Principal's report

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin nation; past, present and those who will walk with us into the future. We acknowledge the rich and unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas, educational practices and the hopes of all First Nations Peoples. We do this in the spirit of reconciliation as we move to a place of justice and partnership - together we work, learn, play and care for one another and this land.

Here's a draft for your principal's newsletter page.

Welcome Back

Welcome back to another exciting term at Kalinda Primary School. It has been wonderful to see our students settle back into their learning so quickly and to once again see our classrooms and playgrounds full of energy. 

Welcome to Arii sensei

We are very pleased to welcome our Japanese intern who will be here for all of second semester, Arii sensei. Arii has immediately made great connections with our students in the Japanese classes, and her language and teaching skills are adding so much to our program. 

Please see her page later in this newsletter where she is introducing herself.

Thank you so much to the Tamassia family who is currently hosting Arii sensei. 

We are still looking for host families to host her for a minimum 2 week stay. It is a great opportunity to learn more about Japan and share Australian culture. 

Please speak to White Sensei for more information: Jessica.white@education.vic.gov.au

Improving Accessibility at Kalinda

Over the school holidays, automatic doors were installed at the main entrance to our Administration Building, the entrance near the 1/2 playground, the entrance to the Multipurpose Room and to the accessible bathroom. This was following a successful application to the Victorian Government's Accessible Schools Fund.

This is a fantastic improvement for our school community, making it easier for students, families, staff and visitors to access our office independently and safely. It is another important step in ensuring Kalinda Primary School continues to be an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.

A special thank you goes to Melissa O'Rorke for the significant work she put into preparing and submitting the grant application. Her efforts have resulted in a lasting improvement that will benefit our school community for many years to come.

Celebrating Our Community Spirit

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Jovic family for their incredible generosity over the school holidays. Without being asked, they spent two long days working tirelessly to dig up, level and tidy our long jump pit next to the basketball courts.

Their willingness to give up their own time to improve our school is truly appreciated. The care and pride they have shown in helping make Kalinda an even better place for our students is a wonderful example of the strong community spirit that exists within our school.

Whether it is taking on a major project like this or doing the little things that help improve our school, it is always greatly appreciated. We are incredibly fortunate to have families who are so willing to contribute to our community.

Their hard work has also come at the perfect time, with our Senior House Athletics Carnival taking place next week. Our students will now be able to enjoy practising their long jump in a refreshed and well-maintained facility.

On behalf of everyone at Kalinda Primary School, thank you to the Jovic family for your kindness, generosity and commitment to our school community.

AusAlert

A national test of AusAlert will happen across Australia on Monday 27 July at 2 pm. 

AusAlert is a new, national emergency warning system. It sends warning messages to compatible mobile devices during emergencies, to keep people informed so they can act quickly. The Australian Government plans to launch AusAlert in October 2026. 

On Monday 27 July at 2 pm, all compatible mobile devices will receive a Critical Alert. Compatible mobile devices include phones, tablets, smart watches, safety watches and some vehicle devices. These will vibrate and make a loud, siren-like warning sound for about 10 seconds. This will happen even if they are on silent or do not disturb. The message will clearly state that it is a test. No action is required from the test. 

To minimise disruption, student phones and smart devices should always be switched off and stored securely in lockers or bags during the school day. Students who use their mobile phone as part of a documented exception can continue to do so. If appropriate, they can turn their phone off during the test. 

You may also wish to let your child know that if they see or hear the alert, school staff will support them. You can learn more at AusAlert: children and teens. Information is also available in other languages. 

Safe phones 

AusAlert may increase risk for people experiencing violence, especially if they live with someone who uses violence. Alerts may expose safety devices. 

If you or someone you know has a hidden device, the best way to stay safe during the test is to: 

• turn off your mobile device or put it in aeroplane mode 
• keep your device off or in aeroplane mode for 24 hours. 

Silent mode and do not disturb will not stop the alert. 

For more information, please refer to the Staying safe with AusAlert page. 

School Tours

Bookings can be made for our 2027 Prep School Tours. Bookings can be made via the link below:

https://www.trybooking.com/DJFEX

We are kind. We are resilient. We are respectful.