Office news 

Compass Events

Compass is the main communication tool between home and school, with notifications from classrooms, whole school messages, event information (excursions/incursions), reminders, parent/teacher interview bookings, newsletter etc.  We strongly encourage all parents to regularly check in to avoid missing deadlines and important information.  We will endeavour to list any events requiring parent attention in each newsletter.

Events currently requiring parent consent/payment:

• Year 3 and 4 Swimming - due 2/2/26
• Year 5 Camp deposit - now overdue
• Year 5 Camp balance - due 13/3/26
• Year 6  Camp balance/Surf Experience - 30/1/26
• VSSS 2026 Mass Dance Deposit - due 11/2/26
• VSSS 2026 Mass Choir Deposit - due 11/2/26

2026 Medications held at school

If your child needs to take medication at school, it must be administered by office staff at the school office. As noted in our school policy, medication must be supplied in its original packaging and a Medical Permission Form must be completed by the parent before we are able to administer medication.  This medication will be sent with the teacher in charge to any external school activity attended by your student.

If your child needs one-off medication (eg antibiotics) do not send along medication in your child's school bag or lunchbox  - it must be handed in to the office and correct procedure followed as outlined above.

Anaphylaxis

Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plans will be prepared over the next week or so. Parents of anaphylactic students will be contacted to come in and sign the paperwork when it has been prepared.

Asthma 

If your child has asthma you will shortly receive a new Karoo Asthma Action Plan to be completed and returned to the school office. Asthma medication can be kept in the sick bay until required, or for older students, can be left in their school bag to self-administer with parent's permission. Asthma medication kept in the sick bay will be sent along with the student when they attend a school event outside the school. If asthma medication is kept in the student's school bag, it is the student's responsibility to ensure they take it with them to external school activities.

Allergies

If your child has an allergy, you are required to supply a coloured copy of the ASCIA Allergy Action Plan (available from the office) signed by your medical practitioner, and a supply of antihistamine in its original packaging is to be kept in the sick bay. This medication will accompany the student to any external school activities.  

Expiry Dates

Medication expiry dates are regularly audited, and when necessary parents will receive an email via compass requesting either new medications or an updated plan.

If your child no longer suffers from a medical condition, please email the school to advise us so we can remove the details from their records.

If you have any medical concerns regarding your child, please come and see office staff.

CSEF (Camps Sports & Excursion Fund)

The CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to eligible families to assist with expenses relating to camps, sport and/or excursions (the CSEF amount for 2026 is $400 per student).

If you received the CSEF in 2025, you DO NOT need to complete an application form for 2026, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing. The school will automatically apply on your behalf.

If you are applying for the CSEF for the very first time

An application form is attached below or you can collect one from the school office. You will also need to provide the office a copy of your Concession Card for the school to submit on your behalf. 

ELIGIBILITY

1. To be eligible for the fund, a parent/legal guardian of a student must be a holder of a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC) which includes Low Income (LI) cards, Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card, Veteran Affairs Gold Card or be a temporary foster parent. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.
2. You must provide a copy of your valid card with your completed application form (first time applications only).
3. Cards must be valid on either 28th January 2026 or second eligibility date of 20th April 2026.

Applications will be accepted up until 26th June 2026, with payments commencing from March onwards.

For more information please visit https://www.vic.gov.au/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund or see Anna in the school office.