Engagement & Wellbeing

Bunjil Awards

Bunjil awards recognise student achievement and those who display our school values of being respectful, responsible and kind. Well done! All of our weekly winners enjoyed a hot chocolate or zooper dooper with a principal. This process is always a great chance for us to hear from the kids and ask them some questions about our school.

Fidgets at School - A Quick Reminder

We’ve noticed an increasing number of fidgets and sensory items making their way to school recently, including Ooshies, plushies, large NeeDoh-style toys and other sensory items.

Fidgets can be a helpful learning support for some students when used appropriately. However, they can also quickly become a distraction for the student using them and those around them.

As a general rule, students should not bring fidgets, Ooshies, plushies or sensory toys from home unless their use forms part of an agreed learning or support plan.

Where a fidget is required as a learning support, there should be a clear purpose for its use, including when and how it is used. Fidgets need to be used appropriately to support learning… if they become a toy or a distraction, they will be asked to be put away.

We have a range of appropriate sensory and fidget tools available at school for students who need them.

We appreciate families helping us by keeping toys and fidgets at home unless there is an agreed reason for them to be at school.

Period Products at School

As part of a Victorian Government initiative, free pads and tampons are available to students in all government schools, including Buninyong Primary School. At Buninyong, period product dispensers are located in our senior (Years 3–6) student toilets and at Scotsburn. 

Some families, particularly those with younger children, may not be aware that these are available at school.

The program is designed to ensure students can access period products when they need them, while also helping to normalise conversations about periods and menstrual health.

Recently, we’ve noticed some younger students showing curiosity about the dispensers and products. Curiosity is completely understandable, particularly for children who may not yet know what these products are for. However, the products are provided for students who need them and should not be taken to play with or use as toys.

This may be a good opportunity for families to have an age-appropriate conversation at home about periods and period products, including what they are used for and why they are available at school.

We’ll continue to reinforce this sensitively at school and remind students that the products are there to support those who need them.

More information about the Victorian Government’s Free Period Products in All Government Schools initiative is available online.

Students Bringing Mobile Phones to School (including the School Concert)

A reminder to families that, in accordance with the Department of Education’s Mobile Phones – Student Use Policy, students are not permitted to use personal mobile phones during school hours, including recess and lunchtime, unless an approved exception applies.

For the purpose of the policy, this also includes smart watches and other devices that connect to, or have similar functionality to, a mobile phone.

Students may bring a phone or smart watch to school where needed, for example when travelling independently to and from school. However, during school hours:

• phones and smart watches must be switched off and securely stored
• at Buninyong Primary School, devices should be handed to the classroom teacher for secure storage
• parents/carers needing to contact their child during the school day should contact the school office.

We encourage students not to bring phones or smart watches to school unless there is a genuine need to do so. These are valuable personal items and are brought to school at the owner’s risk.

Changes from 2027

From 2027, Victorian Government requirements regarding personal electronic devices in schools will be strengthened, with smart watches and other wearable devices specifically included. We will provide families with further information about any changes to our school procedures ahead of the 2027 school year.

Upcoming School Concert

For our upcoming school concert, students are asked not to bring phones or smart watches unless necessary. Any student who does bring a device must have it switched off and handed to a teacher for safekeeping during the concert.

Further information is available through the Department of Education’s Mobile Phones – Student Use Policy and our Buninyong Primary School Mobile Phones Policy.

FOOTY COLOURS DAY - proudly supporting the Mphatso Children’s Foundation

On the last day of Term 3, students are invited to come dressed in their favourite team colours for our annual Footy Colours Day!

Usually on casual dress days, we ask students to bring a gold coin donation to support a good cause. For Footy Colours Day, we do things a little differently – we encourage students to collect and bring along as many coins as they can!

Students can deposit their coins into their favourite team’s container, with the team collecting the most coins by volume (not value!) crowned the winner of the Buninyong Cup!

Why all the coins?

5c coins have long been synonymous with the Mphatso Children’s Foundation, as 5c was once enough to provide a child in Malawi with a bowl of porridge at school. For many children, this may be the only meal they receive that day.

Unfortunately, inflation has also hit Malawi and the cost of providing a bowl of porridge has now risen to around 10c.

Students can bring as many coins as they wish, of any denomination – every coin helps!

All money collected will be donated to the Mphatso Children’s Foundation on behalf of our school.

Buninyong Primary School has had a special connection with Mphatso for many years. Former Buninyong PS parent Robyn Casey established the Mphatso Children’s Foundation in 2004, with its mission to:

FEED THE CHILDREN • GROW THE COMMUNITY • IMPACT THE FUTURE

Thank you for continuing to get behind this wonderful cause – and start saving those coins!

For more information, visit the Mphatso Children’s Foundation website or Mphatso Children’s Foundation on Facebook.