Principal's Message
Please take the time to read each page of our newsletter, as we provide you with information updates across our school.
TERM FOUR EVENTS:
Please be aware that all upcoming Term Four events are now viewable within our Compass Calendar. We advise all families to add these events to your schedules.
Vision, Values, and School Identity; seeking input
As part of the agenda at our two most recent School Council meetings (20/10/2025 and 15/09/2025), school council members have been reviewing several school policies in the lead-up to our 'year of review'- which has been scheduled by the Department of Education (DE) to occur in 2026.
What's involved in a 'year of review'?
Victorian government schools undergo a mandatory four-year school review cycle to inform their School Strategic Plan (SSP). This process involves a pre-review self-evaluation, fieldwork days, and a final panel session to develop key directions for the next SSP. The review is a key component of the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO) 2.0 improvement cycle, specifically the 'evaluate and diagnose' phase.
The DE Policy Advisory Library (PAL- https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/school-review/policy ) details two main components of school review:
- the pre-review self-evaluation (PRSE) where schools review their data and other evidence to form a collective view of current practice and areas for improvement. Schools complete the PRSE on the Strategic Planning Online Tool (SPOT) with the support of their senior education improvement leader (SEIL)
- a field review facilitated by an independent school reviewer with a panel comprising the principal, Senior Educational improvement Leader (SEIL) and for most schools, the school council president and challenge partners. The panel considers the PRSE and undertakes additional review activities such as classroom observations and focus groups. The review concludes with a report that includes the recommended goals, targets and key improvement strategies for the school’s next SSP. Our field review is scheduled for Term Three, 2026.
However, there are two additional components not detailed above. These are:
- a Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA- https://www2.vrqa.vic.gov.au/ ) audit which is undertaken in a hybrid mode (desktop and in-person field visits). Our VRQA audit is scheduled for February 2026 (Term One).
- an opportunity for the school community to have input into the PRSE, via a hybrid model of workshops and online surveys. This includes opportunities for parents/carers, students, and staff to contribute toward the qualitative data included within the PRSE. Our PRSE will occur throughout Term Two, 2026.
For details regarding FISO 2.0, which forms the basis of the school review, please refer to the .pdf attached below:
As part of the above processes, the School Council have recently reviewed two policies being:
- Statement of Values and School Philosophy
- Student Dress Code (uniform policy)
Following the completion of our 2026 PRSE and School Review, during which we will seek additional community input, we may find School Council making recommendations to update items such as our school values, student dress code, vision, philosophy our guiding principles.
Whilst School Council is not proposing any changes to the above two policies (at this point in time) we are seeking community input as part of the preliminary steps for our 2026 PRSE.
Therefore, during the week commencing Monday 10th November 2025, we will be seeking community input regarding the two policies detailed above, via a hybrid model in the following format:
- in-person ‘Vision and Values Workshops’ to be held on Wednesday 12th November 2025 2:30pm-3:15pm, and 5:30pm-6:15pm. Parents/Carers may choose to attend one, or none, of these workshop times. These workshops are targeted at people who would like the opportunity to provide their input in-person, as opposed to via an online format. These workshops will be facilitated by our School Principal, and the School Council Vice-President.
- online surveys to be distributed to the community via Compass on Monday 10th November, 2025. There will be two surveys, one each to address the above policies. Parents/Carers may choose to complete one, both, or neither of these surveys. These surveys will be a short online format, enabling responses to both closed and free-text questions. These online surveys are targeted at people who prefer an online format, and/or those who may wish to respond anonymously.
Whilst there will be further opportunities during the 2026 PRSE to provide your input, we encourage families to commit the time to take part in one of the above formats.
Parent Helpers Afternoon Tea
As a school staff we wish to express our thanks and gratitude for parents/carers who have volunteered to help out in the classroom, on excursions, during incursions, and through other avenues such as our Parent Association and School Council.
Therefore, on Thursday 27th November 2025 2:00pm-2:40pm we will be holding an afternoon tea in the OSHC building to say thank you to all of our amazing helpers. Following the afternoon tea, there will be a school-wide assembly held at 2:50pm.
An invitation will be sent out via Compass on Tuesday 11th November 2025, to which we ask attendees to RSVP. Further details will be contained within the Compass post.
Reverse Advent Calendar to Support our Wider Community
In the lead-up to Christmas 2025, we are once again partnering Foothills Community Care to support those less fortunate across our wider community.
This event is being managed by our amazing Performing Arts Leader, Ms Penelope Lang with the support of our School Leaders. We will be collecting donations throughout the month of November. Please refer to the Performing Arts page of this newsletter for more detailed information.
Upcoming Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Media coverage is growing regarding the Australian Government's initiative to ban social media for under-16 year olds from December 10th 2025. The government action is protecting young Australians at a critical stage of their development, through world-first social media age restrictions.
For many parents/carers, managing this change may prove challenging within the home environment, as families adjust to the new restrictions. Therefore, we encourage families to commit the time to visit the resources available @ https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions-hub
We highly recommend that parents/carers refer to the below .pdf summary to help prepare for conversations with your child/ren.
Be Prepared for the Upcoming Bushfire Season
As we near the end of Term Three each year, we continue to prepare our school to be 'Bushfire Aware'. Given the beautiful natural surroundings of the Dandenong Ranges, we encourage all members of our community to commit the time to plan and prepare for the Summer monhts ahead.
Ongoing works around our school include vegetation clearance, gutter cleaning, quality and pressure checks of hydrants, drill practice with students, and updating of our Emergency Management Plan.
Once again, we direct families to information which is publicly available on our website.
Emergency Management Planning FAQs
At Upwey South Primary School, we review and update our Emergency Management Plan (EMP) annually.
The management of EMP actions is highly detailed, and can alter dependent upon environmental changes which may impact upon schools (e.g. geographical location, changes to surrounding bushland/vegetation, changes to community access/buildings, etc).
In order to simplify the complexities of an EMP, we provide families with a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) reference.
These FAQs provides you with:
- possible emergency scenarios which may require a school to enact its Emergency Management Plan
- actions specific to our school, when enacting our Emergency Management Plan
- information about the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS)
Please familiarise yourself with the actions we are taking to provide a safe learning environment for our students.
Should you require further information, please speak with the Principal, or visit the Department of Education (DE) Reference Guide online:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/emergency-critical-incident-management-planning/policy
Bushfire Information
Upwey South Primary School is in the picturesque Dandenong Ranges region of Victoria, which is one of the most fire-prone areas within Australia. Due to our geographical location, our school is listed on the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR).
What is the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR)?
The BARR is a list of sites across Victoria, which have been identified as at an increased risk of exposure to bushfires.
Schools, kindergartens, and childcare facilities at the highest risk of fire danger are placed on the Department's BARR. Inclusion on this register requires listed facilities to communicate information to their communities.
For more information and an alphabetical listing of BARR sites, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/bushfire-risk-register-barr
Upwey South Primary School BARR information:
BARR Category: CAT 3 (as pictured above)
Local Government Area: Yarra Ranges
Fire Weather District: Central
What happens to Upwey South Primary School during a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating (previously Code Red)?
All schools and early childhood services that have been listed on the Department’s BARR will close on days determined
'Catastrophic' by the Emergency Management Commissioner.
The distribution of communications is managed at a regional level. Schools are not to circulate their own communications without regional authority.
When a school or early childhood service is closed due to a Code Red determination, no staff will remain on site, and all out-of-school care programs (including vacation, before, and after-school programs) will not operate.
Where can I find out more information about the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS)?
For a summary of the national rating system, please refer to the information below:
The Australian Fire Danger Rating System
In September 2022, Australia implemented the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS). This is a nationally consistent system for fire danger ratings based on the latest scientific research. This will result in more accurate predictions for fire danger. It has fewer levels (from 6 to 4). It also has clearer, simplified messaging for all communities.
The department worked with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to update our bushfire risk methodology in line with the changes. There were minimal changes to the methodology and department policy because of the AFDRS.
The key changes outlined in the below graphic were implemented from the start of the 2023/2024 bushfire season:
- Extreme fire danger rating (FDR) under the AFDRS covers what used to be known as Severe and Extreme.
- Catastrophic fire danger represents the worst conditions (previously Code Red).
As a result, the triggers for pre-emptive relocation and closure on elevated fire danger days were adjusted slightly to reflect this new system.
- Category 1 and Category 2 schools will relocate, or close, in accordance with their pre-approved plan on a day forecast Extreme FDR for their LGA.
- Like before, all schools on the BARR (Category 1-3) and Category 4 list must close on a forecast Catastrophic FDR day in their weather district. Their buses will be cancelled. All other buses that travel through the Catastrophic FDR area will also be cancelled.
To find out more information visit: https://afdrs.com.au/
Communicating with the Principal
We look forward to partnering with you in 2025, and welcome your input:
Damien Kitch
Principal
m: 0459 864 712