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week, with the theme: "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy."

This theme celebrates the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the enduring legacy of our ancestors. Throughout the week, students engaged in activities that highlighted these elements, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of First Nations cultures.

We encourage families to continue these conversations at home, exploring the stories and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. For more information and resources, please visit www.naidoc.org.au.

Changes to Parking Restrictions along Hayrick Lane

Please note the new parking restrictions on Hayrick Lane, at the front of the school. This area is now a no parking zone, designed to support quick drop-offs and pick-ups only. Drivers are required to stay with their vehicle and move on within 2 minutes.

The local council has been monitoring the area, including with unmarked vehicles, so we encourage everyone to follow the new guidelines to avoid fines.

If you’d like to walk your child into the school, please park in the surrounding streets and enjoy a short walk into the grounds together. Thank you for your cooperation in helping keep our drop-off and pick-up areas safe and efficient for everyone.

Primary School Nursing Program Visit

The Primary School Nursing Program provides a free health and wellbeing service to all Victorian students in their first year of school.

We’re pleased to share that Jody Daff, a Visiting Primary School Nurse from the Department of Education and Training’s Victorian School Nursing Program, will be attending our school in August.

The purpose of this visit is to:

Provide all Victorian school entry-aged children with the opportunity to participate in a health screening assessment;
Connect children, families, and schools with appropriate services in the community;
Offer information and advice about children’s health and wellbeing.

To give consent for your child to participate in the health and wellbeing check, parents and carers must complete a School Entrant Health Questionnaire (SEHQ). The SEHQ is a confidential health document, and the online platform is designed to collect information safely, securely, and confidentially.

Parents and carers of students in Grades 1–6 may also request a health screening assessment for their child by completing a Student Referral Form, available from the school office. Once completed, the form must be returned to the office so it can be signed by the student’s classroom teacher before being collected by the Visiting Nurse.

If Foundation families do not wish for their child to participate, please contact the school office to complete the required opt-out form.

Stay well this winter

This winter season, more people are getting and being hospitalised with influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others – it is never too late to vaccinate.

Keeping our school community well

We encourage parents, carers and students to:

wash or sanitise your hands thoroughly and regularly, particularly before and after touching your face
cough or sneeze into your elbow
stay home if unwell and consult your GP or Nurse-on-Call as needed
stay up to date with your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Flu vaccinations

Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.

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

Flu vaccinations can be booked through GPs and pharmacies. Many can give a COVID-19 booster at the same time.

COVID-19 booster

The COVID-19 booster dose is available for everyone aged 18 and over. Regular COVID-19 vaccinations are 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 booster dose.

You can get your booster at your local pharmacy or GP. The COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder can tell you if you need a booster, and where to get one.

RSV is a common virus that causes colds and ear infections. In babies, it can cause severe illnesses like bronchiolitis.

The RSV vaccine is available for pregnant women as part of the National Immunisation Program. In Victoria, eligible babies can also get the RSV vaccine until Tuesday 30 September 2025. For more information, refer to Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation.

You can speak with your GP or midwife about the vaccine.

Find out more

For more information about staying well this winter, refer to:

your GP or pharmacist
Better Health Channel – Don’t Risk the Flu campaign with translated resources, influenza and other vaccine information.
Better Health Channel – RSV vaccine for mothers and infants
Raising Children Network – influenza, COVID-19, bronchiolitis and helping your child prepare for vaccination.

Update on suspension and expulsion powers

Our school is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all students and staff. You may be aware of recent changes announced to suspension and expulsion powers that became available to Victorian principals from day one of Term 3, (Monday 21 July 2025).

We know that students’ behaviour outside of school, particularly online, can sometimes impact the safety of students and staff at school.

In exceptional circumstances, principals of Victorian government schools will be able suspend or expel students for behaviour that occurs outside of school grounds and/or hours including online, if it poses a significant danger to the safety and wellbeing of students or staff.

These powers apply only to serious incidents where there is a clear and close connection to the school and the behaviour of a student outside of school unreasonably impacts the safety and wellbeing of students or staff at school, and their ability to learn or work. Please note: 

They do not apply to behaviours unrelated to the school or school community.
They only apply to behaviour which occurs from Monday 21 July 2025 onwards.

Suspension and expulsion will remain measures of last resort – our primary approach continues to focus on proactive and positive behaviour support, including working with you to teach students the behaviours we expect of them, in school and in life.

Thank you for your continued support as we work in partnership to educate and support our young people.

Preventing and Addressing Racism

At Bimbadeen Heights Primary School we value the diversity of culture, ethnicity, and faith of all our students. We are proud of our diversity, and everyone is welcome at our school. Celebrating the diversity of our community makes us stronger, kinder and innovative. We are committed to ensuring that students from all backgrounds feel accepted, supported and are empowered to learn. We have taken steps to ensure the school is a place free of racism and where everyone feels welcome, respected and supported. You can read about the school’s effort to prevent and respond to racism on our website. To achieve our values and aims, everyone at Bimbadeen Heights Primary School plays an important role, and we are writing to ask for your support.

Bimbadeen Heights Primary School asks that you support your child/ren to:

understand that we celebrate diversity and multicultural inclusion
understand the importance of everyone at school being treated with respect
understand that Bimbadeen Heights Primary School takes racism very seriously
understand that the school will support students if they experience or see their classmates experience this racism
continue talking about the importance of our SWPS School Values and how they connect to diversity, safety and inclusion for all.

Your partnership in reinforcing these values at home will significantly help create a more respectful and inclusive environment at school.

For more information, please see Racism: talking with children and teens, Raising Children Network.

If you or your child/ren have experienced racism or other unfair treatment, we are here to help. We encourage you to talk to your classroom teacher or reach out to a member of the school’s Leadership Team. We can help you understand the school policies, access support and make a complaint.

If you don’t feel comfortable reporting the incident to school, you can call or email the Report Racism hotline. The Department of Education runs the Report Racism hotline. It is available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) on 1800 722 476 or via email at report.racism@education.vic.gov.au.

If you need an interpreter to call the school, please use the details available at: Guide for Families: How to use an interpreter to contact your school

We hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend, and we look forward to another fabulous fortnight of learning.

Warm regards,

Adele Gregson, Sabrina George and Marty Gill

NEVR Koorie Newsletter