Engagement & Wellbeing
To parents/carers: 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 will be 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.
Shoes Off Inside – Winter Reminder
With the colder, wetter weather upon us, students are now taking their shoes off before entering classrooms. This helps keep our learning spaces clean and dry throughout the winter months, especially with the ground often wet and muddy.
Please ensure your child’s school shoes are easy for them to take on and off independently, particularly if they find laces tricky. Velcro is a great option. Please also ensure all shoes are named!
A friendly reminder too that shoes should be black, in line with our school uniform guidelines.
Thanks for your support.
Student Dress Code - Policy Update
In April 2025, the Victorian Government announced updates to the Student Dress Code policy to improve the affordability of school uniforms. A key change is that schools can no longer require branded ‘below the waist’ items such as pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, leggings or socks. This change will apply from the start of 2026.
At Buninyong Primary School, our current uniform guidelines already meet this requirement, as we do not include branded items below the waist. As such, we do not anticipate any major changes to our dress code.
However, all schools are required to review their policies in consultation with their school community by the end of Term 4, 2025. Our School Council’s Uniform Subcommittee will begin this process early in Term 3.
If any parents are interested in joining the Uniform Subcommittee for this review, please contact Narelle Sullivan before the end of Term 2.
First Aid in Schools Program
On Thursday 19 and Friday 20 June, all students participated in the First Aid in Schools program, facilitated by trainers from St John Ambulance. This program provides age-appropriate, practical first aid education to empower students with the skills and confidence to respond in an emergency.
Sessions included:
- Recognising an emergency and calling 000
- Basic first aid procedures such as treating cuts and burns
- DRSABCD action plan (for upper primary students)
- CPR practice (for senior students)
Feedback from our facilitators, Catherine and Grant, was overwhelmingly positive. They were particularly impressed with the respectful behaviour, engagement, and enthusiasm of our students across all year levels.
It's reassuring to know our students are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to act in an emergency if ever needed.
Bunjil Awards
Congratulations to the following students who received a Bunjil Award at our last assembly.
Max G, Pollyanna L, Stella S, Saskia V, Luka P, Connor B, Dash O, Hazel D, Charlie F, Hazel O, Max V, Jedd N, Xavier C, Levi B, Thomas C, Henry E, Joshua B, Archer C, Marlee A, Madeline R, Thomas C.
Bunjil awards recognise student achievement and those who display our school values of being respectful, responsible and kind.
Well done! All of our recipients enjoyed a hot chocolate or zooper dooper with a principal.