Celebrate World Scout Day on Saturday, August 1st!

This Saturday, August 1st, millions of Scouts across the globe—and right here in Australia—will celebrate World Scout Day! This date marks the anniversary of the world’s very first Scout camp on Brownsea Island back in 1907. To help celebrate our Rochester Joeys and Cubs can wear their scout shirt and/or scarf on Friday 31 July to school, to showcase their individual scouting achievements.

Astronomy Night Success

Thank you to the VSSEC staff and Mr Rasmussen for organising a wonderful Astronomy Night! Approximately 80 students and their families turned out to look at the night sky. Using the telescopes provided, families enjoyed spotting constellations, stars, and planets Thanks to everyone who turned out in the chilly weather.

Nude Food Challenge 3rd- 7th August (Next week)

Next week students are taking part in our Nude Lunchbox Challenge, a fun and meaningful initiative designed to promote waste-free lunches and build awareness around sustainability. Each morning, students will count the number of plastic wrappers in their lunchboxes and recorded their class total on a tally chart.

The goal? To encourage students and families to think carefully about packaging choices and reduce single-use plastics wherever possible.

Students who bring a completely waste-free lunch (no plastic packaging at all!) will be rewarded with a raffle ticket to enter our major prize draw. (Prizes including IGA vouchers, reusable lunchboxes, containers, and drink bottles).

The class with the least amount of waste for the week will also be rewarded with a hot chip lunch as a special celebration of their effort and commitment.

Pupil free days - 2026

At the School Council meeting on Tuesday night we locked in the remaining 2 pupil free days for this year.

Thursday 8th of October. (Supports families wanting to attend the Elmore field day) On this day staff will visit other schools to observe best practice & planning.

Monday 2nd November (This is the day before Melbourne Cup day - giving families the option to take an extra long weekend if they wish to). This will be the staff professional practice day.

Bullying No Way Week 17-21st August 2026.

The theme for 2025 is 'Small Acts, Big Impact.'

Our goal is to build environments where everyone belongs, diversity is celebrated and bullying is never accepted. During Bullying No Way Week, we encourage students, families and communities to engage in small acts that can have a big impact against bullying.

We currently have competitions running for each year level and invite students to come dressed with a touch of purple on Friday 21st August.

Book Week - Parade

On Friday 28th August students are encouraged to come to school dressed as their favourite book character as part of the bookweek celebrations. We will hold a parade at 9:30. Parents and friends are invited to come and join in the fun.

Prep bags 2027 design competition now open

The Department of Education is inviting current Prep students at Victorian government schools to enter its Prep bags 2027 design competition.

This is an exciting opportunity for your child to showcase their creativity for a chance to see their design featured on the front of next year’s Prep Bags.

Designs must reflect the theme – My year of Prep.

For more informaition visit -

https://engage.vic.gov.au/prep-bags-2027

Kate Whitford

Rochester Primary School Newsletter

Respect, Resilience, Responsibility

Term 3 Week 3 · 30 Jul 2026

In this issue