Principal's Report

This week, the government announced a School Saving Bonus, as part of the Victorian Budget 2024/25.  This will be available to parents and carers of every child enrolled in a Victorian government school in 2025.  The one-off support will include $400 for each eligible student to help families cover the costs of school uniforms and activities in 2025.  Please note that cash will not be paid directly to individuals or families. Instead, families will receive the bonus as credits on their school account.  

The School Saving Bonus support will be in addition to existing and continuing means-tested supports for camps, sports, excursions and uniforms.  The application-based Affordable School Uniform program, through State Schools’ Relief, will also continue to be available to families experiencing financial hardship or other forms of vulnerability and short-term crisis. This program allows schools to make multiple applications for support on parents' behalf throughout the year if needed.

Last week, students had a great time participating in the first of their tennis clinics with Andy and Alison.  A big thank you to them both for their time and effort in giving our students this opportunity.  These clinics will continue throughout the term.

This week, Matt from the Marine Mammal Foundation, spoke to each of our classes 

about the incredible marine mammal diversity of the Victorian coastline, including the newly discovered Burrunan dolphin. During the presentation, students learned how to identify dolphins through their unique dorsal fin nicks and notches.  They also learned about the negative impact of litter, and simple strategies we can all do, as a community, to reduce plastic litter. 

Next week, students in Prep-6 will travel by bus to the Tawonga Park for the annual Cross-Country run.  The event will commence at 11.15am and will finish by 1pm.  Parents are welcome to attend and cheer on the runners.  A reminder that all lunch orders need to be returned by Wednesday.

A big thank you to Ray Wills, who has been coming in over the last three weeks, to run basketball clinics with the year 4/5 class.  This has been really appreciated by the class, who are all enjoying developing their basketball skills.

Tomorrow is Walk Safely to School Day.  We would like to encourage families to take this opportunity to use active travel to walk or ride with their child/ren, and open up a discussion about how we stay safe when travelling to and from school.

We would also like to acknowlege our Crossing Supervisors and Bus Drivers who also play a big part in our students arriving and departing safely.

Families are asked to note that this term's Parent Teacher meetings will be held from the 27th - 30th May, with times subject to teacher availability.  More information will be sent out next week, on Compass.

Please note that entries for the annual NAIDOC Week colouring and poetry competition need to be returned to school by Friday 7th June.  If your child would like to participate and has lost their entry form, please contact the office. 

Reminder: State Schools Relief is now offering eligible Prep families, the opportunity to apply for a uniform package.  Families who qualify for the CSEF Camps and Excursions fund, automatically qualify for the package.  For further information, please contact the office or  visit the SSR website.