Principal Report

Welcome Back

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope all of our families had a restful break.

We have a fantastic term ahead, filled with learning, community connection, and exciting events. This term, we will continue our work on School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS). Using the feedback from staff, students and families, we will begin developing behaviour matrices that align with our new school values.

Our staff will also be engaging with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0, exploring how it can enhance teaching practices and learning experiences across the school.

A number of important processes will also begin this term, including the Year 7 transition process for government schools, Foundation 2026 enrolments, and school tours that will run throughout the term.

We’re also excited to invite families to our Open Morning during Education Week, where parents and carers are welcome to come into classrooms and take part in a learning activity with their children. It’s a great opportunity to experience the classroom environment and share in your child’s learning. This will be take place on Friday 16th May between 9.15am and 10.30am.

In addition, students will be participating in a range of district sports events, including soccer, football, cross country, and netball.

One of the highlights of the term will be our Winter Solstice celebration at Middle Gully—a fantastic event where the entire Macedon Primary School community comes together to celebrate the season and enjoy an evening of warmth, food, and connection.

The term will conclude with the release of school reports, providing a clear snapshot of each student’s learning progress.

We look forward to a rewarding Term 2.

ANZAC Day – A Time for Reflection and Remembrance

ANZAC Day, first observed on 25 April 1916, marks the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915. Since then, it has grown into a significant national tradition—an opportunity to reflect on the bravery, sacrifice, and dedication of our veterans, service personnel, and the families who support them.

ANZAC Day is a public holiday, and we encourage all members of our school community to take the time to honour those who have served. Staff, students, and families who wish to observe the day are welcome to participate in local commemorative activities across the Macedon Ranges. You can find a list of services across the Macedon Ranges here. https://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/About-Council/News/News/Anzac-Day-2025

Junior School Council Up and Running

Our Junior School Council (JSC) began last term, and we’re excited to see our student leaders already making a positive impact. Each class has selected a representative, and the group has spent time learning about their role and how to run class meetings effectively.

The JSC’s first task is to create a list of items or projects they would like the school to fundraise for. This is a great opportunity for students to have a voice in shaping their school environment.

Once the list is finalised, we’ll be sharing it with the school community and looking at ways we can work together to bring their ideas to life.

Attendance

At Macedon Primary School, we prioritise regular school attendance. We will work with families to ensure students are in class with their peers and teachers and enjoying all the benefits that brings.

Attending school every day means experiencing what counts – the learning, friendship, fun and opportunities that can shape your child’s future.

Last year, students at our school missed on average 18 days of school. This equates to 2 and 1/2 terms over the 7 years of primary schooling.

We understand that there are times when your child will need to miss school but to ensure minimal disruption to their education, please consider scheduling family holidays or medical/dental appointments outside of school time. If your child is well enough to attend but is worried about friendships or schoolwork, please encourage them to come to school. Avoiding school can make these feelings worse and can create a negative pattern of behaviour.

If your child is having difficulty attending school, talk to their teacher or our Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, Sue Erwin, about getting support.

We know that parents and carers can be juggling challenges daily to get your children to school. If your child must miss school, notify us as soon as possible so we can work together to support them.

For more information about the importance of everyday attendance, see Attendance and Missing School.

Remember, Every Day Counts.

Winter Solstice

Our Winter Solstice event will be held on Friday, 20th June, and we can’t wait to bring the community together at Middle Gully.

The event includes delicious food for sale, including soup, sausages, and baked goods, as well as a bonfire to keep warm and enjoy the atmosphere. There will also be an art show at the JCB and our traditional lantern walk from the JCB to Middle Gully.

Winter Solstice is a highlight on our school calendar, and we need volunteers to help us organise this amazing event.

If you're able to lend a hand, please email me.

Uniform Reminder – Sports Hoodies

We know that many of our students are incredibly proud of their involvement with the Macedon Football Club and their achievements at regional sporting events—and we are just as proud of them!

We understand that students may want to wear their football or sports hoodies to school to celebrate these accomplishments. However, we’d like to remind families that these hoodies are not part of our school uniform.

Students wearing sports hoodies to school will be asked to remove them during the day.

If your child needs a school hoodie, they are available for purchase from Beleza. Thank you for your support in maintaining our school’s uniform expectations.

Inclusive Playground Construction Starting Soon

We’re excited to share that construction on our inclusive playground will begin in the coming weeks!

You’ll soon notice the installation of temporary fencing as preparations get underway. We’ve been working closely with the construction company to minimise disruption to the yard and ensure the safety of all students throughout the building process.

We will continue to keep you informed as the project progresses and look forward to bringing this exciting new space to life for our school community.

Celebrating 150 Years – Fete Preparations Underway!

Preparations are well underway for our 150th Fete. We are currently seeking donations of goods and services for our silent auction, as well as possible raffle prizes. If you or someone you know can assist, please email me at Andrew.bloomfield@education.vic.gov.au, and I will pass your details on to the organising committee.

Warm regards,

Andrew Bloomfield

Principal

andrew.bloomfield@education.vic.gov.au

Branch Out Parent Information Session