From Marie

Kindergarten Transition Statements

Kindergarten teachers are currently taking industrial action by not completing the transition statements for kindergarten students transitioning to school.  A number of parents have expressed support of the teachers, however, are concerned about information being transferred to the schools.  Every year our Foundation teachers ring kindergarten teachers, visit the kinders and gather information about our incoming students, and would usually read the transition statements.  This information assists with determining class groupings, flagging any concerns, ensuring the correct resources and staff are in place, ensuring we commence conversations with families where students require additional support.  These conversations have already commenced.  If you have any concerns, or would like to share information with the school about your child starting school next year, I encourage you to call in at the office and we can have a chat.

Victorian governement changes to the use of devices

From 2027, the Victorian Government is introducing changes to the use of digital devices for students from Prep to Grade 6.

Under the new guidelines, schools:

• will no longer invite families to purchase or bring their own digital devices to use at school for Prep to Grade 6

• will follow new recommended digital device times, including minimal device time for Prep to Grade 2; and a maximum of 90 minutes per day for grades 3 to 6.

These changes are intended to support families by reducing cost-of-living pressures. They will also support students by reducing screen-time which can reduce the risk of eye strain, sedentary behaviour, and reduced peer interaction. These reforms complement Victoria’s nation-leading mobile phone restrictions, ensuring an integrated approach to addressing digital distraction and the inappropriate use of technology.

As you know, we already provide school-owned digital devices for student, the use of them is planned by the classroom teacher and implemented at times across the week, with students using them between zero to a few hours per week. We believe that there will be little change at Mullum Primary.  Students with disability, who use a digital device as a reasonable adjustment throughout their school day, are exempt from these changes.

Trivia Night

On Saturday 11 October, our Parents' Association. led by Pei, Priscilla, Bruce and Bao (and a bunch of volunteers on the night) ran a hugely successful Trivia Night.  Tim and Digger led the trivia questions and there were hundreds of donations and prizes for the Silent Auction and Raffle.  The night wrapped up with ten of our parents singing out the ten musical items of the final round, for bonus points, who knew they were so talented. Overall, the night raised over $7500 towards the playground upgrades that the Parents' Association are planning.  Thank you for creating such a wonderful, community building night for everyone to enjoy.  We would like to thank the many donations from the local community, check out this list and visit their business to express our thanks:

Parents' Association Annual General Meeting

On Wednesday, 19 November at 7:00pm, the Parents' Association will be holding its Annual General Meeting.  All members of our community are invited to attend this meeting, sign up to the Parents' Association and have a say in activities across the school for 2026.  At this meeting, suggestions for community building and fundraising activities for 2026 will be compiled, ready to take to School Council for endorsement.