Parent Information

Term 4

COMPASS

It’s wonderful to see so many families using COMPASS and logging their child's attendance.

If you haven’t downloaded the Compass app, please do and then search for Langwarrin Primary School. If you need login details, please contact the office or search your emails for ‘Compass’. Remember we are no longer using SENTRAL. We suggest you download your children's reports from Sentral before we lose access.

Remembrance Day

As a school community we are supporting the Poppy Appeal by selling Remembrance Day items. Our School Captains will be selling them at the gate in the mornings before school, or they are available at the office.

Items cost between $2 - $5, purchases are cash only and you need to bring correct change.

Book Club

Book Club orders will close off on Wednesday 22nd October. Orders can be made via Book Club LOOP.

Thunderstorm Asthma

Thunderstorm asthma – be prepared this pollen season

Grass pollen season, which typically runs from October to December each year in Victoria, brings an increase in asthma and hay fever symptoms. It also increases the risk of thunderstorm asthma. For people with asthma or hay fever, especially those who experience wheezing or coughing with their hay fever, thunderstorm asthma can be sudden, serious and even life threatening.

During the season, there are some things you can do to prepare and protect yourself and your family:

If your child has ever had asthma, talk to your doctor about what you can do to help protect them from the risk of thunderstorm asthma this pollen season, including updating your asthma action plan. Taking an asthma preventer properly and regularly is key to preventing asthma, including thunderstorm asthma.
If your child has hay fever, see your pharmacist or doctor for a hay fever treatment plan and check if you should have an asthma reliever puffer. These are available from a pharmacy without a prescription.
If your child has hay fever and experiences wheezing and coughing, it is important to make sure they don’t also have asthma. Speak to your doctor about an asthma action plan.
Where possible, avoid being outside during thunderstorms from October to December, especially during the wind gusts that come before the storm. Go inside and close your doors and windows. If you have your air conditioning on, turn it to ‘recirculate’.

Protect yourself this pollen season – managing asthma and allergies matters.

Find out more

For more information, speak to your doctor. You can also visit the Better Health Channel website.

Sun Exposure

Overexposure to the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation during childhood and adolescence is a major risk factor for skin cancer. Melanoma is one of the most diagnosed cancers in Victorians aged 15 to 29 years and is caused by UV damage.

School staff have a duty of care and obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) to ensure all reasonable steps are taken to minimise risks to staff and student health and safety arising from exposure to UV radiation.

Please refer to our Sun and UV Protection policy for guidance and resources for schools, and the Sun Protection policy template.

Encourage sun protection at school

To promote UV protection, school staff can:

check daily sun protection times on the SunSmart and Bureau of Meteorology websites, or free SunSmart app and widget
remind students to apply or reapply sunscreen before going outdoors, through visual reminder notices, sunscreen monitors, sunscreen buddies or sunscreen stations near exit points. SunSmart has free resources and materials for primary schools (including a new hat and sunscreen reminder poster) and secondary schools
role-model sun protection measures, including applying sunscreen before going outside
include skin cancer prevention education at all year levels. SunSmart provides free curriculum resources for primary and secondary schools
encourage and remind students to wear sun-protective clothing, hats and close-fitting wrap-around sunglasses
provide sunscreen or encourage students to bring it from home.

SunSmart online courses for staff and students

SunSmart Victoria has free online courses for students, teachers and staff in Victorian primary and secondary schools. They include teacher guidance to support students’ learning and align with the Victorian Curriculum F–10.

For more information, refer to SunSmart online learning courses.

SunSmart at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image

Students can now learn about the history of SunSmart campaigns in ACMI’s free centrepiece exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image.

From the first Slip! Slop! Slap! campaigns in the 1980s with Sid the Seagull, students can investigate how media can promote healthy sun behaviours, influence attitudes and create positive change in the community.

For more information and bookings, refer to ACMI From sunburn to SunSmart and school exhibition visits.

Policy, guidance and resources

Our Policy and Advisory Library includes all related policy information, guidance and resources under the relevant menu tabs:

Find out more

For more information, refer to:

For further enquiries, contact the Wellbeing, Health and Engagement Division by email: health.advice@education.vic.gov.au