Principal's Report

Student Use of Technology

Families may have heard through the media about upcoming changes to the use of digital devices in Victorian primary schools. These changes will come into effect from the beginning of 2027 and are designed to provide cost-of-living relief for families, while also supporting the purposeful, responsible, and age-appropriate use of technology to enhance student learning.

Families who have been with us for a while will know that BPS previously operated a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) iPad program for students in Years 3–6. Over recent years, we have been gradually winding this program back, with plans already in place to conclude BYOD at the end of 2026. The new Department requirements align closely with this direction.

From 2027, primary schools will be required to provide students with access to the digital devices they need for learning, rather than requiring families to provide their own. There will also be a greater emphasis on limiting screen time and ensuring devices are used intentionally and only when they genuinely add value to learning. Device use in Foundation–Year 2 will be kept to a minimum, while schools are advised to limit screen time for students in Years 3–6 to a maximum of 90 minutes per day.

What will this look like at BPS?

Over the past six months, we have been carefully considering what student access to technology should look like at BPS from 2027 and beyond. In exploring the available options, we have considered:

• how devices can best support our curriculum and teaching and learning approaches;
• durability, longevity, and value for money;
• the skills we want students to develop through the purposeful use of technology; and
• where possible, providing students with experience using devices similar to those they are likely to encounter at secondary school

Following considerable investigation and discussion, a proposal was presented to School Council at its July meeting and subsequently approved.

From 2027:

• BPS will purchase 120 Apple MacBook Neo devices to be shared across our Year 5 and 6 classes, which are expected to include approximately 170 students.
• Our current Year 5 students who have been participating in the BYOD iPad program will no longer need to bring their own device to school in 2027.
• Students in Foundation–Year 4 will continue to have access to shared classroom banks of approximately 8–10 iPads, with their use determined by learning needs and age-appropriate expectations.
• Across the school, digital devices will be used purposefully and selectively, alongside the many other ways students learn, practise, create, collaborate, and demonstrate their understanding.

We are excited about the opportunities the new MacBooks will provide our senior students. In addition to supporting curriculum learning, they will enable students to develop a broader range of digital skills than has been possible through our iPad program and help prepare them for the types of technology they are likely to encounter as they transition to secondary school.

While this is a simplified overview of our plans, we hope it provides families with a clear sense of the direction we are taking and the thinking behind these decisions. There is further planning to be completed before 2027, and we will continue to keep families informed as these arrangements are finalised.

Music Scholarship Update  

Across the second half of last term, we provided an update of our Photography, Masterchef, STEM and Visual Arts scholarship programs.  Today we are featuring the Music Scholarship Program, with the following provided by Steve Skillbeck.

Our Music Scholarship Band this year consists of seven students. We have Zali, Jess, Leo and James as vocalists (James is also occasionally on the bass) and Ava, Annabelle and Arlo on the keyboards. Not your conventional band but we make it work! 

The band has already performed at assembly earlier in Term 1 and will be playing at another later this term. We are also looking forward to the concert at the end of August, and we have once again been invited to the Moorabool Kids Day Out where we will travel to Bacchus Marsh and get to play some songs to a packed hall of students from the Moorabool Region. 

The kids in the band really enjoy being together on Friday afternoons and are great at taking on feedback and learning the nuances that go into playing music as a band and you’ll get to see them soon at the concert and assembly. We’re all looking forward to it!

Parent Surveys

Early next week, parents and carers will receive an invitation to participate in a Parent/Guardian Survey via Compass.  We’d really appreciate you spending the time to complete that survey if you can.

The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour and student engagement. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.

All responses to the survey are anonymous. This year, the Parents and Caregiver Opinion Survey will close on Friday September 18th.

Surveys are conducted online, take approximately 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones.  

How to participate?

You will receive a Compass message early next week which will include a link to the survey portal (Orima) as well as a generic PIN.  Please note that there is a separate PIN for each campus.

Thank you in advance and if you have any questions, please contact the office and we’ll be able to assist you.

Grade 5-6 Camp

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the grade 5-6 camp at Halls Gap.  This camp aims to provide students with opportunities to challenge themselves and build on their team working skills.  There’s no doubting these aims were achieved.

A big thank you to the staff that put many hours into planning and then running the camp and to the amazing group of parent helpers that attended, jumping in at every opportunity to support both staff and students.

I have to mention the kids, who were exemplary throughout.  Despite taking away a large number of kids, the 3 days of camp were very settled, and the kids approached all of the activities with an excellent attitude.  And they slept well, which is a bonus.  

2027 Prep Enrolments

A reminder if you have a child to enrol in prep for 2027, please access an enrolment form from the website or from the office, fill it out and send it in ASAP.  Once your child is enrolled, you’ll be on the mail out list for transition updates, which includes information about our Preschooler Program and Orientation Day. 

Please pass this message on to anyone else who may be in the same situation and feel free to give us a call if you have any questions.